Power Ranking the Top 50 Players in College Football After Week 2
There have not been wholesale changes to our (or anybody's) ranking of the best players in the country two weeks into the college football season. But enough has happened in the past 20 days to shake up the list here and there.
Specifically, we have gotten our first material look at who has improved and regressed this offseason. No more relying on beat reporters. No more unsourced tidbits out of camp. We finally get to see it with our own eyes and make our own, singular judgements.
This updated list is a reaction, but not an overreaction, to what we have seen through two weeks of the season. It doesn't stray too far from the lists you probably read in the preseason, because it, like those, is based mostly on the performances of last year.
But what of the high-upside sophomore who has finally put everything together? What of the breakout star who may or may not be for real? We can't pretend the first two weeks are a representative sample, but there's more data now than there was two weeks ago, right?
Here is your updated top 50.
Note: Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.
Honorable Mentions
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There are more than 50 good players in the country. There are more than 50 very good players in the country. This list will inherently leave some of them off, and so will these honorable mentions. That doesn't mean they can't make the list at some point; it only means there was limited space available.
Anyhow, here are 10 offensive and 10 defensive players who just missed the cut. Fast risers from the start of the season are in bold. Sound off below and let me know who else to keep an eye on.
Offensive Honorable Mentions
- RB Jay Ajayi, Boise State
- QB Rakeem Cato, Marshall
- WR Jamison Crowder, Duke
- OT La'el Collins, LSU
- RB James Conner, Pittsburgh
- QB Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
- OG Tre' Jackson, Florida State
- WR Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M
- WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
- WR D'haquille Williams, Auburn
Defensive Honorable Mentions
- DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State
- DB Su'a Cravens, USC
- DE Markus Golden, Missouri
- DL Chris Jones, Mississippi State
- LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
- DL A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
- CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
- CB Tre'Davious White, LSU
- CB P.J. Williams, Florida State
- LB Ramik Wilson, Georgia
*Injury Report: WR Devante Parker, Louisville (Foot)
50. QB Taysom Hill, BYU
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Taysom Hill is this year's honorary group-of-five Heisman candidate, inheriting the title from Jordan Lynch. He did nothing to hurt his case last weekend, rushing around, over, under and through Texas' defense for the second straight season in a 41-7 BYU win.
Though renowned for his running ability—and rightfully so—it's actually been Hill's improvement as a passer these first two weeks that has launched him into the top 50. He's completed 73 percent of his passes and averaged 7.8 yards per attempt so far this season.
49. WR Rashad Greene, Florida State
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There is nothing sexy about Rashad Greene's game—especially when compared with that of former teammate Kelvin Benjamin—but he always seems to get open. It's hard to quantify, but mastering that skill has turned players such as Marvin Harrison into NFL Hall of Famers, so it shouldn't be taken lightly.
Even with Benjamin and Kenny Shaw around him, Greene led the Seminoles in receiving for the third straight season in 2013, and he's well on his way to making it a clean sweep as a senior. He carried the offense with 11 catches for 203 yards against Oklahoma State, saving the win with a 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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48. LB Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
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Jaylon Smith is the best player on a Notre Dame defense that handed Michigan its first shutout in 30 years. What the Irish did to the Wolverines was a consummate team effort—and a special shout out goes to first-year defensive coordinator/social media darling Brian VanGorder—but Smith's 10 tackles and speed to cover inside receivers stood out as a singular flourish.
Last year, Smith showed nascent signs of greatness, especially in making the game-saving tackle on a fourth down against Navy. This year, now that the defense is "his," that greatness is close to being realized, which is crazy since he's only a sophomore*.
*And even crazier since there are six sophomore defenders ahead of him on this list.
47. C Reese Dismukes, Auburn
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Reese Dismukes is the leader of the best offensive line in the country, the anchor up the middle who makes the reads, calls the adjustments and gets the pieces into place at a high tempo.
"He's the glue," offensive line coach J.B. Grimes said after last year's SEC Championship Game, per Joel Erickson of AL.com. "The finest leader I've ever had, tough, smart, fast, quick, strong, balanced, just one of the best football players I've ever been around.
