NCAA males’s golf preseason rankings: Prime 30 groups, gamers for 2025-26

1. Texas

• Last 2024-25 rank: 5
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: Quarterfinalist (sixth in stroke play)
• Returning: Christiaan Maas (Sr.), Tommy Morrison (Sr.), Daniel Bennett (Soph.), Luke Potter (Sr.), Jack Gilbert (Jr.), Eduardo Derbez Torres (Soph.)
• Departed: Ben DeLaRosa
• Arriving: Matthew Comegys (Sr.; transferred from Texas Tech), Brooks Simmons (Fr.), Adam Villanueva (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Maas, Morrison, Bennett, Potter, Comegys

Scouting report: How good can this Texas crew be? One rival coach stated of head coach John Fields’ crew, “This might be the perfect crew he’s ever had.” That’s excessive reward contemplating Fields has two NCAA titles and two NCAA runners-up in his prolonged profession in Austin. Final season, Texas underachieved within the postseason after 5 wins, ending seventh at SECs and bowing out within the first spherical of match play, ending third at regionals after which shedding within the quarterfinals at La Costa. However everyone seems to be again, together with three gamers who made match play on the U.S. Newbie –Maas, Morrison and Bennett. Maas hasn’t fairly put all his expertise collectively in faculty golf, however seven top-10s final season was nonetheless spectacular. Morrison made the U.S. Walker Cup crew and a slimmed-down body has unlocked some velocity and vitality. Bennett is the reigning Phil Mickelson Award winner, and after reaching the Spherical of 16 at each the British and U.S. amateurs, he might enter first-team All-America territory this season; he simply must win, as that’s been one thing he’s struggled with this previous yr. Potter had an odd spring, profitable the Hayt and ending third on the NCAA Reno Regional, however he additionally had some poor performances whereas making headlines for the incorrect cause – heckling Rory McIlroy and getting kicked out of The Gamers. He struggled mightily this summer season, however the elite golf is in there someplace. The distinction this season for Texas shall be depth, because the Longhorns added Comegys, who missed all of final season after wrist surgical procedure. Gilbert performed some huge rounds and received’t wish to lose his beginning spot, whereas freshmen Simmons and Villanueva are greater than succesful as effectively. Texas is the NCAA’s lively chief in consecutive NCAA Championship appearances with 18; extending that shouldn’t be a problem.

2. Oklahoma State

• Last 2024-25 rank: 2
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: Received (fourth in stroke play)
• Returning: Preston Stout (Jr.), Ethan Fang (Jr.), Eric Lee (Jr.), Gaven Lane (Jr.), Filip Fahlberg-Johnsson (Soph.), John Wild (Sr.), Brady Catalano (Fr.), Collin Bond (Fr.)
• Departed: Johnnie Clark, Parker Bunn, Grant Gudgel
• Arriving: Henry Guan (Fr.), Jaxon Bandelier (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Stout, Fang, Lee, Lane, Guan

Scouting report: The dream season was ignited final fall as Oklahoma State received the Stephens Cup to snap a 19-tournament shedding skid, the longest in program historical past. The Cowboys then returned from winter break with a victory on the Amer Ari earlier than later profitable 4 straight occasions, together with Massive 12s and the NCAA Urbana Regional. Even with no juniors or seniors within the beginning lineup at La Costa, Oklahoma State earned the fourth seed for match play and stormed by way of the bracket for this system’s Twelfth nationwide championship. Now, it’s time for the encore. Stout and Fang, each Walker Cuppers, had standout summers, with Stout, a two-time Massive 12 particular person champion, profitable the Northeast Newbie and medaling on the U.S. Newbie earlier than shedding within the Spherical of 16, and Fang capturing the British Newbie and ending runner-up on the Western. Lee went additional than each Stout and Fang at Olympic, reaching the semifinals. Lane and Johnsson is perhaps the incumbents, but when the season-opening Carmel Cup is any indication, they are going to be pushed. Each Wild and Bond, who redshirted final yr, certified, whereas Johnsson didn’t. Talking of freshmen, Guan has large potential after reclassifying from the Class of 2026. He was high 10 on the Jones Cup earlier this yr and practically cracked the highest 10 on the Southern. As soon as he breaks into the lineup, it could be onerous to unseat him.

3. Auburn

• Last 2024-25 rank: 1
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: Quarterfinalist (second in stroke play)
• Returning: Jackson Koivun (Jr.), Josiah Gibert (Jr.), Cayden Pope (Jr.), Billy Davis (Soph.), Tyler Spielman (Soph.)
• Departed: Brendan Valdes, Carson Bacha, Ryan Eshleman, Reed Lotter, Evan Vo
• Arriving: Logan Reilly (Fr.), Jake Albert (Fr.), Jack Roberts (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Koivun, Gilbert, Pope, Reilly, Davis

