An ever-changing college football landscape makes life tough for Group of Five programs, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing great players. This year will be no different, which is why we take a look at the top 25 players returning to the fields in 2025.
25) De’Corian Clark, WR, UTSA
UTSA’s passing attack can break records this year. With Owen McCown returning to lead the offense and a group of pass catchers that are ready to take a collective step, the Roadrunners will be tough to stop. Health will be the biggest question, though, and their top option has struggled with that.
So why is De’Corian Clark in this list? Because, when healthy, this man can dominate a game.
He’s only caught one pass in the past two seasons, but Clark amassed 1,496 total yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021 and 2022. If he can stay on the field, he’s UTSA’s best receiver. However, the contingency plan for this offense makes it so the team’s success doesn’t hinge on his participation.
24) Alonza Barnett III, QB, James Madison
Let me start by saying I understand this ranking hinges on Alonza Barnett III’s recovery in the offseason. There’s a chance he doesn’t even play, but a healthy Barnett is the Dukes’ best option at quarterback by a long shot.
Most didn’t see Barnett’s emergence coming, but he quickly showed everyone why he’s one of the most dynamic players in college football. His injury against Marshall put a damper on the season, but now everyone awaits his return.
If he’s not healthy, then everyone’s focus shifts to 2026, but a return to the lineup gives James Madison a chance to make a run at a College Football Playoff appearance. If not, they have options, but the ceiling might lower in the process.
23) Junior Vandeross III, WR, Toledo
While Toledo’s offense might look a little different than last year, they still return a promising passing attack. Losing Jerjuan Newton was always going to have an impact, but the return of Junior Vandeross III makes life easier for quarterback Tucker Gleason.
He’s not physically imposing, standing 5’8″ and 182 pounds, but Vandeross’ route running and playmaking abilities keep defensive coordinators up at night. Throw in that he was arguably the second option in Toledo’s offense last year, and his 85 catches for 957 yards make those nightmares worse.
22) Colton Joseph, QB, Old Dominion
Colton Joseph fits Old Dominion well in many ways. He’s one of the few players who had a good year and came back to the Monarchs, but he’s also someone ready for a big year.
Old Dominion is in the same boat. This is an overlooked team run by a coach who’s navigated transfer portal hemorrhaging and battled every step of the way.
Joseph is a dynamic dual threat who should have a special year in 2025. He’ll need some new weapons to emerge at the skill positions, but for now, he can be a one-man show if they need him to be. If he can develop as a passer more with new receivers, Old Dominion’s offense won’t be fun to face this year.
21) Joseph Carter, LB, Liberty
If not for multiple transfer portal departures on the defensive line, Joseph Carter might not be on this list. Losing multiple key starters up front means the Liberty Flames are going through a transition, but it also means that their star linebacker shoulders more responsibility this season.
Liberty comes into the year with a chip on its shoulder. A disappointing 8-4 finish in 2024 reminded them how quickly things can change and why they need to refocus in order to win the conference. Carter will be a leader in that charge, and he’ll be a driving force in getting the new defensive linemen up to speed.
20) Korey Foreman, DE, Fresno State
Matt Entz takes over a Fresno State team looking to get back to its winning ways this year, and that should all start up front. The Bulldogs have multiple returning defenders who are some of the best at their positions, but Korey Foreman is in a league of his own in terms of ability.
The former USC transfer can be a game changer just by himself. His ability to be disruptive and create turnovers gives the Bulldogs’ defense a force, and teams will change their game plans just for him.
Entz and his staff have a pillar to build around defensively, so they shouldn’t worry too much about a drop-off on that side of the ball.
19) Jacob Thomas, S, James Madison
If you’re not on the James Madison bandwagon yet, hop on before it’s too late. I’ve been excited about what this team could do in 2025 for a while now. The offense has playmakers, and the defense seemingly reloads again. Their secondary returns a leader in Jacob Thomas, who’s also a certified ball hawk.
An honorable mention All-Sun Belt selection, Thomas is ready to take another step in his trajectory this year. He notched 72 tackles along with eight tackles for loss while also picking off three passes last year, and there’s reason to believe he’ll be even more productive in 2025.
