Every Power 5 Conference Team's Best Returning Player for the 2016 Season
Monday night, the 2015 season wrapped up in tremendous fashion with Alabama’s 45-40 national title-game win over Clemson. It was a fun end to what had been, at times, a lackluster bowl season, but it also reminded us how exciting college football can be.
It was also a reminder that college football is always changing. We’re less than one week away from the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft, which means new players will step into more prominent roles left behind by graduates and early departures. That doesn’t mean that the game will lose its talent, though. Far from it.
College football has plenty of special players left. Here’s a look at the most talented player remaining on each Power Five program. We did not include players who have declared for the draft, per NFL.com, and stats are from ESPN.com and programs’ official websites.
Alabama
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Alabama enjoyed a tremendous season that wrapped up Monday night, with its fourth national title in seven seasons, but that success comes with a price. Just as it did one year ago, the Crimson Tide are expected to sustain some early departures to the NFL draft, likely led by Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Derrick Henry and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. However, the cupboard is far from bare in Tuscaloosa, thanks to excellent recruiting.
This season, freshman receiver Calvin Ridley emerged as the top threat in Alabama’s passing game. He had 89 receptions for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns. Ridley has impressive speed and athleticism and got better as the season wore on. He should be even better with a summer to hone his craft.
Arizona
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Arizona had a disappointing 2015 season. The Wildcats slipped from a 10-win campaign, Pac-12 South title and Fiesta Bowl berth to a 7-6 record. But with coach Rich Rodriguez and some significant talent on board, there’s reason for hope in 2016. One large reason? Quarterback Anu Solomon, who’ll return to guide Arizona’s fast-paced offense.
Solomon saw his sophomore-year stats slump after missing two games and the better part of a third with injuries, but he still threw for 2,667 yards with 20 touchdowns against five interceptions. In addition, he raised his yards per attempt and completion percentage from 2014.
He has solid mobility (Solomon also rushed for 198 yards and three scores this fall) and will be one of the most experienced quarterbacks returning in the Pac-12. He’ll be a valuable asset with good leadership for Arizona in 2016.
Arizona State
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Arizona State took a step backward in 2015, going from consecutive 10-win seasons to a 6-7 campaign capped with a Cactus Bowl loss to West Virginia. The Sun Devils also lost offensive coordinator Mike Norvell, who left to become Memphis’ new head coach.
However, ASU coach Todd Graham still has some significant talent on hand. Start in the backfield, where tailback Demario Richard is coming off a breakthrough season. Richard was the team’s leading rusher, going for 1,031 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had seven 100-yard games and 32 receptions for 309 yards and three touchdowns.
Richard has speed and versatility, and he more than doubled his rushing yards from his freshman to sophomore season. He’ll be a centerpiece for ASU’s new offensive coordinator and a key part of the Sun Devils' scheme.
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Arkansas
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Arkansas is headed in the right direction under Bret Bielema. The Razorbacks have put together consecutive winning seasons capped by bowl wins over Big 12 foes, and the bar will likely be set even higher in 2016.
Clearing it won’t be easy. Steady senior quarterback Brandon Allen graduates, and talented tailbacks Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams (as well as tight end Hunter Henry) are all headed to the NFL. One key piece, however, does return in receiver Drew Morgan. He had just 10 receptions for 181 yards and a touchdown in his first two seasons but became a far more integral piece of Arkansas’ offense as a junior.
He had 63 catches for 843 yards and 10 touchdowns. His best game came in a wild 53-52 overtime win over Ole Miss, which saw him catch nine balls for 122 yards and three touchdowns. He has one season of college football left, and a 1,000-yard season is a reasonable goal if Arkansas has a capable quarterback.
Auburn
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Auburn had a season to forget in 2015. The Tigers, a popular preseason College Football Playoff pick, were highly disappointing. Gus Malzahn’s team never really found a quarterback and finished 7-6 with a Birmingham Bowl win over Memphis. Standout defensive coordinator Will Muschamp left the program after one season to take South Carolina’s head coaching job.
He was replaced by Kevin Steele, who’ll get a key piece back in defensive end Carl Lawson. He was a freshman All-American, making 20 tackles (7.5 for loss) in 2013. He missed the entire 2014 season after suffering a torn ACL and was also hampered by injuries this fall.
He suffered a hip injury in the opener against Louisville and missed the next six games. He finished 2015 with 17 tackles, 11 quarterback hurries and three tackles for loss. He is a talented pass-rusher who should be integral to Steele’s new scheme.
Baylor
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Even while shuffling through multiple quarterbacks due to injury, Baylor had one of the nation’s most productive offenses again this season, averaging 48.3 points per game, tops nationally. However, the Bears will take some hits from the NFL. Star wide receiver Corey Coleman has already declared for the NFL draft, and junior tailback Shock Linwood (who rushed for 1,329 yards) could do so as well.
But Baylor’s cupboard is hardly bare. Sophomore tailback Johnny Jefferson is talented, and he’s poised to break out if Linwood doesn’t return. Jefferson rushed for 1,000 yards and eight scores this season, and with Linwood sidelined for the Russell Athletic Bowl, he showed what he could do in a lead role.
Jefferson torched North Carolina for 299 yards and three touchdowns, ending the season with consecutive 150-yard rushing efforts. He averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and if he’s the main man in the backfield next fall, his numbers will rise significantly.
