College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 for 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the second half of the Alabama Crimson Tide's game versus the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Ohio State (1) Johnnie Dixon (WR) celebrates with Ohio State (30) Demario McCall (RB) after scoring a touchdown during the Rose Bowl Game between the Washington Huskies and the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 01, 2019, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Key returners: JK Dobbins, Mike Weber, KJ Hill, Chase Young, Jordan Fuller, Malik Harrison, Tuf Borland, Kendall Sheffield
Key departures: Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, Michael Jordan, Nick Bosa, Dre’Mont Jones, Dwayne Haskins
Coaching change: Ryan Day took over for Urban Meyer as head coach

No Urban Meyer? No problem. Most programs would take a major step back with a coach like Meyer retiring, but Ryan Day has done a heck of a job in the offseason thus far to piece the Buckeyes back together and they may be in just as good of shape, if not better, than where his predecessor left the program.

Day has poached some of the nation’s top assistant coaches, even from his biggest rival, and landed the top transfer on the market in Justin Fields from Georgia. He is doing one heck of a job, even holding on to a top-15 recruiting class.

The Buckeyes will always get their recruits but Day must get his guys to produce on the field. Right now, it’s all hype and he needs to find a quarterback first as Dwayne Haskins announced he would be leaving early for the NFL draft after starting just one season in Columbus.

As long as the defense can improve and the Buckeyes get some added production from the backfield and receivers, the next quarterback should have no problem leading this team to another Big Ten title.

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