Opinion: Top 5 most disappointing players in CFB in 2025

Through six weeks of play, many players like Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendonza and Missouri Tiger running back Ahmad Hardy have exceeded expectations.

However, let’s take a look at players who came into the 2025 CFB season with high expectations but have ultimately come short of reaching those expectations.

Ryan Williams

WR, Alabama, Sophomore

After averaging 4.2 receptions per game in the 2025 season, Williams has gone under the radar compared to his incredible freshman year campaign.

Williams suffered a concussion in the season opener against Florida State, so it’s not surprising he’s been a little inconsistent since.

78 percent of Williams’ receiving yards came in two games this season, 165 yards against Wisconsin and 98 yards against Vanderbilt.

He’s still very young, so there’s no need to worry about his future.

Nicholas Singleton

RB, Penn State, Senior

Following a 2024 season when he ran for 6.4 yards per carry, Singleton has been severely underwhelming, tallying a modest 3.7 yards per carry through the first six games for the Nittany Lions.

Most recently, Singleton has lost a noticeable amount of carries to Kaytron Allen, who’s averaging 6.7 yards per carry in 2025.

Singleton recorded 9 fewer carries than Allen in Penn State’s most recent loss to Northwestern.

Cade Klubnik

QB, Clemson, Senior

Klubnik finished his junior year with 36 passing touchdowns to only six interceptions. So far, he’s already thrown five interceptions.

Klubnik’s QBR (quarterback rating) is at a mediocre 61.9.

For context, Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci, UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano and Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom all have higher quarterback ratings than Klubnik.

Klubnik went from an easy first-round NFL pick after his impressive junior season to one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects. It’s almost impossible to know exactly when Klubnik will be taken in the NFL draft, if he gets selected.

LaNorris Sellers

QB, South Carolina, Redshirt Sophomore

Sellers has underperformed mightily in the touchdown category.

In 2024, Sellers sported 25 total touchdowns, 18 of which occurred through the air.

This season, he’s thrown 4 passing touchdowns, with one rushing touchdown as well, through six games.

His ability to scramble and run for yardage makes him a true dual-threat quarterback, or at least it made him one. He’s averaging 1.7 yards per carry on 70 carries, which is absolutely horrid.

Sellers might be putting their bodies in harm's way, scrambling so often to only receive such small gains on average.

Arch Manning

QB, Texas, Redshirt Sophomore

This was a bit obvious.

Manning has been disappointing to watch, especially when he plays competitive teams.

Against Oklahoma, Florida and Ohio State, he has a total 4:3 touchdown to interception ratio. When he played against Sam Houston, UTEP and San José State, Manning tallied an 8:2 ratio.

Manning’s performance against UTEP in particular was the most embarrassing, as he was 11-25, 114 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Against UTEP…

To fill expectations of having the last name “Manning,” Arch has to step up his game. He needs to be more accurate, especially in the red zone, to see those touchdown numbers increase.

Vinny Jones is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email vtj5006@psu.edu