Leonard Fournette, Deshaun Watson, Christian McCaffrey and the 50 best college football players, ranked for the 2016 season.
Is it just me or has this summer felt longer than most already? We are now into the month of August and just weeks away from the start of college football, but the offseason has felt longer than ever before. It probably feels the same each year because college football might just be the most exciting sport out there.
Fans of the sport know just how grueling an offseason of waiting, anticipating and speculating can be. The second the season kicks off, it seems to fly by and we are stuck playing the waiting game once again.
With a few weeks left until we finally see live action on the gridiron at a campus near you, it’s time to look at who the top players in college football are heading into the 2016 season.
No, this isn’t a Heisman candidates list, although many of the guys who are on this list could contend for the coveted trophy, but rather a ranking of the top 50 players in college football heading into the season. That means offensive linemen, defensive linemen, defensive backs, receivers, running backs, quarterbacks and also linebackers will be named on the list.
If we were talking about Heisman contenders, the positions involved would likely be narrowed to quarterback, running back and maybe wide receiver.
Let’s take a look at who I believe are the top 50 players in college football heading into the 2016 season. Disagree with any of my rankings or think I missed someone? Let me know in the comment section below.
Next: 50. Dan Feeney
No, linemen aren’t exactly the sexy choice in the list of top 50 players in college football, but Dan Feeney has the production and skill set to make the list.
The Hoosiers’ senior guard was the sixth first-team All-American selection in school history along with teammate Jason Spriggs who has since gone on to the NFL. Feeney also had a chance to go pro after his junior season, projecting as a potential third-to-fifth rounder, but ultimately deciding it was in his best interest to return for one final year.
While he already has the talent to succeed at the next level, he believes he can improve his stock with a relentless offseason filled with conditioning and weight room work, adding some muscle to better suit himself with an NFL offensive line.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the 6-foot-4, 310-pound guard from Orland Park, Ill., is that he’s only allowed one sack in his three years as part of the Hoosiers’ program. That’s incredible when you think about just how successful the offense has been and how many drop-backs quarterbacks like Nate Sudfeld took — that’s 2,719 career snaps with one sack.
Protecting a new quarterback in 2016 will be his main focus along with being a much more effective run blocker. Feeney may just be the top offensive linemen in the Big Ten.
Next: 49. Gabe Marks
Once considered a top prospect at the high school level, Gabe Marks decided to join Mike Leach’s Washington State program in 2012 — the head coach’s first season with the school Leach has a brilliant offensive mind, but it wasn’t clear what type of team he would have as the Cougars had been hapless for years, winning just nine total games from 2008-11.
Leach’s team won just three games in his first season, but Marks had a solid year, catching 49 passes for 560 yards and two touchdowns. Washington State improved a bit the next year as Marks’ numbers rose, catching 74 balls for 807 yards and seven touchdowns.
After redshirting in 2014, Marks returned in 2015 with a new quarterback under center in sophomore Luke Falk. The gunslinger happened to make him his favorite target, hitting him 104 times for 1,192 yards and 15 touchdowns. Marks was an All-Pac-12 first-team selection and a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist.
Looking at the rise in numbers over his first three seasons, it’s crazy to think what kind of numbers he can put up as a senior in 2016 with Falk having another year of experience under his belt. He stands just 6-foot-0, 176 pounds, but he is an explosive route-runner and has great hands.
Next: 48. Luke Falk
The top quarterbacks in college football are separated by so little. This spot was a toss-up between DeShone Kizer and Luke Falk, but the stats speak for themselves.
From one Washington State star to another, Falk is one of the Pac-12’s elite gunslingers and the Cougars have a serious offensive threat which the conference should be aware of.
This was a tough one to pick. The No. 48 spot on the list was a toss-up between two solid quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech or Falk. It all came down to numbers. Falk just tallied a more impressive line as a sophomore in 2015 than Mahomes did even though the latter may have a stronger arm — he is a baseball pitcher.
Falk is also a much more accurate passer than Mahomes, completing about 69 percent of his passes in 2015 for 4,561 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. Those kind of numbers are incredible for a sophomore, but Leach’s team is transforming into an offensive juggernaut.
There’s a reason to be excited about the future of Washington State and his name is Luke. With an elite target like Gabe Marks to throw to on a weekly basis, there’s a chance the Cougars could reach their highest win total since 2003 when they went 10-3.
In 10 out of 12 games last season, while missing one contest, Falk passed for over 300 yards. He threw at least two touchdown passes in 11 of 12 games and hit the four-touchdown mark in five games. He was really one of the most impressive passers in the nation.
Next: 47. Anthony Walker
It’s not often you see Northwestern players break a top 50 list like this seeing as they like to do things under the radar. The Wildcats have been putting together consistent 8-to-10 win seasons under Pat Fitzgerald, but rarely does he have a guy who stands out from the group.
Anthony Walker has broken that mold as he was one of the top linebackers in the nation as a sophomore in 2015. It makes sense, though, that a linebacker would stand out under Fitzgerald as he was an All-Big Ten linebacker in his day.
Walker, reigning from Miami, had a chance to sit out during his freshman year as a redshirt, learning the defensive scheme. That seemed to work wonders as he started seven games in his redshirt freshman campaign in 2014, recording 51 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions.
The 2015 season was when he really broke out, though. The inside linebacker finished the season with a team-leading 122 total tackles to go along with 20.5 tackles for loss — fourth in the country — and four sacks along with another interception.
Heading into his junior season, there’s a strong chance he could be an All-American selection yet again and potentially win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Next: 46. Jake Butt
Before Jim Harbaugh took over the Michigan program, Jake Butt was just a normal tight end who looked to be a 20-catch and 200-yard guy on a yearly basis. There’s nothing wrong with being an average tight end, but he basically tripled his numbers during the new head coach’s first season.
Iowa transfer quarterback Jake Rudock also had something to do with the uptick in production as the Wolverines finally had a solid gunslinger and a coach who could develop NFL arms. Rudock ended up getting drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2016 after a solid season with the Wolverines — probably a future he never saw coming when he decided to transfer.
Butt was a recipient of 51 Rudock passes for 654 yards and three touchdowns as a junior, crushing his previous career-bests. He was considered the best tight end in the Big Ten and one of the best in the entire nation, drawing interest from multiple NFL teams.
However, Butt saw the potential of the Wolverines in the 2016 campaign and decided to put off the league for one more season in order to contend for a conference title and improve his stock in the process.
There’ll be a place for him in the NFL when he leaves after the 2016 season. Who wouldn’t want a 6-foot-6, 250-pound athletic tight end with hands of glue who has proved to be excellent with the right quarterback and coach in place?
Next: 45. Cameron Sutton
Like a handful of guys on this list, Cameron Sutton had a chance to be an NFL draft pick after the 2015 season but decided to come back with some unfinished business to take care of. Sutton, though, was considered a potential first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft but decided he wanted another run at a SEC title.
