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TSR's 2025 NCAA D1 Indoor Top 25 Rankings (Men): Update #1
Updated: Feb 10, 2025
Written by Mike McKean & Finn Birnie
Edits & additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin
NOTE: These rankings are based on how an individual fared throughout the entirety of a season, not just how they ran at a singular meet or (eventually) at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships.
KEY
(Unranked):
Was not ranked in our last update.
(#/#):
First number indicates how much the athlete has moved in the rankings.
The second number indicates where the athlete was ranked in our last update.
25. Collins Kiprotich, Freshman, New Mexico (Unranked)
Lobo rookie Collins Kiprotich cracks our top-25 rankings after throwing down a monstrous 3:53 (mile) conversion on his home track! Not only did the New Mexico freshman take home the win, but he also collected the talented scalps of Brooks Beast’s Waleed Suliman and teammate Habtom Samuel (TSR #13) in the process.
Kiprotich’s performance from this past weekend feels like a surprise development even if we believe that aerobic-centric stars can often run well at altitude. But now, after a huge win like that, the Lobo freshman has earned even more of our respect as we deem him more nationally competitive on the track than we initially expected.
A 3:53 (mile) mark, regardless of how he got there, demands attention.
After a fall campaign that ended with an All-American honor, it’s becoming more and more apparent that the New Mexico youngster has enough raw talent to replicate that accolade on the oval. Of course, we still need to see him validate his latest result and showcase an understanding of tactics.
Regardless, this may just be the beginning for Collins Kiprotich.
24. Emanuel Galdino, Junior, Iowa State (Unranked)
WOW! Emanuel Galdino is officially on our radar and boy, did he make waves at the Cyclone Open this past weekend. The rising Iowa State star produced a fantastic 3:55 (mile) and 1:47 (800) double that was completed in the span of less than five hours!
And better yet, both of those were significant personal bests for Galdino.
That double in-and-of-itself is enough of a reason to skyrocket the Cyclone talent into our top-25 rankings. And when you take into account the names that he bested in the mile (Devan Kipyego and Robin Kwemoi Bera), you begin to believe that the junior belongs as a nationally competitive name. Did we forget to mention that he took home gold in both of these events too? Let’s also not fail to mention that he won the 800 meters by over 1.50 seconds.
We felt that Galdino had potential, but these marks put him in an entirely new tier. And maybe more importantly, the middle distance star’s rise has huge implications for Iowa State’s quest for a team conference title and for scoring points on the national stage (especially in the DMR).
23. Ryan Schoppe, Senior, Oklahoma State (-5 / 18)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
22. Ishmael Kipkurui, Freshman, New Mexico (-6 / 16)
New Mexico newcomer Ishmael Kipkurui takes a dip in our rankings after an admittedly underwhelming performance this past weekend. The freshman earned a sub-4:00 mile conversion (3:58) in a 5th place performance against his home teammates.
Of course, a performance like that is only underwhelming given Kipkurui's credentials. With eye-opening personal bests of 7:38 (3k), 8:09 (two-mile) and 13:05 (5k), we expected a bit more than a converted 3:58 (mile) season opener.
That effort does raise the question marks that we had about Kipkurui entering the season though. His lack of inexperience in the NCAA and the indoor oval is something to consider.
That being said, this was Kipkurui’s first collegiate track race and it’s far too soon to overlook his pure talent.
21. Lucas Bons, Senior, BYU (-4 / 17)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
20. Dylan Schubert, Senior, Furman (+1 / 21)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
19. Abdullahi Hassan, Senior, Mississippi State (Unranked)
Abdullahi Hassan’s arrival in Starkville this past summer had plenty of us giddy with excitement. Mississippi State’s proven track record of developing national-caliber half-milers gave us reason to believe that Hassan could take another leap in fitness.
Sure enough, that’s exactly what the former Wisconsin Badger-turned-Mississippi State Bulldog did this past weekend. An eye-opening 1:45 (800) personal best for the senior ace was just what the doctor ordered, further validating his decision to be coached by Chris Woods.
Hassan’s shiny new personal best positions him at the top of the NCAA over 800 meters at the time of publishing. Not only that, but his massive mark slots him in at NCAA #6 all-time on the indoor oval.
Of course, this hardly comes as a surprise when you consider that Hassan earned two individual honors during his time at Wisconsin. However, finally breaking the 1:46 (800) barrier feels significant when it comes to the national title conversation.
It feels more likely than ever that Hassan can earn that highly coveted national title.
18. Koitatoi Kidali, Freshman, Oregon (-4 / 14)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
17. Abel Teffra, Senior, Georgetown (+7 / 24)
In our preseason top-25 rankings, we highlighted the highly impressive level of poise that Abel Teffra displayed at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships. In those same preseason rankings, we asked ourselves just how high Teffra's ceiling could be with another year of experience and continued improvement in his tactical racing.
Well folks, it appears that we got our answer.
