College Football's Post-Spring Top 25 Rankings for 2024

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The 2024 college football season is still months away, but with spring practice complete, it’s never too early to look ahead and rank the top 25 teams in the nation. This list will change significantly over the next couple of months, but a couple of familiar teams headline the rankings with Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas taking the top four spots.

Reigning national champion Michigan has a few holes to fill, but new coach Sherrone Moore still has this team in the top 10 exiting spring. The SEC features a crowded race outside of Georgia and Texas, as Alabama, Ole Miss, and Missouri each rank inside of the top 10, with LSU and Tennessee not far behind.

With the transfer portal, coaching changes, roster development and more moves and news to analyze this offseason, this list could look different by August. But with spring ball over and more clarity about rosters for the fall, here is Athlon Sports’ post-spring Top 25 for next season:

College Football’s Post-Spring Top 25 Rankings for 2024

1. GeorgiaThe return of quarterback Carson Beck and a roster with few concerns puts coach Kirby Smart’s team atop the post-spring top 25 for ’24. The upcoming schedule this fall is tougher than the one Georgia faced last season, however.

2. Ohio StateBetween a few strong portal additions – safety Caleb Downs, running back Quinshon Judkins, and quarterback Will Howard – the Buckeyes seem poised to return to the top of the Big Ten. Also, it doesn’t hurt a rebuilding Michigan team visits Columbus in a massive showdown.

3. OregonDan Lanning has the Ducks poised for a deep run in the CFB Playoff. A number of transfers – including quarterback Dillon Gabriel and handful on defense to fill gaps up front and in the secondary – helped to reload a roster that won 12 games last season. A showdown versus Ohio State in Eugene is Oregon’s biggest showdown in its debut Big Ten season.

4. TexasDespite the loss of a couple of key receivers, don’t expect coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense to take a step back as it enters the SEC. Quarterback Quinn Ewers returns, while a couple of key portal pickups – Silas Bolden, Matthew Golden, and Isaiah Bond – restocked the receiving corps. The defense closed spring with a few remaining question marks up front and in the secondary.

5. AlabamaThe Crimson Tide didn’t add many big-time pieces in the portal this spring, but the return of quarterback Jalen Milroe in coach Kalen DeBoer’s high-powered offense is enough to keep this team in the top-five discussion. Question marks remain about a revamped secondary. However, an addition (or two) could be coming in the portal.

6. Ole MissThe Rebels are loaded for a run at their first trip to the SEC Championship Game this fall. Quarterback Jaxson Dart and one of the nation’s top receiving corps headlines coach Lane Kiffin’s offense. The spring additions of Henry Parrish (Miami) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (New Mexico) restocked a thin backfield after the transfer of Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State. Portal additions – including Texas A&M transfer Walter Nolen up front – should help the Rebels have a much-improved defense in ’24.

7. MichiganThe Wolverines lost a ton from their national championship squad, but don’t expect a drastic drop in wins for new coach Sherrone Moore. A defense anchored by likely preseason All-Americans in linemen Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant and cornerback Will Johnson ranks among the best in college football. Uncertainty surrounds the quarterback battle after spring practice. Expect the offense to flow through running back Donovan Edwards.

8. Penn StateA favorable schedule and a standout defense should carry the Nittany Lions into the top-10 mix. But for coach James Franklin’s squad to push for a spot in the Big Ten title game, quarterback Drew Allar needs to take a step forward under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Also, concerns remain at receiver after the spring departure of Keandre Lambert-Smith.

9. MissouriThe Tigers lost a chunk of talent off last year’s standout defense, and coordinator Blake Baker left Columbia to be the play-caller at LSU. Despite those challenges, Missouri is poised for a playoff push behind an offense returning quarterback Brady Cook and dynamic receiver Luther Burden III.

10. Notre DameA defense returning likely preseason All-Americans in lineman Howard Cross III, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and safety Xavier Watts is firmly in the conversation to be one of the best in college football. Mike Denbrock returns to South Bend as offensive coordinator after guiding the nation’s No. 1 attack at LSU in ’23. The Fighting Irish have concerns up front after losing tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher. However, transfer quarterback Riley Leonard (Duke), a deep stable of running backs, and a couple of receiver adds from the portal should give Denbrock plenty to work with this fall.

11. LSUThe cupboard isn’t bare on LSU’s offense despite the loss of quarterback Jayden Daniels and receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. New play-caller Joe Sloan can build the next high-powered attack around new QB Garrett Nussmeier and a solid group of wideouts that includes Liberty transfer CJ Daniels and returning options in Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson, and Chris Hilton. The Tigers also bring back four starters in the trenches to form one of the best offensive lines in the nation. New defensive coordinator Blake Baker was hired away from Missouri to improve a unit that struggled mightily last season. The coaching changes should help. But LSU still has concerns up front and in the secondary.

