There’s heaps to like concerning the 12-team playoff (until you are Alabama), however on the high of the checklist is that this: We get 3 times as a lot star energy this yr.
In the four-team period, the nation would not get to see the explosiveness of Ashton Jeanty or the brute drive of Cam Skattebo or the all-around brilliance of Tyler Warren. The stage is larger, so the celebs can shine brighter.
With that in thoughts, ESPN’s Bill Connelly, David Hale, Chris Low, Adam Rittenberg and Paolo Uggetti combed by means of the rosters of all 12 playoff groups to rank the highest 50 gamers of the College Football Playoff.
This is not a rating of the celebs who completed essentially the most within the common season, per se, although that performs an element. It’s additionally not essentially a rating of the gamers who will put up the largest numbers over the following seven weeks. Consider it extra of a viewer’s information: When you tune in for the College Football Playoff, these are the 50 gamers you will not wish to miss. — David Hale
WR, Clemson, sophomore
2024 stats: 838 yards, 10 TDs
After a breakout freshman season in 2022, Williams missed all however 5 video games final yr. The time away did little to hamper his improvement, nonetheless, and he returned in 2024 with a vengeance. He completed the season as the one participant within the nation with at the very least 800 receiving yards, 100 speeding yards and 100 punt return yards, and he additionally added a passing landing to his résumé, too. Williams was Clemson’s most constant receiver, catching 10 landing passes and hauling in at the very least 5 passes in every of the Tigers’ ultimate six video games. His 18-yard seize on the ultimate scrimmage play of the ACC championship recreation arrange the game-winning subject objective that launched Clemson into the playoff. — Hale
OL, Arizona State, senior
2024 stats: No sacks allowed
ASU’s offensive MVP in 2023, the middle returned to Tempe for his senior season and have become one of many rocks of the Big 12’s shock workforce. Starting all 13 video games, he was credited with solely eight blown blocks all season — 5 pressures and three blown run blocks — and he’ll end his profession having earned all-conference votes in three separate conferences: the Mountain West (with UNLV), Pac-12 and Big 12. He’s a contemporary success story. — Bill Connelly
DB, Georgia, senior
2024 stats: 46 solo tackles, 1 FF, 3 PDs, 2 INTs
While Bulldogs safeties Malaki Starks and KJ Bolden had been five-star recruits, Jackson had zero stars as a senior at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia. Jackson wasn’t even an invited walk-on when he joined the Bulldogs in 2019. Remarkably, on a protection suffering from future NFL gamers the previous few seasons, Jackson began 18 video games. This season, the hard-hitting security had 60 tackles, 1½ tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 1 fumble restoration. The sixth-year senior made one of many greatest performs of the season when he compelled Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King to fumble with about two minutes left in regulation. Georgia gained 44-42 in additional time. — Mark Schlabach
DE, Boise State, senior
2024 stats: 23 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks
After spending a lot of his childhood in Egypt, Hassanein has blossomed into among the best defensive gamers in faculty soccer. He was named first-team All-Mountain West for a second straight yr after ending the common season with 8.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. — Kyle Bonagura
DB, Indiana, sophomore
2024 stats: 35 solo tackles, 2 INTs, 9 PDs
Ponds delivered one of many extra memorable performs in Indiana’s breakthrough season, a 65-yard pick-six towards Washington earlier than a raucous crowd on a weekend the place ESPN’s “College GameDay” went to Bloomington for simply the second time. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Ponds had two interceptions towards Washington and completed the season with 53 tackles, which ranked fourth on the workforce. Ponds, a first-team All-Big Ten choice who joined Curt Cignetti at IU from James Madison, led the Hoosiers with 9 cross breakups and likewise blocked a punt towards Michigan State that resulted in a security. — Adam Rittenberg
S, Penn State, senior
2024 stats: 43 solo tackles, 1 FF, 3 INTs, 3 PDs
He has lined up as a security, a nickelback, an out of doors linebacker and an inside linebacker. He leads Penn State’s protection in tackles and has generated 6 pressures and 1.5 sacks in 30 cross rushes. He additionally has made seven run stops (at or behind the road of scrimmage) and has picked off three passes with three breakups in protection. He is the form of senior chief each good protection wants. — Connelly
QB, Arizona State, freshman
2024 stats: 2,663 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs
