While his production waned in 2024, Branch has the explosiveness to be a difference-maker for Georgia.
Running back Makhi Hughes
2024: Tulane Green Wave | 2025: Oregon Ducks | With Oregon transitioning from sixth-year senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel to redshirt sophomore Dante Moore, Hughes will be pivotal to the Oregon attack.
Hughes, the 2023 AAC Rookie of the Year and two-time first-team All-Conference selection, rushed for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns last season for the Green Wave. Per PFF data, he forced 55 missed tackles and was one of seven FBS running backs with at least 200 carries and no fumbles.
Quarterback John Mateer
2024: Washington State Cougars | 2025: Oklahoma Sooners | Brent Venables is entering a pivotal fourth season as Oklahoma head coach. The Sooners moved to the SEC last season and went 6-7, including 2-6 in conference, tied for their second-worst conference record in program history.
The offense was abysmal, ranking 97th nationally in scoring (24 points per game).
Mateer, a redshirt junior, threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 12 games at Washington State. Venables needs a strong season to keep his seat from burning, and Mateer could be the perfect guy to do the trick.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza
2024: California Golden Bears | 2025: Indiana Hoosiers | It will be challenging for Indiana to repeat last season’s CFP run, but landing Mendoza helps. Last season at Cal, Mendoza completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdown passes.
He’ll look to replicate 2024 starter Kurtis Rourke’s success in head coach Curt Cignetti’s system. Rourke, whoplayed at Ohio from 2019-23, posted career highs in completion percentage (69.4 percent) and passing touchdowns (29) last season.
Indiana has a tougher schedule this fall, with road games against Iowa (Sept. 27), Oregon (Oct. 11) and Penn State (Nov. 8). If Mendoza follows in his predecessor’s footsteps, the Hoosiers could once again be a playoff contender.
Quarterback Darian Mensah
2024: Tulane Green Wave | 2025: Duke Blue Devils | Head coach Manny Diaz led Duke to a 9-3 regular-season record in 2024, its best since 2013. After upgrading at quarterback with Mensah, the Blue Devils could be better in 2024, potentially even an ACC sleeper.
Last season, Mensah led the AAC in completion percentage (65.9 percent) and guided Tulane to a 9-3 record and conference championship game appearance. It’s possible he could have the same kind of impact at Duke.
Tight end Max Klare
2024: Purdue Boilermakers | 2025: Ohio State Buckeyes | Klare finished last season seventh among tight ends in receiving yards (684). Outstanding sophomore wideout Jeremiah Smith will command a lot of attention from defenses, which could allow Klare to be a crucial safety valve for unproven sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin, the team’s expected starter.
Edge-rusher Will Heldt
2024: Purdue Boilermakers | 2025: Clemson Tigers | We’re not sure what’s stranger: lowly Purdue having multiple high-profile transfers or Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney embracing the portal. Either way, Heldt could play a key role in whether the Tigers live up to expectations and represent the ACC as the conference’s CFP automatic qualifier.
In 2024 at Purdue, Heldt had 37 tackles (10 for loss), five sacks, a fumble recovery and touchdown.