Scouting report: Auburn gave the impression to be on its solution to a repeat nationwide championship, profitable 5 instances within the spring, together with stroke play at SECs and the NCAA Auburn Regional, after which inserting second in stroke play at La Costa. However then the top-ranked Tigers fell to Virginia within the quarterfinals. “I do suppose we have been the perfect crew final yr,” head coach Nick Clinard stated. “We proved that in stroke play. However we weren’t nearly as good in match play for no matter cause. Not that they want motivation, however I feel they’ll be fairly fired as much as play.” With Valdes, Bacha and even Eshleman graduating, there’s a large void to fill, particularly within the management division. However on the golf course, it helps having the world No. 1 novice again in junior Jackson Koivun, who notched three top-11 finishes on the PGA Tour this summer season whereas additionally qualifying for the U.S. Open and practically making the minimize. There isn’t a greater combo of driving and placing in faculty golf than Koivun, who will possible take up his PGA Tour membership subsequent summer season. The bodily gifted Gilbert has had back-to-back sturdy postseasons, although he faltered somewhat below the stress of attempting to make the U.S. Walker Cup crew; he modified nationalities from Australia earlier this yr. Pope is one other stellar ball-striking who will lastly get his likelihood at a few of the highlight, and Reilly was the No. 1 junior within the Class of 2025, in accordance with Golf Channel, and simply made match play at Olympic. Billy Davis made All-Area as a freshman regardless of being the Tigers’ seven man, although he might get pushed by freshman Jake Albert, whose summer season included profitable the Jap Newbie. “We’ve got some ultra-talented youngsters, they’re all simply younger,” added Clinard, who has no seniors. “We’re gonna discover out what they’ll do.”

4. Florida

• Last 2024-25 rank: 6
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: Semifinalist (third in stroke play)
• Returning: Luke Poulter (Jr.), Jack Turner (Jr.), Zack Swanwick (Soph.), Matthew Kress (Sr.), Noah Kent (Jr.), Parker Sands (Soph.), Parker Bell (Sr.), Rylan Shim (Soph.)
• Departed: Ian Gilligan, Ryan Hart
• Arriving: Josh Bai (Fr.), Trevor Gutschewski (Fr.), Parker Severs (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Poulter, Turner, Swanwick, Kress, Bai

Scouting report: For the second straight season, head coach J.C. Deacon arguably has the deepest squad within the nation. Final spring, that depth resulted in an NCAA semifinals look to cap a season that featured 5 wins, together with an SEC title and NCAA regional crown. Whereas this yr’s squad is perhaps even deeper (9 guys certified for the U.S. Newbie), there’s a lack of a transparent celebrity following the departure of Gilligan to the professionals. Poulter and Turner are the almost definitely No. 1’s. Poulter missed seven months with a stress fracture in his again final yr, however returned in an enormous approach in January and now will symbolize GB&I within the Walker Cup. Turner ascended to No. 10 in WAGR after six top-10s final season, although he’s cooled this summer season. Swanwick must be on everybody’s radar as a possible breakout candidate after reaching the semifinals of the Western this summer season; the important thing for him shall be to enhance round and on the greens. “Ball-striking-wise, man, I don’t ever wish to say anybody is the perfect, however he’s near probably the greatest in faculty golf,” Deacon stated of the Kiwi. Kress obtained off to a tough begin final fall, however he rallied with 5 top-10s within the spring, together with a runner-up at regionals a T-9 at La Costa. Everybody on the roster ought to play some, although let’s tab Bai, who was purported to enroll final January, and Kent, final yr’s U.S. Newbie runner-up who transferred from Iowa final spring, as two to regulate. Kent, specifically, has a large ceiling due to insane velocity and nice contact; he might flourish with additional tutelage below Deacon and assistant Dudley Hart.

5. Oklahoma

• Last 2024-25 rank: 7
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: Quarterfinalist (fifth in stroke play)
• Returning: Jase Summy (Sr.), Ryder Cowan (Jr.), Clark Van Gaalen (Soph.), Matthew Troutman (Sr.), PJ Maybank III (Jr.), Asher Whitaker (Soph.), Cameron Cheek (Soph.), Andrew Ramos (Fr.)
• Departed: Drew Goodman, Stephen Campbell Jr., Jaxon Dowell, Connor Henry
• Arriving: Preston Albee (Fr.), Adam Anderson (Fr.), Eli Walker Campbell (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Summy, Cowan, Van Gaalen, Troutman, Maybank

Scouting report: Certain, Oklahoma head coach Ryan Hybl and his crew might’ve been happy simply by getting again into the match play final Could at La Costa. 5 wins, together with the Amherst Regional, have been good, too. However after shedding to Oklahoma State within the NCAA quarterfinals, Hybl was nonetheless gutted. “We have been ok to win the entire thing final yr,” Hybl stated. “If we might’ve gotten over the hump with that first match, that group of men might’ve been hoisting the trophy.” Of the highest 5 groups on this rating, the Sooners misplaced probably the most. Goodman would possibly’ve been the toughest employee in program historical past, a three-time All-American who was simply nearly as good off the golf course. And Dowell and Campbell, although they performed sparingly and weren’t within the postseason lineup, have been large leaders as effectively. Hybl might want to discover that someplace, however so far as the golf is worried, he’s obtained a deep, proficient group led by Summy, the Western Newbie champion and Walker Cupper. “If we had a 6-footer to win a nationwide championship, he’s the man I need placing it,” Hybl stated of Summy. Cowan closed the spring sturdy and is on the verge of taking an enormous step if he can determine the putter. Troutman didn’t play after SECs, however Hybl is anticipating extra of the participant who had 5 top-20s final fall. Van Gaalen is a bodily specimen who continues to mature, and he made match play on the U.S. Newbie this summer season. Maybank is the fourth returning starter from final season’s NCAA squad, however he didn’t have an incredible summer season and the door is open for some like Cheek, who completed T-12 at Southern Highlands final spring however is ranked exterior the highest 3,000 in WAGR, and Whitaker, this summer season’s Kansas Stroke Play winner.

