They're back! Key returning players for every top 25 team

In college football's evolving world of roster management and NIL, it's not easy (or cheap) to keep your best players in your program. The big portal pickups get the headlines, but a coaching staff's ability to get impact players re-signed to return for another year is becoming more important than ever in this new revenue-sharing era.

Whether it's keeping valuable players out of the NFL draft or out of the transfer portal, the roster retention wins that college coaches and front offices achieve in December and January play a major role in their success going forward.

The proof is in the trophies. The past three teams to win CFP national championships -- Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan -- all managed to convince veteran leaders and starters to re-up for a title run. The cost to retain top players keeps rising, but the payoff can be massive.

Now that the NFL draft deadline has passed and more than 3,200 FBS scholarship players have made moves in the transfer portal, here's a look at key players each Way-Too-Early Top 25 team managed to bring back for the 2026 season.

1. Indiana Hoosiers

2025 record: 16-0, 9-0 Big Ten

Key player retained: Carter Smith, OT

Days after the Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff National Championship, Smith decided he'd rather come back for his fifth year at Indiana than enter the NFL draft. The consensus All-American took home Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2025 after playing at an elite level over a conference-leading 997 snaps. He had the best pressure rate (2%) among all Big Ten tackles, with just two sacks allowed and six penalties as the left tackle protecting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Smith will be the most experienced returning lineman in the Big Ten as a three-year starter who has played 2,629 career snaps on offense and gets to team up with returning starting linemen Bray Lynch and Drew Evans for one more year in Bloomington.

2. Texas Longhorns

2025 record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC

Key player retained: Trevor Goosby, OT

The Longhorns' left tackle earned first-team All-SEC honors in his first year as a full-time starter and opted to stay in school with the hopes of becoming a first-round lock in the 2027 NFL draft. Goosby performed admirably as a fill-in starter late in the year in 2024 and played at a high level when he took over for Kelvin Banks Jr. last season, allowing just one sack with the second-best pressure rate (1.5%) among all SEC starting tackles, according to ESPN Research. Goosby returning for his redshirt junior year was a critical win for Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning and a Texas offensive line that needs to take a big step forward this year and added four transfers this offseason to bolster its depth.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2025 record: 10-2

Key player retained: Adon Shuler, S

There's no doubt Notre Dame will have one of the top secondaries in the sport in 2026, with starters Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, Tae Johnson and Shuler all returning after helping the Irish rank fourth nationally in interceptions (21) in 2025. Shuler, a two-year starter and team captain, is back for his fourth year after recording 53 tackles, five pass breakups, two picks and two forced fumbles last season. Newly hired co-defensive coordinator Aaron Henry is inheriting an extremely experienced and talented collection of defensive backs.

4. Georgia Bulldogs

2025 record: 12-2, 8-1 SEC

Key player retained: Nate Frazier, RB

This one was a close call for the Bulldogs during the January portal window, but Kirby Smart and his staff were successful in their efforts to convince Frazier to re-sign and return for 2026. The former top-100 recruit would have been one of the most coveted backs in the portal after putting up 947 rushing yards, 116 receiving yards and seven total TDs as a sophomore. Frazier ranked sixth among SEC backs in yards from scrimmage in his first year as a starter, earned third-team All-SEC honors and should be among the best in the conference at his position again as a junior.

5. Oregon Ducks

2025 record: 13-2, 8-1 Big Ten

Key player retained: Dante Moore, QB

Moore could have been the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NFL draft but wasn't quite ready to make the leap to the pros after 20 collegiate starts over three years. Moore threw for 3,565 yards on 72% passing with 32 total TDs and 10 interceptions while leading Oregon to 13 wins and the CFP semifinals in his first season as the Ducks' QB1. His decision to run it back with defensive linemen A'Mauri Washington, Teitum Tuioti, Bear Alexander and Evan Stewart all staying in school positions the Ducks to be a serious national championship contender again in Year 5 under coach Dan Lanning.

6. Ohio State Buckeyes

2025 record: 12-2, 9-0 Big Ten

Key player retained: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., DE

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound pass rusher bypassed the draft to return as a fifth-year senior and prove he can keep developing into one of the Big Ten's best. Jackson moved into the starting lineup in 2025 and produced 32 pressures, 11 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups for the Buckeyes. His return was a much-needed win for this defensive front with Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald moving on to the NFL.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders

2025 record: 12-2, 8-1 Big 12

Key player retained: Brice Pollock, CB

Pollock transferred from Mississippi State to Texas Tech last offseason and immediately proved to be one of the Big 12's best cover men. The first-team All-Big 12 selection is coming back for his senior year after producing a team-high five interceptions plus 48 tackles and eight pass breakups for the defending conference champs. The Red Raiders getting Pollock, tight end Terrance Carter Jr. and left tackle Howard Sampson back for another year was critical, as was the retention of their trio of talented running backs.

