NCAAF · 19 minutes ago

ESPN Ranks the Offseason for Every Power Four College Football Team

John Canady

Host · Writer

VIEW MORE

10) Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s roster turnover would cripple most programs, but the Buckeyes continue to operate at a different level of talent acquisition. Losing players like Caleb Downs hurts, yet additions such as James Smith and Qua Russaw ensure Ryan Day still has one of the most dangerous rosters in the country heading into the season.

Key additions
- DT James Smith
- DE Qua Russaw
- DB Earl Little Jr.
Key departures
- S Caleb Downs
- LB Arvell Reese
- WR Carnell Tate
Top incoming recruits
- WR Chris Henry Jr.
- OLB Cincere Johnson
- CB Jay Timmons
Every Power Four College Football Team Ranked
ESPN recently ranked the most improved Power 4 college football teams of the offseason by evaluating three major areas: transfer portal and high school recruiting additions, retention of key players, and coaching staff continuity or upgrades. From programs making aggressive portal pushes to blue-blood contenders reloading with elite recruiting classes, these teams made the biggest moves heading into the 2026 college football season.
1) Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana lost some major production this offseason, but the Hoosiers wasted no time reloading around Josh Hoover. The former TCU quarterback brings stability and experience to an offense that still believes it can compete near the top of the Big Ten, while additions like Nick Marsh and Tobi Osunsanmi raise the ceiling on both sides of the ball.

Key additions
- QB Josh Hoover
- WR Nick Marsh
- DL Tobi Osunsanmi
Key departures
- QB Fernando Mendoza
- CB D'Angelo Ponds
- WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Top incoming recruits
- DT Gabe Hill
- DT Cameron McHaney
- DE Kevontay Hugan
2) Miami Hurricanes
There’s real pressure on Mario Cristobal to turn roster talent into playoff-level football, and Miami attacked the portal accordingly. Darian Mensah gives the Hurricanes another intriguing option under center, while landing players like Damon Wilson II helps soften the blow of losing several key contributors in the trenches.

Key additions
- QB Darian Mensah
- DE Damon Wilson II
- WR Cooper Barkate
Key departures
- DE Rueben Bain Jr.
- OT Francis Mauigoa
- DE Akheem Mesidor
Top incoming recruits
- OT Jackson Cantwell
- S J.J. Dunnigan
- WR Somourian Wingo
3) Texas Longhorns
Texas may have lost elite defensive talent, but the Longhorns continue recruiting at a level few programs can match. Cam Coleman immediately gives the offense another explosive weapon, and the arrivals of blue-chip defenders like Richard Wesley and Tyler Atkinson keep the future of the defense looking loaded.

Key additions
- WR Cam Coleman
- RB Hollywood Smothers
- LB Rasheem Biles
Key departures
- LB Anthony Hill Jr.
- CB Malik Muhammad
- S Michael Taaffe
Top incoming recruits
- DE Richard Wesley
- OLB Tyler Atkinson
- RB Derrek Cooper
4) Oregon Ducks
Few teams had a more fascinating offseason than Oregon. Bringing in Dylan Raiola creates massive expectations offensively, while additions like Koi Perich and Michael Bennett reinforce a roster that still looks built to contend for a national title despite several notable departures.

Key additions
- S Koi Perich
- QB Dylan Raiola
- OL Michael Bennett
Key departures
- TE Kenyon Sadiq
- S Dillon Thieneman
- LB Bryce Boettcher
Top incoming recruits
- OT Immanuel Iheanacho
- TE Kendre Harrison
- S Jett Washington
5) LSU Tigers
LSU reshaped its roster with the kind of aggressive approach fans have come to expect under Lane Kiffin. Replacing Garrett Nussmeier won’t be easy, but adding Sam Leavitt gives the Tigers a quarterback with serious upside. At the same time, the influx of defensive line talent could dramatically change the defense's identity.

Key additions
- QB Sam Leavitt
- OT Jordan Seaton
- DE Princewill Umanmielen
Key departures
- CB Mansoor Delane
- S A.J. Haulcy
- QB Garrett Nussmeier
Top incoming recruits
- DT Lamar Brown
- DT Deuce Geralds
- DT Richard Anderson
6) USC Trojans
USC continues trying to rebuild its roster into one capable of surviving the weekly grind of Big Ten football. Terrell Anderson adds another explosive piece to the offense, but the bigger story may be defensive additions like Jontez Williams and Zuriah Fisher as the Trojans search for more physicality.

