Every year, the NFL Draft steals the best of the best from the college football landscape. But plenty return and new names step up to fill the holes. So, who are the top 100 college football players gracing TVs in the highly anticipated 2024 season?
2024 Best College Football Players
It’s important to note that this list is not draft-focused and does not weigh positional value. If that’s what you’re looking for, PFN has you covered with their early 2025 NFL Draft top 100 prospects.
Instead, the CFN Top 100 is based on current production, level of impact, and film-based ability. Additionally, athletes who have suffered season-ending injuries will not be listed. With the table setting out of the way, let’s dive into the 100 names you need to know for the 2024 college football season.
100) Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Parker Brailsford followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama and secured the interior of the offensive lineman between Jaeden Roberts and Tyler Booker. His smaller stature took some time to adjust to the SEC, but his quick feet, hands, and movement skills gave him a leg up on the competition.
99) Paolo Gennarelli, G, Army
Army has been two of the most surprising stories of the season, and few players have embodied that success more than Paolo Gennarelli, who’s making a serious case as the best offensive lineman in the Group of Five. While the Black Knights don’t exactly air it out, Gennarelli has kept his QB clean when they do, mowing over defensive linemen in the run game at the same time.
98) Trey White, EDGE, San Diego State
Trey White has emerged as the top statistical pass rusher in college football, leading the nation in both sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (15.5). White admitted his own surprise after Week 9, saying, “I didn’t even think that was possible to get that in [seven] games.” While sacks aren’t the most telling stat, generating them is an art in and of itself, and White is giving his best Bob Ross impersonation this season.
97) Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon
At 5’10” and 187 pounds with gnat-like annoyance levels in coverage, Jabbar Muhammad logged three INTs and 16 PBUs in 2023. His lack of towering size can give him issues when tackling and contesting passes against taller WRs, but Dan Lanning has put him in a better position to succeed with the Ducks. Muhammad has deflected seven passes while allowing just one TD and a sub-50% completion rate.
96) Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Tyleik Williams has some eye-popping reps on his film, but he’ll never consistently beat the man across from him on passing downs. Regardless, his bull rush can collapse pockets when well-timed, and he has no issue maintaining gap integrity and shedding blocks against the ground game.
95) Dillon Thieneman, S, Purdue
As a true freshman, Dillon Thieneman stuffed his résumé with accolades, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a spot on the AP All-American team.
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He made QBs pay from his free safety alignment, snatching six INTs. But what really pops off the screen is Thieneman’s trigger downhill in the run game, obliterating unknowing ball carriers careening toward open space.
94) Tre Stewart, RB, Jacksonville State
After transferring in from DII-level Limestone and sitting a year, Tre Stewart’s 2024 season got off to a slow start. But since taking the reins in the middle of September, he ran over every opponent across from him.
Just this week, Stewart exploded for the third-most rushing yards in program history (232) against a previously one-loss Liberty squad. Even with only receiving four carries in the first two outings of the year, Stewart’s put together an impressive 134-914-15 rushing line.
93) Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
Jack Kelly was one of the top FCS-to-FBS transfers in college football last offseason, and the pass-rushing specialist didn’t need a transition period to provide his impact. He’s racked up four sacks as an off-ball linebacker, although the Cougars have deployed along the defensive line as well.
92) Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy
With 37 consecutive starts under his belt, Rayuan Lane III is a cornerstone of Navy’s defense. As a versatile safety, his ability to play effectively in the box, slot, and center field has been crucial for the Midshipmen.
In 2023, he finished third on the team with 66 tackles, tied for first with four INTs, and led the team with eight PBUs. He already has 42, two, and three this season, throwing in three forced fumbles for good measure.
91) Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Jarquez Hunter has long been the Auburn Tigers’ No. 1 playmaker, but game flow has often limited his touches.
Not in Week 9.
Against the Kentucky Wildcats, Hunter ran rampant, posting a 23-278-2 rushing line. His 278 yards are the most by an Auburn player since Tre Mason (304) in the 2013 SEC title game and made him just the sixth 3,000-yard rusher in program history. The others?
- Bo Jackson
- Cadillac Williams
- James Brooks
- Joe Cribbs
- Ben Tate
90) Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Dorian Strong logged 11 PBUs and three INTs since last season, but his impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Not only has he allowed practically nothing into his coverage, but QBs rarely looked his way.
That’s the respect from a reputation as a momentum changer, which Strong has earned by recording five picks and 22 PBUs across 32 starts since 2020.
89) Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
Even with defenses keying on Kyle Monangai and the Rutgers rushing attack, he has still rushed for 931 yards and 10 scores in eight games. Perhaps more impressive, he hasn’t let the ball hit the turf a single time and has stood his ground as a pass protector, which you can’t say about most collegiate running backs.
88) Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
Despite a coaching staff change, Tacario Davis withdrew his name from the transfer portal. Remember when 6’4″ DBs that could actually move like a DB were rare? Davis racked up 16 pass deflections last season and has five more entering Week 10, using his length to completely envelop WRs.
87) Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Deontae Lawson has found a home in Kane Wommack’s defensive scheme, disrupting offenses from the second level. He’s improved as a cover man after struggling mightily last year and has even improved in his strongest area: run defense. With the lateral agility to flow from gap to gap and the pop on contact to stun offensive linemen, Lawson could rise even higher come season’s end.
86) Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame
Howard Cross III has been a mainstay on Notre Dame’s DL since 2021, but his four sacks in 2024 are the same number he’s produced in the last two years combined. He routinely pushes the pocket up the middle, forcing QBs into the hands of his edge rushers.
Yet, Cross makes his biggest impact against the run, where his combination of raw strength and get-off overwhelm offensive linemen.
85) Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Tyler Warren delivered a trademark performance in a 33-30 overtime victory over USC, hauling in 17 catches for 224 yards and a score. His season stats are just as impressive, with a 47-559-4 line, ranking second in the FBS among tight ends in receiving yards.
84) Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
Xavier Restrepo is a quarterback’s best friend and quickly became Cam Ward’s favorite target. Of his 85 catches in 2023, 53 went for first downs or touchdowns, highlighting his chain-moving prowess from the slot.
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With Jacolby George, Sam Brown, and Isaiah Houston operating on the outside, Restrepo has had even more room to widdle defenses down from the slot, resulting in a 43-710-6 receiving line through eight games.
83) Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
A 6’6″ and 348-pound defensive tackle should not be able to move the way Deone Walker does. He can generate pressure on his own with his massive size, raw strength, and unexpected quickness. In 2023, Walker accounted for 12.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks, using his free-moving and powerful build to open the floodgates on the interior.
82) Colin Ramos, LB, Navy
Navy is coming off four straight losing seasons, but Colin Ramos has done all he could to keep his team in games, and it has resulted in one of the best campaigns in program history. Last year, he became the first Midshipman to total 100+ tackles (110) since 2019, receiving a first-team all-conference nod.
Ramos’ 5’11” and 209-pound frame should cause issues in the box, but he plays far bigger than his size. Crash in run defense, blitz up the middle, or drop into coverage — there is nothing Ramos can’t do.
81) Cameron Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
The Sun Devils are in the midst of their best campaign since the beginning of the Herm Edwards era, and much of that success is thanks to RB Cameron Skatteboo.
The low-center-of-gravity rusher has been a tank to bring down, ranking seventh with 695 yards after contact rushing and receiving.
80) Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
Although the Terrapins have disappointed in 2024, Tai Felton hasn’t. He has enjoyed CFB25-level linear progression throughout his four-year career, culminating in a Big Ten-leading stat line of 73 receptions, 907 yards, and six TDs.
79) Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
At 6’6″ and 248 pounds, Dylan Stewart doesn’t look like a true freshman, and he doesn’t play like one, either. He has recorded a sack in three of the Gamecocks’ five SEC matchups and has tallied 6.5 TFls and two forced fumbles on the season.
78) Jackson Woodard, LB, UNLV
Somehow, after earning first-team All-Mountain West recognition last season, Jackson Woodard has played even better this season, leading the Rebels in tackles (77), tackles for loss (9.5), and pass breakups (eight) while tying for the lead in interceptions (four) and ranking second with three sacks.
77) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Originally ranked as the No. 2 recruit in 2022, Walter Nolen made his way to Ole Miss from Texas A&M and hasn’t missed a beat. He’s stacked up 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two PBUs this season while bringing consistent pressure up the middle.
76) Willie Lampkin, G, North Carolina
Willie Lampkin may only be 5’11” and 290 pounds but don’t underestimate his impact. Since transferring from Coastal Carolina last season, he has yet to allow a sack and routinely springs star RB Omarion Hampton loose in the ground game.
75) Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Over the last five seasons (first two at Middle Tennessee, last three at Louisville), Quincy Riley has notched 14 INTs and 43 pass deflections. So, yeah, there are no concerns over his ball skills. ACC teams tested his side of the field often in 2023 — not in 2024.
74) Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
Standing 6’1″ and 290 pounds, Aeneas Peebles is a compact boulder on the interior, racking up 9.5 TFLs and five sacks for Duke last season. He was arguably the best pass-rushing DT in the ACC and is already a one-gap penetrator on NFL Draft analysts’ radars.
Turning Blacksburg, Va., to Sacksburg in 2024 (three already) would result in Peebles hearing his name called early next April.
73) Clay Webb, G, Jacksonville State
Clay Webb entered the collegiate ranks as a five-star recruit at Georgia. But after three seasons, he decided to transfer to Jacksonville State and immediately earned second-team All-CUSA and All-American honors.
Webb was instrumental in the Gamecocks’ first season in the FBS and is now powering them toward a CUSA championship bid in 2024.
72) Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
Inside, outside, it doesn’t matter — Ashton Gillotte will drive his opposition into the QB’s lap. His speed to power is his calling card and has resulted in 27.5 TFLs and 20 sacks in the last three years. The 6’3″, 275-pound ball of energy strikes fear into ACC offensive linemen; he’ll do the same in the NFL in 2025.
71) Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
At 6’3″ and nearly 340 pounds, Kenneth Grant is a grizzly bear rushing the passer. He won’t win at an elite rate, but when he does, QBs feel it. His sheer size and knockback power also allow him to plug multiple gaps against the run, and he fits right at home at nose tackle vs. centers.
70) Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Injuries slowed Emeka Egbuka in 2023, but as the new WR1 — at least until Jeremiah Smith gets his feet wet — he has thrived. With 78 receptions and 1,041 yards in 2024, he would break Ohio State career records. Through seven games, he’s put up 43 and 546 with six TDs.
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Egbuka knows how to get open and has the strong hands to reel in the football and turn upfield, ranking fourth in the Big Ten with 299 yards after the catch.
69) Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
As a true freshman, Avieon Terrell proved to be one of the best DBs in the conference, recording an INT and four PBUs in just five starts. His last name should be familiar to Clemson fans, as he’s the younger brother of former Tiger and current Atlanta Falcon A.J. Terrell.
The youngest Terrell clearly inherited the lockdown gene, and he picked up where he left off, registering seven PBUs and two INTs so far this year.
68) Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
With Owen Porter on to the NFL, Mike Green had massive shoes to fill — he’s done just that through seven games. Green’s 11 TFLs and eight sacks lead the Sun Belt, as he has flown off the edge and pinned his ears back all year.
67) Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
Much was made about Oregon’s addition of Evan Stewart this offseason, but Tez Johnson is a YAC monster who easily creates separation from the slot due to his searing short-area speed and acceleration. Last year, he set Oregon’s single-season record with 86 receptions, racking up 1,182 yards and 10 TDs.
Johnson’s 63-638-8 receiving line isn’t as impressive this season, but he’s still the most productive pass catcher on an undefeated program — with a punt return TD to boot.
66) Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Barrett Carter is the epitome of a modern linebacker with the size, speed, and power to be a chess piece on defense. Blitz him off the edge, send him to cover from the slot, or have him fill gaps in the run game from the box — he can do it all. Last year was his first playing full-time at the second level, and there were some growing pains, but he appears much more comfortable in Year 2.
65) DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
DJ Giddens burst onto the scene by averaging 5.8 yards per carry as a freshman in 2022, but he stole the show in 2023, rushing for 1,226 yards and 10 TDs and taking 29 receptions for 323 yards and three more scores.
Now, alongside dual-threat QB Avery Johnson, Giddens has reached new heights. In eight games, he’s averaged 6.5 yards per carry for 945 total. His four TDs are dismal compared to last year’s total, but he’s routinely set the Wildcats up in the red zone.
64) Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Jermod McCoy flashed his lockdown skill set as a true freshman with Oregon State last year, but even Tennessee’s coaching staff couldn’t predict how good he’d be in Year 1 in Knoxville. McCoy leads the Vols with seven passes defended (two INTs, five PBUs) and has yet to allow a TD or 30+ yard reception on the year.
63) Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Tyler Booker is still honing his craft, but he took a big leap in HC Kalen DeBoer’s offense. The 6’5″, 350-pound blocker is a fine cut of Wagyu beef bred for destruction, and when his technique is under control, SEC defenders have been on the ground.
62) Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami (FL)
With defensive players, it’s important not to stat watch. Interceptions and sacks are not created equal, and some plays don’t result in a number on the box score. Case No. 1: Tyler Baron.
Baron only has 4.5 sacks on the year, but those who have watched the film know he has been far more impactful. Baron’s combination of raw power, bend, and length is already a handful, but his motor and arsenal of moves make him an early NFL Draft prospect.
61) Jalen Catalon, S, UNLV
Catalon looked destined for stardom at Arkansas, earning Freshman All-American and All-SEC honors in 2020 before getting off to an incredible start in 2021. After six games, he suffered a season-ending injury and has been hampered by ailments since.
Now healthy and on his third team after a quick stint at Texas, Catalon has finally returned to form, notching 66 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, and four INTs for a Rebels defense that challenged for a CFP spot for most of the year.
60) Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
As a true freshman in 2022, Benjamin Morrison put his name on the map with six INTs. And even though coverage numbers are usually volatile year over year, he came right back and put up 10 PBUs and three picks in 2023.
At 6’0″ and 185 pounds, Morrison doesn’t win with brute strength or suffocating length, instead relying on his movement skills and instincts to smother WRs.
59) Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Dylan Sampson entered the season with 1,001 career rushing yards and 13 TDs. He has 837 yards and 17 TDs through the first seven games. In fact, his 30 total scores are just seven away from the career record, and he is one TD away from the single-season mark.
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With Nico Iamaleava under center, head coach Josh Heupel has put the lion’s share of the offensive burden on Sampson, and he’s lived up to his biblical name.
58) Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Anthony Hill Jr. played in 14 games in 2023, starting six, and was named CFN’s 2023 Freshman Linebacker of the Year. With 58 total tackles, 10 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, four PBUs, one INT, and one force fumble, the Longhorns LB has been all over the field once again this season. He’s always had the versatility and nose for the ball to thrive — now he has the football IQ to execute.
57) Addison West, G, Western Michigan
Watching Addison West’s tape is truly a treat. He spent the first three years of his collegiate career riding the pine for the Broncos. Then, in 2022, West played all three interior spots, never fully finding a rhythm, although his potential was clear to see. But he’s treated D-linemen like bowling pins ever since, channeling his inner Pete Weber and showing them whoever they thought they were, he was.
56) Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Jalen Royals’ return was one of the biggest wins of the offseason for the Aggies, as he led all pass catchers with 71 receptions, 1,080 yards, and 15 TDs last year. His status as the go-to offensive option has paid off his decision to stay, with four straight games of 110+ yards and a TD.
55) Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Colston Loveland was J.J. McCarthy’s safety net, as the first-round pick often looked the TE’s way on key downs (45-649-4 receiving line in 2023). Tight ends rarely reach their potential at the collegiate level, but Michigan knows how to use their height/weight/speed threat, often lining him up in the slot and allowing him to devour smaller slot defenders and slower linebackers.
Exhibit A: Loveland has more than doubled the production of any other pass catcher on the roster with a 42-411-4 line this year.
54) Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina
Kaimon Rucker has a bit of a tweener build at 6’2″ and 265 pounds, but he was nearly unstoppable on the edge, recording 8.5 sacks and 15 TFLs in 2023. His knockback power throws linemen off balance when he gets a head of steam, and he has the flexibility and quickness to win around them.
Rucker missed several games due to a knee injury, but what did he do at near full health in Week 10? Sack Virginia’s QB three times and notch an interception.
53) Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Princely Umanmielen took shots at Florida after transferring to Ole Miss, complaining about his lack of development with the program. His film last season also showed several low-effort plays, so a change of scenery was best for both sides.
If seven sacks and 11.5 TFLs were the result of Umanmielen without substantial coaching and living off his athletic tools, just how good could he be in 2024? Well, through seven contests, he’s already hit eight TFLs and 5.5 sacks.
52) Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Aireontae Ersery is an athlete at 6’6″ and 325 pounds, able to pull and seal off lanes for RBs to run through. He is the definition of a “people mover” in the run game, which overshadows some inconsistencies in pass protection.
If he can continue to develop his hand usage and work to maintain his anchor, as he did from 2022 to 2023, Ersery could challenge for the OT1 spot in the loaded Big Ten.
51) Jeremiah Cooper, S, Iowa State
Jeremiah Cooper burst onto the scene as a ball-hawking safety in his sophomore season. Despite missing two games due to injury, he recorded 45 tackles, 15 pass deflections, and five INTs, including a pick-six, earning All-Big 12 first-team honors.
