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2021
The Aaron Donald of the NCAA, DT
Keith Thomas is the most dominating player bar none. He's fast, quick, strong and tenacious. He's a stone wall in the run game tallying 251 tackles in four seasons to go along with his eye popping 113 sacks. Perhaps the most telling stat that shows just how great this player is is the 437 hurries he has amassed in four years. He's a disruptive presence that not many teams have figured out how to stop. He's won the Bronko Nagursky Award all four seasons as well as taking home the Lombardi in 2017 and 2018. The four-time 1st Team All-American has cemented himself atop the field at a position that usually is under the radar. At 29 years old Thomas still has a lot of time to add to his trophy case.
The ultimate gunslinger, Tennessee's QB
Jonathan Demartini has taken the scene by storm since he came to Knoxville. A Heisman candidate almost every season, he took home the coveted award in 2019 after throwing a league record 64 TD's. Topping the 6,000 passing yard mark for three straight seasons Demartini is setting the bar so high it will be hard to match. Perhaps the most productive player on a team with the most titles, Demartini is still just entering his prime at 27 years old. Tennessee is taking advantage of their record breaking passer by adding more and more weapons to make sure his offense continues its dominance.
One of the hottest players in the NCAA, WR
Tony Jones was the key to the 2020 National Champion Notre Dame's offense. His eye popping speed and hands combine with and incredible ability to run by, and through, tacklers. A former RB, Jones has transitioned into a game changer at the wide receiver position. Taking home the Heisman last season is just the tip of the iceberg of what this talented player can become. He broke the record for most yards in a season in 2020 with 2,380 and tied the record for most receiving TD's in a season with 23. In only his 5th season Jones still has a lot to prove if he's going to keep his name in the headlines.
One of the league's most respected players was on the move this offseason. Transferring to Rutgers QB
James Sherwood brings a pedigree that includes a Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, two Davey O'Brien Awards and three All-American honors. The mobile marksman has been a staple of consistency throughout his career at the Naval Academy. With a career rating of over 100, Sherwood averages over 40 TD passes a season. Entering his final year of eligibility the legend that his name evokes is still one of the top players in all the land.
In a league that prefers the video game passing stats RB
Myles Gaskin has proved that the running game is still a huge part of team success. The two-time Doak Walker Award winner is the NCAA's leading rusher by a huge margin. He also has the most TD's in history all while leading the Huskies to three Pac-12 North Titles in a row. Not only is he an workhorse on the ground but he has insane pass catching skills and has proven to be one of the nation's top duel threats.
The Vols have reached the National Championship game three times in four seasons and most of the recognition has been heaped upon the dominant offense. The underrated defense has one steady cog that has been as consistent as they come, CB
Bill Wu . Wu is second in NCAA history with 37 interceptions while only allowing a remarkable 39.6% of the passes against him to be completed. Wu is a senior captain for Tennessee and seems to get better with age. In 2020 he dominated the opposition on his way to winning the Jim Thorpe Award for the league's best defensive back.
Tennessee boasts the most dominant offenses in the country and the premiere playmaker on their team is WR
William Brock . His 7,132 yards ranks second all time in college football while his 62 TD's is the best of all time. He's lightning fast with precise route running to compiment his buttery hands. He has quickly become the team's big play threat and finished second in the 2018 Heisman Trophy ballot after posting one of the most dominant recieving seasons in history.
Defensive End
Rick Grimes has been a quarterback's nightmare ever since he entered the college scene two years ago. Grimes is the prototype End that excels in both the pass and the run. He has compiled 46 sacks and 177 hurries in two seasons in Tuscalosa. At the young age of 24 Grimes has already established himself as one of the best players in the country.
The NCAA is dominated by some great pass rushers around the country yet Marshall's right tackle
Michael Conroy is a wall that seems to get better with each passing season. Allowing only a single sack in each his first two years with the Thundering Herd, Conroy hasn't allowed a sack in the last two years. In over 1,400 plays last season he only committed three penalties. His blocking skills are elite and he's been described by many scouts as the premiere technician in college football.
Since transferring from Alabama to Utah TE
Patrick Gould has become one of the biggest offensive threats in the nation. At 6'4 Gould is unstoppable in the middle of the field posting back to back 1,500+ seasons and winning the John Mackey award two years in a row. His 27 TD's in the last two seasons is far and away the most for any tightends in the country. Not only is he one of the premiere pass catchers but he is also one of the better blockers for his position.
