Returning starters remains one of the most commonly cited benchmarks of offseason expectations for college football. While that metric still provides a useful baseline for roster continuity and which programs bring back the most first-team experience, it doesn't capture the role of depth and high-usage contributors outside the starting 11 on offense and defense.
Returning snaps helps fill in that gap.
It measures what percentage of on-field usage a team retained from one season to the next, capturing both starters and rotational players and offering a more complete picture of continuity.
The approach is similar in concept to Bill Connelly's returning production metric, though it is not position-group-weighted and does not account for incoming transfers. Instead, it provides a straightforward look at how much of last season's workload returns from each team's 2025 roster. Overall roster experience with transfer additions can be found here..
Using data from TruMedia, our analysis tracks the percentage of returning snaps on offense and defense, with breakdowns by position group and where those numbers rank among the 138 FBS teams. Offensive splits include quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line, while the defensive side covers the defensive line, linebacker and defensive back groups.
Teams that return most of their offensive line tend to rate well in overall returning snaps, given the position group's high volume of consistent snap participation. A similar effect often shows up in the secondary on defense, where snap distribution is typically more concentrated than along the defensive line.
Notre Dame tops the list, returning 66% of its total offensive and defensive snaps from the 2025 season. Six of the eight teams with the best FanDuel Sportsbook odds to win this year's national championship rank inside the top 25 nationally for returning overall snap percentage. The two exceptions are the teams that played for the title last season: Indiana (44%, No. 49) and Miami (46%, No. 41).
One important note before we get into the numbers: The recent five-for-five eligibility ruling for certain members of the 2022 recruiting class has created roster movement for some teams even with fall camp underway. We have updated these figures to account for those returning players to the best of our knowledge.
Players who have suffered injuries during fall camp are still included in these calculations, as they remain part of their team's returning roster. Because rosters remain fluid this late in the offseason, some figures could change as additional eligibility decisions or roster moves are made.
Alright, here is a look at the returning snap percentage for every FBS team entering the 2026 season.
Overall returning snaps percentages
| Team | Total Snaps | Off. Snaps (Rank) | Def. Snaps (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Notre Dame | 66% | 57% (16) | 73% (2) |
| 2. Virginia Tech | 62% | 64% (4) | 60% (8) |
| 3. Georgia | 61% | 58% (15) | 65% (4) |
| 4. BYU | 60% | 55% (20) | 65% (3) |
| 5. Maryland | 60% | 59% (13) | 60% (9) |
| 6. Stanford | 59% | 55% (24) | 64% (5) |
| 7. New Mexico | 59% | 62% (7) | 56% (19) |
| 8. Texas | 57% | 56% (17) | 58% (11) |
| 9. Delaware | 57% | 59% (12) | 54% (20) |
| 10. Air Force | 57% | 41% (62) | 75% (1) |
| 11. USC | 56% | 58% (14) | 53% (24) |
| 12. Ohio State | 56% | 67% (2) | 43% (61) |
| 13. Nebraska | 55% | 54% (25) | 57% (13) |
| 14. Oklahoma | 55% | 54% (26) | 57% (14) |
| 15. Northwestern | 54% | 55% (23) | 54% (22) |
| 16. Minnesota | 54% | 56% (18) | 52% (28) |
| 17. Washington | 54% | 56% (19) | 52% (29) |
| 18. Oregon | 54% | 48% (45) | 60% (10) |
| 19. Army | 54% | 72% (1) | 34% (90) |
| 20. Tennessee | 53% | 61% (10) | 45% (58) |
| 21. Texas Tech | 52% | 55% (21) | 49% (43) |
| 22. Navy | 52% | 48% (47) | 56% (16) |
| 23. Eastern Michigan | 52% | 41% (60) | 62% (7) |
| 24. Boise State | 52% | 54% (27) | 50% (40) |
| 25. FAU | 52% | 46% (50) | 57% (12) |
| 26. Fresno State | 51% | 53% (29) | 50% (39) |
| 27. Pittsburgh | 51% | 51% (35) | 51% (37) |
| 28. Florida | 51% | 38% (72) | 63% (6) |
| 29. North Dakota State | 51% | 49% (44) | 53% (27) |
| 30. Michigan | 51% | 62% (8) | 40% (71) |
| 31. Clemson | 50% | 52% (32) | 49% (45) |
| 32. Houston | 50% | 50% (39) | 51% (36) |
| 33. Temple | 50% | 65% (3) | 36% (82) |
| 34. South Carolina | 49% | 48% (46) | 50% (38) |
| 35. Arizona | 49% | 52% (33) | 46% (50) |
| 36. Miami (OH) | 49% | 50% (40) | 49% (46) |
| 37. Arkansas State | 49% | 61% (9) | 35% (84) |
| 38. Louisiana | 48% | 59% (11) | 38% (75) |
| 39. SMU | 46% | 51% (36) | 43% (62) |
| 40. San Diego State | 46% | 63% (5) | 31% (109) |
| 41. Miami (FL) | 46% | 36% (78) | 57% (15) |
| 42. Texas A&M | 46% | 43% (56) | 50% (42) |
| 43. Vanderbilt | 46% | 39% (67) | 52% (30) |
| 44. Texas State | 45% | 51% (37) | 40% (70) |