6. Virginia

• Last 2024-25 rank: 9
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: Runner-up (seventh in stroke play)
• Returning: Ben James (Sr.), Bryan Lee (Sr.), Paul Chang (Sr.), Josh Duangmanee (Jr.), Maxi Puregger (Soph.), Sam O’Hara (Jr.)
• Departed: Deven Patel, Henry Daly, Benny Haggin, Matthew Monastero
• Arriving: Michael Lee (Fr.), Alex Wells (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: James, Lee, Chang, Duangmanee, Puregger

Scouting report: Virginia head coach Bowen Sargent appreciated what he noticed when his guys returned to high school this month. “All of them nonetheless appear very hungry,” stated Sargent, who led the Cavaliers to their finest season ever, profitable each this system’s first ACC title and notching its maiden NCAA runner-up end. “I don’t really feel like anyone was proud of the way in which issues ended final yr. We’ve got to maintain that mentality.” James will arrive on campus after a second straight Walker Cup look subsequent month, and he may have large expectations because the No. 1 participant in PGA Tour U. Initially of the yr, Bryan Lee would possibly’ve been tabbed to be on that U.S. crew as effectively, however after qualifying for the U.S. Open this summer season, he determined to get longer and stronger by spending a while on the Titleist Efficiency Institute. One in all faculty golf’s finest putters, returned to make the Candy 16 on the Western, although he then struggled off the tee to overlook the U.S. Newbie minimize significantly. That is Chang’s ultimate go, the previous membership golfer persevering with to refine his sport and acquire confidence. And Duangmanee, who made the Spherical of 16 at Olympic, is one other participant with a pro-level sport and provides Virginia 4 gamers within the high 50 of WAGR. The fifth spot is between Maxi Puregger, who was subbed in at nationals and received two worldwide occasions this summer season, and Michael Lee, Bryan’s youthful brother.

7. Ole Miss

• Last 2024-25 rank: 4
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: Semifinalist (eighth in stroke play)
• Returning: Michael La Sasso (Sr.), Cameron Tankersley (Sr.), Cohen Trolio (Sr.), Tom Fischer (Sr.), Collins Trolio (Jr.), Jacob Blanton (Soph.)
• Departed: Kye Meeks, Aidan Cohl, Davis Gochenouer
• Arriving: Finn Meister (Fr.), Daniel Tolf (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: La Sasso, Tankersley, Coh. Trolio, Fischer, Col. Trolio

Scouting report: The Rebels’ greatest takeaway from reaching the semifinals at La Costa in simply Ole Miss’ third journey to the NCAA Championship in over a decade below head coach Chris Malloy? It was simpler than they thought. “We’re ok to be nearly as good as anyone, even with out our greatest stuff,” Malloy stated. With solely Meeks graduating, that’s nonetheless the assumption. La Sasso, the defending NCAA particular person champion, has 9 top-5s in 22 profession begins for Ole Miss, although he’ll possible miss and occasion or two due to Walker Cup and the Masters. Surprisingly, La Sasso, who was T-44 on the 3M Open to cap a five-start summer season on the PGA Tour, was the one returning Insurgent starter to overlook match play on the U.S. Newbie. Tankersley and Cohen Trolio reached the Spherical of 32 at Olympic whereas Fischer additionally made match play. The large query – and it’s an enormous one – is who the fifth man shall be. Collins Trolio is the chief within the clubhouse, however La Sasso’s absence for the fall-opening Go to Knoxville Collegiate will enable one of many different guys to make his case. “It’s going to be a curler coaster,” Malloy stated, “however as soon as we get to postseason, I feel we’re going to be actually good.”

8. LSU

• Last 2024-25 rank: 8
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: DNQ
• Returning: Arni Sveinsson (Soph.), Jay Mendell (Jr.), Alfons Bondesson (Sr.), Noah McWilliams (Jr.), Matthew Dodd-Berry (Sr.), Dylan Kayne (Soph.), Luke Haskew (Sr.)
• Departed: Algot Kleen, Nicholas Arcement, Holden Webb, Connor Cassano
• Arriving: Dan Hayes (Fr.), Hudson Lawson (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Sveinsson, Mendell, Bondesson, Hayes, McWilliams