Two weekends ago, Teffra dipped under the 2:18 (1k) barrier with an NCAA # 2 all-time mark (2:17.39)! That result fully validates his All-American honor from last winter and even boosts his stock, bringing him into the elite tier of the NCAA’s middle distance stars.
The Georgetown veteran’s 5th place result in the mile at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships felt like a bit of a surprise. But now, after his massive 2025 season opener, a repeat All-American honor feels like a lock.
16. Ronan McMahon-Staggs, Rs. Junior, Washington (Unranked)
Ronan McMahon-Staggs skyrockets into our top-25 after an eyebrow-raising 3:51 (mile) PR at the UW Preview!
We knew that the Husky distance runner was due for a new PR as he aimed to return to the fitness level that he displayed in 2023 when he was with UCLA. But even then, none of us at The Stride Report could have predicted that McMahon-Staggs would drop a monster 3:51 mile PR!
We now have to reset our expectations for Ronan McMahon-Staggs. After a 2024 season that did not result in any personal bests, we hardly expected him to sit atop the NCAA’s best in the mile distance.
McMahon-Staggs’ patience seems to have paid off. Another year of experience and training under Coach Andy Powell has seemingly been the difference. His ceiling has reached an entirely new echelon and it seems incredibly likely that he becomes an All-American come March.
Of course, how McMahon-Staggs will fare in a tactical scenario will ultimately determine if that becomes a reality. But if Saturday's race is any indication, then he will be a nightmare to line up against moving forward.
It is, after all, hard not to have confidence in a 3:51 miler.
15. Rivaldo Marshall, Senior, Arkansas (-2 / 13)
A last-place (5th) effort over 600 meters en route to a 1:19 mark isn’t necessarily promising for Razorback senior, Rivaldo Marshall. That result becomes less exciting when realizing that the middle distance star has run 1:45 over the half-mile distance before.
Even so, we won’t put too much emphasis on a run-of-the-mill season opener. This past weekend was a rust-buster and we know that Marshall is capable of so much more. He is, after all, the defending indoor national champion over 800 meters.
14. Sam Whitmarsh, Junior, Texas A&M (-5 / 9)
Has not yet competed this season.
13. Habtom Samuel, Sophomore, New Mexico (-1 / 12)
This Lobo sophomore is a legitimate superstar and demands respect on the indoor oval, even if it doesn’t cater to his strength like the grass or outdoor oval do. This past weekend was yet another solid display of fitness by Habtom Samuel, running 3:59 in the mile at 5000 feet of altitude. That bronze medal performance earned him a 3:54 conversion.
That being said, we felt like the New Mexico ace was the clear favorite going into his season opener (at least amongst the collegians). Sure, a 3:54 (mile) conversion is certainly nothing to scoff at -- and it doesn’t change our opinion of Samuel -- but it felt like he had the advantage over Kiprotich in terms of familiarity and pure talent.
Even so, the longer distances are where Samuel truly shines. And admittedly, the 5k feels like the only event where we can see him being a real national title threat.
12. Marco Langon, Sophomore, Villanova (+3 / 15)
After a standout cross country campaign, a jaw-dropping 13:14 PR over 5000 meters, and now a 3:54 mile PR to boot, it’s safe to say that Villanova’s Marco Langon is inching closer and closer to being "elite."
At the Penn 10 Elite this past weekend, Langon took down two of the nation's top milers, Liam Murphy and Gary Martin, all while showcasing a devastating kick. And that was not just any kick -- it was one that out-dueled Murphy, an athlete renowned for his closing speed.
That two-second PR and stunning victory forces us to see the Wildcat in a whole new light. Not only does he possess incredible range, but his consistency has improved remarkably as well. Pair that with his vast strides in tactical execution, and Langon is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous runners in the NCAA.
11. Brian Musau, Sophomore, Oklahoma State (0 / 11)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
10. Yaseen Abdalla, Senior, Arkansas (0 / 10)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
9. Tinoda Matsatsa, Sophomore, Georgetown (+10 / 19)
The biggest mover and shaker in our rankings update this week is, without question, Georgetown’s Tinoda Matsatsa. His exceptional rise is more-than-warranted after he shattered his own NCAA record over 1000 meters at the Nittany Lion Challenge, running a remarkable time of 2:16.84!
The Georgetown sophomore didn’t just break his record -- he obliterated it, completely skipping over the 2:17 mark, entirely.
That unreal result, combined with his 3:54 mile PR back in December, gives Matsatsa one of the best seasonal starts that a collegiate middle distance runner has ever had. And to be quite frank, it would be hard to find a better pair of races to open a season.
Matsatsa has taken his fitness to an entirely new level, and that’s a scary thought considering how phenomenal he was as a rookie. With national championship experience already under his belt, and a new set of wicked times to his name, the Georgetown underclassman just might be the favorite for the indoor 800-meter national title this winter.
Of course, we still have to see him race the half-mile distance, but given the conviction that he has shown so far this season, it’s hard not to feel like he has something special in store for us.
