College football returning snap percentages 2026: Production back from last season for every team
A complete look at the percentage of returning snaps on offense and defense, with position group breakdowns for all 138 FBS teams entering the 2026 season
Returning starters remain one of the most commonly cited benchmarks of offseason expectations as college football's preview magazine season approaches. We published our own returning starters breakdown for all 138 FBS teams in late March, offering a snapshot of which programs bring back the most first-team experience from the 2025 season. While that metric still provides a useful baseline for roster continuity, 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.
This 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. Transfer additions and overall roster experience will be examined more closely later this offseason.
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 breakdowns include quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line, while defensive splits cover 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. Five of the six teams with the best FanDuel Sportsbook odds to win this year's national title rank among the top 15 nationally in returning overall snap percentage. The one exception is reigning national champion Indiana, which ranks No. 63 after replacing a significant portion of its roster, returning just 34% of its offensive snaps and 48% of its defensive snaps.
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% (17) | 73% (2) |
2. Maryland | 65% | 59% (14) | 70% (3) |
3. BYU | 63% | 60% (11) | 65% (4) |
62% | 64% (4) | 60% (9) | |
5. Georgia | 61% | 58% (16) | 65% (5) |
6. Stanford | 59% | 55% (22) | 64% (7) |
7. New Mexico | 58% | 61% (10) | 56% (18) |
8. Delaware | 57% | 59% (13) | 54% (19) |
9. Air Force | 57% | 41% (63) | 75% (1) |
10. USC | 56% | 58% (15) | 53% (24) |
11. Ohio State | 56% | 67% (2) | 43% (56) |
| 12. Nebraska | 56% | 54% (23) | 57% (13) |
| 13. Oklahoma | 55% | 54% (24) | 57% (14) |
14. Minnesota | 54% | 56% (19) | 52% (27) |
15. Texas | 54% | 50% (37) | 58% (11) |
16. Oregon | 54% | 48% (44) | 60% (10) |
17. Army | 54% | 72% (1) | 34% (93) |
18. Tennessee | 53% | 61% (9) | 45% (53) |
19. Eastern Michigan | 53% | 41% (61) | 64% (6) |
20. Navy | 53% | 49% (39) | 56% (16) |
21. Texas Tech | 52% | 55% (20) | 49% (42) |
22. Boise State | 52% | 54% (25) | 50% (39) |
23. Florida Atlantic | 52% | 46% (49) | 57% (12) |
24. Washington | 52% | 56% (18) | 47% (48) |
25. Fresno State | 51% | 53% (28) | 50% (37) |
51% | 49% (43) | 51% (21) | |
27. Pittsburgh | 51% | 51% (33) | 51% (35) |
28. Florida | 51% | 38% (73) | 63% (8) |
29. Michigan | 51% | 62% (7) | 40% (68) |
30. Houston | 50% | 50% (35) | 51% (34) |
31. Temple | 50% | 65% (3) | 36% (81) |
32. Northwestern | 50% | 46% (50) | 54% (22) |
33. South Carolina | 49% | 48% (45) | 50% (36) |
34. Miami (Ohio) | 49% | 50% (36) | 49% (46) |
35. Clemson | 49% | 49% (41) | 49% (45) |
36. Arkansas State | 49% | 61% (8) | 35% (84) |
37. Louisiana | 48% | 59% (12) | 38% (76) |
38. Louisiana Tech | 48% | 52% (29) | 44% (54) |
39. Tulsa | 48% | 45% (52) | 51% (33) |
40. Texas State | 46% | 53% (26) | 40% (70) |
41. SMU | 46% | 51% (32) | 43% (57) |
42. San Diego State | 46% | 63% (6) | 31% (108) |
43. Miami | 46% | 36% (79) | 57% (15) |
44. Texas A&M | 46% | 43% (57) | 50% (41) |
45. Vanderbilt | 46% | 39% (70) | 52% (28) |
46. Utah State | 45% | 40% (65) | 50% (38) |
47. UTSA | 45% | 55% (21) | 35% (83) |
48. TCU | 45% | 39% (68) | 51% (31) |
45% | 41% (64) | 49% (44) | |
50. Liberty | 45% | 51% (34) | 38% (74) |
51. Arizona | 44% | 48% (46) | 40% (67) |
52. Western Michigan | 44% | 52% (30) | 36% (82) |
53. Ole Miss | 44% | 49% (42) | 39% (72) |
54. Syracuse | 43% | 36% (81) | 51% (32) |
55. Marshall | 43% | 51% (31) | 35% (89) |
56. Louisiana Monroe | 42% | 45% (54) | 40% (66) |
57. UCF | 42% | 32% (92) | 53% (26) |
58. Kansas | 42% | 31% (94) | 52% (29) |
59. NC State | 42% | 43% (56) | 40% (71) |
60. California | 41% | 47% (48) | 35% (85) |
