Latest news with #CurtCignetti
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nation's No. 1 Recruit Has Fiery Reaction to 4-Star EDGE Committing to Indiana
Nation's No. 1 Recruit Has Fiery Reaction to 4-Star EDGE Committing to Indiana originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In one of the more surprising developments, the Indiana Hoosiers went from historically irrelevant to a College Football Playoff team this past season. Advertisement Led by new head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers posted an 11-2 record, securing more wins in his first season than the program had in the previous three seasons combined (9). Unsurprisingly, a historic season and trip to the College Football Playoff bodes quite well in recruiting. When it comes to their 2026 class, the Hoosiers have the No. 26 class in the country, and on Saturday, landed their fourth four-star commitment from EDGE, Ronelle Johnson. The Missouri native ranks as the No. 296 player in the country, according to On3, and chose Indiana over programs such as Missouri, Kansas State and Arkansas. While plenty of Hoosiers fans were thrilled, Johnson also got a shoutout from fellow Missourian and the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, Jackson Cantwell. Advertisement The five-star Miami offensive tackle commit took to the comment section to show his support. "🔥 🔥🔥," wrote Cantwell. Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Cantwell headlines a Miami class that ranks as the No. 10 class in the country, and is reportedly making $2 million per year. While Missouri isn't known for being a talent hotbed for recruiting, there are six recruits that hail from the "Show-Me State" who are ranked as four or five-star recruits in this class. Of those six, only one is committed to Missouri, which shows just how hard programs from around the country are coming for recruits like Cantwell or Johnson. Needless to say, the Hoosiers got a good one. Advertisement Related: Son of Texas Legend Throws Longhorns Hat on Ground Before Committing to Notre Dame This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What to know about the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025
After parting ways with Tom Allen, Indiana made a splashy hire by bringing in Curt Cignetti from James Madison for the 2024 season, and the program benefitted immediately. Cignetti brought with him a large contingent of Dukes and also hit the transfer portal hard for a complete roster overhaul ahead of the 2024 season. After losing many key pieces from last year's squad, Cignetti is attempting to achieve the same success with another large batch of transfer additions. Here's a look at Indiana as the 2025 season draws closer. Advertisement 2024 in review Indiana's Mike Katic (56) and the Hoosiers hoist the bucket after the Indiana versus Purdue football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. In his first year at the helm, Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first 10-win season in program history and added an 11th win for good measure. His unprecedented success led to Indiana's first College Football Playoff appearance, which ended with a loss to Notre Dame. Though he benefited from a soft schedule, the success can't be overlooked. Head coach profile Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti watches the second half of a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in South Bend. Notre Dame defeated Indiana 27-17. Cignetti famously told a reporter "It's pretty simple - I win. Google me" after being hired at Indiana before the 2024 season. He did just that, taking the Hoosiers to historic sights. Prior to that, Cignetti was the head coach at James Madison for five seasons. In his first season, he led the Dukes to an FCS title game appearance followed by a semifinal appearance the year after. When James Madison transitioned to the Sun Belt to join the FBS ranks, it went 8-3 and won a share of the division championship before improving to 11-2 the following year despite being ineligible for the Sun Belt title game. Advertisement Top offensive player Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) passes during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 17, 2025. After finding success with transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke last season, the Hoosiers brought in Fernando Mendoza from Cal, who figures to be one of their top offensive players in 2025. Mendoza was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback transfer by 247Sports and threw for over 3,000 yards at a 68.7% clip with 16 touchdowns to six interceptions. Top defensive players Indiana's Mikail Kamara (6) celebraters during the Indiana versus Michigan football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 9, 2024. Edge rusher Mikail Kamara likely would've been drafted this offseason had he declared, but he opted to return for a second season at Indiana and fourth with Curt Cignetti after following the head coach from James Madison. Kamara recorded 10 sacks last season, fourth most in the Big Ten and most among returning players. Additionally, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, another former Duke, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last year and is a first-round hopeful after recording 55 tackles and three picks last season. Advertisement 2025 schedule Aug. 30 vs. Old Dominion Sept. 6 vs. Kennesaw State Sept. 12 (Fri.) vs. Indiana State Sept. 20 vs Illinois Sept. 27 at Iowa Oct. 11 at Oregon Oct. 18 vs Michigan State Oct. 25 vs. UCLA Nov. 1 at Maryland Nov. 8 at Penn State Nov. 15 vs. Wisconsin Nov. 28 (Fri.) at Purdue The Hoosiers will visit Happy Valley in early November for their first trip to Beaver Stadium since a 33-24 loss in 2023. Penn State has won the last three matchups and 25 of 27 total matchups, but Indiana's most recent win came on Michael Penix's infamous walk-off two-point conversion at the pylon in 2020. Both teams will serve as a major benchmark for the other, and the loser of this game may be knocked out of the playoff picture as a result. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Scouting the Indiana Hoosiers ahead of 2025
