The team that won the 2024 national championship, Ohio State, is atop ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for the 2025 season.

Not surprisingly, our 2025 Way-Too-Early All-America team is dotted with players returning for the Buckeyes, including receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Other familiar faces made the cut, but it’s always fun at this time of the year to examine the next wave of rising stars.

The transfer portal makes this exercise a bit tricky, with so many players landing in new places, but we reached out to college coaches, NFL scouts and other reporters for input. To be clear, this is not a list of the returning players with the best statistics, nor a selection of the top NFL draft prospects. It’s a list of those players projected to be the most impactful at their positions in 2025. This past season, we hit on 18 players who were on ESPN’s Way-Too-Early team and wound up earning first- or second-team honors on our postseason All-America team.

Clemson and Ohio State lead the way, with three first-team selections each.

OFFENSE

Klubnik showed tremendous growth a year ago and put up sensational numbers. One of two FBS quarterbacks with more than 3,600 passing yards and 400 rushing yards in 2024, he accounted for 43 touchdowns (36 passing, 7 rushing). Now, as he enters his fourth season at Clemson with 28 starts under his belt — and all his top receivers returning — the 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior is poised for his best performance yet.

Second team: Arch Manning, Texas

Love epitomized Notre Dame’s march to the national championship game last season. He weathered injuries, especially in the postseason, but never quit fighting. With an offseason to return to health, Love is poised to be one of the most productive running backs in college football. He scored 19 touchdowns a year ago and was a nightmare to tackle, whether he was running through defenders, dashing past them or hurdling over them.

Second team: Kaytron Allen, Penn State

Double Trouble will return next season to fuel Penn State’s running game. Not only is the 6-foot, 226-pound Singleton coming back for his senior year, so is Allen. They will again share the load, and Singleton is easily one of the most versatile running backs in the country. He rushed for 1,099 yards a year ago and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. He was third on Penn State with 41 catches and accounted for 17 touchdowns (12 rushing, 5 receiving).

Second team: Ahmad Hardy, Missouri

If he were eligible, Smith might be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. His offensive coordinator at Ohio State, Chip Kelly, said it best: You just don’t see guys with Smith’s size (6-3, 225), speed and ability to go up and get the ball. Smith was dynamic as a true freshman, especially in the Buckeyes’ dash to the CFP title. He finished the year with 15 touchdown catches and averaged 17.3 yards per reception.

Second team: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Williams didn’t finish his freshman season the way he started it, but still proved to be one of the most explosive players in the nation. He had five touchdown catches in his first four games, including the game winner against Georgia, and finished the season with 10 touchdowns (8 receiving, 2 rushing). Williams averaged 18 yards per catch and tied for fourth nationally with five receptions of 50-plus yards. Look for even more big plays in 2025.

Second team: Nic Anderson, LSU

Transfers played a key role in Ohio State’s 2024 national championship, and the Buckeyes hope Klare can make a similar impact in 2025 after transferring from Purdue. The 6-4, 240-pound Klare was one of the country’s most productive tight ends last season, racking up 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns. He’ll be invaluable in helping the Buckeyes finish drives. He had 33 catches for first downs last season.

Second team: Oscar Delp, Georgia

When Mauigoa came to Miami, he was billed as the premier offensive line prospect in the country. Now entering his junior season, Mauigoa is primed for an All-America season after showing flashes of his immense talent since he started all 13 games as a freshman for the Hurricanes. The 6-6, 320-pound Mauigoa was a second-team All-ACC selection last season and has a chance to be one of the top tackles taken in the 2026 NFL draft.

Second team: Kage Casey, Boise State

An absolute mauler as a blocker, the 6-4, 350-pound Ioane blossomed into one of the Big Ten’s best interior offensive linemen last season. And with Ioane back, along with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen at running back, the Nittany Lions should have one of the top rushing attacks in college football. Ioane’s quickness for someone his size is something to see.