20211. DT Keith Thomas (Kansas)2. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) 3. WR Tony Jones (Notre Dame)4. QB James Sherwood (Rutgers) 5. RB Myles Gaskin (Washington) 6. CB Bill Wu (Tennessee)7. WR William Brock (Tennessee)8. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama)9. OL Michael Conroy (Marshall)10. TE Patrick Gould (Utah)11. QB Robert Beall (UCLA)12. DE Dalton Hayes (Notre Dame)13. DE Ricky Kennedy (Rutgers)14. WR Michael Perez (Florida St.)15. RB/WR Ray Ferguson (Marshall)16. CB Kenneth Autrey (Syracuse)17. OL Kenneth Smith (Oklahoma)18. CB Julian Love (Notre Dame)19. WR Antony Carter (USC)20. CB Albert Gooding (Clemson)21. QB Randy Williams (Oklahoma St.)22. DE Samuel Hawkins (Navy)23. CB Juan Hoke (Oklahoma St.)24. DE Franklin Holland (Rutgers)25. WR Kerry Servais (Kentucky)26. CB Michael Tylor (USC)27. CB Ken Carroll (Auburn)28. RB/WR Marquez Callaway (Tennessee)29. SS Jay Elliott (Notre Dame)30. DT Neville Walton (California)31. WR Steven Gartman (Iowa)32. C Marvin Hurst (USC)33. DT Steven Inman (Kentucky)34. WR Charles Ford (Clemson)35. OL Danilo McLane (Miami)36. CB Dwayne Brown (Florida St.)37. QB Neal Obrien (Clemson)38. OL Kelley Ross (Arizona)39. OL Rick Kurz (Army)40. WR Lane Edwards (Michigan)41. WR Glen Coates (Army)42. C Juan Ware (Washington)43. QB Jay Jones (Auburn)44. WR Cyril Quiroz (Oklahoma)45. C Michael Smith (UCLA)46. RB Andy Davidson (Army)47. WR Chase Claypool (Notre Dame)48. DT Daniel Young (Oklahoma St.)49. LB Robert Dilworth (Kentucky)50. QB Ronald Tiffany (Washington)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022
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.
20221. WR Tony Jones (Notre Dame) Last Year: 3rd2. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) Last Year: 2nd3. QB Paul Johnson (Miami) Last Year: Unranked4. DT Keith Thomas (Kansas) Last Year: 1st5. WR William Brock (Tennessee) Last Year: 7th6. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked7. QB Randy Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 21st8. CB Juan Hoke (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 23rd9. DE Leslie Miller (Miami) Last Year: Unranked10. QB Douglas Hemphill (Syracuse) Last Year: 13th11. DT John Schafer (Rutgers) Last Year: Unranked12. DT Daniel Young (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 48th13. T Michael Conroy (Marshall) Last Year: 9th14. CB John Hodge (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked15. WR- Charles Armijo (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked16. LB John Hoover (California) Last Year: Unranked17. DE Mark Perry (Washington) Last Year: Unranked18. TE Patrick Gould (Utah) Last Year: 10th19. RB Terry Pauli (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked20. DE Rickey Kennedy (Rutgers) Last Year: 13th21. G Jimmie Young (Arizona) Last Year: Unranked22. CB Darrell Bogan (Utah) Last Year: Unranked23. CB Ken Carroll (Auburn) Last Year: 27th24. WR Michael Moore (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked25. RB Ray Ferguson (Marshall) Last Year: 15th26. RB George Finn (USC) Last Year: Unranked27. S Jay Elliott (Notre Dame) Last Year: 29th28. DE Patrick Bentley (Arizona) Last Year: Unranked29. LB Robert Dilworth (Kentucky) Last Year: Unranked30. CB Julian Love (Notre Dame) Last Year: 18th31. WR Lon Gordon (Miami) Last Year: Unranked32. QB Jefferson Gunn (Oregon) Last Year: Unranked33. DE Gordon Lopez (Clemson) Last Year: Unranked34. RB Myles Gaskin (Washington) Last Year: 5th35. DE Michael Wilkerson (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked36. QB Leslie Jacques (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked37. DE Dalton Hayes (Notre Dame) Last Year: 12th38. CB Bill Wu (Tennessee) Last Year: 6th39. DT Steven Inman (Kentucky) Last Year: 33rd40. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama) Last Year: 8th41. FS Gary Edmonson (Rutgers) Last Year: Unranked42. CB Marcus Hyatt (Army) Last Year: Unranked43. WR Chester Castle (USC) Last Year: Unranked44. TE Durham Smythe (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked45. CB Luke Kennedy (Texas A&M) Last Year: Unranked46. LB Martin Greer (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked47. QB Nicholas Smitherman (Georgia) Last Year: Unranked48. C Lloyd Phipps (Miami) Last Year: Unranked49. G Alan Anderson (Florida) Last Year: Unranked50. LB John Chaplin (Syracuse) Last Year: UnrankedPositional BreakdownQB-7
RB-4
WR-6
TE-2
OL-4
DL-12
LB-4
DB-11
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2023
1. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) Last Year: 2ndLast year's Heisman Trophy Winner was Tennessee's Jon Demartini. It was his second Heisman Trophy in four years and cemented his status as one of the NCAA's all time greats. Despite having one of the league's worst defenses, Demartini was so lethal that the Vol's made it to another Bowl game by outscoring opponents. Still in his prime, look for him to break every important passing statistic in the record book.