Scouting report: The largest shocker final season was LSU failing to advance by way of the NCAA Amherst Regional because the No. 6 crew within the nation. “What harm is I feel we had a nationwide championship crew,” head coach Jake Amos stated. “However a superb studying expertise, and that’s what I’m going to speak about, like let’s study from our errors and use it as motivation, get the elephant out of the room and use it a gas for so long as we are able to.” Amos might want to exchange Kleen, a second-team All-American, however he additionally nonetheless possesses one of many nation’s finest in Sveinsson, who made a powerful case to be nationwide freshman of the yr final season with six top-6s, together with a win. “We expect Arni had the perfect freshman yr within the nation, so he’s obtained quite a bit to show,” Amos stated. Behind Sveinsson is Mendell, the guts of this squad who posted 4 top-10s as the highest holdover from the earlier teaching workers. Bondesson was third on the crew in scoring common final season after transferring from Missouri whereas Dodd-Berry has the expertise to be this crew’s No. 3; perhaps not having any extra Walker Cup stress will assist him unlock the sport that made him a standout for Amos at ETSU. There are huge expectations for Hayes to play each occasion. As for McWilliams, he’s the last word wild card. He wasn’t ranked in WAGR at the moment final yr, however he latched onto Kleen and Sveinsson final season to remodel from a uncooked expertise who ignored a lot of the low-hanging fruit to now the No. 355 novice on the planet who has gotten a few of the particulars down and who notched a pair good top-5s in summer season novice competitors, together with a fourth on the Monroe.

9. Texas Tech

• Last 2024-25 rank: 21
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: tenth
• Returning: Connor Graham (Soph.), Tim Wiedemeyer (Jr.), Ben Gregg (Jr.), Value Hill (Jr.), Sean Keeling (Soph.), Luke D’Alise (Soph.)
• Departed: Calum Scott, Matthew Comegys, Charlie DeLong
• Arriving: Adam Bresnu (Jr.; transferred from Odessa School), Simon Hovdal (Fr.), Brady McHenry (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Graham, Wiedemeyer, Bresnu, Gregg, Hovdal

Scouting report: The Pink Raiders are poised to not simply leap again into the highest 20 of the nationwide rankings however the high 10. They overcame shedding Comegys for your entire season to wrist surgical procedure and Scott’s struggles off the tee to finally end tenth on the NCAA Championship. So, with these two guys gone, there isn’t a sense that there’s a lot to exchange. Graham, a two-time GB&I Walker Cupper already, is supremely proficient from a ball-striking perspective, and if he can preserve maturing emotionally, he might be a first-team All-American. Wiedemeyer is getting nearer to the territory, too, and this summer season he tied for seventeenth on the DP World Tour’s BMW Worldwide Open earlier than making the Spherical of 32 on the U.S. Newbie. Bresnu, the NJCAA’s Nicklaus Award winner final season at Odessa School, is almost high 100 on the planet novice rankings after a pleasant summer season (T-4 at Northeast, Spherical of 16 at North and South) and received the crew’s qualifier for the Carmel Cup. Talking of that qualifier, D’Alise, a walk-on who didn’t come near taking part in final yr, surprisingly earned the ultimate spot over each freshmen. However because the season progresses, count on no less than Hovdal, who shares a coach with Ludvig Aberg, to solidify his beginning spot. Gregg confirmed glimpses final season, particularly with six under-par ultimate rounds, and perhaps his Spherical of 16 look on the British Newbie is an indication that he’s beginning to put extra of it collectively.

10. Vanderbilt

• Last 2024-25 rank: 16
• 2025 NCAA Championship end: T-13
• Returning: Wells Williams (Sr.), Ryan Downes (Soph.), Chase Nevins (Jr.), John Broderick (Sr.), Bowen Ballis (Soph.), Ben Loomis (Sr.)
• Departed: Jackson Van Paris, Gordon Sargent, Rowan Sullivan
• Arriving: Carlos Astiazaran (Jr.; transferred from Pacific), Michael Riebe (Fr.), Will Hartman (Fr.), Jon Ed Steed (Fr.)
• Projected beginning lineup: Williams, Astiazaran, Downes, Riebe, Nevins

Scouting report: It was an emotional season for the Commodores, who watched one of many program’s finest gamers ever, Sargent, wrestle so badly that he didn’t play within the postseason. Due to that, it wasn’t as straightforward to take pleasure in a shocking T-13 end on the NCAA Championship. Van Paris additionally graduated, so there’s quite a bit from a management perspective to exchange this yr. Williams and Astiazaran, a workhorse switch from Pacific (Vanderbilt’s first portal addition ever), shall be these replacements. Williams received twice final season and began the summer season sturdy with a T-8 on the Northeast, however his Walker Cup hopes crumbled with a late stumble in stroke play on the Western and T-129 end at Olympic. Astiazaran practically made the Spherical of 64 on the U.S. Newbie to cap a summer season that included two wins, most notably a breakout win on the North and South Newbie. Downes and Nevins have been thrown into the hearth final season as underclassmen, with Downes, a deft putter who straightened out his driver final fall, tying for sixth at regionals and practically posting a high 30 at La Costa. They each made match play on the U.S. Newbie whereas Downes added a win this summer season on the Mass State Newbie. Talking of freshmen, head coach Scott Limbaugh brings in one other stellar class. Riebe and Steed, a brilliant uncooked participant, will each play at Pebble to open the season whereas Hartman can also be extremely ranked. “That was a monster class,” Limbaugh stated. “We knew we would have liked an enormous one, and it turned out to be that approach. … To have high quality depth once more is one thing I’m actually pumped about.”

