2026 College Football: FBS Teams Ranked by Returning Starters

College football returning production 2026: Returning starters for every FBS team

A complete look at which FBS teams return the most starters for 2026 -- from title contenders to programs starting over.

By Cody Nagel

May 8, 2026 at 9:40 am ET • 19 min read

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College football's roster cycle has never moved faster. Programs can reshape entire depth charts in a single offseason through the transfer portal. While talent acquisition has become more fluid than ever, continuity still has to be developed the old-fashioned way.

That's where returning starters still matter.

That pattern finally bent last season when Indiana defied all the odds during its historic run to a national championship. Each of the previous eight title winners had returned at least 11 players who made six or more starts the year before, but the Hoosiers finished the job with just eight . National runner-up Miami had a nearly identical profile, also bringing back eight such starters, with both programs surrounding their returning core with experienced transfers.

For this project, returning starters are defined as players who logged at least six starts during the 2025 season, including postseason games. Only offensive and defensive starters are included; special teams players were excluded.

Each of the eight teams with the best FanDuel Sportsbook odds to win next season's national title are set to return at least nine starters from the 2025 campaign. That group is led by Georgia, Notre Dame and Oregon, which each bring back 14 starters -- among the highest totals in the country entering the 2026 season. Those three programs are tied for the FBS lead with eight returning defensive starters.

USC leads all FBS teams with 15 returning starters overall, including a national-high nine on offense, as Lincoln Riley looks to translate that continuity into a long-awaited breakthrough in the Big Ten.

At the other end of the spectrum, two FBS programs return zero starters from last season: Iowa State and North Texas. Both saw their coach leave for a new position this offseason.

Here is a complete look at every returning starter in the FBS, listed from most to fewest.

Which teams return the most starters in 2026?

Team Returning Starters Offensive Players Defensive Players USC 15 [9]  Jayden Maiava (QB), Waymond Jordan (RB), King Miller (RB), Tanook Hines (WR), Alani Noa (OL), Kilian O'Connor (OL), Elijah Paige (OL), Tobias Raymond (OL), Justin Tauanuu (OL) [6]  Jide Abasiri (DL), Kameryn Crawford (LB), Braylan Shelby (LB), Desman Stephens II (LB), Christian Pierce (DB), Marcelles Williams (DB)

Georgia

14

[6] Gunner Stockton (QB), Nate Frazier (RB), Lawson Luckie (TE), Drew Bobo (OL), Dontrell Glover (OL), Earnest Greene III (OL)

[8] Jordan Hall (DL), Xzavier McLeod (DL), Gabe Harris Jr. (LB), Quintavius Johnson (LB), Raylen Wilson (LB), KJ Bolden (DB), Kyron Jones (DB), Ellis Robinson IV (DB)

Maryland

14

[6] Malik Washington (QB), DeJuan Williams (RB), Dorian Fleming (TE), Michael Hershey (OL), Rahtrel Perry (OL), Isaiah Wright (OL)

[8] Eyan Thomas (DL), Zahir Mathis (LB), Trey Reddick (LB), Sidney Stewart (LB), Daniel Wingate (LB), Jamare Glasker (DB), Dontay Joyner (DB), Lavain Scruggs (DB)

New Mexico

14

[8] Jack Layne (QB), Cade Keith (TE), Shawn Miller (WR), Zhaiel Smith (WR), Malik Aliane (OL), Tyler Lawrence (OL), Kaden Robnett (OL), Jaymar Tasi (OL)

[6] Brian Booker (DL), Jaxton Eck (LB), Mercury Swaim (LB), Tavian Combs (DB), CJ McBean (DB), Abraham Williams (DB)

Notre Dame

14

[6] CJ Carr (QB), Jordan Faison (WR), Ashton Craig (OL), Anthonie Knapp (OL), Guerby Lambert (OL), Joe Otting (OL)

[8] Jason Onye (DL), Boubacar Traore (DL), Jaiden Ausberry (LB), Drayk Bowen (LB), Christian Gray (DB), Tae Johnson (DB), Leonard Moore (DB), Adon Shuler (DB)

