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 set to hit the field for the 2024 season?
Ranking the Top 100 College Football Players Returning in 2024
It’s important to note that this list does not weigh positional value and is not draft-focused. If that’s what you’re looking for, PFN has you covered: early 2025 NFL Draft top 100 prospects.
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, starting with analysis on the best 50 players in the nation.
50) Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
One of the top CBs in the ACC, Dorian Strong logged eight PBUs and three INTs. But his impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Last season, he allowed practically nothing into his coverage, and QBs rarely looked his way.
49) Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas
2023 AAC Defensive Player of the Year. UTSA’s record holder for sacks in a season (14). It’s clear why Texas sought the pass-rush specialist. Trey Moore will put his skill set to the ultimate test in the SEC, but his traits should translate. He is sudden off the edge with the quick hands to keep himself clean around the arc.
48) Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
A back injury sidelined Jalon Daniels for much of the 2023 season, but what we saw was a far more accurate passer who was willing to air it out. It was only a three-game sample size, so we’ll need to see it once again in 2024. Yet, Daniels has the creation capacity and arm talent to cause defenses headaches.
47) 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.
He made QBs pay from his free safety alignment, snatching six interceptions. But what really pops off the screen is Thieneman’s trigger downhill in the run game, obliterating unknowing ball carriers careening toward open space.
46) Shemar Turner, EDGE, Texas A&M
The decision to move Shemar Turner from DT to EDGE proved to be the right one for the Aggies, as he went from 6.5 TFLs and two sacks in 19 games to 10.5 and six in 12 contests last season. He even tacked on two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks for good measure. With Nic Scourton rushing opposite him, expect Turner’s numbers to escalate once again.
45) 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. smaller centers.
44) Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell are gone, but Isaiah Bond could be even better than either pass catcher. He isn’t as big as Mitchell or as fast as Worthy, but his explosiveness and start/stop ability to torture CBs at the stem set him apart.
43) Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Over the last four seasons (first two at Middle Tennessee, last two at Louisville), Quincy Riley has notched 13 INTs and 39 pass deflections. So yeah, there are no concerns over his ball skills. ACC teams tested his side of the field often in 2023 — expect that to change in 2024.
42) Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Donovan Jackson was born to play on the offensive line at 6’4″, 320 pounds, with 36″ arms. He is still refining his technique, but he has the movement skills to thrive in Chip Kelly’s offense.
41) Ben Bell, EDGE, Texas State
Despite splitting time and starting only seven games, Ben Bell set Texas State’s FBS program records with 16 TFLs and 10 sacks. He could not be stopped when on the field, and with several upperclassmen off the depth chart, Bell’s playing time will only increase. Sun Belt QBs better buckle their chin straps because their bells will be ringing against Texas State.
40) 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. 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.
39) Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
Evan Stewart puts DBs on the back of milk cartons due to his blazing twitch and burst on his routes, sending them to different area codes at all levels of the field. His slight frame (6’0″ and 175 pounds) limits his contested-catch ability, and he wasn’t much of a YAC threat at Texas A&M, but operating in Oregon’s offense should allow Stewart to set a new standard.
38) Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU
With his neck roll and aggressive play style, Elijah Roberts has shades of 1990’s 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). His heavy hands shock linemen and help him keep his chest clean.
37) D’Angelo Ponds, CB, TBD
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 is now looking for a new home — likely a top Power Five program where he can showcase his talent on the national stage.
36) Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
Tate Ratledge stepped into the starting right guard role in 2022 and has been an immovable boulder there ever since. He is as reliable as they come in pass pro and isn’t averse to getting his nose dirty in the run game.
35) Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
We all know about Iowa’s offensive woes last season, but the defense was brimming with talents who kept the score closer than it ever should’ve been. One such defender was Xavier Nwankpa, who is a complete safety at 6’2″ and 210 pounds. Line up in the box, in the slot, single-high, two-high, you name it, Nwankpa can do it — and do it well.
34) Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina
Kaimon Rucker has a bit of a tweener build at 6’2″ and 265 pounds, but he was utterly disruptive on the edge, recording 8.5 sacks and 15 TFLs. Returning for his fifth and final season, the UNC EDGE will show opponents what it is like to play at Rucker Park.
33) Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona
Noah Fifita is only 5’11” and 194 pounds, but he is one of the most fun players to watch in college football. He escapes the pocket with the sole purpose of delivering strikes downfield, and he has the arm to fit passes into tight windows and take the top off defenses.
Fifita showed all this in only his first season as the starter — and he didn’t take the reigns until Week 4! Expect even greater things to come from the Arizona QB in 2024.
32) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
What’s left to be said about the CFN first-team All-American? A terror in the open field, he broke a ridiculous amount of tackles last season and reached a top speed of 21.5 mph. Ashton Jeanty isn’t just the best RB in the Mountain West; he’s in the conversation for the best RB in all of college football.
31) 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.
30) Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
The Tigers didn’t know where to line Harold Perkins up last season, so they just lined him up everywhere. He split his time evenly between the slot, box, and defensive line, but he’s at his best rushing QBs off the edge. With the burst and bend to blow by OTs and the range to flow to the ball from the second level, Perkins should excel at WILL in new DC Blake Fisher’s scheme.
29) Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Denzel Burke’s sophomore slump after an impressive one-INT, 12-PBU true freshman campaign left a bad taste in the mouths of fans. However, the long, explosive CB bounced back in 2023, breaking up eight passes and intercepting one pass. He has to come to balance as a tackler to crack down on YAC allowed, but Burke is also a tenacious support defender against the run.
28) Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Tory Horton gave Colorado State fans a transfer portal scare but ultimately returned to the Rams for the upcoming campaign. There are few holes in his game, as he can win before the catch, at the catch point, and after the catch. Prepare for a third straight 1,000+ yard season from Horton in 2024.
27) Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Quinn Ewers is probably a better college QB than an NFL QB, and that’s OK! He isn’t the most accurate, but he has the arm and talent around him to lead Texas back to the College Football Playoff. Plus, with Arch Manning breathing down his neck, I expect Ewers to keep his foot on the gas pedal.
26) Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
As a true freshman in 2022, Benjamin Morrison put his name on the map with six interceptions. And even though coverage numbers are usually volatile year over year, he came right back and put up 10 PBUs and three INTs 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.
25) Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty
In his first season as Liberty’s full-time starter, Kaidon Salter showcased his dual-threat ability, throwing for 2,876 yards, 32 TDs, and just six INTs while rushing for another 1,089 yards and 12 scores on the ground.
He led the team to a C-USA title and the program’s first-ever New Year’s Six bowl game. Despite a quick stint in the transfer portal, Salter is back in Lynchburg and ready to flame defenses once again.
24) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Texas A&M had Walter Nolen anywhere from 1 to 7-tech, but he’s at his best penetrating through the B gap. Through two seasons, he has largely won on talent alone, but with improved technique and hand usage, he could take his game to new heights at Ole Miss.
23) Sebastian Castro, DB, Iowa
Few defenders made a bigger impact than Sebastian Castro in 2023. The Hawkeyes’ slot DB registered 67 tackles, eight TFLs, a sack, three picks, and eight PBUs. At 5’11”, 204 pounds, he’s a rocked-up nickel with the size to fill gaps in run defense and the athleticism to shut down the short and intermediate parts of the field in coverage.
22) Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Since 2022, Malaki Starks has registered five INTs and 14 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.
21) Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
6’6″, 348-pound defensive tackles that can create pressure on their own are rare, and that’s exactly what Deone Walker is. He accounted for 12.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks last season, using his free-moving and powerful build to open the floodgates on the interior.
20) Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is one of the premier deep-ball artists 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, and he even ran for 12 TDs in 2023. With Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart on the outside and Jordan James in the backfield, expect big things from Oregon’s offense in 2024.
19) Ricky White, WR, UNLV
Losing Jayden Maiava stings, but Holy Cross transfer Matthew Sluka is a proficient passer in his own right. After starting slow against Bryant and Michigan, Ricky White III exploded for 12 receptions and 165 yards vs. Vanderbilt and never looked back.
He can take any play to the house, hitting a top speed of 21.2 mph in Week 12 against Air Force. But the UNLV WR simply knows how to win on his routes, creating separation at an impressive rate.
18) Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Princely Umanmielen has taken shots at Florida since 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?
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. 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) 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.
His addition to an Ohio State defense already loaded with front-seven talent should translate to dominance in the Big Ten.
15) 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, but he can also blitz effectively and get to his drops in zone.
14) Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Off-the-field antics aside, Shedeur Sanders is a deadly QB, compiling 3,230 yards, 27 TDs, and only three INTs last year.
Pressure got to him at times, but he has the effortless mobility, arm talent, and accuracy to dot up defenses, even in the Big 12. Does he have the talent around him to win more than four games and become a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? That remains to be seen.
13) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Yes, Jalen Milroe isn’t the most accurate QB and has a ways to go, but he showed exceptional growth after being benched early in the season, and he now gets to work with QB guru DeBoer. That’s not even including his dynamic ability as a runner — just ask LSU.
12) 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 brings his nauseating spin move and raw power to College Station after crushing the Big Ten. He is only 19 years old and is already coming off a 10-sack, 15-TFL campaign — talk about “breakout age.”
11) 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.
10) Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The NFL will need to figure out where Travis Hunter will play full-time (the answer is CB), but at the collegiate level, he can be football’s Shohei Ohtani. His smooth athleticism and body control make him dangerous as a receiver and a playmaker as a corner.
Hunter quite literally makes plays no other player can, but playing two positions certainly caps his out put at both.
9) Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Kelvin Banks Jr. set foot in Austin 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.
8) 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, not to mention his easy-to-see intangibles: competitiveness, patience, and high football IQ to recognize route concepts.
7) 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.
6) Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
While Carson Beck isn’t the flashiest athlete or the biggest arm, he has the poise, anticipation, and layering ability of a future NFL QB. He passed for nearly 4,000 yards, 24 TDs, and six INTs last season and operates the collegiate bulldozer that is Georgia with the efficiency of a Tesla.
5) Luther Burden II, WR, Missouri
Luther Burden III is a Heisman candidate as a true junior and the top WR in the country. After displaying his playmaking ability as a true freshman, LBIII torched SEC defenses to the tune of 1,212 yards and nine scores last season. With the speed, body control, and route-running nuance of a future pro, college DBs stand no chance.
4) Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter has been a force to be reckoned with at linebacker, but a full-time move to EDGE this offseason will result in widespread paranormal activity in the Big Ten. The 6’3″, 250-pound defender puts offensive linemen in a blender with his combination of power, speed, and bend.
3) Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
With Kenneth 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.
2) James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. isn’t only the best returning player in the SEC; he is one spot away from being the best returning player in the nation. As a true sophomore, he tallied 14.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, one INT, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles, using his length and explosiveness to devastating effect.
1) Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Ollie Gordon II won the Doak Walker Award and generated over 2,000 yards of total offense (1,732 rushing and 330 receiving) — he was the obvious choice for No. 1. His jaw-dropping flexibility, contact balance, and eyes gain every inch physically possible on every carry.
Gordon presses holes, manipulating defenders into giving him space to operate, and has the speed to turn plays behind the LOS into home runs.
CFN College Football Top 100 Players | 51-100
50) Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
51) Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
52) Jason Henderson, LB, Old Dominion
53) Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
54) Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Lousville
55) Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
56) Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon
57) Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
58) Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
59) Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
60) Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
61) Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
62) Jonah Monheim, OT, USC
63) Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
64) Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
65) Sonny Styles, LB/S, Ohio State
66) TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
67) Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
68) Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
69) J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
70) Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
71) RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
72) Barion Brown, WR, Kentucky
73) Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
74) Ricardo Hallman, CB, Wisconsin
75) Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
76) Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
77) Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL)
78) Debo Williams, LB, South Carolina
79) Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
80) Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
81) Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
82) Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami (FL)
83) Jaydn Ott, RB, Cal
84) Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame
85) Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
86) Zachariah Branch, WR, USC
87) Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
88) Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
89) Kevin Concepcion, WR, North Carolina State
90) Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
91) Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
92) Terion Stewart, RB, Bowling Green
93) Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
94) Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
95) Caullin Lacy, WR, Louisville
96) Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
97) Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
98) Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
99) James Burnip, P, Alabama
100) Graham Nicholson, K, Alabama
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