Boston College
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Boston College and coach Steve Addazio must be glad to see the calendar turn to 2016. Following consecutive bowl appearances, the Eagles took a clear step back in 2015. B.C. lost its final eight games and finished 3-9. Its defense was a strong point, however, allowing just 15.3 points per game, No. 4 nationally.
Junior linebacker Matt Milano was a big piece of that success. He had 18 tackles as a sophomore but moved into a starting role as a junior. He had 60 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He finished fourth all-time on the team in tackles for loss in a single season and was a third-team All-ACC selection, according to league coaches. He’ll be a key part of new defensive coordinator Jim Reid’s first B.C. defense.
Cal
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This season, Cal put together its best season under Sonny Dykes, rebounding from a 1-11 record three years ago to 8-5 this season with an Armed Forces Bowl win over Air Force. The Bears weren’t known for their defense, allowing 30.3 points per game (No. 88 nationally), but they will have to improve in 2016 after losing a raft of offensive players (including star quarterback Jared Goff and junior receiver Kenny Lawler) to either graduation or the NFL. In fact, Cal’s top six receivers will not return next season.
That puts the onus on the defense to get better. It starts with linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. The son of former NFL star Hardy Nickerson, he had 101 tackles this season and was the first Cal player to record 100 tackles in a season since Mychal Kendricks did so in 2011.
He’s Cal’s active leader in tackles and also has nine tackles for loss and two sacks on his career. He’ll be a cornerstone for the Bears defense next fall.
Clemson
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Clemson had a tremendous 2015 season, as Dabo Swinney’s Tigers finally broke through to national elite status. The Tigers finished 14-1 and fell just short of the program's first national title in 34 seasons.
There’s no doubt that Clemson will lose junior talent from this team, led by defensive end Shaq Lawson and likely followed by others, potentially including cornerback Mackensie Alexander, safety Jayron Kearse and more, per Aaron Brenner of the Post and Courier. But the Tigers should still be one of the nation’s top teams next fall.
After all, they return their best player: quarterback Deshaun Watson. He went from good to great in 2015, becoming the first player in college history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 in a single season. His 478 total yards were the most ever in a national title game.
He keyed Clemson’s College Football Playoff run. He is a multitalented threat who finished with five 100-yard rushing games and four 300-yard passing games, coming in third in Heisman Trophy voting. Watson will be a prime candidate to take home the stiff-arm trophy as a junior.
"No doubt about it—that's an easy answer for me," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told reporters, per ESPN.com's Ted Miller. "He's special."
Colorado
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Colorado struggled again in 2015, losing its final five games to finish 4-9. However, the Buffaloes showed signs of progress. A woeful defense in 2014 improved in 2015, cutting its points allowed from 39 to 27.5 and finishing No. 70 nationally in scoring defense.
A big key was junior defensive back Chidobe Awuzie, a highly versatile player. He played cornerback, safety and nickelback and even lined up as a pass-rusher on occasion. He had four sacks, broke up eight passes and made two interceptions. If the Buffs make the leap to a bowl team in 2016, he’ll lead the way.
Duke
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Duke coach David Cutcliffe is known for his work with quarterbacks such as Peyton and Eli Manning. Following a successful tenure at Ole Miss, Cutcliffe has breathed life into one of college football’s perennial doormats in Duke. His latest student? Thomas Sirk.
Sirk took the reins as Duke’s starting quarterback in 2015 and excelled in multiple ways. He threw for 2,625 yards with 16 touchdowns against eight interceptions, and he also rushed for 803 yards and eight touchdowns, serving as Duke’s leading rusher. In the Pinstripe Bowl win over Indiana, he had 155 yards and two scores on the ground. He’ll be a pivotal piece for the Blue Devils again this fall.
Florida
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While Jim McElwain’s first season as Florida head coach didn’t end the way he had hoped, the Gators did win 10 games and took the SEC East title. They wouldn’t have done so without a strong defense that helped prop up an inconsistent offense.
Florida will lose key pieces such as end Jon Bullard and Vernon Hargreaves, but it does return a first-team All-SEC cornerback in Jalen Tabor. He was just as good as Hargreaves this season, matching him with four interceptions. He also had a team-leading 14 pass breakups. In 2016, he’ll be the guy that SEC quarterbacks try to avoid.
Florida State
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Florida State’s offense missed a slew of players who left via the NFL draft and graduation in 2014, especially Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston. The Seminoles’ attack was inconsistent at best and a big reason why FSU slipped to 10-3. And there’s no telling how far it would have fallen without Dalvin Cook.
The Seminoles tailback turned into a superstar in his sophomore season. He rushed for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging an eye-popping 7.4 yards per carry. And he did so while battling hamstring and ankle injuries much of the season. Cook was a threat to score every time he touched the ball, and if he goes into 2016 healthy, his ceiling is high as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Georgia
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Georgia will begin a new era in 2016. While Mark Richt enjoyed a successful run, another 9-3 season coupled with another season that fell short of an SEC title was enough for UGA to cut ties. Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is the Bulldogs’ new leader, and they hope he can push the program back to national title contention.
