The top 50 players in college football

The All-Pac-12 first-teamer is someone who continues to grow as a football player. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Adebo has good size, which is a reason he's considered one of the best cover corners in America. He ranked among the national leaders with 20 passes defended and also picked off four passes in 2018 for the Cardinal.

Wisconsin is known for its steady production of great linemen, and Biadasz is the next in line. Well, he's been in line for a while. Biadasz is the undisputed leader of an offensive line that lost some quality members from 2018. His presence and experience should help make the transition for those ready to step in for their shot a little smoother. 

When talking about what someone has meant to a program over the years, it's easy to start with Bredeson. A four-year starter and preseason All-America by various media outlets, Bredeson remains the most stable fixture on the Michigan offense — at least for one more season. He's also part of the Outland Trophy watch list for 2019.

The key to the Tigers' success in 2019 should depend on how well the defense can keep them in games while the offense figures things out. Brown, who has nine career sacks, plus 9.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, is the leader of this unit. Having him back for his senior season was a huge boost for a program looking to return to national glory. 

All Cisco did as a freshman in 2018 was earn third-team All-American honors from The Associated Press. He ranked fourth on the team with 60 total tackles, tied for first in the nation with seven interceptions and defended 11 passes. Not bad for a newcomer. Can Cisco be even better in 2019? We're eager to see.

Alabama allowed 106 points to Georgia, Oklahoma and Clemson in the final three games of the 2018 season. The Crimson Tide defense took some flack for that, considering the unit shined again during the regular season. Maybe there is some unfinished business in 2019, and Davis will be at the forefront. The 6-foot-7, 312-pounder has 11 career sacks and remains perhaps the most imposing defensive lineman in college football.

Considered to be the best defensive back in the country, Delpit could receive some serious Heisman Trophy love if his game stays at an elite level. He also might be a top-five draft pick when it's time for the NFL to be his next destination. Not only did Delpit record 74 tackles and five interceptions in 2018, but he also posted five sacks.

An ankle injury sidetracked Dillon's 2018 season for a bit, but he still rushed for almost 2,700 yards with a total of 24 touchdowns in two seasons. At 6-foot, 250 pounds, Dillon is the type of runner who wants his carries. Seven times during his career with the Eagles, Dillon has toted the ball at least 30 times in a single contest.

A breakout 2018 season has Epenesa being lauded with plenty of preseason accolades and mock draft love. He led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks last season and also recorded 16.5 tackles for loss while forcing four fumbles. Epenesa is an active end who proved on a consistent basis last year just how disruptive he can be on an opposing backfield.

The Tigers speedster will open the season as a Heisman contender. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry on a relatively modest 204 carries in 2018. Then again, Clemson had so many other offensive weapons in the mix, and that won't change in 2019. Etienne scored nine of his 24 rushing touchdowns over the final five games and had three total in the national championship game. 

Ehlinger is being touted as the face of this Longhorn football resurgence. Why not? He's the local Austin boy done good. And he threw just five interceptions on 425 pass attempts in 2018. Ehinger has blossomed into a leader who feels comfortable while embracing that role. His growing confidence could be what makes this a special season for Texas.

There are plenty of familiar quarterback faces in new places for 2019, but perhaps none carries the level of expectation that Fields does. He was not able to win the starting job at Georgia, so the versatile Fields found a chance in Columbus to be the star whom many expect him to be. With the stakes high, it will be fun to see how that all pans out.

There's a lot to like about Northwestern's best overall defensive player. For starters, he obviously has a strong sense for the ball with 116 total tackles (229 the last two years) on the stat sheet from 2018. He also forced four fumbles and picked off a pass. However, Fisher's on-field passion and leadership might be his most valuable assets. 

Fromm has pushed all challengers away, and this year, the Bulldogs offense is his — not that he will change his attitude and get complacent. Fromm (5,364 career passing yards, 54 touchdowns) is as confident as they come and blossomed into a true leader. We would not be surprised if Fromm finds his way to New York City for that award given out in December.

Grant Delpit garners a lot of the attention in the Tigers secondary, but Fulton has proved he can more than hold his own in the mighty SEC. He broke up nine passes in 2018 and could be in for an even better season in terms of coverage in 2019. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Fulton doesn't make life easy for opposing wide receivers.

Notre Dame's top returning tackler (94 total) from 2018, Gilman is the brightest star among a talented Irish defensive back trio that includes Troy Pride and Jalen Elliott. The Navy transfer also recorded the first two interceptions of his collegiate career in 2018 and could be poised for even more success this season. 

Regarded by many as the top defender in the ACC, Hall is an active corner who has five career interceptions. Last season he led the country with 22 pass breakups and was tied for the top spot in the country with 24 passes defended. Another good-sized (6-1, 200 pounds) cornerback, Hall could be poised for a solid career at the next level.

Henderson proved to be an all-around menace in the secondary for the Gators last season. In addition to his two interceptions (giving him six in two seasons), Henderson also recorded three sacks, forced two fumbles and was credited with 38 total tackles. Florida has to fill some holes on the defensive front, but the back end looks pretty good. 