61. Central Michigan | 41% | 63% (5) | 20% (123) |
62. Akron | 41% | 45% (53) | 37% (78) |
63. Indiana | 41% | 34% (84) | 48% (47) |
64. Alabama | 41% | 30% (96) | 53% (25) |
65. Wake Forest | 41% | 25% (111) | 56% (17) |
66. Missouri | 41% | 53% (27) | 27% (115) |
67. Duke | 41% | 35% (83) | 46% (50) |
68. Hawaii | 40% | 47% (47) | 33% (98) |
69. Kansas State | 40% | 49% (38) | 33% (100) |
70. Kent State | 40% | 49% (40) | 32% (103) |
71. UCLA | 40% | 42% (60) | 38% (77) |
72. Virginia | 39% | 39% (69) | 40% (69) |
73. Boston College | 39% | 25% (107) | 54% (20) |
74. Utah | 39% | 37% (74) | 42% (59) |
75. Iowa | 39% | 45% (51) | 33% (97) |
76. South Alabama | 38% | 42% (59) | 34% (92) |
77. Georgia Tech | 38% | 24% (114) | 52% (30) |
78. New Mexico State | 38% | 26% (103) | 50% (40) |
79. FIU | 37% | 36% (78) | 38% (75) |
80. Purdue | 37% | 33% (87) | 41% (63) |
37% | 33% (90) | 41% (61) | |
82. Sam Houston | 36% | 32% (93) | 41% (64) |
83. Rutgers | 36% | 41% (62) | 30% (110) |
84. Oregon State | 36% | 31% (95) | 41% (62) |
85. Georgia Southern | 35% | 17% (125) | 54% (23) |
86. Tulane | 35% | 24% (117) | 47% (49) |
87. Illinois | 35% | 36% (76) | 33% (96) |
88. Rice | 34% | 36% (77) | 33% (102) |
89. LSU | 34% | 25% (104) | 42% (58) |
90. Missouri State | 34% | 33% (88) | 35% (87) |
91. UNLV | 34% | 33% (89) | 35% (86) |
92. Kennesaw State | 34% | 22% (121) | 46% (51) |
93. Nevada | 34% | 38% (71) | 29% (112) |
94. Cincinnati | 33% | 36% (82) | 32% (105) |
95. Georgia State | 33% | 40% (66) | 26% (116) |
96. Wisconsin | 33% | 37% (75) | 30% (109) |
97. Troy | 32% | 38% (72) | 27% (114) |
98. Florida State | 32% | 24% (116) | 41% (60) |
99. Wyoming | 32% | 34% (85) | 29% (113) |
100. Old Dominion | 31% | 12% (131) | 49% (43) |
101. Arizona State | 31% | 27% (98) | 34% (90) |
102. Arkansas | 30% | 40% (67) | 21% (120) |
103. UMass | 30% | 29% (97) | 31% (107) |
| 104. Bowling Green | 30% | 25% (108) | 35% (88) |
105. Middle Tennessee | 30% | 25% (106) | 34% (91) |
106. Louisville | 30% | 27% (102) | 33% (99) |
107. Baylor | 30% | 24% (118) | 36% (80) |
108. Kentucky | 29% | 18% (124) | 41% (65) |
109. Charlotte | 29% | 25% (110) | 33% (101) |
110. Ohio | 29% | 13% (130) | 46% (52) |
111. North Carolina | 29% | 25% (109%) | 32% (104) |
112. Ball State | 28% | 36% (80) | 20% (122) |
113. Sacramento State | 27% | 20% (122) | 34% (94) |
114. Coastal Carolina | 27% | 24% (112) | 30% (111) |
115. Auburn | 27% | 11% (133) | 43% (55) |
116. Northern Illinois | 27% | 42% (58) | 12% (130) |
117. Washington State | 27% | 44% (55) | 8% (135) |
118. Buffalo | 27% | 22% (119) | 31% (106) |
119. Michigan State | 27% | 33% (91) | 20% (121) |
120. East Carolina | 26% | 16% (126) | 36% (79) |
121. App State | 25% | 27% (99) | 24% (119) |
122. Colorado State | 25% | 16% (127) | 34% (95) |
123. UTEP | 25% | 10% (135) | 39% (73) |
124. Western Kentucky | 23% | 22% (120) | 24% (118) |
125. South Florida | 22% | 25% (105) | 19% (124) |
126. Penn State | 22% | 19% (123) | 25% (117) |
127. Colorado | 21% | 34% (86) | 8% (134) |
128. UAB | 20% | 27% (101) | 13% (129) |
129. San Jose State | 20% | 24% (115) | 15% (127) |
130. West Virginia | 19% | 27% (100) | 11% (131) |
131. Toledo | 17% | 24% (113) | 10% (133) |
132. James Madison | 15% | 12% (132) | 18% (125) |
133. Memphis | 10% | 15% (128) | 6% (136) |
134. Oklahoma State | 10% | 4% (137) | 15% (128) |
135. Iowa State | 10% | 4% (138) | 16% (126) |
136. Southern Miss | 10% | 15% (129) | 5% (137) |
137. North Texas | 8% | 5% (136) | 11% (132) |
138. UConn | 7% | 11% (134) | 4% (138) |
A few broader roster trends stand out when breaking down returning snaps by side of the ball. Virginia Tech is the only team in the country to rank inside the top 10 nationally in both offense and defense, returning 62% of its overall snaps. That's somewhat surprising given the Hokies welcomed James Franklin as their new coach, though retaining Brent Pry as defensive coordinator likely helped preserve continuity on that side of the ball.
