By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports activities
The 2025 school soccer season kicks off tomorrow with three Group of 5 groups in motion.
UNLV hosts Idaho State, Fresno State visits Kansas, and Hawai’i hosts fellow West Coast workforce Stanford. (Our Stephen Vilardo previews the video games right here.)
However earlier than the video games begin, let’s see how the area’s G5 groups stack up in my preseason Energy Rankings.
1. Boise State
Here they’re once more. Even with the lack of Ashton Jeanty, the perfect Group of 5 workforce within the West, and nationally, is none apart from Boise State.
The Broncos return Maddux Madsen at quarterback, who simply suits the BSU model of continuous to win.
They might even have one other dominant operating again in Sire Gaines. Jambres Dubar and former Fresno State operating again Malik Sherrod spherical out this unit.
Boise State will get a number of key cross catchers again in tight finish Matt Lauter and wideout Latrell Caples. And BSU’s offensive line ought to destroy souls within the Mountain West.
On protection, the Broncos lose linebackers Seyi Oladipo and Andrew Simpson, however return Ty Benefield within the secondary. Benefield was their main tackler final season. In addition they get again an incredible security in Zion Washington.
Boise State returns 14 gamers this yr, which is a testomony to their tradition, and an issue for everybody else.
2. Oregon State
Oregon State is hoping to reinvigorate its program after a disappointing 2024 season.
Probably the most notable transfer the Beavers made was bringing in Maalik Murphy, a switch from Duke, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 mark final yr.
He ought to present a spark for OSU’s passing assault, which completed 94th a season in the past.
Oregon State additionally returns Anthony Hankerson at halfback, in addition to two stable receivers in Trent Walker and Darrius Clemons.
The Beaver protection is generally unknown, however Skyler Thomas is a playmaker on the security place. They’re hoping Takari Hickle goes to supply some strain on the line of defense.
The Beavs have to get extra strain on the quarterback this season.
3. San Jose State
The Spartans might be a sleeper workforce nationally.
San Jose State returns quarterback Walker Eget, who threw for two,504 yards and 13 touchdowns final season. Nick Nash is gone, however they did a superb job getting guys within the switch portal.
SJSU introduced in three receivers from Energy 4 conferences and return their high three operating backs. Sticking with the theme, they received three offensive linemen again as effectively.
On protection, Ken Niumatalolo thinks the D-line might be the workforce’s strongest unit. They return their high tackler and linebacker in Jordan Pollard, who was chosen to the preseason Bednarik Award Watch Listing.
The Spartans return one other good linebacker in Taniela Latu. Within the secondary, they misplaced Robert Rahimi, nevertheless it shouldn’t show too problematic.
If all the things hits proper, these guys might win the convention.
4. Washington State
Is an alumnus of Washington State, I don’t know what to anticipate out of my Cougars this yr—nobody does.
WSU received a brand new Head Coach in Jimmy Rogers, who gained a Nationwide Championship with South Dakota State, however that was on the FCS Stage.
Rogers introduced in a slew of Jackrabbits with him to Pullman, however who is aware of what they’ll do on the FBS stage. The Cougs misplaced all of their notable names within the low season, with the most important being John Mateer to Oklahoma.
The three returners on offense are wideout Josh Meredith, and linemen in Brock Dieu and Christian Hilborn. Wazzu additionally returns two linebackers in Parker McKenna and Keith Brown.
Getting again Jamorri Colson within the secondary is one other plus.
Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus appeared stable within the Vacation Bowl, nevertheless it’s too small of a pattern measurement to make a judgment.
5. UNLV
UNLV is hoping to proceed its run of current success with new Head Coach Dan Mullen.
Mullen has traditionally been good at designing offenses, however it will likely be attention-grabbing to see what he does with this unit. He may have two switch quarterbacks to select from in Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea.
The Rebels additionally return halfback Jai’Den Thomas, who offers Mullen a legit floor weapon. The important thing to the offense figures to be the road, although, which misplaced all the unit.
On the defensive aspect of the ball, UNLV must rebuild its complete line as effectively. In addition they misplaced all of their linebackers, most notably Jackson Woodard. Within the secondary, Jalen Catalon is not there.
UNLV has some expertise, however they might lose a number of bizarre video games as a result of instability of each strains.