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What to know about the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025
After parting ways with Tom Allen, Indiana made a splashy hire by bringing in Curt Cignetti from James Madison for the 2024 season, and the program benefitted immediately. Cignetti brought with him a large contingent of Dukes and also hit the transfer portal hard for a complete roster overhaul ahead of the 2024 season. After losing many key pieces from last year's squad, Cignetti is attempting to achieve the same success with another large batch of transfer additions. Here's a look at Indiana as the 2025 season draws closer. 2024 in review In his first year at the helm, Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first 10-win season in program history and added an 11th win for good measure. His unprecedented success led to Indiana's first College Football Playoff appearance, which ended with a loss to Notre Dame. Though he benefited from a soft schedule, the success can't be overlooked. Head coach profile Cignetti famously told a reporter "It's pretty simple - I win. Google me" after being hired at Indiana before the 2024 season. He did just that, taking the Hoosiers to historic sights. Prior to that, Cignetti was the head coach at James Madison for five seasons. In his first season, he led the Dukes to an FCS title game appearance followed by a semifinal appearance the year after. When James Madison transitioned to the Sun Belt to join the FBS ranks, it went 8-3 and won a share of the division championship before improving to 11-2 the following year despite being ineligible for the Sun Belt title game. Top offensive player After finding success with transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke last season, the Hoosiers brought in Fernando Mendoza from Cal, who figures to be one of their top offensive players in 2025. Mendoza was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback transfer by 247Sports and threw for over 3,000 yards at a 68.7% clip with 16 touchdowns to six interceptions. Top defensive players Edge rusher Mikail Kamara likely would've been drafted this offseason had he declared, but he opted to return for a second season at Indiana and fourth with Curt Cignetti after following the head coach from James Madison. Kamara recorded 10 sacks last season, fourth most in the Big Ten and most among returning players. Additionally, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, another former Duke, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last year and is a first-round hopeful after recording 55 tackles and three picks last season. 2025 schedule The Hoosiers will visit Happy Valley in early November for their first trip to Beaver Stadium since a 33-24 loss in 2023. Penn State has won the last three matchups and 25 of 27 total matchups, but Indiana's most recent win came on Michael Penix's infamous walk-off two-point conversion at the pylon in 2020. Both teams will serve as a major benchmark for the other, and the loser of this game may be knocked out of the playoff picture as a result. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads
Fox Sports
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 College Football Playoff Predictions: Teams Capable of Making First Appearance
Right now, and perhaps for many decades to come, there is no better example of a fairytale, Cinderella-style run to the College Football Playoff than what Indiana accomplished last fall under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. Consider the circumstances surrounding Indiana's program ahead of the 2024 campaign: The Hoosiers owned the most losses of any program in FBS history; they hadn't won more than eight games in a season since before the Apollo 11 moon landing; they'd finished fourth place or worse in their own division — back when the Big Ten had such stratification — 12 times in the span of 13 years from 2011-23; they'd just hired a new coach in Cignetti, formerly of James Madison, who had never overseen a team in the power conferences; they bid farewell to more than three dozen players in the transfer portal; they were picked 16th in the preseason Big Ten poll. And yet, on Dec. 8, following a breathtaking regular season that began with 10 consecutive wins and finished with a school-record 11 victories overall, there stood the upstart Hoosiers firmly clutching an at-large berth in the College Football Playoff. To anyone even vaguely familiar with the general trajectory of Indiana football — a team that always plays second fiddle to the school's basketball program — everything about the preceding sentence would have seemed ludicrous until it inexplicably happened before our eyes. The same 12-team format that facilitated Indiana's inclusion last December now engenders similar flickers of hope among countless schools and fan bases entering a new campaign. Any team that retained key veterans or made shrew additions in the transfer portal — shoot, any team that brought in a new head coach — will begin to dream of matching the Hoosiers' incredible success, even if that program has never dared to dream before. So with that in mind, here are 10 teams capable of reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time in 2025: * Recruiting rankings and historical data courtesy of Head coach: Mario Cristobal, fourth year (22-16 at Miami) Last season: 10-3 overall, 6-2 ACC Returning starters: 3 offense, 4 defense Recruiting class: No. 14 overall, No. 1 ACC Transfer portal: No. 3 overall, No. 1 ACC Strength of schedule: 41st So much about Miami's viability as a legitimate College Football Playoff contender hinges on the health of quarterback Carson Beck, a splashy transfer from Georgia. Beck underwent elbow surgery in late December to repair the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury he suffered during the first half of last year's SEC Championship game. Coupled with some uneven performances throughout the season — Beck's interception total doubled from six in 2023 to 12 in 2024 — the injury prompted Beck to reconsider his NFL future and enter the transfer portal, where he was