X aspects for college football’s top 25 groups in 2024

Jul 17, 2024, 07:00 AM ET When thinking about the leading groups in college football for the 2024 season, some definitely have a larger margin for mistake than others. The most gifted, deepest groups can overcome flaws, injuries and unexpected difficulties much easier than competitors who fall a bit lower in the pecking order.But what is

the one thing that will bring the best weight in figuring out whether the season will be fantastic, excellent or a frustration for each team in our post-spring Leading 25? We posed that question to our college football reporters.From newcomers on the

field or sideline that groups are counting on to position groups that need to be at their finest and locations that need to improve, here are the greatest X aspects that could make or break the seasons for each of our Leading 25 groups. Transfer TE Benjamin Yurosek. Quarterback Carson Beck enjoys tossing to tight ends, and the Bulldogs like to use two-TE sets more than a lot of FBS teams. That won’t be as easy this season with two-time Mackey Award winner Brock Bowers betting the Las Vegas Raiders. Georgia refilled its tight ends space with Stanford transfer Yurosek and extremely concerned freshmen Jaden Reddell and Colton Heinrich. Yurosek, a graduate transfer, is an appealing prospect. He had 108 catches for 1,342 yards with five goals in 4 seasons with the Cardinal. Last season, he was restricted to 16 catches for 239 lawns with one goal and missed out on the final 6 games due to the fact that of a shoulder injury. Stanford’s unsteady play at quarterback– it ranked next-to-last in the Pac-12 in QB score( 113.9 )and passing goals(11)last season– likewise didn’t help. Oscar Delp will most likely be the beginning tight end, and Yurosek’s pass-catching skills and ability to run need to get him on the field early and typically if he picks up the offense efficiently.– Mark Schlabach Freshman WR Jeremiah Smith

. Ohio State has had an unbelievable run recently at wide receiver, headlined by first-round NFL draft selects Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeyes appear to have another future star at the position in Smith, who turned heads throughout the spring. If Smith lives up to the hype in his debut season, the Buckeyes could boast the country’s leading getting duo when again in him and preseason All-American Emeka Egbuka.– Jake Trotter Editor’s Picks 2 Related Chemistry. Texas and quarterback Quinn Ewers took a big leap forward last season on offense, with the Heisman contender leading a determine attack. But the NFL draft demonstrated how much talent the Longhorns lost. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy ran the fastest 40 time in integrate history (4.21 )and was picked in the first round. Fellow receiver Adonai Mitchell, a Georgia transfer who caught 11 TDs last year, entered the second. Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders(99 captures the previous two years )chose the very first choice of the fourth round. Integrate them with Jordan Whittington(Rams) and Jonathon Brooks, a running back who entered the second round and the Horns lost 76%of their receptions and more than 80%of their receiving yards. As anticipated, Texas refilled, consisting of signing transfers Isaiah Bond(Alabama ), Silas Bolden (Oregon State )and Matthew Golden (Houston)together with five-star getting hire Ryan Wingo.– Dave Wilson TE Terrance Ferguson. Everyone

knows the Ducks are loaded at wide receiver. With Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, Traeshon Holden and others, quarterback Dillon Gabriel will have a slew of choices. But Ferguson might be an important part of Oregon’s offense because of his ability to be a force in the middle of the field and inside the red zone. The Ducks have the weapons to stretch the field and toss fastballs. Ferguson, who scored six touchdowns last season, could be their changeup.– Paolo Uggetti Riley Leonard leads a Notre Dame offense in transition, making it tough to know what to expect. Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire

Transfer QB Riley Leonard. What exactly do the Irish have in Leonard? Over 2 seasons at Duke, Leonard appeared like a prospective first-round NFL pick at times, but an injury ended his 2023 season early and kept him out of spring ball in South Bend. Moreover, Leonard’s general numbers from 2023 do not precisely yell superstardom: 57.6% completions, 6.7 lawns per throw, 3 touchdown passes and 3 choices. Certainly his upside far surpasses those numbers, however the Irish have invested a lot in luring him from Duke, and it’s reasonable to wonder whether even a repeat of fellow ACC transfer Sam Hartman’s performance from 2023 would be enough to raise Notre Dame’s offense to something approaching playoff caliber. The Irish have new faces at tailback, left take on and several crucial receiver spots, so it’s an offense in shift well beyond the QB area, and until Leonard gets on the field with the rest of those new faces, it’s difficult to state what expectations are sensible.– David Hale