One of the reasons for Georgia’s struggles in 2015 was the absence of standout tailback Nick Chubb. He rushed for 1,547 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman but missed the season’s final seven games after suffering a knee injury on the first snap against Tennessee.
He still rushed for 747 yards and seven touchdowns, rushing for at least 120 yards in each of the five full games he finished. If he’s healthy, he’ll be a key cog for Georgia’s offense and a potential Heisman Trophy candidate with a strong, powerful running style.
Georgia Tech
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Georgia Tech’s 2015 season took an ugly turn following an 11-win, ACC Coastal-winning campaign in 2014. The Yellow Jackets lost serious offensive talent, and it showed, as they slipped to 3-9. Quarterback Justin Thomas was a key to the 2014 success, but his stats dipped as a junior. He went from 1,745 yards passing and 18 touchdowns against six interceptions to 1,345 yards passing and 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
His rushing stats also fell, dropping from 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns to 488 and six scores. Thomas is clearly talented, however, and he’ll be a part of any potential Tech renaissance in 2016.
Illinois
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Illinois went through a turbulent season in 2015. With coach Tim Beckman getting fired two weeks before the season began, interim coach Bill Cubit led the Fighting Illini to a 5-7 record, just short of postseason eligibility. He was rewarded for his success with the full-time role. Illinois’ offense was inconsistent, but the Illini will get a key piece back in receiver Mike Dudek.
Dudek was one of the top receivers in the Big Ten as a freshman in 2014, making 76 receptions for 1,038 yards and six scores. But he suffered a torn ACL, which scuttled his sophomore season before it began. Dudek should be healthy and will add a new dimension for quarterback Wes Lunt and the passing game.
Indiana
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Indiana had a positive season in 2015, despite a Pinstripe Bowl loss to Duke in overtime. The Hoosiers made a bowl, and that’s big for Kevin Wilson’s program and its overall progress.
The Hoosiers did so with a talented offense. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld was healthy for a full season, and that was a huge boost. His favorite target? Sophomore receiver Simmie Cobbs Jr.
Cobbs went from 114 receiving yards as a freshman to 1,035 in his second collegiate season, hauling in 60 catches with four touchdowns. He led IU in both receptions and receiving yardage and had four 100-yard receiving days in his final seven games, including a nine-catch, 192-yard effort in a rout of Maryland. He’ll be a great piece for IU’s offense in 2016 and beyond.
Iowa
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Iowa was one of the biggest surprises of the 2015 season, going from an ugly 7-6 mark to a Big Ten West title and winding up 22 seconds short of winning the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes defense was much-improved, and credit goes to the secondary, keyed by junior cornerback Desmond King.
King put up 72 tackles and eight interceptions (tied for the national lead) and won unanimous All-America honors as well as the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive backs. He considered the NFL but announced that he will return for his senior season. That’s a huge boost to Iowa’s hopes of repeating its success in 2016.
Iowa State
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Iowa State finally ran out of patience with Paul Rhoads, sacking him following a 3-9 season that ended with a pair of late-game meltdowns. New coach Matt Campbell faces a tough task in turning around the Cyclones’ fortunes, but he doesn’t inherit a totally empty roster.
In his freshman season, Mike Warren emerged as one of the top backs in the Big 12. He rushed for 1,339 yards with five touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He had six 100-yard rushing efforts, including a 245-yard day against Texas Tech.
If Campbell can find the right way to use Warren in his offense, the sky is the limit for him in 2016.
Kansas
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Highlights were few and far between for Kansas football in 2015. David Beaty’s first season started with a loss to FCS foe South Dakota State and never got much better. The Jayhawks finished with an 0-12 record, joining Central Florida as the only winless teams in FBS.
One positive? Safety Fish Smithson. He had an excellent first season as a starter for Kansas’ defense. He had a Big 12-leading 111 tackles and also averaged 7.9 solo tackles per game, which led the NCAA. He finished the season with six consecutive 10-tackle games; he was the only defensive back in the nation to accomplish that feat and the first Kansas player to do so since 1990.
Kansas has a long road ahead under Beaty, but Smithson’s play is a shining beacon forward.
Kansas State
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Kansas State suffered through an uneven season under coach Bill Snyder. The Wildcats scraped into a bowl at 6-6 by winning their final three regular-season games, but Arkansas blew them out of the Liberty Bowl 45-23.
K-State’s defense is in need of improvement, allowing 30.3 points per game, No. 90 nationally. Snyder’s defense does have one excellent piece in linebacker Elijah Lee, though. Lee had a great sophomore season. In his first season as a starter, he made 75 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He’ll be a cornerstone for the defense moving forward.
Kentucky
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2015 was an exercise in frustration for Kentucky football. For the second consecutive season, the Wildcats blew a lead to Louisville, finishing 5-7 and just short of a bowl game. Coach Mike Stoops shook up his staff, including hiring new co-offensive coordinators in Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw.
Gran and Hinshaw will be starting a new quarterback after Patrick Towles’ transfer, but they do have an excellent building block in tailback Stanley “Boom” Williams. He rushed for 855 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry, despite missing two games.
If Williams can lower the “boom” on opposing defenses even more in 2016, it could be the difference between the postseason and another winter at home.