| 45. UTSA | 45% | 55% (22) | 35% (83) |
| 46. Liberty | 45% | 51% (38) | 38% (74) |
| 47. Syracuse | 44% | 39% (68) | 51% (34) |
| 48. Louisiana Tech | 44% | 52% (30) | 37% (78) |
| 49. Indiana | 44% | 34% (84) | 56% (17) |
| 50. Ole Miss | 44% | 49% (43) | 39% (72) |
| 51. NC State | 44% | 43% (54) | 44% (60) |
| 52. Tulsa | 44% | 37% (73) | 51% (35) |
| 53. Utah State | 43% | 40% (63) | 45% (59) |
| 54. TCU | 43% | 39% (65) | 47% (48) |
| 55. Western Michigan | 43% | 52% (31) | 33% (94) |
| 56. Missouri | 43% | 53% (28) | 31% (108) |
| 57. Virginia | 43% | 39% (66) | 47% (47) |
| 58. UCF | 42% | 32% (91) | 53% (26) |
| 59. Kansas | 42% | 31% (93) | 52% (31) |
| 60. Mississippi State | 42% | 33% (89) | 51% (33) |
| 61. Marshall | 42% | 51% (34) | 32% (102) |
| 62. California | 41% | 47% (49) | 35% (85) |
| 63. Akron | 41% | 45% (52) | 37% (79) |
| 64. Alabama | 41% | 30% (95) | 53% (25) |
| 65. Wake Forest | 41% | 25% (110) | 56% (18) |
| 66. Duke | 41% | 35% (82) | 46% (52) |
| 67. Central Michigan | 41% | 62% (6) | 20% (123) |
| 68. Jacksonville State | 40% | 35% (81) | 45% (56) |
| 69. Hawaii | 40% | 47% (48) | 33% (97) |
| 70. Kansas State | 40% | 49% (41) | 33% (96) |
| 71. Kent State | 40% | 49% (42) | 32% (99) |
| 72. UCLA | 40% | 42% (59) | 38% (76) |
| 73. UNLV | 39% | 33% (88) | 46% (53) |
| 74. Iowa | 39% | 46% (51) | 33% (95) |
| 75. Boston College | 39% | 25% (107) | 54% (21) |
| 76. Utah | 39% | 37% (75) | 42% (64) |
| 77. South Alabama | 38% | 42% (58) | 34% (92) |
| 78. New Mexico State | 38% | 26% (103) | 50% (41) |
| 79. Georgia Tech | 38% | 24% (112) | 52% (32) |
| 80. ULM | 37% | 43% (55) | 32% (100) |
| 81. FIU | 37% | 36% (77) | 38% (73) |
| 82. Purdue | 37% | 33% (87) | 41% (67) |
| 83. Sam Houston | 36% | 32% (92) | 41% (69) |
| 84. Rutgers | 36% | 41% (61) | 29% (113) |
| 85. Louisville | 36% | 27% (101) | 45% (57) |
| 86. Oregon State | 36% | 31% (94) | 41% (66) |
| 87. Rice | 36% | 38% (69) | 33% (98) |
| 88. Georgia Southern | 35% | 17% (125) | 54% (23) |
| 89. Tulane | 35% | 24% (117) | 47% (49) |
| 90. Illinois | 35% | 36% (76) | 33% (93) |
| 91. LSU | 34% | 25% (104) | 42% (63) |
| 92. Kennesaw State | 34% | 22% (120) | 46% (54) |
| 93. Nevada | 34% | 38% (70) | 29% (112) |
| 94. Cincinnati | 33% | 36% (80) | 32% (105) |
| 95. Georgia State | 33% | 40% (64) | 26% (116) |
| 96. Wisconsin | 32% | 35% (83) | 30% (110) |
| 97. Troy | 32% | 38% (71) | 27% (115) |
| 98. Florida State | 32% | 24% (116) | 41% (65) |
| 99. Missouri State | 32% | 29% (96) | 35% (86) |
| 100. Wyoming | 32% | 34% (85) | 29% (114) |
| 101. Old Dominion | 31% | 12% (132) | 49% (44) |
| 102. Arizona State | 31% | 27% (99) | 34% (88) |
| 103. UMass | 30% | 29% (97) | 31% (107) |
| 104. Bowling Green | 30% | 25% (108) | 35% (87) |
| 105. Middle Tennessee | 30% | 25% (106) | 34% (89) |
| 106. Baylor | 30% | 24% (118) | 36% (81) |
| 107. Arkansas | 29% | 37% (74) | 21% (120) |
| 108. Ohio | 29% | 13% (130) | 46% (55) |
| 109. Charlotte | 29% | 25% (109) | 32% (103) |
| 110. Auburn | 29% | 11% (133) | 46% (51) |
| 111. North Carolina | 28% | 24% (115) | 32% (104) |
| 112. Ball State | 28% | 36% (79) | 20% (122) |
| 113. Coastal Carolina | 27% | 24% (111) | 30% (111) |
| 114. Northern Illinois | 27% | 42% (57) | 12% (130) |
| 115. Kentucky | 27% | 13% (131) | 41% (68) |
| 116. Washington State | 27% | 44% (53) | 8% (135) |
| 117. Michigan State | 27% | 33% (90) | 20% (121) |
| 118. East Carolina | 26% | 16% (126) | 36% (80) |
| 119. Colorado State | 25% | 16% (127) | 34% (91) |
| 120. Sacramento State | 25% | 17% (123) | 32% (101) |
| 121. UTEP | 24% | 10% (135) | 37% (77) |
| 122. Buffalo | 24% | 17% (124) | 31% (106) |
| 123. Appalachian State | 24% | 26% (102) | 21% (119) |
| 124. Western Kentucky | 23% | 22% (119) | 24% (118) |
| 125. South Florida | 22% | 25% (105) | 19% (124) |
| 126. Penn State | 22% | 19% (122) | 25% (117) |
| 127. Colorado | 21% | 34% (86) | 8% (134) |
| 128. UAB | 21% | 28% (98) | 13% (129) |
| 129. San Jose State | 20% | 24% (113) | 15% (128) |
| 130. West Virginia | 19% | 27% (100) | 11% (131) |
| 131. James Madison | 19% | 20% (121) | 18% (126) |
| 132. Toledo | 17% | 24% (114) | 10% (132) |
| 133. Oklahoma State | 11% | 4% (137) | 18% (125) |
| 134. Memphis | 10% | 14% (129) | 6% (136) |
| 135. Iowa State | 10% | 4% (138) | 16% (127) |
| 136. Southern Miss | 10% | 15% (128) | 5% (137) |
| 137. UConn | 7% | 11% (134) | 4% (138) |
| 138. North Texas | 7% | 5% (136) | 9% (133) |
A few broader roster trends stand out when breaking down returning snaps by side of the ball. Virginia Tech ranks in the top 10 nationally in both offense and defense, returning 62% of its overall snaps. That's somewhat surprising given the Hokies welcomed a new coach in James Franklin, though retaining Brent Pry as defensive coordinator likely helped preserve some continuity.