Pretty much any starting quarterback in college football has pressure placed on his shoulders at the beginning of each season. Herbert (7,070 passing yards, 63 TD passes), though, bypassed early entry to the NFL to return for his senior year, so plenty of eyes will be fixed on him to see if that was the right choice. He likes school and enjoys playing college football, so we figure he can handle the pressure of trying to better himself and an Oregon team aiming for its first Pac-12 title since 2014. 

Higgins certainly made the most of his first full season as a starter in 2018. He led the Tigers with 59 receptions and 12 touchdown catches and accumulated 936 receiving yards in the process. Higgins is one-half of a receiving duo that could be the best in the country and a major reason why Clemson's offense should remain the most potent in college football. 

Four Oklahoma starting offensive linemen from last season's 2018 College Football Playoff semifinalist team were selected in the NFL Draft. However, the one who remained in Norman for the 2019 season is arguably the best of the bunch. At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Humphrey's versatility in all facets as a blocker should allow him to play on Sundays in the not-so-distant future.

Shocker. Hurts was recently named Oklahoma's starting quarterback. Now it's time for the former Alabama signal-caller to prove he can still lead a team to the national championship. Hurts is confident when things are going right, and that could be often with the offense the Sooners have in 2019. His versatility is his strength (5,626 passing yards, 1,976 rushing yards in three season) and what's becoming a trademark at Oklahoma.

One of the best edge-rushing outside linebackers in the game, Jennings is another experienced defender back for the Crimson Tide. He was third on the team with 5.5 sacks last season and also recorded 13 tackles for loss. Though Jennings might not posses the same type of skills as Kentucky's Josh Allen from a year ago, his potential is still growing.

The next in the line of great Alabama receivers, Jeudy enjoyed a breakout 2018 season with 68 receptions for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdown catches. He caught six of those touchdowns in the first three games of the season when hauling in just 11 passes. There's a good chance those numbers can be even better in 2019.

If King can stay healthy, then the Cougars could have a strong season in their first under new coach Dana Holgorsen. A knee injury ended King's 2018 campaign in mid-November, which was quite the shame since he turned up on the Heisman radar. In 21 games over the past two seasons, King has thrown for 4,262 yards, rushed for 1,053 and combined for 65 touchdowns, Now that's production.

While Marquise Brown got most of the attention among Oklahoma receivers in recent years, Lamb more than held his own. In fact, Lamb's 11 touchdown catches in 2018 led the team. In two seasons for the Sooners, Lamb has recorded 111 receptions, 1,965 yards and 18 touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how he fares this year as Jalen Hurts' potential go-to target.  

Little keeps getting better as his career at Stanford continues to unfold. The 2017 Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Co-Player of the Year was named an All-Pac-12 First Team selection last year when he started 12 games at left tackle for the Cardinal. Judging by that kind of progression, Little could be in store for even greater success in 2019.

Just what does Lawrence have in store for Year 2? Boy, we can't wait to see. After throwing for 3,280 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and winning a national title as a freshman, Lawrence enters this year as the Heisman Trophy favorite. A lot can happen by December, and the pressure won't go away — and probably will only keep building — but Lawrence has already shown he can handle it.

If the Cornhuskers are to get back to their winning ways, Martinez has to be the guy leading the charge. There is no doubt the versatile quarterback has the talent (2,617 passing yards, 629 rushing yards in 2018), but it's a matter of keeping his composure and not folding when things get rocky. Oh yeah, staying healthy would also help.

Arguably the most exciting player in all of college football currently resides in West Lafayette, Indiana. Last year the All-American, all-purpose threat enjoyed one of the best freshman seasons in recent memory. Moore led the country with 114 receptions to go along with 1,258 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches. He also rushed for more than 200 yards and averaged 20.1 yards per kick return. 

We've already talked about two of Alabama's better defensive contributors, but Moses might end up being the best. As a sophomore in 2018, Moses led the Crimson Tide with 86 tackles. Ten of those stops went for loss, and he was credited with 3.5 sacks. There are not many linebackers who are more active, yet fundamentally sound, as Moses has proved to be. 

A finalist for the Mackey Award in 2018, Okwuegbunam probably has the most upside of any tight end in the country. He should continue to thrive with former Clemson star Kelly Bryant now under center for the Tigers. In two collegiate seasons, Okwuegbunam has totaled 72 receptions for 881 yards and 17 touchdown catches. 

Parsons had quite the freshman season for the Nittany Lions in 2018, leading the team with 82 tackles and also forcing two fumbles. Penn State, obviously, has been known for producing quality linebackers over the years, and Parsons seems as if he's ready to add his name to that list. We can't wait to see what he's capable of doing in 2019.

The microscope is getting more defined on Patterson, who had a solid first season at Michigan (2,600 yards, 22 touchdown passes) in 2018. Now it's time for Patterson to take the next step and help Michigan seriously contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff, which means coming through when the lights are brightest.

