NCAA males’s golf preseason rankings: Prime groups, gamers for 2024-25

1. Auburn

Closing 2023-24 rank: 1

2024 NCAA Championship end: Nationwide champion (sixth in stroke play)

Returning: Jackson Koivun (Soph.), Brendan Valdes (Sr.), Carson Bacha (Sr.), Josiah Gilbert (Soph.), Reed Lotter (Jr.), Cayden Pope (Soph.), Ryan Eshleman (Sr.), Evan Vo (Jr.)

Departed: J.M. Butler, Alex Vogelsong

Arriving: Billy Davis (Fr.), Tyler Spielman (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: Koivun, Valdes, Bacha, Gilbert, Davis

Scouting report: With COVID years now a factor of the previous, probably the most noticeable change within the faculty recreation is the absence of the ridiculous depth that we’ve grown accustomed to. Even a number of the finest groups within the nation have query marks towards the again finish of their beginning lineups. In fact, that doesn’t apply to Auburn, the defending nationwide champion, which misplaced only one starter (Butler). It’s an enormous loss however one which’s simpler to abdomen contemplating Koivun returns after sweeping all of the postseason particular person awards (Haskins, Nicklaus and Hogan) as a freshman. Koivun is simply three PGA Tour College Accelerated factors away from a PGA Tour card subsequent summer season, so yet another award like that or a win at nationals might see him go away two years of faculty eligibility on the desk. However that’s a dialog for the top of this season. For now, he’ll purpose to by some means higher his two wins and 11 different top-6 finishes from final season. Valdes, additionally a first-team All-American final yr, is third within the common PGA Tour U rankings, and he enters the autumn as a current U.S. Newbie quarterfinalist. Bacha missed some tournaments final fall whereas present process some swing tweaks, however he discovered his type mid-spring with 4 straight top-6s. His summer season has been equally spectacular with top-15s on the Sunnehanna and Southern amateurs, a match-play exhibiting on the U.S. Newbie and a playoff loss on the Western, the place he would’ve made the Candy 16 simply had it not been for a two-shot penalty for by accident having the slope perform to his rangefinder turned on. Gilbert could possibly be the following first-team All-American for this program, as he took off after lastly cracking the lineup in April. He went 3-0 in match play at SECs after which tied for fifth on the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional. This summer season he was runner-up on the Alabama State Newbie and high 12 on the Northeast, Trans-Miss and Southern amateurs. The fifth spot may be very a lot up for grabs. Davis might be the most definitely candidate, although the hotshot recruit has some work to do bodily to face up to a full faculty schedule. Vo is a wild card, as he missed all of final season after sustaining a severe knee damage whereas enjoying basketball. For Auburn, the important thing to backing up the varsity’s first NCAA Championship is doing a lot of the identical. Solely now, the Tigers gained’t have even the slightest of chips on their shoulders. “They’ll be centered,” head coach Nick Clinard mentioned. “I can promise you that.”

2. Florida State

Closing 2023-24 rank: 5

2024 NCAA Championship end: Runner-up (fifth in stroke play)

Returning: Luke Clanton (Jr.), Tyler Weaver (Soph.), Grey Albright (Sr.), Jack Bigham (Jr.), Michael Mays (Sr.), Patrick McCann (Sr.), Wilmer Edero (Soph.), Carson Brewer (Soph.)

Departed: Frederik Kjettrup, Cole Anderson, Brett Roberts

Arriving: Andrew McLauchlan (Jr., transferred from Wake Forest), Drew Jones (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: Clanton, Weaver, Albright, Bigham, Mays

Scouting report: The Seminoles overcame early accidents and different aggressive absences to peak on the excellent time final season. They gained or completed second in 5 straight tournaments main into the NCAA Championship, the place their run ended within the NCAA ultimate as Luke Clanton misplaced the deciding match to Auburn’s J.M. Butler to seal Florida State’s nationwide runner-up end and the Tigers’ first NCAA workforce title. Now, Florida State should substitute three veterans from that workforce – graduates Frederik Kjettrup, Brett Roberts and Cole Anderson. It’s simpler to do when Clanton, now a junior, has ascended to No. 1 on this planet beginner rankings. Clanton, who had his faculty breakout final spring with three straight wins, is the unquestioned Haskins Award favourite getting into the autumn after a summer season that featured three top-10s in PGA Tour occasions and a T-41 on the U.S. Open. There’s an honest probability this could possibly be Clanton’s final faculty season as he’s simply six PGA Tour U Accelerated factors away from incomes a PGA Tour card, and he might try this by subsequent summer season if he wins a minimum of two of the Haskins, Hogan and Nicklaus awards, or captures a minimum of a type of together with profitable the NCAA particular person title. You’ll be able to wager Clanton will give all of it he’s obtained. “Luke is coming off arguably the very best summer season of any beginner participant in a really very long time,” head coach Trey Jones mentioned. “I do know Luke has quite a lot of lofty targets this yr. I do know he’ll work onerous and be pushed to realize his targets. Dealing with new expectations and busy schedule might be a key.” As for Clanton’s supporting forged, a lot might be anticipated out of reigning ACC freshman of the yr, Tyler Weaver, who subbed in in the course of the NCAA Championship and went 3-0 in match play. Weaver is a piece horse – becoming contemplating he’s the son of a champion jockey – although his summer season left quite a bit to be desired as a non-factor at each the British and U.S. amateurs. Grey Albright is again for a fifth yr, is a confirmed winner on the faculty degree and gives the Seminoles with a continuing in the midst of the lineup. Jack Bigham is a former Walker Cupper from England who noticed a ton of motion as a freshman, solely to play in simply seven occasions as a sophomore. The Seminoles’ NCAA title hopes doubtless relaxation on Bigham and senior Michael Mays, who each had standout summers – Bigham was a British Newbie semifinalist whereas Mays posted a top-6 on the Southern Newbie and T-86 on the U.S. Newbie, the place he was a spot out of the playoff. Bigham and Mays might want to step as much as take some strain off Clanton, although don’t depend out McLauchlan, who had 4 top-10s as a freshman at Wake, breaking into the lineup.

