Beyond the top 100: 5 college football stars who shattered their 2025 preseason rankings

Beyond the top 100: 5 college football stars who shattered their 2025 preseason rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2025 college football season was a wild ride for the "misfits." While the big-name stars grabbed all the summer hype, a few under-the-radar playmakers were busy proving the experts wrong.

Led by a Heisman winner who started the year unranked, lets look at five players who absolutely smashed their preseason projections.

Rankings are from ESPN's Top-100 ranking list.

1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

• Preseason Rank: Unranked

• Postseason Rank: #1

• The Story: Talk about a glow-up. The Cal transfer went from an unknown backup to the Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza steered Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and a National Title, throwing for 41-TDs. He’s now the overwhelming favorite to be the No.1 overalll pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

2. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

• Preseason Rank: 33rd

• Postseason Rank: #2

• The Story: After missing most of the previous year, Bain played like a man possessed. He scooped up ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and logged 9.5-sacks. NFL scouts are already drooling over his power, and he’s locked in as a top five overall pick for April's draft.

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3. Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt

• Preseason Rank: No. 97

• Postseason Rank: No. 9

• The Story: Pavia is the ultimate "scrappy" QB. He led Vanderbilt to a shocking 10-3 record and finished as the Heisman runner-up. With over 3,500 passing yards and a knack for clutch plays, the undersized signal-caller officially worked his way onto the NFL radar as a Day 2 or 3. talent.

4. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

• Preseason Rank: No. 92

• Postseason Rank: No. 4

• The Story: Rodriguez was everywhere this year. The senior led the Big 12 with 128 tackles and topped the charts with seven forced fumbles. He went from being a depth chart afterthought to one of the highest rated LBs in the country.

5. Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss

• Preseason Rank: Unranked

• Postseason Rank: No. 20

• The Story: Lacy became the engine of Lane Kiffin’s offense. He routinely shredded SEC defenses for 150+ yards a game. After starting the year as a "maybe," he’s now a premier 2026 RB prospect with elite breakaway speed. Unfortunately for interested NFL teams, it appears Lacy will be returning to Ole Miss.

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