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 hitting the field for the 2024 season?
Ranking the Top 100 College Football Players Returning in 2024
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 previous production, current evaluation, and future potential. 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) Darius Taylor, RB, Minnesota
When Darius Taylor was healthy last season, he was Minnesota’s entire offense … as a true freshman. Although he only played in six games, he still led the team with 891 all-purpose yards (799 rushing and 92 receiving).
His patience and lateral agility at the line of scrimmage allow him to bounce to the open hole, and his speed and balance generate broken tackles and yards after contact with ease. Taylor returned from injury and showed us a glimpse of the future, setting a freshman record 208 rushing yards against Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl.
99) Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Another standout true freshman, Anthony Hill Jr. played in 14 games in 2023, starting six, and was named CFN’s 2023 Freshman Linebacker of the Year. With 67 total tackles, eight TFLs, five sacks, two PBUs, and one force fumble, the Longhorns LB was all over the field.
Hill showcased his versatility, moving between the EDGE and LB. However, he could take over the vacant MLB spot in 2024. The sophomore took snaps there in spring practice, and head coach Steve Sarkisian hinted that a permanent move could be in the cards.
98) Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
Mitchell Evans finished the 2023 season with 29 receptions for 422 yards, good enough for second on the team despite only playing eight games. An ACL tear ended Evans’ campaign early, but he showed that he is next off the Notre Dame TE conveyor belt.
97) Jah Joyner, EDGE, Minnesota
Jah Joyner was a premier pass rusher last season, posting 7.5 sacks and two fumbles. Turn on the tape against Bowling Green, Illinois, and Michigan State, and you’ll believe you’re watching the second coming of Boye Mafe or Carter Coughlin. However, his inconsistencies as a run defender and tackler limit his ceiling in the CFN Top 100.
96) Nic Anderson, WR, Oklahoma
The Sooners are loaded at receiver. The 6’4″ and 219-pound Nic Anderson led the way in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, hauling in 38 catches for 798 yards and 10 TDs, the most among returning SEC WRs. He outproduced target leader Jalil Farooq by a wide margin, which should result in more looks this season, especially with Jayden Gibson out for the year.
95) Byrum Brown, QB, USF
In Year 1 under HC Alex Golesh, the Bulls set 12 team and 16 individual records, including the program’s first 3,000-yard passer (redshirt freshman Byrum Brown) and 1,000-yard receiver (former walk-on Sean Atkins). In Golesh’s scheme, Brown set school records for TD passes (26), completions (276), completion rate (64.6%), and 300-yard passing games (four).
With Golesh at the controls, Brown is primed to continue breaking barriers and setting new standards in the upcoming season.
94) Kevin Concepcion, WR, North Carolina State
The ACC Rookie of the Year and consensus Freshman All-American, Kevin Concepcion took the conference by storm in 2023. He outplayed any positional label, taking 41 carries for 320 yards and 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 scores, even throwing a 17-yard touchdown! With Grayson McCall now under center, expect more fireworks in Wake County.
93) Patrick Jenkins, DT, Tulane
There’s a reason Patrick Jenkins has garnered attention from major watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy entering 2024. Following two years at TCU, he transferred to Tulane in 2022 and hit the ground running, producing 39 tackles, nine TFLs, and three sacks. Jenkins’ production saw him receive second-team all-conference recognition, which he parlayed into a first-team selection in 2023.
MORE: 2024 College Football Bowl Projections
Last season, Jenkins generated 35 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He played almost exclusively over tackle in 2023, showcasing his ability to dominate anywhere on the defensive line.
92) Preston Stone, QB, SMU
Will Preston Stone experience some growing pains in the ACC? Yes, but he’s also easily one of the conference’s best passers. He tossed 3,197 yards and 28 to just six INTs in Rhett Lashlee’s offense last season, and with most of the team’s production returning in 2024, Stone’s in line for an encore performance.
91) Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
Even with defenses keying on Kyle Monangai and the Rutgers rushing attack, he still ran for 1,262 yards and eight TDs last season.
