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The return of college football is almost right here, so it’s time to replace our 2022 prime 25 rankings. Convention realignment information has taken heart stage, however these strikes gained’t take impact for an additional couple of years. Thus, let’s focus our consideration on the 2022 season and focus on the highest groups that may gentle up tv screens throughout the nation.
No prime 25 record will be taken critically with out Alabama and Ohio State battling for the crown, however the rankings beneath them are ever-changing. With the NFL draft, commencement, and switch portal inflicting large roster upheaval for a lot of packages, new contenders can seem, and incumbent powerhouses could fall some slots.
25) Fresno State Bulldogs
Following a 10-3 marketing campaign, Kalen DeBoer parlayed his success within the Mountain West Convention into a possibility as the following Washington head coach. However the man changing him at Fresno State is not any stranger to Bulldogs followers. Jeff Tedford recorded back-to-back profitable seasons (10-4 and 12-2) in his first two years with this system starting in 2017. Then, a 4-8 report and well being issues led to Tedford’s resignation in 2019.
Now reunited along with his former program and seemingly in good well being, Tedford hopes to rekindle his QB guru methods with Jake Haener below heart. After flirting with the switch portal, Haener determined to return to Fresno for an additional go-around. With Jalen Cropper and Josh Kelly catching passes and Dontae Bull and Co. defending up entrance, FSU’s offense ought to put loads of factors on the board.
24) Florida Gators
All of it begins and ends with redshirt sophomore QB Anthony Richardson in “The Swamp.” He’s undoubtedly an electrical runner and possesses a howitzer for a proper arm, however can he constantly layer passes with contact and accuracy? That has but to be seen, although we all know the supporting forged round him is best than given credit score for.
Billy Napier takes the reins after three straight double-digit win seasons at Louisiana. He brings with him Solar Belt Freshman of the Yr RB Montrell Johnson and star lineman O’Cyrus Torrence. With Gervon Dexter, Brenton Cox Jr., Ventrell Miller, Trey Dean III, and Rashad Torrence II solidifying the protection, Florida might shock in 2022.
23) Miami Hurricanes
Can Mario Cristobal convey Miami simply their third 10+ win season since 2003? Very similar to Florida, Miami’s success hinges on their QB: Tyler Van Dyke. Whereas the receiving corps is stuffed with underclassmen, the Canes introduced in Clemson switch Frank Ladson Jr. to guide the unit. The working again room is loaded, with Ole Miss switch Henry Parrish Jr. becoming a member of Jaylan Knighton and Donald Chaney Jr. The protection is rather less safe, although UCLA transfers LB Caleb Johnson and DE Mitchell Agude are Day 1 starters within the entrance seven.
22) Tennessee Volunteers
The Josh Heupel period started with a bang in Tennessee, because the Vols rapidly turned a 3-7 report in 2020 to a 7-6 marketing campaign final season. A lot of that reversal of fortune stems from the play of QB Hendon Hooker. With potential 2023 NFL Draft breakout Cedric Tillman on the skin and lightning rod Jalin Hyatt reverse him, Hooker might as soon as once more show his would possibly within the SEC, particularly with RT Darnell Wright primed for an enormous season himself.
21) Kentucky Wildcats
Getting into Yr 10 below Mark Stoops, expectations are excessive for Kentucky, contemporary off their second 10-win marketing campaign since 1977. Will Levis is routinely seen in early first-round mock drafts and hopes to reside as much as the hype in 2022. He has the arm expertise and general athleticism to hold the offense. Nonetheless, Levis’ consistency (in each play and fundamentals) will in the end determine how excessive the Wildcats end the season in faculty soccer prime 25 rankings.
20) Ole Miss Rebels
With Lane Kiffin calling performs, Ole Miss will rating factors in droves. Switch RBs Zach Evans (TCU) and Ulysses Bentley IV (SMU) type the most effective duos within the nation. Former USC QB Jaxson Dart flashed at instances final season and has the talent set to run Kiffin’s offensive scheme. However can the protection maintain up its finish of the discount? They must in a loaded SEC to even preserve their place within the prime 25.
19) BYU Cougars
BYU is returning eight starters on offense and each starter on protection. That’s unparalleled continuity. QB Jaren Corridor has all of the expertise to be a prime signal-caller within the 2023 class, however his harm historical past is a priority.
Moreover, BYU’s 2022 schedule consists of residence bouts towards Baylor and Arkansas, highway video games vs. Oregon, Boise State, and Stanford, and a matchup with Notre Dame in Las Vegas. The highway gained’t be simple, however knocking off these groups would vault the Cougars into the highest 10 vary.
18) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Sam Hartman guided Wake Forest’s mesh-point offense all the way in which to an 11-3 report, this system’s greatest since 2006. However, the Demon Deacons ought to anticipate regression this season, as final yr’s run on the ACC Championship was doubtless their peak.
However the offense solely misplaced three starters, A.T. Perry is without doubt one of the greatest WRs within the nation, and new defensive coordinator and former Charlotte head coach Brad Lambert has just a few key transfers to rebuild the protection. Thus, whereas the staff’s closing report could pale compared to final yr, they may truly enhance in a number of aspects.
17) Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is coming off the most effective seasons in class historical past. Nonetheless, they are going to be trotting out a completely new protection, with solely 4 starters returning and a brand new DC on the town. And offensively, RB Jaylen Warren and WR Tay Martin are gone. Spencer Sanders isn’t essentially the most correct QB, but the offense doesn’t want him to be. He’s a legit risk along with his legs, speeding for 668 yards and 6 scores in 2021.
Mike Gundy has his work lower out for him, however he hasn’t had a shedding season since 2005 (his first as OSU’s head coach). So don’t anticipate the Cowboys to fall too far in 2022.
16) Pittsburgh Panthers
Out goes Kenny Pickett, and in comes ex-USC Trojan Kedon Slovis. In the meantime, OC Mark Whipple is off to Nebraska, taking his pass-happy assault with him. Frank Cignetti Jr., identified for his QB mentorship and pro-style offense, will take over play-calling duties. Will probably be a extra balanced method this season, however shedding your offensive architect, first-round-caliber QB, and Biletnikoff-winning WR in Jordan Addison might sound the demise knell for the Panthers.
Nonetheless, LT Carter Warren and Akron switch Konata Mumpfield ought to assist prop up the new-look offense. And below HC Pat Narduzzi’s tutelage, Calijah Kancey, SirVocea Dennis, Deslin Alexandre, and Habakkuk Baldonado will make life troublesome for the opposition.
15) Oregon Geese
As is the theme with the latter half of the faculty soccer prime 25 rankings, Oregon will look fully totally different in 2022. Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is the brand new head coach, bringing with him a nationwide championship pedigree.
A change of surroundings for former SEC Freshman of the Yr QB Bo Nix might do wonders, particularly along with his former Auburn OC Kenny Dillingham conducting the offense. However the true present is on protection, the place Noah Sewell, Justin Flowe, and Co. look to embrace Lanning’s instruction.
14) Baylor Bears
Gerry Bohanon engineered a 10-2 marketing campaign final yr, however Blake Shapen was the one to guide the Bears over Oklahoma State within the Huge 12 Championship. With Bohanon now at USF, Shapen has Waco all to himself. A altering of the guard additionally occurred at working again, with Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner off to the NFL. Fortunately, Baylor sports activities an elite offensive line, led by OT Connor Galvin, so speeding lanes shouldn’t be too exhausting to return by.
Jalen Pitre and three different secondary starters have to be changed, however Siaki Ika and Jaxon Participant are a devastating duo on the D-line. Dave Aranda’s squad has a variety of outcomes in 2022, however their 12-2 report in 2021 is extra inductive of Baylor’s future than their 2-7 outing in 2020.
13) Houston Cougars
Clayton Tune. Nathaniel Dell. Know the names; you’ll hear them lots this season. Yearly, at the very least one Group of 5 staff steals the nation’s coronary heart. In 2022, that staff may very well be Houston. After 4-8 and 3-5 campaigns to start his tenure, Dana Holgorsen guided the Cougars to a 12-2 end in 2021. With the Tune-to-Dell connection one other yr extra skilled, the offense might carry a protection that misplaced Logan Corridor, Marcus Jones, and David Anenih to an AAC title.
12) Michigan State Spartans
QB Payton Thorne and WR Jayden Reed are again within the passing sport. Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard are primed to bowl over defenders within the speeding assault. And HC Mel Tucker hopes to construct off an 11-2 season that earned him a 10-year, $95 million extension. 9 starters return for the protection, and the important thing elements on the opposite facet of the ball are in place. Even with Ohio State and Michigan in the identical convention, No. 12 could also be Michigan State’s ground in faculty soccer prime 25 rankings.
11) Clemson Tigers
Whether or not it’s DJ Uiagalelei or early enrollee Cade Klubnik below heart, Clemson’s offense ought to enhance this season. Ten starters stay in “Demise Valley,” and Uiagalelei has reportedly misplaced 25 kilos this offseason. There are two new coordinators in-house, and the protection misplaced a ton of management and expertise — primarily within the second and third ranges. Nonetheless, Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, Trenton Simpson, and Andrew Mukuba present Day 1/2 NFL draft potential and can uplift the remainder of the unit.
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