College Football 2011: The 50 Best Offensive Players

The College Football Season is more than half over, but we have only really started. So far, there have been a few upsets, a few surprises and more than a few spectacular performances.

Since it has been such an amazing year we thought it would be appropriate to list the top 50 offensive players so far this year. 

Now, you may not agree with the list, the order of the list, or the top of the list, but one thing you will agree with is that everyone on this list is exceptional. 

Take a look at the top 50 college football offensive players so far this year. 

No. 50 Ben Jones

Player: Ben Jones

Height: 6-3

Weight: 316 lbs.

Team: Georgia

Jersey No.: 60

Position: Center

Stats: Good center, great blocker

Offensive linemen don't always get their due, but there are five total on this list of 50. 

No. 49 Luke Joeckel

Player: Luke Joeckel 

Height: 6-6

Weight: 304 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Texas A&M

Jersey No.: 76

Position: Offensive tackle

Stats: Very effective, NFL prospect for sure

Joeckel was instrumental last week at helping the Aggies have two running backs break 100 yards rushing. 

No. 48 Patrick Edwards

Player: Patrick Edwards

Height: 5-9

Weight: 175 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Houston

Jersey No.: 83

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 44 receptions for 751 yards and six touchdowns. 

Edwards has remained very consistent for the first half of the season. His longest touchdown so far is 70 yards, and he is averaging 17.1 yards per catch. 

No. 47 Marcus Coker

Player: Marcus Coker

Height: 6-1

Weight: 230 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Iowa

Jersey No.: 34

Position: Running back

Stats: 150 attempts for 717 yards and eight touchdowns.

He is a good old-fashioned running back, with the ability to make you miss. He also has caught 15 passes for 94 yards on the season. He is averaging a very respectable 4.8 yards per carry.   

No. 46 Michael Floyd

Player: Michael Floyd

Height: 6-3

Weight: 224 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Notre Dame

Jersey No.: 3

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 57 receptions for 667 yards and four touchdowns. 

He is one of the many reasons that Notre Dame looks much better this year than last year. Floyd is averaging 11.7 yards per catch, and his longest gain this year is 35 yards. 

No. 45 B.J. Cunningham

Player: B.J. Cunningham

Height: 6-2

Weight: 215 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Michigan State

Jersey No.: 3

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 48 Receptions for 723 Yards, and three touchdowns.

He didn't catch the Hail Mary, but he is a big reason that Michigan State has come this far. His average per catch is a respectable 15.1 yards, and his longest gain this year was 52 yards. 

No. 44 Casey Pachall

Player: Casey Pachall

Height: 6-5

Weight: 216 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: TCU

Jersey No.: 4

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 188 attempts with 131 completions for 1,566 yards, 17 touchdowns and only four interceptions. 

Probably a surprise to some to see Pachall on this list, but he has been impressive. He is completing just about 70 percent of his passes, and his quarterback rating is 165.2. TCU misses Andy Dalton, but with Casey Pachall at the helm, they don't miss him as much. 

No. 43 Zach Line

Player: Zach Line

Height: 6-1

Weight: 230 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: SMU

Jersey No.: 48

Position: Running back

Stats: 137 carries for 828 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

So far Zach Line is proving that he is the real deal. He also has caught seven passes out of the backfield for an additional 77 yards. He is hard-hitting and very tough. 

No. 42 Tyler Wilson

Player: Tyler Wilson

Height: 6-3

Weight: 220 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Arkansas

Jersey No.: 8

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 148 completions on 236 attempts, and 2,011 yards with 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Wilson has played very well this year. He has a passer rating of 148.5 and a completion rate of 62.7 percent.

No. 41 Doug Martin

Player: Doug Martin

Height: 5-9

Weight: 215 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Boise State

Jersey No.: 22

Position: Running back

Stats: 142 carries for 747 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Martin is a dual threat. He has also caught 18 passes for 175 yards and two additional touchdowns. He is strong, fast and very tough. 

No. 40 Henry Josey

Player: Henry Josey

Height: 5-10

Weight: 190 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Missouri

Jersey No.: 20

Position: Running back

Stats: 99 carries for 855 yards and six touchdowns.

Josey also has caught six passes for 71 yards and averages 8.6 yards per carry. 

No. 39 Justin Blackmon

Player: Justin Blackmon

Height: 6-1

Weight: 215 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Oklahoma State

Jersey No.: 81

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 61 receptions for 662 yards and eight touchdowns.

Blackmon has been very consistent all year, and you can expect that to continue. 

No. 38 Michael Dyer

Player: Michael Dyer

Height: 5-9

Weight: 207 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Auburn

Jersey No.: 5

Position: Running back

Stats: 159 carries for 812 yards and eight touchdowns. 