Coaching turnover is a common thread near the bottom: 21 of the 32 teams with the lowest overall returning snap rates also made a change at head coach.
Colorado (21%), San Jose State (20%) and West Virginia (19%) are the three teams with the lowest returning-snap rates that didn't make a coaching change. Virginia Tech (62%), Stanford (59%), Florida (51%) and Michigan (51%) offer an interesting counterpoint, ranking as the four teams with the highest returning-snap rates despite changing coaches this offseason.
Several teams show a sharp imbalance between the two sides of the ball. Central Michigan returns 63% of its offensive snaps (No. 6 nationally), but just 20% on defense (No. 123). Army has a similar split, leading the FBS with 72% of its offensive snaps back while returning just 34% on defense (No. 90).
On the flip side, Georgia Southern returns only 17% of its offensive snaps (No. 125) but brings back a far more stable defensive unit at 54% (No. 23).
There is also a clear overlap between returning starters and returning snap percentage. Among the 30 FBS teams that bring back at least 11 players who started six games or more during the 2025 season (incoming transfers excluded), all but five also rank in the top 30 in returning snaps.
That reinforces the idea that the two metrics generally move in tandem, even if they measure continuity in different ways.
Now, let's get into some position group breakdowns.
Offense returning snaps percentages
Teams ranked in order of returning offensive snap rate
| Team | QB Snaps | RB Snaps | WR Snaps | TE Snaps | OL Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Army | 73% (46) | 53% (46) | 81% (7) | 100% (1) | 75% (7) |
| 2. Ohio State | 93% (26) | 50% (51) | 58% (23) | 27% (72) | 82% (2) |
| 3. Temple | 0% (116) | 29% (86) | 59% (21) | 99% (6) | 79% (4) |
| 4. Virginia Tech | 0% (116) | 59% (36) | 48% (35) | 94% (9) | 80% (3) |
| 5. San Diego State | 94% (23) | 86% (12) | 91% (2) | 56% (28) | 38% (74) |
| 6. Central Michigan | 32% (60) | 36% (71) | 83% (5) | 25% (78) | 77% (6) |
| 7. New Mexico | 100% (1) | 28% (87) | 53% (28) | 45% (41) | 70% (14) |
| 8. Michigan | 95% (19) | 62% (34) | 49% (33) | 44% (45) | 66% (16) |
| 9. Arkansas State | <1% (114) | 93% (7) | 65% (14) | 32% (62) | 72% (9) |
| 10. Tennessee | 2% (99) | 56% (39) | 69% (11) | 39% (51) | 74% (8) |
| 11. Louisiana | 90% (35) | 11% (111) | 54% (27) | 81% (13) | 60% (29) |
| 12. Delaware | 99% (11) | 99% (4) | 34% (74) | 79% (16) | 54% (36) |
| 13. Maryland | 93% (25) | 71% (25) | 21% (107) | 87% (12) | 65% (18) |
| 14. USC | 95% (20) | 69% (29) | 25% (98) | 11% (100) | 79% (5) |
| 15. Georgia | 100% (1) | 70% (28) | 30% (87) | 54% (32) | 61% (26) |
| 16. Notre Dame | 88% (37) | 10% (112) | 48% (36) | 37% (54) | 71% (11) |
| 17. Texas | 95% (21) | 6% (122) | 56% (25) | 27% (70) | 66% (17) |
| 18. Minnesota | 100% (1) | 54% (44) | 44% (45) | 25% (76) | 64% (23) |
| 19. Washington | 94% (22) | 10% (113) | 34% (73) | 75% (19) | 64% (21) |
| 20. BYU | 97% (17) | 86% (13) | 29% (91) | 28% (68) | 60% (27) |
| 21. Texas Tech | 26% (65) | 100% (1) | 33% (81) | 55% (31) | 64% (22) |
| 22. UTSA | 100% (1) | 54% (43) | 64% (16) | 4% (112) | 58% (32) |
| 23. Northwestern | 4% (93) | 90% (9) | 100% (1) | 22% (82) | 45% (54) |
| 24. Stanford | <1% (108) | 72% (23) | 30% (85) | 23% (81) | 84% (1) |
| 25. Nebraska | 36% (58) | 29% (83) | 71% (10) | 80% (14) | 47% (48) |
| 26. Oklahoma | 92% (30) | 83% (14) | 41% (54) | 2% (120) | 59% (31) |
| 27. Boise State | 100% (1) | 70% (26) | 36% (68) | 45% (43) | 52% (39) |
| 28. Missouri | 28% (63) | 93% (8) | 19% (112) | 96% (8) | 56% (34) |
| 29. Fresno State | 0% (116) | 79% (19) | 88% (3) | 2% (123) | 56% (35) |
| 30. Louisiana Tech | 88% (38) | 0% (133) | 38% (66) | 100% (1) | 53% (37) |
| 31. Western Michigan | 89% (36) | 70% (27) | 61% (18) | 2% (124) | 52% (38) |
