Though college football is undergoing constant change with the transfer portal, NIL and conference realignment, the collection of talent in the sport has never been better. Player development and retention has given us a top tier of stars that are, in some cases, already good enough to be playing on Sundays but instead are using their talents to power wins on Saturdays in the fall. <\/p>\n
The CBS Sports Preseason All-America team for 2025 is filled with names who fit that mold; players who were highly touted as high school prospects and have developed into some of the top stars in college football. Not everyone turned down a shot at the NFL, such as first team running back Nick Singleton from Penn State, but even the underclassmen on this All-America team are of the caliber where the next level is already counting down their arrival. <\/p>\n
Speaking of underclassmen, Ohio State sophomore Jeremiah Smith was the only unanimous selection in this year's voting. The Buckeyes' wide receiver is joined by Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart, Texas defensive end Colin Simmons and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore as true sophomores we are expecting to have a strong 2025 after breakout debut seasons. <\/p>\n
2025 CBS Sports preseason college football awards: Jeremiah Smith, James Franklin headline honorees Shehan Jeyarajah <\/p>\nIn terms of conferences, our All-America team is unsurprisingly led by 11 selections from the SEC followed by eight from the Big Ten. Many of the College Football Playoff participants and anticipated contenders are well-represented, with Texas, Ohio State and Penn State all putting multiple players on the squad. <\/p>\n
2025 CBS Sports Preseason All-America <\/h2>\n * unanimous selection | classes from official team rosters | stats from 2024 season<\/em><\/p>\nOffense <\/h2>\n Cade Klubnik CLEM \u2022 QB \u2022 #2 Yards3,639TD38INT6Rush Yards463Rush TD7 Hometown: Austin, Texas | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
QB: Cade Klubnik | Sr. | Clemson<\/h3>\n There was no quarterback in the country last year better at handling pressure. Klubnik led the FBS with an 80.9 PFF grade in those situations while leading Clemson to an ACC championship and a return to the College Football Playoff. He's coming off a 3,639-yard, 36-touchdown season and expectations are even higher in 2025 for the former five-star recruit. He's the triggerman for a Clemson team with resurgent national championship hopes. — Chris Hummer<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU<\/em><\/p>\n Jeremiyah Love ND \u2022 RB \u2022 #4 Yards1,125TD17 Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
RB: Jeremiyah Love | Jr. | Notre Dame<\/h3>\n If there is a successor to Ashton Jeanty as a future first-round running back, Love is it. The junior from St. Louis was one of the breakout stars of Notre Dame's second-half run. If he was healthy, the Irish might have been holding the trophy at the end of the year. Love posted five performances of 99 yards or better over a six-game stretch to end the year, including a gamebreaking 98-yard touchdown scamper against Indiana in the College Football Playoff. With a 6-foot, 215-pound frame and exceptional balance, quickness and a nifty penchant for hurdling defenders, Love is the complete package. — Shehan Jeyarajah<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma<\/em><\/p>\n Nicholas Singleton PSU \u2022 RB \u2022 #10 Yards1,099TD12 Hometown: Reading, Pennsylvania | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
RB: Nicholas Singleton | Sr. | Penn State <\/h3>\n Singleton is already rewriting the record books at Penn State, and he could finish with the school's career rushing title this season. Singleton this offseason surpassed Saquon Barkley's freakish record in the weight room with a squat of 665 pounds, according to The Athletic's annual Freaks List. He and Kaytron Allen form the most formidable duo in the game, and if Singleton can eclipse 1,020 yards this season, he'll take Evan Royster's Nittany Lions' career rushing record. — Brandon Marcello <\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Isaac Brown, Louisville <\/em><\/p>\n Jeremiah Smith OHIOST \u2022 WR \u2022 #4 Rec76Yards1,315TD15 Hometown: Miami Gardens, Florida | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
