NFL Mock Draft 2022: Edition 1 (Early Edition)

Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan to Jacksonville

Now that the college football has been finished for two weeks and with the NFL postseason in full swing, it seems like the perfect time to shift focus to the 2022 NFL Draft. The Draft process is never a straightforward one, and it could be particularly interesting this season without an overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 overall selection. Several edge rushers, quarterbacks, and O-Linemen will be in the hunt, but there's still plenty of mystery at the top as we head into February.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Although there isn't an overwhelming frontrunner to be the No. 1 pick, Aidan Hutchinson is the slight betting favorite. Hutchinson is a great story; he improved each and every single season while at Michigan and then decided to come back for his senior year, where he was a Heisman finalist and led his team to a Playoff berth. He has a lot to like as an NFL prospect; good size, a ferocious tenacity, and the intangibles that aren't easy to teach. He'll have to answer for an underwhelming Playoff performance that wrapped up his collegiate career, but he makes a lot of sense for a Jaguar team attempting to rebuild their defense.

2. Detroit Lions

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

Expect Kayvon Thibodeaux to be in the conversation as the No. 1 overall selection right alongside Hutchinson. Thibodeaux was the nation's top recruit before an impressive three-year showing at Oregon, even as he battled through injuries and double teams all of 2021. Physically, he's even more impressive than Hutchinson, but needs refinement in his technique and fundamentals. Detroit could possibly trade down, but if they stick firm at No. 2, the former Duck makes plenty of sense.

3. Houston Texans

Evan Neal, OL, Alabama

At this point, there's absolutely no telling which direction Houston goes at pick three. The Deshaun Watson drama hangs over the franchise like a storm cloud and they have needs on both sides of the ball. Quarterback is definitely a possibility, but a better bet might be Evan Neal, who would go a long way in shoring up the offensive line. Neal, who is 6'7", 350 pounds, has the type of athleticism and footwork you simply don't see at the position everyday.

4. New York Jets

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

I suspect the Jets go either offensive line or defensive back based on their current needs and with Neal off the board, they focus on the secondary. It's been awhile since the Jets have had a shutdown corner, but LSU's Derek Stingley could fit the role. Stingley was one of the best true freshmen we've seen in college football history but after two injury-riddled campaigns, his status as top CB in this class is in doubt. Even so, he's got the raw tools you love at the position, and plenty of room for growth.

5. New York Giants

Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State

After a rough start to his careerm Andrew Thomas has developed into a capable, above-average starter on the line for the Giants. However, he can only do so much for a line that has struggled to protect Daniel Jones early on in his career. NC State's Ikem Ekwonu isn't a flashy pick, but the hard-nosed, experienced blocker can run and block protect and is a safe selection compared to others available at this spot.

6. Carolina Panthers

Charles Cross, OL, Mississippi State

This is a fascinating spot for a Carolina organization likely to enter 2022 under some pressure. Matt Rhule sits squarely on the hot seat, Sam Darnold may be on his last chance to be an NFL QB and the OC hire, Ben McAdoo, was underwhelming. QB makes sense, but do the Panthers really bring in a young signal-caller with the current state of the team? A better bet may be O-Line, as the Panthers need to shore things up along the trenches if they want any hopes of competing in the NFC South.

7. New York Giants

George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

With the pick acquired from Chicago, the G-Men have their choice of just about any position they could want. Kyle Hamilton is the best player available, but this is a really quality young secondary already. A larger need is pass rushing, and Purdue's George Karlaftis is well worth the No. 7 selection. Although his production in West Lafayette doesn't necessarily jump out at you, the tape doesn't lie; he was genuinely facing double and triple teams every single weekend due to the lack of proven pass rush beyond him.

8. Atlanta Falcons

David Ojabo, DE/LB, Michigan

Is this the year Atlanta finally gets their long-term replacement for Matt Ryan? There seemed like a good chance the Falcons would have gone with Trey Lance if he dropped to No. 4 last year, but does it make sense in 2022? I still think they hold off, considering Ryan was still productive this fall and has two more years left on his deal. Instead, they add a dynamic pass rusher in David Ojabo, who was slightly overshadowed by Hutchinson, but has insane upside.

9. Denver Broncos

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Just as there is no clear, overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick right now, there's no obvious favorite to be the first QB off the board. Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, Malik Willis, and Sam Howell all remain firmly entrenched in the hunt. Denver definitely needs a new signal-caller, and I think Pickett best fits their current roster. He's a savvy, experienced quarterback whose growth this fall was one of the feel-good stories of the 2021 college football season.

10. New York Jets

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

With Stingley already secured, I like the idea of New York addressing their offensive limitations with pick ten. Offensive line is always in play when you have a young QB, but wide out may be the greater need. Garrett Wilson is the best receiver in a deep class, as he's got the athleticism, route running and jaw-dropping catch radius to form a potent 1-2 punch with Zach Wilson.

11. Washington Football Team

Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

While Taylor Heinecke has been a nice story as an NFL QB, he's not the long-term solution for the Washington Football Team. Even if they're players in the free agent QB market, I still suspect WFT wants a quarterback of the future. Enter Matt Corral, a gunslinger who had a big 2021 campaign and has the type of confidence, or swagger, that the franchise has lacked at the position since RG3.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Minnesota enters the offseason extremely thin at corner and that's before Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander hit unrestricted free agency. They could use some fresh blood at the position, and Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner would be a home run at this spot. Gardner was the definition of shutdown while at Cincinnati and has the versatility to play in just about any defense, depending on the direction the Vikings go with in the front office and at head coach.

13. Cleveland Browns

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

2022 could be the final straw for Baker Mayfield in Cleveland after a frustrating fall. The Browns could really use an upgrade at receiver, especially after parting ways with Odell Beckham Jr. mid-season. They have plenty to choose from here, but I like Treylon Burks. Defenses keyed in on him all season because of the lack of a true game-changer behind him at Arkansas, and he still put together a monster campaign for the Razorbacks.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

Either defensive end or corner seems like the likely avenue for Baltimore where they stand right now, pre-free agency. With most of the big names gone off the edge, expect Andrew Booth to be in play at this spot. The freaky athlete has astounding ball skills and tremendous instincts for the position, even though he needs to improve his consistency.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

I would be pretty shocked if Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton happened to drop to the mid-first round, but it's a possibility based on team needs. If he does, Philadelphia would jump at the chance to land the rangy defender, who would quickly remind Eagle fans of the prime Brian Dawkins days.

16. Philadelphia Eagles

Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Philadelphia gets another skilled defender to upgrade their back-seven here in the form of Devin Lloyd. Lloyd's a twitchy, well-rounded linebacker whose production while at Utah speaks for itself. This past season, he finished with 111 tackles, eight sacks, four interceptions, and also brought home two touchdowns.

17. Los Angeles Chargers

Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia

Upgrading their rush defense should be of top priority for the Chargers, who barely missed out on a postseason berth this season. The good news is that there are plenty of options at linebacker and along the defensive line available at this juncture. Georgia's Jordan Davis makes a ton of sense; he was dominant all fall long and has the mix of size and athleticism any NFL team would covet.

18. New Orleans Saints

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

New Orleans could run it back one more time with Jameis Winston, but they need a quarterback of the future. Luckily, there's a good chance one of the top signal-callers in this Draft drops all the way down to 18, with Malik Willis being one of them. Willis' massive arm and ability to improvise would be terrifying in this New Orleans offense.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Travon Walker, DL, Georgia

With their third selection of the first round, Philadelphia adds yet another impact defender in Georgia's Travon Walker. Walker was often overshadowed by Davis and the host of other Georgia Bulldogs set to go to the NFL, but he put together an extremely productive career while in Athens. He can play on the inside or outside, a real advantage for a Philly D-Line with aging Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M

Pittsburgh is going to be in play for a quarterback following the likely departure of Ben Roethlisberger, but is this the right spot to add one? Sam Howell remains on the board, but the Steelers can't draft a young QB until they focus on improving an O-Line that was terrible throughout much of 2021. Adding Kenyon Green, a former high-profile recruit who lived up to that billing in College Station, would certainly help, and he can play either tackle or guard.

21. New England Patriots

Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Dont'a Hightower played one of the best college football defense of all-time while at Alabama and has since put together an impressive NFL career, but his days may be numbered in New England. The Patriots could snag his long-term replacement here in Nakobe Dean, who just so happens to be a leader on one of the other greatest defenses in CFB history. Dean's athleticism and closing speed would immediately upgrade an average Patriot rush defense.

22. Las Vegas Raiders

Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The Raiders undoubtedly made the right decision to cut ties with Henry Ruggs III following his drunk driving arrest, but his absence leaves them thin at receiver. Enter Jameson Williams, who should still land somewhere in the first round, despite a torn ACL suffered in the National Championship Game. For my money, Williams was the best wide out in college football this year and his speed gives Derek Carr a valuable deep threat.

23. Arizona Cardinals

Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Even before Patrick Peterson departed for Minnesota this past offseason, it was pretty clear Arizona needed to get younger at corner. It didn't help that Peterson's replacement, Malcolm Butler, made the surprising decision to retire just weeks before the regular season. The Cardinals get their fix a year later in Trent McDuffie, a sturdy, well-coached corner who will continue the long line of Washington defensive backs going to the league.

