Joel Klatt’s 2025 Faculty Soccer Rankings: Does Penn State Keep on Prime?

Michigan. Ohio State. Now, Penn State?

Following spring soccer, I ranked James Franklin’s Nittany Lions No. 1 in my post-spring prime 25 ballot. Why? As a result of they’re following the identical championship blueprint that led Michigan and Ohio State to nationwide titles up to now two seasons.

That blueprint remains to be in place, however so is my rising fascination with one other contender. As August arrives and fall camp kicks off, it is time to revisit the rankings. Will Penn State keep on prime? Or has another person earned the No. 1 spot?

Here is a take a look at my preseason prime 25.

Utah is bouncing again this 12 months. That is the precise sort of 12 months once I love the Utes — as a result of nobody is speaking about them within the offseason, that’s after they’re at their most harmful. Utah is coming off a season the place it was higher than what its 5-7 document indicated. It bought snakebitten by accidents after its 4-0 begin, beginning 4 completely different quarterbacks. Utah’s success goes to come back all the way down to QB play. Devon Dampier transferred from New Mexico after incomes first-team All-Mountain West honors a 12 months in the past. Dampier is a dual-threat signal-caller, and I feel that may assist the Utes threaten to win the Large 12 title.

I had some hassle filling out the previous couple of groups on this listing, so I went with the groups that I belief most. With Oklahoma, I additionally belief its quarterback: Washington State switch John Mateer. I actually like him. He’s bought an excellent arm, is correct and really athletic and will enhance Oklahoma instantly. The offense was a catastrophe final 12 months, however coach Brent Venables remade the Sooners’ offense over the offseason. Venables is again to calling defensive performs, and that unit was within the prime 20 final 12 months. That schedule is brutal, although, having six video games in opposition to groups you’ll see in a while this listing.

The Bears completed final season on a excessive observe, successful their final six regular-season matchups. They misplaced their bowl recreation to LSU, however they discovered one thing with quarterback Sawyer Robertson. He threw for over 3,000 yards, and so they now have Bryson Washington at working again, presumably giving them the very best QB-RB duo within the Large 12. The protection ought to enhance, too. I feel we’ll know what we have to learn about Baylor when it takes on Auburn in Week 1.

Persevering with with the theme of groups I belief, Iowa is definitely part of that group. I feel the Hawkeyes may get to eight or 9 wins, if no more, and so they may even be underrated. The offense improved final 12 months — granted it didn’t must do a lot to enhance from 2023 — however I like new quarterback Mark Gronowski. He can flip the Hawkeyes round, and whereas I perceive that you simply may need heard that earlier than, Gronowski gained the FCS model of the Heisman Trophy in 2023 and two nationwide titles. He additionally has 55 begins underneath his belt.

I feel Ole Miss goes to be good, however I’m not sure about that. Lane Kiffin has to switch lots of final 12 months’s staff, together with quarterback Jaxson Dart. I imagine Austin Simmons is an efficient participant, however I’m not one hundred pc assured in saying that. I feel Kiffin, the primary Ole Miss head coach to win 10 video games in back-to-back years in over 60 seasons, is great. He all the time replenishes the roster and was lively within the portal once more, touchdown 247 Sports activities’ fourth-ranked class.

It appears like if you’re not speaking about Iowa State, that’s when this system has its greatest seasons. That’s why I get a little bit nervous inserting some expectations on the Cyclones right here. Nonetheless, quarterback Rocco Becht returns after a powerful 12 months, however they’re changing his prime two targets (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel). I truly spoke with Becht this offseason about his new extensive receivers, and he likes the fellows that Iowa State introduced in through the portal. The Cyclones’ protection needs to be good, however I feel the HC-QB duo is what ought to give the Cyclones an edge within the Large 12.

There’s lots of momentum build up in Lubbock, Texas. I feel the hype is actual, as I bumped the Pink Raiders into my prime 25 after excluding them within the spring. Texas Tech’s offense was wonderful final 12 months, however the protection was one of many worst within the nation. So, it hit the portal actually laborious, and I feel that would go a great distance within the Large 12. Texas Tech had 247 Sports activities’ second-best switch class, bringing in guys that ought to make a huge effect instantly. Behren Morton is again for his third 12 months at quarterback after serving to Texas Tech end within the prime 10 in passing offense final 12 months.