| 32. Clemson | 19% (72) | 29% (85) | 81% (6) | 71% (20) | 43% (61) |
| 33. Arizona | 94% (24) | 96% (6) | 51% (31) | 2% (121) | 45% (55) |
| 34. Marshall | 92% (28) | 24% (91) | 60% (20) | 100% (1) | 34% (84) |
| 35. Pittsburgh | 70% (47) | 43% (61) | 33% (78) | <1% (129) | 70% (12) |
| 36. SMU | 100% (1) | 24% (92) | 42% (49) | 4% (110) | 64% (20) |
| 37. Texas State | 97% (15) | 12% (109) | 85% (4) | 56% (29) | 30% (92) |
| 38. Liberty | 81% (43) | 8% (117) | 29% (92) | 34% (59) | 71% (10) |
| 39. Houston | 92% (29) | 19% (98) | 81% (8) | 32% (61) | 37% (77) |
| 40. Miami (OH) | 25% (67) | 38% (68) | 39% (58) | <1% (128) | 70% (13) |
| 41. Kansas State | 100% (1) | 69% (30) | 64% (17) | 64% (22) | 23% (106) |
| 42. Kent State | 86% (39) | 9% (114) | 41% (53) | 80% (15) | 44% (58) |
| 43. Ole Miss | 84% (40) | 79% (18) | 22% (102) | 24% (79) | 56% (33) |
| 44. North Dakota State | 18% (73) | 33% (76) | 39% (63) | 43% (48) | 65% (19) |
| 45. Oregon | 97% (18) | 46% (57) | 44% (46) | 38% (52) | 44% (57) |
| 46. South Carolina | 90% (34) | 31% (79) | 56% (24) | 60% (26) | 36% (78) |
| 47. Navy | 13% (77) | 11% (110) | 59% (22) | 77% (18) | 69% (15) |
| 48. Hawaii | 78% (45) | 30% (80) | 41% (55) | 100% (1) | 47% (49) |
| 49. California | 97% (16) | 3% (126) | 35% (72) | 60% (27) | 50% (44) |
| 50. FAU | 90% (33) | 38% (69) | 48% (34) | 0% (132) | 43% (62) |
| 51. Iowa | 8% (85) | 74% (22) | 35% (71) | 70% (21) | 46% (50) |
| 52. Akron | 5% (89) | 98% (5) | 51% (30) | 64% (23) | 34% (82) |
| 53. Washington State | 5% (92) | 77% (20) | 28% (95) | 55% (30) | 51% (40) |
| 54. NC State | 98% (13) | 43% (62) | 39% (62) | 5% (108) | 45% (56) |
| 55. ULM | 91% (31) | <1% (131) | 46% (39) | 3% (116) | 50% (42) |
| 56. Texas A&M | 93% (27) | 56% (40) | 66% (12) | 17% (88) | 25% (100) |
| 57. Northern Illinois | 46% (55) | 44% (60) | 72% (9) | 10% (102) | 33% (86) |
| 58. South Alabama | 100% (1) | 49% (52) | 42% (50) | 28% (69) | 34% (81) |
| 59. UCLA | 91% (32) | 52% (47) | 21% (106) | 11% (101) | 48% (46) |
| 60. Eastern Michigan | 100% (1) | 8% (120) | 38% (64) | 91% (10) | 30% (94) |
| 61. Rutgers | 4% (94) | 90% (10) | 46% (40) | 7% (103) | 44% (59) |
| 62. Air Force | 100% (1) | 35% (73) | 30% (89) | 4% (113) | 46% (52) |
| 63. Utah State | 30% (61) | 56% (37) | 3% (136) | 12% (97) | 61% (25) |
| 64. Georgia State | 43% (56) | 12% (108) | 33% (76) | 43% (46) | 48% (47) |
| 65. TCU | 0% (116) | 46% (58) | 49% (32) | 16% (92) | 45% (53) |
| 66. Virginia | 2% (103) | 17% (101) | 20% (109) | 43% (47) | 60% (28) |
| 67. Vanderbilt | 8% (86) | 88% (11) | 47% (38) | 54% (33) | 24% (103) |
| 68. Syracuse | 54% (52) | 8% (118) | 29% (93) | 29% (67) | 49% (45) |
| 69. Rice | 13% (78) | 82% (15) | 14% (120) | 25% (75) | 50% (41) |
| 70. Nevada | 55% (51) | 43% (63) | 23% (100) | 4% (114) | 50% (43) |
| 71. Troy | 98% (14) | 37% (70) | 6% (130) | 34% (58) | 42% (63) |
| 72. Florida | 9% (84) | 82% (16) | 36% (67) | 13% (96) | 42% (64) |
| 73. Tulsa | 79% (44) | <1% (128) | 45% (43) | 16% (91) | 38% (75) |
| 74. Arkansas | 12% (80) | 31% (78) | 30% (88) | 62% (25) | 42% (65) |
| 75. Utah | 99% (12) | 64% (33) | 39% (60) | 22% (83) | 22% (109) |
| 76. Illinois | 0% (116) | 100% (1) | 52% (29) | 30% (64) | 25% (101) |
| 77. FIU | <1% (111) | 48% (53) | 60% (19) | 25% (77) | 31% (88) |
| 78. Miami (FL) | <1% (109) | 100% (1) | 43% (47) | 44% (44) | 24% (105) |
| 79. Ball State | 0% (116) | 43% (64) | 33% (80) | 27% (71) | 46% (51) |
| 80. Cincinnati | 5% (91) | 5% (123) | 16% (116) | 23% (80) | 62% (24) |
| 81. Jacksonville State | 66% (48) | 29% (81) | 43% (48) | 6% (106) | 33% (85) |
| 82. Duke | 0% (116) | 55% (41) | 4% (133) | 78% (17) | 43% (60) |
| 83. Wisconsin | 60% (50) | 35% (72) | 35% (70) | 20% (86) | 34% (83) |
| 84. Indiana | 1% (104) | 16% (103) | 21% (104) | <1% (131) | 60% (30) |
