Tyrann Mathieu, Trent Richardson Head List of Top 25 Players in College Football

Today I logged on to ESPN.com and saw an article with this same premise, only they were ranking the top 25 players in the SEC. I started reading the list and almost instantly disagreed with a majority of the players on their list, mainly with where they were ranked. 

So I’ve decided to do my own version of the list, from a fan's perspective. This time, however, looking at college football as a whole. It's a tough task in a year with so many great players on both sides of the ball.

Sometimes it feels as if the so-called “experts” have no clue what they’re talking about, am I right? Well, probably not.

But that can probably be attributed to a little bias on behalf of us fans. Of course, we want our team to be #1 in the rankings and have our quarterback as the front-runner for the Heisman. It gives us a "we're better than you" bragging right that only comes once a decade, or so it seems.

So here it is. A list you Alabama fans of you can show off to your rival Auburn co-workers.

25. Michael Dyer- RB Auburn Tigers

Michael Dyer had over 1,000 rushing yards last season as just a freshman for the National Champion Auburn Tigers.

Dyer has picked up in 2011 right where he left off 2010 and has rushed for over 140 yards in three games for the Tigers. War Eagle?

Dyer has 679 yards rushing and 8 TDs this season.

24. Dont'a Hightower- LB Alabama Crimson Tide

Dont'a Hightower has been hampered by knee injuries throughout his college career, but his knees seem to be fine now. Hightower anchors the Alabama defense and is a daunting presence in the middle of the field for opposing offenses.

Hightower has 34 tackles and 0.5 sacks on the season.

23. Ray Graham- RB Pittsburgh Panthers

The Pitt junior running back put on a show two weeks ago in the nationally televised Thursday night game against South Florida. The buzz quickly spread that the Panthers had someone special running the ball for them.

Graham may only be 5'9", but that doesn't stop him from putting up huge numbers.

On the season Ray Graham has rushed for a nation's best 899 yards and 9 TDs.

22. Robert Woods- WR Southern California Trojans

Robert Woods has been undoubtedly the Trojans best player. Quarterback Matt Barkley has found himself a target to throw to, and he has thrown to him often. 

Woods, just a sophomore, will be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 for at least another year.

So far in 2011, Woods has 55 receptions for 747 yards and 6 TDs.

21. Whitney Mercilus- DL Illinois Fighting Illini

The junior Mercilus has been merciless(pun intended) on opposing quarterbacks so far this season. He has 24 tackles on the year with 8.5 of them being sacks.

If one-third of your tackles are sacks, you're doing something right.

20. Antonio Allen- LB/S South Carolina Gamecocks

Antonio Allen has been ridiculously good for the Gamecocks through six games. It was hard to leave him out of the top 15 but he'll have to settle for #20.

The senior from Ocala, Fla., has 51 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and a TD in 2011.

19. Denard Robinson- QB Michigan Wolverines

A lot of people may have Robinson as their Heisman front-runner. A lot of those people probably live in Michigan, too.

There's no denying Robinson is a playmaker, but he still has a lot of work to do if he wants to play QB at the next level.

Passing- 1130 yards, 10 TDs and nine interceptions

Rushing- 720 yards and 8 TDs

18. Tajh Boyd- QB Clemson Tigers

I love this guy. Plain and simply, he's good.

Boyd not only makes plays, but he can also avoid mistakes with his feet and throws the ball well on the run. He's bursting on to the scene as just a sophomore and making a name for himself, and Clemson.

Tajh Boyd in 2011 has 1,742 yards passing, 120 yards rushing, 18 total TDs and only 2 interceptions.

17. Sammy Watkins- WR Clemson Tigers

Following up his quarterback, sitting just outside the top 15 is freshman sensation Sammy Watkins.

I've described this kid many times as a mix between two former college greats, Julio Jones and A.J. Green. That's a scary player combination for opposing cornerbacks.

Watkins has 38 receptions, 623 receiving yards and 6 TDs to go along with 94 rushing yards.

16. Ryan Broyles- WR Oklahoma Sooners

Senior wide receiver Ryan Broyles has been Sooner quarterback Landry Jones' favorite target for years now. Broyles has been key to the Oklahoma success the last three years and more this year.

Broyles in 2011 has 47 receptions for 598 yards and 7 TDs.

15. Michael Floyd- WR Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The senior from Saint Paul, Minnesota has a lot of people talking about just how good he really is. He's well on his way to having another 1,000 yard year receiving.

Floyd so far in 2011 has 53 receptions, 639 yards and 4 TD's.

14. Brandon Weeden- QB Oklahoma State Cowboys

The 27-year-old, yes 27, senior quarterback has improved on an outstanding 2010 season by raising his completion percentage almost 10 points. He has the Cowboys all the way up to #6 in the rankings, and they are certainly in the running for a Big 12 Championship.

Weeden in 2011 has a 75.8 percent completion rate, has thrown for 1,880 yards, 15 TDs and 6 interceptions.

13. Melvin Ingram- DE South Carolina Gamecocks

Melvin's numbers speak for themselves. He's a playmaker.

27 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions.

