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Jan 3, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) has his pass blocked by Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (3) during the second quarter at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Koi Perich was one of the best defensive playmakers in the Big Ten last fall, and he was just a true freshman. His five interceptions led the conference, and he picked off more passes than he allowed touchdowns.
He also forced a fumble and had three tackles for loss while making contributions on special teams. He’s set to play more offensive snaps in 2025, making him a potential Travis Hunter MK. II.
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Indiana's Mikail Kamara (6) sacks Purdue's Hudson Card (15) during the Indiana versus Purdue football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Following his transfer from the James Madison Dukes to the Indiana Hoosiers, Mikail Kamara established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the country.
The first-year Hoosier earned CSN First Team All-American honors after tallying 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks with two forced fumbles, using his pass rush toolbox to lead Indiana to one of the greatest seasons in program history. He’s set to dominate again in 2025.
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs the ball in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The 2025 college football quarterback class is a complex beast with plenty of room for movement as the year progresses and a multitude of opinions as to who will emerge as the best.
That complexity is created by the inconsistency of performances from some of those at the very top, including Penn State Nittany Lions passer Drew Allar, who has his fair share of detractors due to some head-scratching decision-making last fall.
However, when he’s at his very best, there is no better-returning quarterback in college football than Allar. He can throw the ball into tight windows with impressive velocity, possesses exceptional accuracy, can manipulate and maneuver expertly in the pocket, and showcased the ability to put the ball on a dime deep downfield in several big moments last fall.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price (24) runs with the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) during the first half the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Caleb Downs established himself as one of the top defensive playmakers in the country during a breakout freshman season with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2023. One year later, he’s one of the best and most recognizable faces in the sport.
A transfer to the Ohio State Buckeyes was mutually beneficial, with Downs developing an already impressive skill set under Jim Knowles and using his talent to drive the best defense in the country to the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
For the second consecutive season, he tallied two interceptions while flashing his ability to impact the game in all phases with eight tackles for loss. A true force.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21.
Jeremiah Smith looked like a man amongst boys during the 2024 college football season, a remarkable feat as a true freshman establishing himself in an Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver room that is consistently the best in the country. Smith earned Freshman All-American and Third-Team All-American honors from CSN.
That Smith finished the season with the fourth-most receiving yards (1,315) and second-most receiving touchdowns (15) in the country is a testament to his talent as the very best player returning to college football in 2025. No player in the country had more than 50+ receiving yard plays last fall, despite attempts to try and shut him down by any means possible.