A very good running back with toughness and grit. He has had a couple of tough games, but he should rebound.   

No. 37 Jacory Harris

Player: Jacory Harris

Height: 6-4

Weight: 195 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Miami

Jersey No.: 12

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 90 completions on 145 attempts, 1,244 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

A 155.9 passer rating and a completion rate of 62 percent. He has had a good year, but his team has struggled at times. 

No. 36 Landry Jones

Player: Landry Jones

Height: 6-4

Weight: 229 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Oklahoma

Jersey No.: 12

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 201 completions on 308 attempts for 2,589 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Jones has been great this year. He is completing over 65 percent of his passes and has a passer rating of 153.8. 

No. 35 Silas Redd

Player: Silas Redd

Height: 5-10

Weight: 209 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Penn State

Jersey No.: 25

Position: Running back

Stats: 165 carries for 869 yards and six touchdowns. 

Redd is making waves this year. Averaging 5.3 yards per carry, his longest run was 42 yards. He also has caught eight passes for 31 yards. 

No. 34 Kendall Wright

Player: Kendall Wright

Height: 5-10

Weight: 190 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Baylor

Jersey No.: 1

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 55 receptions for 757 yards and nine touchdowns.

Good receiver, averaging 13.8 yards per catch. He also has run the ball four times for 37 additional yards.

No. 33 Chris Polk

Player: Chris Polk

Height: 5-11

Weight: 222 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Washington

Jersey No.: 1

Position: Running back

Stats: 149 carries for 872 yards and five touchdowns.

A great running back and receiver, Polk has 14 receptions on the year for 149 additional yards and two more touchdowns. 

No. 32 Ronnie Hillman

Player: Ronnie Hillman

Height: 5-10

Weight: 190 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: San Diego State

Jersey No.: 13

Position: Running back 

Stats: 145 carries for 833 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

If you have seen Ronnie Hillman run you know he is incredible. Fast, elusive, quick and strong—he is pretty good. 

No. 31 Matt Kalil

Player: Matt Kalil

Height: 6-7

Weight: 295 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: USC

Jersey No.: 75

Position: Offensive left tackle

Stats: Great blocker, tall and strong. 

Another great lineman on this list of the 50 best college offensive players.

No. 30 Marquess Wilson

Player: Marquess Wilson

Height: 6-4

Weight: 183 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Washington State

Jersey No.: 86

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 41 receptions for 763 yards and six touchdowns. 

It is really too bad he doesn't get the attention he deserves. A very good receiver with excellent hands, speed and quickness. 

No. 29 Nick Foles

Player: Nick Foles

Height: 6-5

Weight: 240 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Arizona

Jersey No.: 8

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 227 completions on 320 attempts for 2,546 yards and 18 touchdowns.

With a pass completion percentage of 70.9 and a passer rating of 153.2, Foles is having a great year, even if his team is not. 

No. 28 Brandon Weeden

Player: Brandon Weeden

Height: 6-4

Weight: 218 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Oklahoma State

Jersey No.: 3

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 222 completions on 309 attempts for 2,436 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

Weeden is completing over 71 percent of his passes, and has a passer rating of 153.8. He has thrown seven interceptions on the year, but that has not hurt his team one bit. 

No. 27 Ryan Broyles

Player: Ryan Broyles

Height: 5-10

Weight: 188 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Oklahoma

Jersey No.: 85

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 67 receptions for 899 yards and nine touchdowns.

Very consistent receiver, with speed and agility. He averages 13.4 yards per catch, and has a longest gain of 64 yards. 

No. 26 Montee Ball

Player: Montee Ball

Height: 5-11

Weight: 210 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Wisconsin

Jersey No.: 28

Position: Running back

Stats: 125 carries for 768 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Ball has carried the ball effectively and has caught nine passes for 190 yards and two additional touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 21.1 yards per catch. 

No. 25 Bryn Renner

Player: Bryn Renner

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: North Carolina

Jersey No.: 2

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 147 completions on 203 attempts for 1,857 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Renner has been impressive this season, completing over 72 percent of his passes. He also has a quarterback rating of 166.4.

No. 24 Ray Graham

Player: Ray Graham

Height: 5-9

Weight: 195 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Washington

Jersey No: 1

Position: Running back

Stats: 162 carries for 939 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Great runner, and can catch the ball too. He has 30 receptions on the year for 200 yards. He averages 5.8 yards per carry on the ground, and 6.7 yards per catch. 

No. 23 Keith Price

Player: Keith Price

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Washington

Jersey No.: 17

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 141 completions on 206 attempts for 1,713 yards and 22 touchdowns. 