2. WR Tony Jones (Notre Dame) Last Year: 1stJones has continued to be the most dominant weapon on the league's most dominant team. A consistent force on the outside there has yet to be a corner that has slowed him down. Like Demartini, Jones is checking off all the boxes on his way to the Hall of Fame.
3. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: 6thOrange won the Thorpe Award for the second straight year and is starting to seperate himself amongst the competitors at his position. He combines size, speed and an elite set of skills to dominate opposing wide receivers. He set his career high with 11 interceptions while only allowing 36.5% of the passes thrown his way. He is also piling up tackles on a defense that relies on him to lock down the top receiver game in, and game out.
4. QB Randy Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 7thWilliams continues his ascent while taking steps towards realizing just how good he can become. Despite playing in the shadow of Tennessee's Jonathan Demartini, Williams has a higher ceiling than most passers in the nation. For him to get on that next level he will need to take his play to new heights in the big games and then the country will understand just how special his talents are. The Cowboys are stock piled with top tier talent but to get to the mountain top Williams will need to play like he's capable of playing.
5. DE Nathan Weiner (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: UnrankedWeiner busted on the scene last season and outshined all other defensive players in college football. A former first round pick, Weiner wasn't a top 10 recruit and has used his draft status as a symbol of motivation. Weiner stood out on a line filled with talent and became the third player in NCAA History to win both the Nagursky and Butkus Awards. His 33 sacks was one better than Kansas' Keith Thomas NCAA record and vaulted Weiner into the history books. At the ripe age of 24 Weiner is on pace to become one of the nation's best sack artists if he continues the path he is on.
6. CB John Hodge (Syracuse) Last Year: 14thSyracuse has become one of the Super Conference's most dominant teams over the last two years and a lot of that success is due to the young ball hawk they recruited in 2018. Tying the NCAA record with 14 interceptions, Hodge has the most picks in the land over the last two years (24). He's got all the skills you look for in an elite coverman but his ball skills are what makes him the 6th best player in NCAA. Hodge is very outspoken and has the typical cornerback mentality with confidence and swagger but his ability to back up his words with elite production makes him an All-American talent.
7. RB Myles Gaskin (Washington) Last Year: 34thIf there's a runningback that every other back is aspiring to be it has to be Washington's Myles Gaskin. Gaskin is closing in on 10,000 career rushing yards and has been a standout for a Husky team that has won 5 straight Pac-12 North titles. Gaskin has a great balance to his game and has shown to be one of the best receiving backs in college. While he has shown tremendous production throughout his illustrious career the one thing holding him back is his ability to stay healthy. If he can find a way to play every game there's nothing that will prevent him from becoming the best of all time.
8. WR Lon Gordon (Miami) Last Year: 31stGordon has climbed his way on this list about as fast as he runs the forty yard dash. Coming into the league as a young immature kid with lots to prove, Gordon has established himself as the premiere deep threat in the game. In four seasons he's never been below 100 catches and has eclipsed 2,000+ yards for the second consecutive season. You can pencil him in for double digit touchdowns as well as he continues to provide the Hurricanes with big plays. Gordon has it all including a nastiness in the run game and is arguably the league's top run blocking receiver. Gordon is settling in and relishing the spotlight as one of college football's most exciting players.
9. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama) Last Year: 40thAlabama's Rick Grimes took the league by storm in his first couple seasons only to deal with some adversity in 2021. Injuries curtailed his season and his 23 sack average plummeted to 3. After rehabbing with a prupose Grimes came into the 2022 season with the same hunger and fire he had when he came into the league. Not only did he get back on track by tallying 23 sacks but he proved that his previous season was behind him. Grimes has the makeup to be double digit sack machine if he can stay healthy and allow his insane skills to shine.