In a way, Dismukes makes this list by proxy, since it wouldn't feel right to leave out the Auburn offensive line, but there's no longer a superstar such as Greg Robinson to name to the list. But that's not entirely the case. He's also plenty gifted in his own right, playing with great knee bend and mauling interior linemen in the run game.
He's the prototypical center for head coach Gus Malzahn's offense.
46. QB Connor Cook, Michigan State
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Connor Cook did everything he could at Oregon on Saturday, staking his team to a nine-point lead in the third quarter. His production began to wane when attrition along the offensive line took its toll, but not many (if any) quarterbacks could have succeeded in that situation.
It's still remarkable how far Cook has come since the start of last season, when Andrew Maxwell beat him in a fall-camp quarterback battle. He has every tool one wants from a signal-caller, both physical (6'4", strong arm) and mental (confidence, charisma).
At this rate, he'll become a first-round NFL draft pick.
45. WR Devin Funchess, Michigan
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In Week 1, Devin Funchess was the brightest of many bright spots for Michigan, which dismantled Appalachian State, 52-14. In Week 2, he was the brightest of very few bright spots for Michigan, which was shut out for the first time in 30 years at Notre Dame, 31-0.
Regardless, he's been fun to watch each week.
Funchess converted from tight end to receiver last season, and although it's not clear which position he'll play at the next level, it's entirely clear that he'll be playing. At 6'5", 230 pounds with deceptive speed, reliable hands and power forward athleticism, he is the textbook definition of a matchup problem.
44. DT Danny Shelton, Washington
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Danny Shelton is the fastest riser on this list, leading the nation in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (7.5) through two weeks. His 24 total tackles are tied for No. 6 in the country and are by far the most for a defensive lineman—much less a true nose guard.
Shelton has a high motor and great lateral quickness for a player his size (6'2", 339 lbs), and his production is as big as his frame. He and Aaron Donald are much different players, but at this rate, Shelton could follow Donald's footsteps and sweep the major national defensive awards despite playing primarily up the A-gap.
43. LB A.J. Johnson, Tennessee
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A.J. Johnson could be playing in the NFL right now, but instead, he's back in Knoxville, serving as the veteran leader on a team that is brimming with talent but lacking in experience.
Johnson has put up huge numbers on bad defenses his entire career, peaking with 138 tackles as a sophomore in 2012. But this year, he's helped his entire unit overachieve. Utah State and Arkansas State are below-average (though not terrible) competition, but through two games, the Vols are allowing only 287.5 yards per game.
Johnson entered the season with 324 career tackles, and he's already pushed that total up to 342. According to FBSstatistics.com, no SEC player has finished with 410 career tackles since 2000, the closest being former Arkansas linebacker Tony Bua (408).
Johnson is well on his way to surpassing that.
42. DE Shawn Oakman, Baylor
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Shawn Oakman has the highest ceiling of all the players outside the top 40. If he continues to maximize his physical potential, he could easily finish the season inside the top 20—if not higher.
At 6'9", 280 pounds, Oakman is big and strong enough to set the edge in run support, and he continues to improve his pass-rushing technique. He had two sacks in Baylor's season opener against SMU, serving as the heart of an underrated defensive line (which itself serves as the heart of an underrated defense).
41. WR Nelson Agholor, USC
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One year after Marqise Lee "Wally Pipped" Robert Woods, Nelson Agholor returned the favor on Lee, gradually becoming the better receiver of the two and leading the team in receiving yards.
There's no one around to "Wally Pipp" Agholor this year, though, and he might end up with All-America numbers because of it. His targets were diluted during USC's 105-play game against Fresno State, but in a slower, more telling game at Stanford, Agholor led the Trojans with 13 targets, nine catches and 91 yards.
The rest of the team had just nine targets, six catches and 44 yards.
40. RB Duke Johnson, Miami
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Injuries forced Duke Johnson out of the lineup (and the national spotlight) in 2013, but as a true freshman the year before, he posted 1,168 yards on 166 offensive touches and 892 yards on kickoff returns.