WR: Jeremiah Smith* | Soph. | Ohio State<\/h3>\n There are many NFL Draft evaluators who believe that if he'd been eligible last year, Smith would've been one of the first receivers off the board — if not the<\/em> first. Well, the NFL's loss is Ohio State's gain for the next two years, because the former No. 1 overall recruit was already one of the most dangerous weapons in the country during his freshman season and odds are he'll be better in 2025. It's not just the size and speed that separates Smith from his peers, it's his polish. He's already an incredible route runner. He's a total package at the spot. — Tom Fornelli<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Jordyn Tyson, <\/em>Arizona State (only three WRs received votes)<\/em><\/p>\n Ryan Williams BAMA \u2022 WR \u2022 #2 Rec48Yards865TD8 Hometown: Saraland, Alabama | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
WR: Ryan Williams | Soph. | Alabama <\/h3>\n Williams garnered first-team All-SEC honors before his 18th birthday, recording 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns last season on an offense that ranked No. 104 nationally in passing attempts per game (27.2). Alabama is poised for a more dynamic passing attack in 2025 under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and starting quarterback Ty Simpson, and Williams will be among the biggest beneficiaries as a sophomore. — Grant Hughes<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Elijah Sarratt, Indiana<\/em><\/p>\n Eli Stowers VANDY \u2022 TE \u2022 #9 Rec49Yards638TD5 Hometown: Denton, Texas | 247Sports (transfer) rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
TE: Eli Stowers | Sr. | Vanderbilt<\/h3>\n Just three years removed from being a reserve quarterback at Texas A&M, Stowers is now one of the nation's top tight ends at Vanderbilt. He originally made the move to tight end at New Mexico State in 2023, then transferred to Vanderbilt along with teammates, such as quarterback Diego Pavia, and ended up leading the Commodores last season with 49 catches, 638 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. NFL scouts think he'll go in the first few rounds of next year's NFL Draft. — Matt Zenitz<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Max Klare, Ohio State<\/em><\/p>\n Spencer Fano UTAH \u2022 OL \u2022 #55 Hometown: Provo, Utah | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
OT: Spencer Fano | Jr. | Utah <\/h3>\n Fano plows the road for what I think will be one of the country's best rushing attack. Don't let the fact that he isn't a blind side tackle fool you — Fano is a great player with all the tools it takes to play on Sundays. What's more, he embodies the no-nonsense attitude that coach Kyle Whittingham has imbued into this program. At the end of the day, he'll out-tough you on Saturdays and let the pads do the talking. — Richard Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama <\/em><\/p>\n Francis Mauigoa MIAMI \u2022 OL \u2022 #61 Hometown: 'Ili'ili, American Samoa | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
OT: Francis Mauigoa | Jr. | Miami <\/h3>\n When Mario Cristobal landed a commitment from Mauigoa, a top-10 player overall and No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2023 recruiting class, it was a statement of intent for how his Miami program would be built. Mauigoa has been a starter since Day 1, earning Freshman All-American honors two years ago and then backing it up with All-ACC recognition in 2024. The Hurricanes have had one of the top offensive lines in the country each of the last two years, and a big part of that success has been Mauigoa's size and strength at tackle. — Chip Patterson<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Isaiah World, Oregon <\/em><\/p>\n Ar'maj Reed-Adams TXAM \u2022 OL \u2022 #55 Hometown: DeSoto, Texas | 247Sports (transfer) rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
OG: Ar'maj Reed-Adams | Jr. | Texas A&M<\/h3>\n A former starter at Kansas, Reed-Adams transferred to Texas A&M ahead of the 2024 season and immediately emerged as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the country. He started at right guard in all 13 of Texas A&M's games and allowed just one sack and one quarterback hit in 361 pass block snaps, according to PFF. The 6-foot-5 and 325-pound Reed-Adams also graded out as an elite run blocker while helping pave the way for the second-best rushing attack in the SEC. — Will Backus <\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Cayden Green, Missouri <\/em><\/p>\n Olaivavega Ioane PSU \u2022 OL \u2022 #71 Hometown: Graham, Washington | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