| 85. Wyoming | 15% (76) | 34% (74) | 42% (51) | 14% (94) | 40% (69) |
| 86. Colorado | 24% (69) | 52% (48) | 38% (65) | 98% (7) | 22% (107) |
| 87. Purdue | 81% (42) | 26% (90) | 21% (105) | 19% (87) | 34% (80) |
| 88. UNLV | 2% (97) | 66% (32) | 25% (99) | 30% (65) | 38% (76) |
| 89. Mississippi State | 24% (68) | 53% (45) | 55% (26) | 17% (90) | 21% (112) |
| 90. Michigan State | 41% (57) | 41% (65) | 28% (94) | 5% (109) | 39% (73) |
| 91. UCF | 0% (116) | 8% (116) | 48% (37) | 49% (38) | 30% (90) |
| 92. Sam Houston | 33% (59) | 75% (21) | 66% (13) | 0% (132) | 6% (129) |
| 93. Kansas | 12% (79) | <1% (129) | 32% (82) | 38% (53) | 39% (72) |
| 94. Oregon State | 60% (49) | 20% (96) | 20% (108) | 41% (49) | 30% (91) |
| 95. Alabama | 10% (82) | 54% (42) | 45% (44) | 50% (36) | 15% (120) |
| 96. Missouri State | 0% (116) | 39% (67) | 39% (57) | 90% (11) | 15% (121) |
| 97. UMass | 0% (116) | 22% (94) | 18% (115) | 100% (1) | 22% (108) |
| 98. UAB | 26% (66) | <1% (130) | 15% (119) | 29% (66) | 40% (67) |
| 99. Arizona State | 0% (116) | 22% (95) | 39% (59) | 22% (84) | 30% (93) |
| 100. West Virginia | 49% (53) | 0% (133) | 5% (132) | 21% (85) | 42% (66) |
| 101. Louisville | <1% (112) | 71% (24) | 20% (110) | 49% (39) | 21% (111) |
| 102. Appalachian State | 0% (116) | 44% (59) | 28% (96) | 4% (111) | 32% (87) |
| 103. New Mexico State | 22% (70) | 56% (38) | 42% (52) | 3% (118) | 17% (116) |
| 104. LSU | 0% (116) | 68% (31) | <1% (137) | 41% (50) | 31% (89) |
| 105. South Florida | 0% (116) | 28% (88) | 30% (86) | 54% (34) | 22% (110) |
| 106. Middle Tennessee | 29% (62) | 13% (107) | 39% (61) | 37% (55) | 16% (117) |
| 107. Boston College | 0% (116) | 8% (119) | 31% (84) | 35% (56) | 28% (96) |
| 108. Bowling Green | 27% (64) | 32% (77) | 22% (101) | 45% (40) | 17% (115) |
| 109. Charlotte | 82% (41) | 23% (93) | 9% (127) | 53% (35) | 16% (118) |
| 110. Wake Forest | <1% (107) | 40% (66) | 22% (103) | 34% (57) | 25% (99) |
| 111. Coastal Carolina | 0% (116) | 47% (55) | 29% (90) | 45% (42) | 18% (114) |
| 112. Georgia Tech | <1% (113) | 47% (56) | 6% (131) | 0% (132) | 40% (68) |
| 113. San Jose State | 16% (75) | 18% (100) | 9% (128) | 3% (119) | 39% (70) |
| 114. Toledo | 7% (88) | 15% (105) | 20% (111) | 11% (99) | 34% (79) |
| 115. North Carolina | 2% (102) | 59% (35) | 46% (41) | 6% (105) | 13% (123) |
| 116. Florida State | 7% (87) | 29% (84) | 65% (15) | 15% (93) | 6% (128) |
| 117. Tulane | 0% (116) | 27% (89) | 36% (69) | 1% (127) | 28% (97) |
| 118. Baylor | 2% (98) | 48% (54) | 11% (125) | 33% (60) | 28% (95) |
| 119. Western Kentucky | 46% (54) | 3% (125) | 34% (75) | 12% (98) | 16% (119) |
| 120. Kennesaw State | <1% (115) | <1% (132) | 11% (122) | 6% (107) | 39% (71) |
| 121. James Madison | 2% (101) | 15% (106) | 27% (97) | 2% (125) | 26% (98) |
| 122. Penn State | 0% (116) | 7% (121) | 11% (124) | 31% (63) | 25% (102) |
| 123. Sacramento State | 0% (116) | 9% (115) | 33% (77) | 50% (37) | 7% (127) |
| 124. Buffalo | 2% (100) | 34% (75) | 40% (56) | 0% (132) | 4% (132) |
| 125. Georgia Southern | 9% (83) | 51% (50) | 15% (118) | 26% (74) | 10% (125) |
| 126. East Carolina | 0% (116) | 16% (102) | 33% (79) | 13% (95) | 11% (124) |
| 127. Colorado State | 20% (71) | 0% (133) | 45% (42) | 17% (89) | 4% (135) |
| 128. Southern Miss | 11% (81) | 18% (99) | 4% (134) | 0% (132) | 24% (104) |
| 129. Memphis | 0% (116) | 0% (133) | 19% (114) | <1% (130) | 20% (113) |
| 130. Ohio | 5% (90) | 29% (82) | 31% (83) | 2% (122) | 3% (136) |
| 131. Kentucky | 1% (105) | 19% (97) | 9% (126) | 63% (24) | 2% (137) |
| 132. Old Dominion | 17% (74) | 52% (49) | 16% (117) | 1% (126) | 4% (134) |
| 133. Auburn | 0% (116) | 80% (17) | 4% (135) | 3% (117) | 6% (130) |
| 134. UConn | <1% (106) | 1% (127) | 19% (113) | 0% (132) | 13% (122) |
| 135. UTEP | 4% (95) | 15% (104) | 13% (121) | 27% (73) | 5% (131) |