Tennessee hasn’t quite lived up to expectations over the past few years under Butch Jones, but the time might be coming — or so we’ve heard. With a guy like Sutton patrolling the defensive backfield, opposing quarterbacks are going to have a nightmare of a time passing the ball against the Volunteers.
Turning down millions of dollars to come back for a senior season to win a title might be crazy, but at the same time, it could be the smartest possible move. Every player has weaknesses in his game, and Sutton wants to correct those and improve his stock in the process before heading to the league.
Sutton’s numbers dipped a bit as a junior in 2015 because quarterbacks simply wouldn’t throw to his side of the field. He recorded 28 tackles and an interception with six pass break-ups after having a solid sophomore year in which he finished with 37 tackles, three picks, and 13 pass break-ups.
If there’s one guy on this list who I could see drastically rising up the ranks before the year is over, I think it’d definitely have to be Sutton. The lock-down cornerback might just be the best at his position in the country.
Next: 44. Carlos Watkins
Clemson had one of the top defenses in college football last year, leading the Tigers all the way to the national championship game against Alabama, but falling just short.
Carlos Watkins is a staple of that stingy defense and he has overcome a lot during his career with the Tigers to get where he is today. Three years after a car accident that nearly took his life and caused him to be trapped in the vehicle for two hours, waiting for help, Watkins is getting back to the way he knows how to play and he’s becoming a superstar.
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The fifth-year senior defensive tackle finally had that breakout season he was looking for in 2015 as a redshirt junior, recording 34 tackles, 7.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also added a pick-six and was one of the most improved players in the country.
Getting his mind back to football was the key to the 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman’s success and now that he has put the devastation of a fatal car accident that claimed his friend behind him, he is now an All-American candidate.
The Tigers will be relying on him to lead a strong defensive line with plenty of potential back to the national title game. Watkins is one of those feel-good stories in college football and he’s a monster on the field.
Next: 43. Derek Barnett
Derek Barnett can be scary-good if he keeps improving like he has through his first two seasons in Knoxville. The former four-star defensive end from Nashville, Tenn., began his career with an unbelievable freshman season followed by an equally as impressive sophomore campaign.
As a freshman in 2014, the defensive end finished with 72 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and eight quarterback hurries. In 2015, he followed that up with 69 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and seven quarterback hurries.
Barnett has started 23 out of 26 career games and looks to be one of the SEC’s premier defensive linemen. It’s tough to compete with the likes of Alabama when it comes to defensive talent, but the Volunteers currently have themselves a gem in the junior in-state product.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound star of the defensive line is athletic and strong for his size. He has the ability to find his way into the backfield before the offensive lineman has a chance to even take a step and the one thing he does need to work on is controlling his pursuit of the ball-carrier.
As a defensive end, it’s tough to not over-pursue when you have the ability to blow past the opposition, but the defensive end needs to remain centered and square up the ball-carrier or else he’ll be left chasing him down — although he does have the ability to do so.
Another big year is in the works for Barnett and he could reach the 15-sack plateau if he puts in the work.
Next: 42. Christian Kirk
There’s going to be a new feel to the Texas A&M offense in 2016, and it’s not going to be the receiving corps which return a ton of talent. Rather, the quarterback situation is much less secure than it was over the last couple of seasons. Quarterbacks have transferred in and out and former Oklahoma gunslinger Trevor Knight looks to be the starter.
Whether that’s good news for Christian Kirk remains to be seen, but the Freshman All-American and First-Team All-SEC selection put up some ridiculous numbers in 2015 — it may not matter who passes him the ball.
Kirk had a record-setting freshman season for the Aggies last year, catching 80 passes for 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns. While he was one of the best receivers in the SEC, he was also an electric punt returner, returning 14 for 341 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned 22 kickoffs for 385 yards.
If you’re looking for a dynamic player who could eventually contend for the Heisman before his career is over, Kirk is your guy.
The sophomore receiver is speedy, shifty and surprisingly strong for his 5-foot-11 frame and he could wind up winning the SEC Receiver of the Year award in 2016. This kid can flat-out play and it’s scary to think what another year of experience can do for him.
Next: 41. Saquon Barkley
It’s not often you see so many young guys make a “top players in college football list” like this one, but that’s just how the 2015 season went. There were a ton of freshmen who stood out as stars and Penn State running back Saquon Barkley was one of them.
Barkley broke Penn State’s freshman rushing record with 1,076 yards and seven touchdowns on a 5.9 yards per carry average. That’s even more impressive when you think about the kind of defenses he went up against in his first collegiate season.
Heck, in Barkley’s first Big Ten game ever — granted, it was against Rutgers — he rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 9.3 yards per touch. In his next conference game against Ohio State, he tallied 194 yards on 26 carries.
The freshman running back failed to break the 5.0 yards per rush mark over the next four games but finished the season strong with 103 yards on 17 carries against a stingy Michigan State rushing defense on the road.
James Franklin is bringing in one of the nation’s best running back prospects in Miles Sanders to back up Barkley, putting a little extra pressure on the All-Big Ten candidate, but he’s going to build on a strong start to his career.
Next: 40. C.J. Beathard
Probably the most improved player in the Big Ten last season, Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard really broke out as a junior. The Hawkeyes had been a middle-of-the-pack team in the conference for a few years under Kirk Ferentz, but Beathard took over the offense and led them to the Rose Bowl after a 12-0 start to the year.
How much faith did the coaching staff have in Beathard going into the 2015 campaign? Enough to let senior quarterback Jake Rudock leave as a grad transfer and lead Michigan to a 10-win season before getting drafted by the Detroit Lions.
When a staff has that much faith in you as a player, you want to prove that they made the right choice and Beathard did just that. He passed for 2,809 yards and 17 touchdowns with just five interceptions while leading the Hawkeyes to national title contention.
In fact, Iowa was even considered a College Football Playoff team until Michigan State knocked them out of the top four in the Big Ten title game. It was a championship for the ages as the Hawkeyes lost on a final drive by the Spartans, capped off by a one-yard rush by LJ Scott.
Beathard is poised to improve on those numbers and lead an experienced Iowa team back to the Big Ten title game. He has improved on every metric in the passing game over the past few years including yards, completion percentage, touchdowns, yards per attempt and passer rating. He will look to be the conference’s top passer in 2016.
Next: 39. Chad Kelly
Transferring in from East Mississippi Community College after a rough start to his collegiate career with Clemson, Chad Kelly didn’t need long to prove himself worthy of the No. 1 quarterback spot for Ole Miss in 2015. He won the job and quickly became one of college football’s premier passers.
After attempting just 17 passes in 2013 with the Tigers, he took a year off to better himself on and off the field and took the SEC by storm in 2015 with 4,042 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He completed 65 percent of his passes and looked like one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
Not only did he pass the ball effectively, but he ran for 500 yards and 10 touchdowns. Possibly the most impressive feat from his junior campaign wasn’t his total yardage or touchdowns, but the fact that he led the Rebels on the road against Alabama and came out with a huge victory while passing for over 340 yards and three touchdowns.
