CFB rankings: How the top 25 looks after spring practice

The Score

Recruits have all signed, the transfer portal door has swung shut, and spring practices are officially in the books at college football programs across the country.

While the spring practice session isn't always the most telling, the amount of transfers changing hands makes it a vital exercise in today's college football landscape.

Here's how the top 25 looks heading into the summer break, with last year's record in brackets.

 

25. Iowa (8-5)

Once again, Iowa found itself with one of the nation's best defensive units last season. Unfortunately, that was offset by one of the worst scoring offenses in the country. It's time to put up or shut up, as coordinator Brian Ferentz was hit with the ultimatum of averaging 25 points per game this year or losing his job. The Hawkeyes' big move on that side of the ball was bringing in Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara, a talented passer who led the Wolverines to the CFP two seasons ago.

 

24. Ole Miss (8-5)

Lane Kiffin has never been one to shy away from roster and coaching turnover at Ole Miss, and there are once again great changes heading into the 2023 season for the Rebels. The biggest addition to the staff was former Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who will fill the same role. The defense was torched for 35 points per game over the final six contests last season with Ole Miss going 1-5 over that stretch. The offense will feature one of the most high-profile quarterback battles in the country with Jaxson Dart looking to hold off Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders and ex-LSU prized recruit Walker Howard for the starting gig.

 

23. Oklahoma (6-7)

Brent Venables' first season at Oklahoma didn't go as smoothly as hoped, as the Sooners finished with a losing record for the first time since 1998. Injuries absolutely decimated Oklahoma last season, and keeping quarterback Dillon Gabriel healthy should be priority No. 1 on an offense that moved the ball well with him behind center. Venables surely had his hands all over the defense in the spring, with the second-to-last unit in the Big 12 needing big improvement heading into 2023.

 

22. North Carolina (9-5)

Drake Maye is back for a likely push at the Heisman, but the star passer will be in a new offense this year with coordinator Phil Longo gone to Wisconsin. Maye's favorite target, Josh Downs, is gone to the NFL, but North Carolina dipped into the portal to add plenty of weapons for the prolific quarterback. The defense ranked 114th in the nation last season and will face a tough test with the opener against South Carolina.

 

21. South Carolina (8-5)

South Carolina closed the season on an absolute heater with back-to-back wins over top-10 opponents Tennessee and Clemson. Spencer Rattler shone in those victories as the offense put up a combined 94 points total. He returns to keep the points coming fast and furious in Columbia, but the defense will need to take a drastic step forward to help the Gamecocks threaten in the SEC East.

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