He didn’t let the ball hit the turf a single time and stood his ground as a pass protector, which you can’t say about most collegiate running backs. With Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis taking over for Gavin Wimsatt under center, expect even more work on Monangai’s plate in 2024.
90) Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
Danny Stutsman is a bit of a throwback linebacker at 6’4″ and 241 pounds. He led the Sooners with 104 total tackles (51 solo) and 16 TFLs, adding three sacks, a pick, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery to boot. Stutsman makes his money scraping and rallying in run defense, but he is also a capable blitzer and zone coverage defender.
89) Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
After winning four straight state titles at Thompson High School in Alabama and joining Clemson as a top-10 recruit in the nation, Peter Woods earned Freshman All-American honors in 2023.
The numbers don’t appear all that impressive (27 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a forced fumble), but Woods consistently outplayed his DL teammates, including 2024 draftees Ruke Orhorhoro and Tyler Davis.
In fact, he has given analysts, fans, and head coach Dabo Swinney flashbacks of Dexter Lawrence II in the orange and white. Any time your name is brought up as a true freshman alongside one of the best DTs in the NFL, you’re doing something right.
88) Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami (FL)
Rueben Bain Jr.’s debut rivaled Kanye West’s “The College Dropout,” as he produced hit after hit — on opposing QBs. He finished the season with 12.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles, lining up anywhere from 3 to 7-tech in Mario Cristobal’s system.
Bain is still growing into his body and mastering his hand usage rather than relying on his physical gifts, but he’s already a game wrecker offenses have to scheme around.
87) Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Deontae Lawson could be a big riser come season’s end, but right now, he’s a bit too inconsistent in coverage to warrant a higher spot. Nevertheless, he is still a stellar run defender with the lateral agility to flow from gap to gap and the pop on contact to stun offensive linemen.
86) 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, using his length to completely envelop WRs. Just line him up in press man and watch up lock down his side of the field.
85) 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.
The Big 12 felt Giddens’ wrath down the stretch last season as he trampled Baylor (115 yards), Kansas (102), and Iowa State (114). Even the ACC caught a stray, as the sophomore back took 28 carries for 151 yards and a dive past the pylon against NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
If QB Avery Johnson reaches his potential, the Wildcats will have one of the most lethal QB-RB duos in the nation.
84) Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
What Darius Alexander brings as a pass rusher just isn’t easily replaceable on the interior. His four sacks don’t seem impressive, but that’s why you have to turn on the tape.
Alexander has pack-a-punch hands and an imposing lower half, bullying linemen into the QB’s lap. But he isn’t just raw power — he has showcased several pass-rush moves (club rip, arm over, etc.) en route to the backfield. Another year of dominant play will land Alexander on the All-MAC first team and, ultimately, the NFL.
83) Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Parker Brailsford followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama, and he’ll secure the interior of the offensive lineman between Jaeden Roberts and Tyler Booker. His smaller stature will need time to adjust to the SEC, but his quick feet, hands, and movement skills give him a leg up on the competition.
82) Zachariah Branch, WR, USC
There are many words to describe Zachariah Branch’s game, but one stands above the rest: electric. The USC WR is a Tesla Model S Plaid, efficiently outperforming all the gas-powered engines on the field. He generated 332 yards and a score on punt returns and another 442 yards and one TD on kicks en route to becoming USC’s first-ever true freshman first-team All-American.
81) Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the next secondary member to come off the Penn State-to-NFL pipeline. The 2023 season was Kevin Winston Jr.’s first as a starter, but you couldn’t tell based on his tape.
He led the team with 60 tackles and added two fumbles recoveries, an interception, and five pass breakups to his résumé. But KWJ offers much more than what can be shown on the stat sheet, as he is a constant communicator, immaculate tackler, and heat-seeking missile from the second and third levels of the defense.
80) Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame
Howard Cross III has been a mainstay on Notre Dame’s DL since 2021, but he is coming off his best season. Although he only recorded two sacks, he routinely pushed 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.
79) Jaydn Ott, RB, Cal
Cal hasn’t exactly been an exciting football program since the early Jeff Tedford days, which is a shame because most people have likely missed out on watching Jaydn Ott run the football.
He has largely been the offense the last two seasons, amassing 2,212 yards and 20 TDs on 416 carries. Ott’s receiving chops are also up to snuff, but Cal ought to hand him the ball as much as his body can take.
78) 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 will be 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.
77) Aeneas Peebles, DT, Duke
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 would result in Peebles hearing his name called early next April.
76) Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Maxwell Hairston tied Alabama’s Terrion Arnold for the most INTs in the conference last season (five), and he did so in two fewer games. But the Kentucky CB didn’t just snatch his picks and take a knee — he returned two for touchdowns (both against Vanderbilt).
Now a redshirt junior with a season of starting experience under his belt, expect another standout campaign from Hairston in 2024.
75) Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
An electric athlete with elite closing speed, Nick Martin emerged as one of the nation’s top LBs in 2023 after not starting his first two seasons at Oklahoma State. Leading the Big 12 with 140 tackles, he also tallied 16 TFLs, six sacks, two INTs, and a forced fumble.
You won’t see Martin diverge from his box alignment all that often, but he clearly exhibited enough to land on the Chuck Bednarik, Lombardi, Bronko Nagurski, and Butkus Award watch lists this offseason.
74) Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL)
With Jonathan Smith and large swaths of the coaching staff off to Michigan State, Damien Martinez entered the transfer portal and landed with Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes.
Miami tended to ride the hot hand at RB, but Martinez offers stability as a 6’0″, 230-pounder who put up 1,185 yards (6.1 per attempt) and nine TDs last season. Although he uses his bruising size to devasting effect, he can also make defenders miss in the open field.
73) Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
The Tigers defeated four top-25 teams on their way to their best record in nearly a decade (11-2). Brady Cook was a large reason for their success, completing 66% of his passes for 3,317 yards, 21 TDs, and just five INTs.
MORE: Top College Quarterback Rankings 2024
Losing 1,600-yard rusher Cody Schrader will put more pressure on the passing attack, but with top WRs Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr., Marquis Johnson, and Mookie Cooper returning, Cook should continue to cook in 2024.
72) Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
Xavier Restrepo is a quarterback’s best friend and will quickly become Washington State transfer 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.
With Jacolby George and Houston WR Sam Brown operating on the outside, Restrepo should have even more room to widdle defenses down on the inside.
71) 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 his 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.
70) Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
The decision to move Shemar Turner from DT to EDGE proved to be painless 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 and Cashius Howell rushing next to him, expect Turner’s numbers to escalate once again.
69) Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
No. 69 may seem too low for Patrick Payton. Look, I understand the first-round draft hype surrounding him, but he isn’t there yet. His motor runs hot and cold, and he has to expand his pass-rush toolbox.
That said, his Gumby-esque frame at 6’5″ affords him room for error other pass rushers aren’t privy to. FSU’s roster lists Payton at 254 pounds now, which should help add strength at the point of attack and put sand in his pants against the run.
68) 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.
67) Ricardo Hallman, CB, Wisconsin
Ricardo Hallman tied for the most INTs in the FBS last season with seven, showcasing his obvious ball skills. He works to keep himself in position with the ball in the air and reads the field like a safety.
While Hallman isn’t quite as sticky as some other CBs in man coverage, he has the discipline of a self-appointed hall monitor. He maintains his leverage and only flips his hips when necessary.
66) RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
Peny Boone is in town, but this is RJ Harvey’s backfield. 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 allowed him to break off at least one 20+ yard run in all but three games last season.
65) Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
Hunter Wohler racked up the second most tackles (120) in the Big Ten last year and earned first-team all-conference honors.