As necessary as Cam Skattebo was, Leavitt wasn’t far behind. The Sun Devils had been 11-1 with him because the starter and haven’t misplaced a recreation he has performed since Sept. 21, a span of eight video games to finish the common season. Leavitt threw for two,663 yards with 24 touchdowns to 5 interceptions and his QBR (81.6) ranked No. 11 in faculty soccer. — Bonagura
QB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 2,092 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs
At first, his tenure as Notre Dame’s beginning quarterback was outlined by a dismal loss to Northern Illinois. But since Week 3, he has been the seventh-best quarterback in faculty soccer (and third greatest within the CFP) primarily based on Total QBR. He has topped 80 non-sack speeding yards 4 instances, he has accomplished 68% of his passes with 16 TDs and solely three interceptions since NIU, and most significantly, Notre Dame is 10-0 since then, too. — Connelly
QB, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 2,860 yards, 27 TDs, 8 INTs
A switch from Kansas State, Howard stepped right into a high-profile position and customarily dealt with himself properly. He accomplished 72.3% of his passes for two,860 yards and 27 touchdowns. Howard had some powerful moments in Ohio State’s losses to Oregon and Michigan, and even in a win at Penn State, however his accuracy stands out, and he rushed for touchdowns in seven video games. A 3rd-team All-Big Ten choice, Howard had a number of landing passes in 10 of 12 video games and has 66 landing passes over the previous three seasons. — Rittenberg
LB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 37 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF
No participant in Notre Dame’s storied historical past has appeared in additional video games sporting an Irish uniform than Kiser, who’s as much as 66 in his sixth yr with this system. A workforce captain this fall, he leads Notre Dame with 66 tackles, together with three for loss and one sack, and he has added a compelled fumble, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries. The 6-2, 231-pound Kiser anchors a Notre Dame protection that ranks third nationally in fewest factors allowed and has fueled the workforce’s CFP run. — Rittenberg
S, SMU, junior
2024 stats: 51 solo tackles, 3 INTs, 3 PDs
An all-around ball hawk, Nwokobia emerged as among the best defensive gamers within the ACC within the Mustangs’ first season within the league. Nwokobia took the following step after being chosen MVP within the American championship recreation a yr in the past, ending second on the workforce with 96 complete tackles, with 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 3 cross breakups and a couple of quarterback hurries. His interception ultimately zone late towards Louisville helped seal one in every of their greatest wins of the season. — Andrea Adelson
DL, Tennessee, junior
2024 stats:17 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 FFs
The 6-3, 245-pound junior edge rusher is the highest-graded defender within the SEC (minimal 150 snaps), based on Pro Football Focus. Josephs is second on Tennessee’s workforce with 9 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries, and he leads the workforce with three compelled fumbles. Josephs had a few of his greatest video games in two of the Vols’ greatest wins, together with a career-best three quarterback hurries within the win over Alabama and a career-best seven tackles (1.5 for loss) in an additional time win towards Florida. — Chris Low
QB, Penn State, junior
2024 stats: 2,894 yards. 21 TDs, 7 INTs
A yr in the past, the knock on Allar was an absence of big-play efficiency. His general numbers had been spectacular — 25 landing passes and solely two picks — however after he accomplished lower than half of his passes towards Ohio State and Michigan, the keenness was diminished. In the offseason, Penn State introduced in new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and the outcomes have been encouraging. Allar’s yards-per-attempt went from 6.8 in 2023 to eight.9 in 2024, whereas his completion share ballooned from 60% final seaosn to just about 70% this season. — Hale
RB, Oregon, junior
2024 stats: 1,253 yards, 15 TDs
James was a was a second-team All-Big Ten choice after speeding for 1,253 yards with 15 touchdowns. James was a mannequin of consistency speeding for between 83 and 121 yards in 11 of the Ducks’ 13 video games and was held out of the tip zone in solely two video games. — Bonagura
DE, Oregon, sophomore
2024 stats: 23 solo tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 1 INT
Many anticipated a breakout sophomore season from Uiagaleielei, who confirmed loads of flashes of greatness throughout restricted motion in his freshman marketing campaign, and he did simply that. Uiagaleilei totaled 10.5 sacks, almost one per recreation, and good for eighth-most of any participant within the nation. The sophomore added 23 solo tackles, 2 compelled fumbles and 1 interception, solidifying himself as among the best defenders within the forthcoming playoff subject, and within the nation. — Paolo Uggetti
DL, Clemson, sophomore
2024 stats: 15 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 1 FF