| 136. North Texas | 3% (96) | 0% (133) | 9% (129) | 3% (115) | 4% (133) |
| 137. Oklahoma State | 0% (116) | 0% (133) | <1% (138) | 0% (132) | 9% (126) |
| 138. Iowa State | <1% (110) | 3% (124) | 11% (123) | 7% (104) | 2% (138) |
At quarterback, continuity tends to come in extremes, with teams either returning a large share of their snaps or essentially starting over. There are 47 FBS programs returning at least 70% of their quarterback snaps, while another 78 return 30% or less. Together, that accounts for 125 of the 138 FBS programs.
That split is less pronounced at the skill positions and along the offensive line, but true multi-unit continuity is rare. The vast majority of teams are replacing a significant share of snaps somewhere across the offensive unit.
Army is the only team in the country returning at least 70% of its snaps in four of the five offensive position groups tracked, while Delaware, Maryland and San Diego State each reach that threshold in three. The Aztecs are the only FBS program to pair at least 70% returning snaps at running back, wide receiver and quarterback.
Only seven teams return at least 70% of their snaps at both quarterback and along the offensive line: Army, Liberty, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and USC.
North Texas and Oklahoma State are outliers for a different reason. Both return 10% or fewer of their snaps across all five offensive position groups after Eric Morris relocated his system north of the Red River to Stillwater. Iowa State and Auburn narrowly miss that group, returning 10% or fewer snaps at four of the five position groups.
Defense returning snaps
Teams ranked in order of returning defensive snap rate
| Team | DL Snaps | LB Snaps | DB Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Air Force | 24% (99) | 99% (1) | 91% (1) |
| 2. Notre Dame | 60% (20) | 76% (6) | 80% (3) |
| 3. BYU | 76% (3) | 62% (26) | 63% (17) |
| 4. Georgia | 78% (2) | 74% (7) | 51% (35) |
| 5. Stanford | 48% (42) | 74% (8) | 62% (19) |
| 6. Florida | 55% (26) | 85% (4) | 54% (31) |
| 7. Eastern Michigan | 61% (19) | 59% (36) | 66% (12) |
| 8. Virginia Tech | 50% (37) | 44% (61) | 78% (4) |
| 9. Maryland | 43% (48) | 89% (2) | 44% (64) |
| 10. Oregon | 73% (4) | 61% (30) | 50% (38) |
| 11. Texas | 66% (8) | 46% (59) | 61% (21) |
| 12. FAU | 66% (9) | 72% (12) | 42% (72) |
| 13. Nebraska | 66% (6) | 42% (65) | 59% (25) |
| 14. Oklahoma | 50% (38) | 64% (23) | 59% (23) |
| 15. Miami (FL) | 39% (62) | 56% (44) | 70% (9) |
| 16. Navy | 34% (75) | 61% (28) | 66% (11) |
| 17. Indiana | 57% (23) | 70% (14) | 47% (50) |
| 18. Wake Forest | 65% (11) | 56% (42) | 51% (36) |
| 19. New Mexico | 38% (64) | 67% (20) | 65% (13) |
| 20. Delaware | 42% (56) | 67% (19) | 55% (29) |
| 21. Boston College | 39% (61) | 30% (95) | 76% (5) |
| 22. Northwestern | 43% (49) | 51% (52) | 64% (15) |
| 23. Georgia Southern | 66% (7) | 55% (46) | 46% (55) |
| 24. USC | 49% (40) | 63% (25) | 47% (48) |
| 25. Alabama | 30% (85) | 33% (85) | 81% (2) |
| 26. UCF | 46% (43) | 35% (81) | 71% (8) |
| 27. North Dakota State | 65% (10) | 18% (112) | 57% (27) |
| 28. Minnesota | 35% (71) | 73% (10) | 49% (44) |
| 29. Washington | 48% (41) | 60% (32) | 48% (47) |
| 30. Vanderbilt | 51% (36) | 54% (48) | 51% (37) |
| 31. Kansas | 36% (68) | 49% (56) | 61% (20) |
| 32. Georgia Tech | 37% (67) | 88% (3) | 38% (77) |
| 33. Mississippi State | 57% (24) | 58% (37) | 44% (63) |
| 34. Syracuse | 20% (112) | 60% (33) | 63% (16) |
| 35. Tulsa | 20% (110) | 41% (67) | 74% (7) |
| 36. Houston | 35% (70) | 65% (22) | 50% (41) |
| 37. Pittsburgh | 61% (17) | 49% (57) | 46% (56) |
| 38. South Carolina | 38% (66) | 69% (18) | 48% (45) |
| 39. Fresno State | 59% (21) | 51% (53) | 43% (68) |
| 40. Boise State | 53% (32) | 73% (11) | 33% (95) |
| 41. New Mexico State | 42% (54) | 62% (27) | 46% (54) |
