College Football: Predicting Who the Top 50 Players Will Be in 2012

This college football season has been ripe with excitement, chaos and crazy finishes.

Sadly, the end is in sight.

Let's take a look ahead at which players will star in 2012.

For the sake of this list, juniors such as LaMichael James and Andrew Luck that are almost certainly going to be gone will not be included, but some guys who still might be on the fence made the list for now.

If you feel as if there have been any slights or cold shoulders given to anyone who didn't make the list, feel free to say so.

Honorable Mention

Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas

Coming back from a bad injury, he could still lead the SEC in rushing.

Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

Bad quarterbacks? No problem.

Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

Te'o will be the rock that anchors a stout defense.

Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame

Can Wood build on this year's form?

50. Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt

Aaron Donald plugs gaps.

It's that simple.

The man has nine sacks (pretty good for a tackle) and is the anchor of Pitt's defense.

He will have to provide some solid play against West Virginia for the Panthers to have a shot at knocking off WVU in the "Backyard Brawl."

49. Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia

Geno Smith needs some weapons in Dana Holgorsen's dynamic offense, and Stedman Bailey will be a big one next season.

He is averaging over 18 yards per catch and has scored 10 times this season.

It's not a stretch to see this guy as a potential Biletnikoff contender in 2012.

48. Eric Page, WR, Toledo

Eric Page scores in the passing and return game and can take it to the house from anywhere on the field.

If he remains for his senior season, he will have a shot at being one of the best receivers in the FBS.

Sure, he plays for Toledo, but the guy's ability is obvious.

47. Robbie Rouse, RB, Fresno State

Robbie Rouse has one more season left at Fresno State.

Bulldog fans hope he stays.

The man has averaged five yards per attempt and is sixth in the country in rushing yards.

Toss in his effectiveness when utilized in the passing game, and you have a pretty good running back.

46. Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford

The Cardinal are going to be in trouble next season after some key departures, but not at linebacker.

Chase Thomas is only part of the unit that will anchor the Stanford defense.

His numbers should go up next season, and he will better his sophomore season tackle numbers, possibly even approaching the 100-tackle mark.

45. Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Whoever passes the ball for USC next year has the luxury of not one, but two great wide receivers.

Marqise Lee had a breakout game against Oregon last week, scoring once and catching eight passes for nearly 200 yards.

He is averaging over 15 yards per catch, which is pretty impressive for a freshman wide receiver.

44. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska

Taylor Martinez has his ups and downs but is definitely one of the more explosive players to take the field on Saturdays.

His arm leaves something to be desired, but there are few quarterbacks in the game that make the plays he does with his feet.

If he can improve his accuracy over the summer, he will be at the helm of a talented young team with a chance to prove himself as a passer in 2012.

43. Bryn Renner, QB, UNC

Bryn Renner is leading an offense that lost the majority of its talent.

His numbers are solid for a first-year starter.

He has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes, scored 21 total touchdowns and averages over nine yards per attempt.

The ACC will be wide open yet again next season, and with Renner at the helm, UNC is in good shape.

42. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Geno Smith has been sacked 21 times, partly because he takes a little long to release the ball.

That said, if he can work out the kinks, he will be one of the better quarterbacks in the country next season.

He has still only thrown five interceptions and has 25 scores through the air.

With another season in Dana Holgorsen's offense, we could see video game-like numbers from this guy.

41. Marcus Coker, RB, Iowa

Marcus Coker burst onto the scene with a great performance in the Hawkeyes' bowl win last season.

He continued to get chances to shine in 2011 and is currently in the top 10 in rushing yards this season with 1,297.

He will be the focal point of the Hawkeye offense next season and have huge numbers as a result.

40. Jeremy Grove, LB, East Carolina

Jeremy Grove is from Ijamsville, Maryland, plays with his motor all the way open and is a true freshman.

Grove also has totaled a ridiculous 113 tackles already this season in spite of missing one game.

If he continues to see the field this well, he will break the century mark again easily in 2012.

39. Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska

Anyone who has watched this man play knows that he runs with authority.

He's not the fastest guy on the field or the shiftiest, but he gets his head down, hips square and runs downhill.