He’s 315 kilos of pure O-lineman-eating machine, and this season, Clemson lined him up on the sting. The outcomes had been combined. Woods completed the common season with solely three sacks and seven.5 tackles for loss, battling some accidents alongside the way in which and sitting out two video games. But the upside stays unimaginable. Woods strikes like a participant half his dimension, and even when he is not making the sack, he is commanding the eye of opposing offenses, typically releasing up rush lanes for his associate in crime, T.J. Parker. In the opener towards Texas, he’ll most likely have his share of head-to-head battles with Kelvin Banks, establishing one of the vital intriguing matchups of the postseason. — Hale
OL, Oregon, junior
2024 stats: 1.4% strain pct
A primary-team All-Big Ten deal with, Conerly was the standout member of an Oregon offensive line that ranked No. 7 nationally in factors per drive (3.05). No Power 4 quarterback with as many dropbacks as Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel (439) was sacked fewer instances than he was (13), main a balanced offensive assault. — Bonagura
DE, Boise State, sophomore
2024 stats: 20 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 1 FF
With a lot consideration on Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos’ offense this season, what has gone underneath the radar is Boise’s protection and extra particularly, the play of defensive finish Virgin-Morgan, who has been a drive. The sophomore from San Diego did not have a single sack in his first season in Boise, however this season he turned the backfield into his playground and recorded 10 sacks. At 6-3, 245 kilos, Virgin-Morgan is likely one of the extra dynamic gamers within the playoff and positively one who deserves extra of the highlight. — Uggetti
DE, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 20 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 1 INT
Sawyer almost got here up with the game-changing play, intercepting a cross on the objective line within the fourth quarter towards Michigan, however the Wolverines wound up successful anyway 13-10. Sawyer has had an impactful senior season, with 4.5 sacks and two compelled fumbles on the way in which to incomes second-team All-Big Ten honors. — Jake Trotter
LB, Clemson, senior
2024 stats: 39 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks
Carter opted to return to Clemson for one season, and the transfer paid off. A Butkus Award finalist and first-team All-ACC choice, Carter once more made an impression on protection. Carter racked up 76 complete tackles — together with 10.5 tackles for loss whereas including seven cross breakups and 7 passes defended. There’s a motive coach Dabo Swinney calls him “among the best pure soccer gamers I’ve had in 20 years.” — Adelson
QB, SMU, sophomore
2024 stats: 3,050 yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs
When coach Rhett Lashlee determined to raise Jennings as his starter halfway by means of the BYU recreation in Week 3, you can say the choice modified the trajectory of the Mustangs’ season. Jennings went 9-1 because the starter, arising simply brief in a 34-31 loss to Clemson within the ACC title recreation. On the season, Jennings threw for 3,050 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions whereas including 529 yards speeding and 6 scores. — Adelson
LB, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 31 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 1 FF
Simon could be overshadowed by Ohio State’s different big-name gamers, however he’s quietly having a incredible senior season. Though solely a third-team All-Big Ten choice, the workforce captain is second on Ohio State with 74 tackles and 5 sacks. Simon got here up with a number of large performs late to assist the Buckeyes stave off an upset bid from Nebraska in a 21-17 victory in late October. — Trotter
LB, Indiana, junior
2024 stats: 44 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks
Fisher grew to become the engine of Indiana’s enchancment on protection underneath coordinator Bryant Haines. He completed third within the Big Ten with 108 tackles, recording eight or extra in eight video games. Fisher earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and had 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He additionally grew to become a right away chief for a protection that led the nation towards the run and was No. 6 in fewest factors allowed. — Rittenberg
DB, Georgia, junior
2024 stats:48 solo tackles, 1 INT, 3 PDs
Georgia’s coaches requested Starks to put on a number of hats within the secondary this season, because the junior lined up at security and the star place. He led the Bulldogs with 73 tackles to go along with 4 tackles for loss, 1 interception and three cross breakups. Starks’ instincts and flexibility are an enormous motive why he is thought-about the highest security in subsequent yr’s NFL draft. According to PFF, he lined up 252 instances within the slot, 190 within the field and 385 on the again finish of the protection. He missed six tackles in 843 snaps. — Schlabach
