Ranking the Top 50 Players in College Football After Week 2
Well, that was fun, huh? Two weeks in, the 2015 college football season is already living up to the hype with outstanding games, emerging young players and teams that are making the nation take notice (hello, BYU).
It's exciting to think what the season has ahead for us in the next three-plus months, but it's also an excellent time to take stock of where we are. One way to do that is by looking at the nation's top 50 players, based on their skills, accumulated statistics and importance to their respective teams.
Which players are poised to make big moves up these rankings in the coming weeks? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
50. Indiana RB Jordan Howard
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While UAB's shuttering (and subsequent revival) of its football program was one of the more unfortunate stories of the 2014 college football season, the Blazers' demise did have some positives. Players were allowed to transfer without penalty, and some talented prospects, like running back Jordan Howard, found more prominent homes.
Howard rushed for 1,587 yards and 13 touchdowns for UAB last fall, but the Blazers were well off the college football radar before the program's shuttering. He transferred to Indiana and found an immediate home as the Hoosiers' feature back.
Through two games, Howard has 304 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He is a fast, powerful back at 6'1", 230 pounds and should emerge as one of the Big Ten's best ball-carriers.
49. Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg
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There's no questioning Christian Hackenberg's talent. There is reason to question the talent around him, though. Last fall, his production took a major dip thanks to a leaky offensive line protecting him.
After throwing for 2,955 yards with 20 touchdowns against 10 interceptions as a freshman, the Penn State quarterback threw for 2,977 yards with 12 touchdowns against 15 interceptions last season, and that included a four-touchdown day against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl.
As a freshman, Hackenberg was sacked 21 times. Last fall? Forty-four times. Has the O-line improved? Not really. In the season-opening 27-10 loss to Temple, he was sacked 10 times. The line kept him upright against Buffalo, but he wasn't much better, completing 14 of 27 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in Penn State's 27-14 win.
Hackenberg still has an excellent arm and great size at 6'4", 228 pounds. But he has to get better protection and make better decisions to keep his NFL stock high.
48. Southern California WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
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When stud wideout Nelson Agholor left early for the NFL, Southern California quarterback Cody Kessler needed a new No. 1 target in the passing game. There was no question who would step into that role: sophomore receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Smith-Schuster followed an impressive freshman campaign with what looks like a breakout 2015. Last fall, he caught 54 passes for 724 yards and five touchdowns.
As Kessler's No. 1 option, he has 14 catches for 281 yards and three touchdowns in two games, averaging an eye-popping 20.1 yards per reception. The sky is the limit for what he can do in USC's high-powered offense.
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47. BYU QB Tanner Mangum
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At this point, the only question surrounding Tanner Mangum is: What will he do for an encore?
Over the past two weeks, Mangum, BYU's freshman quarterback, has stepped into the national spotlight with a pair of jaw-dropping performances. He was thrust into the Cougars' season opener at Nebraska following starter Taysom Hill's season-ending Lisfranc foot fracture and responded with a final-play Hail Mary for a stunning 33-28 win.
Then, in his first career start, he threw a 35-yard touchdown pass with 45 seconds left for the go-ahead score in a 35-24 win over then-No. 20 Boise State. He finished with 309 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions.
While Mangum was an unknown entering 2015 after completing a two-year Mormon mission, he has considerable talent. Before going on his mission, he tied for the top spot at the Elite 11 quarterback camp with some guy named Jameis Winston. It'll be fun to see how Mangum develops this fall and how far he can carry the Cougars offense.
46. Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty
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Wondering about the best player you've never heard of (but should have)? There's no question it's Western Kentucky senior quarterback Brandon Doughty.
Last year, Doughty led the nation in both passing yards and passing touchdowns, throwing for 4,810 yards with 49 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. This fall, Doughty has kept up that strong pace, throwing for 650 yards with two touchdowns in WKU's 2-0 start.
Playing in Conference USA keeps Doughty off the national radar, but NFL scouts should be keeping a close eye on him. The Hilltoppers will be C-USA title contenders, and Doughty will throw for a bunch of yards and scores. Fans outside of Kentucky will hopefully start taking notice at some point.
45. UCLA QB Josh Rosen
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While UCLA brought back the core from 2014's 10-win team, one major question hovered over the Bruins entering this season: quarterback. How would they handle the NFL draft departure of Brett Hundley, a dynamic two-way threat who taxed defenses during his three-year run in Westwood?
The answer, thanks to Josh Rosen, is pretty well. The true freshman enrolled early, went through spring practice and claimed the job as the Bruins starting quarterback. He has lived up to the hype that surrounded him, throwing for 574 yards with four touchdowns against one interception in a pair of starts.