Now a true junior, opposing offenses have been wary of throwing his way. Cooper’s rapid development from a three-star recruit to the Big 12’s best safety is a testament to his short-area explosiveness and playmaking ability.
50) Simeon Barrow, DT, Miami (FL)
Simeon Barrow played well across three seasons at Michigan State, but he meshes perfectly with Miami’s bully-ball front seven. Despite starting every game, it took him a few outings to find his rhythm in the rotation, but since he has, he’s been lights out. The 6’3″, 290-pound tackle leads the ‘Canes with 5.5 sacks and is tied with EDGE Tyler Baron with eight TFLs.
49) Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Don’t sleep on Nick Nash. Against Kennesaw State early in the season, he broke the Spartans’ single-game record with 17 receptions, finished fifth all-time with 225 receiving yards, and tied for first with three TDs, which he also did against USC last year. Nash is currently the triple crown holder, leading the nation in receptions (80), yards (995), and TDs (12).
48) Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU
With his neck roll and aggressive play style, Elijah Roberts has shades of 1990’s Miami Dolphin Bryan Cox in his game. Once he gains steam off the edge, Roberts bowls through opposing OTs and finishes with a strike on the QB (10 sacks in 2023, three in 2024). His heavy hands shock linemen and help him keep his chest clean.
47) Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Harold Fannin Jr. hauled in 44 receptions (first among MAC TEs), 623 yards (sixth overall), and six TDs (second overall), putting his name on the national map last year. A former safety/wide receiver recruit, Fannin possesses sure hands, can make defenders miss in the open field, and easily separates from plodding linebackers.
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Don’t take my word for it — ask Penn State (11-137-1), Texas A&M (8-145-1), Old Dominion (12-193-2), Akron (9-135), and Kent State (10-171).
46) Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
Ja’Corey Brooks consistently showcases elite hand-eye coordination and the ability to pull in contested catches down the sideline, making difficult grabs look effortless. His vertical threat is real, thanks to his long stride, ball skills, and strong hands that put defenses on alert. Nearing his first 1,000-yard season, Brooks is rising fast up draft boards and the Top 100.
45) Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
As is usually the case with future NFL tackles, one minute of Wyatt Milum’s makes you say, “6’6″ and 317-pound men shouldn’t be able to move like that.” He explodes out of his stance and possesses the kill-or-be-killed mentality OL coaches drool over.
44) Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Donovan Ezeiruaku was a force in the ACC for the last two years, but he’s taken his game to a new level in 2024. He’s bulldozed linemen for at least one sack in five of eight contests, including three against Western Kentucky. But Ezeiruaku is also a standout against the run, filling gaps, setting the edge, and wrapping up in the hole.
43) Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
In Bhayshul Tuten’s final year at North Carolina A&T in 2022, he rushed for 1,363 yards and 13 TDs at 6.6 yards per carry. In his second year with the Hokies, he’s already hit 950 yards and 12 TDs at 6.7 yards per carry.
42) Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo
Shaun Dolac has been a stat-stuffing machine, ranking second in the nation with 108 tackles despite playing one fewer game than the leader (FIU’s Travion Barnes). But he’s more than just a proficient tackler. With 11.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two picks, Dolac is no stranger to momentum-shifting plays.
41) Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
What do Fresno State, Syracuse, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana have in common? They were all victims of Nic Scourton’s brute force last season. The Purdue EDGE transfer brought his nauseating spin move and raw power to College Station, Texas, after crushing the Big Ten.
Scourton may not be old enough to drink (19), but he’s certainly old enough to commit assault on the linemen across from him (12.5 TFLs, five sacks this year).
40) Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Since 2022, Malaki Starks has registered six INTs and 15 PBUs, highlighting his playmaking ability in coverage. But he’s also one of the best tacklers in the nation and revels in crashing the box and forcing negative plays for the offense. Versatility is king on defense, and that just so happens to be Starks’ middle name.
39) Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
The 17-year-old five-star recruit delivered one of the most memorable plays of the 2024 season in Alabama’s thrilling comeback victory over Georgia. He leads all freshmen with 702 receiving yards and seven TDs on 35 catches, highlighted by a dazzling 75-yard TD run against the Bulldogs.
Williams is on track to challenge Alabama’s freshman records, with Calvin Ridley holding the mark for receptions (89) and yards (1,045) in 2015, while Amari Cooper set the bar for TDs in 2012 (11).
38) Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The top recruit from the 2024 class is making waves, leading all freshmen with 35 receptions and eight TDs while ranking second in receiving yards with 623. Smith has already notched two 100-yard receiving games and has found the end zone in every game this season. At this pace, he’s on track to shatter Cris Carter’s true freshman school records of 41 catches, 648 yards, and eight scores set back in 1984.
37) Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Following four solid years at Georgia Tech, Kyle Kennard took his talents to South Carolina and immediately became one of the best pass rushers in the SEC. He leads the conference with 12.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks and even has two forced fumbles to his name.
36) Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Standing at 6’5 “and 310 pounds, Derrick Harmon has brought relentless pressure since transferring from Michigan State. On top of filling the box score (5.5 TFLs and three sacks), Harmon has set the tone upfront, even if missed tackles have plagued an otherwise flawless campaign.
35) RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
The Knights have been disappointing, but don’t blame RJ Harvey. Last year, he had the same number of 200-yard games as he did with less than 70 (one) — and that was in UCF’s first year in the Big 12! His searing acceleration and ability to slip tackles allow him to break off runs, as he leads the country with 31 carries of 10+ yards.
34) Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Nick Emmanwori is one of the most athletic defenders in the SEC, with 4.3 speed and linebacker size (6’3″, 227). His physicality and nose for the ball are deadly around the line of scrimmage, but he reached new heights as a coverage defender this year, snatching four picks with two defensive TDs this year.
33) Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Tre Harris is making waves this season, averaging an impressive 141 receiving yards per game. He has racked up 59 catches for 987 yards and six TDs, highlighted by five 100-yard outings.
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His explosive play has been pivotal for Ole Miss, which ranks fourth in yards per play, and QB Jaxson Dart, who sits third in passing. Harris’ ability to stretch the field is evident, as he has a national-high 11 catches of at least 30 yards.
32) Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Following a 15.5-TFL, 12.5-sack sophomore campaign at Coastal Carolina, Josaiah Stewart transferred to Michigan and helped the team to a national championship victory. In a four-man rotation, he generated 8.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks, proving his playmaking ability wasn’t limited to the Group of Five stage.
Now a starter, Stewart paces the team with 11 TFLs and six sacks. The Wolverines may be suffering a down year, but Stewart sure isn’t.
31) Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Cade Klubnik’s in the midst of his best season yet, putting Clemson in the driver’s seat for an ACC Championship Game berth. He’s thrown for 20 TDs against three picks while averaging over 2.0 yards per attempt more than he did a season ago. But where Klubnik’s grown most is his feel of the pocket and processing speed.
30) Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
The reigning Nagurski Award winner, given to the nation’s best defender, Xavier Watts snagged an FBS-leading seven INTs last season and consistently made big plays when Notre Dame needed them. He has a knack for being where the football is and can fly around the field from any alignment, as evidenced by three more picks in 2024.
29) Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
In addition to throwing six fewer picks in 2023, Jaxson Dart tossed for 390 more yards and three more TDs than his 2022 numbers. He was far more efficient in Year 2 in Lane Kiffin’s offense, leading the Rebels to their first-ever 11-win campaign.
The linear progression has continued this year, with Dart reaching career highs in completion rate (70.6%) and yards per attempt (11.0).
28) D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
D’Angelo Ponds received Sun Belt CB of the Year, Freshman CB of the Year, and Freshman All-American honors from CFN after generating 51 tackles, 15 pass breakups, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries in 13 games as a true freshman.
The high school track star showcased his speed on the boundary last season, easily carrying routes downfield and sticking to WRs at the breakpoint. Ponds helped James Madison to an 11-2 record in the school’s second season in the FBS but followed HC Curt Cignetti to Indiana, where he has continued to showcase his talent on the national stage.
27) Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
At 6’0″ and 265 pounds, Mikail Kamara is one of the smallest EDGEs in the conference, but you couldn’t tell by his play or production. He recorded 17.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles for James Madison last year and brought his momentum-altering ability to Indiana. In his first eight games in red and white, he’s tallied 10 TFLs, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
26) Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia
Dylan Fairchild has quietly anchored the Bulldogs’ offensive line this season, adding stability and strength at multiple positions inside. Standing 6’5″ and weighing in at 315 pounds, he’s been a reliable force — unflashy but highly efficient. While Tate Ratledge often takes the spotlight, Fairchild has built his reputation as a solid, no-nonsense interior lineman who consistently delivers.
