2025-26 NCAA Men’s Power Rankings: Post-Invites Edition

As in previous years, SwimSwam’s Power Rankings are somewhere between the CSCAA-style dual meet rankings and a pure prediction of NCAA finish order. SwimSwam’s rankings take into account how a team looks at the moment, while keeping the end of the season in mind through things like a team’s previous trajectory and NCAA scoring potential. These rankings are by nature subjective, and a jumping-off point for discussion. If you disagree with any team’s ranking, feel free to make your case in our comments section.  

Braden Keith, James Sutherland, Robert Gibbs, Madeline Folsom, Anya Pelshaw, and Terin Frodyma contributed to this report.

As we move into the second semester’s dual meets, which restart at scale next week, it’s time to evaluate where teams stand and where they’re headed mid-season. These rankings were heavily informed, though not dictated by, the mid-season scoring exercise.

Previous Rankings: 

Honorable Mentions: Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota

=#25: Penn State Lions — (Previous Rank: NR)

This is looking like Penn State’s best team in a decade. Mariano Lazzerini is a legit threat to make the A-final in both breaststrokes, and the Nittany Lions’ medley relays have been faster than quite a few teams who are ranked ahead of them overall. – R.G. 

=#25: Wisconsin Badgers — (Previous Rank: NR)

Just like the women, the Wisconsin men are thriving under first year head coach Dr. Jack Brown. They are dropping huge amounts of time, and if they continue to improve at the same rate, they could find their way into the top 20. – M.F.

#24: Yale Bulldogs +1 (Previous Rank: 25)

Only one Yale relay is currently projected to score, but Nick Finch has looked strong this season, and we’ll assume that Noah Millard will round back into the form that should earn him top-eight finishes in the 500 and the 1650. – R.G.

#23: Texas A&M Aggies -3 (Previous Rank: 20)

Former Aggies may be thriving in Austin, but those who remain are having their successes too. Logan Brown has hit personal bests in both breaststroke events this fall, and he’s projected to be the Aggies’ sole scorer as of the moment. – R.G.

#22: UNC Tar Heels -5 (Previous Rank: 17)

We’ve got the Tar Heels sliding down five spots. That’s not necessarily an indication that they had a bad midseason invite — they just weren’t able to improve on some fast early-season times to the same extent as other programs. This should still be an exciting team to watch during championship season. – R.G.

Ben Delmar and Xavier Ruiz have been the best non-Longhorn breaststroke duo so far this season—there’s little dispute there. That said, the team will need a few additional breakthroughs to climb back into the top 20, something other teams found midseason. – S.G. 

#21: Missouri Tigers — (Previous Rank: NR)

Missouri’s sprint relays, led by Luke Nebrich, surprised everyone mid-season. – B.K. 

#20: Army Black Knights — (Previous Rank: NR)

Johnny Crush’s season has been a bit wonky, but I’m assuming he’ll be good to go come March – and he’s really got a strong supporting cast this season too. – T.F.

#19: Alabama Crimson Tide — (Previous Rank: 19)

None of the Crimson Tide relays are currently projected to score, but Leonardo Alcantara did knock over three seconds off his personal best to move into scoring position in the 500 free. – R.G. 

#18: Arizona Wildcats +5 (Previous Rank: NR)

Tomas Lukminas performed well at midseason and looks to be the leader for the team so far this season as they look for a top 25 finish. – A.P.

Sophomore Tomas Lukminas currently sits in the top eight in the country in two different individual events right now, and a strong performance at the 2025 SC Euros indicates he could be looking to score NCAA points for the first time this year. – M.F.

#17: USC Trojans -1 (Previous Rank: 16)

The Trojans have a pretty solid formula: the Chimielwski brothers + a few scoring relays. – R.G.

#16: Auburn Tigers +2 (Previous Rank: 18)

The Auburn medley relays are very strong with both the 200 and 400 relays sitting in the top-eight in the country right now. They don’t have any individual swimmers in the top-eight, but the relay and diving points will help the program in a big way – M.F.

#15: Ohio State Buckeyes -2 (Previous Rank: 13)

Matt Klinge continues to build on a strong summer that saw him represent Team USA at the World University Games. He’s already been under his previous 100 fly best three times this season. Meanwhile, Jordi Vilchez knocked nearly four seconds off his previous 500 free best to set a new program record at 4:11.79, which puts him 8th in the nation this season. – R.G.

#14: Virginia Cavaliers -5 (Previous Rank: 9)

#13. Michigan Wolverines +1 (Previous Rank: 14)

This Michigan team is giving me whiplash. Before mid-seasons, I think maybe I overcorrected for the guys who aren’t going to make it this season just a bit, so I’ll move them back up. – B.K. 