12. Florida StateThe Seminoles lost a handful of key performers from last year’s 13-1 squad, but coach Mike Norvell reloaded once again from the transfer portal. Former Clemson/Oregon State signal-caller DJ Uiagalelei will handle the QB duties, with a handful of intriguing skill players and an experienced offensive line supporting the veteran quarterback. Just four starters are back on defense. However, coordinator Adam Fuller has a good foundation to build around, including a line that features end Patrick Payton and tackle Joshua Farmer.

13. Tennessee A high-powered offense led by rising star quarterback Nico Iamaleava should be able to carry the Volunteers into contention for a playoff spot. However, a defense that allowed 5.83 yards a snap in SEC play last season enters ’24 with concerns. Improving a revamped secondary remains the top priority for coordinator Tim Banks.

14. ClemsonIs the combination of another offseason of development from coordinator Garrett Riley and a couple of freshmen additions at receiver enough to help quarterback Cade Klubnik elevate his game into one of the best in the ACC? If so, the Tigers could return to the top of the conference. Until the offense finds its footing, coach Dabo Swinney’s team can lean on another talented defense.

15. UtahThe top of the new 16-team Big 12 is crowded, but the Utes get the early advantage after spring ball. Quarterback Cameron Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe are back after missing all of ’23 due to injury to spark the offense. As always, Utah will be strong on defense under coordinator Morgan Scalley and coach Kyle Whittingham.

16. OklahomaThe Sooners took a step forward in coach Brent Venables’ second season with a 10-3 mark. However, things won’t get any easier with a move to the SEC on tap for ’24. In addition to the tougher schedule, Oklahoma is breaking in five new starters on the offensive line. A couple of transfer additions help boost this unit, but new quarterback (and rising star) Jackson Arnold could have his hands full early in SEC play. The defense got a huge pickup in the spring transfer window with TCU defensive lineman Damonic Williams committing to the Sooners.

17. Kansas StateRising star quarterback Avery Johnson leads an offense that also features a prolific one-two punch at running back with Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards and DJ Giddens. Replacing three starters in the trenches – including All-American Cooper Beebe – is the biggest concern this offseason. K-State’s defense returns seven starters and should be one of the better units in the Big 12.

18. Oklahoma StateWith 20 starters back, coach Mike Gundy’s team is one of the most experienced squads in ’24. Running back Ollie Gordon II returns to headline the offense, but this unit needs more consistency from quarterback Alan Bowman to return to the Big 12 title game. There’s also room to improve on a defense that allowed 28.6 points per contest last year.

19. MiamiAre the Hurricanes poised for a breakthrough third year under coach Mario Cristobal? The pieces are in place offensively thanks to the addition of quarterback Cam Ward (Washington State) and running back Damien Martinez (Oregon State) from the portal. Miami’s defense should be solid up front. However, question marks remain in a thin secondary.

20. ArizonaNew coach Brent Brennan should get his tenure in Tucson off to a fast start thanks to the return of quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem for the Wildcats, but there are question marks on defense after the loss of tackles Tiaoalii Savea and Bill Norton, along with cornerback Ephesians Prysock.

21. Kansas Quarterback Jalon Daniels returns after missing nearly all of 2023 with a back injury to go with a loaded set of skill players to form one of the Big 12’s top offenses. The Jayhawks are getting better on defense and return two of the conference’s top cornerbacks in Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant. Improvement up front in the defensive trenches could decide whether or not Kansas can make a run at the conference title.

22. Texas A&MRoster talent isn’t lacking in College Station, but new coach Mike Elko must do a better job of maximizing the personnel than former coach Jimbo Fisher did over the last few years. Headlining Elko’s first team is a breakout candidate at quarterback in Conner Weigman, along with a defense that could rank among the best in the SEC if Purdue transfer Nic Scourton and Shemar Turner dominate in the trenches.

23. USCFor USC’s Big Ten debut to be a success, a revamped defense under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn needs to show improvement and coach Lincoln Riley must reload his high-powered offense. New quarterback Miller Moss was impressive in the bowl win over Louisville. However, a rebuilt offensive line remains a question mark.

24. NC StateTransfer quarterback Grayson McCall leads the way for an intriguing Wolfpack offense that also includes a much-improved group of receivers. Coordinator Tony Gibson must replace standout linebacker Payton Wilson and fill a few voids up front and in the secondary. However, Gibson should find a way to keep this defense near the top of the ACC.

25. LouisvilleA repeat trip to the ACC Championship Game is within reach for coach Jeff Brohm’s team. Anchored by standouts in cornerback Quincy Riley and lineman Ashton Gillotte, the defense should be one of the best in the conference. The Cardinals have plenty of firepower at the skill spots. However, transfer quarterback Tyler Shough needs to stay healthy after struggling with injuries at Texas Tech.

Steven Lassan is the senior college football writer and editor for AthlonSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.