Price has been a very nice surprise for Washington. He has had only five interceptions this year, and is completing over 68 percent of his passes. He also has a passer rating of 168.7. 

No. 22 David DeCastro

Player: David DeCastro

Height: 6-5

Weight: 307 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Stanford

Jersey No.: 52

Position: Offensive guard

Stats: Very effective, tough, reliable.

DeCastro was instrumental in helping Stanford rush for over 440 yards against Washington.

No. 21 Robert Woods

Player: Robert Woods

Height: 6-1

Weight: 180 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: USC

Jersey No.: 2

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 72 receptions for 902 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Incredible, talented, fast and elusive, that pretty much sums up Robert Woods. He averages 12.5 yards per catch, and has run the ball on four occasions for 19 additional yards. 

No. 20 Tajh Boyd

Player: Tajh Boyd

Height: 6-1

Weight: 230 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: Clemson

Jersey No.: 10

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 172 completions on 278 attempts with 2,379 yards, 24 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

Tajh Boyd is a very athletic quarterback, and he has to be with the struggles on the line this year for Clemson. However, he still has his team undefeated. He has a pass completion percentage of 61.9 and a passer rating of 160.1. 

No. 19 Keenan Allen

Player: Keenan Allen

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205 lbs.

Year: Sophomore

Team: California

Jersey No.: 21

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 60 receptions for 906 yards and five touchdowns. 

Keenan Allen is a special receiver. It is too bad his team hasn't been special this year, or you would be hearing a lot more about him. As it stands he is still good enough for a top 20 appearance on this list.   

No. 18 Barrett Jones

Player: Barrett Jones

Height: 6-5

Weight: 311 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Alabama

Jersey No.: 75

Position: Offensive left tackle

Stats: A solid blocker, and doesn't let anyone push him around. He is a top-notch draft prospect and a top-notch teammate. 

No. 17 Bernard Pierce

Player: Bernard Pierce

Height: 6-1

Weight: 218 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Temple

Jersey No.: 30

Position: Running back

Stats: 181 carries for 951 yards and 18 touchdowns. 

Bernard Pierce does it all. He runs the ball with passion, and does not let up. He has caught the ball out of the backfield just three times this year, but averages 17.3 yards per catch. Maybe Temple's offensive coordinator should try more of that. 

No. 16 Jarrett Lee

Player: Jarrett Lee

Height: 6-2

Weight: 206 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: LSU

Jersey No.: 12

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 155 attempts with 98 completions for 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Jarrett Lee has his team at the top of the charts, but he hits our list at No. 16. He has been very effective this year. He has completed 63.2 percent of his passes, and has a passer rating of 157.4. 

No. 15 Sammy Watkins

Player: Sammy Watkins

Height: 6-1

Weight: 180 lbs.

Year: Freshman

Team: Clemson

Jersey No: 2

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 54 receptions for 819 yards and 9 touchdowns. 

Sammy Watkins is the highest-ranked freshman on this list, with good reason. He has run the ball this year as well, carrying it for 21 attempts and 126 yards. He averages six yards per carry and 15.2 yards per catch. An amazing athlete, deserving of this No. 15 ranking. 

No. 14 Nate Potter

Player: Nate Potter

Height: 6-6

Weight: 300 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Boise State

Jersey No.: 73

Position: Offensive left tackle

Stats: Effective run and pass blocker.

Nate Potter is the highest-rated offensive lineman on this list. He is the key to an offensive line that has allowed only two sacks on quarterback Kellen Moore all year. A certain first-round draft pick, and all-around good guy, Potter makes our list at No. 14.

No. 13 Bobby Rainey

Player: Bobby Rainey

Height: 5-8

Weight: 205 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Western Kentucky

Jersey No.: 3

Position: Running back

Stats: 203 carries for 910 yards and eight touchdowns.

Incredible running back and receiver. He also has had 25 receptions on the year for 239 yards and two additional touchdowns. He averages 4.5 yards per carry and 9.6 yards per catch. He is an incredible talent with all the right stuff. 

No. 12 Robbie Rouse

Player: Robbie Rouse

Height: 5-7

Weight: 185 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Fresno State

Jersey No.: 8

Position: Running back

Stats: 191 carries for 979 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Rouse has the moves, the speed and the toughness. He can catch the ball too. He has 13 receptions on the year for 101 yards. He has made some spectacular runs this season, including one very special 65-yard gain. He is a solid No. 12 on this list.    

No. 11 A.J. Jenkins

Player: A.J. Jenkins

Height: 6-1

Weight: 190 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Illinois

Jersey No.: 8

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 62 receptions for 987 yards and seven touchdowns. 

A.J. Jenkins has been outstanding for his team this year. He averages 15.9 yards per catch, and has proven to be a trustworthy option for his quarterback. 