Nos. 11-30

11. Illinois: Head coach Mike Small went to work within the portal this summer season to exchange departed All-American Jackson Buchanan. Junior Max Herendeen continues to be the No. 1, particularly after his 4 summer season top-12s, together with Spherical of 16 showings on the Western and U.S. Newbie. And senior Ryan Voois, ranked forty first in WAGR, shall be a dependable No. 2. However in step Utah Valley switch Dane Huddleston, who received 5 instances final season (tied for many in D-I), and Little Rock switch Freddie Turnell, who received The Goodwin final spring. With sophomore Jake Birdwell practically making match play on the Western. After shedding back-to-back Massive Ten titles for the primary time since 2007-08 and lacking the 54-hole minimize at nationals final spring, this can be a very motivated Illini bunch.

12. Arizona State: Shedding first-team All-American abilities in Josele Ballester and Preston Summerhays received’t be straightforward, although the cabinet isn’t naked from the crew that received stroke play at La Costa final Could. Junior Connor Williams led the Solar Devils with three top-10s from convention by way of nationals, although he had a troublesome summer season. Senior Michael Mjaaseth is now this crew’s high participant in WAGR, at No. 20, after profitable a professional occasion in Norway as a substitute of taking part in the U.S. Newbie, the place junior Fifa Laopakdee, a two-time winner in faculty final season, was the one Arizona State participant to make the Spherical of 64. The remainder of the lineup is unproven, although sophomore Peer Wernicke, who tied for eighth at regionals as a freshman, will get loads of alternative. Freshman Boston Bracken returns from his mission to hitch fellow newcomers Bowen Mauss and Kent Karlstrom.

13. Tennessee: It was a disappointing for the Vols. They didn’t win a match, they beat simply two groups at SECs, and so they didn’t make it to Monday on the NCAA Championship. There have been just a few minor departures this summer season, however the core is again. Senior Lance Simpson, who had 4 top-6s final season, certified for the U.S. Open this summer season earlier than profitable the Trans-Miss, although he struggled on the Western and U.S. Newbie. Not struggling at Olympic was sophomore Jackson Herrington, who misplaced within the ultimate. If Herrington can proceed that sort of play this season, the Vols can contend for the ultimate eight at La Costa. Junior Bruce Murphy and Auburn switch Reed Lotter also needs to play a ton whereas freshman Chase Kyes might be an enormous problem to senior Josh Hill for that fifth spot.

14. Arkansas: Maybe this rating is aggressive for a crew that completed final season ranked exterior the highest 50, however head coach Brad McMakin has executed a pleasant job reloading by way of the portal. Cam Smith (Georgia), Niilo Maki-Petaja (Louisiana Tech) and Alex Yang (Stanford, although after a yr off) are all potential starters, although it’s a crowded roster with top-200 amateurs junior Thomas Curry, sophomores Erich Fortlage and Gerardo Gomez, and senior John Daly II additionally within the combine, plus extremely regarded freshman Willie Gordon. Daly has asserted himself as this crew’s No. 1 with a breakout summer season. Boosted by improved ball-striking, Daly received the Southern Newbie, was third on the Northeast and made the quarterfinals of the U.S. Newbie.

15. Pepperdine: The Waves are again – and poised to raised final spring’s Twelfth-place end at La Costa. Head coach Michael Beard mainly traded Kris Kuvaas (transferred to Texas A&M) for Georgia Tech’s Carson Kim and a pair freshmen. Senior Mahanth Chirravuri had seven top-10s final season and after summer season highlighted by a Spherical of 16 run on the U.S. Newbie, he ought to no less than equal that this season. Senior Brady Siravo, junior Willy Walsh and Kim are all able to profitable faculty tournaments whereas there are alternatives for the fifth spot, perhaps sophomore Byungho Lee, a former high recruit.

16. Florida State: We’ll see what the Seminoles are product of on this post-Luke Clanton period. Florida State had a heart-wrenching ending to final season, because the reigning NCAA runners-up didn’t make it again to match play, ending ninth by a shot. Grey Albright additionally graduated, and will probably be troublesome to exchange his contributions on and off the course as effectively. That stated, there’s a lot of expertise nonetheless round, primarily junior Tyler Weaver, a GB&I Walker Cupper whose breakout yr has him all the way in which to tenth on the planet novice rankings. Sophomore Wilmer Edero might shock whereas NAIA participant of the yr Jack Whaley additionally arrives from Dalton State.

17. Texas A&M: It’s going to be troublesome to exchange NCAA runner-up Phichaksn Maichon and Michael Heidelbaugh, who mixed for 13 top-10s final season. However head coach Brian Kortan is relying on sophomore Wheaton Ennis growing into an All-American, which could be very doable, and junior Aaron Kilos constructing off a breakout sophomore spring, the place he was T-7 at regionals. Senior Jacob Sosa is a query mark, although when he’s on the best course, he’s harmful. There are two good newcomers, too, in Pepperdine switch Kris Kuvaas and freshmen Shiv Parmar, who made the Spherical of 32 on the U.S. Junior this summer season.

