ESPN has just published its latest post-spring college football rankings, and there are some surprising developments shaking up the national landscape. Among the most significant changes is the drop of a once-prominent program out of the top 25 entirely, largely due to a turbulent transfer portal season.
One of the biggest stories is the shift in the top tier of the rankings. Ohio State, which previously held the No. 1 spot, has slid down to fifth place. The Buckeyes had recently celebrated their ninth national championship and their first under head coach Ryan Day, capping a highly successful campaign. However, their offseason has been far from smooth. The team saw both of its coordinators leave and also had 14 players depart for the NFL, causing enough concern to knock them down a few spots in ESPN analyst Mark Schlabach’s updated “way-too-early” rankings.
Taking over at the top is Penn State, which rose from its earlier No. 3 ranking to claim the No. 1 position. Under the leadership of head coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions are coming off a record-setting season in which they won 13 games and earned their first-ever berth in the College Football Playoff. Much of their core talent is returning this season, including standout quarterback Drew Allar, along with star running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. In addition, they’ve made a major coaching move by hiring Jim Knowles, the highly regarded defensive coordinator from Ohio State, which strengthens their already formidable defense.
Following Penn State in the rankings are Clemson at No. 2 and Texas at No. 3. Georgia, another perennial title contender, occupies the fourth spot just ahead of Ohio State. These top teams have been jockeying for position during the offseason, with transfer activity, NFL declarations, and coaching changes all playing major roles in shaping expectations for the upcoming season.
Outside of the top five, there are a few surprises, with Texas Tech making a notable leap from unranked to No. 16. But arguably the most unexpected development is Tennessee’s steep fall. The Volunteers, who were previously ranked 19th, have completely dropped out of the top 25 following the departure of their highly touted quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA.
Iamaleava’s exit has thrown a wrench into what had been one of the most promising stretches in Tennessee football in decades. Under head coach Josh Heupel, the Vols had just come off a 10-win season—their best in nearly 30 years—and had made their debut in the College Football Playoff. While their postseason ended in disappointment with a heavy loss to Ohio State, there was a strong sense of optimism around the program. That optimism largely centered around Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit who was expected to build on his first year as a starter and continue leading the team forward.
Instead, his sudden transfer at the end of spring practice has left Tennessee scrambling for answers at quarterback. Reports suggest that his decision to leave was tied to issues related to NIL (name, image, and likeness) negotiations, highlighting the increasing influence of off-field financial factors in shaping college football rosters.
In response, Tennessee quickly worked to find a replacement and brought in Joey Aguilar, a transfer quarterback from UCLA, essentially swapping quarterbacks with the Bruins. Aguilar brings experience, having started for two seasons at Appalachian State before transferring. During his time there, he completed 60.1% of his passes and racked up 6,760 passing yards, 56 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. He also proved to be a capable runner, adding over 450 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Despite the quarterback upheaval, Tennessee still has potential to field a competitive team. Alongside Aguilar, the quarterback room includes redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre, giving the Volunteers some developmental options as well. Aguilar is currently expected to start when Tennessee opens its 2025 season against Syracuse on August 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The sudden changes at quarterback and the uncertainty around the team’s offensive identity have led ESPN to reevaluate Tennessee’s position among college football’s elite programs. Dropping out of the top 25 marks a significant setback for a team that had been gaining national attention just months ago. The coming season will be a test for Heupel and his coaching staff as they work to reestablish momentum and stabilize the program after an offseason of upheaval.
As the college football landscape continues to shift with players coming and going through the transfer portal and NIL deals becoming more prominent, team rankings are more volatile than ever. The situation at Tennessee is a clear reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the modern era of college football. With new faces in key positions and preseason rankings in flux, the 2025 season is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
