College Football Offseason Discussions Heat Up

We’ve probably hit the low point of the college football offseason. It’s a bit surprising, really. With the same amount of time between the end of last season and the beginning of the next, you’d think there’d be more buzz. But right now, not much is happening, and most teams are inactive. New recruit visits? Those won’t kick off until after Memorial Day.

Honestly, it feels like the return of media days is ages away.

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That hasn’t stopped chatter, though. Right now, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is the talk of the town. Much of this buzz is thanks to him. I mean, I’ve mentioned his name more than I probably should have, but he’s just so easy to focus on.

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But here’s the thing: offseason discussions can veer off the Kiffin path. Actually, there are some fascinating storylines brewing this summer that have nothing to do with the Bayou Bengals or their coach’s latest antics.

Let’s dive into college football beyond Kiffin.

Expanded Playoffs

Without getting too far into the Kiffin business, an intriguing debate this offseason revolves around whether the College Football Playoff should expand to 24 teams. I have my opinions, of course, but it surprised me to see that not everyone is on the expansion bandwagon on social media.

The discussion splits into two factions: those who believe in the sanctity of the regular season and those advocating for more programs to have postseason chances.

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I get the desire to include everyone, but it kind of feels like handing out participation trophies. If a more egalitarian system is what you’re after, well, don’t hold your breath. College football has long been an aristocracy, and I think most fans are pretty okay with that.

Interestingly, NIL deals have done a lot more to level the playing field than any playoff expansion ever could. Just look at Texas Tech in Lubbock. Finally able to legally compensate players, they’ve started recruiting five-star prospects left and right.

Arch Manning’s Redemption Tour

Last year was meant to be the moment for Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning to shine. Many fans felt he should’ve started over Quinn Ewers long ago and were frustrated he had to wait in line. Now that we’re in 2025, it seems he’s still finding his stride.

But he closed out the previous season strong, putting together an impressive bowl game against Michigan with a QBR of 99.2. (For reference, they measure quarterbacks on a scale of 100.)

Now that we’ve seen glimpses of what Manning can do, the pressure’s really on for 2026. He’s already a Heisman favorite, and the Longhorns are considered strong contenders.

Will we see glimpses of his first-half struggles from last season, or will he display what he achieved late in the year, slicing through defenses against tough teams like Vanderbilt and Texas A&M?

Shifts in Recruitment Landscape

I wrote before about UCLA’s surprising rise into the top 10 in recruiting, and it’s fascinating how the overall recruitment scene is shifting. Alongside UCLA, Texas Tech is climbing, boasting impressive averages and several five-stars already signed.

What’s even more surprising is who might land in the top 10; traditional powerhouses like Georgia, LSU, Alabama, and Clemson are nowhere near it. In fact, Texas isn’t even in the top 10.

Both LSU and Alabama have solid footing, each with at least one five-star commit, yet Georgia might need to rethink its strategy.

Just last month, the Bulldogs lost three blue-chip recruits, including five-star cornerback Donte Wright, who transferred to the Miami Hurricanes shortly after.

Georgia still has a couple of five-star players left, but this far into the recruiting cycle? It’s unusual.

Is a New Era in Recruitment Emerging?

Does this indicate a shift in the power dynamics? Are we possibly entering a new chapter in recruitment where unexpected schools rise up and close the talent gap? It’s tough to say now, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on as recruitment season unfolds in this offseason lull.