3. Oklahoma

Closing 2023-24 rank: 12

2024 NCAA Championship end: Ninth

Returning: Drew Goodman (Sr.), Jase Summy (Jr.), Ryder Cowan (Soph.), Stephen Campbell Jr. (Sr.), Jaxon Dowell (Sr.), PJ Maybank III (Soph.), Matthew Troutman (Jr.), Jake Hopper (Soph.), Connor Henry (Fr.)

Departed: Ben Lorenz, Luke Kluver, Jake Holbrook

Arriving: Clark van Gaalen (Fr.), Asher Whitaker (Fr.), Andrew Ramos (Fr.), Cameron Cheek (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: Goodman, Summy, Cowan, Campbell Jr., Dowell

Scouting report: It’s time to restart the engine in Norman, and to Sooners head coach Ryan Hybl, which means proving as soon as once more that Oklahoma is an NCAA title contender. “I’ll be sincere, we didn’t try this very effectively final yr,” Hybl mentioned. “I really feel like we underachieved fairly steadily final yr. We seemed excellent at occasions, however it was restricted quantities, and that was onerous for me to cope with as a result of I knew we have been higher than that.” The Sooners seemed unbeatable in the course of the ultimate spherical on the NCAA Rancho Santa Fe Regional, the place they gained by six after beginning the day in fifth place, and once more after a poor first 36 holes at nationals. In the end, Oklahoma fell a spot shy of match play, although there may be nonetheless some momentum that has carried over from the best way this squad completed. Departed are Lorenze and Kluver, who mixed for 3 wins final season, however the majority of a deep workforce is again. Senior Drew Goodman was supposed to leap into first-team All-American territory final season, and that simply didn’t occur. But when the putter retains trending, Goodman, who gained the Trans-Miss this summer season, might make that bounce in his ultimate yr. Summy is a birdie machine that may get sizzling in a rush. Campbell and Dowell will contribute a ton within the management division, and although each have been out and in of the lineup, there’s no motive both can’t turn into mainstays this season. Campbell is sort of a specialist who performs his finest golf on more durable tracks. Dowell has a excessive ground, which is good to have on the again finish of the lineup. The one concern is there are a number of youthful gamers knocking on the door for taking part in time. Cowan confirmed his means with 4 top-11 finishes final spring, two of these coming at convention and regionals. Maybank might step up however provided that his brief recreation will get higher. Troutman, who redshirted final season, most likely had the second-best summer season on the workforce, posting a top-5 on the Sunnehanna and falling in a playoff on the Western Newbie. Van Gaalen is probably the most prepared of the freshmen, and his closing 60 on the Monroe caught Hybl’s consideration. For a workforce that didn’t have something higher than an All-American honorable point out final season, Oklahoma will certainly want a minimum of one participant to ascend into first- or second-team standing if it needs to get again to match play on the NCAA Championship. If they’ll accomplish that, the Sooners depth and grit might produce a big-time outcome.

4. Texas Tech

Closing 2023-24 rank: 14

2024 NCAA Championship end: seventeenth

Returning: Calum Scott (Sr.), Matthew Comegys (Jr.), Tim Wiedemeyer (Soph.), Charlie DeLong (Sr.), Ben Gregg (Soph.), Worth Hill (Soph.)

