While Michigan and Washington State were aiming for national championships, most sports spent the past five weeks regrouping for 2024. My initial rankings are simply evaluating who’s coming in and who’s leaving. I wasn’t trying to predict the season record.
1. Georgia (13-1 in 2023)
Georgia will be loaded again, especially on defense. The entire front seven that was the Orange Bowl starter is back, led by defensive linemen Mikel Williams and Nazir Stackhouse, along with linebacker Smail Mondon and defensive back Malachi Starks.
Quarterback Carson Beck shined in his first year as a starter. Georgia loses star tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Rad McConkie, but returns WR Dominique Lovett and tight end Oscar Delp. Kirby Smart added Florida running back Trevor Etienne, Miami WR Colby Young and Vanderbilt WR London Humphries.
Star QB Jalen Milroe returns, joined by receivers Isaiah Bond and Kobe Prentice, and tight ends CJ Depres and Amari Niblack. Even if running back Jace McClellan turns pro, freshman Justice Haynes is ready for that moment. Three O-line starters return, but the unit needs to improve.
The defense will lose OLBs Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell and cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold, but freshman safety Caleb Downs has been sensational, and LBs Deonte Lawson and Jihad Campbell is expected to return. USC’s CB Domani Jackson will be added to the secondary.
Dan Lanning replaced Bo Nix with Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel, the top QB in the portal. Star WR Troy Franklin is headed to the NFL, but Tez Johnson (1,182 yards) and Traeshon Holden return. RB Bucky Irving is no longer there, but Division II All-American Jay Harris joins Jordan James. Left tackle Josh Connally Jr. leads one of the top offensive lines in the country.
The defense lost some big names, but returns defensive end Jordan Birch, LB Jeffrey Bassa and DB Tayseem Johnson, as well as promising freshman pass rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Tatum Tuioti.
even deeper
Oregon State got the Fiesta Bowl closure it needed.Now the Ducks look to their Big Ten future
Since the Cotton Bowl, Ryan Day has acquired veteran QB Will Howard from Kansas State to replace Kyle McCord, who went to Syracuse. Star Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins (2,725 yards in two seasons). and Alabama OL Seth McLaughlin. Even assuming Marvin Harrison Jr. declares, it’s a deep receiver group with Emeka Egbuka, Colonel Tate and three former five-star players.
The Buckeyes’ top-five defense could get even stronger. Defensive end Jack Sawyer, DT Tyreke Williams, and DB Lathan Ransom have announced their return, and DE JT Tuimorow, CB Denzel Burke, and DB Jordan Hancock may also return.
Assuming QB Quinn Ewers returns, Texas will have another strong offense with running backs CJ Baxter and Jadon Blue and a strong O-line. WR Matthew Golden, who went to Houston, could help soften the blow if Adonai Mitchell declares for the draft along with Xavier Worthy.
High-profile DTs Tuvondre Sweat and Byron Murphy are leaving, but UTSA transfer Trey Moore (14 sacks last season) joins Valin Soler and Ethan Burke as edge rushers. LB Anthony Hill Jr. shined as a freshman. Transfer S Andrew Mukuba started 31 games for Clemson.
6. Michigan (15-0)
Considering the uncertainty surrounding Jim Harbaugh and the approximately 12 players who have made NFL decisions, consider this a preliminary ranking. For now, let’s assume that QB JJ McCarthy, RB Blake Collum, and possibly RB Donovan Edwards leave. Michigan will also lose at least four O-line starters.
Star DB Mike Sainristil and LB Michael Barrett will leave, and DT Kris Jenkins and possibly LB Junior Colson will turn pro. However, the defense should still be excellent, featuring CB Will Johnson, DT Mason Graham, LB Ernest Houseman, and S Rod Moore.
7. Washington (14-1)
Mississippi State’s fourth-year starter Will Rogers has the unenviable task of replacing Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr. Star WR Roma Odunze will likely turn pro, as will Jalen McMillan and Jaylin Polk. Sophomore Jermie Bernard and Cal State transfer Jeremiah Hunter (731 yards) are next. Standout LT Troy Fautanu and possibly RT Roger Rosengarten could also turn pro.
The defense is full of seniors, with star DE Bralen Trice expected to be a first-round pick, but LB Carson Bruner and CB Elijah Jackson are expected to return.
