College Football's 25 Most Indispensable Players for 2016 Season
Every college football team has “that guy." You know him. The guy who, if he limps slowly off the field, prompts a phrase from announcers and fans alike: “They can’t afford to lose that guy.” He's a unique, special, talented player, the kind of guy whose contributions are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate.
In a word, these players are indispensable. They have game-changing talent, and without them, the outlook will change for their teams. Here’s a look at the 25 most indispensable players in college football. We ranked them after considering their track record, talents and overall value to their team.
25. Baylor WR KD Cannon
1 of 25
Baylor has one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, and the Bears have talented quarterbacks in Seth Russell and Jarrett Stidham. However, the Bears will be doing some reloading in their receiver corps. Leading receiver Corey Coleman bolted for the NFL after piling up 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns, and No. 3 receiver Jay Lee also graduated.
That leaves KD Cannon as the clear leader of a young group. Cannon caught 50 passes for 868 yards and six scores as a sophomore, slipping a bit from a 1,030-yard freshman season. Baylor needs him to be a productive force. If the Bears are forced to play without him, the offense could go through some serious growing pains.
24. Southern California WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
2 of 25
New Southern California coach Clay Helton has yet to announce a starting quarterback between Max Browne and Sam Darnold. One thing Helton doesn’t have to worry about this fall? His top receiver. JuJu Smith-Schuster broke out as a lead receiver last fall, making 89 catches for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns.
That said, there’s reason for concern if something happens to Smith-Schuster. Last fall, the Trojans’ No. 2 receiver, uber-talented Adoree' Jackson, is a part-time wideout who is also a starting cornerback. Steven Mitchell Jr. had 37 catches for 335 yards and four scores, but those aren’t the numbers of a lead receiver. At least not yet.
23. Northwestern LB Anthony Walker
3 of 25
Northwestern enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2015. Pat Fitzgerald’s team erased the memory of consecutive 5-7 seasons with a 10-3 campaign that included an Outback Bowl berth. The Wildcats dominated on defense, finishing in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense.
The key to that defense? Sophomore linebacker Anthony Walker. He enjoyed a breakout season in the middle of NU’s 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, but only if it gets a similar effort from Walker.
22. Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs
4 of 25
Tennessee is a program on the rise. Following consecutive bowl campaigns, the Volunteers hope to return to national prominence under Butch Jones’ watch this fall. They should be the favorite to win the SEC East and challenge for an SEC title this season.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs is a huge reason why. He is a cool, calm, collected, experienced leader for the offense. Last fall, he passed for 2,291 yards with 15 touchdowns against five interceptions and added 671 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He can move the ball with his arm or his legs and doesn’t get rattled.
However, the Vols have little experienced depth behind him. Quinten Dormady threw for 209 yards and a touchdown in limited action last fall, but he’s not someone Tennessee wants to rely on in crucial situations.
21. Alabama WR Calvin Ridley
5 of 25
For the third time in as many springs, Alabama went through a quarterback competition. Blake Barnett, David Cornwell and Cooper Bateman are battling for the starting role left behind by Jake Coker. But no matter who emerges, the Crimson Tide know their best wide receiver will be Calvin Ridley.
Last fall, Ridley filled the void left behind by Amari Cooper, making 89 receptions for 1,045 yards and seven scores. Along with tight end O.J. Howard, he’s one of the most talented skill players on Alabama’s offense. If something happens to him, ArDarius Stewart (who had 63 receptions for 700 yards and four scores last fall) will become a more crucial cog, but the Tide need Ridley to help break in the new signal-caller in positive fashion.
20. Michigan State DT Malik McDowell
6 of 25
Michigan State used a strong defensive line to power its breakthrough College Football Playoff season. The Spartan front four was downright nasty, led by defensive end Shilique Calhoun. However, Calhoun and two other starters have graduated, leaving defensive tackle Malik McDowell as the only returning D-line starter.
Last fall, McDowell came into his own, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors after making 37 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and racked up five quarterback hurries.
This fall, with a less experienced line around him, it’ll be on McDowell to lead and carry on State’s strong line tradition. If he doesn’t take a leap forward, it’ll be hard for MSU to maintain its status as a Big Ten power.
19. Miami QB Brad Kaaya
7 of 25
Miami was thrilled to land Mark Richt as its new coach, and Richt got a lovely housewarming present when he arrived in South Florida: junior quarterback Brad Kaaya. He is one of the ACC’s best quarterbacks and could develop into one of the nation’s best.
Last fall, Kaaya stood out in an occasionally unstable offense, throwing for 3,238 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. He is a natural pocket passer who can use his feet when necessary. His backup, Malik Rosier, is untested. Rosier threw for 338 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions as a freshman, completing 50.9 percent of his passes.