6. Air Drive
Last season began tough for Air Drive, with seven losses within the first eight video games. However this yr might show completely different.
The Falcons lacked expertise in 2024, and it took them some time to seek out their rhythm. However as soon as they did, the wins got here, punctuated by victories of their final 4 video games.
This season, AF returns 13 gamers, however misplaced quarterback Quentin Hayes. Exterior of that loss, the workforce appears to be like stable. Their offensive line is extra skilled, which is significant for an option-based assault.
On the defensive aspect of the ball, Air Drive returns its high three defensive linemen, in addition to 5 skilled linebackers.
Since service faculties have switch portal limitations, the continuity of this workforce ought to show essential.
7. Fresno State
Fresno State has lengthy been a harmful workforce within the Mountain West, however this season looks like a rebuild.
Tim Skipper couldn’t discover success in The Valley, in order that they introduced in a brand new head coach in Matt Entz.
Entz is in a tricky place, although. Exterior of halfback, the Bulldogs misplaced just about all the things. Mikey Keene is now at Michigan, and Mac Dalena is off to the NFL.
If Elijah Gilliam and Bryson Donelson don’t make a huge impact on offense, this yr might be powerful.
On protection, it’s extra of the identical. The Bulldogs misplaced Malachi Langley on the defensive deal with place. And within the secondary, they misplaced Cam Lockridge and Dean Clark.
This squad doesn’t have the identical depth or expertise it had a yr in the past.
8. Hawai’i
Hawai’i might be flying underneath the radar this yr. The Rainbow Warriors return 15 gamers with expertise, which works of their favor.
If new quarterback Micah Alejado performs effectively, UH might have the most effective offenses within the Mountain West.
Hawaii returns Landon Sims at halfback, and he’ll be operating behind a extra skilled offensive line. In addition they return two nice receivers in Nick Cenacle and Pofele Ashlock.
The protection returns a variety of manufacturing and will have the perfect linebacking core within the Mountain West.
9. Wyoming
The Cowboys had a tricky non-conference schedule final yr, which helps clarify their disappointing report and the Idaho loss.
This yr, Wyoming will get Akron and Northern Iowa, which ought to end in a number of extra wins.
By way of their roster, the Pokes have 12 returnees, 9 of them on offense. Kaden Anderson might be a pleasing shock at quarterback after a good marketing campaign final season.
The Cowboys additionally return some stable receivers. However Wyoming’s largest weapon is tight finish John Michael Gyllenborg.
On protection the Pokes misplaced their high 9 defenders, which they’re making an attempt to interchange with FCS expertise. The linebacking core might be their strongest group on this aspect of the ball.
10. Colorado State
The Largest determinant of Colorado State’s success this yr would be the play of Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.
Fowler-Nicolosi may have a a lot greater position on his shoulders this yr, resulting from all the things the Rams misplaced. Not solely is Tory Horton within the NFL, however most of their high offensive linemen are additionally gone.
On protection, CSU goes to be actually skinny within the entrance seven. They misplaced most of this group, together with all of their beginning linebackers.
If Colorado State’s protection goes to be respected this yr, it’s going to want the secondary to boss up.
11. San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs are on this record as a result of they return 14 gamers with beginning expertise.
They misplaced a ton of manufacturing on the offensive aspect of the ball, however which may not be a nasty factor, as they ranked 116th in factors per sport final season.
San Diego State might want to exchange Marquez Cooper at operating again, in addition to Danny O’Neil at quarterback. In addition they misplaced three offensive linemen.
If SDSU goes to achieve success this yr, Jayden Denegal and Fortunate Sutton might want to present extra offensive manufacturing.
The protection ought to be stable with the return of 10 gamers on this aspect of the ball.
12. Utah State
Utah State has a brand new head coach in Bronco Mendenhall, which ought to set this system up effectively for the long run.
This yr the Aggies might have some slight enchancment, as a result of they return eight gamers with expertise.
Bryson Barnes is a stable quarterback who looks like a Tenth-year NFL veteran at this level. They did lose halfback Rahsul Faison, nevertheless, in addition to most of their high receivers.
The offensive line ought to nonetheless show to be a piece in progress.
On protection, USU returns six gamers, which might present a little bit of stability. However they had been one of many worst models within the nation final yr, rating 129th in factors allowed per sport.
This workforce might sneak right into a bowl if the protection is makes issues occur.
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