viewed as the highest-rated quarterback in the cycle until former Tennessee standout Nico Iamaleava joined earlier this spring. Beck reportedly accepted an NIL package from Miami worth north of $4 million for the upcoming season, a figure that has already elevated the expectations around him to stratospheric levels. He left Georgia with a 24-3 record as the Bulldogs' starter over the last two seasons, one of which included a trip to the College Football Playoff, and his career statistics include nearly 8,000 passing yards alongside 58 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Beck represents the crown jewel of Cristobal's effort to reload with one of the strongest transfer classes in the country after deflating late-season losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse cost the Hurricanes, who started 9-0 in 2024, a spot in last year's playoff. A rebuilt secondary includes four newcomers who were rated among the top 100 overall transfers in former Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (No. 20 transfer, No. 1 CB); former Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser (No. 57 transfer, No. 2 S); former Washington State cornerback Ethan O'Connor (No. 81 transfer, No. 10 CB) and former Michigan State cornerback Charles Brantley (No. 96 transfer, No. 12 CB). Their primary goal will be helping first-year defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, another expensive addition from Minnesota, solidify a unit that finished tied for 68th in scoring last season (25.3 points per game) and only held three conference opponents below 30 points. Back-to-back games against Florida (Sept. 20) and Florida State (Oct. 4) should help clarify the state's balance of power in a year when all three programs will expect to contend for the College Football Playoff. Head coach: Shane Beamer, fifth year (29-22 at South Carolina) Last season: 9-4 overall, 5-3 SEC Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense Recruiting class: No. 18 overall, No. 11 SEC Transfer portal: No. 15 overall, No. 8 SEC Strength of schedule: 13th There is a direct correlation between the surging optimism at South Carolina, a program that has finished better than third in the SEC East just once over the last decade, and the rapid emergence of quarterback LaNorris Sellers as one of the most exciting players in the country. At this time last summer, Sellers, then a largely unknown redshirt freshman, had only played 21 collegiate snaps and had yet to make his first start. He arrived at South Carolina as a modestly recruited four-star prospect — the Gamecocks were the only SEC program to offer him a scholarship — and it was difficult to predict how his dual-threat approach would translate after Sellers threw for 2,948 yards and 45 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,338 yards and 17 scores as a senior in high school. Few would have expected Sellers, a South Carolina native, to morph into the SEC's Freshman of the Year by leading the Gamecocks to an impressive 9-4 record, including six straight wins to end the regular season. He completed 65.6% of his passes while throwing for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns, in addition to finishing as the team's second-leading rusher with 166 carries for 674 yards and seven scores. Fast-forward to the present and Sellers, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound wrecking ball, is being discussed as both a potential Heisman Trophy candidate and a possible first-round pick in next year's draft ahead of the most anticipated South Carolina season in quite some time. He's the unquestioned linchpin for a roster that continues to improve under Beamer, the son of legendary former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, thanks to the coaching staff's tireless player acquisition efforts. The Gamecocks' high school classes have improved from 80th nationally during Beamer's first cycle to a string of four consecutive top-25 classes from 2022 through the present. And in the transfer portal, where South Carolina cracked the top 15 nationally for the first time in three years, Beamer added several potential plug-and-play starters in former Utah State tailback Rahsul Faison (No. 49 transfer, No. 2 RB), former NC State cornerback Brandon Cisse (No. 80 transfer, No. 9 CB) and former Texas A&M defensive tackle Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (No. 165 transfer, No. 22 DL). But a brutal back half of the schedule includes games against LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Clemson in a seven-week stretch. Head coach: Bret Bielema, fifth year (28-22 at Illinois) Last season: 10-3 overall, 6-3 Big Ten Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense Recruiting class: No. 46 overall, No. 13 Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 42 overall, No. 13 Big Ten Strength of schedule: 44th Illinois will likely be among the trendiest picks to reach the College Football Playoff after head coach Bret Bielema guided the Illini to their first 10-win season since 2001 and retained 16 starters for another push this fall. A four-game winning streak to end the year — capped by an impressive victory over red-hot South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl — helped Illinois assemble its highest-rated transfer class of the portal era. The most important collection of newcomers is along the defensive front, where Illinois lost three starters from its 2024 roster. Bielema added three likely starters in former Wisconsin defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. (No. 87 transfer, No. 12 DL), former Florida State defensive lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye (No. 278 transfer, No. 38 DL) and former Wisconsin edge rusher Leon Lowery Jr. (No. 325 transfer, No. 36 edge) to solidify a unit that jumped from 96th in scoring (29.4 points per game) during defensive coordinator Aaron Henry's debut season in 2023 to 31st in scoring last season (21.7 points per game). That Illinois returns all five starters in the secondary, plus standout edge rusher Gabe Jacas, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, means the defense