If it’s difficult to rank NFL players, it’s ten times more difficult to rank college players because of the sheer volume of them and the briefness of their short careers!
College football players, through no fault of their own, typically have to spend their first 2 to 3 years finding their footing and niche in their respective teams. Only in the 3rd and 4th years can we really judge their athleticism based on the progress they’ve made, and only then can we really project what their future might hold.
It’s also important to remember that not every college player makes it to the NFL (whether they don’t want to pursue football as a career or they don’t make the cut).
There are thousands more college players than NFL players, both at any given moment and in history.
So, with all this in mind, let’s tackle the topic of top college football players for the upcoming 2024 season as well as highlight some of the greats through the years!
Top 10 Best Players in College Football 2024
Experts typically only rank college football players who have been out of high school for at least 3 years, usually meaning they’re at least in their junior or senior year of a 4-year college. They’ve worked hard to build up their skills from high school, and now is their time to prove their stuff and secure the interest of NFL recruiters.
Here are the top 10 best college football players right now to keep your eye on, especially when the regular season ends and NFL draft season begins!
| Rank | Name | School | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Hunter | Colorado University | CB |
| 2 | James Pearce Jr. | University of Tennessee | EDGE |
| 3 | Mason Graham | University of Michigan | DL |
| 4 | Shedeur Sanders | Colorado State | QB |
| 5 | Luther Burden | University of Missouri | WR |
| 6 | Will Campbell | LSU (Louisiana State) | OT |
| 7 | Jalen Milroe | University of Alabama | QB |
| 8 | Carson Beck | University of Georgia | QB |
| 9 | Ollie Gordon II | Oklahoma State | RB |
| 10 | Kelvin Banks | Universtiy of Texas | OL |
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter
After playing his freshman year at Jackson State, Hunter followed his coach, Deion Sanders, to CU. His sophomore year was spent reinforcing the grand reputation he had already built with his high school and freshman college ball game. He won the Paul Hornung Award for best college football player in terms of versatility, also winning the All-Pac-12 honors at multiple positions.
Off the field, he is also a high-achieving student, earning awards for academics alongside his athleticism. Truly an interesting student-athlete to keep an eye on, Hunter is on track for a grand college career launching into a successful NFL career.
James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr.
After a strong high school, freshman, and sophomore year history, Pearce is already on the list of top edge rushers in the SEC, earning recognition from several organizations. His excellent instincts on the field and incredible control mean he is on the list of projected future top 10 NFL Draft picks. Without a doubt, he is one of the best college football players out there right now!
Mason Graham
Mason Graham
A footballer and a wrestler in high school, Graham quickly proved his skills in his freshman year, earning the Freshman All-American distinction by Pro Football Focus. In his second year, he also earned the Tournament of Roses 2023 Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP, among other awards. His trajectory appears to be very promising with his disruptive playing style!
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders
After playing two seasons with Jackson State, Sanders transferred to UC for his junior and senior years. With a highly accurate arm, Sanders was named Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press for his transfer in junior year. His steady performance points to a safe choice come draft season.
Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III
His stellar and intimidating performance on the field currently has him easily tracking to be a top-10 pick in 2025. Immediately in his college career, he was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone took note. He is currently in the running for many recognition awards and will likely be a top contender in the draft.
There are about 30,722 Division 1 college football players, according to the NCSA. This includes 129 D1 FBS teams and 125 D1 FCS teams.
Will Campbell
Will Campbell
With a strong offensive tackle and a solid handle on the ball, Campbell started all 13 games in his sophomore season. In his junior year, he didn’t allow a single sack for 15 straight games. On the team, he is also a strong leadership presence. He’s garnered attention from multiple organizations for his ever-improving skills, even appearing 2nd on the EA Sports College Football 25 player ratings!
Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe
After a somewhat slow start to his college career, having been redshirted freshman year, Milroe came back strong in his second year. He became the starter QB and found his footing on the field, pulling off impressive maneuvers. He may still be developing his skills, but his trajectory shows a lot of promise.
Carson Beck
Carson Beck
It seems Beck has hit his stride in his college career, boasting a 74%+ completion rate for his passes over 3,700 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first year (post-redshirt season). He is currently one of the top overall prospects for the 2025 NFL draft.
Ollie Gordon II
Ollie Gordon II
With a laundry list of yearly achievements, Gordon starts his third year after earning the 2023 Unanimous All-American title as well as the 2023 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (Coaches & AP), just to name a few. He stands a good chance of winning the Heisman trophy this year!
All eyes are on him as he is one of the most anticipated returns for the 2024 season.
Kelvin Banks
Kelvin Banks
Having been named on the 2024 Outland Trophy preseason watch list, Banks has a solid track record of outstanding achievement starting from his first year of high school. In this upcoming season, his third year of college sports, he stands to make a big splash and may possibly even become a first pick for the 2025 NFL draft.
Top 10 Incoming Freshman Prospects
For many student-athletes, especially those looking to attend D1 schools and go pro after graduation, the college application and recruitment process is just as intense as the NFL draft.