Despite his smaller frame (5'9", 20b lbs), Miami uses Johnson like a true workhorse, and it's relied on him even more in 2014 now that quarterback Stephen Morris and receiver Allen Hurns have graduated. He's the active FBS leader in all-purpose yards per game with 165.7, though, so there are definitely worse players to lean upon.
39. DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
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To assert Jalen Ramsey is not one of the 40 best players in college football is to admit that you've never seen him play.
Last year, he became the first true freshman since Deion Sanders to start at cornerback in a Florida State season opener, and even after moving to safety during the middle of the season, he continued to make an impact that belied his age.
In 2014, he's been moved to a Lamarcus Joyner-type role in the Florida State nickel, where his versatility in coverage, rushing the passer and supporting the run can all be utilized. His 20 tackles through two games rank No. 41 in the country.
38. LB Eric Striker, Oklahoma
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Quarterback Trevor Knight stole the headlines—as quarterbacks so often do—but Eric Striker was the real breakout player of Oklahoma's Sugar Bowl upset of Alabama, sacking AJ McCarron three times and forcing the game-clinching fumble with less than a minute to play.
At 6'0", 221 pounds, he is built more like a safety than a linebacker, but his quickness off the edge and ability to cover like a defensive back allow the Stoops Bros. a ton of defensive versatility. The power to move Striker around and trust that he will perform his duties well is the key to Oklahoma's championship-caliber defense.
37. WR Antwan Goodley, Baylor
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It's difficult to segregate talent from production in Baylor's offense, which is capable of putting up huge numbers even when the scout team is on the field. Because of this, Antwan Goodley's 71 catches for 1,339 yards last season have to be inspected with a dubious eye.
It became clear upon further review, however, that Goodley was not a simple put-his-head-down-and-run-straight receiver, the type who is a "product of the system." He's capable of beating you with deep speed, but he's also capable of beating you off the line, as he did on this game-changing slant to take the lead against Texas last year.
He's an All-America candidate for a reason.
36. S Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss
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Cody Prewitt performed well in Ole Miss' Week 1 win over Boise State, registering eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, intercepting a pass and nearly decapitating a Broncos receiver on an underneath route.
The game served as a national coming-out party for Prewitt, who probably shouldn't need one after making the Associated Press All-America first team last season but remains underappreciated nationally. It's hard to find a more complete safety in all of college football.
35. OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
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Andrus Peat drops a few spot after he—along with the entire Stanford offensive line—struggled against USC. The Cardinal blockers made mental mistakes throughout the game, climaxing on the final offensive play, when Peat and left guard Josh Garnett looked like they didn't know the play call and allowed defensive end J.R. Tavai to sack Kevin Hogan, strip the ball loose and effectively end the game.
However, one shoddy performance cannot knock Peat out of the top 35 after the way he played in 2013 and 2012. Chase Goodbread of NFL.com said he's "the most gifted pass protector on the West Coast, and a relentlessly hard worker to boot."
As the young Cardinal line jells around him, Peat should get back to the form that made him a preseason All-America candidate.
34. CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
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Kendall is the youngest member of the Fuller clan, and by the time his career is over, he might be regarded as the best. Considering the fact that all three of his older brothers (Vincent, Corey and Kyle) starred at Virginia Tech and played in the NFL, that assertion should not be taken lightly.
Kendall is advanced beyond his years in coverage, coming to Blacksburg a 5-star recruit in 2013 and promptly sliding into the starting lineup. He starred in the Hokies' Week 1 game against Alabama last season, eventually became an FWAA Freshman All-American and has looked even better as a sophomore in 2014.
Fuller had five tackles, a sack and two pass breakups and was spotless in coverage during Saturday's upset at Ohio State.
33. QB Nick Marshall, Auburn
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When he's on, Nick Marshall can do things no other quarterback in college football is capable of.
