25 Bold Predictions for 2025: Shohei wins Cy Young; Sanders duo to Raiders

What will 2025 bring in the sports world? We asked our FOX Sports writers to look into their crystal balls for the upcoming year.

Here are their 25 boldest predictions for 2025:

1. Shedeur Sanders and Deion Sanders take over the Las Vegas Raiders

While the Tennessee Titans ended up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, in the case of Sanderses, it might not matter. Because while Shedeur is QB1, his dad might take control of their future and engineer the draft to fit them in the same way the Mannings once did for Eli. The Raiders might just need a change of leadership and quarterback. It’s a good team for Deion. And it’s not the worst fit for Shedeur. Now, I won’t go proclaiming that the Sanderses will have success in Vegas. But it would be fascinating to see Deion’s coup take place. – Henry McKenna

2. Shohei wins his first career Cy Young Award … which means he also wins MVP

Nothing will be more popcorn-worthy in baseball than Ohtani’s return to the mound in 2025. He hasn’t pitched since Aug. 23, 2023, when he was still the ace of the Los Angeles Angels. Since then, he had elbow surgery and accepted a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers before winning the National League MVP while being limited to just hitting duties. I’m expecting Ohtani to dazzle and post the lowest ERA in the NL in a dominant, Cy Young-worthy season in 2025, all while crushing at least 40 home runs. – Deesha Thosar

3. Belichick will win big at North Carolina, making NFL teams realize their mistake

Bill Belichick will lead the North Carolina Tar Heels to the ACC Championship Game in his first season, which seems like a good thing in Chapel Hill until they remember his $1 million buyout and see that his success reminded a bunch of NFL owners how dumb it was that they didn’t offer him a job. His press conference for the title game will be dominated by “rumors” that the Jaguars, Falcons, Giants, Jets and even the New England Patriots are considering offering him their head coaching job in 2026. Belichick insists he’s “on to Clemson” but sources make it clear he’ll listen to anyone who promises he’ll never have to talk football with the parents of a high school senior again. – Ralph Vacchiano

4. Duke men’s basketball wins first national championship since 2015 

The UConn Huskies flexed their muscles last season, winning their second straight national championship. This year, college basketball feels much more wide open heading into 2025. But the team that took early lumps in heartbreaking fashion with narrow losses to Kentucky and Kansas won’t live in the world of “almost” this March. Cooper Flagg is the best all-around talent in the sport and I think it’s Jon Scheyer’s time in the Big Dance. If Tyrese Proctor maintains his strong play and Kon Knueppel shows he can steadily make shots, then the Blue Devils will break a decade-long drought this April. – John Fanta

5. Arch Manning unlocks new level, leads Longhorns to SEC title

Arch Manning will lead Texas to an SEC championship — and therefore to the College Football Playoff — in his first year as starting quarterback. The Longhorns have been successful under Steve Sarkisian, but Manning will unlock a new level. He’s clearly already loved and respected by his teammates, and has the moxie to lead the program. Texas is expected to return starters on both sides of the ball and will likely gain talent from the transfer portal, all of which will help accelerate Manning’s ability to thrive from the jump. – Laken Litman

6. A breakout year for USMNT’s Gio Reyna

His talent has never been in question. Ever since Gio Reyna burst onto soccer’s highest level in early 2020 and became, at 17 years and a few months old, the youngest American man ever to appear in the knockout stage of UEFA Champions League, the rangy attacking midfielder (and son of two former U.S. national teamers) seemed destined for stardom. It hasn’t worked out that way. Reyna’s been injured for much of the past five years. When healthy, he’s been mostly a substitute for his German club, Borussia Dortmund. Reyna also played sparingly on loan to Premier League Nottingham Forest last season as Dortmund reached the Champions League final without him.

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