Ole Miss finished the 2015 season with a 10-3 record and a blowout win in the Sugar Bowl against a pretty solid Oklahoma State team.
Although Laquon Treadwell is gone, Kelly will have Quincy Adeboyejo, Damor’ea Stringfellow and tight end Evan Engram returning. They combined for 112 receptions for 1,571 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The senior quarterback will be a serious Heisman contender in 2016.
Next: 38. Des Lawrence
North Carolina was one controversial offsides call away from swiping the ACC title away from Clemson, but sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce in the right direction. The Tar Heels will be losing some talent from that finished 11-3 after a red-hot 11-1 start.
However, bringing back seven starters from both sides of the ball could mean another solid season is ahead.
One major strength of the 2015 Tar Heels that could also be such in 2016 is the secondary. North Carolina’s defensive backfield ranked 18th in the country in yards allowed per game through the air which was assisted on by junior cornerback Des Lawrence.
Lawrence finished the 2015 campaign with 59 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. He looked like one of the nation’s best cornerbacks and that came as no surprise seeing as he was just as solid as a sophomore in 2014.
Earning All-ACC second-team honors, Lawrence became a staple of the secondary for the Tar Heels and his aggressive play made him one of the top overall defenders in the conference. He could be a first-team all-conference performer before the season is over, and I’d be shocked if he wasn’t.
Who wouldn’t want a 6-foot-1 cornerback with speed and slobber-knocking ability on their side?
Next: 37. Devonte Fields
You might remember Devonte Fields as one of the best defenders in the Big 12 a few years back when he played for Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs. He has since made his way to Louisville as one of the most impressive defenders in the country.
Offenses simply don’t know how to defend the defensive end/linebacker who used to be an elite edge rusher for TCU. He put up ridiculous numbers as a freshman for the Horned Frogs, racking up 53 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2012, but played just two games the following year.
Transferring to Louisville did him some good as he picked up right where he left off in 2015 after missing the 2014 season due to transfer rules. He finished the season as a linebacker, picking up 63 total tackles, 22 for loss and 10.5 sacks. He posted career-highs in every category and looked like one of the country’s best blitzing backers.
Fields got off to a slow start to his Cardinals career, failing to record a sack through his first six games, but he caught fire in the second half of the season, recording 39 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in his final seven games. Those numbers really vaulted him into the conversation for the top defender in the ACC.
Another year of experience may just turn him into college football’s top blitzer and there may not be a more feared linebacker in the ACC this season.
Next: 36. Carl Lawson
Coming out of high school as the nation’s top weak-side defensive end, it was clear that Carl Lawson was going to have a solid career at Auburn. Although the Tigers were going to be under the leadership of new coach Gus Malzahn, they knew there was talent already in place to compete right away.
And compete they did as the Tigers dominated in Malzahn’s first year, winning the SEC title after thrilling victories over Georgia and Alabama in the regular season, capped off by a title game win against a surprising Missouri squad. The Tigers went on to lose the national title game against Jameis Winston and Florida State despite leading 21-3 early on.
Lawson was a big reason as to why the Tigers’ defense was so impressive that year. The Freshman All-American recorded 20 total tackles, 7.5 for loss and four sacks for the national runner-up.
The unfortunate news struck the would-be sophomore prior to the 2014 season as he missed the entire year due to a torn ACL. Returning to full health as a redshirt sophomore in 2015, Lawson looked to get back to his successful ways, but he suffered a crack hip which limited him to appearances in just seven games. He finished with 17 tackles, three for loss and a sack.
The sophomore was named a team captain prior to the 2015 season so that shows that he has the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates. He also has all the talent in the world so if he can stay healthy, he might just be the SEC’s comeback player of the year and an All-American.
Next: 35. Armani Watts
Although recording 126 total tackles, including 83 solos, is an impressive stat for any defender, you never really want to see your team’s safety recording that many stops. Texas A&M’s Armani Watts had one heck of a 2015 season, recording a ridiculous amount of takedowns, but that was proof that the Aggies’ defense in front of him was lackluster, at best.
With plenty of experience returning to the front-seven, his tackle numbers should decrease significantly. Along with all of those tackles as a sophomore, Watts also had an interception, two passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Coming back as one of the top defensive backs in the SEC, Watts will have to face off against some of the premier quarterbacks and receivers in college football on teams such as Tennessee, LSU, and Alabama, among others. It’s not going to be an easy road to earning All-SEC honors at safety like he is projected to.
If it were up to him, Watts would probably want another season like is freshman year in which he finished with 59 tackles, nine pass breakups, and three picks. That was more of what a defensive back’s stats should look like and he was great against the pass.
While his tackle numbers have been a bit elevated, not all of them have been the result of poor defense in front of him as he is known for coming up against the run and making an aggressive play — sometimes in the backfield. Watts has eight tackles for loss in his career.
Next: 34. Malik Jefferson
Malik Jefferson’s success as a linebacker for the Texas Longhorns didn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone, especially head coach Charlie Strong. Getting to campus as the top high school outside linebacker in the country and a five-star prospect, it was only a matter of time before Jefferson really broke out as a star for the Longhorns.
The big stage didn’t scare the true freshman outside linebacker in 2015 as he finished his first real game against Notre Dame with nine tackles and an eventual career-best 2.5 tackles for loss.
Jefferson played in 11 games, starting nine while missing the Baylor contest due to injury. He finished with 61 total tackles, seven for loss, 2.5 sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble. Those numbers earned him honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as well as the distinction of Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
The Freshman All-American will enter his sophomore season as the outright starter on defense and will likely be the most impressive defender for a team that ranked 106th in total defense last season, but looks to improve majorly.
Standing 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, Jefferson’s size makes him a scary sight for opposing quarterbacks and ball-carriers, alike. He has great field vision, strength, and explosiveness to make him the complete package at linebacker.
Malik Jefferson will be a household name by the end of the 2016 season.
Next: 33. KD Cannon
Turbulent. That one word is the best way to describe Baylor’s offseason which was filled with sexual assault accusers coming out of the woodwork to speak about how their stories were stifled and swept under the rug by head coach Art Briles to protect his players. The head coach was let go and the program hired former Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe as his replacement.
People are hoping that Grobe has the same offensive mindset as Briles, but that will be hard to do because even though he was a questionable figure in charge, he was an offensive genius. Baylor could even be known as Wide Receiver U with the type of talent the Bears put in the NFL on a regular basis.
It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle at wide out when you play with guys like Corey Coleman and Jay Lee, but junior KD Cannon is gearing up for a career-year in Waco.
As a freshman in 2014, Cannon burst onto the scene with 58 catches for 1,030 yards and eight touchdowns and he was looking like the real deal. He took a minor step back during his sophomore year with Coleman dominating, putting up 868 yards and six scores on 50 receptions.
