Athens has assembled the most compelling early collection of newcomers in IAN's offseason rankings. Tulsa has kept its offensive centerpiece while adding help around him. Michigan has answered a major quarterback departure with the reigning AF1 MVP. Those three approaches lead a list that rewards both headline acquisitions and the work needed to make them succeed.

This October 20 snapshot weighs announced additions, meaningful returns, known departures and positional balance. Teams are evaluated relative to their own leagues and starting points. The order is an editorial assessment of offseason progress, not a prediction that a higher-ranked team would beat every club below it. IAN's September 28–October 18 transaction coverage provides the baseline, supplemented by team releases and AF1's October 20 bulletin. The bulletin confirms transactions as of its publication date; individual signings may have been announced earlier.

1. Athens Crush

Athens has given Rob Keefe a remarkable starting point for an expansion offense. Reigning IFL MVP Liam Thompson joins fellow quarterback Zach Zebrowski, while receiver Trevon Alexander supplies proven indoor production. Alexander caught 26 touchdown passes for Green Bay in 2026, and both he and Thompson have previously played for Keefe.

The October 20 addition of linebacker Don Willis strengthens the case beyond quarterback. Willis arrives from Arizona after a championship season, giving Athens an experienced defender as well as offensive star power. The Crush still need their protection and defensive depth to match those names, but no team on this list has made a more persuasive opening statement.

2. Tulsa Oilers

Keeping TJ Edwards gives Tulsa a clear advantage in continuity. The returning quarterback accounted for 64 passing touchdowns and 22 rushing touchdowns in 2026. Tulsa can build around an established offensive leader instead of spending camp searching for one.

The surrounding work matters just as much: returning receiver Jerminic Smith Sr., additions Arland Bruce IV and Darius Lewis, running back Terion Stewart, and defensive lineman Charles Rosser. Rosser brings Second-Team All-IFL credentials from Quad City.

3. Michigan Arsenal

Michigan's quarterback transition could have left a significant hole after Malik Henry's move to Kentucky. Signing Tyler Kulka, the 2026 AF1 MVP, gives the Arsenal a strong answer at the sport's most influential position.

Michigan also retained receivers Jairus Grissom and Trevante Long, added Kendyl Williams and Austin Upshaw, and brought in defensive back Derrick Maxwell from Nashville. That combination gives Kulka familiar organizational pieces around him while adding competition. The remaining question is whether the line and defense can provide enough consistency to turn the passing game potential into a balanced contender.

4. Arizona Rattlers

The defending IFL champions have preserved a substantial offensive foundation with quarterback Max Meylor and running back Kimo Clarke returning. Hayden Hatcher's return and several defensive additions give Arizona options as it rebuilds around that core.

Offensive linemen Baraka Beckett and Yoesph Carter are particularly useful additions because both arrive with IFL experience from Jacksonville. Beckett earned All-Rookie honors in 2026. Arizona does lose Willis to Athens, so continuity should not be confused with an unchanged championship roster. Even with that departure, retaining the backfield while investing in protection makes this one of the more convincing builds.

5. ATX Bulls

ATX has paired a significant receiving acquisition with attention to the offensive line. Malik Honeycutt, the 2026 AF1 Breakout Player of the Year, arrives as possibly the most dangerous weapon in the indoor/arena game. Proven quarterback Rakeem Cato, center Torre Boyd and offensive lineman Eric Washington also arrive to pair with Honeycutt..

Boyd's 2026 First-Team AF1 recognition is especially relevant: an expansion passing game needs protection and communication as much as it needs receivers. Defensive backs Derrick Jones and Javonte Haynes broaden the build.

6 Arkansas Diamonds

Sam Castronova gives Arkansas an experienced quarterback as it moves into the IFL. Running back PJ Vander adds familiarity with that league, while center Tyler Castaneda and offensive lineman Stacey Wilkins II address the blocking required to make the backfield work.

Defensive back Shaquez Bond and defensive linemen Tre Smalls and Cormontae Hamilton keep the offseason from becoming solely an offensive project. Arkansas deserves credit for recruiting across position groups. Its place below ATX reflects the uncertainty of translating that collection into a new league, though the same could be said for ATX, rather than a lack of ambition in the build.

7 Southwest Kansas Storm

The Storm's strongest offseason argument begins up front. Zachary Fondal returns after starting every game in 2026 for an offensive line that allowed six sacks over 12 games. Robert Cooper is also returning to the organization on the defensive line.

Kyle Meyers' return preserves secondary experience, while quarterback Davis Black and receiver Emari White bring new offensive options. Southwest Kansas has earned credit for keeping and recovering useful pieces of its structure, maintaining the efficiency of the championship offense is it’s next test.

8 Fishers Freight

Fishers is addressing quarterback and the defensive front in the same offseason. Nate Davis arrived as the star signing from San Diego. IAN also reported offensive lineman Terrance McClain's addition from Tulsa.

On defense, Chris Fitzgerald and Wallace Cowins join returning lineman Jaylin Swan. Running back Nolan Susel adds another offensive option. This is a coherent attempt to improve several connected areas, although Davis' fit with the offense and the reshaped front's effectiveness still must be demonstrated.

9 San Diego Stealth

The October 20 AF1 bulletin gives San Diego a stronger case for the top 10. Defensive linemen Jaquan Artis and Michael Badejo join a build that already included defensive back Byron Edwards and linebackers Trevon Shorts and Jordan Baker. Artis brings a resume that includes the 2022 IFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

The same bulletin lists quarterback Dominigue Shoffner, receiver Xzavier Crawford, fullback Robert Robinson and offensive lineman Krikour Koustanian. Adding across the offense while strengthening the front earns the Stealth a narrow edge over Salina. The decisive factor is Artis' established indoor pedigree.

10 Montgomery Catfish

Montgomery earns the AAL a place through a mix of arena experience and additions across the roster. Quarterbacks Jarren Myers and Tyriq Starks provide options, while Tyreer Mills brings a quarterback-and-receiver background and 2026 AAL2 MVP recognition.

Defensively, Prince Umanmielen and LaBarron Mallory arrive with AF1 experience. More recent additions Thomas Linnear and Jayleem Santos expand the front. The Catfish still have to establish combinations and roles, but they have recruited enough experience at different levels of the defense to make their first roster worth close attention.

Teams just outside the top 10

Salina remains close after adding quarterback Cory Macon, multiple receivers and offensive linemen, and help throughout the defense. Nashville's October 20 additions include quarterback TJ Finley, receiver Kisean Johnson and defensive linemen Carter Szydlowski and James Stewart. Washington adds linebacker/defensive lineman Rodney Green Jr. Jacksonville's new defensive back Jaylen Castleberry also merits attention.

Those updates improve the available options, but they do not automatically outweigh the broader builds above. Nashville still must translate its quarterback changes into a settled offense. Jacksonville has added defensive help while losing offensive linemen Beckett and Carter to Arizona. Washington's receiving and line additions keep it in consideration as its roster develops.

The next edition will hinge on confirmed departures, additional line signings and clearer quarterback plans. For now, Athens leads because its acquisitions combine proven offensive production with a meaningful defensive addition. Tulsa and Michigan remain close enough that the next few announcements could change the order.