Ending the run of Large 12 groups, that is one other rating based mostly on how a lot I just like the HC-QB duo. Some may even have the Solar Devils ranked greater after successful the Large 12 and giving Texas a powerful run within the 2024 Faculty Soccer Playoff. They create again quarterback Sam Leavitt and probably the greatest extensive receivers within the nation in Jordyn Tyson. As a lot as I like these two and coach Kenny Dillingham, the lack of star working again Cam Skattebo is hard. He was second within the FBS in touches and scrimmage yards, so I can’t say that they’re going to be simply fantastic with out him. You may’t simply substitute your coronary heart and soul with a switch.

A slight step again from final 12 months, however the Hoosiers are right here to remain. There shouldn’t be a significant drop off. Their schedule is favorable, and coach Curt Cignetti has by no means had a shedding season. He’s 130-37 in his 14 seasons as a head coach. Nonetheless, you want gamers to succeed, however I belief Cignetti’s roster-building expertise, and I appreciated the choice to switch quarterback Kurtis Rourke with Fernando Mendoza. There are lots of returning gamers there, too, with three All-American candidates on protection (DE Mikail Kamara, LB Aiden Fisher, CB D’Angelo Ponds).

Texas A&M is a sleeping large. The extra I checked out it over the offseason, the extra I appreciated A&M. Coach Mike Elko has been working to get this program again on observe as he enters Yr 2. I don’t love how final season ended — shedding 4 of its final 5 after getting out to a 7-1 begin. Quarterback Marcel Reed was promising, although. The Aggies’ complete offensive line returns, in addition to a number of working backs (Le’Veon Moss and five-star recruit Roman Owens). Defensively, Elko ought to be capable to get issues occurring that aspect of the ball. Texas A&M does have three actually powerful street video games (Notre Dame, LSU, Texas) that harm its rating right here, however I’d guess on them for the lengthy haul.

The Wildcats are my choose to win the Large 12. Chris Klieman’s squad is probably the most reliable staff within the convention, with quarterback Avery Johnson headlining the listing of returning gamers. For those who take a look at their losses from final season, it was actually a matter of turnovers. They have been minus-eight in these 4 losses, which I feel they need to be capable to flip round. Defensively, they need to have probably the greatest fronts within the convention. They’ve bought some questions alongside the offensive line, however it is a program that develops very well alongside the offensive line.

After I first did this, I had the Gators at No. 10, however the current harm information about quarterback DJ Lagway triggered some hesitation. Why does it look like he’s all the time banged up? Florida is excellent, if not a borderline nice staff, however this injury-prone offseason for Lagway has me involved for coach Billy Napier. Florida went 8-5 a 12 months in the past, successful its final 4 video games as Napier fought off scorching seat rumors. If Lagway isn’t wholesome, nevertheless, I don’t love UF. If he’s, Florida is a top-10 staff. The season modified when he turned the Gators’ beginning quarterback, going 6-1 because the one loss got here to Georgia, and he left that recreation early as a consequence of harm. That schedule appears to be like extra brutal if Lagway isn’t wholesome.

Just like Florida, I used to be excessive on Illinois within the spring, however I’ve had some issues not too long ago. Nonetheless, I’m excessive on Illinois as a result of it’s returning 16 starters, together with quarterback Luke Altmyer and its complete offensive line. Coach Bret Bielema established his model there, and this 12 months is a positive schedule for Illinois, avoiding Penn State, Oregon and Michigan. If it could possibly win its video games in opposition to USC and Indiana early, it ought to make the CFP.

I’m bullish on the Hurricanes. I get it. The harm stuff with quarterback Carson Beck isn’t nice, however I can’t get away from the truth that you possibly can’t recruit and add switch portal expertise on the stage that Miami has and never be higher. It went 10-3 final 12 months after a 9-0 begin, with that late loss at Syracuse primarily ending its CFP hopes. Coach Mario Cristobal has to recover from that hump. Miami can lean on the run recreation and line of scrimmage, so I don’t suppose Beck will have to be a savior. I like the brand new defensive coordinator, former Minnesota defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, and Miami hit the portal laborious to repair its protection, significantly within the secondary. Rueben Bain is a possible star off the sting.