Louisville
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Louisville ended the second season of coach Bobby Petrino’s second stint at the Cardinals’ helm in positive fashion. Louisville won six of its last seven games, including a Music City Bowl win over Texas A&M, to finish 8-5 and create excellent momentum for 2016.
A young roster that will bring plenty of talent back will only add to the optimism. Louisville’s defense allowed 24.3 points per game and should be even better next fall. Linebacker Keith Kelsey will be a key piece of that unit. Kelsey led Louisville with 100 tackles, finishing eighth in the ACC. He had five games of making double-digit tackles, posting 15 against Houston and 14 against Virginia, and was a first-team All-ACC coaches’ selection.
LSU
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Much was expected of Leonard Fournette when he stepped on LSU’s campus as the nation’s consensus top recruit in 2014. He has delivered and then some. The sophomore went from good to great in his second collegiate season, emerging as a superstar and a strong Heisman Trophy candidate.
Fournette rushed for at least 150 yards in each of LSU’s first seven games, and while he fell out of the Heisman race after rushing for a total of 122 yards in losses to Alabama and Arkansas, he finished the year strong, gashing Texas Tech for 212 yards and four scores in a Texas Bowl win.
He finished with 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Only the cancellation of LSU’s season opener against McNeese State kept him from rushing for 2,000-plus yards, but that gives Fournette something to shoot for in what should be his final collegiate season. He’s a dynamic, fast and powerful back and one of the players every college football fan should watch.
Maryland
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There wasn’t a lot to get excited about regarding Maryland football this fall, which is a big reason why the Terrapins have a new head coach in former Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. He has some building ahead, but he will have a dynamic building block for his defense and special teams in William Likely.
Likely is one of the most exciting players in the Big Ten. He led the nation this season with 1,197 kick-return yards and was named to the FWAA All-America first team as a kick returner. He was also named first-team All-Big Ten. He finished the season with three return touchdowns (two on punts and one on kickoff, a 100-yard return at Iowa). He has also been a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a defensive back the past two seasons.
This year, he had 44 tackles, 11 pass breakups, four tackles for loss and three fumbles. He’s a difference-maker in multiple ways for Maryland.
Miami
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This season, one of the biggest factors in Mark Richt’s struggles at Georgia was an unstable quarterback situation. That won’t be the case with his new job at Miami. Richt inherits one of the ACC’s best quarterbacks in Brad Kaaya.
Kaaya is a natural pro-style quarterback and should be a perfect fit for Richt’s offense. He threw for 3,238 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions as a sophomore and won ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 2014. He’ll be a natural piece for Richt to build a new system around in his first season in Coral Gables.
Michigan
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As it turned out, Jabrill Peppers was worth the wait for Michigan. He entered college in 2014 with plenty of hype, but nagging leg injuries led to a redshirt season. That was good fortune for Jim Harbaugh and his staff. Peppers emerged as a force all over the field in 2015 in Harbaugh’s first season.
Peppers was selected as the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year and was a first-team Freshman All-America choice, per the Football Writers Association of America. He had 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups. He also contributed on offense, recording 18 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns as well as eight receptions for 79 yards.
In addition, he averaged 27.9 yards per kick return and 11.4 yards per punt return. He’ll be a difference-maker in multiple spots in 2016, too.
Michigan State
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Michigan State has some serious holes to fill following a 12-2 season that ended with a College Football Playoff bid. Senior quarterback Connor Cook, senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun and junior left tackle Jack Conklin will be among those who won’t return to East Lansing.
However, the Spartans still have plenty of talent on hand. It’ll be time for the likes of defensive end Malik McDowell to earn an even bigger share of the spotlight. McDowell was a second-team All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore after making 37 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and tallied five quarterback hurries.
In short, McDowell was a defensive force. And he’ll be even tougher for Big Ten offensive lines to stop as a junior.
Minnesota
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Minnesota had a difficult season that saw the Gophers endure the midseason retirement of coach Jerry Kill due to health issues and finish the regular season with a 5-7 season. But they finished strong, earning a bowl bid due to an NCAA waiver and defeating Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl to end up 6-7.
They’ll look to build on that mark in 2016, and quarterback Mitch Leidner will be a huge factor if the improvement happens. Leidner threw for 2,701 yards with 14 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and rushed for 270 yards and six touchdowns. His skills make him a tough cover for Big Ten defenders.
Mississippi State
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Mississippi State has emerged as a solid SEC West force. The Bulldogs finished 9-4 following a Belk Bowl win over N.C. State but will sustain some serious NFL and graduation losses, including quarterback Dak Prescott, wideout De’Runnya Wilson and linebacker Beniquez Brown.
That makes Richie Brown’s presence even more important. Brown had an excellent first season as a starter, rolling up 109 tackles (the first MSU player to do so since 2012) and 13 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and an interception. He was an impact player, leading the Bulldogs in tackles, and will be a strong bet to anchor the defense in 2016.
Missouri
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Missouri took a step back following consecutive SEC East titles, struggling to a 5-7 record in Gary Pinkel’s final season thanks to a poor offense. New coach Barry Odom was promoted from the defensive coordinator position, and he leaves behind some significant talent.
Defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. was a FWAA Freshman All-American, and sophomore Charles Harris continued Mizzou’s strong defensive end tradition. With Shane Ray and Markus Golden gone, Harris became a star. He had 56 tackles, an SEC-leading 18.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in his first season as a starter, establishing himself as one of the league’s toughest defensive ends to block. He was a second-team All-SEC selection, and there’s room to grow on a talented defense.