Departed: Tyran Snyders, Baard Skogen, Vincente Marzilio, Jack Wall

Arriving: Connor Graham (Fr.), Sean Keeling (Fr.), Luke D’Alise (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: Scott, Comegys, Graham, Wiedemeyer, Keeling

Scouting report: It’s a typical preseason message from coaches, however when Texas Tech head coach Greg Sands says, “Prime to backside, that is most likely pretty much as good a workforce as we’ve had,” it’s straightforward to see why. It begins, in fact, on the high with Scott, the long-hitting Scot who like Ludvig Aberg earlier than him combines energy and accuracy off the tee to set every little thing else up. The distinction with Scott is he’s not shy about utilizing his greatest weapon, his 2-iron. He discovered his rhythm final postseason, tying for second on the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional earlier than posting a T-11 at La Costa. His robust summer season was then highlighted by him capturing low-amateur honors at The Open. Scott will share management duties with Comegys, who was tremendous constant final spring with six top-25s earlier than a wrist damage knocked him again at nationals. He took a while to get going once more this summer season, however he managed to make match play on the U.S. Newbie. Graham is among the high incoming freshmen within the nation, a fearless expertise and former Walker Cupper who below Scott’s tutelage ought to flourish. Wiedemeyer appears like a newcomer as effectively after not enjoying final season and struggling as a freshman whereas present process a swing change. Issues have clicked this summer season as Wiedemeyer tied for fifth on the European Newbie and made the Spherical of 32 on the British Newbie. “It’s onerous whenever you’ve obtained that a lot depth and also you’re making an attempt to interrupt into one thing the place possibly you don’t absolutely consider you’ll be able to,” Sands mentioned of Wiedemeyer, “and now he’s going to have that perception behind him.” Keeling is one other freshman who will get some run, DeLong is a former Nicklaus Award winner on the D-II degree, and Gregg and Hill certified for the U.S. Newbie this summer season. The Purple Raiders have the items to make match play on the NCAA Championship for simply the second time in what could be, ought to they advance by way of regionals once more this spring, a five-year run of qualifying for nationals.

5. Virginia

Closing 2023-24 rank: 8

2024 NCAA Championship end: Quarterfinalist (T-3 in stroke play)

Returning: Ben James (Jr.), Bryan Lee (Jr.), Deven Patel (Sr.), Josh Duangmanee (Soph.), Paul Chang (Sr.), Henry Daly (Jr.), Benny Haggin (Sr.), Matthew Monastero (Sr.), Sam O’Hara (Soph.)

Departed: George Duangmanee, Liam Powderly, Chris Fosdick

Arriving: Maxi Puregger (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: James, Lee, Patel, Duangmanee, Chang

Scouting report: That is the season the place the Cavaliers flip the web page from being a younger workforce to remodeling right into a squad of expertise, particularly within the postseason. Virginia has now superior to 2 straight NCAA match performs, and although it didn’t win a match both time, it did get eradicated by the eventual nationwide champions, Florida two seasons in the past and Auburn final season. “It’s onerous to be upset as a result of our program hadn’t finished quite a lot of this traditionally,” head coach Bowen Sargent mentioned. “We performed effectively, however we bumped into two sizzling groups each years. I believe our time’s coming.” Main the best way are James and Lee. James’ struggles from two summers in the past are lengthy gone as he once more was a first-team All-American final season, made the quarters on the Western Newbie this summer season after which adopted that by shedding to eventual U.S. Newbie champion Josele Ballester within the first spherical of match play at Hazeltine. “If he makes putts, he’s possibly the very best participant on this planet,” Sargent mentioned of James. As for Lee, he’s been overshadowed by James for the reason that two have been Junior Ryder Cup teammates. But, Lee’s seven top-10s final season proved his worth. Patel was in a rut final season earlier than assembly with Sargent and re-dedicating himself to chasing a profession on the subsequent degree; he gained the Hayt not lengthy after that. Duangmanee will now not have his older brother round, however that could possibly be good for the aggressive participant who must develop a bit of extra consistency this yr. Chang’s story is well-known at this level, and after tailing off final spring due to some ill-advised tweaks to his recreation, the previous membership golfer made the Spherical of 32 on the U.S. Newbie and has regained some momentum getting into the autumn. Daly, who couldn’t replicate a strong freshman season after transferring from Rice, and Puregger, a uncooked expertise from Spain, might additionally problem for a beginning spot. There’s not loopy depth, however Virginia has among the finest first fives within the nation and a possible Haskins winner in James.

6. Vanderbilt

Closing 2023-24 rank: 2

2024 NCAA Championship end: Quarterfinalist (second in stroke play)

Returning: Gordon Sargent (Sr.), Jackson Van Paris (Sr.), Wells Williams (Jr.), Chase Nevins (Soph.), John Broderick (Jr.), Rowan Sullivan (Soph.), Ben Loomis (Jr.)