18. North Carolina: The Tar Heels rode Haskins Award winner David Ford all season, however at regionals, their lack of contribution behind him left them sixth in Urbana and a spot out of advancing to nationals. Ford and his twin brother, Maxwell, have graduated, and the crew is now within the palms of Northwestern switch Niall Shiels Donegan, who made an thrilling run to the U.S. Newbie semifinals and earned himself a GB&I Walker Cup spot within the course of. There’s a whole lot of untapped, younger potential behind him with sophomore Sihan Sandhu (T-3 final spring at ACCs) and freshman Carson Bertagnole (fifth at Sage Valley, Spherical of 32 at U.S. Junior) amongst these almost definitely to make the largest strides this season.

19. Arizona: The Wildcats have been the No. 11 crew within the nation after they received stroke-play titles on the Windon Memorial and St. Andrews Hyperlinks Collegiate. However then their finest play, Tiger Christensen, surprisingly turned professional after taking part in DP World Tour Q-Faculty. Whereas Arizona dropped to No. 30 by the tip of the spring, it was nonetheless a spot out of getting by way of regionals. Now, head coach Jim Anderson returns European Newbie champion Filip Jakubcik, who’s vaulted all the way in which to seventh on the planet, and fellow senior Zach Pollo, who certified for the U.S. Open this summer season, in addition to junior Tony Xiong and sophomore Taishi Moto, who broke out this summer season with a T-3 on the Southern Newbie and Candy 16 displaying on the Western. Moto will miss the autumn to play some occasions for the Japan nationwide crew, however that may give Arizona an opportunity to determine issues on the again finish.

20. BYU: The Cougars have a ton of momentum after profitable an NCAA regional and posting the crew’s finest match-play period end at nationals (T-13). Cole Ponich and Zac Jones are huge losses, however the arrival of freshman Kihei Akina, who was a North and South semifinalist and just lately received the Utah Open, is huge. Slot Akina in atop a BYU lineup that features sophomore Peter Kim, and juniors Simon Kown and Tyson Shelley. The fifth spot might be anybody’s, together with Oklahoma State switch Parker Bunn and Jackson Mauss, who redshirted final yr as a freshman. This can be a younger crew that may solely get higher when Cooper Jones returns from his mission in Peru subsequent season.

21. Georgia Tech: All that’s modified from the crew that misplaced a playoff to Wake Forest to make the ultimate 15 at La Costa is the exit of Carson Kim (transferred to Pepperdine) and the arrival of freshman Rawson Hardy, who Georgia Tech plucked from the state of Utah, very similar to it did just a few years in the past for Connor Howe. Senior Hiroshi Tai couldn’t construct off his 2024 NCAA particular person title as he posted simply two top-10s final season and didn’t have an incredible summer season. Not many Jackets did, although maybe junior Kale Fontenot could be the breakout participant after a T-12 on the Southern and practically making match play on the Western.

22. Utah: Ranked tenth within the nation for a lot of the spring, the Utes ran out of steam at regionals, lacking nationals by a spot. That shouldn’t occur this season as Utah returns 4 starters, together with the dynamic one-two punch of juniors Gabriel Palacios and Sergo Jimenez, each ranked high 75 in WAGR. Probably the most urgent job is changing NCAA Bremerton Regional champ Braxton Watts, who graduated.

23. Notre Dame: The Combating Irish received twice final fall earlier than the schedule obtained more durable, then capped the spring with a ninth on the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. However everyone seems to be again, together with the perfect participant in program historical past, senior Jacob Modleski, the reigning ACC champion who made the U.S. Walker Cup crew due to a summer season that featured making the Western semifinals and U.S. Newbie quarterfinals. Pavel Tsar is an affect freshman who can simply problem for a spot within the beginning 5.

24. Alabama: The Tide appear to lastly be discovering their bearings after the midseason departure of Nick Dunlap two seasons in the past. They didn’t make the NCAA Championship final Could, however this was nonetheless the 18th-ranked crew within the nation. Graduated are Walker Cupper Dominic Clemons and Jones Free, who each performed each occasion final season. However senior Jonathan Griz has seven world-ranked top-15s this yr and is poised to be head coach Jay Seawell’s No. 1 man. Transfers Luke Powell (UCLA) and Brycen Jones (Georgia Southern) are good additions, although the place this crew can actually take off is that if sophomore Nicholas Gross can replicate his junior-golf success after a season below his belt.

25. Cal: Regardless of a training change and the departure of studs Ethan Fang and Eric Lee to Oklahoma State, the Bears, below first-year head coach Michael Wilson, discovered their groove late, inserting sixth at ACCs, fifth at regionals and practically making the 54-hole minimize at La Costa. Now, 4 of 5 starters return, together with senior Charlie Berridge, the crew’s chief in scoring common final season, and sophomore Eric Zhou, who’s ranked No. 111 in WAGR. Xihaun Chang arrives, although removed from the participant he was when he was ranked twenty seventh on the planet and reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Junior final yr.