Quarterman is one of those guys about whom fans ask, "he's still playing college football?" It only seems like Quarterman has been calling the shots on the Hurricanes defense forever. Looking to conclude a stellar collegiate career at Miami in grand fashion, Quarterman has totaled 249 career tackles with 31 of them going for a loss.

Another big year, and Ross might end up being the top receiver picked in the 2020 NFL Draft. Ross joins Tee Higgins as potentially the most potent receiving duo in the country after he caught 46 passes for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018. But what really caught the eye of pro scouts was Ross' performance in the College Football Playoff, where he recorded 12 catches for 301 yards with three TDs against Notre Dame and Alabama. 

Another athlete who is dynamic just about any time he touches the football, Shenault was banged up during a 2018 season that limited him to nine games. But he still caught 86 passes for 1,011 yards and six TDs. He also rushed for five touchdowns. If Shenault can stay healthy, Colorado has a chance to end its two-year bowl drought.

We talk a lot about the talent Clemson has on offense, but the other side of the ball has some stellar playmaking options as well. Those begin with Simmons, who posted 97 tackles — 9.5 for loss — in 2018 for the national champs. He also broke up seven passes and forced three fumbles. While the Tigers defensive front got plenty of praise, Simmons was building his own brand.

It was a special freshman season for Sterns, who is not only one of the top defenders on his team, but he also might be the best in the Big 12. As a rookie in 2018, Sterns led the Longhorns with four interceptions and ranked among the team leaders with 62 tackles. He played well above his years and is someone Texas will be counting on for perhaps even bigger things in 2019.

There's no doubt Swift has the talent to be a Heisman contender in 2019 after rushing for 1,049 yards and 10 TDs last season. The issue at the moment is whether Swift can stay on the field. Perhaps it's a case of overreacting, since the Bulldogs have produced more than one fine runner in a season over the last few years. However, Swift is a star in the making and someone they need to have healthy.

All signs suggest this will be the last collegiate go-around for Tagovailoa. For as great as most of 2018 went for the Crimson Tide hurler, the end of that season was equaling disappointing. Tua will be out to prove that he can lead Alabama back to the top of the college football mountain while trying to better those gaudy numbers (3,966 passing yards, 69.0 completion percentage, 43 TD passes) from 2018.

Arguably the best collegiate running back in the country at the moment, Taylor has rushed for more yards (4,171 yards) than anybody over the past two seasons. He's cracked the 200-yard rushing mark eight times over 27 career games and recorded a memorable 321-yard effort during a triple-overtime victory at Purdue in 2018. He'll get some Heisman love, but he is still not the favorite.

At 6-foot-5, 320, Thomas is one of the most imposing linemen in the country but is arguably also the best heading into the 2019 season. Whether it's protecting Jake Fromm or paving the way for the Bulldogs' talented running backs to break around the end, Thomas has been more than up to the task no matter his responsibility.

Yes, Clemson lost plenty of elite talent off one of the best defensive fronts in college football history from 2018. Now it's about the next man up, and Thomas is ready for his time. When Thomas got his chance last season he did not disappoint, recording 3.5 sacks, deflecting two passes and even forcing a fumble. It will be fun to see what he can do with some consistent time.

Jerry Jeudy might be the face of the Crimson Tide receiving corps, but Waddle is something special. Not only did he shine while averaging 14.6 yards per punt return as a freshman, but he also turned plenty of heads in 2018 with his 45 receptions, 848 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Expect Nick Saban and Co. to try to get the ball in Waddle's hands even more this season.

Wallace is the top returning returning receiver in terms of receiving yards (1,491) and average yards per game (114.7) from 2018, but it still seems like he's a bit under the radar. The Cowboys have some uncertainty at the quarterback position this year, but Wallace should again be the most dangerous option among those on the Oklahoma State offense. 

Talk about a nose for the ball. As a junior in 2018, Weaver recorded a whopping 155 total tackles, good enough for second-most in the country. Weaver also had 4.5 sacks and intercepted two passes, so he can do a little bit of everything. Cal is trying to become a factor in the Pac-12, and Weaver gives the Bears a chance for that to actually happen.

It's been quite a ride for the former walk-on, who has blossomed into one of the Big Ten's best defensive players. Before Willekes’ 2018 season ended with a broken leg in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon, he led the Spartans with 8.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss. He has 13.5 sacks for his career and seems ready as ever to get back at it in 2019.

Wright falls under the category of "athlete," and new Owls coach Rod Carey plans to get the ball in this playmaker's hands as much as possible. In 2018, Wright returned two punts back for touchdowns and a kickoff to house for a score. He also caught three TD passes while rushing for another. This year he might even throw for a touchdown. We'll see.

Depending on who is doing the talking, Young could be the overall No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. That's assuming this will be his last year in Columbus. Both might be a good bet, especially the latter. Young led the Buckeyes with 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2018 and plays with that high motor NFL scouts like to talk about.