#12. LSU Tigers -1 (Previous Rank: 11)

The LSU men have looked really strong all season, and with how diver Paul Carson has looked on the boards, the Tigers are poised for a strong NCAA finish. – M.F.

#11: Louisville Cardinals +1 (Previous Rank: 12)

Freshman Nikita Sheremet has helped breathe new life into the Louisville sprint corps. The Cardinals’ midseason 200 free relay (1:15.74, currently 6th in the nation) matched their time from 2025 NCAAs and was faster than their time at 2024 NCAAs. – R.G.

#10: Florida State Seminoles +5 (Previous Rank: 15)

Florida State is the biggest riser out of mid-season meets. If they can manage their end-of-season taper to be focused on NCAA Championship performance, there’s a serious chance of a top 10 finish. – B.K. 

The Seminoles have usually done pretty well in the sprint free relays over the last decade or so. The biggest surprise, and arguably the reason they’ve moved up so much, is that they now have the 2nd-fastest time in the nation in the 800 free relay too. It’s going to be really interesting to see whether or not they can keep the momentum rolling through championship season. – R.G.

#9: Tennessee Volunteers +1 (Previous Rank: 10)

Tennessee did well at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge, finishing 2nd behind the ASU men. Their freestylers look really good and Koby Bujak-Upton has been a great addition to the program. – M.F.

#8: Stanford Cardinal — (Previous Rank: 8)

Stanford may not have any huge names at the moment, but the Cardinal fairly quietly put together a strong showing at midseason. Freshman Ethan Ekk had a phenomenal fall semester, clocking personal bests in five events (and six if you include his fly leg from the 400 IM). – R.G.

#7: California Golden Bears -1 (Previous Rank: 6)

We all know Cal wasn’t that focused on mid-season, we all know they’re going to get better…but still would have liked to see a little more spark out of them in Minneapolis suited up. I think Indiana’s mid-season cemented them ahead of Cal, barring any late roster additions. – S.G. 

Graduations just seem too much to overcome for Cal. For now, we don’t know of any names they add in the spring but if there is a surprise, I will change my vote. – A.P. 

#6: NC State Wolfpack +1 (Previous Rank: 7)

The Wolfpack had a strong showing at midseason, and that was without seeing much from Aiden Hayes or Arsenio Bustos, who should be worth at least 40-60 points if they can get back to where they were before redshirting. – R.G. 

NC State could be right in the mix for a top-five finish at NCAAs this season. With Quintin McCarty and Aiden Hayes appearing to be back to full health, a return to peak form in the postseason would give the Wolfpack a significant scoring boost. Add in Kai Winkler and Hudson Williams popping personal bests left and right, and NC State’s relay strength should push the team well beyond its ninth-place finish from 2025. — S.G.

#5: Florida Gators -1 (Previous Rank: 4)

The team’s ‘A’ 400 medley got DQed at midseason which accounts for some of its point differential after scoring out NCAAs after midseason. Even without the DQ, the team would still sit at 5th as a team. Aleksas Savickas swam season bests at SECs and NCAAs next year and will be key to getting the breaststroke leg up to speed with the rest of the strength of the relay. – A.P.

#4: Georgia Bulldogs +1 (Previous Rank: 5)

Again, it’s not just the Luca Urlando show. The Bulldogs are seeded to score in the top eight in all five relays. -R.G.

Luca Urlando, Tomis Koski, Drew Hitchcock, Ruard Van Renen, and Eliot Woodburn are all swimming lights out. While they may not shine depth-wise at SECs, this team is built for a top-five finish at NCAAs. – S.G. 

#3: Indiana Hoosiers — (Previous Rank: 3)

Indiana was SO GOOD mid-season, I came to my power ranks wanting to move them up. But…it’s still hard to see them bridging the gap to Arizona State, even with diving. – T.F.

#2: Arizona State Sun Devils — (Previous Rank: 2)

The team to beat still sits in Austin, but what this Sun Devils team has already shown through the first few months of the season has been spectacular. There is no team in the country with the level of sprint depth that Arizona State has, and it will be a significant factor come NCAAs. – T.F.

#1: Texas Longhorns — (Previous Rank: 1)

They were already the favorites and they have three big additions for the spring. I just don’t see much of a path to the Longhorns being stopped. – A.P. 

Across all possible universes, there’s probably one where the Longhorns don’t win the national championship three months from now, but this universe ain’t it. – R.G.

Texas is adding Hubert Kos, David Johnston, Ksawery Masiuk, Evan Bailey, and a fully tapered Rex Maurer this semester. Combine that with the massive strides from Nate Germonprez, Campbell McKean, Baylor Nelson, and Will Modglin over the past month, and it’s hard to see anyone coming close. – S.G.

Ballots: