1. WR Tony Jones (Notre Dame) Last Year: 3rdThe league's most dominant playmaker has been the key cog in the Irish's back-to-back championship run. Jones set the NCAA record for receiving yards for the second year in a row and missed becoming college's first 3,000 yard WR by 28 yards. After winning the 2020 Heisman Trophy he finished second in 2021. He has averaged 130 catches and 23 TD's over the last two years and in his 6th year, seems to be just hitting his stride.
2. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) Last Year: 2ndMr. Consistency is an award Tennessee's Jonathan Demartini definitely deserves over his first 5 seasons in Knoxville. Always a name in the Heisman race, Demartini is the most prolific passer in NCAA history. An offense built around his skills ranks as one of the most lethal attacks in the modern era. Last season he ranked second in yards (6,707) and TD's (50) and carried a very offensive dominated team to their fourth SEC East title in five years. His consistent dominance often goes overshadowed since he's set the bar so high each and every season.
3. QB Paul Johnson (Miami) Last Year: UnrankedJohnson was a very highly touted 5-star recruit from Delaware that took a few seasons to harness his amazing skills in the ACC. A wildly erratic gun slinger early in his career, Johnson threw for lots of yards and TD's but was prone to turnovers and it showed with the Team's overall success. After taking a nice step in 2020 Johnson high jumped expectations in 2021. He led Miami to a bowl win on the road in Tennessee after throwing for 5,875 yards and 50 TD's. His 61.6% completion rate and 115.98 put him among the greats and earned him the Heisman Trophy. Not only was he efficient and explosive but he lowered his interception total to just 10 and became the leader the Hurricanes knew he could be. Johnson leads one of the league’s brightest young offenses and hopes to build upon an historic 2021 campaign.
4. DT Keith Thomas (Kansas) Last Year: 1stLast year's #1 player on the list, Thomas had his lowest statistical output since he started at Kansas. You know a player is dominant from the interior when 14 sacks is considered a down year. Thomas is the focal point of all opponents when the Jayhawks line up and he has shown to be one of the most entertaining big men in the NCAA. Thomas is starting to transition into his veteran years and with only three more seasons in Kansas he will be looking to lead his team back to a Bowl game.
5. WR William Brock (Tennessee) Last Year: 7thWilliam Brock has been the go-to guy in Tennessee for QB Jonathan Demartini over the years. Brock is the All-Time NCAA leader in yards and TD's and is just posted his third 2,000+ yard season in five years. Brock has it all with his dynamic speed and hands complimenting his precise route running and blocking. The two-time National Champion is one of the top playmakers the NCAA has ever seen.
6. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: UnrankedDavid Orange was a shining star despite the lack of help from a fledgling defense in Tuscaloosa. Orange came into the league a prized recruit and has continued to grow each season. He ranked amongst the league best in both tackles (107) and interceptions (11) while only allowing a magnificent 35.9% completion allowed. Named 1st Team All-American, Orange also took home the Jim Thorpe Award and has vaulted himself into contention for best defensive back in the NCAA. Orange is the prototype defensive back every program is searching for and hoping to land.
7. QB Randy Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 21stRandy Williams was built to play quarterback. He's arguably the most physically gifted passers to play and has steadily taken his game to another level each season. His biggest improvement has come in his ability to be a game manager and lead his team to victories. While his stats are among the elites he is happy to hand the ball off in games and is most proficient when the Cowboys are a balanced attack. His name has become a staple when the award voting is posted and his team made it one step away from a National Title. Williams is just hitting his prime and looks to be on the brink of greatness.
8. CB Juan Hoke (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 23rdOklahoma State's Juan Hoke is a classic example of a player that wasn't highly sought after in high school showing all the doubters wrong. Hoke intercepted 10 passes last season and has proven to be one of the NCAA's biggest ball hawks. One of the surest tacklers on the team, Hoke also added 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles last season proving to be a playmaker on all levels. His 33.3% completion allowed is a reflection of his lock-down ability and is why some think he may be the best defensive players in the land.
9. DE Leslie Miller (Miami) Last Year: UnrankedMiami's Leslie Miller destroyed opponents in 2021 on his way to being named the winner of the Bronco Nagursky Award (Best Defensive Player) as well as the Lombardi Award (Best Defensive Lineman or Linebacker). His 29 sacks were 3 better than the next highest player and his dominance rejuvenated a defense that was looking for direction. Miller may have seemed to rise out of obscurity but those close to the Hurricane program have been excited about this young player for the last two years. His 8 sacks in his freshman year rose to 16 and then to 29. As Miller has grown as a person he has also taken his game to another level. Since coming into college as a 2 star athlete with a lot to prove he has let the chip on his shoulder motivate to become one of the most feared players. In just his 4th year Miller is looking build upon his historic season and help Miami go even further in the post season.
10. QB Douglas Hemphill (Syracuse) Last Year: 13thLast year saw an influx of young signal callers that dominated the airwaves from the beginning til the end of the season. No one garnered as much attention as Syracuse's Douglas Hemphill. In his first season as the full time starter Hemphill shattered the Cuse record books and led the NCAA in passing yards with a whopping 7,045 yards and 50 TD's. Hemphill not only exceeded all expectations in just his third year but he also turned a good team into a great one. Syracuse had their best season to date recording 14 wins and destroying Auburn in the Sugar Bowl 68-7. Hemphill was on the short list for Heisman for much of the year as he was the key cog in the Orange attack. With many young and talented passers across the nation, Hemphill hopes to improve on his record breaking season and keep the Cuse in the championship hunt.