At the other end of the spectrum, UConn (7%), North Texas (8%) and Southern Miss (10%) all sit among the bottom 10 nationally in both offensive and defensive percentage of returning snaps, and unsurprisingly rank at the very bottom of the overall list as well. Coaching turnover is a common thread down in the rankings -- 11 of the 14 teams with the lowest overall returning snap percentage also made a change at head coach.
Several teams show a sharp imbalance between the two sides of the ball. Central Michigan returns 63% of its offensive snaps (No. 5 nationally), but just 20% on defense (No. 123). Army has a similar split, leading the FBS with 72% of offensive snaps back while returning just 34% on defense (No. 93). 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. 22).
There is also a clear overlap between returning starters and returning snap percentage.
Among the 18 FBS teams that bring back at least 12 players that started six games or more during the 2025 season (again, incoming transfers excluded), most also grade out near the top of the returning snaps rankings -- reinforcing the idea that the two metrics generally move in tandem, even if they measure continuity in different ways.
A closer look at those teams:
- USC (15 starters) -- No. 10 in percentage of returning snaps
- Georgia (14) -- No. 5
- Maryland (14) -- No. 2
- New Mexico (14) -- No. 7
- Notre Dame (14) -- No. 1
- Oklahoma (14) -- No. 13
- Oregon (14) -- No. 15
- Virginia Tech (14) -- No. 4
- Boise State (13) -- No. 22
- BYU (13) -- No. 3
- Fresno State (13) -- No. 25
- Tennessee (13) -- No. 17
- Texas Tech (13) -- No. 21
- Delaware (12) -- No. 8
- Houston (12) -- No. 30
- Nebraska (12) -- No. 12
- Stanford (12) -- No. 6
- Texas (12) -- No. 14
Now, let's get into some position group breakdowns.
Offense returning snaps percentages
| Team | QB Snaps | RB Snaps | WR Snaps | TE Snaps | OL Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Army | 73% (46) | 53% (47) | 81% (6) | 100% (1) | 75% (7) |
2. Ohio State | 93% (25) | 50% (52) | 58% (24) | 27% (74) | 82% (2) |
3. Temple | 0% (119) | 29% (87) | 59% (23) | 99% (6) | 79% (4) |
4. Virginia Tech | 0% (119) | 59% (35) | 48% (39) | 94% (9) | 80% (3) |
5. Central Michigan | 32% (60) | 39% (68) | 83% (5) | 28% (69) | 77% (6) |
6. San Diego State | 94% (22) | 86% (11) | 91% (2) | 56% (29) | 38% (75) |
7. Michigan | 95% (18) | 62% (32) | 49% (36) | 44% (45) | 66% (16) |
8. Arkansas State | <1% (117) | 93% (6) | 65% (15) | 32% (62) | 72% (9) |
9. Tennessee | 2% (102) | 56% (39) | 69% (10) | 39% (51) | 74% (8) |
10. New Mexico | 89% (35) | 28% (88) | 53% (29) | 45% (41) | 70% (14) |
11. BYU | 97% (16) | 86% (12) | 47% (42) | 28% (71) | 61% (26) |
12. Louisiana | 90% (34) | 11% (111) | 54% (28) | 81% (13) | 60% (28) |
13. Delaware | 99% (10) | 99% (4) | 34% (76) | 79% (16) | 54% (36) |
14. Maryland | 93% (24) | 71% (23) | 21% (107) | 87% (12) | 65% (17) |
15. USC | 95% (19) | 69% (27) | 25% (98) | 11% (100) | 79% (5) |
16. Georgia | 100% (1) | 70% (26) | 30% (89) | 54% (33) | 61% (25) |
17. Notre Dame | 88% (37) | 10% (112) | 48% (38) | 37% (54) | 71% (11) |
18. Washington | 94% (21) | 10% (113) | 36% (71) | 75% (19) | 64% (20) |
19. Minnesota | 100% (1) | 54% (44) | 44% (47) | 25% (77) | 64% (22) |
