BYU cracks ESPN's college football preseason top ten

The Spring transfer portal was a mixed bag for BYU football, with both notable losses and important additions.

The Cougars saw two projected contributors in receiver Keelan Marion and linebacker Harrison Taggart leave the program. However, BYU made key additions by bringing in transfers Justin Kirkland and Keanu Tanuvasa to address one of the team’s biggest weaknesses from the 2024 season.

Despite the changes, expectations remain high in Provo. In ESPN’s updated way-too-early Top 25 for the 2025 season, BYU landed at No. 10. They're the highest-ranked team in the Big 12. Arizona State came in at No. 12 after a College Football Playoff run last season. 

The offense, which returns several key players, is expected to take a step forward with Jake Retzlaff under center. The senior QB starting all 13 games last season and BYU went 11-2. They finished in a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12 with a 7-2 league record, barely missed the CFP and drubbed Colorado 36-14 in the Alamo Bowl.

BYU faces a challenging schedule, including a non-conference game against Stanford. But with strong returning talent and key portal pickups, the Cougars one of the top contenders not only in the Big 12, but on the national stage as well.

Here is the full Top 25 from ESPN.

1.Penn State

2.Clemson

3.Texas

4. Georgia

5. Ohio State

6. LSU

7. Notre Dame

8. Oregon

9. Alabama

10. BYU

11. Illinois

12. Arizona State

13. South Carolina

14. Iowa State

15. SMU

16. Texas Tech

17. Indiana

18. Kansas State

19. Florida

20. Michigan

21. Miami

22. Louisville

23. Texas A&M

24. Ole Miss

25. Oklahoma