The Big Ten has some very talented backs this season, and Rex Burkhead can hang with any of them.

Next year, along with quarterback Taylor Martinez, Burkhead will do great things for the Huskers.

38. Nick Perry, DE, USC

It's a shame USC is still being punished for Pete Carroll and Reggie Bush.

The Trojans should get a shot at a BCS game.

A huge part of that success this year has been DE Nick Perry and his ability to rush the passer.

He has 50 tackles on the season to go with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Expect him to be a force in the Pac-12 next season.

37. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson

Where did this guy come from?

Tajh Boyd came out of seemingly nowhere, in tandem with wonder-frosh Sammy Watkins, to be the catalyst for an explosive offense.

He's scored 31 total touchdowns, and although he has thrown nine interceptions, that number should go down next season as he continues to progress.

36. Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee

Da'Rick Rogers now has six games with 100-plus receiving yards.

He's scored nine times, and next season, with Tyler Bray back under center for the whole season (knock on wood), Rogers will vastly improve those numbers.

The Vols are going to be very good on offense, especially at the skill positions.

35. John Simon, DE, Ohio State

In the midst of all the turmoil swirling around Ohio State, the defense has been consistent once again.

John Simon's got 43 tackles and six sacks in 2011 and will far surpass those numbers in 2012.

He will polish up his technique over the course of next season, and regardless of who is coaching the Buckeyes in 2012, Simon will be immensely successful.

34. Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Should Orson Charles return for another season, he will be the front-runner for the Mackey Award.

Not only is he a solid blocker, he also adds a target for Aaron Murray and has the ability to explode for a big game.

Murray will be key to Charles' success and vice versa in 2012.

33. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia

Aaron Murray led the Bulldogs to the SEC East title.

That's right. They have a shot at LSU in the BCS title game, as well as a potential BCS berth.

With all the turmoil surrounding Murray, including injuries galore and different running backs, he has been pretty consistent for Mark Richt's squad.

With some continuity in 2012, Murray will have a great season.

32. Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

Tennessee fans should be excited about next season.

Tyler Bray will be a junior and hopefully completely healthy, and this young offense has a ton of weapons.

Bray demonstrated the ability to make good reads and solid throws in every game before his injury.

He came back last week against a better-than-you-would-imagine Vanderbilt defense and threw two scores and two interceptions.

Those two were only his third and fourth of the season, meaning he has not thrown a pick in four out of his six starts.

31. Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn

Corey Lemonier has been a pleasant surprise for the Tigers.

He is second in the SEC in sacks with 8.5, which is the most by any SEC D-lineman this season.

Next season, this defense is going to be stout, and Lemonier's ability to improve his game will be key.

I expect him to be one of the top linemen in the conference in 2012.

30. Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State

Michael Mauti has been out since Sept. 24.

The Penn State defense has been solid without him; imagine what it would look like with him on the field.

In 2012, his ability to sniff out the ball-carrier and make jarring tackles will make him one of the best linebackers in the nation.

He has a long road to recovery from a torn ACL, but if he comes back near the top of his game, he will easily be one of college football's top 50 players next year.

29. Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma

Explosive.

It's the word that comes to mind when watching Stills

He's quick, agile and can get down the field awfully fast.

With Ryan Broyles gone, he will have a great opportunity to make some serious noise at the position in 2012.

28. Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Huskies will have the most dynamic backfield in the Pac-12 next season.

Chris Polk and Keith Price bring an explosive quality to this team that will make them difficult to slow.

Polk needs to find the end zone a bit more to be considered elite, as he has only found pay dirt 13 times this season.

Give him a year and he will be a potential Heisman candidate.

27. Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

Sam Montgomery has made huge strides as a sophomore and will be a force for the Tigers next season.

LSU seems to produce ridiculously talented defensive players on a regular basis, and Montgomery will be the key to the solid play of this unit in 2012.

Tyrann Mathieu will get the press, but Montgomery's ability to blow up offenses will determine how good this defense is next season.

26. Gerald Hodges, LB, PSU

Gerald Hodges has been the anchor for the Nittany Lions defense after the loss of Michael Mauti.

He has 81 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble this season and will get another chance to showcase his skill against Wisconsin's brutal running game this weekend.