OG: Olaivavega Ioane | R-Jr. | Penn State <\/h3>\n The running backs get all of the attention, which is deserved, but the Penn State rushing attack would not be its smash-mouth self without Ioane paving the way for those ballcarriers through the interior. Ioane moved up to a full-time starting role last season and was a true monster — albeit a perhaps unsung one from a recognition perspective — across his 16 games at the left guard spot, where he led all Nittany Lions in offensive snaps. The next great Penn State lineman got better in each of his first three years with the program and should skyrocket up mock drafts this fall. — Carter Bahns<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Jaeden Roberts, Alabama<\/em><\/p>\n Jake Slaughter FLA \u2022 OL \u2022 #66 Hometown: Ocala, Florida | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
C: Jake Slaughter | R-Sr. | Florida Slaughter had a terrific 2024 season for the Gators, logging a team-high 728 snaps in 13 starts and earning first-team Associated Press All-American honors. The 6-foot-5, 303-pound redshirt senior was the only center last season to earn 80-plus grades as both a pass and run blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. He's big, strong, moves well for his size, doesn't get easily caught off guard and has earned consistent praise from his teammates for his hard work, which included voting him as team captain. He's the anchor of a unit charged with protecting star quarterback DJ Lagway, a paramount task if the Gators are going to match their lofty preseason expectations. — John Talty<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Nick Dawkins, Penn State <\/em><\/p>\n Desmond Reid PITT \u2022 RB Rush YDS962Rush TD 5Rec YDS579Rec TD4Return TD1 Hometown: Hollywood, Florida | 247Sports (transfer) rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
All-purpose: Desmond Reid | R-Jr. | Pitt <\/h3>\n The former Western Carolina standout hit the ground running at the FBS level, proving to be among the most versatile individuals in the ACC. Reid was able to be a game-breaking rusher, a productive piece of Pitt's passing game and also the team's top punt returner in 2024. He finished fifth nationally in all-purpose yards per game (154.9) and was hitting rushing-receiving benchmarks that haven't been seen since Christian McCaffrey's time at Stanford. As Pitt's offense looks to take another step in Year 2 under offensive coordinator Kade Bell, Reid is expected to remain the star. — Chip Patterson<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Zachariah Branch, Georgia <\/em><\/p>\nDefense <\/h2>\n Colin Simmons TEXAS \u2022 LB \u2022 #1 Tackles48TFL14Sacks9INT1 Hometown: Duncanville, Texas | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
DE: Colin Simmons | Soph. | Texas <\/h3>\n Simmons had a breakout freshman campaign for Texas, quickly establishing himself as one of the nation's most dynamic defensive forces en route to upsetting Jeremiah Smith to with the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award (our friends at 247Sports tabbed Smith). Simmons led the Longhorns with nine sacks — the highest total among all FBS freshmen — and ranked second on the team with 14 tackles for loss. With no sophomore slump expected, the menacing Simmons is poised to be one of the key anchors on a Texas defense that projects to be among the most formidable units in the country for 2025. — Cody Nagel<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: T.J. Parker, Clemson<\/em><\/p>\n Dylan Stewart SC \u2022 LB \u2022 #6 Tackles23TFL10.5Sacks6.5FF3 Hometown: Washington, D.C. | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
DE: Dylan Stewart | Soph. | South Carolina <\/h3>\n Stewart has everything you want in an elite edge rusher: speed, bend and power. He flashed as a true freshman, ignored temptations to enter the transfer portal and now takes the defensive mantle for the Gamecocks this season as a future top 10 pick. Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson is the last lineman to be a Heisman finalist (2021) after helping Michigan win the Big Ten with a 14-sack effort. Stewart could have that same kind of impact for the Gamecocks. — Brad Crawford <\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon<\/em><\/p>\n Peter Woods CLEM \u2022 DT \u2022 #11 Tackles38TFL2.5FF1 Hometown: Alabaster, Alabama | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
DT: Peter Woods | Jr. | Clemson <\/h3>\n Defensive tackles don't get nearly enough credit. They may not finish with the sack numbers of their brethren on the edge, but every defensive coordinator in the country will tell you nothing ruins an offense's day like interior pressure. And that's what Woods does for Clemson; he's an elite run-stuffer and an excellent disruptor in the passing game as well. There isn't a guard in the country excited to look up and see this man lined up across from him. — Tom Fornelli <\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Christen Miller, Georgia <\/em><\/p>\n Zane Durant PSU \u2022 DT \u2022 #28 Tackles42TFL11Sacks3 Hometown: Lake Nona, Florida | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