26. Stanford: The younger Cardinal beat simply two groups on the ACC Championship earlier than inserting eighth at regionals. Then Logan Kim transferred to UCLA this summer season. However head coach Conrad Ray nonetheless has the majority of his roster again, together with sophomores T.Ok. Chantananuwat and Jay Leng, who had simply two top-15s apiece final season however have been extremely achieved junior gamers. Senior Nathan Wang was a stabilizing power final season and may fill that function once more. Senior Dean Greyserman might be a pleasant shock after taking part in simply thrice final season however coming into his ultimate yr as this summer season’s Met Newbie champion.

27. South Carolina: Yr 1 below head coach Rob Bradley was a large success because the Gamecocks have been a top-25 program and completed nineteenth on the NCAA Championship. There’s a gap to fill with the commencement of Nathan Franks, however junior Frankie Harris (5 top-5s final season) stays atop a lineup that additionally consists of senior Zach Adams and sophomore Marek Fleming, who might be a breakout candidate after a stable summer season that ended with him practically making match play on the U.S. Newbie.

28. UNLV: How might the Rebs be higher than final season’s Thirty fourth-ranked crew that completed T-23 at nationals however misplaced Caden Fioroni to the professionals? Head coach Jean-Paul Hebert feels that approach as he returns his different 4 starters, together with sophomore Zach Little (T-12 at European Newbie), and provides top-300 transfers Mason Snyder (Loyola Marymount) and Ryan Abuan (San Diego), plus French freshman Aaron van Hauwe, who will miss the primary couple weeks of the season to play the French Open on the DP World Tour.

29. Georgia: The Bulldogs return 4 of 5 postseason starters from final yr’s crew that completed twenty second on the NCAA Championship. Although Buck Brumlow’s commencement shall be powerful to exchange, Georgia nonetheless boasts senior Carter Loflin, who posted a pair top-3s this summer season (Dogwood, Georgia Newbie) and practically made match play on the Western. Junior Grayson Wooden can also be a top-200 novice whereas two newcomers ought to make rapid impacts in freshman J.D. Culbreth, who grew up taking part in with U.S. Newbie champion Mason Howell, and D-II switch Sungyeop Cho, a first-team All-American with Colorado Christian final season.

30. Clemson: The Tigers completed final season ranked forty eighth by Scoreboard for the second straight yr, although in contrast to 2024, after they received regionals, they completed ACCs beneath .500 and missed qualifying for a regional for the primary time in program historical past. In steps freshman Jackson Byrd, the nephew of head coach Jordan Byrd. The AJGA All-American ought to immediately exchange the graduated Andrew Swanson atop Clemson’s lineup forward of seniors Thomas Higgins and Lucas Augustsson, and junior Oscar Holm-Bredkjaer, who received the Dutch Worldwide Junior this summer season. Monroe Invitational runner-up Colin Salema possible has a beginning spot as effectively.

Golf Channel’s Preseason Prime 30

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma State
3. Auburn
4. Florida
5. Oklahoma
6. Virginia
7. Ole Miss
8. LSU
9. Texas Tech
10. Vanderbilt
11. Illinois
12. Arizona State
13. Tennessee
14. Arkansas
15. Pepperdine
16. Florida State
17. Texas A&M
18. North Carolina
19. Arizona
20. BYU
21. Georgia Tech
22. Utah
23. Notre Dame
24. Alabama
25. Cal
26. Stanford
27. South Carolina
28. UNLV
29. Georgia
30. Clemson

Subsequent 10: 31. Duke, 32. SMU, 33. Wake Forest, 34. Charlotte, 35. Mississippi State, 36. San Diego State, 37. New Mexico, 38. Oregon State, 39. Florida Gulf Coast, 40. UCLA

Golf Channel’s Preseason All-Individuals

FIRST TEAM
1. Jackson Koivun, Jr., Auburn
2. Preston Stout, Jr., Oklahoma State
3. Ben James, Sr., Virginia
4. Jase Summy, Sr., Oklahoma
5. Ethan Fang, Jr., Oklahoma State
6. Christiaan Maas, Sr., Texas
7. Michael La Sasso, Sr., Ole Miss
8. Tommy Morrison, Sr., Texas
9. Max Herendeen, Jr., Illinois
10. Arni Sveinsson, Soph., LSU

SECOND TEAM
11. Daniel Bennett, Soph., Texas
12. Jacob Modleski, Sr., Notre Dame
13. Eric Lee, Jr., Oklahoma State
14. Josiah Gilbert, Jr., Auburn
15. Filip Jakubcik, Sr., Arizona
16. Wells Williams, Sr., Vanderbilt
17. Tyler Weaver, Jr., Florida State
18. Michael Mjaaseth, Sr., Arizona State
19. Luke Poulter, Sr., Florida
20. Cameron Tankersley, Sr., Ole Miss

THIRD TEAM
21. Connor Graham, Soph., Texas Tech
22. Bryan Lee, Sr., Virginia
23. Tim Wiedemeyer, Sr., Texas Tech
24. Lance Simpson, Sr., Tennessee
25. Jack Turner, Jr., Florida
26. Kihei Akina, Fr., BYU
27. William Sides, Sr., SMU
28. Mahanth Chirravuri, Sr., Pepperdine
29. Frankie Harris, Sr., South Carolina
30. Zack Swanwick, Soph., Florida