10. CB Juan Hoke (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 8thOften overlooked in the top cornerback discussion, Hoke has played with a chip on his shoulder from the day he stepped on campus. He's hauled in 44 interceptions since his freshman year and continues to be one of the stingiest defensive backs when it comes to completed passes. Last season Hoke saw his production slightly dip but his 34.8% completion allowed was one of the best in the country. At 6'1 Hoke has elite size to play outside and has had to work his **** off for the scholarship Oklahoma St. gave him.
1. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) Last Year: 2nd2. WR Tony Jones (Notre Dame) Last Year: 1st3. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: 6th4. QB Randy Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 7th5. DE Nathan Weiner (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked6. CB John Hodge (Syracuse) Last Year: 14th7. RB Myles Gaskin (Washington) Last Year: 34th8. WR Lon Gordon (Miami) Last Year: 31st9. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama) Last Year: 40th10. CB Juan Hoke (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 8th11. CB Julian Love (Notre Dame) Last Year: 30th12. QB Paul Johnson (Miami) Last Year: 3rd13. DT John Schafer (Rutgers) Last Year: 11th14. LB Joseph Breen (Utah) Last Year: Unranked15. QB Leslie Jacques (Notre Dame) Last Year: 36th16. WR Michael Moore (Alabama) Last Year: 24th17. QB Douglas Hemphill (Syracuse) Last Year: 10th18. CB Marcus Hyatt (Army) Last Year: 42nd19. CB Marcelino Roush (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked20. G James Said (Utah) (Miami) Last Year: Unranked21. QB Scott Gee (Navy) Last Year: Unranked22. DT Jonathan Cleaver (Navy) Last Year: Unranked23. DE Patrick Bentley (Arizona) Last Year: 28th24. LB Michael Hernandez (Rutgers) Last Year: Unranked25. DE Michael Wilkerson (Syracuse) Last Year: 35th26. RB Terry Pauli (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 19th27. QB Nicholas Smitherman (Georgia) Last Year: 47th28. RB Ray Ferguson (BYU) Last Year: 25th29. S Jay Elliott (Notre Dame) Last Year: 27th30. CB Michael Tylor (USC) Last Year: Unranked31. CB John Hoover (Washington St.) Last Year: 16th32. WR Chase Claypool (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked33. WR- Steve Gartman (Iowa) Last Year: Unranked34. RB James Rorie (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked35. TE Durham Smythe (Notre Dame) Last Year: 44th36. DE Eddie Parra (BYU) Last Year: Unranked37. QB Andrew Weir (Oklahoma) Last Year: Unranked38. DE Albert Johnson (Kentucky) Last Year: Unranked39. WR- Charles Armijo (Syracuse) Last Year: 15th40. T Michael Conroy (UCLA) Last Year: 13th41. S Eric Tapscott (LSU) Last Year: Unranked42. Jaime Andrade (Kentucky) Last Year: Unranked43. WR Gary Teegarden (Tennessee) Last Year: Unranked44. DE Mariano Gilmore (UCLA) Last Year: Unranked45. QB Jefferson Gunn (Oregon) Last Year: 32nd46. DE Dalton Hayes (Notre Dame) Last Year: 37th47. WR James Phillips (Stanford) Last Year: Unranked48. CB Ray Shuman (Army) Last Year: Unranked49. WR William Harris (Florida) Last Year: Unranked50. LB Julius Mills (Texas) Last Year: UnrankedPositional BreakdownQB-9
RB-5
WR-9
TE-1
OL-2
DL-10
LB-3
DB-11
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20241. QB Leslie Jacques (Notre Dame) Last Year: 15thSlowing moving his way up the ranks, Notre Dame's start QB Leslie Jacques penciled his name in the record books in 2023. The captain of the league's most dynamic offense, Jacques has been the driving force for the team's 56 game win streak and four straight National Titles. This will be his final season in South Bend as he hoped to prove that the former regime wasn't the secret to the team's success.
2. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) Last Year: 1stThe "GOAT" as many will refer to him as, Jon Demartini is always in the Heisman discussion. Take away his best weapon and he'll find another guy to get the ball to. Demartini has been the league's most prolific player by a large margin. Two Heisman trophies and many more accolades, it's just a matter of time til he gets the call from the Hall.
3. CB Marcelino Roush (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 19thThe Jim Thorpe Award winner a season ago, Roush is starting to really come into is his own as an upperclassman. Hauling in 23 int's in the last two season his ball skills have become more consistent. You'd be hardpressed to find a better combination of cover men with him and teammate Juan Hoke. Oklahoma St boasts one of the best defenses in the NCAA and Roush has always been one of the reasons why.
