Ranking Top 25 College Football Players at Halfway Point of 2014 Season
We've reached the midway point of the college football season, and what a season it has been.
Who'd have expected Mississippi State to be No. 1 at the midpoint, or Ole Miss No. 3? Not many people, that's for sure. New stars have emerged, and talented players we already knew about have improved their stock too.
The midpoint of the season is the perfect time to take a fresh look at college football's top 25 players, so that's what we're doing right here.
Players were evaluated by their statistical value, their on-field performances and their overall value to their respective teams.
25. Washington State QB Connor Halliday
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Washington State is 2-5, but it's hard to imagine where the Cougars would be without senior quarterback Connor Halliday. The 6'4", 201-pound gunslinger just throws. And throws. And throws.
Halliday has put up incredible numbers. He has thrown for an FBS-best 3,344 yards and 28 touchdowns against eight interceptions, making full use of coach Mike Leach's Air Raid offense and completing 67 percent of his passes. He averages 477.7 yards passing per game.
He has improved from a year ago as well: As a junior, Halliday threw 34 touchdowns against 22 interceptions.
Halliday has attempted at least 56 passes in each game this season, and his 292-yard effort in Friday's 34-17 loss to Stanford marked the first time he has been held under 300 passing yards this season. He has thrown for 500-plus yards three times, including an insane 734 yards in a 60-59 loss to Cal, setting the NCAA all-level single-game passing-yardage record in the process.
The Cougars need to make a run to make postseason play, but Halliday has excelled regardless.
24. Indiana TB Tevin Coleman
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Following Saturday's 45-29 loss to Iowa, Indiana is 3-3 and will have to fight to make a bowl game. If the Hoosiers do so, they'll get there on the strength of the piston legs of tailback Tevin Coleman.
Coleman leads all FBS rushers with 1,060 rushing yards and has been incredibly productive. He averages 8.8 yards per carry and has 11 touchdowns. Coleman has rushed for at least 122 yards in every game this season and has surpassed 200 yards twice.
Saturday, he piled up 219 yards on just 15 carries for three touchdowns, including an 83-yard score. Coleman might not get much attention due to his team's mediocrity, but he is deserving of having more eyes on him as the second half unfolds.
23. Washington LB Hau'oli Kikaha
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Washington senior linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha isn't well known nationally, largely because he missed much of the 2011 and 2012 seasons with torn ACLs. But Kikaha was healthy last season and has been productive this season despite moving from defensive end to linebacker in Washington's new 3-4 defensive scheme.
After a three-sack day against Cal, he has 10 sacks (tops nationally) and 13.0 tackles for loss (also tops nationally). He was all over the field against the Golden Bears, adding nine tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
At 6'3", 246 pounds, Kikaha is an aggressive, active pass-rusher more than capable of holding his own at the line of scrimmage and making life miserable for quarterbacks. If the Huskies challenge for the Pac-12 title, you'll hear a lot more about him soon.
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22. Ohio State DE Joey Bosa
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Joey Bosa had an impressive freshman season last fall, racking up 44 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks on his way to Freshman All-American honors from Sporting News and College Football News.
Bosa has built on that season this fall as a pass-rushing force for a Top 15 Ohio State program. While he has only 15 tackles in five games, he has made them count. Bosa has seven tackles for loss with 3.5 sacks and has forced three fumbles. Following Noah Spence's suspension for a positive drug test, Bosa has been the Buckeyes' primary pass-rusher, assuming that mantle well.
He is an aggressive, tough, smart rusher who requires the full attention of an opposing offensive lineman and is developing into one of college football's top defensive ends.
21. Ole Miss CB Senquez Golson
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A huge factor in Ole Miss' rise from SEC West also-ran to a strong College Football Playoff contender has been its defense. The Rebels defense is nasty from the defensive line to the secondary, and senior cornerback Senquez Golson has been one of the most high-impact players in the nation.
Golson came down with the acrobatic end-zone interception to seal the Rebels' 23-17 upset of No. 3 Alabama and has five interceptions in seven games, including an interception of Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill in the Rebels' rout in College Station Saturday night.
He is an athletic force who was a two-sport star in high school, attracting the attention of the Boston Red Sox, who made him an eighth-round pick in the 2011 MLB amateur draft. He decided to focus on football after playing both sports as a freshman at Ole Miss, which looks like a wise move right now.
20. Texas A&M QB Kenny Hill
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While Texas A&M has dropped from sixth in the country to No. 21 after losing back-to-back games to Mississippi State and Ole Miss, it certainly hasn't been the fault of sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill, who continues to put up impressive numbers at the helm of the Aggies' wide-open offense.
