After two transfer portals and the NFL draft, college football fans may need Apple Airtag to track where their favorite players end.
This space is dedication to those who decide to stay — those promises that have boosted the team’s college football playoff hopes. Penn State's 2022 recruiting class could make up half of the roster: quarterback Drew Allar, guards Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and defensive tackle Zane Durant all returned from the Nittany Lions' CFP semifinals.
“When we all stand out from the class of 22, it’s one of our goals as Pennsylvania, we want to compete for the Big Ten and obviously the national champion,” Allar said. "Obviously, we had this tasting last year and we know how close you are, so it's just building it and trying to run again."
Here are 13 players from 11 schools representing five different leagues whose decision to give up the NFL draft or avoid the portal strengthens their respective teams’ playoff chances.
Decide: Give up the 2025 NFL Draft
What does his return mean: Nussmeier is a fifth-year senior, and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan is joining his second season together and aims to improve a great debut that will help the Tigers compete for the SEC title. Last year, Nussmeier threw 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Even if LSU can’t win the league, Nussmeier’s return could help the Tigers get a general CFP bid – especially if he stands out with his predecessors, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, who both won the Heisman Trophy in their second season in the Baton Wild Run. Nussmeier's father Doug will be with the Saints' offensive coordinator after winning the Super Bowl quarterback coach. There will be a period of adjustment with four new starters on the Tigers' offensive line, but it should be a breakout season if "Nus Bus" gets the time he needs, and his draft stock will rise with LSU's playoff chances.
2. DrewAllar, QB, Penn State University
Decide: Give up the 2025 NFL Draft
What does his return mean: Penn State has something that Ohio State and Oregon don't have - starting quarterbacks with playoff experience. Nittany Lions may end up with parts returning to the top of the Big Ten and competing for the national championship. Allar, who enters his third season starter, will be surrounded by NFL talent in offensive line and running games and may be Penn State’s first Heisman Trophy winner since 1973 John Cappelletti. Last season, he scored 3,327 pass yards, the third season in school history. Under coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, the second season, and more options for a wide receiver – plus a tight room that still loads – isn’t enough for Allar to push the ball down the field.
Decide: Give up the 2025 NFL Draft
What does his return mean: On paper, Clemson has enough offensive firepower to return to lift the Tigers into a CFP run that is deeper than the first round of 2024, and they should have the Heisman quarterback the program is desperately missing. According to ESPN's Bill Connelly, Klubnik led Clemson's offense ranked first in the FBS (81%). Klubnik reestablished one of the country's highest quarterbacks after a 2023 drop season. Last year, his 308 finishes, 3,639 pass yards and 36 pass touchdowns ranked in the best season in program history. As he entered his third season as offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Klubnik's understanding of the offense and its relationship with Riley has grown, positioning Klubnik as his best season with the Tigers.
4. Nicholas Singleton/Kaytron Allen, RBS, Penn State
Decide: Give up the 2025 NFL Draft
What their reward means: The best guard duo in the United States is intact, they have playoff experience, and familiarity and knowledge of offense in the second season of coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, all of which should enhance the hope of Nittany Lions winning the Big Ten and returning to the CFP. Singleton and Allen were expected to be the first in Penn State history to have at least 1,000 rushing yards in the same season, earning No. 5 and No. 6 runs in the 2025 draft, according to Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN. Penn State ran over 200 yards in 10 games last season, with Nittany Lions leading all Power 4 teams and Notre Dame for 3,237 yards. Of course, there is a 6-foot-4-foot, 350-pound offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane blocking helps.
Decide: Avoid transfer portals
What does his return mean: The seller definitely attracted interest from other teams in November and December, but he quickly re-signed with Gamecocks - his promise might be the difference between receiving or not receiving a CFP bid. The same can be said about Edge Rusher Dylan Stewart, who also caught the attention after last year's 10.5 TFL and 6.5 sacks. South Carolina led the offensive sellers to conduct a playoff case last year, but the CFP Selection Committee didn’t have the 15th Gamecocks, enough to be inclusive. He improved throughout the season last fall, increasing his total QBR from 52 in the first six games to 81 in the last six games. This year, he will work with Mike Shula, son of professional football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula.