12. Case Keenum- QB Houston Cougars

Keenum could very well see himself atop the Heisman List at seasons end. He is finally healthy and putting up his normal crazy-good numbers.

2011 stats: 71.8 percent completion rating, 2,309 passing yards, 17 TDs and 2 interceptions.

11. Alshon Jeffery- WR South Carolina Gamecocks

Alshon Jeffery is a top 10 talent in this years draft class. He has shown his ability to go up and over defenders to catch the ball. 

Last season Jeffery had 88 receptions for 1,517 yards last season, but this season was been hurt by former Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia. With Connor Shaw tossing him the ball against Kentucky, Jeffery had his best game of the season, so look for Jeffery to put up big numbers the rest of the way.

So far in 2011 Jeffery has 25 catches for 427 yards and 4 TDs.

10. Landry Jones- QB Oklahoma Sooners

Landry continues to do what he's always done at Oklahoma: win games. He has put the Sooners in a great position to play for a BCS National Championship, and unless they stumble somewhere along the way, they should have no problem getting there.

2011 statistics: 1,814 yards passing, 13 TD's, 5 interceptions and 2 rushing TDs.

9. Marcus Lattimore- RB South Carolina Gamecocks

The sophomore tailback put up almost 1,200 yards last year as a freshman for the Gamecocks, and is well on his way to eclipsing that number this year. But some have viewed his 2011 campaign as somewhat of a disappointment, including myself. I was expecting more out of Lattimore this year.

While he has shown us his freshman year was no fluke, he needs to do more if he wants to win the Heisman Trophy this year. Still a great year though.

Lattimore has 779 yards rushing, 9 rushing TDs, along with 153 yards and a TD receiving.

8. Justin Blackmon- WR Oklahoma State Cowboys

We'll call Blackmon--The People's Champ. Justin Blackmon so far statistically is having a tough time putting up the same great numbers he put up last year. That doesn't take anything away from the talent he possesses. 

2011 statistics: 46 receptions, 534 yards and 6 TD's 

7. Kellen Moore- QB Boise State Broncos

It's hard to argue that Kellen Moore isn't unbelievably talented. But I can't give the lefty the credit he maybe deserves simply because of who he does it against. Sorry Boise fans.

2011 statistics: 74 percent completion rate, 1,391 yards passing, 17 TDs and 4 interceptions.

6. LaMichael James- RB Oregon Ducks

One word to describe this guy? Speed. 

LaMichael James put the Oregon Ducks on his back last year and almost took them all the way to the national championship. They came up short, but James is working hard to repeat that same task this year.

After losing to LSU in the season opener, where James only put up 54 yards, he has reeled off 200-yard games in the last 3 weeks. James suffered a dislocated elbow last Saturday vs. Cal, but he may not miss any time.

So far the Oregon back has 852 yards rushing on just 95 carries, 8 rushing TDs, 159 yards receiving and 1 receiving TD.

5. Andrew Luck- QB Stanford Cardinal

Andrew Luck, who passed up an opportunity to be the #1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has come back for his senior season and been as good as advertised. 

Luck has led the Cardinal to a #7 ranking and a shot at a National Championship.

So far in 2011 Luck has completed 73 percent of his passes for 1383 yards, 14 TDs and 2 interceptions. He has also rushed for 60 yards and a TD.

4. Russell Wilson- QB Wisconsin Badgers

When Russell Wilson transferred from NC State to Wisconsin, not many people predicted he would have the season he's having. Wilson has led the Badgers to a top 5 ranking and has been cruising through Big 10 opponents.

2011 statistics: 74.8 percent completion rating, 1,391 yards passing, 13 TDs, 1 interception, 140 yards rushing, 2 TDs.

3. Robert Griffin III- QB Baylor Bears

Robert Griffin III. Who?

Robert Griffin has been superb thus far for the Baylor Bears. Not only is he completing 80 percent of his passes, he's rushed for over 275 yards, caught a pass and even had a 39-yard punt. 

RG3 so far this season has 1391 passing yards, 19 TDs, 1 interception, 280 yards rushing and 2 rushing TDs.

2. Trent Richardson- RB Alabama Crimson Tide

When Richardson was a freshman and he was running behind then starter and eventual Heisman winner Mark Ingram, he was considered one of the best running backs in the nation. Now he's a junior and has all but officially earned that title.

It takes more than one guy to take down this monster of a runner. He runs with unmatched power and has breakaway speed once he gets in the open field. Look for him to be one of the five finalists for the Heisman Trophy by the end of the year.

Richardson has rushed for 729 yards and 11 TDs, and has 149 receiving yards for a TD.

1. Tyrann Mathieu- CB LSU Tigers

Mathieu has put up ridiculous numbers for the #1 team in the country, and he's just a sophomore. Sophomore or not, he has in many people's eyes emerged as the best player in college football today. I can't say I disagree with them.

Anyone who has watched LSU play this year knows about this kid. He's everywhere you look. In my opinion, he deserves the top spot and may get it when the Heisman winner is announced later this year.

2011 statistics: 97 return yards, 42 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 2 TDs