DT: Zane Durant | Sr. | Penn State<\/h3>\n Durant probably doesn't get enough recognition on the national scene, but he will this season. The bull and veteran defensive tackle leads the Penn State defense in the trenches after piling up 11 TFLs in the middle last season. He garnered recognition from center (and teammate) Nick Dawkins as the best defensive tackle in college football. "I could go on for like two hours. He's just a different cat," Dawkins told reporters at Big Ten Media Days. Durant only picked up All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in 2024. That changes this year. — Brandon Marcello<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Mikail Kamara, Indiana<\/em><\/p>\n Anthony Hill Jr. TEXAS \u2022 LB Tackles113TFL16.5Sacks8INT1FFFF Hometown: Denton, Texas | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
LB: Anthony Hill | Jr. | Texas <\/h3>\n While the offense gets most of the headlines, Texas has been a defense-first program under coach Steve Sarkisian. In 2024, Hill proved he could be the undisputed head of the snake. The true sophomore posted an absurd 113 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks and four forced fumbles during an All-American season. Hill boasts the kind of frame and athletic gifts that makes defensive coordinators salivate — and opposing offensive coordinators tear out their hair. — Shehan Jeyarajah<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Gabe Jacas, Illinois<\/em><\/p>\n Kyle Louis PITT \u2022 LB \u2022 #9 Tackles101TFL15.5Sacks7INT4FF1 Hometown: East Orange, New Jersey | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
LB: Kyle Louis | R-Jr. | Pitt <\/h3>\n Louis broke out as a redshirt sophomore last fall, stuffing the stat sheet in gobsmacking fashion. The former three-star recruit is a film junkie with a 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame built for impact. Pittsburgh is expected to finish in the lower half of the ACC, and though the Panthers may not steal the spotlight this season, Louis will be impossible to ignore. — Grant Hughes<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Whit Weeks, LSU<\/em><\/p>\n CJ Allen UGA \u2022 LB \u2022 #3 Tackles76TFL3INT1 Hometown: Barnesville, Georgia | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
LB: CJ Allen | Jr. | Georgia<\/h3>\n Next in line in the Georgia linebacker lineage is Allen, who has lightning quickness from the second level of the Dawgs' D and brings an absolutely thump to whoever he hits. When you collide with him, you go down. It's as simple as that, he's a seek-and-destroy player. He stepped in as a freshman and has not looked back. There was no sophomore slump, and now as a seasoned veteran, he'll earn numerous accolades at the end of this season. Internally, Georgia is sky high on its linebacker room. Surprise, surprise. — Richard Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Sonny Styles, Ohio State<\/em><\/p>\n Leonard Moore ND \u2022 CB \u2022 #15 Tackles48INT2 Hometown: Round Rock, Texas | 247Sports rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
CB: Leonard Moore | Soph. | Notre Dame <\/h3>\n You can't play much better as a true freshman than Moore did a season ago. A midseason starting replacement for injured All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison, Moore held opposing passers to a 46.4 completion percentage and emerged as a household name for football junkies. Ohio State didn't even really bother trying him in the national title game with just three targets. Now, Moore is expected to be the frontman for what's again expected to be one of the nation's top secondaries. — Hummer<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Chandler Rivers, Duke <\/em><\/p>\n Jermod McCoy TENN \u2022 DB \u2022 #3 Tackles44INT4 Hometown: Whitehouse, Texas | 247Sports (transfer) rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
CB: Jermod McCoy | Jr. | Tennessee <\/h3>\n McCoy was quite the transfer portal find for Tennessee. He came to Knoxville by way of Oregon State and tied for second among Power Four cornerbacks with four interceptions in his first season with the Vols. He also finished the year with nine pass breakups. He's a sticky cover specialist with excellent athletic tools, and he's regarded as the top cornerback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. McCoy tore his ACL in January, and while there's no updated timetable for his return, he is expected back at some point in the first half of the 2025 season. — Will Backus <\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Aveion Terrell, Clemson <\/em><\/p>\n Caleb Downs OHIOST \u2022 S \u2022 #2 Tackles81INT2 Hometown: Hoschton, Georgia | 247Sports (transfer) rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