should be formidable again this fall. Still, much of the excitement surrounding Illinois is linked to a glut of key returners on offense. Atop that list is quarterback Luke Altmyer, the former Ole Miss transfer now entering his third year under offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. and his third year as the Illini's starter — a rarity in modern college football. The success Altmyer enjoyed last fall while throwing for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns with only six interceptions made him a popular name amid speculation about potential transfers, especially after Tennessee said goodbye to starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. But Altmyer remained firm with Illinois and should be among the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He will be protected by an offensive line that returns all five starters and complemented by a running back tandem of Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin that combined for 895 yards and seven touchdowns in reserve roles behind starter Josh McCray (117 carries, 609 yards, 10 TDs), who subsequently transferred to Georgia. The concern is at wide receiver, where top targets Pat Bryant (984 yards, 10 TDs) and Zakhari Franklin (652 yards, four TDs) both departed for the NFL. The return of former Murray State tight end Cole Rusk, a highly coveted transfer who missed all of last season with a knee injury, should provide a lift. Head coach: Billy Napier, 4th year (19-19 at Florida) Last season: 8-5 overall, 4-4 SEC Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense Recruiting class: No. 7 overall, No. 4 SEC Transfer portal: No. 116 overall, No. 16 SEC Strength of schedule: 1st What a difference half a year can make. An overtime defeat to then-No. 8 Tennessee last October changed the trajectory of Florida's program under embattled head coach Billy Napier, who, at that point, had lost more games than he'd won across three-plus seasons. Having slumped to a 3-3 record to begin the 2024 campaign, including a blowout loss to rival Miami, it was widely assumed that Napier would be fired less than halfway through his seven-year contract. But a season-ending knee injury to starting quarterback Graham Mertz prompted Napier to insert five-star freshman DJ Lagway, the No. 2 signal-caller in the cycle and the second-best quarterback recruit in program history behind Brock Berlin in 2000. The canon-armed Lagway helped catalyze an impressive second half in which Florida won five of its final seven games, headlined by a pair of ranked victories over then-No. 22 LSU and then-No. 9 Ole Miss, and stormed into the offseason on an emotional high, preserving Napier's job for at least one more year. Lagway, who completed 115 of 192 passes (59.9%) for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions, earned Freshman All-American honors from a host of media outlets to ignite conversation about the heights he might reach in 2025. The Gators' late-season revitalization aided Napier in assembling the No. 7 recruiting class in the country, which was Florida's highest finish since it ranked third under former coach Will Muschamp in 2013. Napier's group included four of the state's top nine prospects in wide receiver Vernell Brown III (No. 30 overall, No. 6 WR), wide receiver Dallas Wilson (No. 35 overall, No. 8 WR), safety Drake Stubbs (No. 54 overall, No. 4 S) and cornerback Ben Hanks III (No. 59 overall, No. 8 CB) to anchor a class featuring nine top-150 recruits overall. Those newcomers should blend nicely with an existing depth chart that returns four starters along the offensive line and four starters in the secondary. The problem, however, is an exceedingly brutal schedule that might be too difficult for Lagway & Co. to handle, even if they build on last year's success. An SEC slate that includes games against LSU (away), Texas (home), Texas A&M (away), Georgia (neutral), Ole Miss (away) and Tennessee (home) is supplemented by traditional rivalry games against Miami (away) and Florida State (home) that will both be tricky. It's hard to say if the Gators are more likely to reach the College Football Playoff or hover around .500 in the rugged SEC. Head coach: Matt Campbell, 10th year (64-51 at Iowa State) Last season: 11-3 overall, 7-2 Big 12 Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense Recruiting class: No. 55 overall, No. 13 Big 12 Transfer portal: No. 61 overall, No. 15 Big 12 Strength of schedule: 59th Despite an unsightly performance in last year's Big 12 Championship game — Iowa State was pummeled, 45-19, by Arizona State — the Cyclones still enjoyed what was arguably the best campaign in program history. Never before had an Iowa State team reached double-digit victories, which head coach Matt Campbell's group accomplished before November expired. The Cyclones were included in the final AP Poll, checking in at No. 15, for just the third time since 1976. And when four Iowa State players were selected in this spring's NFL Draft, including three in the first three rounds, that matched a number the Cyclones have equaled on several occasions but haven't exceeded since 1975. Given that Campbell and both coordinators, Taylor Mouser (offense) and Jon Heacock (defense), are returning for another run this fall, the excitement over another potential Big 12 title chase is real. The last time Iowa State won a conference championship of any kind was in 1912, when the Cyclones finished as co-champions of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Any chance of replicating or exceeding last year's success likely hinges on the performance of veteran quarterback Rocco Becht, who is entering his third season as the Cyclones' starter. Becht was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023 after completing 62.9% of his passes and throwing for 3,120 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He bettered those numbers last fall by throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns while also chipping in 318 rushing yards and eight scores, ultimately earning honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition from the league's coaches. The primary question surrounding