Hill has thrown for 2,511 yards with 23 touchdowns against seven interceptions, passing for 300 yards or more in five of seven games. He edged out highly touted recruit Kyle Allen for the starting role in preseason and immediately staked his claim to the job as Johnny Manziel's successor, throwing for an Aggies single-game record of 511 yards in a 52-28 rout at South Carolina.
Decision-making is an area of improvement for Hill, who has thrown for 12 touchdowns against seven interceptions in the last four games. Saturday night, he threw two touchdowns against two interceptions in a loss to Ole Miss but completed 79 percent of his passes for 401 yards. He has an excellent arm capable of throwing deep and will only improve as the season wears on against good competition.
19. Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves III
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Sophomore cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III missed the second half of Saturday's 30-27 loss to LSU with an injury but has lived up to the hype that surrounded him this season following a freshman All-American campaign.
Hargreaves has 19 tackles, six pass breakups and only one interception this season, but his cover skills are good enough that opposing quarterbacks will avoid throwing to his side of the field, which cuts down on his countable stats. His impact on a game is deeper than a mere stat line with excellent coverage abilities and speed.
Gators fans should enjoy watching Hargreaves while they can, because he'll be a prime prospect in the 2016 NFL draft.
18. Alabama TB T.J. Yeldon
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T.J. Yeldon has taken a bit of a step back this season but remains one of college football's premier tailbacks.
The junior stands 6'2", 221 pounds, and possesses an excellent blend of physicality, power and speed. This fall, he has 452 yards rushing and two touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards a carry. That's down from a year ago, when he rushed for 1,235 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He has surpassed 100 yards twice this season, going for 126 against West Virginia and 123 against Ole Miss.
Alabama is best when Yeldon and backfield mate Derrick Henry are punishing opposing tacklers, so it'll be interesting to see how he improves over the second half of the season.
17. Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
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When Oregon senior cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu returned to college for his senior season, observers considered it a victory for Oregon coach Mark Helfrich and the Ducks' young defense. It was also a win for those of us who enjoy watching great defensive backs.
Ekpre-Olomu has just two interceptions so far this season but has made a significant impact for the Ducks. His athletic interception of Michigan State's Connor Cook was one of the plays of the young college season and helped turn the tide in the Ducks' 46-27 comeback victory.
He has excellent closing speed and is a versatile player who covers bigger than his 5'10", 195-pound frame would suggest. He can play cornerback or safety and is solid wherever he plays. He’ll be a good addition to any NFL secondary next fall.
16. Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
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While Texas A&M is riding a two-game losing streak, the Aggies have found a major pass-rushing talent in freshman defensive end Myles Garrett. The 6'5", 255-pounder has been a very difficult player for opposing offensive tackles to stop coming off the edge.
Garrett has 33 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks (fourth in FBS). He has already broken A&M’s freshman sacks record (held by Sam Adams and Damontre Moore) and is just a half-sack away from equaling the SEC's all-time freshman sack record, currently held by another guy plying his trade in south Texas: 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.
He has excellent fast-twitch ability and speed and should only improve with age. The Aggies defense still needs work, but Garrett is a player worth building around.
15. Alabama WR Amari Cooper
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Alabama's offense has struggled over the last two weeks, managing just 31 points combined in a loss at Ole Miss and a narrow 14-13 victory at Arkansas. That doesn't take away from the brilliance of junior receiver Amari Cooper, however.
Cooper has emerged as one of the best receivers in college football, piling up 54 receptions for 768 yards and five touchdowns on the season. He ranks fourth in FBS in receiving yardage and fifth in total receptions. He has already surpassed his season totals from 2013 (45 receptions, 736 yards and four scores).
As Blake Sims' favorite target, Cooper has excellent speed and leaping ability and is the kind of player capable of catching a ball placed where only he can get it.
Alabama remains in the hunt for the College Football Playoff, and Cooper will be a major part of the Crimson Tide's playoff push.
14. Miami LB Denzel Perryman
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Miami has a strong lineage of linebackers, and senior linebacker Denzel Perryman looks like the next strong link in that chain. Playing in the middle of the Hurricanes defense, Perryman has been playing all over the field in the early portion of the season.
He has piled up 51 tackles (tops on Miami's roster), 4.0 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble.
Perryman is a quick, relentless player who is one of college football's hardest hitters and an excellent leader for the Hurricanes defense. He'll soon make his mark in the NFL.
13. Texas A&M LT Cedric Ogbuehi
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One of Kevin Sumlin's biggest offseason victories came when tackle Cedric Ogbuehi decided to return for his senior season of college football.
Ogbuehi is one of the most versatile linemen in the game. He started at guard as a freshman and sophomore, moved to right tackle as a junior and is currently protecting Kenny Hill's blind side as a left tackle.