Now that he is set to be the No. 1 receiver for the Bears’ potent offense, Seth Russell is going to capitalize on the junior’s elite route-running ability and breakaway speed. The kid can flat-out run and he makes it look so easy.
KD will be the next great Baylor receiver and he might just rack up 1,500 yards and 10-plus touchdown receptions this year.
Next: 32. Raekwon McMillan
Ohio State is losing some major talent in the middle of its defense, including All-American Darron Lee who was a first-round draft selection in 2016. Returning, though, is middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan, the former No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in the nation coming out of high school in 2014.
Urban Meyer has a knack for getting elite talent to Columbus and McMillan is just the latest in a long line of players who have first-round potential.
The junior linebacker was an All-American candidate as a true sophomore in 2015, recording 119 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four defended passes. He looks like a true star in the middle of the defense with his ability to read the play, shed blockers and close gaps.
Leading a defense of former four and five-star recruits in tackles as a sophomore is definitely a sign of things to come as he will now be looked at as a veteran leader. Most of Ohio State’s defense was drafted by NFL teams this season, leaving McMillan to hold down the fort while his friends earn pro paychecks.
McMillan did improve considerably from his freshman year to sophomore campaign. He did play in all 15 games for the 2014 national champion Buckeyes, but finished with just 54 tackles, seven for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Imagine what another full season of starting at inside linebacker will do for the athletic specimen from Hinesville, Ga. If you’re looking for an early Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year candidate, look no further than McMillan.
Next: 31. Zach Banner
When you think of elite offensive linemen in college football, you picture an immovable object who makes it nearly impossible for defenders to penetrate into the backfield. USC’s Zach Banner has that ability and he has probably the most impressive size of any offensive tackle in the entire country.
Standing about 6-foot-8, 275 pounds, Banner looks to be the Trojans’ top offensive lineman this season along with returning left tackle Chad Wheeler. Clay Helton will have the luxury of being able to run a pass or run play without having to worry about the protection from the outside of creating a hole between the tackles.
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Banner is a former five-star prospect who got to campus in 2012 and redshirted in his first year. The next season he was primarily a backup and played in just two games early on before missing the rest of the season after hip surgery sidelined him.
Entering his sophomore year in 2014, the expectations were fairly high and lived up to the hype as he was named to the Sophomore All-American team as an honorable mention selection, starting all 13 games.
The big offensive tackle has put together 27 consecutive starts after 14 more in 2015 — 12 at right tackle and two at left tackle. He could very well play left tackle at the next level, but that position is filled currently by Wheeler.
USC is going to have no trouble passing or running the ball this year with Wheeler and All-American Banner as the two bookends on the line.
Next: 30. Greg Ward Jr.
Former Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman took over as the head coach of Houston two years ago and the program is already seeing major changes. Houston is no longer a middle-of-the-pack football program as it is one of the major non-Power Five title contenders.
Senior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. also felt the shift of the program from average to elite. His own personal game saw an uptick in production with the arrival of the former Buckeye coach, increasing every statistical category in 2015 as opposed to his 2014 campaign.
The dual-threat quarterback was solid for the Cougars as a sophomore, but Herman had big plans for him last year and relied on him much more than Ward was used to. He passed for 2,827 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions with a 67 percent completion rate while rushing for another 1,114 yards and 21 scores.
Houston’s offense basically made a complete 180 turn and the improvement of Ward Jr. was a major reason for that success. He doubled his rushing yardage, more than tripled his rushing touchdowns, added 800 passing yards and five passing scores to his total from his sophomore to his junior year.
Ward Jr. will be one of the best quarterbacks heading into the 2016 season and he’s coming off a 13-1 season in which he led the Cougars to an AAC title as well as a victory over Florida State in the Peach Bowl. This kid is electrifying.
Next: 29. Jarrad Davis
Playing for two different coaches and having to learn two different styles of play has to be difficult for any collegiate athlete, but going from Will Muschamp to Jim McElwain was probably the best move for senior linebacker Jarrad Davis.
As a junior, the lightning-fast linebacker finished with a career-best 98 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. He became much more than just a role player as he developed into a star and caught the eye of many NFL scouts. He probably could have made the jump to the NFL, but having two years of starting experience could go a long way.
The former three-star recruit from Georgia was a second-team All-SEC player and could be an early favorite to be a first-teamer as a senior.
With a 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame, he can fly around the field and lay licks on ball-carrier left and right. He’s not afraid of contact and he has a knack for getting to the ball faster than any linebacker on the team. Not only can he defend against the run, but he had four pass deflections and an interception in 2015.
Florida’s defense was one of the best in the nation in 2015 and could be even more lethal this season with a more experienced Davis manning the middle of the field.
Next: 28. Roderick Johnson
When you have one of the top running backs in the country who rushed for about 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore and averaged 6.0 yards per carry, you can probably assume there’s a solid offensive line behind those numbers.
Roderick Johnson is heading into his junior season as one of the most dominant offensive tackles in the country. Playing left tackle is arguably the toughest and most important position in the trenches, and he’s done a tremendous job there for the better part of two seasons in Tallahassee.
Just how impressive is he? As a true freshman in 2014, he started the final five games at left tackle, helped Dalvin Cook record three 100-yard rushing games and Jameis Winston had three 300-yard passing games during his starts. Johnson was named a Freshman All-American by basically every major service and publication and earned the outright starting job in 2015.
Starting his sophomore year as the full-time left tackle, Johnson knew he had the talent to be one of the best linemen in the country. He proved it by winning the ACC’s best blocker award and was an All-ACC first-teamer. He was a crucial piece of the offensive line and he helped Cook have a huge year in the backfield.
The 6-foot-7, 311-pound tackle will likely be a top draft prospect and could pave the way for a Heisman-winning running back.
Next: 27. Marlon Humphrey
When you think of Alabama football, you picture one of the toughest teams in the country with an elite defense. The Crimson Tide consistently nab the nation’s top recruits on both sides of the ball and sophomore cornerback Marlon Humphrey could be the next big star to pass through the program on his way to the NFL.
As a freshman, the talented former five-star prospect stood out in the best possible way. He played in every one of the team’s 15 games, recording 45 total tackles, 4.8 for loss, eight pass deflections and three interceptions.
The transition from high school to the SEC is a gigantic one, but Humphrey made it look so smooth that he already seemed like a seasoned veteran for the Crimson Tide as a redshirt freshman. When you learn the system as a redshirt, it must come a little easier when playing time finally comes.
The 6-foot-1 Alabama-native showed just how cool he was under pressure at cornerback by making huge plays in both the SEC title game against Florida as well as in the College Football Playoff against Michigan State and Clemson.
Making the Freshman All-SEC team is a great honor, but you better believe Humphrey is aiming for the All-American team this season, and he has a great chance to make it.