He has the speed of a former defensive back (the position he played at Georgia in 2011) but the arm strength of Michael Vick, and when it all comes together, as it did on the first touchdown of last year's SEC Championship Game, the result becomes a singular highlight-reel touchdown pass that only Marshall can make.
At the same time, Marshall has some problems with accuracy, problems that were supposed to be fixed this offseason but reared their head during Auburn's Week 2 game against San Jose State. Those struggles are nothing for Tigers fans to worry about—not yet, at least—but they were enough to keep Marshall out of the top 30.
His position on this list is fluid.
32. WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford
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Ty Montgomery did all that he could to help Stanford beat USC, catching nine passes for 83 yards even though the Trojans knew he was Hogan's first read on pretty much every dropback. He also had a 44-yard punt return in the 13-10 loss, corroborating his reputation as one of the best all-around players in America.
Montgomery is a fluid, 6'2" athlete with great vertical speed and a knack for getting open. He's tougher than he's given credit for, and he's the biggest reason Stanford ranked No. 9 in pass offense efficiency last season, per the S&P+ ratings at Football Outsiders.
31. OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
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Brandon Scherff proved his toughness against Ball State, returning to the field after what appeared to be a serious injury to help Iowa salvage a win and remain undefeated. He had knee surgery Tuesday morning and will miss a little bit of time, but according to Scott Westerberg of KCRG-TV 9, he expects to be back for Big Ten play.
Health questions are the only thing keeping Scherff from the top 20 of this list. When his knee is full-go, he is the best run-blocking tackle in college football. Bruce Feldman of FoxSports.com named Scherff his No. 2 athletic "freak" in the country this season, and NFL.com's panel of experts ranked him the No. 6 overall player.
For Iowa's sake, let's wish him the best.
30. LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia
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Had this list been extended to 100, you would have seen at least three, and maybe even four, Georgia linebackers. Amarlo Herrera, Jordan Jenkins and (most of all) Ramik Wilson were all considered but just missed the cut.
Representing the unit by proxy is pass-rushing specialist Leonard Floyd, a converted defensive end who now plays outside linebacker. Only a sophomore (but eligible for the 2015 draft), Floyd had seven tackles, two sacks and six QB hurries in the season-opening rout of Clemson, fitting nicely into Jeremy Pruitt's 3-4 defense.
At 6'4", 230 pounds, Floyd has quick hands and a quick first step that remind scouts of former LSU standout Barkevious Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 draft, per Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.
29. QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
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Brett Hundley's stock has taken a hit after close wins against Virginia and Memphis, but a lot of UCLA's struggles have not been his fault. The Bruins offensive line continues to struggle with pass protection, and their skill weapons continue to look remarkably average.
Still, Hundley has not taken the leap many (myself included) expected to see in spite of those external factors. The book on him remains unchanged: He's a Heisman candidate when he gets a clean pocket, but he's far from a Heisman candidate when he doesn't.
Hundley needs to work on his awareness and stop short-arming passes when he feels the pass rush coming. If he does, though, he has running back athleticism and a strong, accurate arm that only one or two other college quarterbacks can match.
Plus, it's not like Hundley has been bad through two weeks of the season—he just hasn't been the Heisman candidate many were hoping to see. Against a plucky Memphis defense last Saturday, he had 396 passing yards and averaged nine yards per throw.
28. OG A.J. Cann, South Carolina
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A.J. Cann is the best offensive guard in the country. Even when South Carolina was getting abused by Texas A&M in Week 1, he stood out as one of the two or three most dominant players on the field.
Cann is ideal for a power, man-blocking scheme: He isn't the quickest inside blocker, but he uses leverage and strength to knock defensive tackles off the ball. When the Gamecocks need a big play on a standard down, they almost always dial up a run to the left side—and even though defenses know that, it almost always works.
27. WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
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Jaelen Strong cuts the figure of an All-American, first-round NFL draft pick and future Pro Bowler, standing 6'4" with an improved physique, good deep speed and a deadly vertical leap. At face value, he might be the biggest matchup nightmare in the country.