8. Miami Hurricanes

2025 record: 13-3, 6-2 ACC

Key player retained: Mark Fletcher Jr., RB

Fletcher put it all together in 2025 with an All-ACC junior season, rushing for 507 of his 1,192 yards during the Hurricanes' CFP run and punching in 14 touchdowns on the year. His strong finish in the postseason didn't sway him in his plans to return for his senior year and try to help Miami go all the way. He's an invaluable workhorse back and leader for the Hurricanes who will once again be complemented by a strong supporting cast of RBs with CharMar Brown and Jordan Lyle returning and Girard Pringle Jr. opting to stay after announcing plans to transfer.

9. Ole Miss Rebels

2025 record: 13-2, 7-1 SEC

Key player retained: Kewan Lacy, RB

The tug-of-war battle between Ole Miss and LSU for Lacy began as soon as coach Lane Kiffin left for Baton Rouge and officially ended Jan. 5 when the Rebels re-signed the star running back for 2026. The first-team All-SEC performer enjoyed a monster year after transferring in from Missouri with 1,744 total yards and 24 touchdowns and teamed with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to help turn Ole Miss into a legitimate national title contender. Now they're both coming back for coach Pete Golding to try to build on last season's run to the CFP semifinals.

10. Texas A&M Aggies

2025 record: 11-2, 7-1 SEC

Key player retained: Dezz Ricks, CB

The Aggies were able to re-sign a bunch of key starters on offense following their first CFP appearance, including quarterback Marcel Reed, running back Rueben Owens II, wide receiver Mario Craver and center Mark Nabou Jr. They had a lot of work to do on defense in reloading via the portal, so getting Ricks locked in for another year was a big deal. The former Alabama transfer is entering his third season as a starter and allowed catches on just 40% of targets last year with nine pass breakups and two TDs allowed, per ESPN Research.

11. BYU Cougars

2025 record: 12-2, 8-1 Big 12

Key player retained: LJ Martin, RB

The Big 12's Offensive Player of the Year passed on testing his luck in the NFL draft to return and chase a CFP bid in his senior season. Martin rushed for a conference-leading 1,305 yards, had 36 catches for 255 receiving yards and scored 12 touchdowns while helping the Cougars go all the way to the Big 12 title game. He'll have an opportunity to boost his draft stock and make a run at BYU's all-time rushing record in his final year in Provo.

12. Oklahoma Sooners

2025 record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC

Key player retained: Isaiah Sategna III, WR

The Arkansas transfer was a revelation for the Sooners in 2025, finishing third in the SEC in receiving yards with 965 yards and eight TDs on 67 receptions as a go-to target for John Mateer and gaining 318 yards as a punt returner. Oklahoma getting Sategna re-signed to keep him out of the draft and the portal was a key win, as was getting edge rusher Adepoju Adebawore back on board after he briefly entered his name in the portal.

13. USC Trojans

2025 record: 9-4, 7-2 Big Ten

Key player retained: Jayden Maiava, QB

It's time for Maiava to make the leap and become Lincoln Riley's next Heisman Trophy contender. He's returning as a fifth-year senior determined to keep developing into a first-round pick after putting up 3,868 total yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and finishing with the top QBR (91.2) in the FBS in 2025. He's a 28-game starter between his time at UNLV and USC and still has plenty of talent around him even with star wideouts Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane heading to the NFL.

14. Louisville Cardinals

2025 record: 9-4, 4-4 ACC

Key player retained: Isaac Brown, RB

Brown entered his name in the transfer portal but continued to negotiate with Louisville and eventually got a deal done that will make him one of the highest-paid backs in the country. The Cardinals scored a big win as schools including Texas, Miami and Notre Dame pushed to land the speedster. Brown has rushed for 2,057 yards and scored 19 touchdowns over his first two college seasons and should compete for All-America recognition as a junior.

15. LSU Tigers

2025 record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC

Key player retained: DJ Pickett, CB

We wrote when the LSU job opened that keeping Pickett, tight end Trey'Dez Green, linebacker Whit Weeks and running back Harlem Berry would be critical. All four are returning for 2026 under Kiffin. Pickett is a talented 6-foot-5 corner and former five-star recruit who earned three starts during his true freshman season and finished with 37 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks. The new staff convincing running back Caden Durham and offensive tackle Weston Davis to withdraw their names from the portal in January was a good win as well amid LSU's efforts to build the No. 1-ranked transfer class.

16. Iowa Hawkeyes

2025 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten

Key player retained: Kade Pieper, C

Pieper opted to stay in school after a standout season with Iowa's Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line and return for his redshirt junior year. Pieper started all 13 games at right guard for the Hawkeyes last year, grading out as the fifth-best starting guard in the FBS, according to Pro Football Focus, and is expected to take over the starting center role this season from Rimington Trophy winner Logan Jones. No matter what position he's playing, Pieper was worthy of inclusion on ESPN's Way-Too-Early All-America team.

17. SMU Mustangs

2025 record: 9-4, 6-2 ACC

Key player retained: PJ Williams, OT

The former top-50 recruit and Texas A&M transfer has developed into a 29-game starter and captain for the Mustangs as well as one of the top pass protectors in the ACC. Williams turned down the NFL draft to return as a fifth-year senior and keep raising his draft stock after earning second-team All-ACC recognition last season with the fourth-best pressure rate among ACC right tackles (2.6%), per ESPN Research. Williams allowed three sacks on the year and only two pressures when he went up against Miami's elite defensive front.