20. Texas Tech | 26% (65) | 100% (1) | 33% (83) | 55% (32) | 64% (21) |
21. UTSA | 100% (1) | 54% (44) | 64% (17) | 4% (113) | 58% (31) |
22. Stanford | <1% (111) | 72% (21) | 30% (87) | 23% (81) | 84% (1) |
23. Nebraska | 36% (58) | 29% (84) | 71% (9) | 80% (14) | 47% (48) |
24. Oklahoma | 92% (29) | 83% (13) | 41% (56) | 2% (120) | 59% (30) |
25. Boise State | 100% (1) | 70% (24) | 36% (70) | 45% (43) | 52% (39) |
26. Texas State | 97% (14) | 38% (70) | 85% (4) | 56% (30) | 30% (91) |
27. Missouri | 28% (63) | 93% (7) | 19% (113) | 96% (8) | 56% (33) |
28. Fresno State | 0% (119) | 79% (17) | 88% (3) | 2% (123) | 56% (34) |
29. Louisiana Tech | 88% (38) | 0% (134) | 38% (68) | 100% (1) | 53% (37) |
30. Western Michigan | 89% (36) | 70% (25) | 61% (19) | 2% (124) | 52% (38) |
31. Marshall | 92% (27) | 24% (92) | 60% (22) | 100% (1) | 34% (84) |
32. SMU | 100% (1) | 24% (93) | 43% (51) | 4% (111) | 64% (19) |
33. Pittsburgh | 70% (47) | 43% (63) | 33% (80) | <1% (129) | 70% (12) |
34. Liberty | 81% (43) | 8% (117) | 29% (93) | 34% (59) | 71% (10) |
35. Houston | 92% (28) | 19% (99) | 81% (7) | 32% (61) | 37% (77) |
36. Miami (Ohio) | 25% (67) | 38% (71) | 39% (60) | <1% (128) | 70% (13) |
37. Texas | 95% (20) | 6% (122) | 56% (26) | 27% (72) | 52% (40) |
38. Kansas State | 100% (1) | 69% (28) | 64% (18) | 64% (23) | 23% (105) |
39. Navy | 13% (77) | 12% (110) | 67% (12) | 77% (18) | 69% (15) |
40. Kent State | 86% (39) | 9% (114) | 41% (55) | 80% (15) | 44% (59) |
41. Clemson | 19% (72) | 29% (86) | 68% (11) | 71% (21) | 43% (62) |
42. Ole Miss | 84% (40) | 79% (16) | 22% (102) | 24% (79) | 56% (32) |
43. North Dakota State | 18% (73) | 33% (77) | 39% (65) | 43% (48) | 65% (18) |
44. Oregon | 97% (17) | 46% (58) | 44% (48) | 38% (52) | 44% (57) |
45. South Carolina | 90% (33) | 31% (80) | 56% (25) | 60% (27) | 36% (78) |
46. Arizona | 94% (23) | 58% (36) | 51% (33) | 2% (121) | 45% (53) |
47. Hawaii | 78% (45) | 30% (81) | 41% (57) | 100% (1) | 47% (49) |
48. California | 97% (15) | 3% (126) | 35% (75) | 60% (28) | 50% (44) |
49. Florida Atlantic | 90% (32) | 38% (72) | 49% (37) | 0% (132) | 43% (63) |
50. Northwestern | 4% (94) | 90% (8) | 100% (1) | 22% (82) | 26% (97) |
51. Iowa | 8% (86) | 74% (20) | 35% (74) | 70% (22) | 45% (55) |
52. Tulsa | 79% (44) | <1% (129) | 45% (45) | 16% (91) | 55% (35) |
53. Akron | 5% (90) | 98% (5) | 51% (32) | 64% (24) | 34% (82) |
54. Louisiana Monroe | 91% (30) | <1% (129) | 61% (20) | 8% (103) | 45% (54) |
55. Washington State | 5% (93) | 77% (18) | 28% (95) | 55% (31) | 51% (41) |
56. NC State | 98% (12) | 43% (64) | 39% (64) | 5% (109) | 45% (56) |
57. Texas A&M | 93% (26) | 56% (40) | 66% (13) | 17% (88) | 25% (99) |
58. Northern Illinois | 46% (55) | 44% (62) | 72% (8) | 10% (102) | 33% (85) |
59. South Alabama | 100% (1) | 49% (53) | 42% (52) | 28% (70) | 34% (81) |
60. UCLA | 91% (31) | 52% (48) | 21% (106) | 11% (101) | 48% (46) |
61. Eastern Michigan | 100% (1) | 8% (120) | 38% (66) | 91% (10) | 30% (93) |
62. Rutgers | 4% (95) | 90% (9) | 46% (43) | 7% (104) | 44% (60) |
63. Air Force | 100% (1) | 35% (74) | 30% (90) | 4% (114) | 46% (51) |
64. Jacksonville State | 66% (48) | 29% (82) | 43% (50) | 6% (107) | 44% (58) |
65. Utah State | 30% (61) | 56% (37) | 3% (136) | 12% (97) | 61% (24) |