Although these newbies are fresh out of high school and typically only 17-19 years old, those in the pro football world already have their eyes on them.
Here are the top 10 promising incoming college freshmen for the 2024 season.
Jeremiah Smith
Team: Ohio State Buckeyes
Position: WR
After an impressive high school performance, Smith is the No. 1 overall prospect for the 2024 season.
Ellis Robinson IV
Team: University of Georgia Bulldogs
Position: DB
After earning multiple awards in high school and participating in Spring drills, Robinson shows great signs of being a player to watch.
Cam Coleman
Team: Auburn University Tigers
Position: WR
With stand-out stature and speed, Coleman is a promising new player ready to show his skills this year.
Dylan Raiola
Team: University of Nebraska Huskers (Cornhuskers)
Position: QB
After flipping his pledge from Georgia to Nebraska, Raiola can look forward to coaching designed to help him hone his versatile skills.
Micah Hudson
Team: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Position: WR
One of the top 2024 prospects due to his fantastic catching and receiving stats, Hudson saved Texas Tech by stepping in when they needed another WR in their ranks.
The University of Notre Dame has produced the most NFL players, with 630 athletes having attended the school, making it the top college for NFL alumni according to a recent study.
Justin Scott
Team: University of Miami Hurricanes
Position: DL
Ranked as a 5-star prospect by several outlets, Scott shows a lot of versatility on the field that should allow for a productive college career.
LJ McCray
Team: University of Florida Gators
Position: Edge
Already showing his strong presence in games, McCray is ranked No. 1 recruit in his position group by several outlets and ranked third nationally as well. He was invited to play in the 2024 All-American Bowl, so you know he will be a star player!
Ryan Williams
Team: University of Alabama Crimson Tide
Position: WR
Unanimously a five-star prospect and one of the top receiving prospects in the country, Williams is bound to make waves with his agility and ace receiving skills.
DJ Lagway
Team: University of Florida Gators
Position: QB
With an impressive collection of stats and awards from high school, Lagway is sure to stand out and gain attention this year.
Jordan Marshall
Team: University of Michigan Wolverines
Position: RB
There’s a lot of pressure on the Michigan team this year, and Marshall seems to be able to more than make up for the loss of the newly-graduated players.
Top 10 College to Rookie NFL Players to Watch This Year
Each year, the best-of-the-best college athletes graduate and get drafted into the NFL. It’s exciting to see these rookies integrate with their new teammates and rivals who often have extensive football careers under their belts already.
Here are the top NFL rookies who will be moving up from college athletes to pro-NFL players in 2024.
| Name | School | NFL Team | Position | Draft Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams | USC | Chicago Bears | QB | 1st round, 1st pick |
| Xavier Worthy | University of Texas | Kansas City Chiefs | WR | 1st round, 28th pick |
| Joe Alt | Notre Dame | Los Angeles Chargers | OT | 1st round, 5th pick |
| Jared Verse | Florida State | Los Angeles Rams | DE | 1st round, 19th pick |
| Jayden Daniels | LSU | Washington Commanders | QB | 1st round, 2nd pick |
| Rome Odunze | University of Washington | Chicago Bears | WR | 1st round, 9th pick |
| Edgerrin Cooper | Texas A&M | Green Bay Packers | LB | 2nd round, 45th pick |
| Brian Thomas Jr. | LSU | Jacksonville Jaguars | WR | 1st round, 23rd pick |
| Byron Murphy II | University of Texas | Seattle Seahawks | DT | 1st round, 16th pick |
| Zach Frazier | West Virginia University | Pittsburgh Steelers | C | 2nd round, 51st pick |
Only about 1.6% of draft-eligible college football players enter the NFL, with just 259 out of over 16,000 being drafted each year. This represents 0.016% of the total NCAA player pool, highlighting the highly competitive nature of transitioning from college football to the NFL.
Top 10 Greatest College Football Players of All Time
Even though there are millions of college football students to consider when you take all of college football history into account, there are of course a few who stand out as the best college football players of all time.
These players had extraordinary college careers and went on to dominate in the NFL.
Here are the top football players according to their college stats.
| Name | School | Position | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Brown | Syracuse University | RB | 1954-56 |
| Herschel Walker | Georgia | RB | 1980-82 |
| Bo Jackson | Auburn | RB | 1982-85 |
| Archie Griffin | Ohio | RB | 1972-75 |
| Jim Thorpe | Carlisle | B | 1907-12 |
| Red Grange | Illinois | RB | 1923-25 |
| Earl Campbell | Texas | RB | 1974-77 |
| Dick Butkus | Illinois | LB | 1962-64 |
| Barry Sanders | Oklahoma State | RB | 1986-88 |
| Gale Sayers | Kansas | RB | 1962-64 |
Throughout every facet of pro football, from high school and college days to NFL careers, there are outstanding and exceptional players to be found. Discovering new talent and watching their skills advance is one of the most exciting things for people who love football!
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