The 2014 season is over. The NFL Draft early entrees have declared. We now know, barring unforeseen offseason changes, about how many starters are returning to every FBS team, thanks to Phil Steele's list of every team in the country. Fresh faces will no doubt make impacts next season, but several early takeaways are available.
7 takeaways on college football’s list of returning starters in 2015
Which teams have big seasons ripe for the taking, and which are entering rebuilds?
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1. Ohio State is built for another title run.
Everyone knows about the Buckeyes’ surplus of dominant quarterbacks, but there’s plenty more returning talent spread around the field in Columbus. Ohio State should be one of the most experienced teams in the Big Ten.
Urban Meyer's squad should get about eight starters back on offense, including four offensive linemen, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and wide receiver Michael Thomas, and among the seven or so returning defensive starters are the team's four leading tacklers from 2014: linebacker Joshua Perry, safety Vonn Bell, linebacker Darron Lee, and safety Tyvis Powell.
Another team with a similar makeup is Peach Bowl champion TCU, which should return basically its whole offense. The Horned Frogs lose about half their defense, but Gary Patterson’s proved nobody needs to worry about TCU’s defense.
2. Don’t sleep on Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish were a better-executed pick play away from starting the 2014 season 8-0 with a victory over the defending national champion under their belts. But it all fell apart, and Notre Dame lost its final four regular season games before knocking off LSU in the Music City Bowl.
The Irish defense was the main culprit for that late swoon, allowing 35.4 points per game over the last seven regular season contests. But with about 10 players coming back on D, there's reason for optimism. Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who led Notre Dame with 111 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, will be the anchor. The Irish had a top-35 offense last season, and with about eight starters plus Malik Zaire and possibly Everett Golson returning, there shouldn't be a dropoff on that side.
In the mid-major ranks, watch out for Temple. The Owls return about 19 starters, six more than any other team in the American that finished .500 or better.
3. Tennessee and Arkansas will be trendy picks in the SEC.
The Volunteers have been recruiting well in recent years under Butch Jones and have stockpiled top-tier prospects all over the roster. In 2015, they should bring back 18 starters — 10 on offense, eight on defense — which would lead the SEC. If Joshua Dobbs can take a step forward at quarterback, there’s enough experienced talent in Knoxville to take the lead in a murky SEC East race.
Arkansas hasn't been reeling in a huge number of blue chips under Bret Bielema, but the Razorbacks have been signing excellent personnel to fit Bielema's jumbo system. Next year, nine starters should return on offense, and the running back duo of Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, which combined for 2,290 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2014, could be the SEC's best. The defense has to replace linebacker Martrell Spaight and defensive end Trey Flowers, two of the Arkansas' best defenders, but should be in decent shape with six starters likely coming back.
Both the Vols and Hogs also finished with blowout bowl wins over big-name opponents (Iowa and Texas, respectively), which also helps fuel offseason hype.
4. It might be now or never for UCLA.
The Bruins were a hot preseason pick for the College Football Playoff last season, but they finished with three home losses.
They lose quarterback Brett Hundley, but they have the somewhat experienced Jerry Neuheisel and the national No. 1 freshman quarterback, early enrollee Josh Rosen. Otherwise, pretty much everyone else on offense returns. The defense should return eight starters, including dynamic linebacker Myles Jack.
Oregon, Arizona, and USC are dealing with more significant rebuilding efforts, so this may be UCLA’s best chance to compete for a national title.
Baylor is another top team that returns just about everybody besides its quarterback, with five-star Jarrett Stidham among the possible replacements for Bryce Petty.
5. The ACC should be wide open.
Experience doesn’t equal success, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
With that in mind, let’s look at the five ACC teams with the most expected returning starters: North Carolina (17), Virginia Tech (16), Wake Forest (16), Pittsburgh (15 ... and Pitt could be due a big improvement anyway), and NC State (14).
On the other hand, perennial favorites Florida State and Clemson should bring back about 11 each, and 2014 surprise Georgia Tech should return 13. It seems like a safe bet that a young player will be the star of the conference next season.
6. Will Alabama and Florida State quickly reload?
The Crimson Tide have been positively unmatched on the recruiting trail since Nick Saban took over, and it's given them easily the most talented roster in college football. One has to wonder how 'Bama will replace quarterback Blake Sims, running back T.J. Yeldon, and safety Landon Collins, but if recent history is any indication, Saban will figure it out.
It won’t be a surprise if the Tide are competing for another Playoff berth. Still, the offense could bring back only four starters, just two on the offensive line. The defense should return seven starters, and it will need to improve after looking shaky toward the end of 2014.
While Alabama is a proven commodity, this is the first time Florida State has attempted to reload since ascending to national prominence under Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles, like the Tide, have torn up recruiting season in recent years. But is there enough developed talent to replace quarterback Jameis Winston, multiple skill players, and four offensive linemen? FSU could bring back seven on defense, but defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., and cornerback Ronald Darby leave big shoes to fill.
7. Kansas can’t catch a break.
The Jayhawks are coming off a 3-9 season — that puts them at 12-48 over the last five years — and they should somehow have only eight returning starters, the fewest of any power-conference team and 126th out of 128 FBS programs. Of course, some new blood in Lawrence might be a good thing.
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