Miami’s hopes of making a run in the ACC Coastal will ride on Kaaya. Should Richt and Co. have to rely on Rosier, the Hurricanes could be in trouble.
18. North Carolina RB Elijah Hood
8 of 25
North Carolina had an excellent 2015 season. The Tar Heels rebounded from a 6-7 record to finish 11-3 with an ACC Coastal Division title. However, the Heels must hope that new quarterback Mitch Trubisky can replicate the production of graduated starter Marquise Williams. He threw for 3,010 yards and 24 touchdowns while adding 948 yards and 13 rushing scores on the ground.
That will put added pressure on Carolina’s ground game, led by Elijah Hood, who rushed for 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns. Backup T.J. Logan rushed for 400 yards and five touchdowns and has experience. But a player with Hood’s power, speed and production would be tough to replace.
17. Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph
9 of 25
Despite ending 2015 with a three-game losing streak that included a 28-point Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss, 2015 was a good year for Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State. The Cowboys won 10 games and stayed in the conversation for a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff berth until mid-November.
And 2016 could be even better. Oklahoma State returns 17 starters, and that includes junior quarterback Mason Rudolph. He thrived in his first full season as a starter, passing for 3,770 yards with 21 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He topped 400 yards three times, including a 437-yard day against Kansas State.
With all five starting offensive linemen and 1,000-yard receiver James Washington returning this fall, Rudolph has big potential. However, with backup J.W. Walsh’s graduation, there’s precious little experience behind him. Taylor Cornelius completed two of five passes for eight yards as a freshman. As Rudolph goes, so go the Cowboys in 2016.
16. UCLA QB Josh Rosen
10 of 25
Although UCLA slipped to 8-5 following a pair of 10-win seasons in 2015, Josh Rosen lived up to the hype. The true freshman quarterback seized the starting role in spring practice and never looked back. He showed promise, throwing for 3,669 yards and 23 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and showed serious poise. He passed for at least 300 yards in six of his 13 starts.
Rosen is a star in the making and the clear starter, but he’ll have more pressure on him this fall. The guy who he beat out, backup Jerry Neuheisel, won’t return to the Bruins in 2016. That leaves UCLA to sink or swim with Rosen. He’s ready for that, but the Bruins have no proven backup plan.
15. Oregon RB Royce Freeman
11 of 25
While much of the attention in Oregon has focused on graduate transfer quarterback Dakota Prukop (who is trying to duplicate the success enjoyed by Vernon Adams), a strong ground game really makes the Duck offense go.
That’s what makes Royce Freeman so important. He has established himself as one of the nation’s best tailbacks. Last fall, he rushed 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 has speed and great power, but with Thomas Tyner’s decision to leave football due to injuries, Oregon needs a strong No. 2 behind Freeman. Taj Griffin rushed for 570 yards on 77 carries, averaging 7.4 yards per carry as a freshman. But it’s a stretch to expect him to replicate Freeman’s amazing all-around production should he miss time with injury.
14. Alabama LT Cam Robinson
12 of 25
Alabama has some holes to fill in its offensive backfield following the fourth national championship of the Nick Saban era, with Bo Scarbrough stepping in for Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Derrick Henry and multiple players competing to fill Jake Coker’s shoes as starting quarterback.
One area with no worries? Left tackle. Cam Robinson is one of the best offensive linemen in America. The 6’6”, 327-pound junior was an instant starter as a freshman and has only improved since then. Last fall, Robinson was a first-team All-SEC selection, keying an Alabama run game that averaged 199.9 yards per game. He had 46 knockdown blocks as well.
This spring, Robinson sat out while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He’ll be fine for preseason practice, but an injury could be an issue for a line that’s replacing two other starters from 2015. His backup, Korren Kirven, is a converted defensive tackle with one career start and limited game experience.
13. Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
13 of 25
For Texas A&M, the days of Johnny Manziel feel a long way off. The Aggies are just 16-10 (7-9 in SEC play) since the controversial Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback left, and things aren’t getting any easier in College Station. This offseason, talented quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen both transferred, and coach Kevin Sumlin moved on from offensive coordinator Jake Spavital in favor of Noel Mazzone. This week, receivers coach Aaron Moorehead was forced to apologize following a Twitter rant aimed at a high-profile decommitment.
However, defensive coordinator John Chavis has a key piece to work with in junior defensive end Myles Garrett, who came into his own as a sophomore. He made 59 tackles and piled up 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks along with 10 quarterback hurries.
Garrett was all but unblockable, and his power and speed make him a tough assignment for any opposing left tackle. He’s a huge asset for the A&M defense, but if he misses time, the Aggies will see a real drop-off in pass-rushing skills.
12. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
14 of 25
Last fall, Oklahoma went from 8-5 to Big 12 champions, earning a College Football Playoff berth in the process. It’s easy to pinpoint why, too. Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense was a perfect fit, piloted by transfer quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield supplanted incumbent Trevor Knight and excelled, throwing for 3,700 yards with 36 touchdowns against seven interceptions and rushing for 405 yards and seven scores. He made plays happen with his arms and feet and showed swagger and leadership while doing so.