I could be overrating South Carolina, but it surely has a quarterback (LaNorris Sellers) who I feel is outstanding and arguably probably the greatest defensive gamers within the sport (Dylan Stewart). Simply with these two gamers alone, the Gamecocks have one thing going. The line of defense had some losses over the offseason, however coach Shane Beamer has recruited nicely. The schedule is backloaded for South Carolina, so it’ll have time to seek out its footing earlier than taking over LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Clemson.

The Wolverines had an amazing finish to final season, and their protection was in a position to put all of it collectively even with out their star gamers on the sector. They’ll’t be worse on offense than they have been a 12 months in the past, proper? Due to that, I feel Michigan can be again among the many elite within the sport. Michigan beat Ohio State and Alabama with little offensive manufacturing, as the one groups worse at throwing the ball than Michigan have been the service academies. I’m to see how new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey matches in. Will Michigan begin Bryce Underwood or Fresno State switch Mikey Keene at quarterback? Keene missed all of spring follow as a consequence of harm. I do know Michigan is changing lots of defensive expertise, but it surely was in a position to deal with Alabama with out these gamers. Its recreation in opposition to Oklahoma in Week 2 may decide if Michigan is a playoff staff or not.

Coach Kalen DeBoer has to bounce again in Yr 2. Alabama didn’t win 10 video games for the primary time since 2007 final 12 months. This isn’t a program that’s going to attend round for DeBoer, however he’s an impressive coach who has gained in every single place else he has been. He’s reuniting together with his longtime offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb this season after he was with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks final 12 months. That’ll assist out and will assist projected beginning quarterback Ty Simpson. He’s a former five-star who has waited three years for this chance. Alabama could have stars all around the discipline, together with two gamers I not too long ago ranked in my prime 10 for general gamers within the nation. The Crimson Tide protection was within the prime 10 a 12 months in the past, so it needs to be fantastic on that aspect of the ball. The schedule is hard, however the backside line is that DeBoer has to win at Alabama quickly and this program has to succeed in the CFP.

LSU hasn’t achieved as a lot as Alabama, however I belief Garrett Nussmeier greater than I belief the Tide’s quarterback state of affairs. The urgency needs to be there for LSU and coach Brian Kelly. Kelly is aware of it as nicely, main him to hit the portal laborious and fill some holes with 247 Sports activities’ No. 1 switch class. Notre Dame cannot be enjoying within the title recreation whereas LSU’s not within the CFP. That is not why LSU paid Kelly. Linebacker Harold Perkins returns for the Tigers, and hopefully he can get again to the extent he was at as a freshman. This needs to be an excellent staff that makes the CFP.

That is an attention-grabbing staff that is powerful to venture, however I am giving coach Kirby Sensible the good thing about the doubt. Gunnar Stockton is a query mark at quarterback, however Sensible’s groups have confirmed that they do not want an elite signal-caller to succeed. His groups simply win, and there is by no means a scarcity of expertise there. The Bulldogs additionally bought higher at extensive receiver, addressing that situation by including Zachariah Department and Noah Thomas after main the nation in drops final 12 months. Georgia additionally will get most of its massive video games at dwelling — the place it by no means loses, because it hasn’t fallen at dwelling since 2019. This can be a staff that ought to play for an SEC championship. 

After I made these rankings, I separated the highest 10 into two tiers. Notre Dame is on the prime of Tier 2. The Preventing Irish simply beat up Georgia within the CFP, and their expertise is manner higher than you suppose. Coach Marcus Freeman has recruited and signed a participant with a mean ranking of 91.5, up from the common participant ranking (90) of Kelly’s recruits in his last years at Notre Dame. That makes a distinction, as they’ve primarily gone from being outdoors the highest 10 in recruiting to seventh within the nation. Notre Dame has the gamers to succeed, with working again Jeremiyah Love headlining that group. The schedule is favorable, and it ought to make it to the CFP if it simply splits the Texas A&M/Miami video games. I do not actually have many questions on this staff. Freeman is aware of what this staff is and has embraced it.

Oregon is changing so much from final 12 months’s staff after shedding 18 starters, however it is a staff that is constructed itself on recruiting nicely and has some of the proficient rosters within the sport. Coach Dan Lanning has additionally hit the portal nicely to assist fill within the gaps over his time in cost. At quarterback, Dante Moore takes over for Dillon Gabriel. He is not skilled, however I feel he is proficient. He bought to sit down behind Gabriel final 12 months and be taught, transferring in after beginning as a freshman at UCLA in 2023 after being a five-star recruit. I do not love the harm to extensive receiver Evan Stewart, nevertheless. 5-star freshman Dakorien Moore goes to have to supply instantly. Nonetheless, Oregon is not going wherever this 12 months.