66. Georgia State | 43% (56) | 16% (104) | 33% (78) | 43% (46) | 48% (47) |
67. Arkansas | 12% (80) | 31% (79) | 40% (58) | 62% (26) | 42% (66) |
68. TCU | 0% (119) | 46% (59) | 49% (35) | 16% (92) | 45% (52) |
69. Virginia | 2% (105) | 17% (102) | 20% (110) | 43% (47) | 60% (27) |
70. Vanderbilt | 8% (87) | 88% (10) | 47% (41) | 54% (34) | 24% (102) |
71. Nevada | 55% (51) | 43% (65) | 23% (100) | 4% (115) | 50% (43) |
72. Troy | 98% (13) | 37% (73) | 6% (130) | 34% (58) | 42% (64) |
73. Florida | 9% (84) | 82% (14) | 36% (69) | 13% (96) | 42% (65) |
74. Utah | 99% (11) | 64% (31) | 39% (62) | 22% (83) | 22% (108) |
75. Wisconsin | 60% (50) | 55% (41) | 35% (73) | 20% (86) | 34% (83) |
76. Illinois | 0% (119) | 100% (1) | 52% (31) | 30% (64) | 25% (100) |
77. Rice | 13% (78) | 60% (33) | 14% (121) | 25% (76) | 50% (42) |
78. FIU | <1% (114) | 48% (54) | 60% (21) | 25% (78) | 31% (87) |
79. Miami | <1% (112) | 100% (1) | 43% (49) | 44% (44) | 24% (104) |
80. Ball State | 0% (119) | 45% (60) | 33% (82) | 27% (73) | 46% (50) |
81. Syracuse | 54% (52) | 8% (118) | 17% (116) | 29% (67) | 49% (45) |
82. Cincinnati | 5% (92) | 5% (123) | 16% (117) | 23% (80) | 62% (23) |
83. Duke | 0% (119) | 55% (42) | 4% (133) | 78% (17) | 43% (61) |
84. Indiana | 1% (106) | 16% (106) | 21% (104) | <1% (131) | 60% (29) |
85. Wyoming | 15% (76) | 34% (75) | 42% (53) | 14% (94) | 40% (69) |
86. Colorado | 24% (69) | 52% (49) | 38% (67) | 98% (7) | 22% (106) |
87. Purdue | 81% (42) | 26% (91) | 21% (105) | 19% (87) | 34% (80) |
88. Missouri State | 3% (98) | 39% (69) | 53% (30) | 90% (11) | 15% (121) |
89. UNLV | 2% (100) | 66% (30) | 25% (99) | 30% (65) | 38% (76) |
90. Mississippi State | 24% (68) | 53% (46) | 55% (27) | 17% (90) | 21% (112) |
91. Michigan State | 41% (57) | 41% (66) | 28% (94) | 5% (110) | 39% (73) |
92. UCF | 0% (119) | 8% (116) | 48% (40) | 49% (38) | 30% (89) |
93. Sam Houston | 33% (59) | 75% (19) | 66% (14) | 0% (132) | 6% (130) |
94. Kansas | 12% (79) | <1% (130) | 32% (84) | 38% (53) | 39% (72) |
95. Oregon State | 60% (49) | 20% (97) | 20% (108) | 41% (49) | 30% (90) |
96. Alabama | 10% (82) | 54% (43) | 45% (46) | 50% (37) | 15% (120) |
97. UMass | 0% (119) | 22% (95) | 18% (115) | 100% (1) | 22% (107) |
98. Arizona State | 0% (119) | 22% (96) | 39% (61) | 22% (84) | 30% (92) |
99. App State | 9% (85) | 44% (61) | 28% (96) | 4% (112) | 32% (86) |
100. West Virginia | 49% (53) | 0% (134) | 5% (132) | 21% (85) | 42% (67) |
101. UAB | 26% (66) | <1% (131) | 15% (120) | 29% (68) | 38% (74) |
102. Louisville | <1% (115) | 71% (22) | 20% (111) | 49% (39) | 22% (110) |
103. New Mexico State | 22% (70) | 56% (38) | 42% (54) | 3% (118) | 17% (115) |
104. LSU | 0% (119) | 68% (29) | <1% (137) | 41% (50) | 31% (88) |
105. South Florida | 0% (119) | 28% (89) | 30% (88) | 54% (35) | 22% (109) |
106. Middle Tennessee | 29% (62) | 13% (109) | 39% (63) | 37% (55) | 16% (116) |
107. Boston College | 0% (119) | 8% (119) | 31% (86) | 35% (56) | 28% (95) |
108. Bowling Green | 27% (64) | 32% (78) | 22% (101) | 45% (40) | 17% (114) |
109. North Carolina | 2% (104) | 59% (34) | 50% (34) | 6% (106) | 13% (123) |
110. Charlotte | 82% (41) | 23% (94) | 9% (128) | 53% (36) | 16% (118) |
111. Wake Forest | <1% (110) | 40% (67) | 22% (103) | 34% (57) | 25% (98) |