Iowa State's offense is whether the Cyclones can replace star wideouts Jaylin Noel (80 catches, 1,194 yards, eight TDs) and Jayden Higgins (87 catches, 1,183 yards, nine TDs), both of whom were drafted by the Houston Texans in the first three rounds. Iowa State added former East Carolina wideout Chase Sowell (No. 30 transfer, No. 7 WR) and former UCF wideout Xavier Townsend (No. 553 transfer, No. 106 WR), but neither player has come close to reaching 1,000 yards in a single season. A tricky schedule by Big 12 standards will test the Cyclones immediately with a high-profile opener against Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland, and a rivalry game against Iowa two weeks later. Head coach: Joey McGuire, 4th year (23-16 at Texas Tech) Last season: 8-5 overall, 6-3 Big 12 Returning starters: 4 offense, 3 defense Recruiting class: No. 48 overall, No. 8 Big 12 Transfer portal: No. 2 overall, No. 1 Big 12 Strength of schedule: 69th No team swung for the fences quite like Texas Tech this past offseason. Fueled by billionaire donor Cody Campbell, an oil magnate who doubles as both the chairman of Texas Tech's board of regents and the founder of its NIL collective, The Matador Club, the Red Raiders spent more than $10 million upgrading their roster via the transfer portal in hopes of forcing their way into college football's elite tier. The end result was a 21-player haul that included 13 four-star prospects — more than any other school in the country — and the No. 2 overall portal class behind LSU. The group includes seven players rated among the top 65 available transfers in former Stanford edge rusher David Bailey (No. 12 transfer, No. 3 edge), former North Carolina offensive tackle Howard Sampson (No. 14 transfer, No. 3 OT), former Georgia Tech edge rusher Romello Height (No. 27 transfer, No. 5 edge), former Illinois State offensive tackle Hunter Zambrano (No. 39 transfer, No. 5 IOL), former Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Will Jados (No. 53 transfer, No. 7 OT), former UCF defensive tackle Lee Hunter (No. 62 transfer, No. 9 DL) and former Texas A&M wide receiver Micah Hudson (No. 64 transfer, No. 15 WR), who began his career at Texas Tech and has now rejoined the program. The Red Raiders also just opened the new Womble Football Center, which cost more than $240 million to build, a state-of-the-art practice facility on par with any other in the country. Texas Tech's overhaul expanded to the coaching staff as well. Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley left to become the head coach at Florida Atlantic, while defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter was fired in early December. They've been replaced by former Texas State offensive coordinator Mark Leftwich and former Houston defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, respectively, with three new position coaches also joining the fray. And while there will be droves of new faces on both sides of the ball — among coaches and players alike — the biggest need for improvement is on defense, where Texas Tech finished 127th overall (460.2 yards per game) and 122nd in scoring (34.8 points per game) last fall. The only Big 12 team below them in both categories was Oklahoma State, which failed to win a single conference game. This year's defense is expected to include at least a half-dozen transfer starters, though it will still be anchored by veteran linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the team's only first-team All-Big 12 selection from 2024. The first real test for the new-look Red Raiders comes Sept. 20 at Utah. Head coach: Jeff Brohm, 3rd year (19-8 at Louisville) Last season: 9-4 overall, 5-3 ACC Returning starters: 4 offense, 3 defense Recruiting class: No. 68 overall, No. 16 ACC Transfer portal: No. 31 overall, No. 5 ACC Strength of schedule: 36th Before Jeff Brohm became the head coach at Louisville, his alma mater, ahead of the 2023 season, he did exemplary work in guiding Purdue to an appearance in the Big Ten Championship game, a feat that seems even more remarkable given what's happened to the program since his departure. One reason for Brohm's success was his development of quarterback Aidan O'Connell, a former walk-on with the Boilermakers, into a fourth-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. His unique ability to mentor quarterbacks followed Brohm to Louisville, where he transformed journeyman Jack Plummer, whose career actually began at Purdue, into a viable undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers. Brohm did the same with former Oregon and Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough, who seemed to emerge from nowhere and throw for 3,195 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions during his only season at Louisville. Such production was enough to convince the New Orleans Saints that Shough was worth a second-round pick in this year's draft, enhancing Brohm's reputation even further. Brohm's next challenge is salvaging the career of former USC quarterback Miller Moss, the No. 142 overall transfer and No. 10 signal-caller in the portal. An in-state recruit, Moss waited his turn with the Trojans behind Heisman Trophy winner and eventual top overall pick Caleb Williams before finally winning the starting job last fall. He mixed brilliant moments with untimely interceptions in an uneven blend that prompted head coach Lincoln Riley to bench Moss late in the season, effectively preempting the transfer decision. Now, Moss will be the unquestioned No. 1 for a team that believes it can reach the College Football Playoff. He'll be aided by an excellent running back duo in Isaac Brown (165 carries, 1,173 yards, 11 TDs) and Duke Watson (67 carries, 597 yards, seven TDs) that helped the Cardinals finish 33rd nationally and third in the ACC in rushing yards per game last season. There are legitimate concerns on defense, however, with Louisville needing to replace eight starters from a unit that ranked outside the top 50 in both scoring (24.1 points per game) and yards (368.7 yards per game), even with a pair of middle-round draft picks in edge rusher Ashton Gillotte (No. 66 overall) and