24. Dallas Cowboys

DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

Carlos Watkins is an impending free agent, meaning Dallas could look to invest across their defensive line early on in the 2022 NFL Draft. While most of the big names will almost certainly be gone by this point, DeMarvin Leal offers real value at 24. He's got the frame and athleticism to play either inside or out and is a ferocious pass rusher, with 8.5 sacks to his name in 2021. A marijuana possession charge in late December could threaten to drop him to Day Two, but Jerry Jones has never shied away from talent, even if there are off-the-field concerns.

25. Buffalo Bills

Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

After coming just shy of a trip to the AFC Championship Game, Buffalo again enters an offseason simply a piece or two away from being a true Super Bowl frontrunner. They may be tempted to add another offensive weapon to this offense, but corner is their greatest need. Kaiir Elam is the best available at his position and while Florida's defensive numbers were terrible the last two years, he was a lone bright spot.

26. Tennessee Titans

Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa

For starters, I'd be shocked if Tyler Linderbaum lasts beyond pick 20, as he has potential to even land in the Top 10. He's the most dominant interior offensive linemen we've seen in college football for a decade and projects favorably to the next level. Tennessee could use an upgrade on their line, even if the interior of the group isn't their greatest weakness.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

No matter Tom Brady's future in the NFL, Tampa has some thinking to do regarding their receiver corps over the offseason. Antonio Brown infamously quit, and Chris Godwin will likely demand loads of money as a free agent. The Buccaneers should invest in a cheap replacement here, and Chris Olave is worthy of a first-round selection. He doesn't have the upside of other wide outs in this Draft, but the production in college speaks for itself.

28. Green Bay Packers

Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky

Green Bay is another team entering the offseason with huge questions after a disappointing early exit in the postseason. Is Aaron Rodgers going to be on this team next fall? It's truly a mystery, but either way, it's past due for the Packers to upgrade the weapons around the future Hall-of-Famer. Wan'Dale Robinson is certainly not your traditional NFL receiver, but his versatility and game-breaking ability would really open up this offense.

29. Cincinnati Bengals

Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

The Bengals need to upgrade their pass protection, if the beating Joe Burrow took in the AFC Divisional Round wasn't obvious enough. This is actually a pretty deep class at offensive tackle, allowing Cincinnati to land a high quality blocker in Trevor Penning in the late first. Although he comes from a "small school" Penning is a beast who would play a key role in keeping Burrow clean.

30. Miami Dolphins

Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

Another team trying to keep their young QB healthy, Miami has to improve their offensive line. To their credit, they've thrown a lot of money and draft picks at the position group in recent years, but the success hasn't appeared. Perhaps adding a high-upside piece like Bernhard Raimann in the late first could be a potential solution. He becomes the Central Michigan Chippewa to go in the first round since Eric Fisher went No. 1 back in 2013.

31. Detroit Lions

David Bell, WR, Purdue

This is prime territory for a team to trade up into the first round for a quarterback and Detroit could be in the market for one, as well. However, they can't develop the position until they address a lackluster receiver group beyond Amon-Ra St. Brown. David Bell would be a nice get in the late first; he doesn't have Rondale Moore's versatility, but is more of your traditional NFL wide receiver.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

Don't be surprised if Kansas City is also in play for a receiver at this spot, but corner makes more sense given their needs and what's available. Roger McCreary was quietly one of the best corners in college football last year and is a proven, intelligent defender. He's a low-risk, high-reward prospect that the Chiefs have hit on over the last several years.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2021-22: Edition 1

Kofi Cockburn, Illinois

Updated through: morning of 1/20/2022

1. Purdue Boilermakers

15-2 overall, 4-2 Big Ten 

Although Purdue suffered a heart-wrenching loss to Rutgers on the road and fell short to Wisconsin at home, they're still worthy of the top spot in this set of power rankings, thanks to a lack of a clear favorite at this point. Matt Painter has built the team into the perfect collection of pieces for the modern game; there's the explosive scoring wing with limitless potential (Jaden Ivey), the steady big underneath (Trevion Williams), the sharpshooter (Sasha Stefanovic), and the mammoth seven-footer (Zach Edey). The Boilermakers going on the road and beating Illinois highlighted how good Purdue can be at full strength, and they've already built a strong non-conference resume by beating Villanova and UNC. The upcoming stretch is incredibly favorable, even with a trip to Assembly Hall looming.

2. Illinois Fighting Illini

13-4 overall, 6-1 Big Ten 

The Illini's loss to Purdue over the weekend was their first of the Big Ten slate, but expect them to rebound quickly. The return of a healthy Andre Curbelo is a game-changer for a team that had a rollercoaster of a non-conference, but has put it together as of late. The smooth, slick ball-handing guard is the perfect engineer of Brad Underwood's offense, even with veteran Trent Frazier having a career year. However, the X-factor for the Illini is once again Kofi Cockburn. Cockburn has had a monster season to this point, but the loss to Purdue showcased how much Illinois can struggle when he gets in early foul trouble. Cockburn is the best big in the league, but whether he can regularly dominate every night will determine whether this team is Big Ten Title-good, or simply a step below.

3. Michigan State Spartans 

14-3 overall, 5-1 Big Ten 

Before a shocking 64-62 defeat at the hands of Northwestern, Michigan State had won nine straight games and positioned themselves in the Top 10 nationally. The loss to the Wildcats did showcase some of the weaknesses Tom Izzo's squad will have to figure out in the coming weeks. Despite shooting the ball well, the Spartans were killed by turnovers, and even though this team has plenty of size, they haven't done as well on the boards as you would expect. Even so, this is a team to like a lot down the stretch, especially with Izzo once again on the sidelines. There's experience throughout the roster, depth, and several really fun offensive pieces, including Gabe Brown and freshman phenom Max Christie.

4. Wisconsin Badgers

15-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten

Following a tumultuous offseason and with numerous key pieces missing, this looked like it could be a rebuilding year in Madison. Instead, the Badgers are one of the hottest teams in college basketball and a serious threat to take home the Big Ten Title. Johnny Davis has been an absolute star, averaging 21.7 PPG and emerging as a National Player of the Year frontrunner. Davis leads Wisconsin in just about every statistical category, but the Badgers would love if the supporting cast could step up even more, especially in the front-court. Tyler Wahl has been tremendous, but guys like Steven Crowl, Chris Vogt, and Ben Carlson have to do even more for this team to make a conference title run.

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

11-4 overall, 5-2 Big Ten

It's been a wild ride for Ohio State basketball this season and there's still a lot of season remaining. The Buckeyes opened up 2021-22 by nearly losing to Akron, then dropped two more winnable games in the non-conference to Xavier and Florida. Since, they've shocked then-No. 1 Duke at home, before building a 5-2 mark in the Big Ten early on. E.J. Liddell and Zed Key have formed an imposing 1-2 punch in the frontcourt, but the injury to Justice Sueing, one of their best shooters and ball-handlers, has been a rough one. Sueing will return at some point but the timetable remains unclear; until then, Ohio State operates more as a good, but not great, team a step behind most of the other conference elites.

6. Indiana Hoosiers

13-4 overall, 4-3 Big Ten

Indiana entered the 2021-22 campaign with lofty expectations and through the first 17 games of the Mike Woodson era, they've most lived up to them. All their league losses have come on the road and all were competitive defeats, with the worst one being a nine-point loss to Iowa. They have a formidable frontline with Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson, but you wonder if they have the guards to rise up the Big Ten standings. The upcoming slate is the perfect chance to prove themselves, as a three-game home stand that includes arch-rival Purdue is manageable.

7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

11-6 overall, 5-2 Big Ten

The Scarlet Knights were one of the most disappointing teams in the non-conference anywhere in college basketball this season, dropping games to UMass, Lafayette, and DePaul. However, they've seemed to rebound during Big Ten play, and look to be back on track towards a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. Ron Harper has been the go-to scorer, but it's Cliff Omoryui's growth in the frontcourt that has propelled their recent success. The sophomore gives them a fighting chance against the elite big men the conference offers, especially with his defensive prowess.

8. Iowa Hawkeyes

13-5 overall, 3-4 Big Ten

Iowa was always going to take a step back without Luka Garza, but an 1-3 start to the conference slate seemed to indicate a rebuilding year for Fran McCaffery's program. Since then, they've managed two rebound victories over Indiana and Minnesota and continue to showcase one of the most explosive offenses in college basketball. Keegan Murray's emergence as a genuine star has been huge for the Hawkeyes, but do they have the three-point shooting to contend with the Big Ten elites? Even if they don't, the roster is skilled and experienced enough for this team to be a Tournament team.

9. Michigan Wolverines

8-7 overall,  2-3 Big Ten

Over the first half of the 2021-22 college basketball season, few teams have been as disappointing as the Michigan Wolverines. They've lost several winnable games in the non-conference, as they've struggled to shoot the ball and their collection of highly touted freshmen have struggled to adjust. However, the Wolverines are hopeful their resounding 19-point win over Maryland was a potential turning point. Hunter Dickinson and Caleb Houstan had two of their best games of the season and the defense showed up as well. Sure, Maryland is one of the worst teams in the conference this year, but this UM is too talented to hover around the bottom of the Big Ten. A road trip to Bloomington over the weekend gives them another opportunity to build momentum.

10. Penn State Nittany Lions

8-7 overall, 3-4 Big Ten

Penn State was another team with a shaky start to the season, losing by 25 to UMass in their second game of the year. But, they've also seemed to figure it out under new head coach Micah Shrewsberry, racking up three Big Ten wins over Indiana, Northwestern, and Rutgers. They've done so with one of the most mediocre offenses in the conference, but they'll need more beyond Seth Lundy if they want to stay near .500 in the league. With their recent contest against Minnesota cancelled due to COVID, a trip to Iowa gives them a nice chance to gain their fourth Big Ten win.