112. Coastal Carolina | 0% (119) | 47% (56) | 29% (92) | 45% (42) | 18% (113) |
113. Toledo | 7% (89) | 17% (103) | 20% (112) | 12% (99) | 34% (79) |
114. Georgia Tech | <1% (116) | 47% (57) | 6% (131) | 0% (132) | 40% (68) |
115. San Jose State | 16% (75) | 18% (101) | 9% (129) | 3% (119) | 39% (70) |
116. Florida State | 7% (89) | 29% (85) | 65% (16) | 15% (93) | 6% (129) |
117. Tulane | 0% (119) | 27% (90) | 36% (72) | 1% (127) | 28% (96) |
118. Baylor | 2% (101) | 48% (55) | 11% (126) | 33% (60) | 28% (94) |
119. Buffalo | 2% (103) | 34% (76) | 40% (59) | 0% (132) | 16% (119) |
120. Western Kentucky | 46% (54) | 3% (127) | 34% (77) | 12% (98) | 16% (117) |
121. Kennesaw State | <1% (118) | <1% (133) | 11% (123) | 6% (108) | 39% (71) |
122. Sacramento State | 1% (108) | 9% (115) | 33% (79) | 74% (20) | 7% (128) |
123. Penn State | 0% (119) | 7% (121) | 11% (125) | 31% (63) | 25% (101) |
124. Kentucky | 1% (107) | 19% (98) | 29% (91) | 63% (25) | 2% (137) |
125. Georgia Southern | 9% (83) | 51% (51) | 15% (119) | 26% (75) | 10% (125) |
126. East Carolina | 0% (119) | 16% (105) | 33% (81) | 13% (95) | 11% (124) |
127. Colorado State | 20% (71) | 0% (134) | 45% (44) | 17% (89) | 4% (135) |
128. Memphis | 0% (119) | 0% (134) | 20% (109) | <1% (130) | 21% (111) |
129. Southern Miss | 11% (81) | 18% (100) | 4% (134) | 0% (132) | 24% (103) |
130. Ohio | 5% (91) | 29% (83) | 31% (85) | 2% (122) | 3% (136) |
131. Old Dominion | 17% (74) | 52% (50) | 16% (118) | 1% (126) | 4% (134) |
132. James Madison | 3% (97) | 15% (108) | 27% (97) | 2% (125) | 8% (127) |
133. Auburn | 0% (119) | 80% (15) | 4% (135) | 3% (117) | 6% (131) |
134. UConn | <1% (109) | 1% (128) | 19% (114) | 0% (132) | 13% (122) |
135. UTEP | 4% (96) | 15% (107) | 13% (122) | 30% (66) | 5% (132) |
136. North Texas | 3% (99) | 5% (124) | 9% (127) | 3% (116) | 4% (133) |
137. Oklahoma State | 0% (119) | 0% (134) | <1% (138) | 0% (132) | 9% (126) |
138. Iowa State | <1% (113) | 3% (125) | 11% (124) | 7% (105) | 2% (138) |
At quarterback, continuity tends to come in extremes, with teams either returning a large share of their snaps or essentially starting over. 47 FBS programs that bring back at least 70% of their quarterback snaps, while another 57 return 10% or fewer -- together accounting for roughly three-quarters of the FBS.
That kind of split is less pronounced at the skill positions and along the offensive line, but true multi-unit continuity is rare, meaning a vast majority of teams are replacing significant snaps somewhere across the offensive depth chart.
Army is the only team in the country to return at least 70% of its snaps in four of the five offensive position groups tracked, while Delaware, Maryland and San Diego State each hit that threshold in three of the five. The Aztecs are the only program to pair at least 70% returning snaps by both running backs and wide receivers with a returning starting 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 differently, as the only two programs to return 10% or fewer of their snaps across all five offensive position groups after Eric Morris relocated his system north of the Red River. Iowa State barely misses that group, as does Auburn, with both returning 10% or fewer of their snaps by four of the five position groups.