Second team: Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

One of the best pieces of news for Billy Napier this offseason was Slaughter’s announcement that he was returning for another season. It’s equally good news for Florida quarterback DJ Lagway to have Slaughter back in the middle of the Gators’ offensive line. Slaughter was one of the best centers in the country in 2024, and his experience, toughness and versatility will serve the Gators well in 2025.

Second team: Brady Small, Army

In his first season at Missouri after transferring from Oklahoma, Green entrenched himself as the Tigers’ starting left guard. He was limited to six snaps in the Alabama game after injuring an ankle, but had a strong finish to the season. The 6-5, 320-pound Green can also play tackle, but the plan is to leave him at guard, where he and center Connor Tollison will form one of the better interior combinations in the country.

Second team: Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame

Fano made major strides from his freshman to sophomore season, so retaining him was a coup for the Utes. The 6-6, 302-pound Fano enters his junior season as one of the most experienced tackles in the sport. He has 24 career starts, 11 at left tackle and 13 at right tackle. His run-blocking grade leads all returning tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, and Fano didn’t allow a sack last season after the opening week.

Second team: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Reid made an immediate impact in his first season at Pittsburgh after transferring from Western Carolina. The quintessential all-purpose running back, Reid scored touchdowns three ways (4 rushing, 5 receiving and 1 on a punt return). He’s only 5-8 and 175 pounds, but as Clemson’s Dabo Swinney said, Reid is an “absolute rocket.” He averaged 154.9 all-purpose yards per game a year ago, the most among all returning players, and Pitt will look to get him the ball even more in 2025.

Second team: Isaac Brown, Louisville

DEFENSE

The scary part for opposing offensive linemen is that Parker hasn’t come close to reaching his full potential despite recording 32 tackles for loss (16.5 sacks) over his first two seasons at Clemson. The 6-3, 265-pound Parker is another in a long line of talented defensive linemen for the Tigers. He finished with 11 sacks and a school-record six forced fumbles last season, and his production soared after a bout with migraine headaches earlier in the year.

Second team: Colin Simmons, Texas

Clemson should have a dominant defensive line next season, with Parker, Woods and Stephiylan Green all returning. The 6-3, 315-pound Woods spent time at both end and tackle last season as a true sophomore but is best suited to play inside, where he’s a force against the run and versatile enough to also rush the passer. Woods had 8.5 tackles for loss, including three sacks, last year.

Second team: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Overton is one of those rare players with the size (6-5, 285) to handle the hybrid bandit position, which is part defensive lineman and part edge rusher, for the Crimson Tide. Overton started his career at Texas A&M before transferring to Alabama. This will be his second season in Kane Wommack’s defense, and after recording 42 total tackles and a team-leading nine quarterback hurries a year ago, Overton is in line for a big senior campaign.

Second team: Zane Durant, Penn State

Stewart came to South Carolina as a five-star recruit last year and played like it in a terrific freshman season that saw him rack up 10.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks, and force three fumbles. The 6-6, 248-pound Stewart is a blur coming off the edge and returns as one of the top pass rushers in college football, especially with a year of experience in the SEC and more familiarity with how offenses will try to block him.

Second team: Mikail Kamara, Indiana

Texas will again be supremely talented on defense despite losing some key players, and the heartbeat of that unit will be the 6-3, 235-pound Hill, who returns for his third season as a starter. One of the country’s most well-rounded linebackers, Hill tied for fourth among FBS linebackers last season with 16.5 tackles for loss, and he also forced four fumbles. When a big play needs to be made on defense, Hill is usually the one making it.

Second team: Gabe Jacas, Illinois

One of college football’s top breakout players a year ago, Louis returns for his redshirt junior season as one of the most disruptive defenders in the country. He had 101 total tackles, including 15.5 for loss and seven sacks. He had four interceptions, returning one 59 yards for a touchdown in a 41-13 win over Syracuse and notching another that sealed a 38-34 win over rival West Virginia. Louis has shown many times he can make big plays.