11. Minnesota Golden Gophers

10-5 overall, 1-5 Big Ten

Almost nothing was expected of Ben Johnson and the Minnesota Golden Gophers entering this college basketball season, but they've been a pleasant surprise. They feasted on an incredibly weak non-conference stretch and managed to beat Michigan in Ann Arbor early on. Since then, they've dropped five straight, but the results haven't been completely discouraging. They've demonstrated tremendous fight all season long, despite one of the thinnest rosters anywhere in the country. It's probably not a team that has any legitimate shot to battle for an NCAA Tournament bid, but even a few more Big Ten wins would stand as a successful campaign for Johnson in Year One.

12. Northwestern Wildcats

9-7 overall, 2-5 Big Ten

After beginning their Big Ten slate with a road win over Maryland, Northwestern lost four straight once they hit the bulk of the league schedule. However, their upset victory over Michigan State showed that this can still be a very feisty team near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. Guards Boo Buie and Chase Audige are an underrated 1-2 combo on the perimeter and down low, Pete Nance has made major strides as a senior. This team might not have the depth of some of the teams above them in these rankings, but Chris Collins always has them playing hard and there's some legit All-Big Ten talent in the lineup. Don't be surprised if they rise above this ranking, even with a tough upcoming slate of games.

13. Maryland Terrapins

9-9 overall, 1-6 Big Ten

Maryland's decision to part ways with head coach Mark Turgeon early on in the 2021-22 campaign locked in a frustrating season in College Park. Terrapin fans are probably excited to rid themselves of the oft-maligned Turgeon, but the preseason Top 25 squad has struggled heavily under interim Danny Manning. The lost in the non-conference to George Mason, Virginia Tech, and Louisville, and the Big Ten schedule hasn't been any more favorable. Maryland has at least been competitive during the 1-6 start and there's still a lot to like about the backcourt with Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell, but it's hard to imagine this team rising up these rankings much farther.

14. Nebraska Cornhuskers

6-13 overall, 0-8 Big Ten

Fred Hoiberg's massive rebuilding job continues in Lincoln. The 'Huskers have found a home in the conference's cellar in recent years, but fans are hoping this team will finally begin to show much-needed life. Losing Trey McGowens for a big chunk of the year hasn't helped, but his younger brother, Bryce, has stepped up and handled the scoring load. Even so, this is a bad offensive team without the depth or experience of most of the others in the league. They've looked somewhat improved at times, but the 0-8 Big Ten record speaks for itself. The hope is that they can snag wins in one of their three home games in early February against Northwestern, Minnesota, and Maryland.

2022 College Football Way-Too-Early Top 25

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Georgia finally rid themselves of the program's long-standing demons earlier this week, taking down Alabama in the finale of the 2021-22 college football season. As we embark on the long and arduous journey that is the college football offseason, it's always fun to speculate which teams are likely to dot preseason Top 25s next fall. Of course, with the sport changing so rapidly and the transfer portal swirling, plenty is going to change between now and September. However, this way-too-early Top 25 gives an idea of which teams and storylines to watch over the coming months.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Clearly, Nick Saban's dynasty in Tuscaloosa is not slowing down anytime soon, and the Tide will be back with a vengeance in 2022. Alabama will have two viable Heisman Trophy candidates on both sides of the ball in Bryce Young and Will Anderson, the betting favorites to be the top selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Young may be in store for a slight transition period as most of his supporting cast departs, but the Tide are blessed with an impressive group of young receivers ready to emerge. Keep an eye on the trio of Ja'Corey Brooks, JoJo Earle, and Agiye Hall; any of the three could emerge as the alpha on the outside. Coordinator Pete Golding will have to do some reloading defensively, particularly in a linebacker corps likely to be hit hard by NFL defections, but the talent is in place to still be a productive unit. Anderson will be the big name, but others such as "Kool Aid" McKinstry, Dallas Turner, and Malachi Moore are likely to provide this team with a nice core to work with. It will be interesting to see how this coaching staff evolves over the offseason, as Saban has had to do shuffling just about every year this decade. Will Bill O'Brien return to the NFL after a one-year stint as the play-caller? What about Doug Marrone, who had an underwhelming year as the team's offensive line coach? Either way, Saban has proven he can reload better than just about anybody in college football and his early dominance in the portal indicates the Crimson Tide will be the betting favorite to win it all once again next fall.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State's thrilling win in the Rose Bowl over Utah provided a glimpse of what the future will look like in Columbus. Third place Heisman finisher C.J. Stroud will be back for another year under center and should benefit from a full season of experience under his belt. He'll launch the ball all over the field to a talented and dynamic receiver corps that includes budding superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, Smith-Njigba is far from the only Buckeye wide out that should give defenses nightmares in 2022; expect Julian Fleming, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka to all see expanded roles. Out of the backfield, TreVeyon Henderson is back after a record-setting freshman campaign, while Miyan Williams returns in a support role. The defense is the greater question after a down 2021 that saw Ryan Day change play-callers, but this is Ohio State, so talent is no issue. After a couple down seasons on the D-Line, at least by Ohio State standards, expect 2022 to be a resurgent campaign, even with Zach Harrison and Haskell Garrett likely off to the NFL. J.T. Tuimoloau, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2021, didn't see a ton of playing time this past season but could be one of the sport's breakout stars in 2022.

3. Texas A&M Aggies

Is 2022 the year Texas A&M finally asserts themselves as the greatest threat to Alabama in the SEC West? After beating them this past fall, the Aggies are hoping to finish the job and take the division in what will be Jimbo Fisher's fifth year in College Station. They'll start anew at quarterback after this year's starter, Zach Calzada, transferred to Auburn, but it's likely they'll upgrade at that position, whether it's LSU transfer Max Johnson or Haynes King, who missed nearly all of '21 with a fractured leg. Whoever does take over at QB will have plenty of toys to play with, namely do-it-all Ainias Smith, one of the sport's most exciting players. Devon Achane is expected to take over lead back duties from the productive Isaiah Spiller, but somebody will have to emerge as the team's top pass-catcher, with tight end Jalen Wydermyer almost definitely going pro. The defense will have a new coordinator after Mike Elko took the Duke HC gig, as the controversial D.J. Durkin is set to take over. Durkin will have to rebuild the front seven, but the secondary is loaded with talent and the nation's top recruit in the Class of 2022, Walter Nolen, is a massive addition up front. Nolen headlines a 2022 Class that will go down as the one of the greatest of all-time; how quickly they acclimate to the college game will determine whether A&M is a Playoff contender in 2022 or a year too early.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

It's a new day in South Bend, as defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman takes over as head coach following Brian Kelly's shocking departure to LSU. Freeman will have to replace the team's best defensive player in safety Kyle Hamilton, but the team's core should still be good enough to keep them in CFB Playoff contention. Expect Chris Tyree, one of the sport's fastest players, to take over for Kyren Williams as lead back, while tight end Michael Mayer is likely to be the Mackey Award favorite after being snubbed as finalist in 2021. There will be some holes to fix along the O-Line and the Irish will have to break in a new QB, but people around the program are extremely high on Tyler Buchner, who showed flashes in limited playing time his fall. Hamilton is obviously a massive loss on defense, but the Irish got a nice consolation prize when they managed to convince Northwestern transfer Brandon Joseph, an All-American in 2020, to come to South Bend. The toughest aspect of Notre Dame's 2022 season might end up being their schedule, which could be among the most difficult anywhere in college football next season. The Irish welcome Cal, BYU, and Clemson to Notre Dame Stadium and also have to go on the road to face USC, Ohio State, and North Carolina.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Like many teams coming off a National Title, Georgia is likely to undergo extensive reloading in 2022, but with the way the staff has recruited, a repeat is not out of the question. This year's record-setting defense will look a bunch different this fall, starting with the coordinator, as Dan Lanning took the Oregon job. Additionally, stars such as Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Devonte Wyatt, Derion Kendrick, and Lewis Cine are almost all likely to go pro. The front seven will be young but talented, while the secondary could take over as the defense's strength. Kelee Ringo, who had the game-clinching interception in the National Championship, will become a headliner, as will Jalen Kimber and a healthy Tykee Smith. The Bulldog offense will be a fascinating watch over the coming months, as it could go a number of different directions. Quarterback will be particularly intriguing; Stetson Bennett is eligible to return, but will be able to hold off J.T. Daniels and Brock Vandagriff? Does Daniels potentially search out a third school after losing his job in Athens? Running back should still be in good hands with Kendall Milton set to break out and I love the pass-catchers, which will include Jermaine Burton, Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington, and more.

6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

This is no typo, Wake Forest will enter 2022 as an ACC favorite and a legitimate candidate to compete for a CFB Playoff berth. Dave Clawson's team will lose one of their top playmakers in Jaquarii Roberson and top back Christian Beal-Smith entered the portal, but every other big name should be back in Winston-Salem. That includes quarterback Sam Hartman, who is likely to break just about every single Wake passing record in 2022 (he already leads in career touchdowns and total offense). Hartman may miss Roberson, but still has one star likely to be left over in A.T. Perry, while freshman Jaydn Girard could make an immediate impact. The defense will miss a few key names, including Miles Fox and Ja'Sir Taylor, but Clawson made one of the most underrated hires of the off-season by bringing in Purdue DC Brad Lambert to run his defense. Leading tackler Ryan Smenda should be back for his senior season to lead Lambert's defense, while Jasheen Davis led the team in sacks in his second year on campus and is ready for more.