Defense returning snaps
| Team | DL Snaps | LB Snaps | DB Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Air Force | 24% (98) | 99% (1) | 91% (1) |
2. Notre Dame | 60% (19) | 76% (5) | 80% (3) |
3. Maryland | 43% (45) | 95% (2) | 61% (23) |
4. BYU | 76% (3) | 62% (25) | 63% (18) |
5. Georgia | 78% (2) | 74% (7) | 51% (34) |
6. Eastern Michigan | 61% (18) | 59% (35) | 71% (8) |
7. Stanford | 48% (39) | 74% (8) | 62% (20) |
8. Florida | 55% (24) | 85% (4) | 54% (32) |
9. Virginia Tech | 50% (35) | 44% (60) | 78% (4) |
10. Oregon | 73% (4) | 61% (29) | 50% (37) |
11. Texas | 66% (8) | 46% (58) | 61% (22) |
12. Florida Atlantic | 66% (9) | 72% (12) | 42% (69) |
13. Nebraska | 66% (6) | 42% (65) | 59% (28) |
| 14. Oklahoma | 50% (36) | 64% (22) | 59% (25) |
15. Miami | 39% (59) | 56% (44) | 70% (9) |
16. Navy | 34% (72) | 61% (27) | 66% (11) |
17. Wake Forest | 65% (11) | 56% (42) | 51% (35) |
18. New Mexico | 38% (60) | 67% (19) | 65% (13) |
19. Delaware | 42% (53) | 67% (18) | 55% (31) |
20. Boston College | 39% (58) | 30% (95) | 76% (5) |
21. North Dakota State | 65% (10) | 19% (110) | 59% (26) |
22. Northwestern | 43% (46) | 51% (51) | 64% (15) |
23. Georgia Southern | 66% (7) | 55% (46) | 46% (54) |
24. USC | 49% (38) | 63% (24) | 47% (48) |
25. Alabama | 30% (82) | 33% (85) | 81% (2) |
26. UCF | 46% (40) | 35% (82) | 71% (7) |
27. Minnesota | 35% (67) | 73% (10) | 49% (44) |
28. Vanderbilt | 51% (34) | 54% (48) | 51% (36) |
29. Kansas | 36% (64) | 49% (55) | 61% (21) |
30. Georgia Tech | 37% (63) | 88% (3) | 38% (78) |
31. TCU | 99% (1) | 10% (128) | 49% (42) |
32. Syracuse | 20% (112) | 60% (33) | 63% (16) |
33. Tulsa | 20% (110) | 41% (67) | 74% (6) |
34. Houston | 35% (66) | 65% (21) | 50% (40) |
35. Pittsburgh | 61% (16) | 49% (56) | 46% (55) |
36. South Carolina | 38% (62) | 69% (17) | 48% (45) |
37. Fresno State | 59% (20) | 51% (52) | 43% (67) |
38. Utah State | 54% (27) | 55% (47) | 44% (62) |
39. Boise State | 53% (30) | 73% (11) | 33% (96) |
40. New Mexico State | 42% (51) | 62% (26) | 46% (53) |
41. Texas A&M | 38% (61) | 36% (77) | 64% (14) |
42. Texas Tech | 43% (50) | 27% (100) | 69% (10) |
43. Old Dominion | 53% (31) | 25% (102) | 56% (30) |
44. Jacksonville State | 42% (52) | 69% (15) | 42% (70) |
45. Clemson | 25% (97) | 63% (23) | 49% (41) |
46. Miami (Ohio) | 61% (15) | 36% (78) | 45% (59) |
47. Indiana | 35% (68) | 70% (13) | 47% (50) |
48. Washington | 23% (102) | 60% (31) | 48% (47) |
49. Tulane | 26% (92) | 56% (43) | 54% (33) |
50. Duke | 36% (65) | 73% (9) | 43% (65) |
51. Kennesaw State | 53% (32) | 58% (39) | 35% (87) |
52. Ohio | 53% (29) | 69% (16) | 30% (103) |
53. Tennessee | 40% (55) | 61% (28) | 38% (79) |
54. Louisiana Tech | 44% (43) | 75% (6) | 25% (108) |
55. Auburn | 21% (107) | 57% (41) | 50% (38) |
56. Ohio State | 49% (37) | 23% (105) | 47% (51) |
57. SMU | 30% (81) | 47% (57) | 44% (63) |
58. LSU | 31% (76) | 30% (94) | 60% (24) |
59. Utah | 23% (100) | 60% (34) | 46% (56) |
60. Florida State | 51% (33) | 40% (68) | 35% (88) |
61. Mississippi State | 57% (22) | 44% (61) | 30% (104) |
62. Oregon State | 61% (17) | 37% (76) | 34% (90) |
63. Purdue | 58% (21) | 31% (89) | 36% (84) |
64. Sam Houston | 46% (42) | 51% (53) | 32% (97) |
65. Kentucky | 43% (49) | 38% (72) | 42% (72) |
66. Louisiana Monroe | 16% (120) | 59% (36) | 45% (60) |
67. Arizona | 54% (26) | 60% (32) | 19% (118) |
68. Michigan | 40% (56) | 30% (92) | 49% (43) |
69. Virginia | 41% (54) | 51% (50) | 33% (93) |
70. Texas State | 25% (93) | 37% (75) | 48% (46) |
71. NC State | 30% (83) | 14% (119) | 66% (12) |
72. Ole Miss | 73% (5) | 21% (107) | 34% (89) |
73. UTEP | 28% (86) | 39% (70) | 45% (58) |
74. Liberty | 63% (13) | 70% (14) | 4% (135) |
75. FIU | 29% (84) | 53% (49) | 30% (101) |
76. Louisiana | 40% (57) | 18% (112) | 46% (52) |
77. UCLA | 14% (124) | 28% (99) | 58% (29) |
78. Akron | 43% (47) | 29% (96) | 40% (74) |
79. East Carolina | 54% (28) | 43% (62) | 22% (113) |
80. Baylor | 34% (73) | 29% (97) | 42% (68) |
81. Temple | 25% (96) | 50% (54) | 33% (95) |