Nebraska
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Nebraska suffered through an uneven season in Mike Riley’s first year at the Cornhuskers’ helm. The Huskers defeated UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl but still finished 6-7 while losing five games by five points or less.
Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. was inconsistent, throwing 22 touchdowns against 16 interceptions, but he found an excellent top target in receiver Jordan Westerkamp, who led Nebraska with 65 receptions for 918 yards and seven touchdowns.
He had three games with at least nine receptions and 100-plus yards and was a bright spot for an offense that suffered through some tough times. He’ll be a cornerstone again in 2016.
North Carolina
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North Carolina enjoyed one of the nation’s biggest turnarounds in 2015. The Tar Heels rebounded in a huge way from a 6-7 season in 2014, fashioning an 11-game win streak and making it all the way to the ACC title game before falling 45-37 to Clemson.
Larry Fedora’s group won with offense, and while senior quarterback Marquise Williams was impressive, tailback Elijah Hood enjoyed a season worth remembering. Hood rushed for 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns, piling up eight 100-yard rushing efforts, including a 220-yard, two-touchdown day against N.C. State.
While Williams has played his final game at North Carolina, Hood will be a focal point for the offense in 2016.
North Carolina State
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N.C. State is moving in the right direction under coach Dave Doeren. The Wolfpack lost the Belk Bowl to Mississippi State but have two consecutive winning seasons. The offense averaged 33.7 points per game and was one of the nation’s top 40 scoring offenses.
Sophomore tight end Jaylen Samuels had a breakout season. He had 65 receptions for 597 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 368 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He contributed in multiple ways and will do so again next fall with a new quarterback under center, as Jacoby Brissett has graduated.
Northwestern
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Northwestern’s season ended in disappointing fashion with a 45-6 loss to Tennessee, but there’s no question that the Wildcats had an impressive 2015. After consecutive 5-7 seasons, Northwestern finished 10-3. The ‘Cats wouldn’t have done it without a dominant defense that finished in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense.
The heart of that defense was sophomore linebacker Anthony Walker, who enjoyed a breakout season in the middle of the defense. He was a first-team All-American, per the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated, and a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection. He had 122 tackles and 20.5 tackles for loss (second-best nationally), which included a 19-tackle effort against Duke.
NU’s defense should be solid again in 2016, and Walker will lead the way by making plays all over the field.
Notre Dame
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Despite a Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State, Notre Dame had a solid 10-3 season. The Fighting Irish rebounded from a down 2014 season, with the only losses coming to the Buckeyes, to Stanford (on a final-play field goal) and Clemson (after a last-ditch two-point try failed). The Irish had their share of adversity, with starting quarterback Malik Zaire going down in the season’s second game at Virginia with a season-ending broken ankle.
However, backup DeShone Kizer emerged as a star. He was unflappable in leading the Irish to a New Year’s Six bowl bid. Kizer threw for 2,884 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and rushed for 520 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll be a key piece of Notre Dame’s plans going forward, without question.
Ohio State
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Ohio State fell just short of a second consecutive national title, with a 17-14 loss to Michigan State registering as the only blemish in a 12-1 season. The Buckeyes will lose serious talent from this roster; nine players, led by tailback Ezekiel Elliott and defensive end Joey Bosa, declared early for the draft. But don’t make the mistake of thinking Urban Meyer’s cupboard is bare. Plenty of talent remains in Columbus, and it’s led by quarterback J.T. Barrett.
Barrett had an outstanding freshman season that ended in the regular-season finale when he broke an ankle against Michigan, and he spent all summer battling Cardale Jones for the starting role. Jones won the battle, at least initially, and started the season under center.
Barrett reclaimed the job in the season’s second half and threw for 992 yards with 11 touchdowns against four interceptions, adding 682 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground as Ohio State's second-leading rusher. His mix of skills makes him hard for opposing defenses to contain, and his stats will improve significantly with a full season starting under center.
Oklahoma
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While Oklahoma’s season ended with an Orange Bowl defeat to Clemson, the Sooners made a tremendous run from 8-5 to 11-2 and a College Football Playoff berth. New offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid scheme deserves credit, but so does transfer quarterback Baker Mayfield, who injected life and grit into the Sooners scheme.
Mayfield threw for 3,700 yards with 36 touchdowns against seven interceptions and added 405 yards and seven scores on the ground. He had six 300-yard passing games and proved a mobile, tough-to-tackle presence in the pocket. Texas Tech has to wonder how Mayfield got away, but Oklahoma is just glad he showed up on campus.
Oklahoma State
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A good season for Oklahoma State didn’t end the way the Cowboys wanted. OSU began the year 10-0 but finished 0-3, including a 48-20 Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss. That said, Mike Gundy clearly found his starting quarterback.
One year after having his redshirt pulled in November, Mason Rudolph developed nicely in his first full year as the Cowboys starter. He threw for 3,770 yards with 21 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He topped 400 yards three times, including a 437-yard day against Kansas State. And it’s clear the best is ahead for Rudolph and the Cowboys offense.