Oklahoma

14

[8 ] John Mateer (QB), Tory Blaylock (RB), Isaiah Sategna III (WR), Michael Fasusi (OL), Ryan Fodje (OL), Jake Maikkula (OL), Heath Ozaeta (OL), Eddy Pierre-Louis (OL)

[6] Jayden Jackson (DL), Taylor Wein (DL), Kip Lewis (LB), Eli Bowen (DB), Peyton Bowen (DB), Courtland Guillory (DB)

Oregon 14 [6]  Dante Moore (QB), Jeremiah McClellan (WR), Dakorien Moore (WR), Jamari Johnson (TE), Dave Iuli (OL), Iapani Laloulu (OL) [8]  Bear Alexander (DL), Matayo Uiagalelei (DL), A'Mauri Washington (DL), Jerry Mixon (LB), Teitum Tuioti (LB), Brandon Finney Jr. (DB), Aaron Flowers (DB), Ify Obidegwu (DB)

Virginia Tech

14

[8] Marcellous Hawkins (RB), Ayden Greene (WR), Takye Heath (WR), Benji Gosnell (TE), Kyle Altuner (OL), Johnny Garrett (OL), Layth Ghannam (OL), Aidan Lynch (OL)

[6] Kemari Copeland (DL), Elhadj Fall (DL), Noah Chambers (LB), Isaiah Brown-Murray (DB), Tyson Flowers (DB), Thomas Williams (DB)

Boise State

13

[7] Maddux Madsen (QB), Dylan Riley (RB), Cameron Bates (WR), Matt Wagner (TE), Roger Carreon (OL), Daylon Metoyer (OL), Jason Steele (OL)

[6] David Latu (DL), Max Stege (DL), Boen Phelps (LB), Jake Ripp (LB), Jayden Virgin-Morgan (LB), Jaden Mickey (DB)

BYU

13

[5] Bear Bachmeier (QB), LJ Martin (RB), Jojo Phillips (WR), Andrew Gentry (OL), Bruce Mitchell (OL)

[8] Bodie Schoonover (DL), Keanu Tanuvasa (DL), Siale Esera (LB), Isaiah Glasker (LB), Therrian Alexander III (DB), Raider Damuni (DB), Evan Johnson (DB), Faletau Satuala (DB)

Fresno State

13

[6] Bryson Donelson (RB), Ezekiel Avit (WR), Josiah Freeman (WR), Edward Fonua (OL), Rolan Fullwood (OL), Brayden Walton (OL)

[7] Jahzon Jacks (DL), Deijon Laffitte (DL), Martin Owusu (DL), Tytus Khajavi (LB), K'vion Thunderbird (LB), Simeon Harris (DB), Ryan Wilson (DB)

Tennessee

13

[8] DeSean Bishop (RB), Mike Matthews (WR), Braylon Staley (WR), Wendell Moe Jr. (OL), Sam Pendleton (OL), Jesse Perry (OL), David Sanders Jr. (OL), Shamurad Umarov (OL)

[5] Arion Carter (LB), Edwin Spillman (LB), Jeremiah Telander (LB), Edrees Farooq (DB), Ty Redmond (DB)

Texas Tech

13

[7] Cameron Dickey (RB), J'Koby Williams (RB), Coy Eakin (WR), Terrance Carter Jr. (TE), Jacob Ponton (OL), Howard Sampson (OL), Sheridan Wilson (OL)

[6] A.J. Holmes Jr. (DL), Ben Roberts (LB), Amier Boyd (DB), John Curry (DB), Brenden Jordan (DB), Brice Pollock (DB)

Delaware

12

[7] Nick Minicucci (QB), Jo Silver (RB), Sean Wilson (WR), Elijah Sessoms (TE), Anthony Caccese (OL), Steven Demboski (OL), Noah Rosahac (OL)

[6] Noah Matthews (DL), Blake Matthews (LB), Gavin Moul (LB), Kshawn Cox Jr. (DB), KT Seay (DB), Sean Wilson (DB)

