College football is evolving at a breakneck pace, and the programs that thrive are those that can adapt to the ever-changing landscape. From NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals to the transfer portal frenzy, direct revenue sharing, and shifting conference alignments, the modern college football world is nothing like it was even a few years ago. Today’s elite programs must balance tradition with innovation while still maintaining excellence on the field.
Sports personality Colin Cowherd recently weighed in on which programs he believes have successfully navigated these turbulent waters—and naturally, fans everywhere are wondering where perennial powerhouse Ohio State lands on his list.
Cowherd shared his rankings during a recent episode of The Herd, explaining that it’s no longer just about winning games and collecting trophies. To be considered among the top programs in the country today, teams must now master the new rules of college football business while still excelling in recruiting, coaching, and player development.
“The sport has changed more in the last three years than it did in the previous 30,” Cowherd said. “If you’re not embracing NIL, if you’re not working the transfer portal effectively, if you don’t have a forward-thinking athletic department, you’re going to get left behind—no matter how much history or tradition you have.”
So who made Cowherd’s list of top programs in the current college football climate?
As expected, programs like Georgia and Alabama earned high marks for consistently producing elite talent while staying competitive in recruiting and NIL deals. Georgia, fresh off multiple national titles, has established itself as the sport’s gold standard. Alabama, under Nick Saban and now in the early post-Saban era, remains a recruiting and development juggernaut despite the coaching transition.
Michigan also found itself among the top, with Cowherd crediting Jim Harbaugh and his staff for reestablishing the Wolverines as national contenders and adapting to the modern demands of college athletics.
And of course, there’s Ohio State—a program that remains at the heart of the national conversation. Cowherd acknowledged that while the Buckeyes may have fallen short of some recent postseason goals, they continue to operate as one of the most well-rounded and relevant programs in the country. Between their consistently top-ranked recruiting classes, savvy NIL positioning, and commitment to staying competitive in the transfer portal, Ohio State remains firmly in the top tier.
“They’re one of the few programs that checks all the boxes,” Cowherd said of Ohio State. “They recruit at a high level, they’re active in NIL, and they’ve got a massive fan base that keeps the money flowing. Ohio State is going to be in this conversation every single year.”
In Cowherd’s view, the schools that succeed long-term will be the ones willing to embrace change while still holding onto their core values. Programs like Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, and Michigan are leading the way—not just because of their on-field success, but because they understand how to operate in the new era of college football.