As college football teams gear up for the new season, the summer break presents a vital opportunity for coaches to host recruits and address pressing needs before the fall camp in August. The anticipation builds as media days approach, but the real work begins in June. As we look at the top 25 Power Four college football teams expected to contend in 2025, it’s clear that each program has specific areas that require attention to ensure success. While some challenges may not be resolved until games begin in September, we’ve compiled a summer agenda for each team to spotlight their critical needs.
For the defending national champions, establishing a fierce pass rush following significant personnel losses is crucial. The addition of Beau Atkinson, a post-spring portal newcomer from North Carolina, enhances their options. Look for defensive tackle Eddrick Houston to take on a prominent role, while junior Kayden McDonald is expected to see the most action of his career.
With the emergence of former five-star recruit Ryan Wingo as the new WR1, the Longhorns must identify other essential targets for their passing game. The departure of Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond, and tight end Gunnar Helm leaves room for true freshman Kaliq Lockett and veteran DeAndre Moore to step up in the Z and slot positions.
Last season's struggles highlighted a lack of depth at wide receiver beyond All-American tight end Tyler Warren. Following a semifinal defeat to Notre Dame, head coach James Franklin sought to strengthen the position with transfers. Expect new starters Kyron Hudson (USC), Devonte Ross (Troy), and Trebor Pena (Syracuse) to make an impact.
Clemson is considered by many to be one of college football's top teams this fall, boasting a potentially elite roster. However, the team faces inexperience in the backfield with Gideon Davidson, Jay Haynes, and David Eziomume expected to share the running back duties after the departure of Phil Mafah. Coach Dabo Swinney will need to balance a pass-heavy offense with effective short-yardage plays.
Replacing four starters on the offensive line is no small feat, even for a premier program like Georgia. Coach Kirby Smart faces the challenge of establishing a reliable two-deep at the line of scrimmage. With a new quarterback and several portal additions, ensuring the effectiveness of tackles Monroe Freeling and Earnest Greene will be imperative for the Bulldogs.
Head coach Dan Lanning has yet to name a starting quarterback, but Dante Moore, a former UCLA transfer, has had ample time to adapt to the offensive scheme. With a history of strong quarterback performance, Oregon needs Moore to excel to continue their pursuit of a national title.
After the departure of Steve Angeli to Syracuse, the Fighting Irish are confident in either C.J. Carr or Kevin Minchey as their starting quarterback. Coach Marcus Freeman emphasized the importance of early identification of the QB1 role as Notre Dame prepares to open the season against nationally-ranked Miami on August 31.
With the pressure mounting after a playoff absence since 2019, Coach Brian Kelly emphasizes the need for LSU to remain focused and not be swayed by preseason hype. The Tigers have invested heavily in recruiting this offseason, making it crucial to channel that momentum into success on the field.
Alabama's defense is expected to be strong, particularly with cornerbacks Zabien Brown and Domani Jackson forming a formidable tandem. However, the Crimson Tide must enhance their pass rush, as the team is relatively inexperienced outside of James Smith and nose tackle Tim Keenan III. A breakout season from LT Overton could be a game changer.
With a solid front seven, Coach Billy Napier needs to develop depth in the secondary, particularly with several true freshmen expected to step up. The Gators will rely on returning junior starters Jordan Castell and Bryce Thornton at safety while evaluating potential rotations during fall camp.
The Hurricanes are facing significant production losses, including the departure of Cam Ward and several top receivers. It’s crucial for play caller Shannon Dawson to maintain an aggressive offensive strategy with new additions like CJ Daniels while developing competition across the receiving corps.
With the top returning rusher Josh McCray transferring to Georgia, running backs coach Thad Ward must ensure that players like Aidan Laughery, Kaden Feagin, and Ca'Lil Valentine can shoulder the load, allowing quarterback Luke Altmyer to thrive.
After a solid first season, dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson enters 2025 as a crucial player for the Wildcats. Following a few rough outings last November, it’s essential for Johnson to refine his game and establish consistency to keep Kansas State in contention.
With Keelan Marion transferring to Miami, the Cougars must find replacements for key pass-catchers. Chase Roberts is set to lead the receiving corps, while Jojo Phillips, who averaged 21.1 yards per catch last season, is poised to become a vital asset for BYU.
Despite being ranked in the preseason top 15, TCU has not received the recognition they deserve. Maintaining strong physicality in both offense and defense will be key for the Horned Frogs as they aim to assert themselves in the Big 12.
With five-star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood poised to lead the Wolverines, it’s time to make him the Day 1 starter. While Mikey Keene, a transfer from Fresno State, serves as insurance, Underwood's leadership and skill showcased during spring practices signal a bright future.
After a standout season with Army, running back Kanye Udoh is a key piece of the Sun Devils’ offense. Coach Kenny Dillingham must ensure Udoh remains healthy, especially with the return of Heisman candidate Sam Leavitt at quarterback.
With a new offensive coordinator in Ben Arbuckle, Coach Brent Venables is returning to focus on defense. After a challenging season, Venables must leverage his expertise to elevate the Sooners' defensive strategy.
With significant turnover on the defensive line, Coach Matt Campbell will need to innovate defensively. Retaining Domonique Orange and incorporating three lower-end transfers will help bolster depth as Iowa State prepares for the season.
In the wake of Nico Iamaleava’s transfer and the signing of Joey Aguilar, expectations for the Volunteers have shifted. Coach Josh Heupel can utilize the "nobody respects us" narrative to rally his team and prove the doubters wrong.
After finishing last in the Big 12 in pass defense, the Red Raiders must address their secondary issues. With six returning players, competition during fall camp will be critical to securing starting positions and improving performance.
The Gamecocks await an eligibility ruling for Rahsul Faison, a running back transfer from Utah State. If not cleared, Coach Mike Shula may need to rely on Oscar Adaway or Jawarn Howell as alternatives.
With a significant influx of transfers, Coach Jeff Brohm must ensure that all new players fit well into the team structure. After acquiring 30 transfers, successful integration will be key to Louisville's success in the ACC.
After a successful 2024 season, the Mustangs face a more challenging schedule ahead. Coach Kevin Jennings must manage expectations while integrating newcomers to maintain competitive performance.
As the Auburn Tigers enter the 2025 season, they will need to focus on solving pressing issues within their roster to regain their competitive edge in college football.