Next: 26. Jamal Adams
Look at the current LSU defensive backs in the NFL. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu have played under Les Miles and made names for themselves, being part of one of the top defenses in the country in LSU. The Tigers have been known for producing elite talent on defense, and junior safety Jamal Adams might be the next to join that list.
Adams was named a Freshman All-American in 2014 and was an All-SEC Freshman team member after playing in all 13 games, starting two and recording 66 total tackles, five tackles for loss, five pass breakups and a sack.
Proving that he was one of the nation’s best up-and-coming safeties as a freshman wasn’t enough as the 6-foot-1, 213-pound Texas native just had to make All-SEC and he did just that. He finished his second season in Baton Rouge with 67 total tackles, five tackles for loss, six pass breakups and four interceptions.
Adams is one of the more aggressive safeties in the country and he loves to lay the lumber on opposing ball-carriers, but he’s a rare collegiate athlete who also knows how to wrap up when he needs to.
The soon-to-be junior is great at reading opposing quarterbacks’ eyes and policing the back-end of the secondary, often times coming up with a big bat-down or clutch interception. Expect this kid to be the next big LSU defensive back star.
Next: 25. Jabrill Peppers
Many people would give the nod to Jabrill Peppers as one of the 10 best players in college football, but I’m not ready to give him that high of praise. The junior safety from Michigan might just be the top athlete in the Big Ten, but there’s just no way he is the best all-around football player in the conference.
Peppers can play offense as well as defense, both pretty well, but he’s not even the best member of the secondary on his own team — that player will be coming up soon on this countdown.
The Wolverines’ safety came to Michigan as the top safety in the country back in 2014 out of Paramus Catholic in New Jersey — the same high school as the nation’s top prospect from 2016 who committed to Michigan, Rashan Gary. The hype has always surrounded him and he’s beginning to live up to it, but he has yet to reach his full potential, and that could happen this year.
There’s something to be said about a guy who can do it all on the football field. Not only can he defend against both the pass and run, but he can rush the ball, catch the ball and return punts and kicks.
As a sophomore, the All-Big Ten safety recorded 45 tackles, 5.5 for loss and defended 10 passes while racking up 72 rushing yards and two scores and 79 receiving yards. In the return game, he averaged 11.4 yards per punt and 27.9 per kickoff.
Jim Harbaugh keeps giving Pepper a bigger and bigger role. If he can stay healthy, he will be an All-American safety before the season is over.
Next: 24. J.T. Barrett
How can a quarterback who passed for less than 1,000 yards in 2015 be so high on this list? If you’ve seen J.T. Barrett play, you know exactly why. Heck, the Ohio State dual-threat might just be the best quarterback in the country by the time the 2016 season is over.
Barrett took the country by storm as a true freshman back in 2014, leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to an 11-1 regular season after it looked like they’d be all out of luck with the season-ending injury to presumed Heisman-contending quarterback Braxton Miller. The freshman quarterback led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten title game before getting injured and missing the rest of the year.
Cardale Jones took over and won the Buckeyes the Big Ten Championship and both playoff games to give the Buckeyes their first national title under Urban Meyer.
Opening the 2015 season, Miller moved to receiver while Barrett and Jones battled it out for the starting quarterback job. It was clear that Barrett was the better overall quarterback, but Meyer still trotted Jones out there far too often.
Barrett played sparingly in 2015, leading to his less-than-impressive stats.
In 2014 when he played every regular season game, he passed for 2,834 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions while completing 65 percent of his throws. He rushed for another 938 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The talent is there for this kid, he just needs to put it all together in the 2016 campaign.
Next: 23. Royce Freeman
Royce Freeman came out of high school already possessing the entire package. The former five-star prospect from California was fast, had power, size and the ability to make defenders miss, vaulting him into the starting running back conversation for the Oregon Ducks the second he stepped foot on campus.
The 5-foot-11, 230-pound boulder of a back is so hard to bring down, he makes would-be tacklers regret trying to take him to the ground. He can punish defenders more than any other back in the country and he has a similar style to Alabama’s Derrick Henry.
Freeman was a Freshman All-American in 2014 after rushing for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry and followed that up with an even more impressive 2015 season. As a sophomore, he finished with 1,836 yards and 17 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per touch. That improvement showed that he had yet to reach his potential and we still might be waiting to see the best from Freeman.
The junior running back will be relied on much more this season without a true starting quarterback in place — last season it was Vernon Adams Jr. and before that it was Marcus Mariota.
Oregon will be dishing more carries his way and he will likely improve his numbers even more in an electric offensive scheme. Royce Freeman might just be a Heisman-caliber running back in 2016.
Next: 22. Mike Williams
Known for developing elite wide receivers, Clemson has yet another in the form of junior wide receiverMike Williams. He is a former second-team All-ACC performer who looked like one of the nation’s premier wide receiver after his sophomore season, racking up big-time numbers.
Williams was on just about every receiver watch list to begin the 2015 season, but a broken bone in his neck suffered in week one forced him out for the remainder of the year and he was subsequently redshirted.
Putting up solid numbers as a true freshman in 2013, the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from South Carolina looked to be the next big threat on the outside, following the footsteps of Sammy Watkins. He caught 20 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns, but you could tell the potential was there — especially with his size.
As a sophomore, he caught 57 passes for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns. That was his expected breakout campaign and his junior year was supposed to be a monster one before he suffered that devastating injury. Now that he’s back and healthier than ever, he might just smash his previous career-bests.
A Deshaun Watson to Mike Williams connection will be talked about plenty this year.
Next: 21. Cam Robinson
It has been a turbulent offseason for junior Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson who was the top player at his position in the 2014 recruiting class and a top-five prospect overall.
Robinson was pulled over with teammate Hootie Jones back in May and he was arrested for possession and illegal carrying of a firearm — which was reportedly stolen. The charges were dropped and the All-American offensive tackle was given another shot, but it’s unclear how Nick Saban plans to punish him, but he has been suspended indefinitely.
Despite the poor decisions and the potential charges, Robinson has a whole new lease on life and he should realize just how lucky he is to be getting this second chance. He will likely start the season at left tackle until stated otherwise by Saban.
Although avoiding a suspension might cause Saban to get some harsh reaction from the college football world, he is also defending himself by stating that Robinson and Jones have been punished internally.
Getting back to football, though, Robinson is an All-American caliber left tackle who finished as a first-team SEC star as a sophomore. He protected Jake Coker’s blindside to perfection which led to a national title and blocked for Heisman-winning running back Derrick Henry. You could say that he had a stellar 2015 campaign.
Next: 20. Derwin James
The local prospect was one of the nation’s most coveted recruits in the 2015 class. Ranked the No. 1 safety in the class across the board, Derwin James was considered a lock to be a major contributor for the Seminoles once he stepped foot onto campus as a freshman.
The hype was warranted as he was an All-ACC performer in his first year, recording 91 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He was a monster in the secondary and brought some toughness and grit to the safety position.