| 42. Texas A&M | 38% (65) | 36% (77) | 64% (14) |
| 43. Texas Tech | 43% (53) | 27% (100) | 69% (10) |
| 44. Old Dominion | 53% (33) | 25% (102) | 56% (28) |
| 45. Clemson | 25% (98) | 63% (24) | 49% (42) |
| 46. Miami (OH) | 61% (16) | 36% (78) | 45% (60) |
| 47. Virginia | 64% (12) | 51% (51) | 33% (91) |
| 48. TCU | 90% (1) | 8% (130) | 46% (52) |
| 49. Tulane | 26% (94) | 56% (43) | 54% (32) |
| 50. Arizona | 54% (28) | 78% (5) | 19% (118) |
| 51. Auburn | 31% (78) | 57% (39) | 50% (39) |
| 52. Duke | 36% (69) | 73% (9) | 43% (65) |
| 53. UNLV | 40% (59) | 40% (70) | 53% (33) |
| 54. Kennesaw State | 53% (34) | 58% (38) | 35% (87) |
| 55. Ohio | 53% (31) | 69% (17) | 30% (104) |
| 56. Jacksonville State | 29% (88) | 69% (16) | 42% (70) |
| 57. Louisville | 4% (137) | 72% (13) | 53% (34) |
| 58. Tennessee | 40% (57) | 61% (29) | 38% (78) |
| 59. Utah State | 54% (29) | 55% (47) | 33% (92) |
| 60. NC State | 30% (86) | 14% (119) | 76% (6) |
| 61. Ohio State | 49% (39) | 23% (105) | 47% (51) |
| 62. SMU | 30% (84) | 47% (58) | 44% (62) |
| 63. LSU | 31% (79) | 30% (94) | 60% (22) |
| 64. Utah | 23% (101) | 60% (34) | 46% (57) |
| 65. Florida State | 51% (35) | 40% (68) | 35% (86) |
| 66. Oregon State | 61% (18) | 37% (76) | 34% (89) |
| 67. Purdue | 58% (22) | 31% (89) | 36% (83) |
| 68. Kentucky | 43% (52) | 38% (72) | 42% (71) |
| 69. Sam Houston | 45% (45) | 51% (54) | 32% (96) |
| 70. Texas State | 25% (95) | 37% (75) | 48% (46) |
| 71. Michigan | 39% (63) | 30% (92) | 49% (43) |
| 72. Ole Miss | 73% (5) | 21% (107) | 34% (88) |
| 73. FIU | 29% (87) | 53% (49) | 30% (102) |
| 74. Liberty | 63% (14) | 69% (15) | 4% (135) |
| 75. Louisiana | 40% (60) | 18% (111) | 46% (53) |
| 76. UCLA | 14% (123) | 28% (99) | 58% (26) |
| 77. UTEP | 28% (90) | 34% (82) | 45% (59) |
| 78. Louisiana Tech | 42% (55) | 52% (50) | 25% (108) |
| 79. Akron | 43% (50) | 29% (96) | 40% (74) |
| 80. East Carolina | 54% (30) | 43% (62) | 22% (113) |
| 81. Baylor | 34% (74) | 29% (97) | 42% (69) |
| 82. Temple | 25% (97) | 50% (55) | 33% (94) |
| 83. UTSA | 35% (72) | 34% (83) | 36% (82) |
| 84. Arkansas State | 9% (133) | 15% (114) | 62% (18) |
| 85. California | 30% (82) | 25% (103) | 45% (58) |
| 86. Missouri State | 16% (117) | 32% (88) | 47% (49) |
| 87. Bowling Green | 30% (83) | 35% (80) | 37% (80) |
| 88. Arizona State | 46% (44) | 21% (108) | 31% (99) |
| 89. Middle Tennessee | 20% (111) | 38% (74) | 41% (73) |
| 90. Army | 62% (15) | 8% (128) | 33% (93) |
| 91. Colorado State | 43% (51) | 22% (106) | 39% (76) |
| 92. South Alabama | 12% (124) | 45% (60) | 32% (97) |
| 93. Illinois | 11% (128) | 26% (101) | 50% (40) |
| 94. Western Michigan | 20% (109) | 12% (125) | 55% (30) |
| 95. Iowa | 22% (106) | 28% (98) | 44% (61) |
| 96. Kansas State | 15% (121) | 33% (84) | 43% (66) |
| 97. Hawaii | 16% (118) | 60% (31) | 27% (105) |
| 98. Rice | 63% (13) | 14% (120) | 30% (103) |
| 99. Kent State | 44% (47) | 20% (109) | 35% (85) |
| 100. ULM | 12% (126) | 57% (40) | 30% (100) |
| 101. Sacramento State | 23% (100) | 56% (41) | 15% (119) |
| 102. Marshall | 20% (108) | 42% (66) | 34% (90) |
| 103. Charlotte | 23% (102) | 59% (35) | 22% (114) |
| 104. North Carolina | 55% (27) | 8% (129) | 43% (67) |
| 105. Cincinnati | 27% (92) | 56% (45) | 20% (115) |
| 106. Buffalo | 18% (114) | <1% (137) | 59% (24) |
| 107. UMass | 12% (125) | 38% (71) | 37% (79) |
| 108. Missouri | 40% (58) | 40% (69) | 20% (116) |
| 109. San Diego State | 56% (25) | 7% (131) | 31% (98) |
| 110. Wisconsin | 9% (134) | 65% (21) | 23% (112) |
| 111. Coastal Carolina | 10% (131) | 42% (64) | 36% (84) |
| 112. Nevada | 34% (73) | 32% (87) | 25% (109) |
| 113. Rutgers | 33% (77) | 38% (73) | 23% (111) |
| 114. Wyoming | 22% (105) | 18% (110) | 39% (75) |
| 115. Troy | 14% (122) | 42% (63) | 25% (110) |
