Even though the chalk has barely settled in Fort Worth to close out the 2025 season, it’s never too early to look ahead to what we can expect in 2026. With NCAA legends departing and a strong freshman class set to make its debut, we’re likely to see some reshuffling among this year’s top finishers. That said, all eight of this season’s championship qualifiers are well-positioned heading into next year. It’s shaping up to be a tight race between Oklahoma and Florida for the top spot, with plenty of room for movement throughout the rest of the top 10.
*Only confirmed fifth-year returners and transfers as of the day before publication were considered in these rankings.
1. Oklahoma
2025 Finish: No. 1
The defending national champion will feel the loss of two of the nation’s top gymnasts in Jordan Bowers, the 2025 NCAA all-around champion, and Audrey Davis. But the Sooners reload quickly, bringing in the nation’s top two recruits—Mackenzie Estep and Kamila Pawlak—who are projected to make immediate lineup impacts. Fellow five-star recruit Ella Murphy should also challenge for a vault spot. A key factor in making Oklahoma the early title favorite again is how much competition experience this year’s freshman class gained en route to the title. With Faith Torrez now the team’s undisputed star, she enters 2026 as the gymnast to beat.
2. Florida
2025 Finish: No. 7
After entering the postseason as the No. 3 seed, the Gators suffered a surprise semifinal exit that snapped their streak of team final appearances. The loss of Olympic alternate Leanne Wong is significant, but Florida gains another Olympic alternate in Kayla DiCello, who will return from injury. A healthy roster will be essential to ending the program’s decade-long title drought. Selena Harris-Miranda and Anya Pilgrim are expected to contend with Torrez for top all-around honors, and five-star recruits Jocelyn Sasson and Madelyn Dorbin are well-equipped to fill key lineup gaps.
3. LSU
2025 Finish: No. 5
The Tigers fell short in their attempt to defend their 2024 title, ending the season with a semifinal exit and saying goodbye to stars Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan. Replacing those routines is no small task, but LSU is bringing in a stacked freshman class with three five-star recruits—all ranked in the top 11. Bars standout Haley Mustari should be an immediate contributor while Nina Ballou and Elyse Wenner will vie for all-around roles. Kailin Chio and Konnor McClain can carry the Tigers far on their own but will benefit from that rookie support. LSU could also be active in the transfer portal.
4. UCLA
2025 Finish: No. 2
The biggest post-NCAAs development for the Bruins was Jordan Chiles confirming her return for her senior year, putting to rest any uncertainty about her status. Her return alone vaults UCLA back into title contention. The team will need to replace 10 key routines, but five-star U.S. elite Tiana Sumanasekera joins the roster in the fall and should immediately help fill some of those gaps. If the Bruins can stay healthy, they have everything they need to contend once again.
5. Utah
2025 Finish: No. 4
Relative to the other title contenders, Utah loses fewer routines—making the graduation of Grace McCallum more manageable. The incoming class is solid, led by five-star Bailey Stroud and bolstered by two four-stars and standout three-star Sage Curtis, whose Yurchenko one and a half is ready for prime time. Having a healthy Avery Neff all season will also be critical, as she and Makenna Smith will lead the Utes in 2026.
6. Arkansas
2025 Finish: No. 11
The Razorbacks capitalized on earning the final regional seed and surged to 11th in the final standings. They lose nine NQS routines, but the incoming class ranks second nationally behind Oklahoma. Fourth-overall recruit Allison Cucci headlines a trio of five-star recruits, with two four-stars adding depth. These newcomers are particularly strong on bars and beam—the two events with the most lineup holes. Joscelyn Roberson is also poised to build on her momentum from a standout freshman season.
7. Georgia
2025 Finish: No. 19
The first year under Ryan Roberts and Cecile Canqueteau-Landi was a resounding success, lifting the GymDogs from the SEC basement to the regular-season top 10. Next year will be about proving 2025 wasn’t a fluke. Georgia returns all but one postseason routine and brings in a freshman class that includes four-star Autumn Reingold, a bars standout, and Kelise Woolford, whose elite experience should fit well with Georgia’s coaching style. The foundation is there for a return to prominence.
8. Michigan State
2025 Finish: No. 6
The Spartans finally broke through to qualify for nationals, and with a strong returning core and impactful recruits, they’re well-positioned to do it again. Nikki Smith is ready to become the Big Ten’s top all-arounder and should challenge Chiles nationally. She’ll be joined by three four-star recruits, including Olympian Lilia Cosman of Romania, who could compete in the all-around alongside returner Olivia Zsarmani.
9. Missouri
2025 Finish: No. 3
The Tigers capitalized on their veteran roster to reach the nationals podium for the first time. While many of those key routines will graduate, plenty of depth remains. Five-star recruit Kimarra Echols is expected to contribute on all four events and could be Missouri’s next star. While not projected to return to the podium as of now, Missouri will certainly be in the mix for another championship berth.
10. Alabama
2025 Finish: No. 8
All eight teams from the 2025 championship are poised to build on their momentum, and Alabama is no exception. While the loss of Lilly Hudson stings, seventh-overall recruit Jasmine Cawley should slot in immediately, with fellow five-star Azaraya Ra-Akbar adding even more talent. After a breakout year, this is Gabby Gladieux’s team now, and the Crimson Tide should return to Fort Worth in 2026—this time as a serious threat.
Up Next: Kentucky, Stanford, California, Denver, Ohio State, Michigan
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Article by Brandis Heffner