Decide: Avoid transfer portal (twice)
What does his return mean: Illinois can become a CFP sleeper team by competing for the Big Ten Championship and getting a general bid if it doesn't win the league. Illinois retains the importance of starting quarterback after a strong spring push in Tennessee. Illini has a chance to be Indiana this year – a top 10 contender with a manageable timeline that can enter the selection committee rankings with a great quarterback and his support cast. He may transfer his qualifications for the last year after public speculation, Altmyer announced in December that he would return to the team. He did it again in April after the Tennessee drama. Altmyer scored 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions in last year's game, resulting in Illinois reaching the 9-3 regular season and ranking in the top 20 in the Associated Press poll.
Decide: Avoid transfer portals
What does his return mean: K-State can win another big Big 12 game and win an automatic bid for the playoffs as one of the five highest conference champions. Johnson never entered the transfer portal, but he attracted interest, especially after Tennessee lost Nico Iamaleava. "A damn wall was built around us," a K-State source told ESPN. "They'd better take the Tennessee National Guard." Expectations will be higher this year from Johnson, who threw 2,712 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first full season of last year's start. He also has 605 yards and 7 touchdowns. With the depth of the depth receiver, K-State's pass game may flourish this fall.
Decide: Give up the NFL draft
What does his return mean: An experienced offensive line that includes four return starters from the third sack of SEC last season (20). It also means better protection for quarterback DJ Lagway, who might be one of the best people in the country if he can stay healthy – and Lagway’s health is the most critical component of Florida’s success this year. According to Pro Football Focus, Slaughter allows one sack, one QB hit rate, six QB hits and eight pressures in 728 snapshots - only 3 fines. The Gators once again have one of the hardest schedules in the country, and the massacre is the kind of veteran they need to help Lagway survive.
Decide: Give up the NFL draft
What does his return mean: The Buckeyes didn't lose everyone from the national championship defense. Styles had a great 2024 season, with 100 tackles, 11 tackles, 6 sacks, an enforced turnover, failed recovery and 5 pass defenses. His stock rose as the Buckeyes rose through the CFP stand, but he told reporters during their national championship celebration that he was “not ready to leave”. Styles still has room for improvement and growth, and his draft stock will continue to rise. He is now in a leadership position, one of the three return starters of the Ministry of Defense and the most experienced player for the seniors.
Decide: Give up the NFL draft
What does his return mean: Ducks retained a 6-foot, 175-pound receiver who played a key role in the 2024 CFP, pushing them to the top seed in the 2024 CFP, and they will need his help again - especially after Tez Johnson left, who led 83 receptions at Oregon with 83 catches for a total of 898 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in his senior season. Stewart is the only return recipient in Oregon, with more than 30 receptions in 2024. Stewart moved from Texas A&M to Oregon, last season with 48 catches for 613 yards and tied for high with five catch touchdowns. He is the second-place receiver in Oregon and ranks 13th in the country in passing yards. Stewart's role will be improved, and his decision to return will help the Ducks' new starting quarterback, which is probably former UCLA QB Dante Moore.
Decide: Give up the NFL draft
What does his decision mean: Longhorns have leadership, playoff experience, NFL talent and familiar faces, back to defense, which once again has to replace multiple starters last season. Taaffe is a rising senior who upgraded from walking to the U.S., with 71 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 10 defenses, 1 forced turnover and 1 failure. His decision to return was largely a desire to win a national championship in Texas and the disaster he said after losing to Ohio State. Taaffe will get another chance to Buckeyes in the season opener.
Decide: Retrieve name from the portal
What does his return mean: The Broncos were able to retain top talent from the 2024 CFP run, which featured one of the top defensive fronts in the nation, which was a huge boost for coach Spencer Danielson to try to put five guaranteed positions into one of the five highest conference champions in the nation, which is a huge boost for coach Spencer Danielson. Fely visited Miami and Cal before announcing his plans to return to Boise on social media. Fely, who spent the past three seasons at Boise State, has started 28 games in the past two seasons. Last year he had 9 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.