Spending most of his time in the box certainly helped, but Wohler also played significant snaps in the slot and at deep safety. He’s best deployed near the line of scrimmage, as he shoots out of a cannon downhill and has the range to chase down RBs from the backside of the play.
64) Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
Although he stands at 6’5″ and 330 pounds, Jonah Savaiinaea moves incredibly well. Due to his length and overall girth, some teams will pigeonhole him as a guard. But Savaiinaea has the athleticism, footwork, and size to be a scheme-versatile starting tackle.
63) Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Xavier Worthy and Adonai 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.
62) Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Tyleik Williams has some eye-popping reps on his film, but he doesn’t routinely beat the man across from him in passing downs. Regardless, his bull rush can collapse pockets, and he has no issue maintaining gap integrity and shedding blocks against the ground game.
61) 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. Now, his lack of towering size did give him issues when tackling and contesting passes against taller WRs at Washington, but Dan Lanning should put Muhammad in a better position to succeed with the Ducks.
60) Clay Webb, OL, 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 All-CUSA Second Team and Associated Press All-American Second Team honors.
MORE: 2024 All-American College Football Preseason Team and Individual Honors
Elite in both run and pass blocking, he is a favorite to win the Outland Trophy this year. Webb was instrumental in the Gamecocks’ first season in the FBS and will help power them toward a CUSA championship bid in 2024.
59) 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. If he takes care of the football while layering passes all over the field, Miami will challenge for a CFP spot.
58) Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Jack Sawyer’s 8.5 TFLs and five sacks may not look all that impressive, but he has the power to manhandle offensive tackles both as a pass rusher and run defender. Yes, his lack of speed and bend limit his pass-rush upside. Yet, at the college level, Sawyer’s raw strength is more than enough, and that’s not even counting his ability to blow up run plays.
57) Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
Across three seasons, Devin Neal has amassed 3,077 yards and 33 TDs, using his mobility and vision to maximize the lanes his OL provides him. However, as he showed last season, Neal has no issues creating space for himself on the move.
56) Jonah Monheim, OL, USC
Jonah Monheim can line up anywhere on the offensive line but has played most of his career at tackle (both left and right). Mauling defenders isn’t rare from the USC lineman, but he’s clearly spent most of his time in the pass-blocking lab. He largely kept Caleb Williams’ jersey clean, and that wasn’t always the easiest with the pocket tendencies of the former Trojans QB.
55) 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. A former safety/wide receiver recruit, Fannin possesses sure hands, can make defenders miss in the open field, and easily separates from plodding linebackers.
54) Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
It just means more for Quinshon Judkins, who posted 1,567 yards and 16 scores as a true freshman in the SEC. Had he remained the RB1 at Ole Miss, he’d rank much higher, but sharing a backfield with TreVeyon Henderson limits both players’ ceilings.
53) Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
After transferring from Rhode Island, you’d expect Ajani Cornelius would need some time to transition to the FBS, let alone the Power Five. He didn’t. Oregon kept him at his natural right tackle spot, and he proved to be one of the best in the nation, allowing zero sacks.
52) Jason Henderson, LB, Old Dominion
After leading the FBS with 189 tackles in 2022, Jason Henderson totaled another 167 in 2023, earning second-team AP All-American recognition.
Curious as to just how prolific he is as a tackler? His career 12.1 tackles per game ranks third in FBS history behind only Boston College’s Luke Kuechly and Maryland’s E.J. Henderson. Oh, and last season, ODU allowed him to blitz more often, resulting in 4.5 sacks and over two dozen pressures.
51) Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Injuries slowed Emeka Egbuka in 2023, but as the new WR1 — at least while Jeremiah Smith gets his feet wet — he is primed for his best season yet. With 78 receptions and 1,041 yards in 2024, he broke Ohio State career records. Egbuka knows how to get open and has the strong hands to reel in the football and turn upfield, ranking second in the Big Ten with 786 yards after the catch over the last two years.
50) Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Tre Harris transferred to Ole Miss from LA Tech and improved on his 2022 numbers, which should tell you all you need to know.