| 116. Georgia State | 27% (93) | 25% (104) | 26% (106) |
| 117. Penn State | 16% (120) | 14% (118) | 36% (81) |
| 118. Western Kentucky | 33% (76) | 6% (132) | 30% (101) |
| 119. Appalachian State | 30% (81) | 31% (90) | 9% (127) |
| 120. Arkansas | 28% (91) | 30% (93) | 11% (125) |
| 121. Michigan State | 22% (104) | 30% (91) | 12% (124) |
| 122. Ball State | 23% (103) | 13% (122) | 25% (107) |
| 123. Central Michigan | 28% (89) | 32% (86) | 6% (131) |
| 124. South Florida | 25% (96) | 13% (123) | 19% (117) |
| 125. Oklahoma State | 44% (46) | 11% (126) | 7% (128) |
| 126. James Madison | 16% (119) | 36% (79) | 6% (129) |
| 127. Iowa State | 21% (107) | 14% (121) | 14% (122) |
| 128. San Jose State | 31% (80) | 17% (113) | 2% (137) |
| 129. UAB | 10% (132) | 15% (115) | 14% (121) |
| 130. Northern Illinois | 17% (115) | 0% (138) | 14% (123) |
| 131. West Virginia | 18% (113) | 15% (117) | 5% (133) |
| 132. Toledo | 5% (136) | 15% (116) | 10% (126) |
| 133. North Texas | 17% (116) | 5% (133) | 6% (130) |
| 134. Colorado | 6% (135) | <1% (136) | 14% (120) |
| 135. Washington State | 10% (130) | 10% (127) | 6% (132) |
| 136. Memphis | 11% (129) | 2% (134) | 5% (134) |
| 137. Southern Miss | 0% (138) | 12% (124) | 2% (136) |
| 138. UConn | 11% (127) | 2% (135) | <1% (138) |
No team in the FBS returns 70% of its snaps across all three defensive position groups. And there are just three teams that hit that threshold in two of the three groups: Air Force, Georgia and Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish could have one of the best defensive units in the country this season, returning eight starters on that side. And the continuity is spread out, too, with 80% of secondary snaps, 76% of linebacker snaps and 60% of defensive line snaps returning. BYU is the only other program in the FBS that hits the 60% mark across all three position groups.
Georgia, meanwhile, brings back the highest percentage of snaps among the FBS' front-seven units. That's particularly notable after the Bulldogs posted a 4.2% sack rate in 2025, their lowest under Kirby Smart and the seventh-worst mark among Power Four teams. With more continuity up front, Georgia has a chance to turn that weakness into a strength in 2026.
Air Force leads the FBS in percentage of returning defensive snaps, with its linebacker corps and secondary ranking No. 1 nationally, but the Falcons retained just 24% of their snaps along the defensive line.
At the bottom end, the turnover is stark. Each of the 10 teams with the lowest percentage of returning defensive snaps brings back fewer than 20% across all three position groups. Washington State is the only team in the FBS below 10% in all three, a reflection of the massive overhaul on that side of the ball. More than 20 defensive players transferred out of the program, including a dozen who followed former coach Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State.
Why returning snaps still matters for roster building
Returning snaps aren't a perfect predictor of success, and they're not meant to be treated as one. Teams can and do rebuild quickly; Indiana is the obvious recent reminder that a major overhaul can still turn into immediate success.
But those situations are the exception, not the rule.
More often, returning snaps help explain why some teams might start faster than others. They don't guarantee wins, but they do point to stability: fewer unknowns in execution, more familiarity on both sides of the ball and a roster that has already logged meaningful game reps together. That kind of continuity tends to shorten the adjustment period in August and September.
Think of it less as a prediction tool and more as a baseline. It doesn't tell you who will break out, but it does help explain who has the cleanest runway to do so. In a sport defined by roster churn, that starting point still matters.