Houston

12

[7] Conner Weigman (QB), Amare Thomas (WR), Harvey Broussard III (WR), Koby Young (WR), McKenzie Agnello (OL), Alvin Ebosele (OL)

[6] Khalil Laufau (DL), Sione Fotu (LB), Brandon Mack II (LB), Jordan Allen (DB), Will James (DB), Kentrell Webb (DB)

Nebraska

12

[6] Jacory Barney Jr. (WR), Nyziah Hunter (WR), Luke Lindenmeyer (TE), Justin Evans (OL), Gunnar Gottula (OL), Elijah Pritchett (OL)

[6] Cameron Lenhardt (DL), Williams Nwaneri (DL), Vincent Shavers Jr. (LB), Rex Guthrie (DB), Donovan Jones (DB), Andrew Marshall (DB)

Stanford

12

[5] Micah Ford (RB), Fisher Anderson (OL), Kahlil House (OL), Niki Prongos (OL), Josh Williams (OL)

[7] Ernest Cooper (LB), Jahsiah Galvan (LB), Matt Rose (LB), Tevarua Tafiti (LB), Scotty Edwards (DB), Jay Green (DB), Brandon Nicholson (DB)

Texas

12

[6] Arch Manning (QB), Emmett Mosley V (WR), Ryan Wingo (WR), Brandon Baker (OL), Trevor Goosby (OL), Connor Robertson (OL)

[6] Alex January (DL), Hero Kanu (DL), Maraad Watson (DL), Colin Simmons (LB), Graceson Littleton (DB), Jelani McDonald (DB)

Air Force

11

[3] Liam Szarka (QB), Alec Falk (OL), Nathan Elwood (OL)

[8] Dallas Daley (LB), Blake Fletcher (LB), Isaac Hubert (LB), Nick Beckwith (DB), Korey Johnson (DB), Roger Jones Jr. (DB), Max Mustell (DB), Mikhail Seiken (DB)

Army 11 [8] Cale Hellums (QB), Samari Howard (RB), Brady Anderson (WR), Parker Poloskey (TE), Henry Appleton (OL), Paolo Gennarelli (OL), Brady Small (OL), Teddy Williams (OL) [3] Jack Bousum (DL), Kody Harris-Miller (DL), Jaydan Mayes (DB)

Florida Atlantic

11

[5] Caden Veltkamp (QB), Dominique Henry (WR), Easton Messer (WR), Vincent Fiacable (OL), Ja'Kavion Nonar (OL)

[6] Deshaun Batiste (DL), CJ Doggette Jr. (DL), Leon Hart Jr. (LB), Gavench Marcelin (LB), Damarius McGhee (DB), Chris Tooley III (DB)

Minnesota

11

[6] Drake Lindsey (QB), Darius Taylor (RB), Jalen Smith (WR), Ashton Beers (OL), Greg Johnson (OL), Nathan Roy (OL)

[5] Anthony Smith (DL), Maverick Baranowski (LB), Jaxon Howard (LB), Kerry Brown (DB), John Nestor (DB)

Navy 11 [5]  Luke Hutchison (WR), Sean Crowley (OL), Malcolm Johnson (OL), Cam Nichols (OL), Hoke Smith II (OL) [6]  Griffen Willis (DL), Coleman Cauley (LB), Job Grant (LB), MarcAnthony Parker (LB), Phillip Hamilton (DB), Giuseppe Sessi (DB)

Ohio State

11

[8] Julian Sayin (QB), Bo Jackson (RB), Brandon Inniss (WR), Jeremiah Smith (WR), Phillip Daniels (OL), Carson Hinzman (OL), Luke Montgomery (OL), Austin Siereveld (OL)

[3] Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (DL), Jermaine Mathews Jr. (DB), Jaylen McClain (DB)

Pittsburgh

11

[6]  Mason Heintschel (QB), Cataurus Hicks (WR), Ryan Baer (OL), BJ Williams (OL), Ryan Carretta (OL), Kendall Stanley (OL)

[5] Sean FitzSimmons (DL), Jimmy Scott (DL), Braylan Lovelace (LB), Isaiah Neal (LB), Cruce Brookins (DB)