cornerback Quincy Riley (No. 131 overall). Still, a friendly opening stretch on the schedule could see the Cardinals enjoy a 5-0 start entering their game at Miami on Oct. 17. Head coach: Chris Klieman, 7th year (48-28 at Kansas State) Last season: 9-4 overall, 5-4 Big 12 Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense Recruiting class: No. 35 overall, No. 2 Big 12 Transfer portal: No. 56 overall, No. 14 Big 12 Strength of schedule: 64th Many expected Kansas State to break through this barrier last fall when the Wildcats were picked to finish second in the Big 12 preseason poll — they fell one first-place vote short of Utah for the top spot — and rocketed toward a 7-1 start that saw them reach No. 16 in the AP Poll following a 45-18 pummeling of West Virginia. The Wildcats had one of the nation's most exciting young quarterbacks in dual-threat sophomore Avery Johnson, who finished the year with more than 2,700 passing yards, more than 600 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns. The team's rushing defense would rank among the best in the Big 12 at 118.7 yards per game, trailing only Arizona State, the league's eventual College Football Playoff entrant. But Kansas State suffered three backbreaking defeats in the final month of the season to Houston (five points), Arizona State (10 points) and Iowa State (eight points) that dropped head coach Chris Klieman's team from contention for both a spot in the Big 12 title game and the playoff as a whole. A crumbling ending to the once-promising season left the Wildcats to face unranked Rutgers in the Rate Bowl, a game they ultimately won. The preseason outlook for Kansas State in 2025 should be similar to the hype it enjoyed last season, with this year's version of the Wildcats mentioned alongside Arizona State, Texas Tech and BYU in the Big 12's highest tier. Having lost leading rusher DJ Giddens to the NFL, where he was a fifth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, the Wildcats will turn to former Colorado running back Dylan Edwards as the primary runner alongside Johnson, whose ability to stay healthy might be the team's biggest barometer for long-term success. Edwards averaged an eye-catching 7.4 yards per carry on 74 attempts last season to finish as Kansas State's third-leading rusher and now steps into a larger role. The biggest question is at wide receiver, where veteran Jayce Brown (47 catches, 823 yards, five TDs) is the only returner with noteworthy production from 2024. Klieman added several new receivers via the transfer portal in former Boston College wideout Jerand Bradley (No. 619 transfer, No. 113 WR), former New Mexico wideout Caleb Medford (No. 756 transfer, No. 141 WR) and former Purdue wideout Jaron Tibbs (No. 1,038 transfer, No. 177 WR), but none of those players exceeded 400 yards last season. Kansas State's schedule begins with a difficult opener against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, and includes another tricky non-conference game against Army on Sept. 6 before settling into Big 12 play. Head coach: Kirk Ferentz, 27th year (204-124 at Iowa) Last season: 8-5 overall, 6-3 Big Ten Returning starters: 5 offense, 5 defense Recruiting class: No. 39 overall, No. 11 Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 60 overall, No. 17 Big Ten Strength of schedule: 32nd For reasons that were partially cynical, Iowa's offense spent a considerable chunk of last season beneath the national microscope following an embarrassing sequence of events that placed the program's 2023 campaign among the most unforgettable in recent memory. It was during that year when former offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, the son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, oversaw a truly heinous unit that finished 133rd out of 133 FBS teams in total offense (234.6 yards per game), 132nd in scoring offense (15.4 points per game) and 130th in passing (118.6 yards per game) ahead of Navy, Army and Air Force — three teams who intentionally limit their number of pass attempts. Brian Ferentz was unceremoniously informed by interim athletic director Beth Goetz of his impending firing a month before the season ended, though he was allowed to coach the remainder of the year. Kirk Ferentz eventually tabbed former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester, who was previously the quarterbacks coach at Purdue and the offensive coordinator at Syracuse, as the replacement for 2024 and beyond. Year 1 under Lester saw the Hawkeyes improve to 72nd in scoring offense (27.7 points per game) and t-117th in total offense (328.8 yards per game) despite shoddy quarterback play from Cade McNamara and Brendan Sullivan, neither of whom are still with the program. The second phase of Iowa's attempted offensive revamp includes two noteworthy additions ahead of the 2025 campaign. First is quarterback Mark Gronowski, an accomplished transfer from South Dakota State and the No. 10 signal-caller in this year's portal cycle. Gronowski tied the FCS record for wins by a quarterback with his 49-6 mark across four seasons. He won the Walter Payton Award given to the most outstanding offensive player at the FCS level in 2023 and guided South Dakota State to a pair of national championships. His dual-threat ability produced 93 career passing touchdowns and 37 career rushing scores with the Jackrabbits. The second key addition is senior offensive analyst Warren Ruggiero, who spent the last 11 years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wake Forest, a program that finished among the top 20 nationally in scoring for three straight seasons from 2020-22. Ruggiero, Lester and Gronowski will form the Hawkeyes' offensive brain trust this fall. They'll need to provide some ballast for an inexperienced defense that lost a handful of starters to graduation and the NFL. Head coach: Brian Newberry, 3rd year (15-10 overall) Last season: 10-3 overall, 6-3 AAC Returning starters: 8 offense, 3 defense Recruiting class: No. 132 overall, No. 13 AAC Transfer portal: N/A Strength of schedule: 87th This list wouldn't be complete without at least one team from beyond the power conferences, and Navy fits