Key additions
- WR Terrell Anderson
- CB Jontez Williams
- DE Zuriah Fisher
Key departures
- WR Makai Lemon
- WR Ja'Kobi Lane
- S Kamari Ramsey
Top incoming recruits
- OT Keenyi Pepe
- DE Luke Wafle
- TE Mark Bowman
7) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech has quietly become one of the more aggressive roster-building programs in the country. The Red Raiders continue leaning heavily into the portal era, and there’s growing belief this roster has enough depth and experience to push for serious contention in the Big 12.

Key additions
- QB Brendan Sorsby
- OLB Trey White
- OLB Adam Trick
Key departures
- LB Jacob Rodriguez
- OLB David Bailey
- DT Lee Hunter
Top incoming recruits
- OLB LaDamion Guyton
- OT Felix Ojo
- WR Chase Campbell
8) Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss once again treated the portal like a playoff-caliber roster reset. Pete Golding added speed and athleticism back into the front seven with players like Keaton Thomas and Jonathan Maldonado. At the same time, the Rebels also landed one of the more intriguing incoming skill-position classes in the SEC.

Key additions
- LB Keaton Thomas
- DE Jonathan Maldonado
- LB Luke Ferrelli
Key departures
- DE Princewill Umanmielen
- WR De'Zhaun Stribling
- LB TJ Dottery
Top incoming recruits
- RB Damarius Yates
- CB Dorian Barney
- WR Jase Mathews
9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame lost major offensive production, especially in the backfield, but the Fighting Irish doubled down on rebuilding the trenches and secondary. Freshmen like Rodney Dunham and Khary Adams could end up contributing earlier than expected, while Quincy Porter gives the passing game another high-upside target.

Key additions
- DT Tionne Gray
- DT Francis Brewu
- WR Quincy Porter
Key departures
- RB Jeremiyah Love
- RB Jadarian Price
- WR Malachi Fields
Top incoming recruits
- DE Rodney Dunham
- CB Khary Adams
- S Joey O'Brien
10) Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s roster turnover would cripple most programs, but the Buckeyes continue to operate at a different level of talent acquisition. Losing players like Caleb Downs hurts, yet additions such as James Smith and Qua Russaw ensure Ryan Day still has one of the most dangerous rosters in the country heading into the season.

Key additions
- DT James Smith
- DE Qua Russaw
- DB Earl Little Jr.
Key departures
- S Caleb Downs
- LB Arvell Reese
- WR Carnell Tate
Top incoming recruits
- WR Chris Henry Jr.
- OLB Cincere Johnson
- CB Jay Timmons
Every Power Four College Football Team Ranked
ESPN recently ranked the most improved Power 4 college football teams of the offseason by evaluating three major areas: transfer portal and high school recruiting additions, retention of key players, and coaching staff continuity or upgrades. From programs making aggressive portal pushes to blue-blood contenders reloading with elite recruiting classes, these teams made the biggest moves heading into the 2026 college football season.

undefined Game Odds

Final

Pirates +146, U 7.5

PIT

PIT

4

TOR

TOR

1

Final

Orioles -124, O 7.5

DET

DET

3

BAL

BAL

5

EDITOR'S PICKS

CFB Transfer Portal Home Page

CFB Transfer Portal Player Rankings

CFB 2026 Preview: QB Rankings

Big Ten Football

2026 Natty: Ranking the Top 5 Contenders

Transfer Portal: Top 50 Quarterbacks to Know

Group of Five Football

app_store

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

Casino · 1 month ago

3 Benefits to Online High Limit Slots

Casino · 1 month ago

Popular Entertainment Themes You Can Play on Casinos Online

Casino · 1 month ago

7 Popular Casino Themes That Recently Debuted Online

Casino · 1 month ago

Online Casinos Begin to Offer Free Spin Choices

Casino · 1 month ago

Are the Online Versions of Slots I've Seen in Casinos the Same?

FUTURES

MLB · 2 days ago

Dodgers and Braves Lead MLB Memorial Day Weekend Futures Odds

MLB · 3 days ago

Updated MLB Division Races: AL East & NL Central Odds

MLB · 3 days ago

Brewers Atop the NL Central Again Despite Challenges

MLB · 3 days ago

Chicago White Sox's Surprising Season & Playoff Hopes

MLB · 3 days ago

Why the Rays Might Outshine Yankees in AL East Race