The Dukes are poised for a playoff run this year, and that line of thinking is growing among the media. Thomas and the defense play a huge role in that endeavor, and that group should also be a big reason why they’ll be a tough out in the playoffs should they make it there.
18) Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo
Not many programs can lose a talent like Shaun Dolac and be just fine. Buffalo returns both Dion Crawford and Red Murdock, so it might seem like they don’t miss Dolac at all. That speaks to the development of this program, but also the effect that Pete Lembo had last year on this team.
Murdock is a force when it comes to making plays. The Bulls linebacker was everywhere on the field, racking up 156 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and even forced a team-high seven forced fumbles. Crawford alleviates some of the pressure to produce, meaning Murdock shouldn’t have to worry too much about teams sending extra blockers and attention his way.
17) Caden Veltkamp, QB, FAU
If there’s a better transfer portal quarterback and first-year head coach pairing in college football, I’d like to see it. Caden Veltkamp was slinging it at Western Kentucky last year, and now he joins Zach Kittley to help revive FAU.
He’ll also have his top Hilltoppers target with him in Easton Messer, but that’s just the beginning of Veltkamp’s options downfield. We didn’t get to see Kittley and Veltkamp work together, but now we get a chance to see them collaborate in this offense.
Veltkamp feels like a natural fit in FAU’s offense, given what we saw him do last year, and Kittley needs a quarterback he can trust. If the Owls want to get better, the offense has to be explosive, and bringing Kittley and his new quarterback to campus gives them that opportunity.
16) Greg Desrosiers Jr., RB, Memphis
There might not be a more explosive player in the Group of Five than Memphis running back Greg Desrosiers Jr., which is terrifying. Throw in the fact that he’s set to get more touches this year, and it’ll make you question how defensive coordinators will defend him.
Memphis found multiple ways to utilize their star player last year, which begged the question of why they didn’t use him more. Desrosiers’ acceleration erased pursuit angles, and his ability to start and stop made defenders look like they were in an And1 mixtape.
Greg Desrosiers Jr. shattering ankles getting some YAC for Memphis 😱 pic.twitter.com/C7H4s6XadQ
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) November 29, 2024
With a new quarterback and multiple new wide receivers entering the picture, the Tigers’ offense might need to rely on Desrosiers more this year. They’re not upset about that, and college football fantasy managers will love that return on investment as well.
15) Jordan Lawson, DE, Louisiana
Expectations are changing for Louisiana after winning 10 games for the first time since 2021, and the Ragin’ Cajuns are ready to meet them this year. The defense saw a number of players depart, but they return key pieces who should make this unit solid again.
Jordan Lawson was expected to be more of a major contributor in Louisiana’s defense last year, and he thrived in his new role. Teams had trouble blocking him, and there were times when they felt he was living in their backfield. It might be tough to replicate the production from last year, but Lawson has the tools to make that happen.
14) Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
When the Ken Niumatalolo era ended, there were concerns that Navy might not get back to winning at the rate they did. Brian Newberry deserves a ton of credit for navigating a leadership change, but also for adapting to new rules put in place. This isn’t your grandfather’s triple option offense, but it’s still just as lethal.
We all expected Navy to run the football a ton (which they did), but what we didn’t expect is for Eli Heidenreich to be explosive in the passing attack. While he averaged 6.8 yards per carry, he also caught 39 passes and averaged 17.2 yards per catch. That production put him fourth all-time for Navy’s single-season receiving yards.
Navy’s rushing attack should be lethal once again with Heidenreich, Alex Tecza, and Brandon Chatman returning. Teams must find a way to slow down this triple-option attack, but Heidenreich’s production through the air adds another wrinkle that opponents haven’t yet solved.
13) Al-Jay Henderson, RB, Buffalo
When Jaret Patterson left for the NFL, questions about the future of the rushing attack emerged. It didn’t last long thanks to Al-Jay Henderson, and he’s back to run through MAC defenses again.
Henderson seemingly came out of nowhere last year. He had a decent season in 2022, but wasn’t a factor the following season. It took Henderson a little time to break out, but something clicked against Toledo, and he never looked back. Now, he’s Buffalo’s undisputed runner, and the Bulls have championship aspirations because of him.