Protective line. There’s a reason Lane Kiffin is delighted about his defensive line. He’s been around and coached versus elite defensive lines in the SEC and understands this is the deepest and most gifted group of defensive linemen he will place on the field at Ole Miss. Tackle Walter Nolen (Texas A&M) and edge rush Princely Umanmielen (Florida) are portal additions who are on NFL draft boards. Returning are end Jared Ivey and take on JJ Pegues, who integrated for 19.5 deals with for loss last season, in addition to massive 6-7, 335-pound deal with Zxavian Harris, senior take on Akelo Stone and a promising crop of freshmen. Among the things that kept Ole Miss from making the jump from being a truly great SEC team to a conference title contender was the absence of a protective line that could take over games. The Rebels may have that this season.– Chris Low

Protective planner Kane Wommack. There was never any concern during Nick Saban’s period, no matter who had the protective organizer’s title, who was running the Alabama defense. It was Saban. Now that Saban has moved on to the television world, enter Kane Wommack and his base 4-2-5 “swarm” defense, a plan he learned under his daddy, Dave, when Kane was a graduate assistant under his dad at Ole Miss in 2012 and 2013. Wommack has actually had time to fine-tune his attacking system, which relies heavily on the securities. Going back to his days as Indiana’s protective planner, when he initially crossed courses with new Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, Wommack has consistently gotten the most out of his players. After leaving South Alabama as head coach to take over as Alabama’s DC, he’ll have more skill than he’s ever needed to maximize his system.– Low

Running game. Replacing the SEC’s leading rusher is never simple. Cody Schrader is pursued hurrying for 1,627 backyards a year earlier. However sleeping on the Tigers’ running game in 2024 might be a mistake. They generated two knowledgeable transfer running backs who must complement each other well. Marcus Carroll, who ran for 1,350 backyards last season at Georgia State, is more of a bruiser. Nate Noel is elusive and also captures the ball well out of the backfield. He hurried for 834 backyards last season at Appalachian State regardless of battling a leg injury. Defenses that pay excessive attention to Brady Cook, Luther Problem III and Missouri’s passing game may find themselves on their heels versus the Tigers’ running attack.– Low

TE Brant Kuithe. With Camera Rising returning to the Utes offense for another(hopefully healthy) season, this will be a crucial year for Utah’s offensive weapons. Kuithe is going to be thrust into the spotlight further after the departure of fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid. Like Rising, Kuithe missed out on last season with an injury and has actually remained in Salt Lake City because 2018. In all but one season, Kuithe has actually balanced more than 10 backyards per catch and he likewise has 16 goals to his name. In his last year at Utah, the program may need him to have his finest year yet.– Uggetti

WR Tyler Morris. The Wolverines lost go-to receiver Roman Wilson to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2nd round of the NFL draft. However that might produce an opportunity for junior Morris to shine in his spot. Morris showed what he could do with a blistering 38-yard goal reception down the sideline in the CFP victory over Alabama. The Wolverines are banking that Morris can provide a lot more plays like that as their new go-to receiver.– Trotter

Blocking back. Florida State will look various on offense this year, given all the personnel modifications, and possibly its biggest strength is at running back, where the Seminoles have their best depth in years. Trey Benson may be gone, however Lawrance Toafili and Caziah Holmes are back and the transfer additions of Roydell Williams and Jaylin Lucas will provide the Seminoles plenty of alternatives and adaptability. Add in a veteran offensive line, led by sixth-year senior Darius Washington, and the Seminoles have the prospective to be one of the best hurrying groups in the country.– Andrea Adelson

The country’s No. 1

possibility coming out of high school, Julian Fleming looks for a new beginning at Penn State. Matthew O’Haren/ USA TODAY Sports Transfer WR Julian Fleming. The Nittany Lions do not have a single returning receiver who had more than 20 catches last season. However skilled Ohio State transfer Fleming could give Penn State’s getting corps– and quarterback Drew Allar– a significant increase. Fleming was the nation’s No. 1 total possibility in ESPN’s 2020 recruiting rankings before signing with Ohio State– and he had 79 profession receptions over 4 seasons in Columbus, including six goal grabs during the 2022 season.– Trotter