8. Ole Miss (11-2)
Quarterback Jackson Dart, receivers Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins, and tight end Caden Prieskorn headline the College Football Playoff contenders. Star RB Quinshon Judkins entered the surprise portal, but Ulysses Bentley IV will return.
Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin has loaded up on proven defensive starters, including DL Walter Nolen (Texas A&M), edges Princely Umanmielen (Florida) and Tyler Barron (Tennessee), and CB DeCamerion Richardson (Mississippi State). and Key Lawrence (Oklahoma). There are also returnees like D-linemen Jared Ivey and JJ Peggs.
The Irish will need many of their top five defensemen back, led by All-American running back Xavier Watts, DT Howard Cross and cornerback Benjamin Morrison. Marcus Freeman made a big splash on offense, recruiting LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, Duke QB Riley Leonard and FIU wide receiver Chris Mitchell (1,118 yards).
Running back Audric Estim is a big loss, but Jadarian Price and Jeremiah Love shined as freshmen.
10. Clemson (9-4)
The Tigers, who finished the year with five straight wins, lost running back Will Shipley, but returned most of the O-line, including QB Cade Klubnik, running back Phil Mafa, and receivers Tyler Brown and Antonio Williams. Star LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. turned pro, but Barrett Carter is back. All-American freshmen TJ Parker and Peter Woods have emerged on the D-line. Safeties RJ Mickens and Khalil Barnes will anchor the secondary.
11. Utah State (8-5)
Injuries sealed the Utes’ fate in 2023. Quarterback Cam Rising, running back Micah Bernard, WR Micah Pittman and tight end Brandt Kais are all likely to return after missing most or all of the season. Kyle Whittingham added Idaho running back Anthony Woods (1,131 yards, 16 TDs) and UCLA tight end Carsen Ryan. Most of the O-line will be back.
The defense must bring back eight starters, led by linebackers Levani Damuni and Karene Reed. UTEP DE Canius Bourne and Georgia Tech CB Kenan Johnson could fill the void.
The Big 12 runner-up team features Doak Walker running back Ollie Gordon II (1,732 yards), QB Alan Bowman (earning his seventh season), top receivers Brennan Pressley and Rashod Owens, and O-line starters. Virtually all five offensive players returned. Oklahoma State needs to improve its 89th-ranked scoring defense. All-Big 12 LB Colin Oliver and Nick Martin (140 tackles) return, and UTEP cornerback Kobe Hilton is a great pickup.
Coming off their best season in 25 years, the Wildcats return QB Noah Fifita, star WR Tetailoa McMillan (1,402 yards) and top running back Jonah Coleman. Stud LT Jordan Morgan turned pro, but four other O-line starters return. Jed Fisch has to replace DC Johnny Nansen, but the defense returns most of its linebackers and secondary. The Fish also added UC Davis DT Chuba Mahe.
Five-star QB Niko Iamareaba made a promising first start in the Citrus Bowl, as did running back Dylan Sampson (20 carries, 133 yards against Iowa). WRs Rhys White and Blue McCoy return after missing most of last season, and C. Cooper Mays also returns. All-SEC DE James Pierce Jr. (10 sacks), LBs Keenan Pirri and Elijah Herring led the defense, and DE Tire West flashed in the bowl. Oregon State CB Jermod McCoy helps out a depleted secondary.
Jackson Arnold was promoted to QB1 for the bowl game. Running back Gavin Sawchuk returns, along with receivers Nick Anderson, Jahlil Farouq and Andrell Anthony, who are joined by All-Big Ten Purdue WR Deion Burks. Transfer candidates Spencer Brown (Michigan State), Michael Tarquin (Florida/University of Southern California) and Febesi Nwaiiu (North Texas) are all experienced starters. New DC Zach Earley will inherit two All-Americans, LB Danny Stutzman and S Billy Bowman, as well as DE Ethan Downs and CB Woody Washington.
Louisville lost QB Jack Plummer, star RB Jawar Jordan, and top WR Jamari Thrush, but Jeff Brohm has already acquired new QB1 Tyler Shoaf (Texas Tech). They also acquired MAC Offensive Player of the Year RB Penny Boone (Toledo), RB Don Chaney Jr. (Miami), WR Colin Lacy (South Alabama), and WR Jacorey Brooks (Alabama). The defensive line returns All-American DE Ashton Gillott, DE Mason Reiger, and LBTJ Quinn. Coach Brohm added All-Ivy League DT Thor Griffith (Harvard University) and Tennessee Stakes Tamarion McDonald.