12) Kage Casey, OT, Boise State
If there’s a unit looking to get back on the field more than Boise State’s offensive line, I’d like to see it. A special year ended in disappointment, and the Broncos’ line is ready to flush that out of their system.
Returning Kage Casey and multiple other starters puts them in position to make another playoff run. Ashton Jeanty obviously stole the show, but he’ll be the first to tell you that he couldn’t do what he did without guys like Casey. This is a line that took their game to new heights last year, and not just because they were facing Mountain West talent.
Casey has a bright future in front of him, and that’s coming off a season where he was awarded CSN Mountain West Offensive Tackle of the Year. The rushing attack won’t have Jeanty, but the guys up front will ensure that’s not an issue for this season.
11) Corey Rucker, WR, Arkansas State
The phrase “it’s like riding a bike” applies here. Corey Rucker put together two impressive seasons in 2020 and 2021 before entering the transfer portal and joining South Carolina for the 2022 season. It didn’t pan out, so he returned to Jonesboro and picked up right where he left off with the Red Wolves.
Arkansas State has a chance to do something special in 2025, and the return of Rucker and quarterback Jaylen Raynor is a huge reason why. That duo became familiar with each other over the past two seasons, and the Red Wolves’ offense has the potential to be electric because of them.
10) Braylon Braxton, QB, Southern Miss
If you followed the Charles Huff situation at Marshall, you probably find yourself rooting for him at Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles were in desperate need of a new coach who could win, and Huff gives them that. He also brings elite talent with him, including the Sun Belt Player of the Year in Braylon Braxton.
Braxton’s journey is an interesting one. His time at Tulsa was full of ups and downs, including multiple moments where you saw his athleticism on full display. There was no denying his potential, which made him such an intriguing player.
The longest rush of the day for Tulsa required an amazing individual effort and a HURDLE 🚨 from Braylon Braxton! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/43Bt8oiSA8
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 5, 2022
Southern Miss’ quarterback play has left much to be desired over the past few seasons, and Braxton alone elevates expectations for Southern Miss in 2025. This won’t be a contender for a conference title, but a bowl game becomes an incredibly attainable goal thanks to Braxton and the influx of talent from the portal.
9) Jayden Virgin-Morgan, DE, Boise State
Who replaces Ahmed Hassanein? It might not be a 1-to-1 solution, but they return a couple of players who can make it happen.
Jayden Virgin-Morgan thrived in Hassanein’s shadow last year, racking up 16 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. His return was a huge boost to this defense. He could have entered the transfer portal and found another school, but Virgin-Morgan saw what Boise State could be.
He’ll reunite with defensive tackle Braxton Fely, and their experience up front will help the other new faces in the rotation.
8) Parker Navarro, QB, Ohio
Ohio continues to be one of the more intriguing teams in the MAC, and that should be the case again even with another new head coach. Returning quarterback Parker Navarro should ease concerns about that transition, as he has a chance to expand upon his involvement.
Taking care of the football will become even more important for Navarro this year. He loses multiple key players at skill positions, plus he threw 11 interceptions last year with them available. It might take some time for him to develop chemistry with new contributors, but Navarro’s legs could also shoulder more responsibility to help.
7) Matt Lauter, TE, Boise State
Lost in the Jeanty hype was the emergence of Boise State’s versatile offensive weapon. Matt Lauter put together the best season of his career as a pass catcher and a blocker, playing an integral role in the Broncos’ offensive success.
With Jeanty gone, there’s more pressure placed on quarterback Maddux Madsen’s shoulders, but Lauter’s return gives him a safety valve at worst.
Lauter is a physical blocker who grew into a great pass catcher, and the offense dialed up a number of plays for him. His physicality actually helped tremendously in tight areas, and he saw more targets with the offense going through a transition.
Lauter has his sights set on the future, and he could quickly become one of the top tight end prospects entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
6) Jason Henderson, LB, Old Dominion
Anyone sleeping on Old Dominion this year might want to reconsider that stance. The Monarchs could surprise people, and their linebackers play a huge role in that. They also return one of the top tacklers in all of college football in Jason Henderson.