QB, Clemson, junior
2024 stats: 3,303 yards, 33 TDs, 5 INTs
Consistency was the largest subject for Klubnik in his first season as Clemson’s starter in 2023, however he has been a gentle performer week in and week out, significantly in terms of utilizing his legs. Klubnik rushed for 458 yards and 7 touchdowns this season to go along with greater than 3,300 yards passing. His 33 landing throws rank third nationally, his 6.60 TD-to-INT ratio was greatest in FBS, and his 78.9 Total QBR ranks third amongst playoff QBs, trailing solely Dillon Gabriel and Carson Beck. — Hale
OL, Georgia, senior
2024 stats: 0.4% strain pct
It was no coincidence that Georgia’s offensive line did a greater job defending quarterback Carson Beck as soon as Ratledge returned to the beginning lineup. The 6-6, 320-pound senior sat out 4 video games after present process surgical procedure on his proper ankle on Sept. 17. He performed each snap within the Bulldogs’ 31-17 win over Tennessee on Nov. 16. Georgia did not enable the Volunteers’ vaunted protection to report a sack, and Ratledge was chosen SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his effort. He gave up one sack and three quarterback hurries in 436 snaps this season, based on Pro Football Focus. — Schlabach
DB, Texas, senior
2024 stats: 33 solo tackles, 1 FF, 4 INTs, 5 PDs
The 6-0, 190-pound Austin native, who transferred again to Texas after three years at Clemson, is a bodily hitter who helped stabilize the Longhorns’ cross protection, which ranked 116th final season and No. 1 this season (143.1 YPG). He had 52 tackles (4 for loss) with 4 interceptions this season, and led the Longhorns in tackles towards Georgia within the SEC championship recreation with 11. — Dave Wilson
OL, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 250 snaps at each LT and LG
Jackson’s versatility helped the Buckeyes climate the season-ending harm to left deal with Josh Simmons. After Jackson slid from left guard to left deal with, the Buckeyes defeated Penn State, then Indiana to earn the house playoff recreation. Regardless of place, Jackson has given up solely seven quarterback pressures and three sacks all season. — Trotter
DL, Indiana, junior
2024 stats: 19 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 2 FFs
The James Madison switch who adopted coach Curt Cignetti to IU crammed a number of roles, together with cross speeding, the place Kamara thrived. He completed second within the Big Ten in each tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (10), whereas incomes first-team all-conference honors. Kamara grew to become the primary Indiana participant to report 10 or extra sacks since Jammie Kirlew in 2008, and has now recorded a deal with for loss in 30 of 35 profession video games. Kamara additionally compelled two fumbles and had three fumble recoveries. — Rittenberg
DB, Tennessee, sophomore
2024 stats: 22 solo tackles, 4 INTs, 7 PDs
The Vols picked up McCoy within the switch portal from Oregon State, and he has been a key addition on a protection that has given up greater than 19 factors in a recreation solely as soon as this season. The 6-0, 193-pound sophomore was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist as the highest defensive again in faculty soccer, and he’s second within the SEC with 13 passes defended and tied for second with 4 interceptions. He’s a lockdown cowl cornerback who has made a number of game-changing performs for the Vols. — Low
DL, Tennessee, junior
2024 stats: 20 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 FF
After a slower begin, principally due to added consideration from opposing offenses, Pearce performed his greatest soccer down the stretch and leads all SEC defenders with 52 complete pressures, based on Pro Football Focus. With 110 profession pressures in three seasons at Tennessee, the 6-5, 243-pound junior edge rusher leads the Vols with 11 tackles for loss and seven.5 sacks this season. He has registered at the very least half a deal with for loss in eight straight video games. — Low
S, Ohio State, sophomore
2024 stats: 33 solo tackles, 1 INT, 3 PDs
Downs has made an impression in his first season at Ohio State, each on protection and particular groups. Downs, the SEC Freshman of the Year final season at Alabama earlier than transferring, is third on the Buckeyes with 61 tackles to associate with two sacks and an interception. He additionally had a punt return landing that ignited a 38-15 rout of Indiana. — Trotter
RB, SMU, senior
2024 stats: 1,270 yards, 14 TDs
Smith made the change from receiver to working again this season and located a distinct gear — posting the very best season of his profession after transferring from Miami. He earned a spot on the All-ACC first workforce with 1,270 yards speeding and 14 touchdowns, including 303 yards receiving and 4 scores. His capacity to make explosive performs helped rework the Mustangs’ offense into one of the vital dynamic within the nation. — Adelson
DE, Clemson, sophomore