SMU

11

[7] Kevin Jennings (QB), Derrick McFall (RB), Jalen Cooper (WR), Yamir Knight (WR), Joshua Bates (OL), Addison Nichols (OL), PJ Williams (OL)

[4] Brandon Booker (LB), Alexander Kilgore (LB), Marcellus Barnes Jr. (DB), William Nettles (DB)

Texas State

11

[7] Brad Jackson (QB), Chris Dawn Jr. (WR), Kylen Evans (WR), Beau Sparks (WR), Blake Smith (TE), Sully Burns (OL), Justin DeLeon (OL)

[4] Bryce Carter (DL), Ayden Jones (LB), Amarion Atwood (DB), Ryan Nolan (DB)

Western Michigan

11

[7] Broc Lowry (QB), Jalen Buckley (RB), Aveion Chenault (WR), Baylin Brooks (WR), Gavin Dabo (OL), Chad Schuster (OL), Hunter Whitenack (OL)

[4] Micah Davis (DB), Joshua Franklin (DB), Joey Pope (DB), Jarvarius Sims (DB)

Arkansas State

10

[7] Devin Spencer (RB), Chauncy Cobb (WR), Hunter Summers (WR), Wil Saxton (OL), Mason Myers (OL), Tristian Smith (OL), Aleric Watson (OL)

[3] Brandon Barnes (DB), Brandon Greil (DB), AG McGhee (DB)

Indiana

10

[4] Charlie Becker (WR), Drew Evans (OL), Bray Lynch (OL), Carter Smith (OL)

[6] Mario Landino (DL), Tyrique Tucker (DL), Rolijah Hardy (LB), Isaiah Jones (LB), Amare Ferrell (DB), Jamari Sharpe (DB)

Liberty 10 [6] Ethan Vasko (QB), Jamari Person (WR), Joep Engbers (OL), Aaron Fenimore (OL), D.J. Geth (OL), Christian Williams (OL) [4] Aaron Hester (DL), Mike Jarvis (DL), Derrell Farrar (LB), Aidan Vaughan (LB) Miami 10 [3]  Mark Fletcher Jr. (RB), Malachi Toney (WR), Matthew McCoy (OL) [7]  Ahmad Moten Sr. (DL), Justin Scott (DL), Mohamed Toure (LB), OJ Frederique Jr. (DB), Xavier Lucas (DB), Ethan O'Connor (DB), Zechariah Poyser (DB)

Michigan

10

[7] Bryce Underwood (QB), Channing Goodwin (WR), Andrew Marsh (WR), Blake Frazier (OL), Jake Guarnera (OL), Evan Link (OL), Andrew Sprague (OL)

[3] Trey Pierce (DL), Zeke Berry (DB), Jyaire Hill (DB)

Ole Miss 10 [5] Trinidad Chambliss (QB), Kewan Lacy (RB), Patrick Kutas (OL), Brycen Sanders (OL), Delano Townsend (OL) [5] Will Echoles (DL), Kam Franklin (DL), Suntarine Perkins (LB), Jaylon Braxton (DB), Antonio Kite (DB)

Oregon State

10

[5] Maalik Murphy (QB), Gabe Milbourn (TE), Nathan Elu (OL), Josiah Timoteo (OL), Tyler Voltin (OL)

[5] Takari Hickle (DL), Jacob Schuster (DL), Aiden Sullivan (LB), Trey Glasper (DB), Sailasa Vadrawale III (DB)

San Diego State

10

[7] Jayden Denegal (QB), Lucky Sutton (RB), Jacob Bostick (WR), Donovan Brown (WR), Jordan Napier (WR), Joseph Borjon (OL), Kalan Ellis (OL)

[3] Malachi Finau (DL), Tano Letuli (LB), Dalesean Staley (DB)

South Carolina

10

[5] LaNorris Sellers (QB), Nyck Harbor (WR), Brady Hunt (TE), Shedrick Sarratt Jr. (OL), Josiah Thompson (OL)

[5] Dylan Stewart (DL), Fred Johnson (LB),

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-returning-production-2026-returning-starters-fbs/)._