After transferring to Arizona State from junior college last season, Strong caught 75 passes for 1,122 yards, playing particularly well against Stanford (12 catches, 168 yards) and Notre Dame (eight catches, 136 yards)—two teams with future pros in the secondary.
The Sun Devils haven't played a real opponent yet in 2014, but it would be remiss to not mention Strong's 10-catch, 146-yard performance in the first half of the season opener against Weber State.
26. S Landon Collins, Alabama
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Last season, Landon Collins entered the lineup after Alabama's starting strong safety got injured, and the defense immediately got better. This is impressive on its own but even more impressive when one considers the identity of that strong safety—namely, Vinnie Sunseri, who was playing at an All-America level before getting hurt and now plies his trade with the New Orleans Saints.
Collins oftentimes looked better than his partner, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, at the end of last season, finishing second on the team with 69 tackles despite not starting in the early part of the year. After two games in 2014, he is first on the team with 12 tackles, highlighted by an eight-tackle showing against West Virginia in Week 1.
25. OT Cameron Erving, Florida State
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Florida State's offensive line has looked curiously bad this season, and even though Cameron Erving has not been the primary culprit, he has also not played up to the standard he set in 2013.
Still, that standard was one of an All-America candidate, and his protection of Winston's blind side was a big reason for Florida State's offensive dominance en route to the national title. He shut down Vic Beasley during the Seminoles' rout of Clemson, and he always did well when asked to pull in run blocking.
Florida State looked vulnerable against Oklahoma State, but for now, that can be chalked up to extrinsic factors such as rust and mental preparation. Keep a close eye on how Erving performs when the Seminoles host Clemson on Sept 20.
24. QB Everett Golson, Notre Dame
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No one has done more for his stock these first two weeks than Everett Golson, who has returned from last year's academic suspension to complete 37 of 56 passes for 521 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions and 9.3 yards per attempt. According to ESPN.com, he has the No. 5 adjusted QBR in the country at 91.2.
Remarkably, Golson has looked even better on the field than he has in the box score. He seems faster and more confident than he did in 2012—when all he did was lead Notre Dame to a 12-0 regular season and a spot in the national title game—his arm strength is just as good as ever and his accuracy has clearly improved.
Watching B/R's Michael Felder geek out about Golson on Twitter has been one of the finest early pleasures of the season.
23. RB Mike Davis, South Carolina
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Mike Davis was banged-up and ineffective against Texas A&M, rushing only six times for 15 yards. The Gamecocks have no excuse for what happened in that defeat—especially since it was the defense, not the offense, that allowed them to get embarrassed—but the lack of their best player does bear mentioning.
Fortunately, Davis looked like himself again in last week's win over East Carolina, gaining 129 total yards on 21 touches and finding the end zone twice. At his best, he's a souped-up version of Maurice Jones-Drew, a short (5'9"), compact, powerful all-purpose back with plus speed who runs with an edge and loves to initiate contact.
He's the Gamecocks' best (only?) hope of beating Georgia in Week 3.
22. OLB Dante Fowler, Florida
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Yes, it was "only Eastern Michigan," but Dante Fowler looked good in his transition to "Buck" linebacker last Saturday, getting into the backfield on the first three Florida defensive plays. He finished the game with a half-tackle for loss and a pair of QB hurries.
Fowler needs to play with a higher motor, more strength and better consistency, but at times, he looks the part of a future top-five NFL draft pick with his unique array of pass-rushing moves. He had six tackles for loss in a three-game stretch against Miami, Tennessee and Kentucky last season, fading, admittedly, once Dominique Easley got injured and offenses could focus more attention his way.
There are places that Fowler must improve, but he deserves his spot on this list thanks to pure pass-rushing potential.
21. RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
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Not many running backs could hold off Derrick Henry after Henry's performance in the Sugar Bowl, but T.J. Yeldon is one of the mighty few who could. Despite fumbling issues in 2013, he has brought a new element to Alabama's offense the past two seasons, functioning as a true all-purpose back in a normally downhill scheme.