Second team: CJ Allen, Georgia

Few defenders will be more valuable to their teams in 2025 than Perkins, who is an edge rusher/defensive end/outside linebacker all wrapped into one. A five-star recruit, Perkins keeps getting better as he enters his junior season. He’s undersized (215 pounds), but a dynamo when it comes to making big plays. He tied for the team lead last season with 14 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks. Perkins had shoulder surgery in January but is expected back in time for the season.

Second team: Aiden Fisher, Indiana

Tennessee struck it rich in the transfer portal when it brought in McCoy from Oregon State last season. He was an instant difference-maker for the Vols, who finished seventh nationally in scoring defense (16.1 points per game) and allowed just 11 touchdown passes in 13 games. McCoy tied for the team lead with four interceptions. The only question is how quickly he will recover after having surgery in January for a torn ACL suffered while training at home.

Second team: Chandler Rivers, Duke

Moore is a prime example of why Notre Dame should continue to thrive under Marcus Freeman, who has been able to stockpile promising young talent. Moore was the FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and started in 10 games. He has tremendous speed and the instincts to go with it. He led Notre Dame with 11 pass breakups and had two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Second team: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

For two years, Downs has been one of the best safeties in America. He followed up a stellar freshman season at Alabama with an even better sophomore season at Ohio State on a defense that spearheaded the Buckeyes’ run to the national championship. Downs is everything a coach would want in a safety. He was third on Ohio State with 81 tackles, 7.5 of them for loss, and had two interceptions. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.

Second team: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Moore didn’t play a down last season for Michigan after suffering a noncontact ACL tear in spring practice, but he was still named a captain, an indication of what he means to the Wolverines. Moore announced last month that he would return for his senior season after earning All-Big Ten honors in both 2022 and 2023. He has made 27 starts going back to his freshman season and has the experience and versatility to shore up any defense.

Second team: Michael Taaffe, Texas

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Wolverines’ special teams got a huge boost when Zvada decided to return for his senior season. His ability to make long field goals is an offense’s best friend. Zvada was 7-of-7 on attempts of 50 yards or longer a year ago and was 21-of-22 overall. His 95.5% conversion rate set a school record, and no field goal was bigger than his 21-yarder to beat Ohio State with 45 seconds to play.

Second team: Will Ferrin, BYU

Thorson is recovering from December knee surgery on his non-kicking leg after getting injured in the SEC championship game. He’s a big part of setting the table for Georgia’s defense, as 22 of his 42 punts last season were downed inside the 20-yard line and 14 more were fair-caught. A Ray Guy Award finalist last season as the top punter in the nation, the Aussie returns for his fourth season as the Bulldogs’ punter.

Second team: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State

Brown transferred to LSU in the offseason after rolling up 3,273 all-purpose yards at Kentucky over the past three seasons. He’s the Wildcats’ recordholder for career kickoff return average (30.3 yards) and leads active players nationally with five kickoff returns for touchdowns, the most of any player in SEC history. Brown has elite speed and will also factor prominently at receiver for LSU.

Second team: Kam Shanks, UAB

Alabama is set to hire Ryan Grubb as offensive coordinator, reuniting him with Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, sources told ESPN.

Grubb served as offensive coordinator under DeBoer at Washington in 2022 and 2023, and was set to join him at Alabama in the same role for the 2024 season. But Grubb instead remained in Seattle as the Seahawks‘ offensive coordinator, a role he held until last month.

DeBoer had Nick Sheridan serve as offensive coordinator in 2024 with JaMarcus Shephard as co-offensive coordinator. Both Sheridan and Shephard joined DeBoer from the Washington staff and worked with Grubb.

Grubb will again oversee the offense, which he also did under DeBoer at Fresno State in 2020 and 2021. The two first worked together in 2007 at the University of Sioux Falls, an NAIA school and DeBoer’s alma mater.

They later worked together as assistants at Eastern Michigan and Fresno State, where Grubb remained on staff after DeBoer left to become Indiana‘s offensive coordinator.

Alabama’s NIL collective, Yea Alabama, first reported Grubb’s hire.

In 2023, Washington reached the national title game and finished No. 2 nationally in passing, as quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and became an NFL first-round draft pick.