No. 10 Matt Barkley

Player: Matt Barkley

Height: 6-2

Weight: 220 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: USC

Jersey No.: 7

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 258 attempts for 176 completions and 2,006 yards, 19 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

Matt Barkley is playing like we expect a USC quarterback to play. He is completing 68.2 percent of his passes, and has a passer rating of 154.7. 

No. 9 Chris Givens

Player: Chris Givens

Height: 6-0

Weight: 195 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Wake Forest

Jersey No.: 2

Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 46 receptions for 886 yards and eight touchdowns.

The only wide receiver in the top 10, Chris Givens is special...whether you know it or not. He is averaging 19.3 yards per catch. He runs crisp, clean patterns, and has the speed and the moves to make any defense pay more attention to him than they would like to. Great hands, and a great player at No. 9 on our list. 

No. 8 Case Keenum

Player: Case Keenum

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Houston

Jersey No.: 7

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 266 attempts with 194 completions for 2,685 yards, 23 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Case Keenum does not get his due. This guy is not just a "system" quarterback, he is a talented player with more than enough ability to land him on the top 10 of this list. His passer rating is 184.8, and his completion rating is 72.9 percent. 

No. 7 LaMichael James

Player: LaMichael James

Height: 5-9

Weight: 185 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Oregon

Jersey No.: 21

Position: Running back

Stats: 852 yards on 95 carries and eight touchdowns.

It is too bad that James got hurt. This guy was having an incredible season. Let's hope he makes it back soon. His average per carry is nine yards, and he had 11 receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown before he was injured. A very good running back, and worthy for a top-10 rating on this list. 

No. 6 Russell Wilson

Player: Russell Wilson

Height: 5-11

Weight: 201 lbs.

Year: Senor

Team: Wisconsin

Jersey No.: 16

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 109 completions on 149 attempts, 1,780 yards and 16 touchdowns with only three Interceptions. 

Although his Heisman Trophy hopes seem to be fading, he has not. With a quarterback rating of 204.9 and a completion rate of 73.2 percent, this guy is for real. 

No. 5 David Wilson

Player: David Wilson

Height: 5-20

Weight: 205 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Virginia Tech

Jersey No.: 4

Position: Running back

Stats: 1,037 yards on 164 carries and seven touchdowns. 

David Wilson is a name you might not be too familiar with, but you should be. He averages 6.3 yards per carry, and makes defensive players look silly. He also has caught 15 passes for 96 yards and an additional touchdown. The scary thing is, he is only a junior. 

No. 4 Andrew Luck

Player: Andrew Luck

Height: 6-4

Weight: 235 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Stanford

Jersey No.: 12

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 145 completions on 202 attempts for 1,888 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. 

Andrew Luck is what a pro quarterback prospect should look like...and play like. He has a completion rating of 71.8 percent and a passer rating of 180. He can run the ball if he needs to, but most of the damage he does is with his golden arm. He is a great college quarterback, and worthy of the No. 4 ranking on this list. 

No. 3 Kellen Moore

Player: Kellen Moore

Height: 6-1

Weight: 191 lbs.

Year: Senior

Team: Boise State

Jersey No.: 11

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 178 completions on 228 attempts for 2,010 yards, 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

Kellen Moore has been Mr. Consistent his entire career at BSU. He has tied Colt McCoy's record for most wins by a college quarterback as a starter at 45 wins. He should get the record versus UNLV in two weeks. percent. The Broncos are on a bye week this week. Moore completes 76.3 percent of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 180.7.  

No. 2 Trent Richardson

Player: Trent Richardson

Height: 5-11

Weight: 224 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Alabama

Jersey No.: 3

Position: Running back

Stats: 149 carries for 989 yards, and 17 touchdowns.

If you saw his 76-yard touchdown run against Ole Miss, you know what this guy can do. He stops on a dime, and takes off on a rocket. He is averaging 6.6 yards per carry, and he catches the ball too. He has 18 receptions on the year for another 212 yards and one touchdown. He is a remarkable runner, and worthy of the No. 2 spot on this list. 

No. 1 Robert Griffin III

Player: Robert Griffin III

Height: 6-2

Weight: 220 lbs.

Year: Junior

Team: Baylor

Jersey No.: 10

Position: Quarterback

Stats: 182 attempts with 142 completions, 1,950 yards,  22 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

This is probably a controversial pick for some, but all you have to do is look at what this guy has done this season. He is completing 78 percent of his passes and averaging 10.7 yards per completion. His passer rating is a gaudy 205.7, and that's remarkable considering his offensive line is not the best. He has been sacked 15 times and yet he still manages to rack up the stats. 

He is an incredible athlete, and a worthy pick for No. 1 on this list.