Listed below are the returning starters for all the major college teams. We have even expanded the list to not only include the offensive & defensive starters but also the special teams. Of course, there are 11 starters on offense & defense, and on special teams we list 2 possibilities (Kicker & Punter). An (*) next to the offense means the quarterback is returning.

When I look at a team for the upcoming year one of the first factors I look at is the amount of returning starters. Last year there were 9 teams in the NCAA that had 18 or more returning starters and 7 of the 9 improved their record from 2006. Making the list were teams like Virginia which went from 5-7 to 9-3 and Florida Atlantic which went from 5-7 to Sun Belt Champs. Teams with 17 returning starters included Central Florida which went from 4-8 to CUSA Champs and Illinois which went from 2-10 to the Rose Bowl!!

On the other end of the spectrum there were 33 teams last year that had 12 or fewer returning starters and of the 33 only 8 managed to improve their record. Some of the less experienced teams that really dropped last year included Notre Dame which had just 9 returning starters and went from the Sugar Bowl to 3-9! Nebraska went from 9-4 to 5-7 with just 11 returning starters and Northern Illinois with 12 returnig starters went from 7-6 to 2-10.

The numbers I used above accounts for just the offensive and defensive starters returning which gives you a possible high of 22. The chart I list below also counts the teams specialists (punter and kicker) and gives you 24 as a possible high for returning starters. Who are this years most experienced in terms of returning starters? Here is the complete list for 2008 ranked from high to low.

Underclassmen who ave declared for the 2008 NFL Draft...