As a former five-star recruit, he probably had a lot of weight on his shoulders to live up to lofty expectations, but he didn’t show it. The Freshman All-American honoree is considered one of the best defensive backs in the nation and he could very well be the country’s top safety in 2016.
You know a kid is talented when he can start as a true freshman and star on a team that’s a national title contender and is known for its stingy defense. Expect the Seminoles to rely heavily on him once again and don’t be surprised if he wins the ACC’s Defensive Back of the Year award in 2016.
James’ big-time hits highlighted the defensive effort in 2015 and you can be sure he will be more comfortable making jaw-rattling hits in 2016. This kid is a monster.
Next: 19. Joshua Dobbs
With college football shifting a bit toward favoring dual-threat quarterbacks, Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs could be the next elite player to take the SEC by storm. The Volunteers will be relying on him to produce at a high level this season since they are considered one of college football’s top national title contenders.
Dobbs is a former four-star dual-threat from Georgia who was heavily sought-after in 2013 but picking the Volunteers happened to help Tennessee point out a potential starter from day one.
The senior started four games as a true freshman in 2013, finishing the season with 695 passing yards and two touchdowns with six interceptions and he looked very shaky in the pocket. He rushed for another 189 yards and a score.
As a sophomore, he started just five games, passing for 1,206 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions with 469 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on the ground. He looked much-improved, but he won the full-time starting job before the 2015 season and never looked back.
The third year for Dobbs was most impressive as he passed for 2,291 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just five interceptions with a 60 percent completion rate and another 671 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing. He was an All-SEC caliber player and looks to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country heading into 2016.
Next: 18. Josh Rosen
It was hard not to be excited for the arrival of five-star quarterback Josh Rosen to UCLA’s campus. Even for non-Bruin fans, the potential of the young gunslinger who was ranked as the top quarterback in the country was through the roof and the starting job was vacant after the departure of Brett Hundley.
Rosen came in and won over the coaching staff nearly instantly. He started from Day One and never really looked rattled. He looked like a bonafide superstar under center and another year of experience will build on that view.
Jim Mora gave him the nod and Rosen responded by passing for 3,670 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 60 percent of his passes for the 8-5 Bruins. It was an underwhelming season for UCLA as a whole, but the future is bright behind the arm of this young Bellflower, Calif., native.
The first-year quarterback won all sorts of awards in his first year such as college football’s Freshman of the Year, Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year, Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and was named a Freshman All-American. This kid can flat-out play and he is well on his way to shattering all-time UCLA passing records.
Next: 17. Jalen Tabor
Coming to Florida as one of the top 15 recruits in college football, Jalen Tabor had some major expectations coming his way. Playing alongside elite defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III happened to cause nightmares for opposing offenses.
The two star cornerbacks combined to make up the 13th-best secondary in the country in terms of passing yards allowed per game.
Tabor was an instant star for the Gators in 2014 under Will Muschamp, playing in all 12 games and starting five. He became a Freshman All-American after recording 31 tackles, five for loss and two sacks to go along with an interception and eight pass breakups. This kid isn’t afraid to blitz from the cornerback position and he makes his presence felt by opposing QBs one way or another.
Nicknamed ‘Teez’ by those who know him best, Tabor improved his numbers tremendously from freshman to sophomore year. He finished his second season as the starting quarterback with 40 total tackles, four for loss, a sack, four interceptions, two pick-sixes and 14 pass breakups.
With his innate ability to jump routes and read the opposing quarterback’s eyes, Tabor has become one of the scarier defensive backs in the nation. Could he be a Thorpe Award winner for the Gators and Jim McElwain in 2016?
Next: 16. Calvin Ridley
Don’t let the title of ‘sophomore’ fool you, Calvin Ridley is one of the oldest second-year players in the country. The Alabama wide receiver entered his first season with the Crimson Tide in 2015 as a 20-year-old and will be 21 by the time his second campaign rolls around. Before the 2016 postseason starts, Ridley will be 22.
You can’t knock a kid’s talent because of his age, though. Just because he’s two years older than most kids at his age level doesn’t mean he’s not one of the most supremely talented wide receivers in college football.
Alabama has produced some big-time receivers under Saban such as Julio Jones and Amari Cooper and you can bet that Ridley is the next in line.
As a true freshman, the former No. 1 receiver recruit in the nation caught 89 passes for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6-foot-1 freshman was the favorite target of Jake Coker and helped lead the Tide to a national title.
Ridley’s best games of the season came when it mattered most, making him one of the more clutch first-year players in recent memory. Although he had just 14 receiving yards in the National Championship Game against Clemson, he caught16 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the SEC title game against Florida and Cotton Bowl against Michigan State combined.
Big things are coming for Ridley this season.
Next: 15. Desmond King
The race for the top cornerback in the Big Ten is an intense one and Iowa’s Desmond King may just win that distinction before the 2016 season is complete.
As a former three-star underrated recruit from Detroit, Mich., both Michigan State and Michigan failed to offer the young cornerback. That put a major chip on his shoulder and you can bet both schools are probably kicking themselves for overlooking the Hawkeyes’ star defensive back.
NFL teams came a-calling for King after the 2015 season, but he decided to come back for his senior year to finish some business with the Hawkeyes. He had just helped lead Iowa to its best season in recent memory under Kirk Ferentz, putting together a 12-0 regular season before losing the Big Ten title game to Michigan State and the Rose Bowl to Stanford.
Bringing back major pieces on both sides of the ball, King is confident that Iowa can get back to that conference championship game.
King was a consensus All-American in 2015 and was named the Jim Thorpe Award winner for the nation’s top defensive back. He finished his junior campaign with 72 total tackles, one for loss, 13 pass breakups and eight interceptions.
This kid screams first round pick next season and it’d be a shock if he didn’t repeat as the Thorpe Award winner.
Next: 14. Adoree' Jackson
Adoree’ Jackson is one of those rare talents who can do it all. Another kid on this list compares a little bit to Jackson and that is Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers. Jackson can play stellar defense at cornerback, catch balls as a receiver and return punts and kicks.
As arguably the most exciting player in college football, Jackson finished his sophomore season with 35 tackles, eight pass deflections, and a pick-six. Not many cornerbacks even tried to throw it in his direction because they knew how much of a threat he was to make a play on the ball.
The year before as a freshman, he finished with 49 tackles, four for loss and 10 pass breakups. The kid broke out in his first year and hasn’t looked back since. It’s not often you hear of a cornerback contending for the Heisman Trophy, but when you do as much as Jackson does on both sides of the ball and the return game, you can easily see why that is.
In his first season with USC, he averaged nearly 30 yards per kick return and his blazing speed helped him bring back a couple to the house. He averaged just 23 yards per kick return in 2015, but upped his production in the punt game, averaging over 10 yards per return and finished the year with two touchdowns in that category.