Rosen looks like a poised pocket passer with tremendous presence, and while there are big tests ahead in the Pac-12 slate, he looks like a star in the making who will be a force for at least the next three years in UCLA's offense.
44. Tennessee CB Cameron Sutton
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Tennessee's resurgent program suffered a disappointing loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, blowing a 17-0 second-quarter lead and falling 31-24 in double overtime. However, that defeat shouldn't take away from the fact the Vols are rapidly improving.
They're a young team, but they do also have veteran leaders like junior cornerback Cameron Sutton. Sutton has started all 27 games of his UT career while developing into one of the SEC's top defensive backs. Last fall, Sutton had 37 tackles, four tackles for loss and 13 passes defended as well as three interceptions and a forced fumble. He also returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown against Vanderbilt.
Sutton possesses a strong combination of speed, versatility and toughness. If Tennessee makes the leap to SEC contender this fall, you can bet the junior cornerback will have a huge hand in the team's success.
43. Notre Dame LT Ronnie Stanley
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With Malik Zaire having suffered a season-ending broken right ankle against Virginia in Week 2, Notre Dame redshirt freshman quarterback DeShone Kizer steps into a tough role as the Fighting Irish's new starting quarterback this week against visiting Georgia Tech.
However, he should feel some comfort knowing left tackle Ronnie Stanley is protecting his blind side. Stanley, who stands 6'5 ½", 315 pounds, is one of college football's best offensive linemen, and his decision to forgo the NFL draft in favor of his senior season looks better every day for head coach Brian Kelly and Co.
Stanley has excellent feet and balance as well as prototypical size for the position. He'll help Kizer adjust to the new job by giving him a little extra time to throw and move in the pocket, which is huge for the Irish's College Football Playoff hopes.
42. Ohio State LB Darron Lee
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Ohio State and head coach Urban Meyer have recruited very well in the past few years, but the Buckeyes have also found success by developing prospects who don't necessarily arrive as finished products.
Take Darron Lee, for example. A multiposition athlete in high school, Lee arrived at OSU weighing 195 pounds. Now, he's 235 pounds and a key piece of the Buckeyes defense as a starting linebacker. Last fall, the freshman linebacker was a key force in the national title run, recording 81 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Lee is developing into a leader and has excellent athleticism. With 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in two games thus far, he appears poised to play an even bigger role on a nasty defense this fall.
41. TCU WR Josh Doctson
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By now, everyone knows how special Trevone Boykin has been in TCU's offense. But he can't do it all by himself. Boykin relies on multiple talented players in the Air Raid system, including receiver Josh Doctson.
Doctson, a transfer from Wyoming to TCU, has blossomed in the wide-open system. Last fall, he had 65 catches for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns as Boykin's favorite target.
He stands 6'3", 195 pounds and has excellent speed and hands to go with his NFL-ready size. So far this fall, he's picked up right where he left off with 12 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. He'll play a big role in TCU's push to make a College Football Playoff bid.
40. Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith
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If you're making a list of the best linebackers in college football, Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith absolutely belongs there.
Last fall, he was indispensable for the Fighting Irish defense. He was one of three players to start every game for the ND front, making 112 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He recorded double-digit tackles in five games all while playing a new position at inside linebacker.
Smith is capable of sliding inside or outside and has excellent athleticism for his 6'2 ½", 240-pound frame. He has started all 28 games of his college career and has great pass-rush skills. He will likely be an outside linebacker in the NFL and will be a highly prized prospect. Enjoy watching him at Notre Dame while you can.
39. FSU CB Jalen Ramsey
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Florida State's defense is going through a transition period in 2015, but the Seminoles know where they can turn to for leadership: cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The returning first-team All-American is a rock-solid piece of the FSU secondary.
Ramsey has moved to corner this fall after playing the "Star" position in 2014, and the transition has been smooth. A very hard hitter, Ramsey had 79 tackles with 12 pass breakups and two interceptions last fall.
Now, he's even returning kicks while wearing Charlie Ward's old No. 17, the first Seminole to do so since the Heisman Trophy winner left FSU in the early 1990s. Ramsey is an NCAA long-jump finalist and an excellent athlete. If FSU extends its ACC title run this season, he'll play an outsized role.
38. Cal QB Jared Goff
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At 2-0, Cal hopes to take a big step toward postseason eligibility with this week's prime-time game at struggling Texas. The nation might not know much about quarterback Jared Goff, but head coach Sonny Dykes and the Bears hope that changes after this week.
The Bears were vastly improved last fall, going from 1-11 to 5-7 while averaging 38.3 points per game, which ranked No. 11 nationally. Goff played a huge role in the turnaround. The 6'4", 215-pound pocket passer threw for 3,973 yards with 35 touchdowns against seven interceptions, taking a big leap from his freshman numbers of 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He has maintained a strong pace thus far, throwing for 630 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions while completing a sizzling 73.2 percent of his passes. If Goff can keep the Bears in the Pac-12 race, he could receive some dark-horse Heisman Trophy attention.
37. Pitt WR Tyler Boyd
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Entering this week's road test at Iowa, Pitt has already lost 2014 ACC Player of the Year James Conner to a knee injury and has uncertainty at quarterback. What do the Panthers have going right for them? Junior receiver Tyler Boyd.
Boyd was suspended for the 2015 season opener following an offseason DUI charge but made his presence known against Akron, catching 11 passes for 95 yards.
Last fall, he made 78 receptions for 1,261 yards and eight touchdowns. That followed an impressive freshman season that saw him make 85 receptions for 1,174 yards and seven scores. He finished his 2014 campaign especially strong, piling up 100 yards in five of Pitt's last six games.
At 6'2", 200 pounds, Boyd is a consistent, steady downfield threat who is one of the nation's top wide receivers and one of the ACC's top overall players. With Connor now sidelined for the remained of the season, Pitt will lean on Boyd even more heavily going forward.
36. Arkansas RB Alex Collins
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Arkansas suffered a highly disappointing 16-12 home loss to Toledo on Saturday, knocking the Razorbacks from the Top 25. It wasn't the way the Razorbacks hoped to build on 2014's resurgent 7-6 campaign, but there's plenty of time remaining for a turnaround despite a tough SEC slate.
To make the most of their 2015 season, the Razorbacks need to lean on tailback Alex Collins. Last fall, Collins rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns as part of the nation's best tailback duo with Jonathan Williams. With Williams out for the 2015 campaign due to a foot injury, Arkansas needs Collins at his best.
Through two games, he has 32 carries for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Expect his workload to increase as the Hogs move into their league schedule, which would be a smart move.
35. Utah RB Devontae Booker
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So far, so good for Utah. Entering this week's game at Fresno State, the Utes are 2-0 and a good bet to be 3-0 heading into a tough Pac-12 opener at Oregon. That follows a strong rebound campaign that saw nine wins and a Las Vegas Bowl win over Colorado State last fall.
Junior college transfer Devontae Booker was a major factor in the overall improvement. In 2014, he carried 292 times for 1,512 yards with 10 touchdowns. He ran with speed and power out of the backfield and also flashed versatility, catching 43 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns.
Booker considered the NFL but decided to return for his final season of college football. He's been solid thus far with 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns as well as nine receptions for 68 yards. He'll be a key factor in Utah's push for a Pac-12 South title.
34. Navy QB Keenan Reynolds
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New American Athletic Conference member Navy could be an under-the-radar league title contender thanks to its tough-to-prepare-for flexbone option. The Midshipmen have a valuable commodity running it: senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds.
Reynolds and Navy operate mostly out of the spotlight, save the annual Army-Navy game and an annual matchup with Notre Dame. However, if you don't know the senior signal-caller, you should.
Even while fighting through injuries last fall, Reynolds rushed for 1,191 yards and 23 touchdowns and threw for 843 yards and six scores against three interceptions. He is a critical part of Navy's plans, and he'll put up big numbers if the flexbone is humming as expected.
33. Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard
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If you watched Oklahoma's surprising 31-24 double-overtime win at Tennessee, you probably got a good look at Sterling Shepard. The Sooners senior receiver played a huge role in OU's comeback from a 17-0 second-quarter deficit, catching the game-tying score late in the fourth quarter and the game-winning score in double overtime.
New offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's arrival was a positive step for Shepard, who stands 5'10", 135 pounds with excellent speed. Last fall, he missed all or part of five games with injury but still had 51 receptions for 970 yards and five touchdowns.
If he's healthy this fall, Shepard could be in for a huge year in Riley's new Air Raid system.
32. South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper
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Through two weeks, positive vibes are hard to find in Columbia, South Carolina. Last week's home loss to Kentucky dropped South Carolina to 1-1 entering a rivalry game with Georgia, and rebounding from 2014's disappointing 7-6 record looks unlikely right now.
One bright spot? Receiver Pharoh Cooper. Cooper emerged as a star last fall, making 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. The versatile 5'11", 207-pound wideout can also make waves as a Wildcat quarterback, and he has 12 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown through two games.
While the Gamecocks might be hard to watch this fall, they'll be worth seeking out for Cooper's exploits.
31. UCLA RB Paul Perkins
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With freshman quarterback Josh Rosen excelling early on, there are plenty of reasons why a UCLA team that has won 10 games in consecutive seasons is poised to take the leap to College Football Playoff contender in 2015.