This fall, Knight is off to Texas A&M, where he has already earned the starting quarterback role. A&M transfer Kyler Murray is the heir apparent, but he’ll sit this fall as a transfer. That means Mayfield (who left the TCU game last fall with a concussion) must stay healthy.
11. Georgia RB Nick Chubb
15 of 25
Mark Richt probably isn’t putting a whole lot of thought into his departure from Georgia these days. After all, he is plenty consumed with getting Miami back into its rightful position as an ACC and national power. But if Richt’s mind wanders into what went wrong between the hedges, he’d surely wonder, “What if Nick Chubb had stayed healthy?”
Coming off a 1,547-yard freshman season, Chubb was churning right along as the Bulldogs prepared for Tennessee last Oct. 10. He had rushed for at least 120 yards in each of his first five games, and UGA was 5-1.
But on the first play from scrimmage against the Vols, Chubb tore multiple ligaments in his knee, ending his season. Backup Sony Michel stepped up to become a 1,000-yard rusher, but the offense wasn’t the same. In the two subsequent games following his injury, the Bulldogs scored a combined 12 points and went eight quarters without scoring an offensive touchdown.
They ground out games the rest of the way, going 6-1 without him, but weren’t impressive. Surely, the losses to Tennessee and Florida would have been a little different with Chubb churning out yardage and leaving would-be tacklers in his wake, right?
That’s why a healthy Chubb will be so valuable to Georgia and new coach Kirby Smart this fall.
10. Florida State RB Dalvin Cook
16 of 25
Florida State suffered through some offensive growing pains in 2015 following Jameis Winston’s departure, but no one should blame the Seminoles running game. Dalvin Cook was positively electric as a sophomore, rushing for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns. Cook has blazing speed and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
He rushed for at least 100 yards eight times and topped the 200-yard mark twice. What’s more, he did so while battling through leg injuries all season. Imagine what he could do when healthy. That sort of talent is invaluable for an offense that should be more mature and improved this fall.
9. Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly
17 of 25
Ole Miss enjoyed a special season in 2015. The Rebels went 10-3, beat eventual national champion Alabama for the second consecutive season and capped the year with a Sugar Bowl rout of Oklahoma State.
However, Hugh Freeze’s team does have some uncertainty heading into 2016. Following an exodus that saw three NFL first-round picks leave early, only eight starters return. The most important? Quarterback Chad Kelly. Kelly found a home in Oxford after stops at Clemson and East Mississippi Community College, throwing for 4,042 yards with 31 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
He also flashed excellent mobility, rushing for 500 yards and 10 scores. Keeping him upright following the draft departure of first-round left tackle Laremy Tunsil is paramount; Kelly is the only quarterback with game experience on the Ole Miss roster.
8. Houston QB Greg Ward Jr.
18 of 25
Houston will be a dark-horse College Football Playoff contender this fall, and it’s easy to see why. In Tom Herman’s first season, the Cougars were a revelation, going 13-1, winning the American Athletic Conference title and capping it off with a Peach Bowl win over Florida State. With home games against Oklahoma and Louisville, Houston has the schedule to make a playoff run.
But it must get the best from quarterback Greg Ward Jr. He was special last fall, passing for 2,828 yards with 17 touchdowns against six interceptions. He was also Houston’s leading rusher, going for 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns.
However, it’s worth noting that the Cougars’ only loss came at UConn when Ward left the game with an injury. His freewheeling style leaves him vulnerable to injuries, so it’s going to be important for Houston to protect its quarterback as much as possible in 2016.
7. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett
19 of 25
Youth will be the defining storyline in Columbus this fall. Urban Meyer is 50-4 in four seasons at Ohio State, including winning a national title in 2014, but he’s facing a serious reloading job in 2016. Nine Buckeyes jumped early to the NFL, and 12 Ohio State players were picked in the seven-round draft.
Ohio State returns only six starters, but Meyer is fortunate that one of them is junior quarterback J.T. Barrett. He stepped in for Braxton Miller and put Ohio State on the road to a national title as a freshman, and after suffering a broken ankle in November 2014, he returned last fall to eventually reclaim his starting role from Cardale Jones.
Barrett threw for 992 yards and 11 touchdowns against four interceptions and rushed for 682 yards and 11 scores. He’s a mobile, battle-tested leader, but another injury would be concerning. Jones is gone, and Barrett is the only player to throw a collegiate pass on Ohio State’s roster.
6. Iowa CB Desmond King
20 of 25
For Iowa and coach Kirk Ferentz, the best news of the offseason came in early January. Cornerback Desmond King announced that he’d return for his senior season, giving the Hawkeyes one of the nation’s top returning defenders.