the bill given everything the Midshipmen are returning from a team that won 10 games for the first time since finishing 11-2 in 2019. The addition of first-year offensive coordinator Drew Cronic, who was previously the head coach at Mercer (2020-23) and Lenoir-Rhyne (2018-19), catalyzed an explosive unit that ranked 39th in scoring at 31.3 points per game and sixth in rushing at 247.5 yards per game. The only teams in the country to amass more 50-yard gains than Navy (13) — which matched Ohio State in that category — were Boise State (16) and the quartet of Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Ole Miss and UTSA (14 each). A triumphant 21-20 win over Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl capped an exemplary campaign for second-year head coach Brian Newberry, who was previously the team's defensive coordinator and safeties coach from 2019-22. Eight starters from last season's high-powered offense return in 2025, headlined by dual-threat quarterback Blake Horvath, now a senior. Horvath threw for 1,353 yards and 13 touchdowns last season while also finishing as the team's leading rusher with 1,254 yards and 17 touchdowns on 176 carries. His primary backfield partners, Alex Tecza (124 carries, 568 yards, eight TDs), Eli Heidenreich (65 carries, 444 yards, three TDs; 39 catches, 671 yards, 6 TDs) and Brandon Chatman (48 carries, 250 yards, three TDs; 18 catches, 257 yards, 4 TDs) are also back for another campaign. It's worth noting, however, that Navy's exciting collection of skill players will be working behind a retooled offensive line that must replace both starting tackles and one starting guard. A soft strength of schedule in the American Athletic Conference remains arguably the biggest impediment to the Midshipmen's hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff. The early November showdown at Notre Dame will likely be their only game against a ranked opponent, which makes Navy's margin for error throughout the rest of the season exceedingly slim. Michael Cohen covers college football and college basketball for FOX Sports. Follow him at @Michael_Cohen13. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily . FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking all 18 Big Ten football uniforms for 2025
As the offseason continues, and very little news flows throughout the Big Ten landscape, one can think about many things. One in particular is the history of the Big Ten and specifically that of many blueblood programs' uniforms. Whether it be the classic aesthetic of Michigan's blue and gold, the more modern sleek look of the Trojans of USC, or one of the most iconic uniforms in college football with Penn State, the Big Ten has given us some iconic expressions of team pride through its many different uniforms. Thus, for the first time on Nittany Lions Wire, I will be ranking all 18 of the Big Ten's classic uniforms from worst to best. Here is a look at our Big Ten helmet rankings for 2025. 18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Helmet Rank: 16 This one is pretty self-explanatory. In a conference in which many team's colorways use a red and white scheme, Rutgers does it the worst. While the white R against the bright red backdrop on the helmet is an aesthetically awesome touch, the helmet alone is not enough to keep Rutgers from claiming the bottom spot. There are only so many ways that you can pull off red and white, and until Rutgers tries to pull it off, they may stay bottom dwellers for a while. 17. Indiana Hoosiers Helmet Rank: 14 Much like Rutgers, red and white can only get you so far on the Big Ten uniform rankings. Calling it cream and crimson doesn't necessarily help either. Nevertheless, a trident as a logo is cooler than a simple white "R" so that at least is something the Hoosiers can hang their hat on. Plus, Curt Cignetti's squad is a fun and frisky bunch, so if performances levels continue to exceed expectations, this uniform could move way up in my rankings and become ever more iconic. 16. Illinois Fighting Illini Helmet Rank: 15 Just out of the bottom two is the Illini, who somehow make orange, white and blue work on a uniform. They have several alternates with the navy blue/orange that are standouts but their old-time jerseys leave much to be desired and take away from the overall aesthetic. However, much like Indiana, sneaky performances could elevate these unusual unis even higher. 15. Northwestern Wildcats Helmet Rank: 17 The first team to incorporate purple on the list, Northwestern has some of the most underrated uniforms in the conference. Their alternates with the purple stripe detailing are some of the best in the sport, and the way they intepret the scripted "N" on the helmet is really cool and makes a simple logo pop especially on the alternates. However, the simplicity of their white unis and their poor on-field performances leaves them towards the bottom of the pack. 14. Nebraska Cornhuskers Helmet Rank: 18 If this were nearly three decades ago, Nebraska could well have been in the top 5. The great Cornhusker teams of the 90s made the red and white jerseys some of the most well-renowned ones in the sports. Years of irrelevancy have seen the uniforms lose their luster. Should Raiola and Rhule continue to gain consistency together, perhaps this best of the "red and whites" will have its day in the sun again. 13. Minnesota Golden Gophers Helmet Rank: 12 Another underrated uni in the conference, the Golden Gophers probably have the best detailing of any team with a white base for their jerseys. To top it all off, they also have perhaps the best letter logo outside the top 10, with the red and gold "M" standing out in a world where Mcdonald's and Michigan exist. What keeps it from entering the top 10 is that the team itself seemed more fun in the early PJ Fleck days than this current iteration, and you can add all the clever distractions you want to a classic white base, but a white base it still remains. Thus, Minnesota has to find cooler, more eye-catching details and colorways to make a move next year. 12. Maryland Terrapins Helmet Rank: 9 Maryland may have the most enigmatic uniforms on this list, as while they still represent the pride of Maryland in the red, white, gold and black color scheme, the changing of the logo on the helmet drastically detracts from that aesthetic. The scripted "Terps" isn't terrible, but one would be remiss by not thinking that if Maryland kept the state flag decals on the helmet, these uniforms would be even more of a winner. Although I must add, if we were rating these jerseys simply on the alternates, Maryland's black ones would be up there with the sleek off-white finish of the numbers and striped detailing on the sleeves. 