Departed: Cole Sherwood, Matthew Riedel, William Moll

Arriving: Ryan Downes (Fr.), Bowen Ballis (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: Sargent, Van Paris, Williams, Downes, Broderick

Scouting report: Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh has had plenty of success on the NCAA Championship (seven match performs in 9 tries); his groups simply haven’t fairly gotten it finished. Arguably no exit was more durable than the one final Could at La Costa, the place the senior-laden Commodores have been upset within the quarterfinals by Ohio State. Now, Limbaugh should substitute Sherwood, Riedel and Moll, who introduced each nice golf and nice character to the primary tee with out fail. “That workforce was one I used to be particularly near, so to finish it like that, that damage by no means goes away to be sincere with you,” Limbaugh mentioned. “And I don’t really need that damage to go away – I believe that’s good so that you can be taught and develop – however we’re not going to dwell on it. We’re going to maneuver ahead with a new-look ball workforce this fall.” It’s the identical on the high, the place Sargent continues to be one of many nation’s elite abilities. However by some means, even with seven top-7s final season, together with runners-up at regionals and nationals, Sargent was critiqued closely. He solely gained as soon as, and he struggled with huge numbers that derailed some rounds. All that velocity is hard for anybody to manage, however that’s finally why Sargent determined to delay his PGA Tour membership till subsequent summer season and provides it yet another go together with the Commodores; he is aware of he can get quite a bit higher. “He’s a thermostat in any room he’s in,” Limbaugh mentioned of Sargent, “however together with being that man comes quite a lot of strain, and people excessive expectations can take away your pleasure. … He’s simply obtained to have enjoyable, be an athlete and play golf.” Sargent might be counted on much more to mentor the younger guys, however important management function might be shared by Van Paris, a former top-ranked junior who was sluggish to begin his faculty profession however turned it on as a junior with 5 top-15s and a T-10 in his PGA Tour debut on the Puerto Rico Open. Williams has been up and down by way of two seasons, however his win as a freshman in Cabo proves that he’s obtained a sky-high ceiling – and he joined each Sargent and Van Paris in making match play on the U.S. Newbie. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. Nevins had the very best summer season of the remaining guys, profitable each the Porter Cup and Palmetto Newbie. Broderick performed properly again dwelling, together with ending runner-up on the New England Newbie. Downes is a proficient freshman with an enormous motor. All Limbaugh is on the lookout for is a few reliability behind his Large Three. “We’ve obtained some horses; allow them to do their factor,” Limbaugh mentioned. “Not that these different guys can’t turn into that, however we simply wish to see some consistency with them.”

7. Arizona State

Closing 2023-24 rank: 4

2024 NCAA Championship end: DNQ

Returning: Preston Summerhays (Sr.), Josele Ballester (Sr.), Connor Williams (Soph.), Michael Mjaaseth (Jr.), Fifa Laopakdee (Soph.), Nick Prieto (Soph.)

Departed: Ryggs Johnston, Gabe Salvanera, Wenyi Ding (entered GAP rating), Luke Potter (transferred to Texas), Anawin Pikulthong (transferred to Pepperdine), Kiko Coelho (transferred to Grand Canyon)

Arriving: Peer Wernicke (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: Summerhays, Ballester, Williams, Mjaaseth, Laopakdee

Scouting report: The Solar Devils certain have taken some late-summer hits of late, going again to David Puig becoming a member of LIV Golf previous to the 2022-23 season and persevering with this yr with Wenyi Ding opting to depart college and enter the World Newbie Pathway rating, which if he maintains his high standing in, he’ll earn his DP World Tour card for subsequent season. Ding’s departure follows a number of departures, whether or not to commencement (primarily Johnston) or switch (primarily Potter, a former top-ranked junior). Plus, 2024 recruit Boston Bracken is deferring his eligibility for 2 years to go on an LDS mission. Fortunately for Arizona State head coach Matt Thurmond, he can depend on two heavyweights to guide this season in Summerhays and Ballester. Summerhays is a seasoned star, having gained a U.S. Junior and starred on a Walker Cup workforce. He gained twice final season, although some rocky outcomes, together with a T-50 on the NCAA Rancho Santa Fe Regional, the place Arizona State didn’t advance as a No. 1 seed, restricted him to solely third-team All-America standing. Ballester’s inventory, already excessive, soared after he gained the U.S. Newbie final month. He’s surprisingly not gained in faculty but, although he does have eight profession top-5 finishes at this degree. Motivation is at an all-time excessive for each stars, not solely as a result of there’s a bitter style left to rid following final spring’s disappointment but in addition as a result of Summerhays and Ballester will begin the autumn ranked first and ninth, respectively, in PGA Tour U. Williams may be among the finest putters in faculty golf, and he capped a robust debut marketing campaign with T-13 finishes at each convention and regionals – and he added top-13s at each the Trans-Miss and Pac Coast this summer season. Mjaaseth took a step again as a sophomore, getting a bit of banged up and shedding some confidence, however the expectation is that he’ll take two steps ahead this season. Laopakdee can also be more healthy, and his ball-striking might see him enter the beginning lineup, although Prieto and Wernicke may have some say. It’s a smaller roster than normal for Thurmond, however motivation actually isn’t missing. “That can at all times be at the back of our minds,” Thurmond mentioned of final spring’s regional exit. “That was a fairly large disappointment, and I believe the entire workforce might be getting ready to ensure we rectify that this yr. We could not discuss it a ton, however it will likely be there, and we might be actually excited to get again to regionals. I don’t suppose we’ll really feel that’s historical past and that’s previous till we make it to the NCAA Championship subsequent yr.”