2024 stats: 32 solo tackles, 11 sacks, 6 FFs
The sophomore defensive finish made a huge effect alongside the Tigers’ entrance, with 19 tackles for loss to rank No. 6 within the nation, and 11 sacks to rank No. 11. His efficiency within the second half of the season is the place he actually made his mark. In his previous seven video games, Parker has 7 sacks, 3 compelled fumbles, 16 tackles at or behind the road of scrimmage and 32 tackles — together with eight and three.5 tackles for loss within the ACC championship recreation. — Adelson
QB, Indiana, sophomore
2024 stats: 2,827 yards, 27 TDs, 4 INTs
The Ohio switch anchored Indiana’s environment friendly and highly effective offense, finishing 70.4% of his passes for two,827 yards with 27 touchdowns and solely 4 interceptions. He had landing passes in 10 of the 11 video games he performed, and had a 74% or higher completion fee six instances, whereas spreading the ball to Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr. and others. Rourke earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and tied a workforce single-game report with six landing passes in a rout of rival Purdue. — Rittenberg
WR, Oregon, senior
2024 stats: 78 receptions, 866 yards, 10 TDs
After a 1,182-yard season whereas catching passes from Bo Nix final season, it was going to be tough for Johnson to high that in 2024. Despite not having Nix underneath heart and having to acclimate to a brand new quarterback whereas Oregon added switch wideout Evan Stewart, Johnson did not miss a beat. The senior from Alabama was nonetheless the Ducks’ main cross catcher (866 yards and 10 touchdowns) regardless of sitting out two video games due to harm solely to have his greatest recreation of the season within the Big Ten title recreation with 181 yards and a landing. — Uggetti
DL, Oregon, junior
2024 stats: 24 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 2 FFs
Much like his QB Dillon Gabriel, Harmon has made essentially the most of his switch resolution. After three years at Michigan State, Harmon arrived in Eugene with the expectation he would wreak havoc on the Ducks’ line of defense. He has executed precisely that and extra. In 13 video games, Harmon has 42 tackles, 24 solo tackles, 5 sacks and a couple of compelled fumbles — all of them profession highs. Oregon’s protection hasn’t been underrated, however it’s price noting that its consistency has been largely anchored by Harmon’s play. — Uggetti
S, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 31 solo tackles, 1 FF, 5 INTs, 8 PDs
A yr in the past, Watts gained the Bronko Nagurski trophy because the nation’s greatest defender, and but in 2024, he was nearly definitely higher. Though his interception complete dipped from seven to 5, that was nonetheless tied for third most nationally. Meanwhile, Watts gave up solely 9 completions — and no TDs — as the first defender in protection this season, whereas racking up 14 passes defended, eleventh most within the nation. He additionally tallied 49 tackles, three QB hurries and a compelled fumble because the centerpiece of Notre Dame’s distinctive secondary. — Hale
LB, Georgia, junior
2024 stats: 35 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks
The junior gained the Butkus Award as the game’s high linebacker after totaling 57 tackles, 10½ tackles for loss, 6½ sacks and a couple of fumble recoveries this season. Texas will most likely be blissful to see the projected NFL first-round choose flip professional. Walker had seven tackles and three sacks within the first half of the Bulldogs’ 30-15 win at Texas on Oct. 19, then had three tackles for loss and one sack in a 22-19 additional time victory towards the Longhorns within the SEC championship recreation. — Schlabach
RB, Notre Dame, sophomore
2024 stats: 949 yards, 15 TDs
He shares a backfield with the virtually equally sensible Jadarian Price, so his carry totals do not match these of different backs, however faculty soccer’s 2024 hurdles champion proves his awesomeness with each contact, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and scoring a landing on each 9.2 carries or receptions. And of the 46 gamers with at the very least 900 speeding yards, Love’s 4.1 yards per carry after contact are second to solely Ashton Jeanty. — Connelly
WR, Ohio State, freshman
2024 stats: 57 receptions, 934 yards, 10 TDs
The Big Ten Freshman and Receiver of the Year shattered all of Cris Carter’s Ohio State true freshman receiving data set in 1984. On a Buckeyes offense loaded with playmakers, Smith is essentially the most harmful, highlighted by a capability to convey down one-handed catches or break off huge runs after the catch. — Trotter
LB, Texas, sophomore
2024 stats: 47 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 FFs, 1 INT
The 6-3, 235-pound sophomore linebacker is an every-down, sideline-to-sideline star. He led Texas in tackles (90), tackles for loss (16), compelled fumbles (4), and he was second in sacks (7.5). He added an interception, 4 hurries and a fumble restoration to his stat line this fall. — Wilson