One huge factor is tailback Paul Perkins. Perkins emerged as a talented every-down back last fall, rushing for 1,575 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
He had six 100-yard games and had his best game in the Alamo Bowl against Kansas State, carrying 20 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 201 yards and two scores on the year.
Perkins stands 5'11", 210 pounds with a solid build and great speed. He'll be a key piece of the Bruins' playoff push and a possible Heisman Trophy candidate.
30. Arizona State WR D.J. Foster
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Through three years in college football, D.J. Foster had already established himself as one of the most versatile players in the game. This fall has only made that clearer for Arizona State fans and fans of exciting offense.
ASU lost wide receiver Jaelen Strong to the NFL draft, but Foster's decision to return for his senior season and move to wide receiver was a huge boon. Last fall, Foster rushed for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns while also catching 62 passes for 688 yards and three scores.
As a slot receiver, he has made 12 receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown in two games while also carrying 15 times for 89 yards. His multiposition skills will make new starting quarterback Mike Bercovici's job that much easier this fall.
29. Arizona LB Scooby Wright
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One of the bigger downers of the opening week of the season was seeing Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright limp off the field against Texas-San Antonio with a knee injury later diagnosed as a torn meniscus.
Wright is expected to miss three to four weeks with the injury, according to head coach Rich Rodriguez, which means one of the nation's best linebackers won't match his incredible 2014 totals. Last fall, he piled up 163 tackles (No. 1 nationally), 14 sacks (No. 3) and 29 tackles for loss (No. 1) while finishing ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
He won the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as well as the Jack Lambert Award and the Pac-12's Defensive Player of the Year.
Arizona stole Wright, as Rodriguez gave him his only FBS scholarship offer. When healthy, he is a sideline-to-sideline force who has excellent drive and tackling ability. His return will give Arizona a major boost in its pursuit of a Pac-12 title.
28. Oregon RB Royce Freeman
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New Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is a lucky man. Despite taking a road loss at Michigan State, Adams steps into one of the best jobs in football: running Oregon's fast-paced offense. What makes it special? Players like sophomore tailback Royce Freeman.
Last fall, Freeman stepped into a starting role and ran with it, rushing with power and speed and piling up 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He leads a strong Oregon ground game that keys the Ducks' offense. This fall, he's picked up right where he left off, going for 272 yards and four touchdowns in two games while averaging six yards per carry.
Freeman, who stands 5'11", 230 pounds, is the best bet to be a headliner and Oregon's next Heisman Trophy candidate. He can run. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. What's not to like?
27. Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine
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Last fall, Samaje Perine emerged as one of the most prolific backs in college football. The 5'10", 230-pound back had an incredible freshman season, making himself nearly impossible to bring down by opposing tacklers.
Perine finished 2014 with 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns and averaged 6.5 yards per carry. He also set the FBS single-game rushing record with 427 yards against Kansas on Nov. 22, one week after Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon set the record at 408 yards.
Now, the most interesting part will be how he adjusts to new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's Air Raid pass-happy system. Through two weeks, he has 34 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. There's no doubt Perine has the talent to succeed. It's a matter of how he adapts.
26. Southern California CB Adoree' Jackson
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Where can Adoree' Jackson make a difference for Southern California? The better question is, where can't he make a difference?
Starting quarterback Cody Kessler's job is safe, and then, well...
Last fall, Jackson made noise all over the field as a freshman. He stood out as a receiver and cornerback, settling in by midseason as one of the Trojans' starting corners.
Beyond his 10 pass breakups, Jackson also contributed as a receiver and kick returner with great speed and athleticism. He had 10 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown, including a 71-yard catch-and-run score against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl, and additionally averaged 29.7 yards per return with a pair of long kick-return scores.
The scary part is Jackson's ceiling is sky-high. Through two games this fall, Jackson is starting at cornerback (with a pass breakup), and he's already caught four passes for 62 yards while also returning kicks and punts. Keep this guy hydrated and he'll be a difference-maker in the push for a College Football Playoff berth.
25. Southern California S Su'a Cravens
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Southern California needs its defense to take a leap forward to compete for the Pac-12 title and a College Football Playoff berth, and Su'a Cravens is just the man to lead the Trojans D. Last fall, Cravens proved himself highly versatile, sliding in at both strong safety and outside linebacker.
He had an excellent season, starting all 13 games with 68 tackles, 17 for loss, as well as five sacks and three interceptions (returning one for a touchdown). He was a third-team Associated Press All-American and made the All-Pac-12 first team, too.
Cravens is capable of making impact plays all over the field. He led FBS defensive backs in tackles for loss last season, and he should be even better as a junior this fall.