Transfer RB Jordan Waters. Getting the ground game going has been a thorn in Dave Doeren’s side for the past few years at NC State. Last year, 4 running backs got at least 25 brings, but none more than 100. The team’s leading rusher was quarterback Brennan Armstrong, and receiver KC Concepcion was 2nd on the team. The 2021 and 2022 seasons provided comparable struggles. So this year, Doeren dipped into the transfer portal to attempt to repair the circumstance with the addition of Jordan Waters from Duke and Hollywood Smothers from Oklahoma. Smothers has ample upside, however Waters has actually already shown himself on the field during his four seasons with heaven Devils, consisting of rushing for 819 backyards and 12 touchdowns in 2015. Wolfpack running backs have not posted a top-50 yards-per-carry season considering that 2015– Doeren’s 2nd season in Raleigh– however this might be their best opportunity yet to create a well balanced attack on offense.– Hale

Wide receivers. Few FBS groups have as much production to change at wide receiver as the Tigers, who lost NFL first-round draft picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. The duo integrated for 157 receptions for 2,746 yards with 31 touchdowns in 2023. Senior Kyren Lacy, who started his college career at Louisiana, seems next in line to become WR1. After that, the Tigers will be relying on newcomers CJ Daniels (Liberty) and Zavion Thomas (Mississippi State), along with mainly unverified returning receivers Chris Hilton Jr. and Aaron Anderson. Thomas, who will take on Anderson for the slot receiver area, has the prospective to be among the most explosive players in the FBS. He balanced 12.4 yards every time he touched the ball last season. He returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a score in a 51-10 loss to Texas A&M. He has top-end speed to beat secondaries over the top. He needs to be even much better in a far more effective LSU offense.– Schlabach

Conference breakdowns To help you prepare yourself for the 2024 season, Costs Connelly is previewing every conference and breaking down the leading players and postseason contenders. Sneak Peeks “DT Bryson Eason. The Volunteers figure to have among the better protective lines in the SEC in 2024 with James Pearce Jr., Elijah Simmons, Omari Thomas, Omarr Norman-Lott and others returning. One player that colleagues and coaches have actually raved about considering that spring practice is senior Eason. The Memphis native gotten to UT as an oversized inside linebacker. He relocated to protective end and kept growing. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner has actually assisted transform Eason into an interior lineman, and Eason had a career-high 27 tackles, 4 quarterback rushes and 5 deals with for loss in 13 games in 2023. Now 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Garner says Eason is just scratching the surface of the player he can be. He might be more than a complementary player to the Vols’ more recognized pass-rushers.– Schlabach

The freshman receivers. It’s no secret Clemson has actually had a hard time to establish receivers in the last few years. Highly ranked prospects like Joe Ngata, Frank Ladson Jr., E.J. Williams Jr., Ajou Ajou, Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins have actually reoccured without progressing into stars (or, in numerous cases, contributing virtually nothing at all). On the other hand, freshmen have largely blazed a trail– Collins in 2021, Antonio Williams in 2022 and Tyler Brown last season– though their advancement hit a wall after that for varying factors. That certainly hasn’t assisted Clemson’s oft-criticized quarterbacks. In 2024, however, there’s an opportunity to turn that trend around. Brown returns following a strong freshman campaign, and Antonio Williams must be healthy. Troy Stellato and Adam Randall get another shot to prove their value. However the genuine enjoyment comes from two freshmen: TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco. Both were ranked as top-50 employees by ESPN, and Wesco turned heads as an early enrollee, scoring in the Tigers’ spring game. If they make an impact as freshmen, it might be the secret to a revitalized passing game– and a journey to the College Football Playoff.– Hale

QB Avery Johnson. Replacing Will Howard isn’t a small task, but there is a lot of hope and the capacity for big expectations if Johnson is the player many think he can be. He showed flashes as a freshman last season, most just recently against NC State in the Pop Tarts Bowl, where he completed 14 of 31 passes for 178 lawns and two touchdowns, along with 71 lawns and a touchdown on the ground. If he fulfills expectations, there will be a great deal of exciting football in Manhattan, Kansas, this year.– Harry Lyles Jr.