7. Clemson Tigers

2021 was a down year by Clemson standards, but expect Dabo Swinney's team to return to national contention this fall. The offense will be spearheaded by Will Shipley, who will emerge as one of the best running backs in college football as a sophomore, and the defense is loaded with freaks. Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee will both be healthy and form a potent trio on the D-Line, while safety Andrew Mukuba is coming off an extremely productive freshman campaign. There are still questions around the program that will need to be addressed, most notably quarterback. D.J. Uiagalelei was shockingly bad in his first full season as starter and will have to fend off highly touted newcomer Cade Klubnik. Additionally, Swinney saw both of his coordinators take head coaching jobs, as Brent Venables finally made the jump and returned to Oklahoma, while Jeff Scott goes to Virginia. For a program that has been a masterclass in stability and continuity, there will be some work to be done. 

8. Michigan Wolverines

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan finally had their long-awaited breakthrough in 2021, even if their Playoff defeat at the hands of Georgia cast a shadow on the season. Even though Harbaugh has been rumored for potential NFL job openings, I firmly expect him to be back in Ann Arbor leading a Wolverine team that should be in contention to repeat as Big Ten Champs. Michigan will lose two of their best players in Heisman runner-up Aidan Hutchinson and his sidekick David Ojabo, but most of their other names will be returning. Cade McNamara will be back as the starting quarterback, but may face a test from J.J. McCarthy, who impressed in limited playing time this fall. Blake Corum will take over at running back with Hassan Haskins set to depart, but UM also has a rising youngster there in Donovan Edwards. Whether it's McNamara or McCarthy at QB, they'll be blessed with a nice collection of young receivers ready to shine, plus a healthy Ronnie Bell. The defense will undergo a rebuild without Hutchinson, Ojabo and star safety Daxton Hill, but coordinator Mike MacDonald did a superb job with this group this fall and will have them ready to roll in 2022.

9. Utah Utes

While USC will be getting most of the offseason attention following the Lincoln Riley hire, the Pac-12 South runs through Salt Lake City. After a slow start to 2021, the Utes ended the season on fire and went toe-to-toe with Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. They will be a tough out once again in 2022, thanks in large part to the return of QB Cam Rising and star tailback Tavion Thomas. The Utes will lose a key program cornerstones in Britain Covey and Devin Lloyd, but Kyle Whittingham is among the most underrated recruiters in the game right now, and reinforcements are ready to roll. Tight end Brant Kuithe is back and will operate as Rising's top weapon in the passing game now that Covey is gone, while corner Clark Phillips is ready to take the next step and become one of the best defensive backs anywhere in college football.

10. Michigan State Spartans

Mel Tucker engineered one of the most surprising seasons in recent college football history when he led Michigan State to an 11-2 season and New Year's Six victory. MSU will go from the hunters to the hunted in 2022, but they will still be a major factor in the Big Ten East. Kenneth Walker III departs after a tremendous one-year stop in East Lansing, but the Spartans landed a potential replacement in Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger, who flashed significant upside in 2020. Payton Thorne will once again man the quarterback position, and while he'll miss big-play threat Jalen Nailor, Jaylen Reed is expected to return and youngster Keon Coleman could be one of the Big Ten's breakout stars. Defensively, Jacub Panasiuk is a major loss, but Michigan State could actually improve. Frankly, the pass defense can't get much worse than it was in 2021, and Tucker managed to bring in a pair of key linebacker transfers in Aaron Brule from Mississippi State and Jacoby Windmon from UNLV. 

11. NC State Wolfpack

After a down year in 2021, the ACC Atlantic could quietly be one of college football's toughest divisions next fall. In addition to Wake Forest and Clemson, NC State has legit New Year's Six potential, and Florida State could field their best team in years. The Wolfpack won nine games in 2021 before their bowl meeting with UCLA was cancelled and they'll look to reach double-digits in 2022. Quarterback Devin Leary has emerged as one of the ACC's best signal-callers, but he will have to do even more next year with Ricky Person, Zonovan "Bam" Knight and Emeka Emezie all expected to depart. Expect receivers Devin Carter, Thayer Thomas, and Porter Rooks to all fill Emezie's shoes, and the defense may be the best in the conference next year. Star linebacker Payton Wilson and safety Tanner Ingle have already announced their intentions to return to Raleigh, giving defensive coordinator Tony Gibson a great core to work with.

12. USC Trojans

Preseason USC hype is a West Coast tradition at this point, but there's reason to believe that 2022 could be a different story in Los Angeles. Lincoln Riley arrives and brings several big names from his coaching staff with him, including defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. He's also hoping to bring a couple massive players from his Sooners team with him, notably Caleb Williams. Williams entered the transfer portal a week ago and has fielded interest from across the country, but his connection with Riley seems to peg USC as the favorite. The possibility of Williams coming to LA seems to already have made an impact as young QB Jaxson Dart hit the transfer portal himself recently, opening the door for the former OU five-star. Even if they don't land Williams, the Trojans have a nice collection of offensive talent to work with, even as Drake London moves on. Receivers Tahj Washington and Gary Bryant are likely to put up monster numbers in a Riley offense and there's still a chance Bru McCoy could finally live up to his potential after missing all of 2021 with off-field issues. Grinch will have his work cut out for him on defense, but there's no shortage of talent. Korey Foreman, one of the highest-rated players in the 2021 cycle, could become the team's star on that side of the ball.

13. Oklahoma State Cowboys

I will be the first to admit I was not very high on Oklahoma State going into 2021, but Mike Gundy and the Cowboys certainly proved me wrong, going 12-2 and coming within inches of a Big 12 Title. A slight step back may be expected, but Oklahoma State has far less questions entering the offseason than other Big 12 contenders like Baylor, Oklahoma, and Texas. Is 2022 the year Spencer Sanders finally puts it all together for a whole season? He was much improved this past fall and had a tremendous showing in the bowl win, but if he can become even more consistent, he may be the best signal-caller in the Big 12 in '22. Sanders will miss tailback Jaylen Warren and top wide out Tay Martin, but there are others waiting to step up, including Brennan Pressley and Blaine Green at receiver. The defense was the story of 2021 for the Cowboys, but there's no denying there are some major losses here. Not only does OSU lose star linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, coordinator Jim Knowles took the same job at Ohio State. The good news is that the Cowboys do have one of the Big 12's rising stars in Collin Oliver, who had 11.5 sacks as a freshman in 2021 and will benefit from a whole offseason in the weight room.

14. Oregon Ducks

Oregon is a program in transition as we hit the offseason, as Mario Cristobal left for Miami and both sides of the ball suffered heavy losses. New head man Dan Lanning will benefit from the fact that Cristobal was recruiting like crazy during his time in Eugene, upping the talent level for the Ducks and keeping them entrenched as the Pac-12 North favorite. Quarterback is going to be a fascinating watch over the offseason, as Bo Nix transfers in from Auburn. He'll be the favorite to replace the frustrating Anthony Brown, but former high-profile prospect Ty Thompson remains very interesting. The Ducks are likely to lose both tailbacks Travis Dye and C.J. Verdell, but expect Byron Cardwell to become a serious breakout candidate. Receiver is also going to be a growing pain with several major names departing, but youngsters like Kris Hutson and Troy Franklin have shown potential. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a massive loss defensively, but there's still plenty to like on that side of the ball. Noah Sewell has emerged as one of the Pac-12's best linebackers and corner Dontae Manning has significant upside. The Ducks also hope Justin Flowe can finally stay healthy and deliver on his former five-star billing. Opening the season with Lanning's former employer and the reigning National Champs won't be a fun way to begin his tenure, but the Ducks are still far and away the most talented team in the North Division.

15. Houston Cougars

After a season-opening loss to Texas Tech, Houston ripped off 12 wins in their next 13 games, with their lone loss coming to Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference Championship. The Cougars capped that off with a victory over Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl, providing even more momentum for Dana Holgorsen's program as they look ahead towards 2022. Houston will once again have an explosive offense, as the trio of QB Clayton Tune, back Alton McCaskill, and wide out Nathaniel Dell all return. Dell in particular should cement himself as one of the best receivers in college football and a genuine Biletnikoff Award frontrunner. On the defensive side of the ball, the Cougars are going to lose ultra-versatile Marcus Jones and top sack-getter Logan Hall, but most of the other big names return, including top tackler Donovan Mutin. Another reason to buy into Houston's chances in 2022? Cincinnati is almost definitely going to take a sizable step backwards, opening the door for Holgorsen's team to run the AAC.

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

I don't think even the most optimistic Arkansas fan thought Sam Pittman would've led this program to nine wins in just his second season on campus. But, the longtime OL coach has done a spectacular job with the Razorbacks and the prognosis for 2022 looks good. Quarterback K.J. Jefferson will be back to run the offense after a solid first season as starter; he's going to be flanked by a nice 1-2 punch at running back in Trelon Smith and Raheim Sanders. Treylon Burks is a massive loss out wide, but Arkansas is very excited about newcomer Jadon Haselwood, who comes over from Oklahoma. Haselwood is a former five-star recruit who had some moments in Norman, but injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential. The Razorbacks might be even better defensively, where most of their core returns, as does DC Barry Odom, who has flirted with other jobs. Tackling machine Bumper Pool has already announced he'll be back for a final season with the 'Hogs, and the secondary is loaded with talent. Jalen Catalon should be back fully healthy and safety Myles Slusher took massive steps forward in his sophomore campaign. Frankly, the only things standing in the way of the Razorbacks are the SEC West and the schedule. In addition to the brutal league slate, Arkansas also has to play Cincinnati, BYU, and Liberty in the non-conference. They will once again be a top contender for the toughest schedule in college football.