While he only played one game last year, Henderson’s still a proven tackler who could break records with another big year. He currently sits 24th for career tackles, and a replication of his 2022 or 2023 production would help him potentially eclipse 600 tackles for his career.
In his absence, the Monarchs saw players like Koa Naotala, Mario Thompson, and Jahleel Culbreath emerge, so bringing Henderson back into the fold adds even more excitement. If this group can become even more disruptive, good luck moving the ball on this defense.
5) John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
Plain and simple, if you don’t know who John Michael Gyllenborg is, add him to your list of players to scout before the season. Wyoming isn’t exactly known for a high-powered offense, but its tight end has a bright future ahead of him.
If you don’t know John Michael Gyllenborg, fix that. pic.twitter.com/cHjWd1Tw3Z
— Joe Broback (@JoeBrobackCFB) May 6, 2025
Gyllenborg brings a wide catch radius with him, and quarterbacks tend to have extra room for error with him running routes downfield. He won’t wow you with his production, but he’s already on the NFL’s radar for next year’s draft.
Wyoming’s offense needs to see quarterback Kaden Anderson take a leap, but Gyllenborg and wide receiver Jaylen Sargent should make things easier. The Cowboys look to bounce back after a tough 2024 campaign, and their TE headlines what should be a much-improved team.
4) Byrum Brown, QB, USF
While he didn’t have the most consistent or explosive season in 2024, Byrum Brown is still an elite player on an upward trajectory. He just needs to stay healthy.
Injuries affected Brown’s game last year, and that was a big reason the Bulls turned to Bryce Archie to lead the offense.It could also be seen as a blessing in disguise.
A healthy Brown could have produced big numbers and entered the portal for a bigger school, but his injury might have helped USF keep him. He’s back, and that builds on an exciting offseason for the Bulls.
Alex Golesh and his staff know that they can get the 2023 version of Brown back, and that gives them the best chance to win. The AAC is as wide open as it’s ever been, and the Bulls hope to put themselves into that conversation.
USF’s quarterback plays a huge role, and his health is the biggest X-factor heading into 2025.
3) Josh Moten, CB, Southern Miss
Another player who immediately impacts the Southern Miss season. Marshall might not have realized how much they would lose when they let Huff go, and the transfer portal quickly erased several starters from their roster. The Golden Eagles fan base won’t complain, especially with Josh Moten coming to town.
Moten could have attended several schools when he entered the portal, but he chose to stick with his coach. His presence gives the Golden Eagles a ball hawk defensively, which will give the offense and their new quarterback more opportunities to thrive.
Southern Miss should be a surprise team this year with the talent they have, and Moten is just one of the many bright spots that will assist in that goal. A bowl game is clearly in their sights, and there’s excitement surrounding the program for the first time in a while.
2) Trey White, DE, San Diego State
When Sean Lewis took over as the San Diego State Aztecs head coach, he knew it might take time to get the program to a better place. A rebuild became abundantly clear before Lewis arrived, but that didn’t stop certain players from thriving.
Trey White’s performance in 2024 should be talked about more, but Lewis’ ability to keep him here for another year deserves even more discussion. White was a dominant force for an Aztecs defense that was largely pedestrian at best.
Teams knew that he was one of the few offensive players who would create havoc, but there wasn’t much they could do about it. White lived in the backfield last year, and that’s with teams sending extra blockers his way. If the Aztecs can have other players step up this year, he could be even more dangerous.
1) Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
There might not be a better fit in an offense than Blake Horvath at Navy. The Midshipmen have a long tradition of elite quarterback play, and he’s just the latest and greatest. With the amount of talent around him, there’s no reason why Horvath can’t be even better than he was last year.
Horvath averaged 7.1 yards per carry last year and found the end zone with his legs 17 times. He also added another 13 scores with his arm, another facet of the offense that teams had to worry about in 2024.
There’s a reason why many are picking Navy as the favorite to win the AAC, and Horvath is it. The right fit in Navy’s offense makes a huge difference, and Horvath is in great company with that discussion.
Is a playoff berth possible? With him running the show, there’s no telling how high this team can reach.