8. Gary Martin, Junior, Virginia (-1 / 7)
Seeing Gary Martin run 3:54 in the mile at the Penn 10 Elite meet this past weekend was hardly surprising, especially after his blistering 7:36 (3k) run back in December.
In what turned into a burn-up over the final 200 meters, Martin crossed the line just shy of Villanova duo, Marco Langon and Liam Murphy. Despite coming up short, the UVA standout still had a terrific run and was actually just 0.20 seconds away from his personal best from last winter.
It’s clear that Martin is operating at a whole new level this season, as evidenced by his 7:36 (3k). Seeing him produce a mile effort as strong as the one that qualified him for the national meet last winter this early in the season is very promising. Admittedly, he will likely need to improve on this mark, but given his progression, that should be no problem.
7. Colin Sahlman, Junior, Northern Arizona (+1 / 8)
Not many men in the NCAA can run 48 seconds for 400 meters at altitude and also place among the top-70 at the NCAA XC Championships over 10k -- but Colin Sahlman is one of them.
At his home meet, the Lumberjack star put his speed to the test, and it’s safe to say that it’s more than there. Sahlman won both the 400 meters and 600 meters, clocking times of 48.63 and 1:17.24, respectively. Those are phenomenal marks considering that he was at 7000 feet.
Make no mistake -- Sahlman has always been fast, but running this fast, especially this early, is exciting. And for someone who has been steadily refining his tactical understanding, this elevated speed could make him an even greater threat for the mile national title come March.
6. Elliott Cook, Senior, Oregon (0 / 6)
Has not yet competed this season.
5. Adam Spencer, Senior, Wisconsin (-2 / 3)
It just wasn’t Adam Spencer’s day at the Dr. Sander Scorcher meet. Despite facing a field packed with professionals, Spencer struggled to stay competitive, ultimately crossing the line in the back-half of the field with a 3:58 (mile) result.
It is noting that Spencer also ran the 800-meter leg of Wisconsin’s DMR the night before. Even so, that shouldn’t have been too big of an issue for someone with plenty of experience navigating heats and finals.
This was clearly an "off" day for the Badger star. And given his consistency over the years, we can certainly expect him to bounce back.
4. Liam Murphy, Senior, Villanova (0 / 4)
A 3:54 mile effort in his first race since his exceptional 13:10 (5k) PR back in December is an incredibly strong result for Liam Murphy.
Yes, he may have been edged at the line by fellow teammate Marco Langon, but it was still an impressive performance as he took down Virginia’s Gary Martin who has been on a hot streak of his own.
It’s clear that Murphy still has the wheels to go toe-to-toe with the fastest closers in the nation. And for now, this result is good enough to punch his ticket to the national meet should he focus on the mile.
However, we can’t help but wonder -- could the 3000 meters be the perfect sweet spot for his skillset, especially after seeing just how spectacular he was over 5000 meters?
3. Nathan Green, Junior, Washington (+2 / 5)
The fact that we aren’t all that surprised by Nathan Green running 3:50.74 in the mile speaks volumes about how far the NCAA has progressed in recent years.
At the UW Mile City meet, Green took down a stacked field of pros and fellow collegians, surging away in the final lap to clock the fourth-fastest collegiate mile time ever. However, because the race was run on an "oversized" track, his mark won't count in the official NCAA record books.
Yet, as extraordinary as this performance is, it doesn’t necessarily tell us anything new about Green. He is an exceptional talent who has already proven he can run fast and possesses the tactical prowess to win an NCAA title.
What this race does confirm, however, is that the Husky star is at the top of his game -- and, perhaps more excitingly, has a legitimate shot at breaking the NCAA mile record if given the right opportunity.
2. Ethan Strand, Senior, North Carolina (0 / 2)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
1. Parker Wolfe, Senior, North Carolina (0 / 1)
Has not competed since TSR published our preseason rankings.
ADDED
Collins Kiprotich (New Mexico)
Emanuel Galdino (Iowa State)
Abdullahi Hassan (Mississippi State)
Ronan McMahon-Staggs (Washington)
KICKED OFF
Matt Strangio (Portland)
Handal Roban (Penn State)
Darius Kipyego (Iowa State)
Nicholas Plant (Virginia Tech)
JUST MISSED (in no particular order)
Brian Kweyei (Clemson)
Darius Smallwood (Penn State)
Matt Strangio (Portland)
Handal Roban (Penn State)
Darius Kipyego (Iowa State)
Nicholas Plant (Virginia Tech)
Kyle Reinheimer (Washington)
Justin O'Toole (Washington)
Isaiah Givens (Colorado)
Thomas Boyden (Stanford)
HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order)
Olivier Desmeules (Penn State)
Laban Kipkemboi (Oklahoma State)
Cole Lindhorst (Washington)
Cole Sprout (Stanford)
Sanele Masondo (Iowa State)
Said Mechaal (Iowa State)
Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State)
Camden Marshall (Indiana)
Tyrice Taylor (Arkansas)
Dayton Carlson (Arizona State)
Notes
- N/A