24. Georgia Tech QB Justin Thomas
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Last fall, Justin Thomas was one of the biggest revelations of the college football season. He emerged as a linchpin of Georgia Tech's flexbone attack, leading the Yellow Jackets to 11 wins, an ACC Coastal Division title and an Orange Bowl win over Mississippi State.
Thomas passed for 1,719 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions and was also Tech's leading rusher with 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns.
Tech lost four of its top five rushers (Thomas was the only exception) and its top two receivers from a year ago, but it hasn't mattered much yet. The Yellow Jackets averaged 67 points per game in blowouts of Alcorn State and Tulane, and Thomas has thrown for 151 yards and three touchdowns while adding 73 yards and two rushing scores.
The road gets much tougher this week at Notre Dame, but if Thomas can stay healthy and upright, Georgia Tech stands an excellent chance of repeating its Coastal title and then some. He's a perfect fit for head coach Paul Johnson's offense.
23. Baylor DE Shawn Oakman
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If you watched the Cotton Bowl last New Year's Day, you got your introduction to Shawn Oakman. At 6'9", 275 pounds, Oakman is a terrifying human being to line up across from, particularly with a cropped jersey that shows off his ripped torso.
Baylor lost the Cotton Bowl to Michigan State, but Oakman made a big impression on viewers. Last fall, his first as a full-time starter, Oakman had 51 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. His decision to return for his senior season of college football filled Baylor fans with glee and opposing left tackles with dread.
Oakman is huge, and he has huge potential. He was suspended for Baylor's opener but has plenty of time to develop.
22. Florida State RB Dalvin Cook
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Not much went right for Florida State's offense Saturday afternoon against South Florida. Fortunately, Dalvin Cook was one of the things that did. Cook carried the Seminoles' struggling offense and flashed his massive potential, rushing for 266 yards and three touchdowns (the second-highest single-game rushing total in FSU history).
It was a sign Cook is ready to take a major step forward in 2015. Last fall, the 5'11", 202-pounder started slow but was one of FSU's top players by season's end. He finished the season with three consecutive 100-yard games, going for 144 against Florida and 177 and a touchdown in the Seminoles' ACC title game win over Georgia Tech.
Cook has speed, power and, if Saturday's performance against South Florida is any indication, he will announce himself as one of college football's top backs in 2015.
21. Michigan State QB Connor Cook
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Saturday night was a landmark win for Michigan State's program. The Spartans took a crucial early-season Top 10 matchup, edging then-No. 7 Oregon 31-28. It was a huge moment for senior quarterback Connor Cook, who had an average night (20-of-32, 192 yards, two touchdowns and an interception). Despite his average stats, the victory announced the Spartans as a true College Football Playoff contender.
Cook has played a gigantic role in Michigan State's rise to national prominence and its 25-3 record over the past two-plus seasons. Last fall, he threw for 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns against eight interceptions and was a key leader for the Spartans offense.
Cook has excellent pocket presence and a solid arm and will be one of the nation's top quarterbacks. His decision to forgo the NFL draft for his senior season looks like a smart one.
20. Ohio State WR Braxton Miller
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One of the best stories of the early season has been Ohio State's Braxton Miller. You already knew Miller as a quarterback. Before redshirting last fall following shoulder surgery, he was a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year who threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000 in 2013.
But while he sat, young quarterbacks Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett emerged, pushing him into a new role at wide receiver. He has embraced his new hybrid role and made an immediate impact. He has 118 yards rushing and a score as well as five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
His spin move that juked a Virginia Tech defender on the way to a 53-yard score was one of the biggest highlights of the first two weeks. Miller already looks comfortable in his new job, but imagine how good he'll be once he gets experience.
19. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott
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One of the most intriguing players in the SEC is Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott. This fall, all eyes will be on Prescott in Starkville. One year after Prescott led the Bulldogs to national relevance with a 10-win season and an Orange Bowl appearance, he faces a tougher task—repeating it.
Counting Prescott, Mississippi State brings back just seven starters and has been picked near the bottom of the SEC West. The Bulldogs dropped out of the Top 25 this week following a tough 21-19 loss to LSU, and if they're nationally prominent again, it'll be with Prescott leading the way.
Last fall, he emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate after throwing for 3,449 yards with 27 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while rushing for 986 yards and 14 touchdowns. Through two games, he has 572 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, adding 53 yards and two rushing scores. Can Dak carry this young Bulldog team on his back? Stay tuned.