The Jayhawks should be a legitimate Big 12 contender behind star QB Jaron Daniels, who missed most of last season. Running back Devin Neal (who has reached 1,000 yards twice) and backfield mate Daniel Hisho Jr. return. The O-line will need some adjustment. First-team All-Big 12 pick Kobe Bryant and Melo Dotson head the experienced secondary at the corners. However, Kansas needs to improve its rushing defense, which ranks 89th.
Despite winning 10 games, Penn State’s season was disappointing. Quarterback Drew Allard needs to take a big leap under new OC Andy Kotelnicki. Running backs Nick Singleton and Caitron Allen are entering their third seasons. Ohio State WR Julian Fleming has garnered a lot of attention. New defensive coordinator Tom Allen will have to replace a number of big names, including DE Chops Robinson and CB Karen King, but he will also have to replace a number of big names, including LBs Abdul Carter and Kobe King, DT Dovon Aries and CB Cam. Miller returns.
With nearly all of the best players in 2023 in the NFL, FSU could be set back quite a bit. Former Clemson and Oregon State starter DJ Uiagalelei is his new QB1. All-ACC OL Darius Washington is a key piece. Laurence Toafili will be the top back. We need young WRs to emerge. Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, DB Shyheim Brown and CB Fentrell Cypress II lead the defense, which is missing stars Jared Verse, Karen DeLoach and Braden Fisk.
even deeper
Navarro: Felt FSU’s epic season was wasted due to Orange Bowl embarrassment
20.LSU(10-3)
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier takes over after a strong bowl game. Star receivers Malik Nabors and Brian Thomas Jr. have played in the NFL, but Kylen Lacy, Mississippi State pickup Xavion Thomas and tight end Mason Taylor also have experience. Running back Logan Diggs entered the portal. New DC Blake Baker must revive a unit that finished 81st nationally in scoring. He will work with LBs Harold Perkins Jr., Greg Penn and S Major Barnes.
Quarterback Brady Cook and WR Luther Burden III return, but All-American RB Cody Schrader is a big loss. Eli Drinkwitz picked off Georgia State running back Marcus Carroll (1,350 yards) and Appalachian State running back Nate Noel. All-SEC LT Javon Foster is gone, but the O-line has experience. The defense lost several key pieces in DE Darius Robinson, LB Tyrone Hopper, and CB Chris Abrams-Drain. Miami LB Corey Flagg Jr. adds 24 career starts.
22. Iowa State (10-4)
They bring back QB Cade McNamara and TE Luke Lachey from injury, along with running back Leshon Williams (821 yards) and the entire O-line, as Kirk Ferentz attempts to revive a disastrous offense. He needs to add some WRs. The Hawkeyes’ stingy defense lost All-American DB Cooper DeJean but returned LB Jay Higgins (171 tackles), DE Deonte Craig, DT Yahya Black, and S Sebastian Castro. The loss of punter Tori Taylor is notable.
The young Cyclones are 6-3 in Big 12 play with wins over Oklahoma State and K-State in ranked play and should return 18 starters. Quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Abu Samah III and tight end Benjamin Brahmah stood out as freshmen. Top WRs Jaden Higgins and Jaylin Noel return, as do all five O-line starters. Iowa State’s league-leading defense returns All-Big 12 safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Bo Freiler, as well as its entire front two deep.
24. Kansas State University (9-4)
The Avery Johnson era began with K-State’s win over NC State, and now new coach Matt Wells has taken over. A former Top 100 player will take over the offense, with RB DJ Giddens (1,226 yards) and WR Jace Brown returning. North Dakota T. Easton Quilty could replace the starting four and strengthen the O-line. All-Big 12 S Kobe Savage has transferred to Oregon State, but standout LB Austin Moore and S Marques Siguru (leading tackler) return.
The Mountaineers had one of the most surprising performances of the season, running a top-30 offense. Quarterback Garrett Green, top running backs Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson, tight end Cole Taylor and three O-line starters return. The defense will have to replace six starters, especially CB Beanie Bishop Jr., but will return S Anthony Wilson (80 tackles) and LB Trae Lathan (injured). Cornerback Montre Miller, a former Kent State transfer, was given a seventh year.
Missed: North Carolina State, University of Southern California, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech.
Mandel’s top 5 teams: freedom
(Top photo: Nick Tre. Smith / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
