As the 2025 spring football games wrap up across college campuses, the next steps in college football’s offseason become clearer. From rising stars to evolving coaching strategies, there’s a lot to discuss as teams prepare for the fast-approaching season. But what can fans and analysts expect as the college football world shifts gears post-spring games? In this article, we’ll break down the early performance of top programs, highlight key player developments, and discuss what’s next in the world of college football.
Early Performances: A Glimpse of the 2025 Season
Spring games have always been a valuable opportunity to preview the next college football season. While these games are not always a perfect reflection of what we’ll see in the fall, they offer a snapshot of early team dynamics, positional battles, and player growth. After several weeks of practice, here’s a look at how top programs performed in their 2025 spring games:
Alabama: Rebuilding After a Championship Hangover
Alabama’s spring game saw impressive flashes from sophomore quarterback Alex Murphy, who is vying for the starting role following the departure of last season’s starter. While the offense has a few wrinkles to iron out, the Crimson Tide’s defense, under new coordinator Patrick Peterson, has the potential to be a dominant force in 2025. The team’s defense looked fast and aggressive, causing havoc in the backfield and showing off deep coverage skills. Keep an eye on Alabama’s development as they look to bounce back from a near-miss in the 2024 playoffs.
Ohio State: A Quarterback Controversy and a New Offensive Philosophy
Ohio State’s spring game was one of the most anticipated of the year, with all eyes on the quarterback position after the graduation of their long-time starter. Freshman Ryan Williams impressed many with his quick release and poise under pressure, but there’s a looming quarterback controversy between Williams and junior transfer Tyrell Harris. Meanwhile, the offense appears to be shifting toward a more balanced approach, with head coach Brian Hartline placing greater emphasis on the running game. This change in offensive philosophy will be something to watch as the season progresses.
Georgia: Status Quo but with New Faces
Georgia’s spring game, which featured a solid win for the Bulldogs, reaffirmed what many already knew: Georgia is loaded. Despite some notable departures from last season’s championship-winning squad, Georgia’s depth on both sides of the ball remains unmatched. Freshman wide receiver Keith Dawson has shown tremendous promise, with a few spectacular catches in the spring game that had fans excited. Expect Georgia to remain at the top of the SEC heading into the 2025 season.
Key Player Developments
The spring games also gave us a chance to look at players who might not have been on everyone’s radar entering the offseason. Here are a few standouts who could make significant impacts in 2025:
The Quarterback Battle at USC
USC’s spring game highlighted the fierce competition for the starting quarterback position. Sophomore Jayden Clark, who had limited opportunities last season, was highly efficient, throwing for multiple touchdowns and showcasing his improved decision-making skills. Senior QB Aaron Woods, however, still has the edge in experience, and head coach Lincoln Riley has expressed confidence in his ability to lead. The battle here will be closely watched as USC attempts to improve on their 2024 performance and re-enter the playoff conversation.
Michigan’s Defensive Line Reloaded
Michigan’s defensive line, which has been a key unit in recent seasons, took center stage in their spring game. Senior edge rusher Camron Blackwell showed that he is ready to take on a leadership role, sacking the quarterback multiple times and disrupting plays all over the field. Blackwell’s development, along with contributions from several young players, gives Michigan a strong foundation in a critical area. The Wolverines will likely rely heavily on this defense to keep them competitive in the Big Ten and beyond.
Fresh Faces in the Wide Receiver Room: Texas A&M’s Answer to the SEC
While many of the top programs are focused on their quarterbacks, Texas A&M is shifting focus to their receiving corps. Freshman wideout Elijah Brooks has already emerged as a potential game-changer, catching multiple deep balls during the spring game. With a wide receiving group that looks stronger than it has in recent years, Texas A&M might finally have the offensive weapons they need to compete with powerhouse SEC teams like Alabama and Georgia.
New Coaching Strategies and Shifts in the Landscape
As the college football landscape continues to evolve, new coaching strategies are playing an increasingly pivotal role. In particular, the growing trend of hiring young, dynamic coaches has reshaped how teams approach both recruiting and in-game strategy.
The Rise of Offensive Innovation
Several teams are leaning more heavily on offensive innovation, and that trend was particularly evident in 2025 spring games. Programs like Oklahoma, with new head coach Troy Johnson, are working to implement fast-paced, high-efficiency offenses that focus on creating mismatches and exploiting defenses. Johnson’s style has already influenced recruiting, with multiple top-tier offensive recruits committing to Oklahoma.
Defensive Shifts: The Return to Power Football
At the same time, there’s a noticeable shift in the approach of some of college football’s traditional powerhouses, with a renewed focus on power football and stifling defense. Programs like Penn State and Wisconsin have revamped their defensive schemes, prioritizing speed and physicality in the front seven. This shift could be a response to the offensive innovation sweeping the college game, with teams looking to play more balanced football and control the line of scrimmage.
The Transfer Portal and NIL: Keeping Up with the Changes
Perhaps the most important factor in shaping the future of college football is the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. The landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years, and teams are increasingly relying on the portal to fill gaps in their rosters. In 2025, expect programs to have even more sophisticated strategies to attract talent through both the portal and NIL. Some of the spring game performances, like that of Texas’ new transfer quarterback, signal that the portal is likely to be a key avenue for top programs looking to stay competitive.
What’s Next for College Football?
As teams begin to gear up for the 2025 season, there are still plenty of questions to answer. The most immediate question is how these spring performances translate to regular-season success. Will Ohio State’s new offensive approach be the key to their playoff hopes? Can Georgia reload after losing so many key players to the NFL? Will Alabama regain their dominance in the SEC? And, of course, the ever-present question of who will be the next breakout star, potentially changing the trajectory of a program’s season.
While there is still a long way to go before the 2025 season kicks off, the spring games have provided plenty of storylines to follow. With a mixture of new talent, evolving strategies, and the constant ebb and flow of the transfer portal, the landscape of college football is poised for another exciting year.
Conclusion: The Road to Fall
The 2025 season is still months away, but the spring games have laid a solid foundation for what promises to be a thrilling college football year. With new stars emerging, old powerhouses retooling their strategies, and the always-unpredictable nature of the sport, it’s clear that the journey to the College Football Playoff will be as competitive as ever. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the offseason progresses and teams continue to refine their plans for the fall.