4. QB Douglas Seward (Alabama) Last Year: UnrankedIt's not easy to go from obscurity to the mountain top in just one short year but if there's a player that surprised the masses more than Alabama's Douglass Seward i'd call BS. Seward, a career journeyman, finally got the lead job when former teammate Wesley Terry graduated. Seward exploded on the scene and never slowed down. Throwing for 7.500 yards and 65 TD's to go along with a 120 QB Rating. With the explosion in the passing game the Bama offense catapulted to #2 in the NCAA and their first 10 win season in history.
5. WR Charles Shackleford (Tennessee) Last Year: UnrankedAfter Hall of Fame WR William Brock declared for the NFL Tennessee had a void to fill and Charles Shackleford was up to the task. In a league of the devaluation of #1 WR's Shackleford managed to catch just under 2,000 yards and 19 TD's. He may not be as well rounded as Brock but Shack brings gamebreaking speed and explosiveness that is on a different level. You put his talents with a player like Demartini and it's not a surprise that you have perhaps the best 1-2 combination in the land.
6. RB Terry Pauli (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 26thJoining Washington's Myles Gaskin as the only two-time Doak Walker Award winner, Pauli seems to be hitting his stride in his 8th season. He's tall and lanky for a RB and just glides through the holes with creative vision. Coming off his third straight 1,000 yards season Pauli is equally adept to catching the ball and is one of the best all around weapons in college football.
7. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: 3rd Despite starting the season a little slowly for his own standards, Orange compiled a very solid and high level statistical season in 2023. His interceptions were slightly below is average over the last couple years but that could be a result of getting thrown at 62 less times than the previous season. He still managed to garner 1st Team All-American honors and still thought of as the top defensive back in football.
8. CB John Hodge (Syracuse) Last Year: 6thThe best player on the league's second best team last year was the "blanket" known as John Hodge. Hodge is a confident playmaker that continues to be the league's most impressive ball hawk. His 33 ints over the last three years is tops in the country and he's just entering his prime. Hodge is arguably the most physical and confident defensive back around yet he always produces and lives up to the hype.
9. QB Randy Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 4thIf having a third Oklahoma St. player in the top ten isn't impressive enough, the Cowboy's QB has been in the discussion for best QB throughout most of his career. Williams struggled mightily out of the gate only to get on track and produce one of his best seasons of his career. His 52 passing TD's was a career high coupled with another 6,000+ passing season, Williams is establishing himself as one of the greats. With the talent around him the only visible void is that title trophy that been just out of his grasp.
10. LB John Chaplin (Syracuse) Last Year: UnrankedThe league's first LB to crack the top 10, Syracuse's John Chaplin has established himself as one of the more dominant defensive players in Syracuse history. Chaplin combines aggressive pass rushing and the willingness to drop in coverage that not many other players at his position can reproduce. Averaging just under 10 sacks a season, Chaplin was already established as a pass rusher throughout his career. In 2023 he picked off 3 passes and became the player the 'Cuse staff hoped he would become. If there's one aspect of his game that can be improved it's his sure tackling. his tendency to go for the big hit or knockout blow has held him back when it comes to being an all-time great.
1. QB Leslie Jacques (Notre Dame) Last Year: 15th2. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) Last Year: 1st3. CB Marcelino Roush (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 19th4. QB Douglas Seward (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked5. WR Charles Shackleford (Tennessee) Last Year: Unranked6. RB Terry Pauli (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 26th7. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: 3rd8. CB John Hodge (Syracuse) Last Year: 6th9. QB Randy Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 4th10. LB John Chaplin (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked11. DE Clarence Mueller (Rutgers) Last Year: Unranked12. QB Austin Kendall (Oklahoma) Last Year: Unranked13. CB Julian Love (Notre Dame) Last Year: 11th14. TE John Amaya (BYU) Last Year: Unranked15. DE Dalton Hayes (UCLA) Last Year: 46th16. WR Chase Claypool (Notre Dame) Last Year: 32nd17. DE Nathan Weiner (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 5th18. WR Tony Jones (Notre Dame) Last Year: 2nd19. CB Marcus Hyatt (Army) Last Year: 18th20. DE Leslie Miller (Miami) Last Year: Unranked21. QB Douglas Hemphill (Syracuse) Last Year: 17th22. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama) Last Year: 9th23. CB Ryan Hensel (Georgia) Last Year: Unranked24. SS Herbert Grammer (LSU) Last Year: Unranked25. DE Chase Winovich (Michigan) Last Year: Unranked26. TE Johnny Simmons (LSU) Last Year: Unranked27. RB James Rorie (Notre Dame) Last Year: 34th28. QB Jim Kelly (Florida St.) Last Year: Unranked29. WR Lon Gordon (Miami) Last Year: 8th30. QB Paul Johnson (Miami) Last Year: 12th31. RB Arnold Brown (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked32. QB Michael Osuna (Ohio St.) Last Year: Unranked33. QB Edwin Munson (Kentucky) Last Year: Unranked34. CB Dwayne Brown (Florida St.) Last Year: Unranked35. TE Harry Heaps (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked36. WR Equanimeous St. Brown (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked37. WR Robin Cutrer (Florida St.) Last Year: Unranked38. CB Juan Hoke (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: 10th39. WR James Phillips (Stanford) Last Year: 47th40. DE Albert Johnson (Kentucky) Last Year: 38th41. SS John Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked42. RB Myles Gaskin (Washington) Last Year: 7th43. CB Charles Woodson (Michigan) Last Year: Unranked44. QB Darrell Slack (Army) Last Year: Unranked45. WR Michael Moore (Alabama) Last Year: 16th46. RB Ray Ferguson (BYU) Last Year: 28th47. DE Michael Wilkerson (Syracuse) Last Year: 25th48. LB Ale Kaho (Texas A&M) Last Year: Unranked49. WR William Harris (Florida) Last Year: 48th50. LB Keith Morgan (Army) Last Year: UnrankedPositional BreakdownQB-11
RB-5
WR-9
TE-3
OL-0
DL-8
LB-3
DB-11
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20251. QB Douglas Seward (Alabama) Last Year: 4th2. DE Samuel Castillo (Georgia) Last Year: Unranked3. QB Mary Plank (USC) Last Year: Unranked4. WR Michael Moore (Alabama) Last Year: 45th5. DE Clarence Mueller (Rutgers) Last Year: 11th6. LB John Chaplin (Syracuse) Last Year: 10th7. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: 7th8. WR Equanimeous St. Brown (Notre Dame) Last Year: 36th9. QB Jonathan Demartini (Tennessee) Last Year: 2nd10. QB Brandon Wimbush (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked11. TE Johnny Simmons (LSU) Last Year: 26th 12. QB Carroll McCartney (Texas) Last Year: Unranked12. QB Randy Williams (Navy) Last Year: 9th13. RB Dennis Dunford (Clemson) Last Year: Unranked14. DE Albert Johnson (Kentucky) Last Year: 40th15. CB John Hodge (Syracuse) Last Year: 8th16. WR Chester Castle (USC) Last Year: Unranked17. WR Lon Gordon (Miami) Last Year: 8th18. WR Glen Coates (Army) Last Year: Unranked19. RB Arnold Brown (Alabama) Last Year: 31st20. CB Fred Orange (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked21. QB Austin Kendall (Oklahoma) Last Year: 12th22. WR Frederick Mitchell (Texas) Last Year: 32nd23. DE Paul Landis (Florida St.) Last Year: Unranked24. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama) Last Year: 22nd25. RB Myles Gaskin (Washington) Last Year: 42nd26. DE Dalton Hayes (UCLA) Last Year: 15th27. CB John Stark (Navy) Last Year: Unranked28. SS Herbert Grammer (LSU) Last Year: 24th29. RB Terry Pauli (Kentucky) Last Year: 6th30. CB Jonathan Rice (USC) Last Year: Unranked31. LB Allen Norton (UCLA) Last Year: Unranked32. DE David Gil (USC) Last Year: Unranked33. RB Derrick Hannigan (Florida) Last Year: Unranked34. QB Darrell Slack (Army) Last Year: 44th35. DE Leslie Miller (Miami) Last Year: 20th36. DE Mariano Gilmore (UCLA) Last Year: Unranked37. DE Michael Wilkerson (Syracuse) Last Year: 47th38. QB Paul Johnson (Miami) Last Year: 30th39. WR Rosario Curtis (USC) Last Year: Unranked40. G Dru Samia (Oklahoma) Last Year: Unranked41. FS Terry Coney (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked 42. WR Tony Jones (Notre Dame) Last Year: 18th43. WR Chad Ochocinco (Tennessee) Last Year: Unranked44. DE Todd Frazier (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked45. LB Alvin Cutright (Georgia) Last Year: Unranked46. QB Michael Osuna (Ohio St.) Last Year: 32nd47. FS Billie Bryant (Washington) Last Year: Unranked48. CB Jesse James (Georgia) Last Year: Unranked49. LB Caleb Kelly (Oklahoma) Last Year: Unranked50. QB Robert Rexford (Washington St.) Last Year: UnrankedPositional BreakdownQB-11
RB-5
WR-9
TE-1
OL-1
DL-11
LB-4
DB-9
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20261. DE Samuel Castillo (Georgia) Last Year: 2nd
Georgia's sackfense is led by none other than the two-time reigning Bronko Nagursky Award winner Samuel Castillo. Voted best defensive player in the nation, Castillo has compiled 62 sacks in the last two seasons and as become the premiere edge defender in the league. After being selected with the second overall pick in the 2021 draft it took Castillo a few years to find his rhythm. A good player early on he has progressed into game changer that feasts on quarterbacks. Castillo is only the second defensive player (Keith Thomas) to ever be selected as the league's top player.