18. UCLA LB Myles Jack
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Players with Myles Jack’s skill set are a real rarity in college football. Two years ago, the UCLA freshman was the Pac-12’s offensive and defensive rookie of the year after excelling on both sides of the ball. Last fall, Paul Perkins’ emergence as a No. 1 tailback allowed the Bruins to ease Jack’s workload on offense, and he finished with 88 tackles (eight for loss) and a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Bruins' Alamo Bowl win over Kansas State.
This fall, the defense will count on Jack even more so following leading tackler Eric Kendricks’ graduation. He’s needed as a linebacker and not so much in the offensive backfield (where he has two carries for seven yards in two games). He’ll make a significant impact for a UCLA defense that is hoping to pave the way to a College Football Playoff berth.
He’s an athletic impact player who will be a leader for the UCLA defense and one of the nation’s top linebackers.
17. Virginia Tech CB Kendall Fuller
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Bud Foster is one of the best defensive coordinators in college football, but in recent years, he’s received some major help from the Fuller family. And in this case, the Fullers saved the best for last.
All three of Kendall Fuller’s older brothers played for Virginia Tech, so it was somewhat of a no-brainer that he joined the Hokies. What a decision that’s been for Foster, Tech’s longtime defensive coordinator.
Last fall, Fuller established himself as a second-team All-American and one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. The 6’0”, 196-pound cornerback racked up 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and 15 pass breakups.
He doesn’t have any picks through the first two games, but give Fuller time. The lockdown cornerback looks certain to follow brother Kyle, a 2014 first-round pick of the Chicago Bears, to the NFL sooner rather than later.
16. Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche
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For Robert Nkemdiche, the talent has always been there. He was one of the nation’s most highly recruited players before signing with Ole Miss three years ago—a multitalented prospect who made an impact on both sides of the ball during his prep career.
As he begins his junior season, Nkemdiche is doing just that. Last fall, he was disruptive, although his stats didn’t really show it: 35 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Through two games, he remains hard for opposing offensive linemen to handle, and he’s added an offensive aspect. He has two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, and could be a game-changing force in the Rebels’ march through the SEC West. Nkemdiche’s time is now, and college football should take notice.
15. Baylor OT Spencer Drango
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So far, so good for Baylor’s offense. The Bears have finished No. 1 in total offense for each of the last two seasons, and despite losing star quarterback Bryce Petty to graduation, they’ve shown no sign of slowing down in the first two weeks, averaging 61 points per game.
New starting quarterback Seth Russell is an excellent fit, and it certainly helps that senior left tackle Spencer Drango is protecting his blind side.
Drango is one of the top linemen in college football and an anchor for Baylor’s offensive line. At 6’6”, 320 pounds, he is a four-year starter with quick feet, good body movement and excellent hands. He’ll be a top candidate for awards such as the Outland Trophy and a premium NFL draft pick next spring.
14. Colorado State WR Rashard Higgins
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Sometimes when you move into a new home, the previous owner leaves behind a trinket or two. Maybe a picnic table in the backyard, some shelving in the garage or a nice shower caddy in the second bathroom.
New Colorado State head coach Mike Bobo got something much better from former coach Jim McElwain: wide receiver Rashard Higgins. Last fall, Higgins put up incredible stats, notching 96 receptions for 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns as one of the nation’s top overall receivers. He had 10 100-yard receiving games on the season, finishing his sophomore campaign with eight consecutive such games.
Higgins has solid size at 6’2", 190 pounds. He has been hampered by a nagging ankle injury and sat out Saturday’s loss to Minnesota, but once healthy, he’ll put up impressive numbers again this fall. He already has seven receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown in his lone appearance to date.
13. Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell
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Two weeks into the season, Ole Miss has the top-scoring offense in FBS, averaging 74.5 points per game. The Rebels will receive a severe test this week at Alabama, but they have a confident new quarterback in junior Chad Kelly and a healthy, talented wide receiver in Laquon Treadwell.
Last fall, the Ole Miss offense was never the same after Treadwell broke his ankle at the end of a 35-31 loss to Auburn. He finished the season with 48 receptions for 632 yards and five touchdowns.
He’s fully recovered and even faster than before, racking up nine receptions for 117 yards in a pair of blowouts. He is a physical, big-play receiver, and if the Rebels build on 2014’s nine-win campaign, he’ll be a huge reason why.
12. Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun
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Saturday night, Michigan State got the kind of win that could fuel its College Football Playoff hopes, taking down then-No. 7 Oregon, 31-28, at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defensive line consistently harassed mobile Duck quarterback Vernon Adams and forced him into mistakes, playing a huge role in the key victory.
Shilique Calhoun anchored that line. At 6’5”, 250 pounds, he has an NFL-ready body, but his decision to return for his senior season gave the team a huge boost for 2015. Last fall, he had eight sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. His choice to return for his final season of college football should improve his NFL draft stock and Michigan State's chances of making the College Football Playoff.