Ole Miss
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Chad Kelly is proof that second chances can work. Kelly was dismissed from Clemson following an on-field disagreement with coaches during the Tigers’ spring game but landed at Ole Miss following a successful season at a Mississippi junior college.
Kelly won the Rebels’ starting job early in the season and never let go, leading Ole Miss to a 10-win season capped by a Sugar Bowl rout of Oklahoma State. He threw for 4,042 yards with 31 touchdowns against 13 interceptions and also showed life with his legs, adding 500 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
With left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell off to the NFL, Kelly will have to take on an even more important role on Ole Miss’ offense. He showed this fall he’s ready for just that.
Oregon
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For the past two seasons, much of the focus in Oregon’s offense has been on the quarterbacks—first Heisman Trophy-winning Marcus Mariota and this season graduate transfer Vernon Adams. But the Ducks’ scheme is based around a stout running game, which is where Royce Freeman comes in.
Freeman was one of the nation’s best tailbacks as a freshman and was even better as a sophomore, rushing for 1,836 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and also had 26 receptions for 348 yards and two scores.
Freeman runs with speed and power and has the look of a future No. 1 back in the NFL. No matter who Oregon’s QB is in 2016, Freeman will be a foundation for the offense.
Oregon State
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There were surely times this fall when Gary Andersen wondered what he’d gotten into. He bolted from Wisconsin to replace Mike Riley at Oregon State, but his return to the West Coast was often ugly. Oregon State lost its final nine games of the season to finish 2-10, winding up with the nation’s No. 114 scoring offense and No. 115 scoring defense. Highlights were few and far between, but one of them was junior middle linebacker Rommel Mageo.
Mageo, who had spent much of his first two years as a reserve, stepped into a starting role as a junior and was productive. Mageo made 23 tackles as a sophomore but improved significantly as a starter.
He rolled up 87 tackles, adding two sacks and two interceptions. The tackles led OSU’s roster, and the sacks and tackles tied for the team lead. The Beavers have plenty of work ahead, but Mageo is a solid starting point for the rebuilding process.
Penn State
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Following a 7-6 season, Penn State’s offense faces a new direction after junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg opted to go to the NFL. The Nittany Lions have questions at quarterback, but the new signal-caller will have options in the passing game.
Sophomore Chris Godwin emerged as a standout in his second season of college football. Godwin pulled down 69 receptions for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns, serving as the Lions’ leading receiver. He had five 100-yard receiving days in PSU’s final seven games, including an 11-catch, 109-yard, two-touchdown effort against Michigan State.
Godwin must build chemistry with a new quarterback, but he’ll be a valuable offensive option in 2016.
Pittsburgh
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Pitt entered 2015 with a solid running game. The Panthers returned the ACC Player of the Year in tailback James Conner—one of the nation’s top runners and a physical, bruising specimen. But Conner suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener against Youngstown State and later announced he had Hodgkin lymphoma.
With Conner out, the carries went to freshman Qadree Ollison, who immediately proved his coaches’ faith in him.
Ollison rushed for 207 yards in his collegiate debut against Youngstown State and rolled up 1,048 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground over the season. He had five 100-yard rushing games, including a 152-yard effort against Louisville. Assuming Conner returns healthy next fall, Pitt will have a productive backfield duo for 2016.
Purdue
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Head coach Darrell Hazell just isn’t getting it done at Purdue. Following a 2-10 record in 2015, Hazell will enter this season firmly on the hot seat with a 6-30 record in three seasons with the Boilermakers. He needs young talent, and the Boilers’ roster does offer one key piece in freshman tailback Markell Jones.
Jones emerged as Purdue’s leading rusher, rolling up 875 yards with 10 touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Jones rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan State and finished with touchdowns in each of his last three games.
That’s the kind of production that Hazell will need much more of if he hopes to keep his job in West Lafayette.
Rutgers
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Following a tumultuous 3-9 season that ended with Kyle Flood’s firing, Rutgers is something of a reclamation project for new coach Chris Ash. However, Flood did leave some pieces behind for Ash to work with. One of the most impressive is playmaking receiver Janarion Grant.
Grant was a second-team All-Big Ten return specialist. He led the Big Ten with three kickoff-return scores and added a punt-return score. He became the first player in Rutgers history to return a kickoff and punt for scores in the same game against Washington State, and he finished the season as Rutgers’ all-time kick-return yardage leader.
He also had 35 receptions for 352 yards and a touchdown and is poised to have an even bigger role in Rutgers’ offense in 2016.
South Carolina
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Will Muschamp takes over at South Carolina, and Steve Spurrier left him some work. The Gamecocks put together three consecutive 11-win seasons from 2011 to 2013 but fell off badly at the end of Spurrier’s tenure, dropping to 3-9 in 2015.
Muschamp does have a solid building block for his defense in linebacker Skai Moore, though. Moore had a tremendous junior season, notching 111 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions. He is the first South Carolina player to reach the 100-tackle mark since 2006, and he recorded the second-highest tackle total by a Gamecock in the past 25 years. He is an aggressive, productive player who makes plays all over the field.
Muschamp does wonders with defense, and he’s surely happy to have Moore at his disposal.
Southern California
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Southern California went through an up-and-down season that ended with a Pac-12 South title, but the Trojans have clear hope for the future with a talented roster. Their most talented player? Sophomore cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. He is one of the most versatile, talented players in college football, and he showed it this season.
