NCAAF · 1 hour ago

ESPN Ranks the Offseason for Every Power Four College Football Team

John Canady

Host · Writer

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
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.

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ESPN Ranks the Offseason for Every Power Four College Football Team

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