Projecting the Top Secondaries for the 2025 CFB Season

Modern offenses often rely on a dynamic aerial attack, but the best defenses in college football are well-prepared in the secondary.

From a deep group of cornerbacks to a versatile crowd of safeties, these stingy coverage units hardly have a weakness. They should be among the national leaders in yards allowed per attempt in 2025.

While the choices are subjective, they're a reflection of returning production, incoming transfers and perceived depth.

If you're a fan of a Big Ten program, prepare yourself to get annoyed on a near-weekly basis.

As Indiana takes aim at proving its 2024 campaign was no fluke, it has a strong mix of returning talent and incoming transfers.

D'Angelo Ponds, a first-team All-Big Ten cornerback last season, excelled after following Curt Cignetti from James Madison. The unit also includes Jamari Sharpe—who played well as a rotation piece in 2024—and experienced transfers Ryland Gandy (Pitt) and Amariyun Knighten (Northern Illinois).

Top safety Amare Ferrell is back, while transfers Devan Boykin (NC State) and Louis Moore (Ole Miss) and key reserve Bryson Bonds are poised to play the majority of snaps at safety and IU's rover position.

Indiana has much to prove, but this secondary should be a major strength.

Last season, Texas co-led the nation in yards allowed per attempt (5.7) and yielded only nine passing scores while snagging 22 interceptions.

That's a high standard to match. This year's group may come reasonably close, though.

Michael Taaffe garnered second-team AP All-American honors at safety in 2024. The trio of Malik Muhammad, Jaylon Guilbeau and Jelani McDonald will reprise their key roles in the secondary as well.

Kobe Black is set to have a regular presence at corner, while Wardell Mack and Ryan Niblett should contribute at nickel. Jordon Johnson-Rubell and recent top recruit Xavier Filsaime give UT terrific depth behind Taaffe and McDonald, too.

This homegrown unit is a testament to the Longhorns' steady, impressive build through high school recruiting under Steve Sarkisian.

Be careful not to overlook Duke, which has managed three consecutive years of eight-plus victories with defensive-minded head coaches.

Mike Elko's departure for Texas A&M pushed the Blue Devils to Manny Diaz, who fizzled out at Miami but thrived in two years as Penn State's defensive coordinator. His first year featured corner Chandler Rivers (third-team AP All-American) and safety Terry Moore (second-team All-ACC) earning postseason honors.

Rivers and Moore—whenever he's fully healthy—will headline the 2025 group. Duke is also returning key safety DaShawn Stone and likely elevating Kimari Robinson from a rotational corner spot to a starting job.

Duke added safety Caleb Weaver, a first-team All-Conference USA pick at Sam Houston last season, and an experienced hybrid-type piece in Jaiden Francois (Utah State) from the transfer portal, too.

Even if that's not enough to spark the Blue Devils on their pursuit of an ACC title, they'll be annoying to throw the ball against.

But first, Caleb Downs.

After securing AP All-America recognition as a true freshman with Alabama, he repeated the feat at Ohio State last season. Downs held an integral role on the Buckeyes' championship-winning team.

Having a star safety like him doesn't make a unit, but it certainly helps a lot to have Downs roaming the middle of the back end.

Ohio State also brings back Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Matthews Jr. at corner, steadying a defense in transition.

Lorenzo Styles Jr. is experienced and may start at nickel, though Bryce West probably will get regular reps there as Aaron Scott Jr. and Devin Sanchez work into the rotation at cornerback.

While the other player at safety next to Downs is uncertain, Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford are promising options in that competition.

Last year, the U of I secondary gave up a modest 6.6 yards per attempt and helped the Fighting Illini win 10 games.

Everyone—and I mean everyone—is back.

Second-team All-Big Ten selection Xavier Scott is a cornerstone at nickel, while Kaleb Patterson, Torrie Cox Jr. and Jaheim Clark all logged a bunch of quality snaps at corner last season. Tyler Strain adds experienced depth.

Matthew Bailey led Illinois in tackles last season, and alongside him is third-year starting safety Miles Scott. Mac Resetich was a top reserve in 2024, too.

Illinois has sensational upside in the defensive backfield.

In four consecutive seasons, Penn State's defense has snatched more interceptions than it has allowed touchdown passes.

That's a decent trend, no?

New coordinator Jim Knowles is among the best in the sport, so more of the same is expected. Third-team All-Big Ten corner A.J. Harris and veteran safety Zakee Wheatley are back, while cornerback Elliot Washington II and nickel Zion Tracy are sliding into deserved larger roles.

King Mack, who returned to Penn State following a year at Alabama, is versatile enough to complement both Tracy and safety Dejuan Lane, too.

On the way to a national runner-up finish, Notre Dame yielded the lowest completion percentage in the country last season.

Sure, a few things are going to change under new coordinator in Chris Ash. Given the level of returning talent all over the defense, however, the Fighting Irish are built to maintain their strong reputation.

Leonard Moore had a sensational year at corner as Adon Shuler put together a breakout season in 2024. Starting corner Christian Gray is back opposite Moore, while ND brought in Alabama nickel DeVonta Smith and Virginia Tech safety Jalen Stroman to solidify the core of its rotation.

Building up depth is imperative, but corner Karson Hobbs and safeties Luke Talich and Tae Johnson all have a promising outlook in 2025.

Alabama, South Carolina and Washington are three other realistic options to highlight. There are so many talented units to consider.

The last one, though, is old reliable: Georgia.

Kirby Smart has turned UGA into a defensive power, and this secondary is once again loaded. Third-team All-SEC corner Daylen Everette and star safety KJ Bolden headline the outstanding group.

Daniel Harris will likely also start at corner, and veterans JaCorey Thomas and Joenel Aguero may complete the first-stringers. But we're probably going to see plenty of Ellis Robinson and DeMello Jones at corner and transfers Zion Branch (USC) and Adrian Maddox (UAB) at safety.