Jackson contributed all over the field. He was a starting cornerback with 35 tackles and an interception, caught 27 passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver and returned kicks and punts, taking two punts back for touchdowns. It’s hard to imagine another player in America who is as consistently valuable to his team as Jackson is. He is a special player, and if college football writers are smart, he’ll be a dark-horse Heisman Trophy pick in 2016.
Stanford
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Stanford recovered from a down 8-5 season to win its third Pac-12 title in four years and rip Iowa in the Rose Bowl, finishing with a 12-2 record. In the process, America found out about Christian McCaffrey.
For much of the season, McCaffrey’s exploits were a secret known only to those who watched late-night Pac-12 football from the West Coast. Eventually, however, the secret got out. McCaffrey finished with 2,019 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and was also Stanford’s leading receiver with 45 receptions for 645 yards and five scores.
McCaffrey was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and validated it in the Rose Bowl, torching Iowa’s defense. He carried 18 times for 172 yards, caught four passes for 105 yards (including a 75-yard score on the game’s first play) and also returned a punt for a touchdown.
He is one of college football’s most exciting players. The best part? He has at least one more year left in college football.
Syracuse
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Call him Ishmael. Call him Syracuse’s leading receiver. Steve Ishmael will answer to either name. The Orange suffered through an ugly 4-8 season that ended with Scott Shafer’s ouster as head coach, but Ishmael had a solid sophomore season.
He made 39 receptions for 570 yards and seven touchdowns, emerging as Syracuse’s clear No. 1 receiver. With new coach Dino Babers’ commitment to an uptempo system, Ishmael has the opportunity to make a real difference in the offense as a junior.
TCU
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TCU will suffer serious losses from one of the nation’s most powerful offenses, including star quarterback Trevone Boykin, standout receiver Josh Doctson and leading rusher Aaron Green. But don’t expect the Horned Frogs to lose all of their firepower.
Wonder why? Look no further than freshman receiver KaVontae Turpin, who is poised to be TCU’s next great offensive star. He finished with 45 receptions for 649 yards and eight touchdowns as the Frogs’ No. 2 receiver behind Doctson.
He surpassed 100 yards twice, including an incredible six-reception, 138-yard, four-touchdown game against Texas. Turpin is a big-play wideout, and the sky is the limit for him, especially as the top option in the passing game.
Tennessee
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Tennessee is trending upward under coach Butch Jones. The Volunteers followed their first winning season since 2010 with another victorious campaign, finishing the season with a 45-6 Outback Bowl thrashing of Northwestern.
The Vols and Jones have excellent young talent, and it is exemplified by tailback Jalen Hurd. He took the next step in his development as a sophomore, rushing for 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards six times, including in the final three games. Hurd is a powerful runner who should be even better as a junior.
Texas
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Charlie Strong will begin the 2016 season under pressure in Austin. Following a disappointing 6-7 debut season, the Longhorns were even worse in 2015, finishing 5-7 and missing a bowl game. He’ll need a strong effort this fall and needs his defense to take another step forward.
Malik Jefferson gives Strong and Texas fans reason for optimism. The true freshman linebacker quickly became one of the Longhorns’ best players and one of the best freshmen in America. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a freshman All-American by Sporting News and USA Today.
Jefferson piled up 61 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six pressures, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown. He has tremendous potential and should only improve as a sophomore and beyond.
Texas A&M
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These are strange times in College Station. In the wake of a disappointing 8-5 season, quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen both transferred, and coach Kevin Sumlin moved on from offensive coordinator Jake Spavital in favor of Noel Mazzone.
But the Aggies do have one of the nation’s best pass-rushers staring down left tackles. Myles Garrett developed into a true power as a sophomore defensive end. He made 59 tackles, piled up 19.5 tackles for loss and notched 12.5 sacks along, with 10 quarterback hurries.
Garrett was nearly unblockable this season, and he has great power and speed. He’ll be an asset for A&M next fall and should be a high NFL draft pick in 2017.
Texas Tech
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Texas Tech rebounded from a 4-8 record in 2014, making the Texas Bowl and finishing 7-6 following a loss to LSU. The Red Raiders' defense was porous, but an offense led by sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes kept them in games.
Tech’s offense ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring offense, and Mahomes was the engine that made it go. He threw for 4,653 yards with 36 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. He surpassed 300 yards passing 10 times and 400 yards four times, throwing for 480 yards in a loss to Oklahoma State.
Tech’s defense needs improvement, but the Raiders’ offensive scheme will make them a Big 12 factor with Mahomes at the helm.
UCLA
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UCLA began the season as a College Football Playoff contender. The Bruins ended it 8-5 following a Foster Farms Bowl loss to Nebraska. That’s the definition of a disappointing season, but Jim Mora did find his quarterback of the future in Josh Rosen.
Rosen, a spring early enrollee, grabbed the starting role in spring practice and never let go. He finished with 3,670 yards and 23 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and exhibited serious poise. He exceeded 300 yards in six of his 13 starts and displayed signs of being a star pocket passer. It’ll be fun to watch him develop in 2016.
Utah
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From 2010-12, Star Lotulelei excelled at Utah as a first-team All-American defensive tackle, earning a first-round selection from the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Now, younger brother Lowell Lotulelei is carrying on the family tradition.