RB, Tennessee, junior
2024 stats: 1,485 yards, 22 TDs
Sampson has been the cornerstone of Tennessee’s offense and one of many extra constant working backs within the nation. The 5-11, 201-pound junior has 1,485 speeding yards and set the college report with 22 speeding touchdowns. Sampson grew to become the second Tennessee participant to have 10 speeding video games of 100-plus yards in a season, and 1,051 of his yards got here towards SEC competitors. He was chosen because the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year by the convention’s coaches. — Low
DB, Texas, senior
2024 stats: 32 solo tackles, 5 INT, 9 PDs
Barron, a fifth-year senior, gained the Thorpe Award because the nation’s greatest defensive again. He has 36 profession begins for the Longhorns, and he led the SEC in interceptions this season with 5, whereas main Texas in passes damaged up (9). He added 47 complete tackles, a sack and a compelled fumble for the nation’s greatest cross protection that gave up solely 143.1 yards per recreation and 5.1 yards per cross try, with simply 4 passing TDs allowed all season. — Wilson
DE, Penn State, junior
2024 stats: 37 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 2 FFs
It’s typically exhausting to face out on a extremely good protection. Carter would not have that drawback. The junior from Philadelphia ranks first on the Nittany Lions’ protection in tackles for loss (20), sacks (10), pressures (49), run stops (14) and is second in each tackles towards the run and tackles towards the cross. He’s third nationally in TFLs and fifth in pressures, too. He’s a do-everything star for a do-everything protection. — Connelly
OL, Texas, junior
2024 stats: gave up just one strain
The 6-4, 320-pound junior gained the Outland Trophy and began 39 straight video games at left deal with. He helped three Texas working backs report 100-yard video games this season, and he was the centerpiece for an offense averaging 6.2 yards per play, 164.4 speeding yards per recreation and 4.5 yards per carry with 21 TDs, whereas additionally rating thirteenth in passing offense (281 YPG). — Wilson
TE, Penn State, senior
2024 stats: 88 receptions, 1,062 yards, 6 TDs
In any season that did not embrace Travis Hunter, odds are Warren can be thought-about the clear-cut greatest all-around participant in faculty soccer. Penn State used him everywhere in the subject offensively, lining him up at tight finish, halfback, receiver and even quarterback. Warren completed the common season with 1,062 receiving yards and 6 TD catches, 191 speeding yards and 4 TD runs, and, for good measure, 35 passing yards and a landing throw. He’s the primary non-QB since Kentucky’s Lynn Bowden to rack up 1,200 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in a season during which he additionally threw, ran and caught at the very least one TD. — Hale
RB, Arizona State, senior
2024 stats: 1,568 yards, 19 TDs
Skattebo was a revelation in Arizona State’s monumental turnaround, turning into the primary participant in Big 12 historical past to hurry for at the very least 1,500 yards and have greater than 500 yards receiving in the identical season. He trailed solely Ashton Jeanty in yards from scrimmage this season (2,074) and completed with 22 touchdowns, together with 9 in his previous three video games. — Bonagura
QB, Oregon, senior
2024 stats: 3,558 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs
The journeyman of faculty soccer discovered his option to Eugene this season and his resolution to return to varsity couldn’t have gone a lot better. After a stellar yr at Oklahoma, Gabriel seamlessly match into Oregon’s offense and led the Ducks to an undefeated season whereas finishing 73.2% of his passes (the very best mark of his faculty profession) for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns. Beyond the numbers, Gabriel has but to fulfill a stage too huge for him this season — a few of his greatest video games have come towards Oregon’s hardest opponents, and his expertise throughout six years of faculty soccer is sure to be essential come playoff time. — Uggetti
RB, Boise State, junior
2024 stats: 2,497 yards, 29 TDs
There’s not way more to be stated about Jeanty that hasn’t been stated this season and but, it bears repeating, reemphasizing and reiterating simply what sort of yr Jeanty has put collectively. Jeanty carried the ball 344 instances this season for two,497 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and 29 touchdowns. It is arguably the very best single season by a working again since Barry Sanders in 1988 when he ran for two,850 yards. His play has been an important half for why Boise State finds itself with a spot within the College Football Playoff and a first-round bye. Whichever workforce the Broncos face within the Fiesta Bowl should attempt its greatest to do what nobody else has been in a position to. Perhaps Jeanty himself stated it greatest, on a latest podcast look: “The entire protection, each single week, is geared towards stopping me, and so they nonetheless could not.” — Uggetti