17. Baylor Bears

The reigning Big 12 Champion Baylor Bears will suffer some notable attrition this offseason, but their most important returnee? That would be head coach Dave Aranda, who was on the short list for several high-profile jobs, but signed a massive extension to remain in Waco. There will be work that needs to be done on both sides of the ball for Aranda, as the offense loses its top rusher and a pair of top receivers and the defense will be without Terrel Bernard and Jalen Pitre. Gerry Bohanon returns at QB after starting the majority of the season for Baylor, but he could be pushed by youngster Blake Shapen. Running back is a concern, as will wide receiver, but the O-Line may be the best in the Big 12 and there's enough to like about this defense. The Bears are hopeful Dillon Doyle, a former Iowa transfer who was second on the team in tackles this fall, will be back after a breakout 2021 campaign.

18. Oklahoma Sooners

As one of the most consistent programs in college football the past decade, Oklahoma deserves the benefit of the doubt and regular placement inside the Top 15-20 every year, no matter what. With that being said, the Sooners face more questions entering an offseason than they have in a long time. For one, Lincoln Riley is gone and took a lot of the staff with him to USC. Brent Venables was a great hire who knows the school well, but he'll likely have to make do without a number of key contributors from last year's team. Caleb Williams is the big one, but the Sooners are also likely to be without Kennedy Brooks, Marvin Mims, Mario Williams, and more. Landing UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel was a great consolation prize after losing Williams and Spencer Rattler, but Gabriel will have to find new targets to throw to. Luckily, he was a prior relationship with new play-caller Jeff Lebby, and his big arm could wreck serious damage in the Big 12. The defense wasn't as good as hoped in 2021, but also suffered significant injuries on the back-end. With Nik Bonitto, Perrion Winfrey, and Isaiah Thomas all set to depart, Venables will have his work cut out for him in Year One.

19. Tennessee Volunteers

Josh Heupel had a great debut campaign in Knoxville, rejuvenating a program that was in the dumps following the disastrous conclusion to the Jeremy Pruitt era. Even greater things will be expected for an encore, but the Vols should have the tools to be dangerous. Hendon Hooker will be back to run the offense after a great first season with Tennessee; he has the talent and plays an offense that could deliver Heisman Trophy consideration. Only helping Hooker is the fact that his top target, Cedric Tillman, will be back, as will a capable back in Jabari Small. The defense was the big issue for Heupel and UT in Year One, but there's reason to believe there could be improvement here. Trevon Flowers' decision to return in the secondary was massive, but Tennessee could be in play for some grad transfers to beef up a front seven that isn't on par with most of the other SEC top dogs. The timing also works out great for the Vols to make a push for an SEC East crown; while Georgia is still the favorite, they suffer notable losses. Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida will all be tough, but it isn't crazy to think UT will be the greatest threat to Kirby Smart and the 'Dawgs in 2022.

20. Miami Hurricanes

Don't be surprised if Miami is another team with a new coach that receives plenty of hype this spring and summer. The 'Canes were a much more talented team than what they put on the field in 2021 and the hope is that Mario Cristobal can elevate their recruiting even more. Miami is very excited about young QB Tyler Van Dyke, who played well beyond his age as a true freshman in 2021. He notched 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns and while he will have a new play-caller, even greater things should be expected next season. Van Dyke will be without his top two targets from this fall, as Charleston Rambo declared and Mike Harley is set to graduate, but Key'Shawn Smith could be one of the ACC's breakout stars. The defense needs work, but the team's top two tacklers, linebackers Corey Flagg Jr. and Waynmon Steed, will be back. Tyrique Stevenson, a former Georgia transfer, will take on an even larger role on the back-end with safeties Amari Carter and Bubba Bolden officially gone. Missing out on Alabama transfer Marcus Banks, who seriously considered Miami but instead opted for Mississippi State, does hurt, but I expect the 'Canes to still be in the transfer market defensively.

21. Minnesota Golden Gophers

While Iowa, Wisconsin, and even Purdue will all firmly be in the hunt, the reality is that the Big Ten West is as wide open as it has ever been looking ahead to 2022. After coming close in 2019 and 2021, the time is now for P.J. Fleck to deliver a West Division Title to the Twin Cities. The offensive skill positions are stacked with experience, as QB Tanner Morgan returns for a sixth season, Mo Ibrahim returns from an Achilles tear, and star receiver Chris Autman-Bell comes back for a final year. Ibrahim, the 2020 Big Ten RB of the Year, will likely need some time as he recovers from such a significant injury, which is where Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving comes in. Irving split time with Ky Thomas following a rash of running back injuries in 2021 but with Thomas set to transfer, expect Irving to become an even larger factor in the offense. On defense, Minnesota signed coordinator Joe Rossi to an extension after a tremendous season and there's a lot to like about the back-seven. There's experience, with guys like Mariano Sori-Marin and new transfers Ryan Stapp and Beanie Bishop, as well as budding young talent in the form of Justin Walley and Braelen Oliver. If there is a weakness on this Gophers team as we hit the offseason, it has to be on both lines of scrimmage. The O-Line was the most experienced in the country a season ago but suffers major losses, and the D-Line will be without Senior Bowl invitees Boye Mafe and Esezi Otomewo.

22. Pittsburgh Panthers

2021 was a dream season for Pittsburgh, as they won the ACC and had a Heisman Trophy finalist, but there's reason to believe the program has staying power. Kenny Pickett is obviously a huge loss and will likely be a first-round NFL Draft selection, but the program has high hopes for backup Nick Patti. Patti will have to learn a new offense after OC Mark Whipple left for Nebraska, but he has the benefit of working with the reigning Biletnikoff winner, Jordan Addison. He will also operate behind one of the league's most experienced offensive lines, plus leading rusher Israel Abanikanda to take the pressure off. The defense loses a host of graduates and will likely watch leading tackler SirVocea Dennis go pro, but there's still hope on this side of the ball. Captain Deslin Alexandre has already announced his decision to return and head coach Pat Narduzzi has a knack for rebuilding this side of the ball. 

23. UCF Knights

After going 9-4 and winning a bowl game in Gus Malzahn's first season, UCF could be even more dangerous in 2022. Dillon Gabriel is gone, but QB Mikey Kenne looked more than capable of running the offense in his absence, and might actually be a better fit for what Malzahn wants to do. Leading rusher Johnny Richardson should join Keene in the backfield, while Ryan O'Keefe, one of the nation's most underrated receivers, highlights the pass-catchers. The Knights are also going to get Jaylon Robinson, who had 979 yards in 2020 before an injury-plagued 2021, back and they also added a dynamic offensive weapon in Ole Miss transfer John Rhys Plumlee. The defense is hopeful it will bring back several key pieces on the defense, namely leading tackler Tatum Bethune and defensive back Divaad Wilson. Big Kat Bryant, who followed Malzahn from Auburn and had six sacks in 2021, will be a big loss on the D-Line.

24. Wisconsin Badgers

Despite a shaky 1-3 start to 2021, Wisconsin ended the year strong before a rivalry loss to Minnesota cost them a shot at the Big Ten Championship. They'll be in the West Division Title hunt once again, although the defense suffers some significant losses. Badger fans are hoping 2022 is finally the breakthrough season for Graham Mertz, who has had a rollercoaster of a career in his first two seasons as starter. Even if it isn't, tailback Braelon Allen demonstrated he could carry the load offensively, and a healthy Chez Mellusi will give this team a potent 1-2 punch. Jim Leonhard will reload on defense, a group that allowed just 4.1 yards per play this past fall, but there's no denying how massive the losses of Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal are. Expect Nick Herbig to take over as the leader in the heart of the defense, fresh off a 2021 in which he tallied 64 tackles. One other notable loss to keep an eye on is the departure of Joe Rudolph, the OL coach and former play-caller. Rudolph played a big role in the recruitment and development of the Badger line for years and years, so his absence could have an immediate and long-reaching impact on the offense.

25. BYU Cougars

Everyone expected a rebuilding year from BYU in 2021, but the Cougars instead went 10-3 and went a perfect 5-0 against the Pac-12. Head coach Kalani Sitake has built a program with serious staying power, and the Cougars look like they'll challenge for double-digit victories once again. QB Jaren Hall returns to lead an efficient offense that will include top pass-catcher Gunner Romney and most of the physical offensive line. Tailback Tyler Allgeier is a huge loss in the backfield, but BYU has consistently proven they can develop the position, and they welcome in Cal transfer Christopher Brooks as a potential replacement. The defense is always well-coached and disciplined, returning experience at every level for 2022.

Just Missed the Cut

Cincinnati Bearcats -- Can the Bearcats make it an unprecedented three straight undefeated regular seasons? While Luke Fickell's program deserves all the credit in the world, few programs in college football will have the personnel losses they suffer. Program staples like Desmond Ridder, Jerome Ford, Alec Pierce, Ahmad Gardner, Coby Bryant, and more. Fickell has recruited well enough for the Bearcats to remain in the New Year's Six hunt, but it's hard to imagine them being as good in 2022 as previous campaigns.