2. QB Mary Plank (USC) Last Year: 3rd
After finishing second in the coveted Heisman race in 2024 Plank wasn't going to be denied last season as he became the first USC player to win the award in the program's history. Plank is your typical big strong armed QB that has pin point accuracy while throwing from the pocket. He's proven to be capable of being a down the field passer as well as a short intermediate passer in the two years he's been starting. He's recorded a staggering 123 TD's while only throwing 29 INT's in the last two season. USC has established themselves as a top flight program and much of the credit has to fall on the broad shoulders of Mary Plank.
3. WR Chester Castle (USC) Last Year: 16th
Over the last two years there's been no weapon quite as explosive or productive as USC's Chester Castle. Castle led the league by almost 400 yards receiving in 2025 and his 15 TD's were 6 better than the second best receiver. Castle is a veteran wideout that combined speed with incredible courage to fight and claw for every inch. He may not have the same overall athleticism he once had but whenever you have the league's best QB and one of the league's most talented #2 WR's playing alongside of you you can bet he will still be productive.
4. QB Larry Ricketts (BYU) Last Year: Unranked
After an up and down career BYU's Larry Ricketts has come into his own in the last couple seasons. Ricketts led the league in rating with 121.1 and threw for a career high 36 TD's with only 9 interceptions. Ricketts has become more than just a game manager as his success has catapulted the Cougars into the big stage leaving them just 3 points short of making the National Title game. Coming into the 2026 season BYU is ranked #1 in the nation and much of their success will be determined by their veteran leader.
5. QB Randy Williams (Navy) Last Year: 12th
The former Oklahoma St. standout Randy Williams found himself at a crossroads after the 2024 season. Scholarship revoked, Williams was one of the most coveted transfers to hit the portal in NCAA history. Williams handpicked his next team and caught many pundits by surprise when he chose the erratic Navy Midshipmen. Not only did Williams ressurrect thoughts of retired Hall of Famer James Sherwood but he showed that he could one up the former Navy legend. Williams led Navy to an incredible 14-2 record but took the Midshipmen on the road for three straight bowl victories and sealed it off with the program's first national title. Williams wasn't as productive statistically as he's been in past seasons but his leadership and ball security took the team to another level. Surely a future Hall of Famer, Williams still has a few years to add to his illustrious career.
6. CB Ryan Hensel (Georgia) Last Year: Unranked
7. DE Steve Entmen (Washington) Last Year: Unranked
8. RB Charleston Rambo (Oklahoma) Last Year: Unranked
9. DE Jordan Silva (Navy) Last Year: Unranked
10. CB Jonathan Rice (USC) Last Year: 30th
11. LB Harold Masters (Florida) Last Year: Unranked 12. CB Jesse James (Georgia) Last Year: 48th13. CB David Orange (Alabama) Last Year: 7th14. TE John Amaya (BYU) Last Year: Unranked15. WR Rosario Curtis (USC) Last Year: 39th16. WR Andrew Jetton (Texas) Last Year: Unranked17. CB Inman Marshall (USC) Last Year: Unranked18. RB James Smith Jr. (Navy) Last Year: Unranked19. TE Rafael Fuller (Texas A&M) Last Year: Unranked20. TE Joseph Chow (Navy) Last Year: Unranked21. S Robert Montgomery (USC) Last Year: Unranked22. DE Paul Landis (Florida St.) Last Year: 23rd23. CB Charles Woodson (Michigan) Last Year: Unranked24. G Christian McGrew (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked25. DE Brandon Shih (Oklahoma) Last Year: Unranked26. QB Paul Johnson (Miami) Last Year: 38th27. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama) Last Year: 24th28. LB John Chaplin (Syracuse) Last Year: 6th29. LB Alvin Cutright (Georgia) Last Year: 45th30. RB Lane Edwards (Michigan) Last Year: Unranked31. RB Stephen Carr (USC) Last Year: Unranked32. DE Leslie Miller (Miami) Last Year: 20th33. LB Allen Norton (UCLA) Last Year: 31st34. DE Michael Wilkerson (Alabama) Last Year: 37th35. QB Carroll McCartney (Texas) Last Year: 12th36. S Gary Edmonson (Rutgers) Last Year: Unranked37. LB Pepper Johnson (Ohio St.) Last Year: Unranked38. CB Seth Lee (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked39. DE Albert Johnson (Kentucky) Last Year: 14th40. DE John Torrez (Miami) Last Year: Unranked41. CB Larry Navarro (UCLA) Last Year: Unranked42. T Armando Peters (Stanford) Last Year: Unranked43. RB Brian Chavis (Iowa) Last Year: Unranked44. RB Najee Harris (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked45. LB Lewis Clark (Oregon) Last Year: Unranked46. DE Mariano Gilmore (UCLA) Last Year: 36th47. QB Nicholas Smitherman (Georgia) Last Year: Unranked48. WR Ray Ferguson (BYU) Last Year: Unranked49. DE Enrique Boyer (Florida) Last Year: Unranked50. G Dru Samia (Oklahoma) Last Year: 40thPositional BreakdownQB-6
RB-6
WR-4
TE-3
OL-3
DL-12
LB-6
DB-10
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20271. QB Jonathan Demartini (Florida) Last Year: Unranked2. CB Greedy Williams (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked3. DE Samuel Castillo (Georgia) Last Year: 1st4. LB Pepper Johnson (Ohio St.) Last Year: 37th5. WR Jauan Jennings (Tennessee) Last Year: Unranked6. WR Parris Campbell (Notre Dame) Last Year: Unranked7. QB Larry Ricketts (BYU) Last Year: 4th8. RB Bradley Qualls (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked9. DE Jordan Silva (Navy) Last Year: 9th10. DE Leslie Miller (Miami) Last Year: 32nd11. RB Charleston Rambo (Oklahoma) Last Year: 8th12. LB Julian Love (Notre Dame)) Last Year: Unranked13. WR John Kelly (Tennessee) Last Year: Unranked14. WR Charles Kammerer (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked15. QB Randy Williams (Navy) Last Year: 5th16. RB Derrick Hannigan (Florida) Last Year: Unranked17. LB Allen Norton (UCLA) Last Year: 33rd18. CB Steven Gilmore (BYU) Last Year: Unranked19. DE William Becker (Florida) Last Year: Unranked20. CB Inman Marshall (USC) Last Year: 17th21. DE Brandon Shih (Oklahoma) Last Year: 25th22. T Richard Lloyd (Iowa) Last Year: Unranked23. S Robert Montgomery (USC) Last Year: 21st24. DE Steve Entmen (Washington) Last Year: 7th25. QB George Bowers (Oklahoma St.) Last Year: Unranked26. DT George Cauley (LSU) Last Year: Unranked27. CB Mike Foley (FSU) Last Year: Unranked28. TE TE-Irv Smith Jr. (Army) Last Year: Unranked29. DE Clarence Mueller (Rutgers) Last Year: Unranked30. CB Jesse James (Georgia) Last Year: 12th31. QB Paul Johnson (Miami) Last Year: 26th32. WR Tyler Dupuis (Rutgers) Last Year: Unranked33. CB Jonathan Rice (USC) Last Year: 10th34. DE Paul Landis (Florida St.) Last Year: 22nd35. DE Enrique Boyer (Florida) Last Year: 49th36. WR John Suarez (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked37. DE Rick Grimes (Alabama) Last Year: 27th38. RB David Carr (Miami) Last Year: Unranked39. RB Brian Chavis (Iowa) Last Year: 43rd40. LB Michael Champlin (Syracuse) Last Year: Unranked41. DE Roberto Saucedo (LSU) Last Year: Unranked42. DE Albert Johnson (Kentucky) Last Year: 39th43. WR N'Keal Harry (Texas A&M) Last Year: Unranked44. TE Johnny Simmons (LSU) Last Year: Unranked45. CB Christopher Harpster (Michigan) Last Year: Unranked46. CB Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) Last Year: Unranked47. RB Napoleon Kaufman (Washington) Last Year: Unranked48. WR Lon Gordon (Miami) Last Year: Unranked49. CB Brandon Drayton (BYU) Last Year: Unranked50. QB Robert Rexford (Washington St.) Last Year: Unranked----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited at 8/21/2019 9:10 am