If the Lions have a football program next season, Hodges will once again be one of the key players on that defense.

25. Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin

This sophomore is having a great year for the Badgers in spite of a move to inside linebacker.

Chris Borland will be the unquestioned leader of the Badgers defense next season and is currently second behind teammate Mike Taylor in total tackles in the conference.

He has the ability to change games with his speed and instincts, forcing turnovers or making the tackle for loss at critical junctures.

Borland should be a preseason All-American next season.

24. Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn

Auburn has been incredibly inconsistent this season.

Dyer needs some help from the passing game in 2012 and he will have a huge season.

He has scored 10 times this year on the ground and is averaging over five yards per carry, even though everybody in the country knows he is the focal point of the Auburn offense at this point.

This guy has some great talent and will be one of the best backs in the SEC next season.

23. Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

Cal always seems to have one great skill position player.

For now, it's Keenan Allen.

He was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist in just his second season.

His numbers are great—84 catches for 1,200 yards and six scores—and with another season under his belt, he will be dangerous again next season.

His explosiveness and leaping ability, coupled with his 6'3" height, make him a tough matchup for nearly any corner.

22. Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia

Jarvis Jones is a monster.

The Georgia defensive line has been improving, allowing him to make big plays all over the field.

The man has 12.5 sacks as well as a forced fumble.

The defense is going to show even more improvement next season as it gets another year to adjust to a new system, and Jones will flourish.

21. Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

If Tyler Wilson hangs around, he will battle Tyler Bray for best quarterback in the SEC.

He has thrown for over 3,200 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions against SEC competition.

He can add to his legend by having a solid game against LSU this season.

The Hogs will lose some talent next season, but if Wilson stays, they will be set at QB.

20. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Chances are Riley Reiff will be gone to enter the 2012 NFL draft.

However, if he returns for his senior season, the man will easily be a top-five lineman.

He has paved the way for a pretty effective Iowa rushing game, and with Marcus Coker showing immense improvement, this team is primed for a huge season rushing the ball. However, that is all contingent on Reiff's return.

19. Henry Josey, RB, Missouri

This sophomore from Angleton, Texas is averaging more than eight yards per carry this season.

The Tigers have been a major disappointment this season, but Henry Josey has been one of the few bright spots.

He will have a huge role on next year's squad, providing him with more attempts and a bigger opportunity to shine.

18. Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford

Nobody would wish harm on Shayne Skov.

That said, his injury earlier in the season opened the door for him to stay another year on "The Farm."

His ability to sniff out the ball and stuff the run is second to none, and his coverage skills aren't too shabby either.

After 84 tackles last season and an injury-shortened 2011, he will have a huge season in 2012.

17. Casey Pachall, QB, TCU

Andy Dalton who?

Casey Pachall has grown by leaps and bounds this season as a sophomore and will be one of the most dangerous threats in college football in 2012.

This guy led the Horned Frogs to a win over Boise State in Boise.

He has led them to a Mountain West title in their last season in the conference.

Pachall has tossed 24 touchdowns to six interceptions and completed 67.8 percent of his passes.

Given another year in the system, he will make TCU fans forget about Dalton.

16. David Amerson, CB, N.C. State

Eleven interceptions and five passes defended.

Pretty impressive.

David Amerson leads the country in picks and set the ACC single-season record.

Given his athletic ability and nose for the ball, he might break the double-digit interception mark again in 2012.

15. Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple

Temple is going to be tough to beat next season.

If Bernard Pierce stays, the Owls' rushing game will be extremely dangerous, as this guy punishes defenses for every little mistake and can make the big play.

He is second in the country in rushing touchdowns by a running back and one of only five players who have scored at least 20 times this season on the ground.

Good things are in store for the Owls.

14. Keith Price, QB, Washington

Keith Price is only a sophomore this season, but he is one of the many solid quarterbacks lurking in the Pac-12.

The kid was ridiculous up until the Stanford game, throwing at least three touchdowns in every game before the loss to the Cardinal.

Husky fans should be looking forward to next season, when this team has more experience with Price at the helm.

13. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Sammy Watkins is the best freshman receiver in the country.

He missed last week's game and will likely miss the game this weekend against South Carolina.