Iowa Hawkeyes -- The reigning Big Ten West Champions lose several big names on both sides of the ball, including Ty Goodson and Tyler Linderbaum offensively. Expect Gavin Williams to take over for Goodson in the backfield, but Iowa needs more production from the QB spot. If they get it, this offense genuinely has the potential to be pretty good, especially considering the fact this team has a really fun collection of pass-catchers.

Ole Miss Rebels -- Lane Kiffin is a controversial coach, but there's little denying the superb job he has done in Oxford. He guided Ole Miss to their first 10-win regular season in school history and developed Matt Corral into a Heisman candidate and likely first-round NFL Draft selection. A slight rebuild may be in the cards as Corral moves on, but TCU transfer Zach Evans, a former five-star recruit, could be in store for a monster 2022. The defense has to be better and losing coordinator D.J. Durkin doesn't help, but there should still be a lot returning at every level.

UCLA Bruins -- The cancellation of the Holiday Bowl blocked any possibility of UCLA ending the year on a high note, but the Bruins should still feel good about a 8-4 2021. While Utah and USC will receive the preseason hype inside the division, Chip Kelly's club could be the dark horse. Dillon Gabriel pulled out of his decision to transfer to Westwood, but Dorian Thompson-Robinson is back for one final run, as is leading rusher Zach Charbonnet. On the outside, the expectation is that Greg Dulcich will leave, but top receiver Kyle Phillips will likely be back to help guide DTR. The defense was veteran-laden in 2021 so the losses will be severe, but it doesn't need to be perfect for this team to be a contender in the South.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers -- Coastal Carolina has gone 22-3 over the last two seasons under Jamey Chadwell and they are likely to enter 2022 as the Sun Belt favorite. Chadwell has received interest for Power Five jobs the last two off-seasons but has stayed put and returns his star QB Grayson McCall, who quietly set the NCAA's single-season record for passing efficiency in '21. The losses around McCall are notable, but expect Reese White to step up in the backfield and on defense, names like Jerrod Clark and Shi'heem Watkins are going to have to emerge.

2021 CFB Playoff National Championship Prediction

Brock Bowers, Georgia

For the second time in half a decade, Alabama and Georgia collide in an all-SEC National Championship. In many ways, the two SEC powers are very alike; both programs have dominated their respective sides of the conference over the past few seasons, both are elite recruiting programs who send waves of players to the NFL every spring, and Georgia's head man, Kirby Smart, is a longtime Nick Saban assistant who led several record-setting defenses in Tuscaloosa. However, there is one clear distinction between the two as they meet up Monday night. Alabama has reached the pinnacle of the college football world multiple times in the last decade-plus, aiming for their seventh National Title since Saban took over. Georgia, on the other hand, has become a program synonymous with getting so close so getting over the top, but finding a way to come up just short. They haven't hoisted a National Title in over four decades and have suffered three distinct, heart-wrenching losses to the Tide in the past decade that all may have cost them a shot at a National Championship. This difference between the two programs puts even more pressure on the Bulldogs to finally finish the job this time around and finish a historical season in Athens.

The top priority for Georgia will be finding a way to slow down the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young, and the rest of this Tide offense. It's pretty remarkable the season that Young has put together, his first season as starting quarterback. He's tallied 4,503 yards and 46 touchdowns through the air, while keeping his turnovers down and completing 68% of his passes. That would be impressive no matter what, but you also have to consider Young has done so with an Alabama offense that has been significantly more crippled than past units. This particular Tide offense is the thinnest they've been at tailback in years and the receiver corps took a massive hit when John Metchie, their No. 2 receiver, was lost for the year with a torn ACL. These injuries have put even more pressure on the shoulders of Young, top receiver Jameson Williams and lead back Brian Robinson Jr., but they've handled it with relative ease. Williams in particular has taken his play up another notch, as he hauled in seven passes for 184 yards and two scores against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. He killed the Bulldogs deep in their last matchup but without Metchie, expect more intermediate and short routes to help open things up. Alabama will still need more than just Williams at receiver, so keep an eye on names like Slade Bolden, JoJo Earle, and Ja'Corey Brooks. Brooks had a big day in the semifinal win over Cincinnati, while Earle is just one of a young group of wide outs looking for their shot. The ground game is in for a challenge against this physical and athletic Georgia defensive front, but Robinson has been a force all season. He isn't the most talented Tide running back of the Saban era, but is the type of hard, punishing runner that Saban covets. Even so, don't be surprised if offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien works in backup Trey Sanders early and often. Sanders has still been banged up for much of the season, but his speed and explosiveness can add a different element to this offense, which will be key against a Bulldog linebacker corps that is full of future NFL guys. Just as important, the Tide offensive line has to show up after an up-and-down season. They've been dominant down the stretch, but this is still a group that can occasionally struggle against fast front sevens. It's not just defensive tackle Jordan Davis they have to worry about, but the fact that Georgia loves to strategically blitz these linebackers. Butkus Award winner Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, Channing Tindall and Quay Walker will come in waves from every different direction. Young is good enough to keep things alive even when the pocket breaks down, but keeping him upright is still going to be of top priority for the Crimson Tide.

As I've mentioned before, Georgia's defense gets all the attention and rightfully so, but this offense has also dealt with injuries all season and still put together one of the best seasons in recent Bulldog history. They've done so with a former walk-on running the show at QB in Stetson Bennett, who is viewed as more of a game manager than anything else, but he's put together an impressive season. Bennett has totaled 2,638 yards and 27 touchdowns and he hasn't been scared of the big moment. There seems to be a perception out there that Bennett isn't good enough to get UGA over the top, but he was far from the issue in the SEC Championship loss, as he passed for 340 yards and three scores. He followed that up by toasting an elite Michigan defense to the tune of 313 yards and three touchdowns. Bennett seems to be playing with more confidence each and every week and any belief that a 5'11", former walk-on can't lead the Bulldogs over the Tide is laughable. Of course, he will need his supporting cast to show up, which includes a trio of productive tailbacks and a deep receiver corps. In the backfield, Zamir White and James Cook will get most of the carries, but expect to also see some of Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton. White is the workhorse option in the backfield, but Cook is the real playmaker that the Tide defense will have to game plan for. At receiver, the Bulldogs have been beaten up all season long, but they're getting healthier at the right time. Freshman tight end Brock Bowers has been one of the most surprising stories of the entire 2021 season with how effective he has been in his first year on campus, but expect receivers Jermaine Burton, Ladd McConkey, and Kearis Jackson to be featured heavily. Much like Bennett, McConkey is the type of player that has been underrated his entire career as a slithery six-feet possession receiver, but he's been one of the most consistent weapons on this roster, while Burton and Jackson are two talented playmakers who can hit the home run ball. I am curious to see how aggressive Todd Monken and Kirby Smart are with the deep ball; they didn't test Alabama's secondary too much in that SEC Championship, but this is a different situation. For one, they have to do something to get Alabama on their toes defensively and also, the Tide are banged up at the corner spot, as they went down their top two corners in the semifinal win. Stetson Bennett might not have the prettiest deep ball in college football, but he made some awfully impressive throws against Michigan and should be ready for his chances. Up front, the Bulldogs have the edge over Alabama in terms of offensive line play, but they also face a brutal pass rush that includes superstar Will Anderson. Anderson might be the best player on the field and is the betting favorite to be the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so anything the Bulldogs can do to neutralize him will be important. One more thing to consider with this Georgia offense is George Pickens, who may be the ultimate wild card of the entire game. Pickens is Georgia's most naturally gifted pass-catcher but a torn ACL in the spring has limited him to very little playing time. He first came back in the rivalry win over Georgia Tech and also caught a pair of passes against Alabama in their last meeting. Don't expect to see him on the field every down but if he can continue to see his role expand, this UGA offense becomes even more dangerous.

Some college football fans may be frustrated that the sport's pinnacle game of the 2021 campaign will come down to a pair of familiar SEC foes, but there are enough storylines to keep fans engaged and excited for the entire four quarters. Alabama's ability to weather a storm of injuries and the rollercoaster ride of the season just confirms the program's elite status and Saban's coaching pedigree. Managing to win a National Title with arguably their weakest team in over a decade would only further cement them as perhaps the greatest dynasty in the sport's long history. Georgia has risen to the ranks of elite in the college football universe, but taking the next step and winning a National Title has proven to be extremely elusive. Is this the year, and the team, to finally rid the program of their demons and reach the mountaintop? There's no better opportunity to get the monkey off their back then beating a familiar rival in the National Championship Game.

The last meeting between these two teams in the SEC Championship Game proved to be a decisive Alabama victory, but I have a feeling that this game will be different. Not only are the stakes higher, but the Bulldogs have had more time to prepare for the mighty Crimson Tide and are healthier than they were several weeks ago. Picking against Nick Saban and Alabama is something I never like to do and they've made me look like a fool on numerous occasions. However, I truly believe that this year's Georgia team is different. It's not just the product they put on the field, but the energy and attitude around the program feels completely different. It really feels like this could be a turning point for Georgia football, and the time is now. I'm picking the Bulldogs to hoist their first National Title since 1980.