Alabama will be replacing multiyear starting quarterback Jalen Milroe and others from a unit that finished 22nd nationally in scoring and 42nd in yards per game.

HENDERSON, Nev. — Chip Kelly is returning to the NFL to become the Las Vegas Raiders‘ offensive coordinator under new head coach Pete Carroll, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel on Sunday.

Kelly, 61, spent the past seven years in college football, including last season as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for national champion Ohio State, which averaged 35.7 points in going 14-2, including a 34-23 defeat of Notre Dame for the national title.

Previously, Kelly was head coach at UCLA for six seasons, going 35-34 with the Bruins.

Kelly last coached in the NFL in 2016, when he was the San Francisco 49ers head coach for one season, with the Niners going 2-14.

He had also been head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-15 and went 26-21 with one playoff appearance.

The addition of Kelly completes the coordinator staff for Carroll, who retained defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.

Carroll said he was hoping for a “combination” of coaches to fill out his staff when he was introduced last Monday.

“I’m really looking for people that have been with me, that understand the philosophy to some extent,” Carroll said at the time. “I [also] want guys that have never been around me before so they have to learn what we’re all about and we can watch the process of them learning what we’re all about and what we expect. And then I’m hoping that we can maintain some of the terrific coaches that are on the staff, too, so we can have the benefit of the insights that they bring and the continuity that they can generate for us.

“We want ball people. We want guys that love the game…also, it’s important to find people that can help us grow and challenge us and — I know in my history — I need people to keep me on track. As you can tell, I get pretty juiced up and I’m going to get going. I need people to keep me balanced.”

Carroll, as coach of the Seattle Seahawks, went 3-0 in head-to-head matchups against Kelly’s Eagles and Niners teams.

They met once in college, Kelly’s Oregon Ducks beating Carroll’s USC Trojans in 2009. Kelly went 46-7 over four seasons at Oregon, which included an appearance in the national title game, two Rose Bowl appearances and a Fiesta Bowl win.

Kelly becomes the third key assistant to leave the Buckeyes this offseason. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left Ohio State for the same role with Penn State and offensive line coach Justin Frye left for the same role with the Arizona Cardinals.

Carroll, meanwhile, is returning to the NFL after a one-year hiatus. The former Seahawks, New England Patriots and New York Jets head coach was hired in January to replace Antonio Pierce, who was fired following a 4-13 season.

In Las Vegas, Kelly will find a first-team All-Pro tight end in Brock Bowers, who was the No. 7 pick of the 2024 draft, and a receiver who just recorded his first career 1,000-yard receiving season in Jakobi Meyers.

The Raiders, though, have needs at running back and quarterback and hold the No. 6 overall draft pick, as well as an extra third-round draft pick from the Davante Adams trade to the New York Jets and more than $108 million in salary cap space as well as a new general manager in John Spytek.

Kelly has long been regarded as a gifted playcaller, having served as a longtime offensive coordinator and innovator at New Hampshire and Oregon. As Kelly moved on to become the head coach at Oregon (2009-12) and then in the NFL, he remained the play-caller, and along the way his offenses shifted from breakneck tempo to a more deliberate NFL style.

Wanting to be more football-focused and not have his time occupied by the myriad off-field responsibilities of a college head coach, Kelly left UCLA for Ohio State last year.

Kelly finished with a flourish as the Buckeyes averaged 36.3 points per game in the College Football Playoff in four games against Top 10 teams. His play-calling salvo came in the title game, when the Buckeyes called a go-route to freshman Jeremiah Smith on a third-and-11 late in the game that essentially sealed the game for Ohio State. The play hit for 56 yards and will be long remembered in Ohio State history.

Kelly’s arrival came at a pivotal time for Ohio State as head coach Ryan Day played for Kelly in college at New Hampshire and the two are close friends. Day gave up offensive play-calling and became more ingrained in the macro day-to-day running of the program.

Early in his career, Kelly had one of the most successful and transformative runs of a college coach this generation. His Oregon teams utilized a devastating tempo, that led to a cutting-edge strategic advantage that defined his time there.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel contributed to this report.