Jackson has 552 yards and five touchdowns on 37 receptions in two years as a receiver. That just goes to show how dynamic this cornerback is for the Trojans. Could he seriously contend for the Heisman?
Next: 13. Nick Chubb
Following the footsteps of Todd Gurley before him, junior running back Nick Chubb looks like one of the top running backs in the SEC and, in my opinion, he’s been severely overlooked by the national pundits. Some even have Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd ranked higher than him as a SEC back, which I find to be utterly ridiculous.
Chubb had an outstanding freshman season, rushing for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns on an impressive 7.1 yards per carry. He also caught 18 passes for 213 yards for two touchdowns, showing his versatility for a 5-foot-10, 220-pound running back from nearby Cedartown, Georgia.
The bulldozer of a running back earned basically every possible honor as a freshman such as Freshman All-American, All-SEC First-Team and SEC Freshman of the Year. This kid burst onto the scene and there were some high hopes for him in 2015 before he suffered a devastating knee injury in Week Six on the first play against Tennessee. He missed the remainder of the year.
Just because he was out for over half the year doesn’t mean he didn’t impress in his short time of healthiness, posting 747 yards and seven touchdowns in essentially five games with an 8.1 yards per carry average.
Chubb could be a serious Heisman contender if he returns to full health and shows no real side effects of that knee injury. People keep overlooking the junior back, but that is a huge mistake.
Next: 12. Brad Kaaya
Playing in a new system might just hurt a quarterback, but with the arrival of Mark Richt to Miami, junior gunslinger Brad Kaaya might just see his NFL draft stock rise drastically. Richt coached Georgia for 15 years and produced some solid quarterbacks during his tenure such as Matthew Stafford and Aaron Murray.
Being a former quarterback at Miami himself, Richt knows what it will take to get this young kid to the league. Before that can happen, though, he will hope that he can lead the Hurricanes to an ACC title and maybe even a national title — assuming he stays for his next two seasons.
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Kaaya led the Hurricanes to an 8-5 campaign in 2015 and Al Golden was fired during the process, opening the door for Richt to come back to coach his alma mater. He passed for 3,238 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions with a completion rate of just over 61 percent. Kaaya’s touchdown total dipped a bit from his freshman season, but the rest of his numbers showed improvement.
The former ACC Freshman of the Year has a high ceiling and he’s starting to create a legacy for himself in a Hurricanes uniform. He ranks ninth in Miami history in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards. If he maintains the same pace in passing yards this season as he did through his first two years, he will pass Ken Dorsey as the school’s all-time leading passer.
Standing 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Kaaya has a rocket for an arm and ideal size to see over the line with ease and project great field vision. He might just be the most underrated quarterback in the nation. He doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.
Next: 11. Tim Williams
When the name ‘Tim Williams’ is spoken in SEC circles, the first thing that comes to mind is his elite pass-rushing ability. The Crimson Tide’s senior outside linebacker causes so many problems for opposing offenses, it’s scary.
Williams even garnered a huge compliment from former NFL linebacker standout, Shawne Merriman, according to AL.com‘s Matt Zenitz.
"“He’s just disruptive as hell,” Merriman said. “Even when he didn’t get the sack, he causes a lot of disruption back there.”"
Merriman is right, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Baton Rouge-native is such an annoyance to offenses, opposing quarterbacks can just never get comfortable in the pocket when playing against Alabama.
You might look at his career numbers and wonder why he gets such high praise. Through his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Williams had just eight total tackles, 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. However, it wasn’t until his junior year that people starting to take notice of his pass-rushing dominance.
The then-junior played in all 15 games for the Crimson Tide, recording 10.5 sacks, which was second on the team. He also added 12.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, and a pass breakup during his third season in Tuscaloosa.
Expect a monster year from the senior linebacker who will play a much larger role in this defense.
Next: 10. Malik McDowell
Just looking at Malik McDowell, you can tell he gives offensive lineman nightmares. He’s 6-foot-6, 276 pounds and looks like a man amongst boys on the gridiron. He towers over the opposition and the scary thing is, he’s never really gotten the chance to fully shine on the Michigan State defensive front.
With Shilique Calhoun, Joel Heath and Lawrence Thomas departing from last year’s team, the former five-star defensive lineman could be headed for a video game-like season.
During his freshman season, he was in the shadow of guys like Calhoun and Marcus Rush and never really got a chance to crack the rotation regularly. He finished with 13 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while making the transition from end to defensive tackle.
As a sophomore, everyone got to see what his potential truly was. McDowell was the subject of many double-teams as no singular offensive lineman seemed to be able to hinder his rush. He finished the season with 41 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with a pick-six as well.
We have yet to see the very best of McDowell and he’s looked at as one of the top NFL draft prospects heading into the season and is arguably the top defensive lineman out there. He is gifted and has the potential to be great, but will he live up to the hype?
Next: 9. JuJu Smith-Schuster
It seems like USC always has those electric players who fit the style and the flash of Los Angeles, Calif. Reggie Bush wowed fans over a decade ago while the current state of the team boasts such electrifying players as Adoree’ Jackson and junior wide out JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Jackson is one of the top cornerbacks in the country, as named earlier on this list, while Smith-Schuster might just be the top receiver in college football.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver doubled his numbers from his freshman to sophomore season and he looked to be a top NFL prospect. His stock keeps rising because of his ability to get open even against the toughest of defenders and make things happen after he catches the ball. He’s not just a possession receiver, he can move the chains will big-time yards after the catch.
As a true freshman, Smith-Schuster finished with 724 yards and five touchdowns on 54 receptions and then followed that up with an All-Pac-12 first-team performance of 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns on 89 catches in 2015.
Although Cody Kessler is gone, Max Browne looks to be the future of the Trojans at the quarterback position and he might be even better at getting the ball to Smith-Schuster than his predecessor. A big year is in the works for the explosive junior wide out.
Next: 8. Jourdan Lewis
Iowa’s Desmond King and Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis are often interchangeable when talking about the Big Ten’s best defensive back. King won the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award, but Lewis looked to be a strong candidate for that and might just be ready for another impressive season after deciding to come back.
Lewis decided he had some business to take care of with Jim Harbaugh heading into his second season as the Wolverines’ head coach, so he passed up a potential first-round pick to get back to Ann Arbor, finishing his degree and potentially winning a Big Ten title — it would be Michigan’s first since 2004.
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Reigning from Detroit and attending powerhouse high school Cass Tech, Jourdan Lewis was on the radar of both Michigan and Michigan State but ultimately chose the Wolverines. Although Michigan State has sent two cornerbacks to the NFL via the first round, Lewis is paving his own path.
The senior cornerback finished with 52 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and 20 pass deflections. The kid was as locked in as they come and he was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks as well as receivers. He went toe-to-toe with Big Ten Receiver of the Year Aaron Burbridge of MSU in 2015 and it made for an epic battle.
Lewis improved his reaction tremendously from his sophomore to junior year and his break on the ball and ability to read quarterbacks’ eyes has been impeccable recently.