That SEC schedule. Tennessee, at Auburn, Texas (in Dallas), South Carolina, at Ole Miss, at Missouri, Alabama, at LSU. Colleague Bill Connelly mentions that six of those 8 are https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/40475077/how-texas-oklahoma-oregon-colorado-usc-ucla-fare-new-conferences”> in the SP+ leading 16 and while there is a nonconference game with Maine mixed therein, it just keeps coming when you look down the list. The Sooners will not be intimidated, however they’ll require the depth to endure a season filled with championship game at the same time they’ll be breaking in a brand-new quarterback (Jackson Arnold).– Wilson

Oklahoma State requires Alan Bowman to reduce his interceptions to reach its full capacity. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Restricting turnovers. The Cowboys are going to have the ability to run the ball with Ollie Gordon II and a skilled offending line and return 9 beginners on what ought to be an improved defense. After somewhat of a turning door at quarterback at the start of last season, Alan Bowman, who is back for his seventh college season, returns at the helm. While Bowman was strong in 2015 (3,460 yards, 60.7% conclusions), he led the Huge 12 with 14 interceptions. The distinction in between this being a great and a terrific group likely lies on his shoulders and whether he can do a much better job of protecting the football.– Lyles

CB Tacario Davis. Davis was among the Wildcats’top players on defense last year, totaling 13 tackles, 1 interception and 15 pass deflections at cornerback. But once the season ended and Arizona lost head coach Jedd Fisch to Washington, Davis entered the transfer portal and seemed on his escape. However after going through spring ball with brand-new coach Brent Brennan, Davis took his name out of the website, giving the program 4 returning beginners in the secondary and strengthening a defense that requires to improve in order to offer Arizona a shot at being a force in the Big 12 in its first season in the conference.– Uggetti

QB Kyron Drones. It is hard to call Drones an X-factor because he is the most well-known player on the group. But there is no concern what happens with Virginia Tech this year depends upon how well Drones plays after a second-half rise in 2023 sent expectations for this season soaring. The Hokies return a tremendous 90% of their offensive production from a year ago, and all of it starts with Drones, who threw for 2,084 lawns and ran for another 818 in 2015. There is lots of space for enhancement, starting with his completion percentage (58.2%) and efficiency. If he measures up to the buzz, Virginia Tech need to absolutely be an ACC contender this season.– Adelson

QB Jalon Daniels. You won’t discover a more apparent X-factor on this list than Daniels. When he is on the field, he is a Heisman contender and Kansas is one of the most fun teams to view in all of college football. In 3 games in 2023, he completed 75% of his passes for 705 backyards, 5 goals and just one interception. When he’s not on the field, well, it’s not quite the same. The Jayhawks require Daniels.– Lyles

OC Tim Lester. The Hawkeyes have a new offensive coordinator in Lester, who spent in 2015 as an analyst for the Green Bay Packers. Before that, he was Western Michigan’s head coach. Lester is charged with reviving an Iowa offense that ranked last in the Big Ten in 2023 in backyards (235.4 per game), passing yards (118.6) and points (15.4 ). Discovering a method to produce more piece plays will be critical for Lester and the Hawkeyes. Iowa produced only 33 plays of 20 backyards or more in 2023, last amongst Power 5 offenses.– Trotter

Receivers. We all understand what quarterback Web cam Ward can doing, however the big concern for Miami is whether he has the receivers who can make the kind of huge, explosive plays that have actually been regularly missing from the Hurricanes offense. The early returns state yes. Not just does Miami return Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, Isaiah Horton looks like an emerging star and Houston transfer Sam Brown fits in nicely. In its current history, Miami has had some great go-to receivers, but the depth and volatility down the field has been missing. That ought to alter for the Hurricanes in 2024.– Adelson

Transfer RB Jo’Quavious Marks. Lincoln Riley has made it nearly a tradition now. Every offseason he’s been at USC, he’s gone outside the program to get a minimum of one veteran running back from the transfer website, and each year it has actually paid dividends. This season, it’s Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, who comes to Los Angeles by method of Mississippi State. Without Caleb Williams under center, the running back role will be a lot more essential for the Trojans, and Marks (more than 3,000 all-purpose lawns in four years at MSU) must be a key part of the new-look offense.– Uggetti