King broke out as a superstar in 2015, keying Iowa’s run to an undefeated 12-0 regular season. He tied an Iowa single-season record with eight interceptions and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, earning unanimous first-team All-America honors.
Last fall, he also handled most of Iowa’s kick return duties, averaging 14.2 yards per punt return and 24.4 yards per kick return. An injury to King would be devastating to the Hawkeyes’ hopes of a Big Ten title.
5. Michigan CB/S Jabrill Peppers
21 of 25
Jim Harbaugh was impressive in his first season at Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a 10-3 record. But it didn’t hurt that Brady Hoke left some talent behind. One of the biggest pieces was defensive back Jabrill Peppers. He was forced to redshirt in 2014 following nagging leg injuries, but when healthy, he broke out in a big way.
Peppers was one of the nation’s most versatile players. He was a starting cornerback, returned kicks and even caught passes and made some rushes out of the backfield.
He was named 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 offensively, making 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. That kind of versatility is unique and hard to replace.
4. Southern California CB Adoree' Jackson
22 of 25
Southern California and new head coach Clay Helton have yet to name a successor for graduated quarterback Cody Kessler, with Max Browne and Sam Darnold battling it out through spring practice. One thing that will be a big part of the Trojans’ game plan on both sides of the ball? Involve Adoree’ Jackson as much as possible.
The junior cornerback is one of the most unique, talented and versatile players in college football. That was clear last fall when Jackson made impacts all over the field for the Trojans. He was a starting cornerback, contributing 35 tackles and an interception. He made 27 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver and returned kicks and punts, taking two punts back for touchdowns.
Name another player in America who was that across-the-board value to his team. You can’t. Jackson is a unique player, and the Trojans should get him as many touches as they can, while they can.
3. LSU RB Leonard Fournette
23 of 25
When the list of 2016 Heisman Trophy candidates is compiled, LSU junior tailback Leonard Fournette will be at or near the top. The 6’1”, 230-pounder is a force of nature, leaving opposing linebackers strewn in his wake. Fournette is one of the most powerful, downright nasty runners in college football, and it’s a treat to watch him.
Last fall, he was a front-runner for the Heisman, going for at least 150 yards in seven consecutive games until being limited to 122 total in losses to Arkansas and Alabama. Still, he had four 200-yard efforts and only a rained-out opener against McNeese kept Fournette from surpassing the 2,000-yard mark; he rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns.
With a full, healthy season this fall, he’ll blow past 2,000 and be a legit Heisman candidate once again. There are few players like him in college football.
2. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
24 of 25
Following a national runner-up finish and 14-1 record, Clemson should be a strong contender for the national title in 2015. There’s one big reason why: the Tigers’ high-powered offense. Clemson returns nine offensive starters, including a fleet, talented wide receiver corps, but no one is more important to national championship aspirations than junior quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Last fall, Watson became the first player in FBS history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the same season. He has a huge arm and excellent mobility and is a strong bet to become a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL draft, assuming he forgoes his final season of collegiate eligibility.
He is also a strong, unflappable leader who has the confidence of all of his teammates and coaches. If Watson suffers a serious injury, Clemson’s title hopes will evaporate. Expected backup Kelly Bryant is a mobile presence but is nowhere near as skilled or as experienced as the Heisman Trophy contender.
1. Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey
25 of 25
Stanford will begin 2016 as a strong College Football Playoff contender. While David Shaw has built a quality program that has won three of the last four Pac-12 championships, there is one huge reason for optimism this fall: junior tailback Christian McCaffrey. He emerged as a superstar in 2015, leading the Cardinal to a Pac-12 title and a Rose Bowl rout of Iowa.
He led the nation in all-purpose yardage, rushing for 2,019 yards with eight touchdowns and also led Stanford in receiving yardage and receptions, catching 45 passes for 645 yards and five touchdowns. Stanford running backs coach Lance Taylor told WNSP-FM, per AL.com's Mark Heim, that his versatility is unique.
"Honestly, he is the (most) versatile player I've ever been around at any level," Taylor said. "It really is uncanny. He led our team in rushing and receiving and return yards last year. He played some Wildcat quarterback. We joke as a staff and say there's nothing the kid can't do."
McCaffrey is Stanford’s most valuable player, and it isn’t close. What’s more, 2015’s No. 2 rusher, Barry Sanders Jr., transferred to Oklahoma State, and No. 3 rusher Remound Wright graduated, which leaves Bryce Love and his 29 carries for 226 yards as the most experienced back behind McCaffrey.
If McCaffrey is absent for any period of time, Stanford’s hopes of national glory will go up in smoke.
.jpg?w=480 "Bills Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Coach Questions Beck's Personality 🤔")
.jpg?w=600 "Steelers Owner Gives Rodgers Update")