At 6'5", 305 pounds, Ogbuehi has excellent size and can move very well for a man with his frame, giving Hill time to throw and make plays in Sumlin's wide-open offense. He is expected to be a top pick in next spring’s NFL draft. Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman said A&M paid more than $50,000 to insure him this fall, which is within NCAA rules.
Ogbuehi has done nothing to damage his stock this fall; his versatility only enhances it.
12. Nebraska DE Randy Gregory
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Nebraska boasts a strong defensive tradition: The Cornhuskers' first-team defenders are known as the "Blackshirts," which has become synonymous with excellent, tough defense.
One current player, defensive end Randy Gregory, exemplifies that tradition and would fit in with any of the Huskers' best defenses. Gregory is an active, hungry player who makes big plays all over the field and is a terror for opposing offensive linemen to account for and (attempt to) contain.
Despite missing a game with injury, Gregory has been very productive this fall. He has 24 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception and seven quarterback hits. He is an excellent pass-rusher but is best categorized as a playmaker.
Gregory is a difference-maker for a Nebraska team that will fight for the Big Ten West Division title.
11. Notre Dame QB Everett Golson
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Following a BCS title game appearance in 2012, Notre Dame slipped to a 9-4 record last fall. Entering Saturday's showdown at No. 2 Florida State, the Fighting Irish are again in the nation's Top Five.
While it would be simplistic to say quarterback Everett Golson is the only reason why, his return can’t be discounted.
Golson played smart in his debut season while leading the Irish's run, throwing 12 touchdowns against six interceptions while throwing for 2,405 yards. He missed last season due to an academic suspension, during which the Irish offense struggled with consistency, scoring 27.2 points per game (No. 74 nationally).
The season off has treated Golson well. He already has 16 touchdowns against four interceptions and has thrown for 1,683 yards while completing 62.5 percent of his passes (up from 58.8 in 2012).
He is a dual-threat quarterback capable of moving the ball through the air and on the ground, and if the Irish make a College Football Playoff run, Golson will be an invaluable piece.
10. Southern California DT Leonard Williams
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At 6'5", 300 pounds, Southern California defensive tackle Leonard Williams is one of the most imposing interior forces in college football. Williams is capable of shedding blocks and making life incredibly difficult for opposing guards, centers and tackles and possesses excellent power and pass-rush skills.
Although he is currently playing on the interior of the Trojans line, Williams is incredibly disruptive. He has 38 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and an interception.
Williams has drawn favorable comparisons to Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, although he is not as outwardly nasty as Suh. A 2013 All-American, he is one of the top overall prospects in the 2015 NFL draft.
9. Clemson DE Vic Beasley
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Last January, Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley faced a difficult decision: Should he leave early for the NFL draft or return to Clemson for his senior season? Beasley chose to return and enhance his draft stock, and so far that looks like a very wise call.
Although Beasley has just 15 tackles, he has made them count. He has 9.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks, and this weekend he became Clemson's all-time career sacks leader. Beasley has backed up a breakout 2013 season that saw him make 41 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and six pass breakups.
Beasley began his college career as a linebacker and figures to be an outside linebacker/pass-rush hybrid at the next level. He could be a top-15 overall pick, according to NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, although he could stand to add some bulk. Regardless, he'll be a pass-rush terror for whoever is lucky enough to land him in the NFL draft next spring.
8. Wisconsin TB Melvin Gordon
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Last fall, Wisconsin tailback Melvin Gordon had a breakout season, rushing for 1,609 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 7.8 yards per carry. What has he done for an encore? Even more.
Through six games, Gordon is on pace to blow past those numbers. He has 1,046 yards (No. 2 in the FBS) and 14 total touchdowns (one receiving) while averaging 7.9 yards per carry. He has rushed for at least 140 yards in all but one game, with his coup de grace a 13-carry, 253-yard, five-touchdown effort against Bowling Green. It was a career-high effort in which he averaged an incredible 19.5 yards per carry.
Gordon has power and breakaway speed and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate as long as the Badgers keep winning games. He is making a strong case as one of the best tailbacks in college football.
7. Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche
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Two years ago, Robert Nkemdiche was one of the most sought-after prospects in recent memory. He originally committed to Clemson but ultimately chose to sign with Ole Miss, where older brother Denzel was already a linebacker.
What a catch that has turned out to be for the Rebels. Nkemdiche has developed into a dominant interior force for Ole Miss, whose defense has helped turn it into a strong College Football Playoff contender.
Robert has 14 tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss in six games but has consistently been a handful for opposing offensive linemen. He came to Ole Miss as a defensive end but has transitioned to defensive tackle and serves as more of a pass-rushing interior player.
