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Where Indiana football ranks in ESPN’s 2025 ‘Way-Too-Early’ college football Top 25 rankings

Following the conclusion of the CFB Playoffs, ESPN released its latest team ranking for the upcoming college football season.

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Nov 9, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Mikail Kamara (6) celebrates his tackle in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Monday night, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach released the “2025 ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25” ranking list for the upcoming college football season.

Schlabach featured Indiana football at #17 on the ranking, speaking very highly on Curt Cignetti’s performance in the transfer portal.

The view on the future season featured previews of some of the top players Indiana has coming in on both, the offensive and defensive ends.

The Hoosiers are bringing in nearly 20 transfers, led by former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who threw for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024. Tailback Lee Beebe Jr. (UAB), receiver Makai Jackson (Appalachian State) and tight end Holden Staes (Tennessee) were important additions on offense as well.”

The revamped offense was much needed, as Indiana will be without essential offensive players next season in QB Kurtis Rourke, RB Justice Ellison, TE Zach Horton, among others, due to running out of eligibility.

Schlabach highlighted the key incoming players on Indiana’s defense.

“Defensively, the Hoosiers have good production returning at linebacker and cornerback. Kamara’s return gives them a pass-rushing threat, and defensive tackles Hosea Wheeler (Western Kentucky) and Dominique Ratcliff (Texas State) could fill holes in the interior line.”

Notably, Indiana’s defense has lost big names in LB Jailin Walker, safety Shawn Asbury II, NT CJ West and DT James Carpenter.

In addition to the incoming players to Indiana, Schlabach featured some of the top players that are confirmed to return to the team for the upcoming season.

Amongst this list was WR Elijah Sarratt, WR Omar Cooper Jr., OT Carter Smith, G Drew Evans, LB Aiden Fisher, CB D’Angelo Ponds, S Amare Ferrell, DE Mikail Kamara.

Schlabach briefly discussed Indiana’s schedule for the season, criticizing the scheduling for the non-conference slate.

“Indiana’s nonconference schedule is soft (Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and FCS program Indiana State at home), and it’ll play Big Ten road games at Iowa, Oregon and Penn State.”

Other Big Ten teams featured on the ranking included Ohio State (#1), Penn State (#3), Oregon (#6), Illinois (#13) and Michigan (#21). 

Washington, Nebraska and Iowa were all teams that failed to make the list, but were under consideration.

SEE ALSO: ‘He can make all the throws’: Curt Cignetti excited about addition of Fernando Mendoza and ready for Indiana football to ‘do a lot of things with him’

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