The Pick: Georgia, 28 Alabama, 24

Coaching Carousel 2021: Breaking Down Every Power Five Hire of the Off-Season

Brian Kelly, LSU

In the world of modern college football where NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment continue to shift the power structures of the sport, the coaching carousel has taken on even greater dramatic relevance. There was no greater example of this phenomenon than this off-season, with several blue bloods changing their head coaches and numerous coaches making shocking decisions to move to greener pastures. It seems like never before have we seen such a volatility in the heading coaching profession and big-money being thrown around. With that in mind, I've decided to break down each FBS coaching change that occurred this off-season, now that the carousel has stopped (for the time being). 

Duke Blue Devils

Out: David Cutcliffe

In: Mike Elko (Texas A&M DC)

After a decade-and-a-half in charge in Durham, David Cutcliffe decided it was time to step down as head coach of the Duke Blue Devils. Cutcliffe did a tremendous job building up a Duke football program that had absolutely zero winning tradition when he arrived, but the reality is that the team had seriously slipped in recent years. With a 10-25 record over the last three years, it's no surprise the Blue Devil brass wanted to go in a different direction, even with how important Cutcliffe is to the university and the world of college football in general. His replacement is 44-year old Mike Elko, a rising name in the coaching ranks who will get his first shot at running a college football program. Elko spent a lot of time under current Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson and his staff before getting a shot at Notre Dame, where he really made a name for himself. After just one season with the Irish, Texas A&M made him one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in college football, and he led the Aggie defense to brand new heights in four seasons at the helm. It will be a tough rebuild for Elko after the way things slipped the last several seasons, but Duke provides him a low-pressure place to begin crafting a program. His hire of OC Kevin Johns, who comes over from Memphis, indicates he'll want a fast-paced offense and physical defense that allows the Blue Devils to compete in the ACC Coastal. For the Blue Devils, it's quite a win to land a qualified head coach who was widely considered one of the best assistants in college football. Providing him with the necessary time and patience to turn things around should pay massive dividends. 

Florida Gators

Out: Dan Mullen

In: Billy Napier (Louisiana-Lafayette HC)

After flirting with the Auburn and South Carolina jobs last year, it seemed like only a matter of time until Billy Napier jumped to the Power Five level. He checks a lot of boxes any SEC athletic director could be looking for; he's from the Southeast and knows the area well, he's been an assistant at several big-time universities, and he went 40-12 in his time at Lafayette. Napier seems like a logical hire for a Florida program at somewhat of a crossroads. Dan Mullen won the SEC East in 2020 and gave Alabama their toughest test of the year, but his struggles on the field in 2021 combined with his poor recruiting efforts pushed UF to go in a different direction. For Napier, the on-field results obviously have to come, which won't be easy in a fast-improving division, but recruiting may be even more crucial to his future in Gainesville. Florida's main rival, Georgia, continues to recruit a historical pace and the Gators also have to compete with Florida State and Miami inside the state. Napier has been known as a strong recruiter in the past, but looks like he will have to turn it up a notch at one of the sport's most recognizable brands. 

LSU Tigers

Out: Ed Orgeron

In: Brian Kelly (Notre Dame HC)

All the rumors surrounding the LSU job following the announcement of Ed Orgeron's departure was that AD Scott Woodward was going to swing for a big name. He happened to do so, and happened to land a huge name, but perhaps not one most would have expected. After over a decade coaching at Notre Dame, Brian Kelly made the shocking decision to try his hand in the SEC and take over in Baton Rouge. It's an interesting fit, to say the least. Kelly is a Massachusetts native and nearly all his coaching gigs have been in the Midwest or Northeast. However, Kelly likely felt that he had reached his ceiling at Notre Dame, a school that has become a regular Playoff contender, but one a step below the true elites of the sport. At LSU, he will have almost unlimited resources to build a National Title contender and is smack-dab in the middle of a recruiting hot bed in Louisiana. Of course, with the benefits comes an uptick in pressure; while it may be a Top 3-5 job in college football, LSU has to deal with Alabama, A&M, Auburn, and a rising Ole Miss and Arkansas within the division. It's going to take some getting used to seeing Kelly prowling the LSU sidelines, but I actually think the job he did in South Bend is vastly underrated. This is a good football coach who knows how to build a program at the highest level. Even so, doing so in the SEC is a whole different animal altogether.

Miami Hurricanes

Out: Manny Diaz

In: Mario Cristobal (Oregon HC)

Few situations exemplify the new era of the college football coaching carousel than what went done in Coral Gables early this off-season. Miami openly courted Oregon head coach and alum Mario Cristobal, despite keeping Manny Diaz on as their head coach throughout the process. Cristobal eventually agreed to return to his alma mater and the 'Canes canned Diaz, but how the hiring went down rubbed plenty of people the wrong way. In the end, Miami gets a guy who is an elite recruiter who absolutely loves the school, which seems to indicate a renewed commitment to the sport for a school desperate to return to their glory days. You can view this hire a couple different ways; on one side, Cristobal stacked elite recruiting classes on top of each other while at Oregon and delivered the school multiple Pac-12 Titles. On the other, critics argue that Cristobal's success wasn't mainly of his own doing, but chiefly because of how weak the Pac-12 has been and the recent struggles of other flagship schools in the league (ahem, USC). At the very least, Cristobal should be able to bring stability and excitement to a program that desperately needs it, and he has a good young QB to work with in Tyler Van Dyke. The ACC Coastal remains as wide open at it's every been for Miami to take control of the division but that's been the case for over a decade, and it just hasn't happened yet.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Out: Brian Kelly

In: Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame DC)

Following Kelly's shocking departure to LSU, Notre Dame chose to go with continuity and stability in their next hire with defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman promoted to head coach. It's been an impressive rise for Freeman through the coaching ranks; after a brief NFL career, he joined Ohio State as a grad assistant in 2010. After numerous stops throughout the Midwest, he got his big break with Cincinnati, running elite defenses under Luke Fickell. Freeman took the DC job at Notre Dame prior to 2021 and a future head coaching position always seemed on the near horizon. I'm not sure if anybody expected it so quickly, but Freeman seems to have the support of the team and most of Kelly's old coaching staff decided to stay on in South Bend. It still will not be easy maintaining Kelly's success, but Freeman has a ton of talent to work with for 2022, which can lay the foundation towards a strong tenure. QB Tyler Buchner, tailback Chris Tyree, and tight end Michael Mayer give the offense a potentially elite trio to work with this upcoming fall; it wouldn't be a shocker if ND is once again in the Top 10 in '22.

Oklahoma Sooners

Out: Lincoln Riley

In: Brent Venables (Clemson DC)

For awhile, there had been some thought around Oklahoma and Lincoln Riley that the coaching wunderkind might eventually make a jump elsewhere. However, most of that thought process surrounded him taking his talents to the NFL, not instead jolting to the West Coast and taking over at USC. It's a tough pill to swallow for an Oklahoma program that had been dominating the Big 12 for over a half-decade and is now beginning a transition to the SEC, but the administration went out and landed a big name replacement in Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Venables has long been a hot head coaching candidate with all the work he's done at Clemson, but he seemed to be waiting for the right opportunity to take the leap into head coaching. Oklahoma offers a lot of advantages, as a blue blood program with a long tradition of winning, and Venables knows the school well, as he was their co-DC from 1999-2003 and then their associate head coach and DC from 2004-2011. There will be an adjustment period for both sides, but Venables appears to have made a strong hire by bringing in Ole Miss OC Jeff Lebby as the team's play-caller. The timeline for the move to the SEC still isn't completely clear, but OU should be in the Big 12 for at least one more season. With Venables at the helm and plenty of talent back, even with QB Caleb Williams' future uncertain, they'll be hoping to add another Big 12 Title to their trophy case.

Oregon Ducks

Out: Mario Cristobal

In: Dan Lanning (Georgia DC)

For a program that has been generally very successful for most of the 2010s and early 2020s, Oregon is breaking in their fourth head coach since Chip Kelly left town in 2012. Of course that's not a crazy high level of turnover in today's college football, but the program has to be hoping that bringing in 35-year old Dan Lanning as their next head man can provide them with the stability they need in the long term. It's not very surprising Oregon chose to go with a young up-and-comer following Cristobal's departure, and Lanning is coming off a history-setting performance as Georgia's DC, but much like Kelly, the fit is interesting. Lanning is a Missouri native who played Division II ball in the state before beginning his coaching career. As a coach, Lanning has primarily been in the Southeast, with the brief exception being a two-year pit stop at Arizona State. That doesn't mean that he can't have success at Oregon, but there's extra importance on putting together a strong staff and making important recruiting connections in the Pacific Northwest. This is a job with a bunch of potential, thanks to all the Nike money flowing through the school and the fact that the Pac-12 North is wide open. Lincoln Riley's arrival at USC complicates the Pac-12 in general, but Lanning has the tools to build a power in the North Division, especially considering all the talent Cristobal brought in during his time in Eugene.