8. Florida

Closing 2023-24 rank: 18

2024 NCAA Championship end: eleventh

Returning: Ian Gilligan (Sr.), Parker Bell (Jr.), Jack Turner (Soph.), Matthew Kress (Jr.), Rylan Shim (Fr.), Ryan Hart (Sr.), Luke Poulter (Soph.)

Departed: John DuBois, Quentin Debove, Tyler Wilkes, Joe Pagdin (transferred to TCU), Toby Bishop (transferred to Lipscomb)

Arriving: Zack Swanwick (Fr.), Parker Sands (Fr.), Joshua Bai (Fr., enrolling in January)

Projected beginning lineup: Gilligan, Bell, Turner, Kress, Swanwick

Scouting report: It’s tough to not be a prisoner of the second with the Gators. I imply, the summer season that Florida’s guys had was unimaginable. Gilligan, the previous switch from Lengthy Seaside State, is now a top-10 beginner on this planet after making the quarters of the North and South Newbie, tying for fortieth in his PGA Tour debut on the Barracuda and profitable the Western Newbie. Gilligan beat Turner in that marathon Western ultimate because the Gators had three of the 4 semifinalists that week (Bell was the opposite). “That was simply an insane accomplishment,” Florida head coach J.C. Deacon mentioned. “Now we’re coping with the precise reverse concern of final yr, which is expectations. No one thought something of us final yr, and now they suppose we’re fairly good, so we’re going to should determine that out.” Florida excelled because the underdog final season after profitable all of it in 2023, putting eleventh at La Costa. As Deacon mentioned, that chip is gone – as is the management of Dubois, who regardless of a down yr stored this workforce so as. Kress most likely assumes the primary management function because the Gators’ most disciplined participant. And Gilligan, with nice velocity and nice palms, is most definitely to guide together with his golf; he’s gotten far more comfy in his new dwelling, reworked bodily, and his confidence is at an all-time excessive. “I believe he might be within the player-of-the-year dialog this yr for certain,” Deacon mentioned. Bell is loopy lengthy, however his maturation this previous yr is crazier, going from massively immature to a dependable teammate and pupil. If he progresses equally this season, he can simply turn into an All-American. “I’ve by no means seen somebody flip a second probability into what he has,” Deacon mentioned of Bell. Turner tied Gilligan with a team-best 5 top-10s final season – his T-2 at SECs was his coming-out celebration – and he’s not trying again as he’s added some velocity to his aspirational swing. Freshmen Swanwick, an Australian Junior champ, and Sands, who gained the Western Junior this summer season, may have alternative to play a bunch, a minimum of till Bai, final yr’s U.S. Junior runner-up, arrives midseason. Hart and Shim, who redshirted final season, might shock whereas Poulter, who at occasions final fall was the Gators’ finest participant, is nursing a again damage and possibly gained’t be prepared to begin the season. Florida has been susceptible to sluggish begins in current seasons, so don’t panic if that pattern continues, even after a blistering summer season; Florida ought to have it discovered by the spring. “I do know everybody says this, however I don’t suppose I’ve ever been so excited going right into a season,” Deacon mentioned.

9. Illinois

Closing 2023-24 rank: 6

2024 NCAA Championship end: Quarterfinalist (first in stroke play)

Returning: Jackson Buchanan (Sr.), Max Herendeen (Soph.), Ryan Voois (Jr.), Ethan Wilson (Soph.)

Departed: Piercen Hunt, Tyler Goecke, Timmy Crawford, Jerry Ji, Adam Hunt

Arriving: Trey Marrion (Fr.), Joseph Buttress (Fr.), Jake Birdwell (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: Buchanan, Herendeen, Voois, Wilson, Marrion

Scouting report: Illinois head coach Mike Small by no means recruits a participant except he believes that, sooner or later, they may win a Large Ten particular person championship. So, as he prepares to depend on some unproven names on the again finish of the beginning lineup this season, there’s little concern. In any case, Small “didn’t know what to anticipate” final season following the departure of first-team All-Individuals Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Tommy Kuhl, and the Illini responded by profitable stroke play on the NCAA Championship. This time round, the highest of the lineup has remained intact with Buchanan, a current U.S. Newbie semifinalist and the second-best putter Small has ever coached (behind solely Nick Hardy), and Herendeen, a rising expertise who has 5 top-5s, together with an NCAA regional title and NCAA Championship runner-up, since shedding in a playoff to Preston Summerhays in his faculty debut final fall at Sahalee. Voois is a brainiac who got here on robust towards the top of final spring with a pair of postseason top-11s. Wilson didn’t make the postseason lineup, however he should step up this season or his spot might get taken by a freshman. This can be a well-balanced class: Marrion gained the North and South Junior and the Jap Newbie this summer season; Buttress is a promising Australian who final summer season made the Spherical of 16 on the U.S. Junior; and Birdwell shared the 54-hole lead on the Junior Boys PGA in July earlier than slipping to T-5. If one factor is for certain, Illinois will get higher because the season progresses. “That’s been our M.O. over time,” Small mentioned, “guys simply steadily getting higher, and so they work at it and are disciplined, and so they take possession.”