As he continues to develop and harness his power, the Rebels defense will only improve.
6. Nebraska TB Ameer Abdullah
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Entering this season, Nebraska senior tailback Ameer Abdullah had firmly established himself as one of college football's top tailbacks, coming off a 1,690-yard, nine-touchdown junior season. This season has only solidified that status.
Through six games, Abdullah has 878 yards with 10 touchdowns while averaging a sparkling 6.4 yards per carry. He has also shown the ability to make things happen in the passing game: His 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown lifted Nebraska to a 31-24 win over feisty FCS foe McNeese State.
Abdullah has surpassed 200 yards rushing three times and has reached the end zone in every game. He has an enticing blend of speed and power, and though he is only 5'9", 195 pounds, he is tough to tackle. He'll be an intriguing piece on an NFL roster next fall.
5. Baylor QB Bryce Petty
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Last season, Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty emerged as a strong Heisman contender in leading the Bears to their first outright Big 12 championship in 33 years. While he missed a game in Week 2 with two cracked transverse processes in his back, Petty has lived up to expectations this fall.
He has 1,534 yards passing with 15 touchdowns against three interceptions in addition to 109 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
While Baylor hasn't always needed Petty to put up big numbers, he has shown he can put the offense on his back when necessary. Saturday, he rallied Baylor from a 58-37 fourth-quarter deficit in a Top 10 showdown against TCU, helping the Bears score the final 24 points in a 61-58 stunner. His final line? 510 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Petty is a mobile quarterback with a solid arm, and he is a great leader for a strong College Football Playoff contender.
4. Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
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Oregon has one of college football's most potent offenses, and the guy who makes it all go is junior quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota is an elusive, athletic passer who is very accurate. This fall, he has 1,621 yards with 17 touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 69.7 percent of his passes.
He is also the Ducks' No. 2 rusher with 290 yards and five touchdowns.
Mariota showed his mettle in a comeback win over Michigan State, leading the Ducks to the final 28 points in a 46-27 victory.
Oregon's offensive line has struggled at times this season, forcing Mariota to throw on the run, but at 6'4" and 219 pounds, he has the size to succeed at the next level as well.
3. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott
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Mississippi State's stunning run to No. 1 in the college football polls has been the story of the half-season. Nobody exemplifies that run better than junior quarterback Dak Prescott. The 6'2", 235-pounder has emerged as a physical run-pass hybrid who looks like a better-passing version of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
A year ago, Prescott threw for 1,940 yards with 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions. This fall? 1,478 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. Saturday's 38-23 win over then-No. 2 Auburn was his first multiple-interception game of the season. He is also MSU's No. 2 rusher with 576 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
Patrick Magee of The (Biloxi) Sun-Herald says Prescott has earned his spot as a top Heisman candidate.
"It's a blessing," Prescott said. "That's a dream. I think every little brother that plays the game dreams about it. I'll think about it when the trophy is given out. Right now, I just want to win the next game."
Prescott is a load to tackle and has an above-average arm too. He'll be a key figure in the Bulldogs' push for a College Football Playoff berth.
2. Florida State QB Jameis Winston
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Lost in the tumult and controversy surrounding Jameis Winston's off-field life (and there's been plenty) is this: Winston is a pretty darn good quarterback. While adjusting to life without NFL first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State's sophomore quarterback has remained a key force in the Seminoles' unbeaten start.
He was suspended for an overtime win over Clemson after shouting a vulgarity on FSU's campus, but Winston has thrown for 1,605 yards with 11 touchdowns against five interceptions while completing 70 percent of his passes. Saturday, he put together his best game of the season against Syracuse, completing 30 of 36 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns in FSU's 38-20 victory.
Controversy might follow Winston off the field, but on it he remains one of college football's most dynamic quarterbacks with an excellent arm.
1. Georgia TB Todd Gurley
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Speaking of off-field controversy, Georgia tailback Todd Gurley found it this week. The Bulldogs' dynamic junior tailback was suspended indefinitely after allegedly taking payment to sign autographs, according to Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples. Before the suspension, Gurley had established himself as a leading Heisman Trophy contender and one of the best players in college football.
He has 773 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on only 94 carries, averaging an eye-popping 8.2 yards per carry. At 6'1", 226 pounds, Gurley possesses an eye-popping blend of speed and power. In the season opener against Clemson, he gashed a good defense for 198 yards and three rushing touchdowns, adding a 100-yard kick return score for good measure.
Should Gurley declare for the NFL draft next spring, he looks to be a lock as a first-round selection. Assuming he gets back on the field this season, Georgia fans should enjoy him while they can.
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