11. Michigan State Spartans Helmet Rank: 6 We're starting to enter iconic territory on this list, as Michigan State is certainly a blueblood of the sport whose unis would be instantly recognizable to even a casual college football fan. However, the spartan logo is starting to carry the load a little to heavily as the spartan green and white scheme is getting old and a bit too bland aesthetically. As much as green is a fantastic color for a football jersey, Michigan State could be starting to beat it to death. The helmet saves it from dropping even further. 10. Oregon Ducks Helmet Ranks: 5 While many would expects the Ducks to be higher on this list, it has been their many attempts to modify their standard green and yellow over the past years that sees them in this spot. Whether it be their hideous neon green alternates in the CFP or their "Bumblebee" like first alternates, they do too much with simple colors. The Green Bay Packers the Oregon Ducks are not, and despite their recent on-field success, maybe simplicity is key when it comes to looking good on the field for the Ducks. 9. Purdue Boilermakers Helmet Rank: 13 Nothing beats a good black and gold color scheme, and I think no one does it better than the Boilermakers. Purdue fans should know that during a night game at Ross-Ade Stadium not that many years, the mystique of the black and gold meant they had a chance to play spoiler, thus giving their classic 2010s nickname, "The Spoilermakers." And even though that may not be the case at the moment, the Boilermakers still have the iconic feel that elevates them above heavyweight contenders on this list. 8. Washington Huskies Helmet Rank: 8 Washington's primary achievement with their uniforms is making two distinctly different colors work together in a highly textured manner. Whether it be the tinted gold helmets with the classic purple "W" on the helmets, to the boldness of the purple jersey and the gold pants, Washington is starting to become one of the most familiar uniforms within the Big Ten ranks. If they can get back to the CFP yet again, look for the aura of these unis to continue to rise. 7. UCLA Bruins Helmet Rank: 7 One of the classic in terms of aesthetic and simplicity, UCLA has mastered the minimalist look with maximalist boldness. Similar to Washington, the boldness of the gold-tinted helmet allows the scripted "UCLA" to stand out. The blue and gold detailing on the sleeves stand out against the bold true blue base. And to top it all off, there is truly nothing better than gold numbers with a bold white rim. UCLA is this high because of their "less is more" mentality, not in spite of it. 6. Wisconsin Badgers Helmet Rank: 11 Perhaps the best red and white combo in the conference, the Badgers pull off a white and cardinal look cleaner and simpler than certain bottom dwellers on this list. While certainly not the most appealing at first glance, you can soon come to terms with the idea of simplicity being best with a closer look. The helmet is a major plus with the pop of the "W" standing out against the white base. 5. USC Trojans Helmet Rank: 4 One of the most iconic jerseys of the '90s, when Leinart and Bush ruled the roost in the sport, the Trojans' classic logo and clean jerseys still have not lost their chic despite the lackluster nature of the Lincoln Riley era. The trojan logo in and of itself elevates the whole aesthetic. The pop of the cardinal-striped pant legs adds a nice touch with the beautiful gold numbering giving it a clasic touch that college football fans all around the country can appreciate. 4. Ohio State Buckeyes Helmet Rank: 3 The scarlet and grey of Ohio State are one of the most quintessential uniforms in all of college football. Starting with the classic grey helmet with the nice buckeyes touch when players make significant to the boldness of the all-scarlet look counterbalance by the white numbers and details on the sleeve, you can feel the almost branded nature of the Buckeyes unis. With muted simplicity, Ohio State has created a look that will remain seared in your memory. 3. Iowa Hawkeyes Helmet Rank: 10 Another gold and black combo, the Iowa Hawkeyes pull it off just a tad bit better than Purdue. The color uni is a classic counterbalance between the black shirt and the gold pant with the gold detail on the sleeve a stand out feature. Even the almost all gold alternate has a cool vibe with the black stripes across the chest a nice touch. And of course, you can't forget about one of the best logos in the sport, the classic black and gold hawk standing out on that all black helmet. Iowa's unis are equally parts frightening and fiery. 2. Michigan Wolverines Helmet Rank: 2 You had to know Michigan would be high on this list with their brilliant maize and blue combo. Both the color and white options are standing with the bold detailing of the stripes on the pant leg on the white and the classic maize numbers on the color ones makes for one of the most recognizable helmets not just in college football, but the world. Combine that with the No. 2 ranked helmets in our helmet rankings, and there's no way you can argue with this ranking. 1. Penn State Nittany Lions Helmet Rank: 1 You had to know this was coming right from the start! However, all biases aside, when you think of familiarity, beauty of simplicity, and an iconic aesthetic, Penn State has it all. When everyone's watching their games, they know who's on their television screens and the overall aura of the program. With this No. 1 ranking in both our uniform and helmets lists, Penn State has a clear message to the conference: sometimes, simplicity is best!