TCU Horned Frogs

Out: Gary Patterson

In: Sonny Dykes (SMU HC)

After two decades in charge in Fort Worth, Gary Patterson was let go in a surprising move mid-season, paving the way for a new era of TCU football. There's little denying how important Patterson was to the TCU program, but the Horned Frogs had slipped in recent years, as he had gone 21-22 since 2018. Following the decision to move on from Patterson, TCU turns to a familiar name in Sonny Dykes, who comes over from nearby SMU. A Texas native who knows the state extremely well, Dykes has been head coach at California and Louisiana Tech previously. He has familiarity with TCU after serving as an offensive analyst with the program in 2017 and will hope to bring much-needed firepower to an offense that has lagged behind in recent seasons. It's a fresh new breath of life for a program that had gone a little stale under Patterson and one that TCU is hoping will set them up for success in the new-look Big 12. Even so, it's always difficult to move on from a legendary coach, and the way that the athletic department moved on rubbed some the wrong way. It won't matter if Dykes ends up as a success, but there seems to be an added layer of pressure now for the 52-year old.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Out: Matt Wells

In: Joey McGuire (Baylor AHC/OLB Coach)

Few coaches in college football entered 2021 on as hot of a seat as Matt Wells at Texas Tech. Wells had gone 8-14 in two seasons in Lubbock, with eighth and ninth place finishes in the Big 12 to his credit. Wells actually seemed to be going in the right direction during the 2021 campaign, with a 5-3 start, but he was still dumped following a home loss to Kansas State. While interim Sonny Cumbie did an admirable job filling in as interim, Texas Tech will instead bring in Joey McGuire from Baylor to move the program forward. McGuire's a pretty interesting hire; he earned recognition as a highly successful Texas high school football coach for two decades before joining the Baylor staff in 2017. While with the Bears, he held several different roles, including associate head coach, TE coach, and OLB coach. He has never officially been a head coach in the collegiate ranks, but did briefly serve as the interim head man at Baylor when Matt Rhule accepted the Carolina Panthers job. Obviously, there's a bunch of risk hiring a coach who has never led a program at the college level, let alone a Power Five job. But, I think there's something to be said for Texas Tech willing to go outside the box to take their program in a different direction. They had a run of "Air Raid", spread-oriented coaches who couldn't get them out of the cellar in the league, but McGuire is something completely different. For one of the smaller schools in the Big 12 that has to compete with a host of other Texas schools, going different may just be what they need to get out of their slumber.

USC Trojans

Out: Clay Helton

In: Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma HC)

The longest hot seat in college football history finally concluded earlier this fall when Clay Helton was dumped following USC's 1-1 start. Such a high-profile job like USC is always going to attract big names, but I don't think even the most ambitious Trojan fan thought they had any chance at landing Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma. However, Riley's frustrations with Oklahoma's move to the Big 12, along with his dream of coaching football on the West Coast, helped 'SC make one of the most cold-blooded coaching hires in recent college football memory. There's a lot to like about this marriage; Riley is a strong recruiter who will have his pick of top California talent. He brings over several key staff members from his ultra-successful run at Oklahoma, and the Trojan roster is still brimming with talent. Riley even has a young QB, Jaxson Dart, who flashed enough potential in 2021 to think that he could be one of the sport's breakout stars next fall. There's almost no reasons to think this won't work; Riley has proven he can handle the off-the-field drama that has plagued USC in the past, and the Pac-12 is wide open, especially with Oregon's future slightly more uncertain now that Cristobal is at Miami. It may take a few years for things to get rolling, but this hire was a game-changer for AD Mike Bohn, and West Coast football in general.

Virginia Cavaliers

Out: Bronco Mendenhall

In: Tony Elliott (Clemson OC)

Every single off-season, there's one or two shocking coaching changes that nobody in the general college football public see coming. Of course, Brian Kelly and Lincoln Riley's departures sent major shockwaves through the sport, but Bronco Mendenhall's decision to step down at Virginia might have been even more surprising. Mendenhall took over at UVA after a long tenure at BYU and after some initial growing pains, has turned the Cavaliers into a consistent contender in the ACC Coastal. He delivered the program a Coastal Division Title in 2019 and had them playing in a New Year's Six bowl. Things tailed off slightly the past two seasons as the Cavs went a combined 11-11, but the program was still in much better shape than it had been when he took over. It's still unclear why exactly Mendenhall stepped down, but his departure opens the door for another name in the ACC, former Clemson OC Tony Elliott, to get his first shot. It will be new territory for Elliott in several different ways, as he has deep ties to Clemson, playing for them from 2000-2003 and coaching on their staff from 2011 onward. Elliott deserves plenty of respect for the work he has done with past Clemson offenses, but the fact the group struggled so much in 2021 adds a layer of intrigue to this hire. Virginia is not an easy job to win, even if they are in the talent-rich "DMV" area. The school just doesn't have the talent-rich football tradition of others in the conference and also has to deal with another big-name Power Five school in their state in Virginia Tech. This could be an uphill climb for Elliott, at least initially, but it has significant long-term potential, as he is just 42.

Virginia Tech Hokies

Out: Justin Fuente

In: Brent Pry (Penn State DC)

UVA was not the only program in the state of Virginia to change hands at head coach, as Virginia Tech will also begin a new era. Justin Fuente began his time in Blacksburg with loads of promise, as he won 19 games and delivered a Coastal Title within the first two seasons, but things went downhill fast. In addition to poor results on the field, all the transfers and roster turnover around the program seemed to indicate Virginia Tech needed a fresh start. Enter Brent Pry, a long-time James Franklin disciple at both Vanderbilt and Penn State, who will get his first opportunity as a head coach. Pry deserves a bunch of credit for the great work he did at both stops, coaching a host of future NFL defenders, including Micah Parsons, Yetur Gross-Matos, Stephen Weatherly, Zach Cunningham, and more. He also checks a box as having familiarity with the program, as he served as a grad assistant under VT legend Bud Foster from 1995-1997. With all that being said, Virginia Tech seems to be a program at an interesting spot in the ACC power structure. They experienced unprecedented success for years under Frank Beamer, but that wasn't going to be sustainable in the new ACC. It's still a program with the tools to be a regional power, but Pry will have plenty of rebuilding to do from the get-go.

Washington Huskies

Out: Jimmy Lake

In: Kalen DeBoer (Fresno State HC)

Jimmy Lake's short-lived tenure as Washington head coach is the perfect example of just how difficult it is to predict coaching success. It seems like Lake was the ideal hire for Washington following Chris Petersen's shocking retirement; he had established himself as one of the best defensive coordinators in college football, he was already on staff, and Petersen himself vouched for Lake to be the next head coach. Just 13 games later, Washington was searching for a new head man after Lake's 7-6 record on the field and numerous off-field issues. The Huskies made a sensible hire to replace him in Fresno State's Kalen DeBoer, a name that continues to rise up the coaching ranks. In his first head coaching gig, DeBoer went 67-3 with Sioux Falls of the NAIA before making the jump to FCS, then eventually FBS ball. He parlayed a successful season with Indiana as their OC in 2019 into the Fresno State HC job (he was previously their coordinator) and went 12-6 with the Bulldogs, including a 9-3 mark this year. In a lot of ways, DeBoer is quite different from Lake; while Lake was a staunch defense-first coach who loved to run the ball, DeBoer is going to want to run fun, explosive offenses. He's already landed a fairly big name through the portal in his former QB at Indiana, Michael Penix Jr., and has plenty back elsewhere. They key for him will be two-fold; rebuilding a culture that fell apart quickly under his predecessor, and proving that Washington can once again be a major recruiting force in the Pacific Northwest. The state of Washington has been one of the most underrated talent-rich areas in recent years, but has been mined by programs all across the country. Step one for DeBoer will be changing that.

Washington State Cougars

Out: Nick Rolovich

In: Jake Dickert (interim HC, former DC)

Nick Rolovich and his refusal to receive the COVID-19 led to his eventual firing and plunged Washington State's program into further chaos after a wacky few years under Mike Leach. The Cougars are hopeful that Jake Dickert, who had been their interim coach for the latter half of 2021, will provide the program with much-needed stability and direction. It will be Dickert's first run as full-time head coach at any level of college football; he began as a grad assistant with Wisconsin-Stevens Point and worked his way up the ladder, primarily working in the Midwest. After spending time under Craig Bohl at North Dakota State, Dickert rejoined him in 2017 on the Wyoming staff and eventually parlayed that into the Washington State DC spot. It's quite a transition for Washington State as a whole; they move on from two straight loud, brash head coaches who were all about offense, to the soft-spoken, defensive-minded Dickert. After going 3-3 as interim, the jury is certainly still out on the young head coach, but there's certainly potential here. Washington State is not an easy job, even with Leach's recent success, but the program would love a stable era of football where they're regularly competing for bowls and winning a few. Dickert should be able to provide that, but how he develops the staff and recruiting will determine just how high his ceiling is.

Notable Group of Five Hires

Colorado State: Jay Norvell (Nevada HC) -- After an impressive tenure at Nevada, Jay Norvell will take over a new school in the Mountain West. Although it may be considered a lateral move in terms of program prestige, Norvell will receive a major bump in salary and get another chance to craft a program in the conference.

Louisiana-Lafayette: Michael Desormeaux (Louisiana co-OC) -- Napier's unsurprising exit from ULL leaves the door open for Michael Desormeaux. An alum of the school, Desormeaux has great appreciation for the university and the entire Louisiana culture, with name that fits his team like few others in college ball.

SMU: Rhett Lashlee (Miami OC) -- Following two seasons as OC for Manny Diaz and Miami, Rhett Lashlee will get his first crack as a head coach. A Gus Malzahn disciple, Lashlee has been a journeyman in his young coaching career to this point but takes over a rising SMU program, which he has familiarity with after calling plays for the Mustangs in 2018 and 2019.

UConn: Jim Mora (former UCLA HC) -- Randy Edsall's second stint at UConn was an absolute disaster, but the school made quite the hire in Jim Mora. Mora was head coach in the NFL with Atlanta and Seattle before arriving in the college ranks, where he led UCLA for a half-decade. He went 46-30 with the Bruins and is a low-risk, high-reward hire for the Huskies.