NCAAF Offseason Power Rankings: Who Dominated the Transfer Portal and Recruiting?

The college football offseason is no longer a quiet period from December to February. It’s a whirlwind of activity, with teams constantly adjusting rosters, coaching staffs, and strategies. The 2025 offseason was no exception, as Power 4 teams across the nation battled to retain key players, secure top recruits, and make impactful moves in the transfer portal. Here’s a breakdown of which teams came out on top.

Retention of Key Players

Retaining star players is crucial for any team looking to maintain or improve its standing. Teams like Clemson Tigers and Penn State Nittany Lions managed to keep their core intact, ensuring continuity and stability heading into the new season.

Coaching Staff Upgrades

Coaching changes can make or break a team’s offseason. Clemson made a significant move by hiring Tom Allen as defensive coordinator, while Penn State brought in Jim Knowles from Ohio State to revamp their defense.

Transfer Portal Success

The transfer portal has become a game-changer in college football. Teams like Texas Tech Red Raiders and Miami Hurricanes made headlines with their aggressive portal strategies, adding key players to bolster their rosters.

Recruiting Wins

Recruiting remains the lifeblood of college football programs. Oregon Ducks and LSU Tigers secured top-tier recruiting classes, ensuring a bright future for their programs.

Conference-by-Conference Breakdown

• ACC: Clemson and Miami led the way with strong portal additions and coaching upgrades.
• Big 12: Texas Tech and Arizona State dominated with their transfer portal strategies.
• Big Ten: Penn State and Illinois retained key players and made impactful coaching hires.
• SEC: LSU and Oklahoma made significant strides in both recruiting and the transfer portal.

Top 10 Offseasons

1. LSU Tigers: Retained key players and made impactful portal additions.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Aggressive portal strategy and strong recruiting.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions: Retained core players and hired top defensive coordinator.
4. Oregon Ducks: Secured top recruits and made key portal additions.
5. Clemson Tigers: Retained key players and upgraded coaching staff.
6. Oklahoma Sooners: Made significant coaching and portal moves.
7. Auburn Tigers: Bolstered roster with key portal additions.
8. Miami Hurricanes: Strong portal strategy and coaching upgrades.
9. Illinois Fighting Illini: Retained key players and made impactful coaching hires.
10. Arizona State Sun Devils: Dominated with their transfer portal strategies.

The 2025 offseason was a testament to the evolving nature of college football, where success is increasingly determined by a team’s ability to navigate the transfer portal and secure top recruits. As the season approaches, these Power 4 teams have positioned themselves as the ones to watch.