Top 25 College Football Stars Staying Put: Key Players Avoiding the Transfer Portal in 2025

The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, with Power 4 programs investing heavily to retain top talent. Here’s a look at the key players who decided to stay with their teams rather than enter the transfer portal or the NFL draft.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

• Key Player Retained: Carnell Tate, WR Tate, a rising star, chose to stay in Columbus to prove he’s one of the best wideouts in the country. He had 52 catches, 733 yards, and 4 touchdowns as a sophomore.

2. Texas Longhorns

• Key Player Retained: Trey Moore, Edge Moore, the former AAC Defensive Player of the Year, had 30 pressures, 10.5 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks last season. He’s returning to bolster the Longhorns' pass rush.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

• Key Player Retained: Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE Dennis-Sutton, with 37 pressures and 8.5 sacks last season, is a cornerstone for Penn State’s defense as they chase a national championship.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

• Key Player Retained: Jadarian Price, RB Price rushed for 746 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. His return ensures Notre Dame has one of the top rushing duos in the country.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

• Key Player Retained: Daylen Everette, CB Everette, a third-team All-SEC performer, had 58 tackles and 2 interceptions. He’s back to prove he’s an early-round draft pick.

6. Oregon Ducks

• Key Player Retained: Evan Stewart, WR Stewart, who had 48 catches for 613 yards, decided to stay in school to improve his draft stock and be the go-to receiver for new QB Dante Moore.

7. Clemson Tigers

• Key Player Retained: Bryant Wesco Jr., WR Wesco had 708 receiving yards and 5 scores. He’s set to build on his strong debut season with QB Cade Klubnik.

8. LSU Tigers

• Key Player Retained: Harold Perkins Jr., LB Perkins, with 28.5 career tackles for loss, is back after a torn ACL derailed his junior season. He aims to regain first-round status.

9. BYU Cougars

• Key Player Retained: Chase Roberts, WR Roberts, coming off a career-best year with 854 receiving yards, is back to lead BYU to a Big 12 title and CFP bid.

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

• Key Player Retained: Dylan Stewart, Edge The unanimous Freshman All-American had 38 edge pressures and 6.5 sacks. He’s poised for a monster sophomore campaign.

11. Iowa State Cyclones

• Key Player Retained: Domonique Orange, DT Orange had 24 stops and 12 pressures. He’s back to continue developing into a future pro.

12. Alabama Crimson Tide

• Key Player Retained: Deontae Lawson, LB Lawson, recovering from a season-ending injury, is back to lead a Crimson Tide defense with ambitions for 2025.

13. Illinois Fighting Illini

• Key Player Retained: J.C. Davis, OT Davis, a third-team All-Big Ten performer, is back to protect QB Luke Altmyer and boost the Illini offense.

14. Arizona State Sun Devils

• Key Player Retained: Xavion Alford, DB Alford, a first-team All-Big 12 selection, is back for a sixth year to lead the Sun Devils on another CFP run.

15. SMU Mustangs

• Key Player Retained: Kevin Jennings, QB Jennings had 3,599 total yards and 28 touchdowns. He’s back to guide SMU to greater heights in the ACC.

16. Kansas State Wildcats

• Key Player Retained: Jayce Brown, WR Brown, with 823 receiving yards, is back to help Kansas State compete in the Big 12.

17. Indiana Hoosiers

• Key Player Retained: Mikail Kamara, DL Kamara, with 59 pressures and 10 sacks, is back to lead Indiana’s defense in their quest for a CFP spot.

18. Florida Gators

• Key Player Retained: Jake Slaughter, C Slaughter, one of the top centers in the nation, is back to anchor Florida’s offensive line.

19. Tennessee Volunteers

• Key Player Retained: Boo Carter, DB/WR Carter, a versatile freshman, is back to make an impact on defense and possibly offense for the Vols.

20. Louisville Cardinals

• Key Player Retained: Chris Bell, WR Bell, with 737 receiving yards, is back to be the No. 1 receiver for transfer QB Miller Moss.

21. Michigan Wolverines

• Key Player Retained: Rod Moore, DB Moore, recovering from a torn ACL, is back to lead Michigan’s secondary.

22. Texas A&M Aggies

• Key Player Retained: Ar'maj Reed-Adams, OG Reed-Adams, a strong offensive lineman, is back to anchor Texas A&M’s line.

23. Miami Hurricanes

• Key Player Retained: Akheem Mesidor, DL Mesidor, with 145 career tackles, is back to provide leadership and experience on Miami’s defense.

24. Boise State Broncos

• Key Player Retained: Kage Casey, OT Casey, a first-team All-Mountain West performer, is back to continue his development.

25. Ole Miss Rebels

• Key Player Retained: Suntarine Perkins, LB Perkins, with 14 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, is back to lead Ole Miss’s defense.