25) Bryson Daily, QB, Army
Bryson Daily has been quite the force for Army’s offense, running the option with seamless precision. While he’s thrown for seven TDs, his real strength is at the mesh point, reading his keys and executing with 20/20 vision. Daily has quietly set himself apart as one of the most skilled option runners — not just at Army but in college football.
24) Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
Aside from a setback against Notre Dame, Blake Horvath has been outstanding in 2024, even making the Heisman watchlist before Week 9. His lone off-game shouldn’t overshadow his otherwise stellar season. Horvath has run Navy’s offense at an elite rate, providing electric plays through the air and on the ground. With a return to their fundamentals, the Midshipmen still have a shot at the AAC Championship.
23) Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
With a 5’10” and 230-pound frame, Tahj Brooks bounces off tackle attempts and runs through defenders’ arms like a hot knife through butter. He ran for over 1,500 yards and 10 TDs last season, doing most of his damage after first contact. But don’t get it twisted; Brooks can break one downfield if he gets a runway.
He’s surpassed the 100-yard mark in every game this season and scored a TD in all but one.
22) Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
No QB has risen more than Diego Pavia this season. He’s played with the relentless grit we glimpsed at New Mexico State, but in 2024, he’s left his mark on the SEC while winning over fans across the country.
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Pavia’s almost magical with the ball in his hands, leading the team in rushing and showcasing why he deserved a lot more attention in the portal last offseason.
21) Jermari Harris, CB, Iowa
In what has been a disappointing campaign for Iowa overall, Jermari Harris has been a bright spot, adding 19 tackles, three INTs (one pick-six), and nine PBUs to his six-year résumé.
Missed tackles have been an issue for the team as a whole, and Harris hasn’t been immune. Yet, he’s locked down his side of the field in coverage and is willing to get dirty against the run.
20) Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
Chris Paul Jr. has quite literally done it all for the Rebels: 59 tackles, eight TFLs, 2.5 sacks, three PBUs, seven QB hits, and one fumble recovery. The former Arkansas LB is an efficient pass rusher, reliable tackler, and strong cover man — turn on any game, and you’ll likely see No. 11 coming up big.
19) Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
Disciplined. Good athlete. Sure tackler. Has a nose for the ball. Stop me if you’ve heard those adjectives describe an Iowa defender before, but Jay Higgins fits the bill. He racked up a country-leading 171 tackles as a full-time starter last season, and although he’s dropped down the rankings some this year, he can still blitz effectively and get to his drops in zone.
18) Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Off-the-field antics aside, Shedeur Sanders is already a deadly QB, completing 73.3% of his passes for 2,591 yards, 21 TDs, and only six INTs. Pressure can get to him at times, but he has the effortless mobility, arm talent, and accuracy to dot up defenses at any level.
17) Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
While Drake Maye conducted the offense, Omario Hampton was the engine. He rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 TDs, earning first-team All-ACC honors and finishing as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award last year. His 6’0″ and 220-pound build can handle NFL-level volume, and his footwork and vision behind the line of scrimmage capitalize on his athletic gifts.
16) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Yes, Jalen Milroe isn’t the most accurate QB, but he has shown exceptional growth under the tutelage of QB guru Kalen DeBoer. He is also one of the most dynamic rushing threats from the position, putting less pressure on his arm.
15) Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
Jayden Maiava, Matthew Sluka, or Hajj-Malik Williams — it doesn’t matter who is under center; Ricky White III dominates on the field.
He can take any play to the house, hitting a top speed of 21.2 mph in Week 12 against Air Force last season. He already returned a punt for six in 2024 and has even blocked multiple kicks. But the UNLV WR simply knows how to win on his routes, creating separation at a rate.
14) Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
With Noah Fifita slinging him the rock, Tetairoa McMillan exploded for 1,402 yards and 10 scores last fall. The 6’5″, 210-pound skywalker obviously has contested-catch appeal but is actually quite flexible as a route runner — watch McMillan’s Week 1 tape vs. New Mexico to glimpse his ceiling (10-304-4 line).
13) Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
The Hoosiers have shaken up the Big Ten and have entered the national conversation, thanks in large part to Kurtis Rourke’s breakout season. Rourke has thrown 15 TDs with only three INTs and ranks second in yards per attempt among full-time starting QBs. His efficiency and full-field vision have made him the game-changer Indiana needed, propelling the program to new heights in a season full of surprises.
12) Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Caleb Downs stepped off the plane and immediately earned Alabama’s starting safety spot as a true freshman. He became the first Alabama freshman to lead the team in tackles (107) and also recorded two INTs, three PBUs, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
The do-it-all safety has been a boon for the Buckeyes’ defense, churning downhill in run support and using his physical gifts as a standout in coverage.
11) Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The offense is all the rage in Austin, Texas, but the defense has arguably played even better this year. A standout in the Longhorns’ secondary, Jahdae Barron has excelled from any alignment, covering out wide, in the slot, and even in the box. The 5’11”, 200-pound senior has logged 29 tackles, six PBUs, and three INTs without allowing a TD or a reception over 20 yards downfield.
10) Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Iowa’s offense is finally showing signs of life, thanks to a huge spark from Kaleb Johnson. Under new offensive coordinator Tim Lester, he’s racked up 1,144 yards and 16 TDs on 146 carries, averaging a blistering 7.8 yards per carry.
With an FBS-best 34 carries of 15+ yards and a powerful 5.2 yards after contact, Johnson’s explosive play has been the driving force behind Iowa’s jump from 133rd to 69th in yards per play.
9) Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Will Campbell has started at left tackle since his true freshman season in 2022 and has never looked back. The 6’6″ and 325-pound OT is a mauler in the ground game and didn’t allow a sack in 2023.
He’s balanced, has strong hands, and is explosive off the ball with the range to pull in the run game and mirror twitchier edge rushers. Don’t let the “shorter than you’d like” arm-length discussions distract from what he’s put on film.
8) Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is the premier deep-ball artist in the game, and he drastically reduced his pressure-to-sack rate last season. He is also athletic enough to move the chains with his legs when he needs to, even running for 12 TDs in 2023.
His five INTs weren’t pretty this year, but he’s completing 76.2% of his passes for 2,371 yards and 18 TDs on the No. 1 team in the country.
7) James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
As a true sophomore, James Pearce Jr. tallied 14.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, one INT, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles, using his length and explosiveness to devastating effect.
Don’t let his 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks in 2024 fool you — Pearce can blow up any given play as a pass rusher, and he’s done so against the best of the best.
6) Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Cam Ward’s first season at Washington State was slightly disappointing, but he rebounded in 2023 with 3,735 yards, 25 TDs, and just seven INTs. His creativity in and out of the pocket will always draw the camera, and he has the arm talent to hit NFL-level throws.
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However, Ward’s level of comfort in Miami’s offense is mesmerizing, as he looks like he’s playing backyard football in his hometown. With a 68% completion rate, 2,746 yards, 24 TDs, only five INTs, and the ‘Canes sitting at 8-0, Ward has his sights set on a Heisman and a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff.
5) Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Kelvin Banks Jr. set foot in Austin, Texas, and immediately shined at left tackle, particularly in pass protection. The former five-star recruit has lived up to his billing and then some, and with another commanding season, he could be a top-10 NFL Draft prospect.
4) Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson could’ve started in the NFL last season — that’s how good he is. At 6’2″ and 202 pounds, he has all the physical tools to be a shutdown corner (two pick-sixes), not to mention his easy-to-see intangibles: competitiveness, patience, and high football IQ to recognize route concepts.
3) Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
With Grant occupying space next to him, Mason Graham often benefits from more 1-on-1s — and he takes advantage. He moves like a man 20 pounds lighter but possesses the heavy hands to club offensive linemen and jolt them backward. His lateral quickness and first-step explosion make him a nightmare to handle against the run.
Graham may be the single most dominant player in the country, but Michigan’s rotation and the elite talent around him hold him back from the No. 1 spot.
2) Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The NFL will need to figure out where Travis Hunter will play full-time (the answer is CB with a package at WR), but at the collegiate level, he is football’s Shohei Ohtani. His smooth athleticism and body control make him dangerous as a receiver and a playmaker as a corner.
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Hunter quite literally makes plays no other player can, and playing two positions hasn’t capped his output at either (60-757-8 receiving line; two INTs and seven PBUs).
1) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
What’s left to be said about Ashton Jeanty? A terror in the open field, he breaks a ridiculous amount of tackles and reached a top speed of 21.5 miles per hour last season. He isn’t just the best RB in the country; he’s in the conversation for the best player in all of college football and is the favorite to win the Heisman.
Jeanty has turned into Barry Sanders on the ground, mirroring his 1984 production with 1,376 yards and 18 scores in just seven games — with a mind-numbing 8.7 yard-per-carry average to boot!
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