82. Western Michigan | 20% (109) | 10% (127) | 63% (17) |
83. UTSA | 35% (69) | 34% (83) | 36% (83) |
84. Arkansas State | 9% (133) | 15% (114) | 62% (19) |
85. California | 30% (79) | 25% (103) | 45% (57) |
86. UNLV | 25% (94) | 36% (79) | 42% (71) |
87. Missouri State | 16% (119) | 32% (88) | 47% (49) |
88. Bowling Green | 30% (80) | 35% (81) | 37% (81) |
89. Marshall | 20% (108) | 42% (66) | 39% (75) |
90. Arizona State | 46% (41) | 21% (108) | 31% (99) |
91. Middle Tennessee | 20% (111) | 38% (73) | 41% (73) |
92. South Alabama | 12% (125) | 45% (59) | 34% (92) |
93. Army | 62% (14) | 8% (130) | 33% (94) |
94. Sacramento State | 23% (99) | 59% (37) | 17% (119) |
95. Colorado State | 43% (48) | 22% (106) | 39% (77) |
96. Illinois | 11% (128) | 26% (101) | 50% (39) |
97. Iowa | 22% (105) | 28% (98) | 44% (61) |
98. Hawaii | 16% (118) | 60% (30) | 27% (105) |
99. Louisville | 4% (137) | 58% (40) | 34% (91) |
100. Kansas State | 15% (122) | 33% (84) | 43% (66) |
101. Charlotte | 26% (91) | 59% (38) | 22% (114) |
102. Rice | 63% (12) | 14% (120) | 30% (102) |
103. Kent State | 44% (44) | 20% (109) | 35% (86) |
104. North Carolina | 55% (25) | 8% (131) | 43% (64) |
105. Cincinnati | 27% (88) | 56% (45) | 20% (115) |
106. Buffalo | 18% (114) | <1% (137) | 59% (27) |
107. UMass | 12% (126) | 38% (71) | 37% (80) |
108. San Diego State | 56% (23) | 7% (132) | 31% (98) |
109. Wisconsin | 9% (134) | 65% (20) | 23% (112) |
110. Rutgers | 34% (71) | 38% (74) | 23% (111) |
111. Coastal Carolina | 10% (131) | 42% (64) | 36% (85) |
112. Nevada | 34% (70) | 32% (87) | 25% (109) |
113. Wyoming | 22% (104) | 18% (111) | 39% (76) |
114. Troy | 14% (123) | 42% (63) | 25% (110) |
115. Missouri | 27% (90) | 40% (69) | 20% (116) |
116. Georgia State | 27% (89) | 25% (104) | 26% (106) |
117. Penn State | 16% (121) | 14% (118) | 36% (82) |
118. Western Kentucky | 33% (75) | 6% (133) | 30% (100) |
119. App State | 30% (78) | 31% (90) | 15% (120) |
120. Arkansas | 28% (87) | 30% (93) | 11% (126) |
121. Michigan State | 22% (103) | 30% (91) | 13% (125) |
122. Ball State | 23% (101) | 13% (122) | 25% (107) |
123. Central Michigan | 28% (85) | 32% (86) | 6% (131) |
124. South Florida | 25% (95) | 13% (124) | 19% (117) |
125. James Madison | 18% (115) | 36% (80) | 6% (129) |
126. Iowa State | 21% (106) | 14% (121) | 14% (124) |
127. San Jose State | 31% (77) | 17% (113) | 2% (137) |
128. Oklahoma State | 33% (74) | 11% (126) | 7% (128) |
129. UAB | 10% (132) | 15% (115) | 14% (122) |
130. Northern Illinois | 17% (116) | 0% (138) | 14% (123) |
131. West Virginia | 18% (113) | 15% (117) | 5% (133) |
132. North Texas | 17% (117) | 13% (123) | 6% (130) |
133. Toledo | 5% (136) | 15% (116) | 10% (127) |
134. Colorado | 6% (135) | <1% (136) | 14% (121) |
135. Washington State | 10% (130) | 10% (129) | 6% (132) |
136. Memphis | 11% (129) | 2% (134) | 5% (134) |
137. Southern Miss | 0% (138) | 12% (125) | 2% (136) |
138. UConn | 11% (127) | 2% (135) | <1% (138) |
A few clear patterns emerge on defense. Notre Dame and BYU are the only two programs in the country to return at least 60% of their snaps across all three position groups, giving them the most complete defensive continuity entering 2026. Air Force tops the FBS in percentage of returning snaps by linebackers and defensive backs, but retained just 24% of its snaps by defensive linemen.
A larger group comes close. Twelve additional teams return at least 60% of their snaps in two of the three defensive position groups: Air Force, Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Georgia, Liberty, Maryland, Navy, New Mexico, Oregon, Stanford, Syracuse and Texas.
At the bottom end, defensive turnover is just as stark. Each of the 10 teams with the lowest percentage of returning defensive snaps brings back fewer than 20% across all three position groups: Colorado, Memphis, North Texas, Northern Illinois, Southern Miss, Toledo, UAB, UConn, Washington State and West Virginia.
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.