11. Southern California QB Cody Kessler
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This fall, Southern California has made it clear that it has shed the shackles of NCAA probation. The Trojans have a loaded roster and are 2-0 heading into Saturday’s Pac-12 opener against Stanford.
A big reason why? Senior quarterback Cody Kessler. Last fall, he threw for 3,826 yards with 39 touchdowns against five interceptions, and he’s built on that effort so far this fall. Through two games, Kessler has thrown for 650 yards with seven touchdowns against no interceptions.
He has a great receiver corps, and JuJu Smith-Schuster has capably filled the No. 1 role left behind by NFL first-round pick Nelson Agholor. Kessler has great pocket presence and a strong arm, and he should keep USC in College Football Playoff contention all season long.
10. Alabama RB Derrick Henry
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At long last, Derrick Henry is the man in Alabama’s backfield, and he’s taking full advantage of it. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban prefers a two-back system that always favors the veteran, which led to Henry biding his time in his first two seasons on campus.
Last fall, T.J. Yeldon had 194 carries to Henry’s 172, but Henry outrushed him 990-979 and averaged 5.8 yards per carry to Yeldon’s 5.0.
With Yeldon in the NFL, Henry is the clear top dog, and he has shown as much. Through two games, he has 243 rushing yards and six scores, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. At 6’3”, 242 pounds, he has the skills, size and power for a true breakout season. The SEC is full of talented tailbacks, but Henry is one of its best and one of the best nationally.
9. Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves III
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While new Florida head coach Jim McElwain has some offensive issues to deal with that he inherited from predecessor Will Muschamp, he has no such problems with the Gators secondary. That’s largely because of the presence of junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.
Hargraves, who stands 5’11”, 192 pounds, sat out Saturday’s win over East Carolina with a leg injury that he suffered in practice. He is coming off a strong sophomore season that earned him second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press.
He is a lockdown corner who can hang with the nation’s best receivers. Hargreaves led the SEC last fall with 13 pass breakups and, assuming he stays healthy, he'll do the same in 2015.
8. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
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Clemson is a legit College Football Playoff contender with one qualifier: Deshaun Watson needs to stay healthy. That’s how good the Tigers’ sophomore quarterback is, assuming he can stay upright and on the field.
Last fall, Watson didn’t begin the season as Clemson’s starter and missed all or part of seven games with a broken finger and a torn ACL. However, what he showed when he was healthy was incredible. He threw for 1,466 yards with 14 touchdowns against two interceptions, including an ACC single-game record-tying six touchdowns against North Carolina in his first career start.
While losing returning 1,000-yard receiver Mike Williams to a neck fracture hurts, Watson is healthy and at the helm of one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. He has talented wideouts such as Artavis Scott, Charone Peake, Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud at his disposal.
Through two games, Watson has thrown for 442 yards with five touchdowns against one interception, completing 77.1 percent of his passes. That’s a good start, one that he’ll have to build on against tougher competition such as Georgia Tech and Notre Dame in the coming weeks.
7. Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
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New Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis has made an immediate impact with the Aggies defense, as Arizona State found out in the 2015 season opener. A&M frustrated one of the nation’s most prolific offenses, notching a pair of turnovers along with nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Sophomore defensive end Myles Garrett played a huge role in that dominance. He had two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble while consistently drawing extra attention from the Sun Devils line.
It was a perfect opening step for Garrett, who established himself as one of the nation’s top pass-rushers as a freshman. He finished 2014 with 53 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. The sack total was an SEC freshman record, racing past the old record of eight set by former South Carolina end and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Jadeveon Clowney.
At 6’5”, 262 pounds, Garrett has excellent size and a nonstop motor to go with it. He can serve as a cornerstone for Chavis’ defensive rebuild while antagonizing SEC offenses.
6. Ohio State DE Joey Bosa
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Perhaps the scariest part about Ohio State’s 42-24 season-opening whipping of Virginia Tech was who the Buckeyes did it without. Junior defensive end Joey Bosa was one of four prominent Buckeyes who didn’t play due to undisclosed violations of team policy, but his team didn’t really need him.
With Bosa on board, it’s frightening to think about how good Ohio State’s defense can be. The 6’6”, 275-pound end is clearly one of the nation’s top defenders and a standout NFL draft prospect. Last fall, he was almost unblockable, making 55 tackles with 21 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
He has speed and power and is difficult for opposing offensive tackles to stop. Bosa will terrorize opposing offensive tackles across college football this fall. Next year, he’ll be the problem for 31 NFL teams.