Yeldon came into the season averaging 6.13 yards on close to 400 career carries, and he looked good rushing for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Crimson Tide's Week 1 win over West Virginia. He played his best in Alabama's biggest SEC games last season—vs. LSU; at Auburn—and will be counted on to repeat that in 2014.
20. DE Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
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Shilique Calhoun played decent but not great against Oregon on Saturday, showing well against the run but not finding a way to pressure the quarterback. In the three biggest games of his career—last year's Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl, plus the Oregon game—he has one half-sack and no other tackles for loss.
Regardless, he has made his presence felt as the leader of Michigan State's defensive line, using his patented blend of size (6'5", 256 lbs) and agility to finish last season with 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He also scored a trio of defensive touchdowns, all of which came in the first 99 minutes of the year.
(Michigan State's offense, for what it's worth, did not score its third touchdown of 2013 until the 124th minute of the year.)
19. C Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
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Hroniss Grasu is the secret maestro of Oregon's offense, having started all 42 games since his freshman year in 2011. His mastery of the scheme is, in many ways, the engine that makes the Ducks go.
At 6'3", 297 pounds, he is slightly undersized for a traditional center but perfect for the increasingly dominant style of offense in both college and the NFL. He is strong enough to hold his own in the A-gap but is at his best when he gets to the second level, pulling as the lead blocker on a screen pass or creatively drawn-up run.
18. RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
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Ameer Abdullah made the play of the season (to date) last Saturday, bailing Nebraska out of a tie game against FCS McNeese State by catching a screen pass, shedding roughly seven tacklers and sprinting to the end zone for a game-winning 58-yard score.
He made that play on the heels of a 232-yard rushing performance in Week 1, the highest total of his career. Setting a career high in 2014 is extra remarkable for Abdullah, who ranks as the FBS active leader in all-purpose yards (5,339) and is second in rushing yards (3,263).
It's not always as flashy as it was against McNeese State, but Abdullah is sound in every facet of the game and has always played up to competition. Last year, for example, only Ohio State's Braxton Miller rushed for more than his 123 yards against Michigan State.
17. LB Denzel Perryman, Miami
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He's undersized for the middle linebacker position, but Denzel Perryman plays bigger than his height (6'0") and is probably the best gap-shooting run defender in the country.. He had 108 tackles in 2013 and started this year with 11 tackles in Miami's loss at Louisville.
According to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, no NFL prospect stood out more in Week 1 than Perryman, whose "instincts, quickness…and read-and-react skills" all earned praise. Per Miller, multiple high-level NFL scouts were impressed by his performance despite the loss.
Perryman is also the most consistent big-hitter in the country, which shouldn't necessarily play a role in these rankings—but it does. Here's an addictive highlight reel from his 2013 season.
16. DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
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It may never translate to the box score—so is the curse of the defensive tackle—but anyone who's seen Robert Nkemdiche play the past two seasons understands why he's in the top 20.
The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2013 class, Nkemdiche was a force against the run as a true freshman, despite playing out of position (at end). Now that he's kicked inside permanently, though, he looks ready to flirt with All-America honors, and he started the season strong by bullying Boise State and Vanderbilt in consecutive weeks.
His stock is on the rise—and climbing fast.
15. QB Bryce Petty, Baylor
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Like his favorite target, Goodley, Bryce Petty's stats in Art Briles' offense have to be looked at with a dubious eye. But also like Goodley—and to an even greater extent—the tape confirms he is more than just a "product of the system."
Petty has a strong, accurate downfield arm and underrated mobility outside the pocket. Even after he rushed for 14 touchdowns last season, people will be surprised when they see what kind of time he runs in the 40-yard dash at next year's NFL combine.
He's also a great decision-maker, as evidenced by his three interceptions on 403 attempts last season. Robert Griffin III threw double that (six) on 402 attempts in his Heisman season of 2011.
14. DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
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Randy Gregory had 9.5 sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss last season, which is terrifying considering how raw he is as a prospect. On physical gifts alone, he is probably the best defensive lineman in America.