10. Ole Miss

Closing 2023-24 rank: 10

2024 NCAA Championship end: DNQ

Returning: Michael La Sasso (Jr.), Cameron Tankersley (Jr.), Kye Meeks (Sr.), Tom Fischer (Jr.), Collins Trolio (Soph.), Aidan Cohl (Soph.)

Departed: Tim Tillmanns, C.J. Easley, Patton Samuels (transferred to Austin Peay State)

Arriving: Cohen Trolio (Sr., transferred from LSU), Jacob Blanton (Fr.), Davis Gochenouer (Fr.)

Projected beginning lineup: La Sasso, Tankersley, Meeks, Fischer, Coh. Trolio

Scouting report: If there’s one factor going for the Rebels this yr it’s that Stanford isn’t internet hosting an NCAA regional. Ole Miss has had the worst luck at Stanford Golf Membership below head coach Chris Malloy, whose squad, identical to it did in 2019, completed a shot out of advancing to the NCAA Championship final spring. That unhealthy luck, nevertheless, hasn’t been confined to simply regionals at Stanford; since lacking nationals in 2018, Ole Miss has made it previous regionals simply as soon as, in 2022, in order that’s actually weighing closely on this program. However the excellent news is the expertise is there for the Rebels to begin a brand new pattern. La Sasso was the engine final season after transferring from N.C. State, and for many of the season he was one of many nation’s finest, compiling eight straight finishes of T-18 or higher earlier than withdrawing from the SEC Championship with meals poisoning. The abdomen bug derailed La Sasso’s season – and finally the Rebels’ season as effectively. He hasn’t been the identical since, although Malloy believes that getting him again on campus will reinvigorate the potential first-team All-American. Tankersley won’t wow anybody together with his instruments, however his consistency and excessive ground make him the right complement to La Sasso. Meeks has struggled with confidence throughout his profession, however all he must do is take a look at final spring, the place he posted a pair top-6s and tied for 18th at regionals. He simply must play greater than seven occasions this yr for Ole Miss to actually be nice. Fischer was underrated popping out of highschool, the place he was teammates with Gordon Sargent, however his T-10 at regionals final season, Alabama State Newbie win and his breakout efficiency on the U.S. Newbie, the place he gained a match, reveals he might take an enormous step this yr. Whereas Fischer may be the sleeper, the X-factor is Cohen Trolio, who transfers in after a couple of tumultuous years at LSU. The expertise is someplace in there; it’ll be Malloy’s job to unlock it. It will likely be powerful to knock these 5 guys from beginning positions, although Collins Trolio looks as if the most definitely candidate.

Remainder of high 25

11. Tennessee: The Vols overcame the lack of Caleb Surratt to LIV Golf in January to not solely qualify for the NCAA Championship but in addition end tenth, this system’s finest efficiency since 1980. Bryce Lewis and Jake Corridor at the moment are gone as effectively, however Tennessee returns two breakout gamers in junior Evan Woosley-Reed and sophomore Bruce Murphy, who mixed for six top-10s final season. A wholesome Josh Hill ought to see the beginning lineup steadily, as ought to junior Lance Simpson, who heated up towards the top of final season and had two-top-5s in Elite Newbie Sequence occasions this summer season. Of the freshmen, Jackson Herrington, often known as “The Fridge,” is the standout and could possibly be an All-American off the bat. He gained the Tennessee State Open this summer season whereas making the Candy 16 on the Western Newbie and Spherical of 32 on the U.S. Newbie. This is among the deeper groups within the nation with severe NCAA match play potential.

12. Texas: Few gamers had the kind of summer season that Tommy Morrison loved. The 6-foot-9 junior superior to the Spherical of 16 on the British Newbie, then gained the European Newbie earlier than making the lower at Royal Troon, missed match play through playoff on the Western Newbie after which bowed out within the Spherical of 32 on the U.S. Newbie. He and fellow juniors Christiaan Maas and Luke Potter (a switch from Arizona State) might be leaned on closely because the Longhorns, who misplaced Brian Stark and Nathan Petronzio to commencement and transfers Keaton Vo and Jacob Sosa, have huge query marks behind them in sophomore Jack Gilbert, and freshmen Daniel Bennett and Eduardo Derbez Torres. However when you have got three potential All-Individuals, depth issues much less. An 18th straight NCAA Championship look appears doubtless.