5. LSU RB Leonard Fournette
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As Leonard Fournette begins his second season of college football, he’s doing what everyone expected of him and fulfilling the hype as 2014’s top overall recruit. LSU’s sophomore tailback did a good job of that last fall, using a strong finish to end his freshman season with 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns.
That only whetted appetites for this fall, and so far Fournette is living up to expectations. After storms washed out LSU’s opener against McNeese State, the talented sophomore carried 28 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Mississippi State. He was almost unstoppable.
Fournette has power and speed and is more than capable of running over opposing linebackers or juking and cutting around them. New LSU quarterback Brandon Harris just needs to hand off to Fournette and block as best he can. Fournette is a major weapon for the Tigers’ hopes of an SEC West title.
4. Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott
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One of the biggest problems facing an Ohio State Heisman Trophy candidate is the amount of talent that resides on the roster. How do you focus on just one player when there are stars all over the field?
That said, it’s worth focusing your attention on Ezekiel Elliott, as the junior tailback has set himself apart as one of the top players in college football. He announced himself during 2014’s push to a national title with an incredible finish.
Elliott rushed for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns and finished the season with three consecutive 200-yard rushing efforts. His best game was in the College Football Playoff National Championship, rushing 36 times for 246 yards and four scores in Ohio State’s 42-20 rout of Oregon.
Through two games this fall, Elliott has rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and passing the 100-yard mark in both games. He has a great blend of size and speed at 6’0”, 225 pounds, and he'll be a key force in Ohio State’s bid for a repeat national title.
A little advice for college fans: Watch Elliott while you can. He won’t be here much longer.
3. Georgia RB Nick Chubb
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If Georgia breaks through its 35-year national title drought this fall, there’s an excellent chance the Bulldogs will do so thanks to the churning legs of Nick Chubb. Last fall, he emerged from Todd Gurley’s shadow to become one of college football’s best tailbacks, rushing for 1,547 yards with 14 touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He ended the season with eight consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
He received a major compliment from Georgia legend and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, who called Chubb a “throwback.”
"Let me tell you the reason I say he is a throwback,” Walker said, according to ESPN, via 247Sports’ Kipp Adams. “We got running backs today, and they are getting the ball 15 times, maybe 20, at the very most. But Nick Chubb is a throwback, you can give him the ball 30 times a game, and next week you can give it to him again and he is ready to go."
This fall, he’s picked up right where he left off last fall. Chubb has extended that streak to 10 games, rushing for 309 yards and two touchdowns in wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Vanderbilt. Saturday, he carried 19 times for 189 yards in a 31-14 rout of the Commodores.
He is a powerful back who runs like a rolling ball of butcher knives, bowling over tacklers and always churning forward. Georgia will likely lean on him heavily this fall with the uncertainty at quarterback, and that’s fine. He’ll carry the load all the way to the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
2. TCU QB Trevone Boykin
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One year ago, Trevone Boykin emerged from semi-obscurity as one of the best players in college football. Credit Gary Patterson and TCU’s co-offensive coordinators for realizing that Boykin’s skills fit their new Air Raid system. Grantland's Matt Hinton did an excellent job of showing just how Boykin made the jump from athlete to star quarterback.
Boykin took full advantage of his opportunity, throwing for 3,901 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and adding 707 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The Horned Frogs finished 12-1 and just missed the College Football Playoff.
This fall, Boykin is a clear front-runner for the Heisman Trophy and the leading returning Heisman vote-getter. TCU is the nation’s No. 3 team, and through two weeks, Boykin has done nothing to hurt his chances. He’s thrown for 531 yards with five touchdowns against two interceptions, completing 63.8 percent of his passes and adding a rushing touchdown.
If TCU’s offense remains as potent as it was a year ago, Boykin will be a top Heisman candidate and will garner serious attention from NFL scouts.
1. Ohio State QB Cardale Jones
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When he trotted out with Ohio State’s first-team offense last Monday at Virginia Tech, Cardale Jones officially won one of the most high-profile quarterback battles in recent memory. Most programs would kill for either Jones or J.T. Barrett under center, but Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer had to pick between the two.
Jones emerged from anonymity last December following Barrett’s broken ankle to lead Ohio State’s march to the program’s first national title since 2002. He caught the nation’s attention with an impressive effort that included 860 passing yards with seven touchdowns against two interceptions, completing 60.9 percent of his passes while adding 296 rushing yards and a touchdown.
At 6’5”, 250 pounds, Jones can throw deep or bowl over opposing tacklers, and he has a huge ceiling after beating out Barrett for the starting role. Through two games, he has 298 passing yards with two touchdowns against an interception as well as 104 rushing yards and a touchdown. His accuracy (59.5 percent this fall) could use some work, but the sky is the limit for Jones and Ohio State’s offense.
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