Next: 7. Baker Mayfield
What if I told you a former collegiate walk-on has become a top Heisman Trophy contender? Well, that’s exactly what Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is after walking on at Texas Tech and then deciding to transfer to help out the Sooners during a quarterback crisis. Trevor Knight wasn’t cutting it for Oklahoma and Mayfield took the reigns in 2015 and hasn’t looked back.
The Austin, Texas, native is a former Freshman All-American who decided his best opportunities were elsewhere, transferring to Oklahoma and eventually winning the starting job over a kid who had underperformed on a regular basis.
Year One at Oklahoma was a resounding success as he was named a first-team All-American by multiple publications as well as a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 quarterback. He was also the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and opened plenty of eyes after he put up some big numbers in one of the toughest conferences in the nation.
The success isn’t new to Mayfield, though, as he passed for over 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman, but his third year was his greatest, passing for 3,700 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while completing 68 percent of his throws for an Oklahoma team that made it to the College Football Playoff.
Mayfield might just be on his way to a Heisman Trophy under Bob Stoops in 2016.
Next: 6. Dalvin Cook
Dalvin Cook is a special type of talent. Not only has he put up some incredible numbers in two years at Florida State, but he had a career season in 2015 despite being hampered by a nagging hamstring injury.
The popular opinion around Tallahassee is that Cook is very close to becoming the best running back in Florida State history. Warrick Dunn holds the all-time yards record with just over 3,900 and Cook needs just about 1,200 this year to surpass the mark. It took Dunn four years to reach that total and Cook could pass it in less than three.
Also, he is just 17 touchdowns away from breaking that mark as well. The all-time record is 44 set by Greg Allen and Cook has 29 — including 19 last season.
The elusive, speedy running back has added weight this offseason to help him bull over would-be tacklers. He has the ability to break tackles, but with a little more muscle, he could be virtually impossible to bring down on the first hit.
Battling that hamstring injury in 2015, Cook still managed to put up 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns on 7.4 yards per carry. He was an All-ACC first-team talent and he will be in the race for Heisman yet again this season.
Next: 5. Jonathan Allen
As you can gather from this list, Alabama’s defense is going to be one of the toughest in the nation yet again. Jonathan Allen is entering his senior year and he is just another one of the elite names on the Crimson Tide’s defense, ranking 17th in the nation in sacks last season.
How would an opposing quarterback ever want to go against this defense with Tim Williams blitzing from the outside linebacker position, Marlon Humphrey patrolling the defensive backfield and Allen coming right up the middle? Easy answer: no quarterback does.
Allen had a slow start to his Alabama career as he was trying to just earn a spot in the rotation behind an elite starting defensive line. He recorded 16 total tackles, three for loss and a half-sack. His sophomore campaign was much more impressive as he recorded 33 total tackles, 11.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Entering his junior season as one of the best interior defensive linemen in college football, Allen lived up to the expectations. He improved on all of his numbers, recording 36 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He was named first-team All-SEC and is gearing up for an even more dominant 2016 season.
Next: 4. Christian McCaffrey
There is probably no more dynamic and exciting player in college football than Christian McCaffrey of Stanford. The junior running back absolutely dominated opponents in 2015, recording 2,664 yards from the line of scrimmage.
McCaffrey finished second in Heisman voting and some may argue that he should have taken home the award.
It was pretty evident from his freshman year stats that he was going to be a star. McCaffrey recorded just 300 rushing yards on 7.1 yards per carry to go along with 17 catches for 251 yards and two scores. He was always electric, but got to take over as a sophomore in 2015 and, boy, did he ever break out.
Stanford benefited greatly from the presence of Kevin Hogan at quarterback as a senior, but the emergence of McCaffrey single-handedly nearly brought the Cardinal to the College Football Playoff. He rushed for 2,019 yards and eight touchdowns on 6.0 yards per carry.
Not only did he run the ball with relative ease, but he caught 45 passes for 645 yards and another five touchdowns. He averaged 29 yards per kick return, 8.7 yards per punt and brought back one of each to the house. Oh yeah, and he had two passing touchdowns in 2015.
The kid can do it all.
Next: 3. Myles Garrett
If there’s one defensive lineman in college football who could contend for the Heisman Trophy for the first time since Jadeveon Clowney did, it has to be Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett. The former five-star defensive end committed to the Aggies back in 2013 and has dominated college football since 2014.
It’s obvious that the transition from high school competition to college is a tough one, but Garrett made it look so seamless. He recorded 53 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks to go along with nine quarterback hurries.
Garrett’s 6-foot-5, 262-pound frame is perfect for being able to handle big offensive linemen and he does a fantastic job of using his size to his advantage. Not many defensive linemen look the way he does and it could be argued that he’s an even more impressive defender than Clowney was at this point in his career.
The future No. 1 pick had an even more impressive sophomore year, recording 59 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Garrett’s imposing frame allows him to get a solid step on opposing linemen, leading to his 24 total sacks in just two seasons.
Don’t expect him to stick around for a senior year, though.
Next: 2. Deshaun Watson
You could say the expectations were lofty for Deshaun Watson heading into his freshman season for the Clemson Tigers. It was the year after All-ACC quarterback Tajh Boyd went on to the NFL and Cole Stoudt was named the starter to begin the year.
Watson took over in the middle of the season, but injuries forced him out for the rest of 2014. He was tremendous in his short time on the field, starting five games and passing for 1,466 yards, 14 touchdowns just two interceptions while completing 68 percent of his passes.
As the full-time starter in 2015 with no backups to really challenge him for the No. 1 QB spot, Watson felt even more at ease and his numbers were proof of that. He passed for 4,104 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while, again, completing 68 percent of his throws.
It’s hard to believe he was just a sophomore last year. He led the Tigers to the national title game against Alabama and the big stage didn’t seem to phase him one bit. He threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns against the Crimson Tide’s elite defense.
Clemson might just have a Heisman Trophy winner and the national title in the same season.
Next: 1. Leonard Fournette
Last on our countdown happens to be the best running back in college football. Although Leonard Fournette hasn’t yet led LSU to a national title or even a conference crown, the junior running back is prepared to have his best season yet.
Fournette helped Les Miles retain his job after the athletic department was fed up with the three and four-loss seasons. For other programs, those might be seen as successful years, but not for LSU.
The 2016 season will definitely be a championship or bust year for the Tigers as Fournette is back as a junior and plenty of elite defenders return as well — as well as some offensive talent at the receiver and quarterback positions.
Fournette started his career off with a bang, rushing for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns on 5.5 yards per carry while also catching seven passes for 127 yards.
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As a sophomore, Fournette accumulated 1,953 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per touch and added 253 receiving yards and another score. He’s going to be relied on even more in 2016 with the quarterback situation not the most secure.
Can Fournette lead the Tigers to the national title game and bring home a Heisman-like so many believe he can?