On 54 catches, he moved the chains 37 times and scored eight TDs, meaning only nine of his receptions failed to make a significant impact. Harris is smooth in every facet of his game and has the body control to come down with passes other WRs could only dream of.
49) 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 should only improve in Year 2.
48) Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Tyler Booker is still honing his craft, but he should take 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 if he gets his technique under control in 2024, SEC defenders will have to get comfortable being on the ground.
47) 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 22.5 TFLs and 18 sacks in the last two 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.
46) Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Dorian Strong logged eight PBUs and three INTs last season, but his impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Not only did he allow 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 pass breakups across 32 starts since 2020.
45) Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas
The 2023 AAC Defensive Player of the Year. UTSA’s record holder for sacks in a season (14). It’s clear why Texas sought Trey Moore in the transfer portal. The pass-rush specialist 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.
44) 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.
43) 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. 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.
42) 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.
MORE: 1 Heisman Trophy Candidate for Every College Football Team in 2024
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.
41) 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.
40) 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.
39) 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 in 2024.
38) 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 can showcase his talent on the national stage.
37) 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. Ewers’ 3,479 yards from last year ranked fifth in school history, and his six 300-yard passing games tied for the most in a single season.
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. Not only is Ratledge coming off a second-team All-American nod, but he was an integral part of an offensive line that allowed just 0.93 sacks per game.
35) 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?
34) 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.
33) 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.
32) 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). His heavy hands shock linemen and help him keep his chest clean.
31) 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. And with Tre Harris, Juice Wells, Jordan Watkins, and Micah Davis on the outside, expect even greater production in Year 3.
30) Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
The Tigers didn’t know where to line Harold Perkins Jr. 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) Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
Much has been made about Oregon’s addition of Evan Stewart this offseason, but don’t forget about Tez Johnson. A former Troy transfer, 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.
28) 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.
27) Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona
Noah Fifita is only 5’11” and 194 pounds, but he is the epitome of “fun to watch.” 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 of defenses.
MORE: Must-See Games on the 2024 College Football Schedule
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.
26) 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.
25) Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Tory Horton turned down six-figure deals to return to Colorado State, and while that may not be the move most would have done, there’s no questioning his loyalty. 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.
24) 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 miles per hour (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 after amassing nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2023.
23) 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 CUSA 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, Va., and ready to flame defenses once again.
22) 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.
21) 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, Texas, 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.”
20) 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. Versatility is king on defense, and that just so happens to be Starks’ middle name.
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, but he can also 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, 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.
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) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Yes, Jalen Milroe isn’t the most accurate QB right now, but he showed exceptional growth after being benched early in the season, and he now gets to work with QB guru Kalen DeBoer. He is also one of the most dynamic rushing threats from the position, putting less pressure on his arm.
15) 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.
14) 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.
13) Ricky White III, 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 last season, Ricky White III exploded for 12 receptions and 165 yards vs. Vanderbilt and never looked back.
MORE: 2024 Strength of Schedule For All 134 FBS Teams
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.
12) 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.
11) 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 utter dominance in the Big Ten.
10) 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.
9) 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, and he even ran for 12 TDs in 2023.
With Johnson and Stewart on the outside and Jordan James in the backfield, expect big things from Oregon’s offense in 2024 — there’s a reason DG8 is the odds-on Heisman favorite.
8) 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 output at both.
7) 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.
6) 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.
5) 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.
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, not to mention his easy-to-see intangibles: competitiveness, patience, and high football IQ to recognize route concepts.
3) 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). His jaw-dropping flexibility, contact balance, and eyes gain every inch physically possible on every carry.
FREE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Gordon presses holes, manipulating defenders into giving him space to operate, and has the speed to turn plays behind the LOS into home runs.
2) 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.
1) James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. isn’t only the best returning player in the SEC; he is 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.
Pearce can blow up any given play as a pass rusher, and he does so against the best of the best — he’s the clear choice as the top player in college football this season.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!