Even so, he has been a star for the Tigers when on the field.

Ten times he has found pay dirt, and his speed and athletic ability make him a threat to score every time he catches the ball.

Dabo Swinney has got to feel good about the Boyd-to-Watkins connection in 2012.

12. Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin

Mike Taylor leads the Big Ten in tackles and has taken over the role of quiet leader for the Badger locker room.

His experience has helped pick up a defensive unit that cost Wisconsin a shot at the BCS title by getting burned in two straight games.

Taylor and Chris Borland are going to be the top linebacker duo in the country in 2012.

11. Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

Luke Joeckel is going to be one of the top three linemen in the game next season.

He is a freak of nature, incredibly strong and athletic enough to pull when necessary.

If he stays healthy and continues to enjoy the success he is currently seeing, Joeckel might sneak into the top 10 of the 2013 NFL draft.

10. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Whitney Mercilus may be gone next season, but if for some reason he decides to stay, he will be the best DE in football.

He still leads the nation in sacks with 13.5 and is a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy.

His ability to penetrate off the edge has created nightmares for offensive lines all season, and he consistently gets pressure on whatever quarterback the Illini face.

Illinois fans have got to be praying for this guy to return.

9. David Wilson, RB, Va. Tech

David Wilson has been steadily getting better all season long.

He is third in the country in rushing yards with 1,442 but has only found the end zone rushing seven times this season.

However, given the experience this team has gained and the possibility that it might make a BCS game, Wilson has a chance to make some noise at the end of this season if he's able to surpass Ryan Williams for Tech's single-season rushing record.

That momentum will carry over into next season when the Hokies will once again be at or near the top of the ACC.

8. Robert Woods, WR, USC

Robert Woods is going to dominate the wide receiver position next season if he can stay healthy.

Even dinged up this year, he has been able to produce.

His 99 receptions, 1,179 yards and 13 touchdowns are good enough to earn him consideration as a Biletnikoff Award finalist.

Whoever starts at quarterback for the Trojans next season is going to have a field day.

7. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

He may not be the best passer in the history of the game, but he is one of the most exciting.

Denard Robinson's ability to scramble and baffle defenses is well documented, and his passing is slightly improved over last season's performance.

Even if he doesn't improve immensely over last season, he will have another year in a new system and already has the skills to be one of the top 50 players in 2012.

6. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State

Collin Klein has been the catalyst for a surprising Kansas State offense.

He needs to improve his accuracy and reads but is a threat with his feet as well as his arm.

Klein has the Wildcats in position to win 10 games during the regular season.

Give him another year with Bill Snyder, and this guy will be getting more hype for his performance.

5. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

Marcus Lattimore was on pace to lead the SEC in rushing this season before suffering his brutal injury.

He'll be back next year with a vengeance.

Here's wishing Marcus a speedy recovery.

4. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

There is a chance that Wisconsin will lose Montee Ball to the draft.

He is a junior and is having the best season by a running back in recent memory.

He became just the fifth player to score 30 touchdowns in NCAA history last week against Illinois, and should he remain for another season, he will likely have another stellar performance.

While he will not touch Barry Sanders' record 39 touchdowns this year, it took Sanders 373 attempts to score his, while Ball has done his work on only 223 attempts.

3. Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

You have probably heard the nickname "Honey Badger" ad nauseam this season.

Get used to it.

Tyrann Mathieu will be back next year, and after his incredible performances this season, he will be expected to shine in the LSU defense yet again.

The question remains as to whether he can hold down the secondary without Morris Claiborne at the other CB position.

2. Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Matt Barkley is coming on strong, and with a shredding of Oregon's defense, he has made a strong statement that he may be the best quarterback in the Pac-12.

But we have no idea if he will come back next season.

If he does, with the weapons at receiver the Trojans can field, he is going to be a force and, barring injury, will easily be a Heisman finalist in 2012.

1. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

He leads his team to incredible upsets, has the most ridiculously accurate deep ball any of us has seen in a long time and is fast enough to make a difference on the ground.

Though he undoubtedly has a future in the NFL, Griffin has said he is leaning toward staying for his final season with Baylor, according to those reporting on his conference call on Nov. 21.

I pity the rest of the Big 12...