13. Texas A&M: The Aggies most likely underperformed final season with only one win and a T-20 on the NCAA Championship, however they lose only one participant, Daniel Rodrigues, and substitute him with blue-chip recruit Wheaton Ennis, the Arizona Newbie champion and a Spherical-of-32 qualifier on the U.S. Newbie. Senior Phichaksn Maichon is a surefire All-SEC expertise, junior Jaime Montojo certified for The Open this summer season and senior Michael Heidelbaugh ought to be a constant presence within the beginning lineup once more. However there might be quite a lot of competitors on the again finish of the beginning 5. Control sophomore Aaron Kilos, who hasn’t had an incredible summer season however will enter the autumn wholesome.

14. Duke: The Blue Devils completed seventh on the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional final season, however they lose only one starter in Ian Siebers and have seen a lot of gamers dazzle this summer season. Senior Luke Pattern, junior Ethan Evans and sophomore Bryan Kim all made match play on the U.S. Newbie whereas Pattern additionally reached the semifinals of the British Newbie. If former AJGA participant of the yr Kelly Chinn can get it going once more – he doesn’t have a top-10 for the reason that 2023 NCAA Norman Regional – Duke can flirt with NCAA match play.

15. Arizona: The Wildcats return the majority of their roster from final season’s squad that completed fifteenth at nationals with the graduated Sam Sommerhauser and switch Yannick Malik (ETSU) being the largest departures. However the trio of senior Tiger Christensen, junior Filip Jakubcik and junior Zach Pollo mixed for 11 top-10s, together with three wins, final season. Sophomore Tianyi Xiong and incoming freshman Matej Baca are among the many X-factors who’ve quite a bit to show.

16. North Carolina: After being the dialog because the nation’s high workforce the previous few seasons, the Tar Heels will take a step again – a minimum of to begin the autumn – following the departures of Austin Greaser, Dylan Menante and Peter Fountain. Seniors David Ford and Maxwell Ford sit atop the lineup, although the previous has been plagued not too long ago by a hip damage and the latter had a poor summer season, ending exterior the highest 100 on the Southern, Western and U.S. amateurs. David Ford will keep away from surgical procedure, although it would actually be one thing he has to handle transferring ahead. Behind them is the place issues get a bit of murky. There might be extra qualifying than we noticed with the veteran-laden groups of the previous with sophomore Hampton Roberts, switch Keaton Vo and 4 freshmen, headlined by Ethan Pascal, all with the chance to play quite a bit.

17. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys would’ve seemed fairly a bit completely different if not for touchdown Cal transfers Eric Lee and Ethan Fang, the latter of whom superior to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Newbie. Sophomore Preston Stout, final spring’s co-Large 12 particular person champion, is locked in atop the lineup after the commencement of Jonas Baumgartner, and sophomore Gaven Lane may have a large function. 5 freshmen might be amongst these battling for a fifth spot that would give Oklahoma State some complications at occasions.

18. LSU: What can new head coach Jake Amos do in 12 months 1? Bringing in two of his studs from ETSU, senior Algot Kleen and junior Matty Dodd-Berry, will assist. As will Missouri switch Alfons Bondesson, who had a greater freshman yr than sophomore yr. Sophomore Jay Mendell is the very best of the holdovers from the earlier administration. The Tigers can go pretty deep, so if the transition is easy, there’s no motive they’ll’t make a return to journey to the NCAA Championship.

19. UCLA: With senior Omar Morales, who had seven top-10s final season, knocking on the door of the highest 10 within the World Newbie Golf Rating, the Bruins have a legit Haskins Award contender. Fellow senior Pablo Ereno got here on final spring and might be one other key cog. If sophomore Luke Powell performs like he did final fall when he gained as soon as and added one other top-5 end, we should always see UCLA again on the NCAA Championship for the primary time since 2018.

20. Georgia Tech: After two straight years of profitable a minimum of one match on the NCAA Championship, the Yellow Jackets have a tall process in changing Christo Lamprecht and Bartley Forrester. Junior Hiroshi Tai confirmed simply how good his good is by profitable the NCAA particular person title, however now that he’s the man, he might stand to be a bit of extra constant. Sophomores Carson Kim and Kale Fontenot gained some large expertise final season, and freshman Albert Hansson will most likely be counted on equally this yr. The important thing could possibly be junior Ben Reuter, who redshirted final season after being a daily starter the season prior; he’s coming off a win on the Dutch Nationwide Stroke Play.

21. Pepperdine: It’s most likely protected to say the Waves gained’t have to fret about succumbing to the .500 rule once more this season. The rebuild is over, and Pepperdine returns its whole roster, which is headlined by juniors Mahanth Chirravuri and Brady Siravo, and sophomores Kris Kuvaas and William Walsh. Freshman Byungho Lee was a top-10 participant in his class, and Columbia switch Nathan Han could possibly be a pleasant shock. Clearly, there may be potential for volatility right here with out a clear-cut All-American, however there’s no denying there may be potential.