I needed to place Clemson greater, however I’ll pump the brakes only a bit. I’ve beloved Clemson all offseason. Cade Klubnik is my No. 1 quarterback getting into the 12 months. The Tigers additionally return 16 starters, with 4 of them being offensive linemen. They’ve legit expertise at extensive receiver, however their line of defense needs to be stellar. Edge rusher T.J. Parker and defensive sort out Peter Woods joined Klubnik on my listing of prime 10 gamers in faculty soccer. Tom Allen is their defensive coordinator after holding the identical place for a powerful Penn State protection final 12 months. As for Clemson’s schedule, its first and final video games needs to be its hardest. It opens at dwelling in opposition to LSU earlier than closing the 12 months at South Carolina. The Tigers keep away from Miami in ACC play, so I feel they are going to virtually definitely play of their convention title recreation. Be careful for Clemson and the victory lap which may come from Dabo Swinney.

I might’ve put the defending champions greater, however they’re changing so many stars. Fourteen gamers from final 12 months’s staff have been picked within the 2025 NFL Draft. Each coordinators left, with Brian Hartline taking on for Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator and Matt Patricia changing Jim Knowles as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator. I haven’t got many questions on Hartline, however I’m wondering how lengthy it would take Patricia to acclimate to the faculty recreation. OSU made some good pickups within the portal, although, including tight finish Max Klare (Purdue), working again CJ Donaldson (West Virginia) and two potential beginning offensive tackles. At quarterback, we’ll see if Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz is the starter. I feel it may be Sayin, however I maintain asking Ryan Day who it may be, and he talked about that Kienholz remains to be combating for the job and doing nice in follow. Whoever wins that job will get to throw to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Can I win that job? My shoulder is toast and I can throw it to Smith. We all know precisely what the usual is for Ohio State, even after successful a nationwide championship.

Ohio State’s Week 1 opponent is available in proper above it. Arch Manning mania has arrived. I feel he’ll be excellent. He jogs my memory of the faculty model of Trevor Lawrence. Because the noise is targeted on Manning, although, Texas has an excellent probability to have the very best protection within the nation. 5 of the final eight nationwide champions had the very best scoring protection within the nation, and I feel Texas has an opportunity to do this. The Longhorns have a star at every stage, with Colin Simmons at edge rusher, Anthony Hill Jr. at linebacker and Michael Taaffe at security. Texas hit the portal to deal with its wants at defensive sort out. Coach Steve Sarkisian has constructed one thing that’s sustainable, but it surely’s now time for him to money in after falling within the CFP semis in every of the previous two years. I feel Texas will win the SEC and presumably steal the mantle of being the face of the convention from Georgia. When it comes to the Week 1 matchup in opposition to Ohio State, I give Texas the sting in that recreation as a consequence of Manning.

The Nittany Lions nonetheless have the No. 1 spot that I gave them in my post-spring rankings. I am big on blueprints, and I feel Penn State greatest resembles the blueprints Michigan and Ohio State had after they gained the nationwide championship over the previous two years. That blueprint is an skilled staff with an skilled quarterback and lots of guys who return quite than changing into an early-round choose within the NFL Draft. Similar to these Michigan and Ohio State groups, these gamers wish to rebound from a tricky loss within the earlier season. 

Alongside quarterback Drew Allar, working backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, 4 offensive linemen and defensive finish Dani Dennis-Sutton are among the many group of gamers returning. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is in Yr 2 and does not want to ascertain an offensive system. Knowles was an excellent substitute at defensive coordinator after Allen left. PSU introduced in three extensive receivers through the portal as nicely to deal with its largest gap final 12 months. USC’s Kyron Hudson, Syracuse’s Trebor Pena (All-ACC slot receiver) and Troy’s Devonte Ross (All-Solar Belt) ought to all be strong move catchers for quarterback Drew Allar. The large query is that if coach James Franklin can beat a top-five opponent. Penn State has video games in opposition to Ohio State, Oregon and presumably the Large Ten title recreation and the CFP. Whether or not Penn State and Franklin can match up with these groups will proceed to persist till it wins a kind of video games.

Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead faculty soccer recreation analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Present.” Observe him at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Present” on YouTube.

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