Lowell, who measures 6’2”, 302 pounds, is a force for Utah’s defensive line. This season, he made 26 tackles, one sack and five tackles for loss while anchoring the Utes’ line. He is an excellent run-stuffer who can chase down opposing passers, too, and was named first-team All-Pac 12. He’ll be a key factor in Utah’s hopes of continuing a strong run that includes 19 wins over the last two seasons.
Vanderbilt
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Vanderbilt took a step forward in coach Derek Mason’s second season, improving to 4-8 and generally playing more competitive football. The Commodores are not as talented as their SEC brethren, but they can compete in spots.
One of those is at running back, where Ralph Webb is the program’s most talented offensive piece. He built on a solid freshman season with his first 1,000-yard campaign, rushing for 1,152 yards and five touchdowns. He surpassed 100 yards four times, three against SEC competition. One of his best games came in the regular-season finale against Tennessee, which saw him carry 21 times for 149 yards. It’s a solid base for what he hopes is an even better junior season.
Virginia
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Virginia made an excellent hire by grabbing Bronco Mendenhall away from BYU to replace Mike London. The Cavaliers have work to do on offense following a 4-8 season, but Mendenhall has to be happy about the talent he inherits on defense.
Safety Quin Blanding is excellent, and linebacker Micah Kiser emerged as a star in 2015. Kiser had just 15 tackles as a freshman but played all over the field as a sophomore. He piled up 117 tackles (including 82 on rushing plays) and led the ACC in tackles, finishing No. 17 nationally. He recorded double-digit tackles in seven games, making a career-high 17 tackles against Duke. That should give UVA fans hope for what Mendenhall hopes to build.
Virginia Tech
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Virginia Tech sent veteran coach Frank Beamer out a winner with a high-scoring Independence Bowl win over Tulsa. It was the perfect way to end Beamer’s career and begin the Justin Fuente era in Blacksburg.
Fuente is surely pleased with some of the talent that he’ll be able to use for his fast-paced scheme, especially Isaiah Ford. He emerged as a star in 2015, recording 75 receptions for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns and improving on all of his freshman numbers (56 receptions, 709 yards, and six scores).
He finished strong, closing with three consecutive 100-yard receiving games, including a 12-catch, 227-yard, one-touchdown effort in the Independence Bowl. What will he accomplish in Fuente’s system next fall? ACC defenses shudder at the thought.
Wake Forest
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It’s not easy being Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons’ 2006 ACC title seems a long ways away, especially after a 3-9 mark in Dave Clawson’s second season at the helm. The Deacons need more talent on both sides of the ball to contend in an ACC Atlantic Division that includes powers Clemson and Florida State.
What they need are more players like cornerback Brad Watson. He earned second-team All-ACC honors following a solid season with 72 tackles, two interceptions, 18 passes defended and 16 pass breakups. He can build on those numbers and will enter his senior year as a leader for Wake Forest’s defense.
Washington
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Every team needs a great homegrown leader, the kind of guy who hangs around and makes his local team better. For Washington, that guy is safety Budda Baker.
The Bellevue, Washington, native turned into a star in his sophomore season. He was a standout free safety for the defense, making 42 tackles and two interceptions. He led the Pac-12’s best defense and anchored the secondary—all while playing locally. Not bad, right?
Washington State
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Mike Leach has to feel much more secure about his future at Washington State following the 2015 season. Following an ugly 3-9 season in 2014, the Cougars rebounded to 9-4, capping the season with a Sun Bowl win over Miami.
The biggest key? The emergence of sophomore quarterback Luke Falk. He impressed in his first season as a full-time starter, throwing for 4,561 yards with 38 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Falk threw an incredible 644 times and surpassed 400 passing yards in a game five times and 500 twice, playing in 12 of WSU’s 13 games.
The Air Raid scheme is a perfect fit for Falk’s throw, throw, throw style. Can he surpass 5,000 yards passing? It’s certainly possible, and Falk has two years left to try to hit that mark.
West Virginia
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West Virginia showed some progress in 2015, finishing 8-5 following a wild Cactus Bowl win over Arizona State. Dana Holgorsen will get another season in Morgantown, although he’ll lose productive back Wendell Smallwood to the NFL draft.
Holgorsen does bring back a highly talented receiver, however, in sophomore Shelton Gibson. He broke out in a big way this fall, going from four catches and 60 yards as a freshman to 37 receptions for 887 yards and nine scores in his sophomore season. He finished strong, making four catches for 143 yards and a touchdown in the Cactus Bowl.
Gibson should be a primary focus of West Virginia’s offense as a junior, and for good reason. He’s earned it.
Wisconsin
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It’s safe to say that Corey Clement’s 2015 season didn’t go the way he’d hoped. After Melvin Gordon departed, Clement was expected to pick up the slack in Wisconsin’s backfield following a 949-yard sophomore campaign.
It never really got going, however. He was hampered by injuries, missing nine games and finishing with 221 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a meager 3.5 yards per carry. Clement will get one more chance to get it right at Wisconsin. He has talent, as an 11-carry, 115-yard, three-touchdown effort against Rutgers showed. He just needs to stay on the field and display it for Paul Chryst’s offense.
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