22. Stanford: Talking of younger groups, the Cardinal are simply that following the departures of All-Individuals Michael Thorbjornsen, Karl Vilips and Barclay Brown. That’s quite a lot of firepower to switch, however Stanford will try to fill a big a part of that void with two freshmen – T.Ok. Chantananuwat, who gained an Asian Tour occasion at 15 years outdated and is now almost a top-50 beginner on this planet who’s contemporary off a Spherical-of-32 exhibiting on the U.S. Newbie, and Jay Leng Jr., who additionally gained a match at Hazeltine and was a U.S. Junior semifinalist this summer season as effectively. If Harvard switch Brian Ma adjusts rapidly, and the Cardinal get extra out of sophomores Ethan Gao and Kush Arora, all of a sudden it is a workforce reloaded and never rebuilding.

23. Alabama: Credit score to the Tide for scrapping collectively an impressed spring after Nick Dunlap turned professional and simply lacking advancing out of regionals by a shot. However now’s the place issues get more durable as you lose seniors Canon Claycomb, Thomas Ponder and J.P. Cave. Junior Jonathan Griz is the very best of the returners and with a university win to his credit score, although he didn’t crack the highest 30 whereas enjoying a busy summer season schedule. Getting Stetson switch Dominic Clemons, who was runner-up on the British Newbie, was essential, and if freshmen Nicholas Gross and William Jennings can alter rapidly, Alabama continues to be a high 10 workforce in a loaded SEC.

24. San Diego State: The Aztecs return 4 of 5 starters from final season’s squad that completed sixth on the NCAA West Lafayette Regional. Senior Justin Hastings has changed into potential All-American, and he narrowly missed match play at each the Western Newbie and U.S. Newbie. Fellow senior Shea Lague battled some inconsistency after a standout sophomore season; if he returns to type and freshman Harry Takis of Australia is pretty much as good as marketed, we’ll see San Diego State again at nationals for the primary time since 2021.

25. Colorado: Maybe the largest shock within the high 25, the Buffaloes carry again primarily their whole roster from final season’s squad that solely didn’t make an NCAA regional due to the .500 rule. Senior Justin Biwer certified for regionals as a person final season, junior Hunter Swanson led the workforce with three top-10s, and senior Dylan McDermott made match play on the U.S. Newbie and ought to be thought-about a possible breakout participant. There’s some sneaky depth right here, too, with sophomores Ty Holbrook and Brandon Knight (not the previous NBA participant).

The listing

TOP 25
1. Auburn
2. Florida State
3. Oklahoma
4. Texas Tech
5. Virginia
6. Vanderbilt
7. Arizona State
8. Florida
9. Illinois
10. Ole Miss
11. Tennessee
12. Texas
13. Texas A&M
14. Duke
15. Arizona
16. North Carolina
17. Oklahoma State
18. LSU
19. UCLA
20. Georgia Tech
21. Pepperdine
22. Stanford
23. Alabama
24. San Diego State
25. Colorado

NEXT 10
26. Georgia
27. SMU
28. South Florida
29. BYU
30. Wake Forest
31. South Carolina
32. West Virginia
33. Notre Dame
34. Arkansas
35. Utah

Preseason All-Individuals

FIRST TEAM
1. Luke Clanton, Florida State
2. Jackson Koivun, Auburn
3. Calum Scott, Texas Tech
4. Preston Summerhays, Arizona State
5. Gordon Sargent, Vanderbilt
6. Ben James, Virginia
7. Brendan Valdes, Auburn
8. Jose Ballester, Arizona State
9. Jackson Van Paris, Vanderbilt
10. Jackson Buchanan, Illinois

SECOND TEAM
11. Max Herendeen, Illinois
12. Ian Gilligan, Florida
13. Drew Goodman, Oklahoma
14. Omar Morales, UCLA
15. David Ford, North Carolina
16. Tommy Morrison, Texas
17. Jase Summy, Oklahoma
18. Michael La Sasso, Ole Miss
19. Christiaan Maas, Texas
20. Phichaksn Maichon, Texas A&M

THIRD TEAM
21. Bryan Lee, Virginia
22. Filip Jakubcik, Arizona
23. Carson Bacha, Auburn
24. Josiah Gilbert, Auburn
25. Parker Bell, Florida
26. Hiroshi Tai, Georgia Tech
27. Tyler Weaver, Florida State
28. Tiger Christensen, Arizona
29. Jackson Herrington, Tennessee
30. Wells Williams, Vanderbilt

HONORABLE MENTION
31. T.Ok. Chantananuwat, Stanford
32. Preston Stout, Oklahoma State
33. Luke Pattern, Duke
34. Pablo Ereno, UCLA
35. Noah Kent, Iowa
36. Algot Kleen, LSU
37. Justin Hastings, San Diego State
38. Lance Simpson, Tennessee
39. Matthew Comegys, Texas Tech
40. Grey Albright, Florida State