18. Michigan Wolverines

2025 record: 9-4, 7-2 Big Ten

Key player retained: Bryce Underwood, QB

New Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham prioritized retaining Underwood as soon as he got the job and met with him before his introductory news conference to seek his feedback on the program and sell him on the new offensive vision. The former No. 1 overall recruit stuck with the Wolverines and stayed out of the portal after a promising debut season in which he produced 2,820 total yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 turnovers over a nine-win season. Whittingham and his coaches had several more critical retention wins in January with running back Jordan Marshall returning and OL Andrew Sprague, OL Jake Guarnera, DL Enow Etta and DB Zeke Berry all withdrawing their names from the transfer portal.

19. Washington Huskies

2025 record: 9-4, 5-4 Big Ten

Key player retained: Demond Williams Jr., QB

Now this was a wild situation. Days after signing a new deal with Washington that ESPN sources indicated was in the mid-$4 million range for 2026, Williams declared on his Instagram that he planned to transfer. His expected destination was LSU, but those plans fell apart within 48 hours amid the significant challenges his move would have faced. Williams then declared he was fully committed to staying and had to put in the work to repair his relationships with his coaches, team and fan base. The 5-foot-11 junior ranked fourth in the Big Ten in total offense with 3,676 yards and 31 TDs in his first full season as the Huskies' starter.

20. TCU Horned Frogs

2025 record: 9-4, 5-4 Big 12

Key player retained: Ben Taylor-Whitfield, OT

TCU brings a lot of experience back for 2026 with the notable exception of starting quarterback Josh Hoover. Taylor-Whitfield is returning for his senior year and would have been tough to replace. He has made 22 consecutive starts, splitting his time between left and right tackle, and should be in the mix for All-Big 12 honors in his final season. Taylor-Whitfield has surrendered just four sacks over 967 career snaps in pass protection, per ESPN Research. TCU also managed to bring four top defensive linemen back for 2026 in Paul Oyewale, Zach Chapman, Markis Deal and Ansel Din-Mbuh.

21. Alabama Crimson Tide

2025 record: 11-4, 7-1 SEC

Key player retained: Bray Hubbard, S

Hubbard decided to forgo the NFL draft after a first-team All-SEC season with the Crimson Tide and is coming back for his senior year. He picked up All-America recognition in his second year as a starter after grabbing four interceptions (tied for most in the SEC) and racking up 79 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, six pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Hubbard, DB Keon Sabb and LB Yhonzae Pierre all staying in school was a big deal for Alabama, as was quarterbacks Keelon Russell and Austin Mack both re-signing for a true offseason competition after Ty Simpson went pro.

22. Penn State Nittany Lions

2025 record: 7-6, 3-6 Big Ten

Key player retained: Anthony Donkoh, OT

Penn State's roster is going to look extremely different entering 2026 under new coach Matt Campbell with 40 incoming transfers and 48 scholarship players departing via the portal. Donkoh was a critical player to keep and quickly bought in to playing for Campbell and his staff. The 21-game starter has played right guard and right tackle during his time with the Nittany Lions and is likely moving back to tackle under new offensive line coach Ryan Clanton. He's one of six Penn State starters returning along with tight end Andrew Rappleyea, linebacker Tony Rojas, defensive backs Audavion Collins and Zion Tracy, and kicker Ryan Barker.

23. Arizona State Sun Devils

2025 record: 8-5, 6-3 Big 12

Key player retained: C.J. Fite, DT

Fite, a 34-game starter over his three seasons with the Sun Devils, opted to stay in school and build up his draft stock over his senior year. He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 during Arizona State's run to the College Football Playoff and was similarly productive as a junior, compiling 29 tackles, nine pressures, 6.5 TFLs, a sack and a forced fumble. He'll be an invaluable leader for a squad that returns just three other players -- safety Adrian Wilson, offensive lineman Wade Helton and punter Kanyon Floyd -- who started more than five games for the Sun Devils last season.

24. Tennessee Volunteers

2025 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC

Key player retained: Arion Carter, LB

Carter returned to the Vols after exploring all his options for 2026. The second-team All-SEC selection declared for the NFL draft in early December, then entered his name in the transfer portal in January before deciding to stay in Knoxville for his senior season. He'll have an opportunity to be a three-year starter for the Vols and boost his draft stock with another strong season after producing 76 tackles, six TFLs and 1.5 sacks in 2025.

25. Utah Utes

2025 record: 11-2, 7-2 Big 12

Key player retained: Jackson Bennee, S

The Utes lost a bunch of playmakers on defense this offseason with John Henry Daley, Smith Snowden and Tao Johnson hitting the portal amid the program's coaching change, and Lander Barton and Logan Fano going pro. That made it even more important for Utah to get Bennee re-signed after his standout sophomore season. The former walk-on put up 64 tackles and four interceptions (including a pick-six) last season while also playing 50 snaps at wide receiver and blocking two kicks on special teams.