Gregory is entering his second FBS season after transferring from JUCO and still needs to add weight, but he's a 6'6", 255-pound edge-rusher with enough speed to make plays all over the field.
According to Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com, he also "shows a natural understanding of timing and patience to catch blockers off balance and let his quickness do the rest," which is important for a player so undeveloped. Despite his inexperience, there's an innate feel for the game that accompanies his athletic gifts.
Gregory has missed the first two games of the season but should be back for Saturday's road trip to Fresno State.
13. LB Myles Jack, UCLA
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Myles Jack is well-known for his two-way ability—something that doesn't appear to be going away—but he's a top-15 player in the country even before you factor in his running back skills.
That is, he's a top-15 player as a linebacker.
Bleacher Report's Michael Felder called Jack the best defender in college football before the season, saying he's the "prototype" at outside linebacker, capable of doing everything a defensive coach might ask. He's not built like one of the long, lean, new-age pass-rushers, but he's fast and physical at 6'1", 232 pounds and is perhaps the best coverage linebacker in America.
12. RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
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Melvin Gordon had 140 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries against LSU in the season opener, a line that impresses despite his lack of usage in the second half (and the curious circumstances surrounding it).
Gordon has emerged as the most consistent big-play running back in college football during his career, averaging eight yards per carry in 29 games against FBS defenses. He's big (6'2") and fast and angular, and according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, an NFL personnel director said he would have been the first running back off the board had he declared for the 2014 draft.
11. WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
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Tyler Lockett is the only high-end weapon on Kansas State's offense, and even though defenses know he will be targeted on pretty much every passing play, they can't seem to find a way to stop him.
The biggest reason for that is Lockett's body control and hands; even when he's covered, he's open. He's a great route-runner with good speed who plays his best in the biggest games, highlighted by last year's three-touchdown performance against Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Against Iowa State last Saturday, he helped Kansas State escape at 2-0 by hauling in six passes for 136 yards.
10. CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
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Cornerbacks don't get to have Heisman moments (unless they're Charles Woodson), but Ifo Ekpre-Olomu had a Thorpe Award moment against Michigan State last Saturday, diving to intercept a tipped pass near his goal-line and seal this win for Oregon.
He doesn't have ideal size (5'10", 195 lbs), but Ifo has good coverage instincts and fluid hips that allow him to play on the outside, even when he's matched up against bigger receivers.. He's a willing tackler in run support and also might have the quickest feet in college football, which helps both on defense and special teams.
9. DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
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As a team, Ohio State has not gotten off to the start it expected in 2014, struggling against Navy before losing to Virginia Tech. But the star of its defensive line, sophomore end/tackle Joey Bosa, has been just as good as advertised (and then some).
Bosa came on strong at the end of 2013, finishing with 9.5 tackles for loss in the final six games, and he's already posted three in two games this season. At 6'5", 278 pounds, he fits best playing the long stick at defensive end, but he's strong enough and plays with enough leverage to rush from the inside on passing downs.
A man this big should not do standing back flips.
8. CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
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As a true freshman in 2013, Vernon Hargreaves III stepped into a Florida secondary with three or four upperclassman draft prospects and immediately became its best player. He doesn't have great size (5'11"), but he more than makes up for it with long arms and innate mirroring skills in man-to-man coverage.
Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer and Barrett Sallee both called Hargreaves the best defender in college football before the season, predicting that we won't hear his name called often in 2014. That's the highest compliment an analyst can pay to a cornerback.
7. WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
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At 6'1", 210 pounds, Amari Cooper is not as big or strong as the last great Alabama receiver, Julio Jones. But his speed, catch radius and savvy as a route runner have enabled him to post similar numbers.
Cooper's short-area acceleration is off the charts, which makes him a perfect receiver for new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, a champion of the bubble screen who gets the ball into his playmakers' hands and allows them to…well, make plays. Through two weeks, Cooper leads the country in receptions (25) and receiving yards (319).
6. DE Vic Beasley, Clemson
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Vic Beasley finished third in the country with 13 sacks last season and fourth with 23 tackles for loss. Neither of those totals were surpassed by any returning player in 2014.