HONORABLE MENTION
31. Garrett Endicott, Sr., Mississippi State
32. Ryder Cowan, Jr., Oklahoma
33. Bryan Kim, Jr., Duke
34. Luke Potter, Sr., Texas
35. Clark Van Gaalen, Soph., Oklahoma
36. Gabriel Palacios, Jr., Utah
37. Connor Williams, Jr., Arizona State
38. Niall Shiels Donegan, Jr., North Carolina
39. John Daly II, Sr., Arkansas
40. Wheaton Ennis, Soph., Texas A&M

Golf Channel’s Preseason All-Freshmen groups

FIRST TEAM
Kihei Akina, BYU
Minh Nguyen, Oregon State
Michael Riebe, Vanderbilt
Logan Reilly, Auburn
Henry Guan, Oklahoma State

SECOND TEAM
Dan Hayes, LSU
Simon Hovdal, Texas Tech
J.D. Culbreth, Georgia
Jackson Byrd, Clemson
Chase Kyes, Tennessee

Circled on the calendar

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Aug. 29-31 – Carmel Cup, Pebble Seashore, California
Sept. 5-7 – Go to Knoxville Collegiate, Loudon, Tennessee
Sept. 6-7 – Sahalee Gamers Championship, Sammamish, Washington
Sept. 15-16 – Invitational on the Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tennessee
Sept. 15-17 – Jackson T. Stephens Cup, Lake Bluff, Illinois
Sept. 19-21 – Olympia Fields/Combating Illini Invitational, Olympia Fields, Illinois
Sept. 29-30 – Ben Hogan Collegiate, Fort Price, Texas
Sept. 29-30 – Bryan Bros. Collegiate, West Columbia, South Carolina

OCTOBER
Oct. 5-7 – Marquette Intercollegiate, Erin Hills, Wisconsin
Oct. 6-7 – Combating Irish Traditional, Notre Dame, Indiana
Oct. 6-7 – Hamptons Intercollegiate, Southampton, New York
Oct. 13-15 – The Bryson Invitational, Charleston, South Carolina
Oct. 18-20 – Fallen Oak Collegiate, Saucier, Mississippi
Oct. 19-21 – Williams Cup, Wilmington, North Carolina
Oct. 24-26 – GC of Georgia Collegiate, Alpharetta, Georgia
Oct. 27-28 – The Clerico, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oct. 27-29 – Ka’anapali Traditional, Maui, Hawaii
Oct. 27-29 – East Lake Cup, Atlanta

JANUARY/FEBRUARY
Jan. 26-27 – Arizona N.I.T., Tucson, Arizona
Feb. 2-3 – Sea Greatest Invitational, Atlantic Seashore, Florida
Feb. 5-7 – Amer Ari Invitational, Waimea, Hawaii
Feb. September 11 – Puerto Rico Traditional, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Feb. 14-15 – Gators Invitational, Gainesville, Florida
Feb. 16-18 – Watersound Invitational, Panama Metropolis, Florida
Feb. 16-18 – The Status, La Quinta, California

MARCH
March 1-3 – Southern Highlands Collegiate, Las Vegas
March 1-3 – Cabo Collegiate, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
March 7-9 – The Hayt, Ponte Vedra Seashore, Florida
March 9-10 – Desimone Invitational, Daly Metropolis, California
March 16-17 – Arizona Thunderbirds Intercollegiate, Tucson, Arizona
March 16-18 – Pauma Valley Invitational, Pauma Valley, California
March 20-22 – Linger Longer Invitational, Eatonton, Georgia
March 23-24 – Valspar Collegiate, Palm Metropolis, Florida
March 30-31 – Maridoe Intercollegiate, Carrollton, Texas

APRIL
April 3-5 – Mason Rudolph Championship, Franklin, Tennessee
April 4-5 – Augusta Haskins Award Invitational, Augusta, Georgia
April 5-7 – Calusa Cup, Naples, Florida
April 12-14 – Lewis Chitengwa Memorial, Charlottesville, Virginia
April 13-14 – Mossy Oak Collegiate, West Level, Mississippi
April 13-14 – Mountaineer Invitational, Bridgeport, West Virginia
April 13-14 – The Ford Collegiate, Richmond Hill, Georgia
April 22-26 – SEC Championship, St. Simons Island, Georgia
April 23-27 – ACC Championship, Panama Metropolis, Florida
April 27-29 – Massive 12 Championship, Hutchinson, Kansas
Could 1-3 – Massive Ten Championship, North Plains, Oregon

NCAA REGIONALS
Could 18-20
Host websites (host college): College of Georgia GC, Athens, Georgia; Bermuda Run CC, Bermuda Run, North Carolina; Traditions Membership, Bryan, Texas; OSU GC (Scarlet), Columbus, Ohio; Trysting Tree GC, Corvallis, Oregon; The Gallery GC, Marana, Arizona

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Could 29-June 3
Host website: Omni La Costa Resort and Spa (North), Carlsbad, California