S: Caleb Downs | Jr. | Ohio State <\/h3>\n A Swiss Army Knife of a defender, Downs is listed as a safety, but he's not limited to it. The Alabama transfer saw snaps at corner last year, in the slot, in the box and lined up deep as a traditional safety. He's a defensive coordinator's dream because you can move him around and rely on him to get the job done. Downs is also a force on special teams, returning six punts last year, including one for a touchdown against Indiana. Who knows? Maybe we'll see him get snaps on offense this year, too. – Tom Fornelli <\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Koi Perich, Minnesota<\/em><\/p>\n Dillon Thieneman OREG \u2022 DB \u2022 #31 Tackles104Sacks1 Hometown: Westfield, Indiana | 247Sports (transfer) rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
S: Dillon Thieneman | Jr. | Oregon<\/h3>\n Oregon found an elite plug-and-play replacement in the secondary in the form of a perennial 100-tackle force. He debuted as a true freshman in 2023 with six interceptions and was just as prolific last year at disrupting the box as he was in pass coverage, leading the Big Ten in tackles for Purdue. Thieneman does a little bit of everything and does so at a high level. He would have been a household name if his production the last two years came on a more successful team than Purdue; carrying that track record with him to Eugene will put him on a bigger stage and allow him to flourish as one of the most highly regarded safeties in the nation. — Carter Bahns<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: KJ Bolden, Georgia<\/em><\/p>\nSpecial teams <\/h2>\n Dominic Zvada MICH \u2022 K \u2022 #96 FGM\/FGA21\/22Long FG56 Hometown: Chandler, Arizona View Profile <\/p>\n
K: Dominic Zvada | Sr. | Michigan <\/h3>\n Kickers deserve attention, too. Zvada became the first in Michigan history to make seven field goals from 50-plus yards in a season — and he was perfect on those attempts, leading the FBS. The former Arkansas State transfer hit 21 of 22 field goal attempts, including all 17 from 30-plus yards. His consistent leg and clutch kicking earned him Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year honors and solidified him as a vital piece of Michigan's special teams heading into 2025. — Cody Nagel<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Peyton Woodring, Georgia <\/em><\/p>\n Brett Thorson UGA \u2022 P \u2022 #92 Average45.2 yardsLong punt60 Hometown: Melbourne, Australia View Profile <\/p>\n
P: Brett Thorson | Sr. | Georgia <\/h3>\n One of the latest All-American caliber specialist to come out of ProKick Australia, Thorson's 2025 has mostly been about working his way back to full health from offseason knee surgery. But Thorson's ceiling as a punter is proven, and his ability to not only kick great distances but pin opponents inside the 20-yard line and 10-yard line complements the Bulldogs' defensive strengths. As long as he's back to form, Thorson will once again be playing a role in some of the biggest games of the season flipping the field for the Dawgs. — Chip Patterson<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Palmer Williams, Baylor <\/em><\/p>\n Barion Brown LSU \u2022 WR \u2022 #6 KR Yards449KR TD1 Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee | 247Sports (transfer) rating: \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f View Profile <\/p>\n
RET: Barion Brown | Sr. | LSU <\/h3>\n Brown is an electric receiver, but nobody should overlook his value as a returner. He's popped off five kick return touchdowns over the last three seasons, including a trio of them in 2023 for Kentucky. Brown has ranked in the top 25 nationally in kickoff return average every season of his career. With two more kickoff return touchdowns this year, Brown would tie the NCAA record for most in a career. — Chris Hummer<\/strong><\/p>\nSecond team: Keelan Marion, Miami <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CBS Sports Preseason All-America team: College football's best and brightest entering the 2025 season Highlighting the best of the best in college football as the 2025 season rapidly approaches By CBS Sports Staff Aug 13, 2025 at 11:00 am ET \u2022 14 min read Join the Conversation Though college football is undergoing constant change with the transfer portal, NIL and conference realignment, the collection of talent in the sport has never been better. Player development and retention has given us a top tier of stars that are, in some cases, already good enough to be playing on Sundays but instead are using their talents to power wins on Saturdays in the fall.