Even though Clemson got drilled by Georgia in Week 1, Beasley acquitted himself well with a 13-yard sack and a second tackle for loss. He's explosive off the edge as a pass-rusher and has the speed to play some linebacker along with his current position, defensive end.
He'll get a stiff test in Week 4 against Florida State, one of the only teams that slowed him down in 2013. If Beasley is up to the task against the Seminoles, he might push into the top five of this list.
5. OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
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Cedric Ogbuehi has been through the gamut of Texas A&M's offensive line, starting as a guard in 2012, at right tackle in 2013 and moving to left tackle this season. He played beside and learned from a pair of top-10 overall draft picks—Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews—and has the physical tools to be the best of the bunch.
Specifically, Ogbuehi has rare first-step quickness and lateral mobility, which pairs with his long, powerful arms to create the ideal skill set for a modern tackle. He's a versatile pass-blocker who can also get out and run block, and he's a master of Kevin Sumlin's offense.
4. DL Leonard Williams, USC
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Leonard Williams was a game-time decision at Stanford last weekend, struggling through pregame warm-ups on a shaky ankle that many thought would keep him off the field. Instead, he played and went for 11 tackles and one sack in the Trojans' 13-10 win, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors in the process.
That was just the latest in a long string of achievements for Williams, a 6'5", 300-pound specimen who is strong enough to play tackle and quick enough to play end. He's the leader of a solid USC defense and a likely top-five pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
3. Jameis Winston, Florida State
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His windup is a little too long, and his body doesn't cut a ripped figure, but those are nit-picky foibles to find. Jameis Winston's positives still jump off the page: that he led the country in QB rating last season (184.85); that he's never lost a game in his college career (16-0); that when his team is most in need of a play, he can summon a Heisman moment from thin air (see: this run against Oklahoma State).
The only thing keeping Winston from placing higher is…well, nothing that he can control. The two players ahead of him have both been around one year longer, giving them a bigger sample size. And the one quarterback ahead of Winston, despite having a great supporting cast in his own right, has had to do more on his own.
We're tired of talking about Winston after doing it ad nauseam all offseason, but there's a reason he was worth talking about ad nauseam in the first place. He's really, really, really good at football.
2. QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
50 of 51How good is Mariota? Go ask the Michigan State defense. According to Pro Football Focus, Mariota was the only offensive player with a positive grade above 1.0 against the Spartans last Saturday…and Oregon still put up 46 points!
Standing 6'4" with very good (but not great) arm strength and high-level accuracy and speed, Mariota has the physical tools of an NFL franchise quarterback. As he proved in leading Oregon back from a nine-point second-half deficit against what some considered the best defense in the country, he also has the mental acuity.
Unlike Winston, Mariota's throwing motion is smooth enough to function without adjustment at the next level. Both players get the ball where it needs to go, but Mariota's quick release allows him more time to stand in the pocket and read and react to the defense.
In college, that is useful. In the NFL, it's imperative. Either way, it's enough to slot Mariota just ahead of Winston.
For now.
1. RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
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Todd Gurley turned 15 carries and one kick return into 298 yards and four touchdowns against Clemson, making a defense billed as big and strong and fast appear small and weak and slow.
Throughout the offseason, I wrote that Gurley, when healthy, is the best player in college football, and he put to bed any concerns about his ankle in the lopsided win over the Tigers. He's a faster, more compact version of Marshawn Lynch—or, if you prefer, he's a smaller, less-built version of Adrian Peterson. Either way, that's a compliment.
It's hard comparing Gurley with players such as Winston, Mariota and Williams, the other primary candidates for the No. 1 spot on this list. They all play different roles for their teams, different positions.
In the end, it came down to a telling hypothetical: Your team is down four points and needs to make a play—offensive or defensive—on a 3rd-and-3 with the game on the line: Which player in the country would you most like to have on your roster?
Cases could be made for a long list of other players, and many of them would be strong. But me?
I'll run Gurley up the middle every time.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
