We are at the 2024 midseason point in college football and are nearing it in the NFL. I've been watching tape, talking to scouts and digging in on the 2025 NFL draft class for months, and I'm ready to reveal my debut top 50 rankings for this class.
The usual disclaimer applies: Things will absolutely change. We have a lot of time before the draft begins on April 24, and guys will slide up and down my board (and return to school). But this is where I stand on the class right now. I have two of my favorite players to watch right at the top, starting with an incredible playmaking cornerback in Will Johnson.
Let's dig in. I included scouting reports on each of the top 50 players and then listed my top five at every position at the bottom. All stats are through Week 8 of the CFB season, and underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.
Jump to: Miller's position rankings
More from ESPN+: Consensus rankings
1. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan*
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 202 pounds
NFL teams looking for the next Pat Surtain II will love Johnson. He has prototypical NFL size and speed, as well as excellent ball skills. This season, he has grabbed two interceptions -- both of which were returned for touchdowns. Despite battling through injury, Johnson has allowed only one completion of over 20 yards. Opponents won't throw in his direction, too. Texas threw at him once, and USC tried him four times. Looking at this entire class, Johnson has the best shot to be the top player at his position as a pro. He has all the goods to be a great NFL cornerback right out of the gate.
2. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 208
Burden has evolved from a gadget player into a fully developed wide receiver over the past three years. With more strength and a better grasp of the route tree, Burden is often the focal point of opposing defenses. That's why his numbers this season (37 catches, four touchdowns) are down compared to his breakout 2023 season (85 catches, nine touchdowns). But the explosiveness, power at the catch point and electric ability he brings as a receiver, runner and punt returner are enticing. In an offense that leans on pre-snap motion and allows speed to operate in space, Burden would be an early star.
3. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 320
Graham is my favorite trench player to watch on tape. He's a game wrecker. Playing primarily at 3-technique, he has 18 total pressures -- good for a pressure rate of 8.9% -- and 3.5 sacks. Graham's disruption can't be captured with stats alone, though. His energy post-snap is nonstop, and he combines quickness with angry hands and a frenetic motor. He's a Day 1 starter with a high rookie-impact grade.
4. Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Depending on which NFL scout you ask, Hunter can play either (or maybe both) wide receiver or cornerback in the pros. But I'm listing Hunter at receiver. Hunter can play inside or outside receiver and excels at adjusting to the ball in-flight and making a play in space. There will be a transition period for Hunter at either position; at wideout, he'll have to work on route discipline. But his agility, speed, toughness and sure-handedness are All-Pro quality. He has 51 catches for 604 yards this season (and two interceptions on the other side of the ball).
5. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 259
The transition from linebacker and part-time pass rusher to full-time defensive end has been great for Carter's NFL prospects. The senior has 18 pressures and four sacks, and his 15.5% pressure rate is 14th nationally. Carter has speed and burst off the snap, but he also has the power to move offensive tackles off their spots. And he's still learning how to be a full-time pass rusher, so there's upside. Carter started the season in the middle of my Round 1 board, but he has shot way up to the top five based on strong weekly performances and potential.
6. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320
Banks was my top-ranked tackle before the season began, though he had a rough night against Georgia on Saturday and surrendered a sack. The junior has one pressure allowed, zero blown run blocks and one penalty (false start) on 426 snaps. Banks' game is clean, but it's his lateral agility and quick feet that scouts love and believe will help make up for a lack of ideal height. "I've never seen his length be an issue," said an AFC scouting director. "He moves too well."
7. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 243
If you look at the box score, Pearce's start to the season might disappoint you, as he had just two sacks over six games before posting 1.5 against Alabama. But he has the traits to get after the QB. Pearce is a lean, fluid pass rusher with developed moves such as stunts and loops. He's also agile and quick enough to spy quarterbacks and defend the outside zone or option. After the 2023 season (10 sacks), one scout told me Pearce would've been the top defensive player taken in the 2024 class.
8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
A big-play threat in the mold of Drake London or Mike Evans, McMillan has feasted on defenses throughout the first half of the season. His 111.4 yards per game rank sixth in the nation. He has the reach and length to win on 50-50 balls, but he also has the acceleration to be a yards-after-catch nightmare. McMillan projects as an immediate X receiver in the pros and a problem for defenders in the red zone.
Tetairoa McMillan runs down the sideline for the game-tying Wildcat touchdown.
9. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
Starks is a Swiss Army knife on defense with the versatility to play safety or lock up receivers in the slot. He also has the size and power to be an effective run defender. This season, he has primarily played at safety but has also notched high snap counts at slot cornerback. Starks' ability to stick with receivers in coverage while tracking the ball is truly impressive. He has 37 tackles and an interception in seven games.
10. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
With pinpoint accuracy, toughness in the pocket and field vision that allows him to make plays to every level of the field, Sanders has emerged as the class's top quarterback. He has turned the ball over more this season (6 INTs), but Sanders is playing with better pocket poise and timing. He's completing 72.2% of his passes and is tied for fifth in the country in touchdown passes (19). There will be time for Sanders to clean up some of his bad habits -- throwing late over the middle and holding onto the ball for too long -- but his accuracy and ability to make off-platform plays from different arm angles pushes him to QB1.
11. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215
Jeanty is the nation's leader in rushing yards (1,248) and has 17 touchdowns on the ground. He's looking like a Heisman contender and first-round prospect. Jeanty doesn't have great size, but he's a forward-leaning runner with breakaway speed and great agility to make defenders miss. He's not as involved as you'd like him to be in the passing games (nine catches this season), but it's a part of his game that will be expanded in the pros. For now, Jeanty looks like the rare Round 1 running back and a Day 1 starter.
12. Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 223
Ward has taken an elite jump since transferring from Washington State. He's the national leader in passing yards (2,538), touchdown throws (24) and throws of 20-plus yards (45). His ability to move around the pocket, dial up fastballs and threaten as a runner have combined to make him the biggest riser at QB this season. Multiple scouts told me Ward is QB1 in the class. For me, he's at No. 2 right now, as I'd like to see him cut down on some frantic decisions he makes under pressure. But he's moving up the board by the week.
Miami QB Cam Ward goes off for four touchdown passes and 319 yards as the Hurricanes move to 7-0 with a win over Louisville.
13. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Morrison is out for the season after suffering a hip injury. On 26 targets before the injury, Morrison surrendered 10 receptions and had four pass breakups. He allowed 4.8 yards per attempt. If the junior opts to declare for the 2025 draft, he'd leave South Bend with nine career interceptions and 21 pass breakups. Morrison has the length, height, speed and quickness to be a top-15 pick. The biggest factor in his draft stock will be his recovery timeline with the hip injury.
14. Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 245
It's hard to imagine a better coming-out party than the one Walker had against Texas Saturday. Facing off against two first-round tackle prospects, Walker posted three sacks and six pressures. He's a dual-threat as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher, with the speed and power off the edge to make game-changing plays. His first step and leverage destroyed the Longhorns' pass protection, and his second-effort motor kept him involved in multiple plays after it looked like he was shut down.
15. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265
Williams has rounded into form after an ankle injury forced him to miss time. He's a developing player who wows scouts with his size, power and speed, and he's developing pass-rush moves with his hand timing and leverage use. He eats up pass protectors with his ability to swipe away their hands -- something he did often against Texas' star tackles Saturday en route to two sacks. He has the talent to rise up the board as he gets fully healthy.
16. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245
Michigan's pass-game struggles mean Loveland's stats won't blow you away -- 36 catches, 344 yards, two TDs -- but he's a mismatch in matchups who can be moved around. He can align in the slot, backfield or traditional in-line TE spot. His combination of size, strength and speed make him a true threat to beat man or zone coverage, and he can attack 50-50 balls in the air. Loveland's traits are on par with previous first-round tight ends.
17. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
The speedster of this class, Bond has a second gear that is unmatched. The Alabama transfer has hit the ground running with the Longhorns despite playing in a crowded wide receiver room. He's a developing route runner who currently excels at crossing and hook routes, where his wheels allow him to create space. While likely a slot receiver at the next level, Bond's quickness allows him to be a big-time target at that position. He has 23 catches and four TDs, and 192 of his 380 yards have come after the catch.
18. Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 285
Scourton has picked up right where he left off in 2023, leading the Big Ten in sacks at Purdue. Now with the Aggies, he has the quick hands to rip and swim past offensive tackles. Lining up at left defensive end, he's powerful enough to impact the run game, too. Scourton has 4.5 sacks and 22 pressures this season, and he is still heating up as he gets more comfortable in the Aggies' defense. He has all the tools of a first-round pick.
19. Cameron Williams, OT, Texas*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 335
Williams struggled against Georgia's defense, and much of the debate about his draft stock will come down to how the first-year starter responds in following weeks. But he has the traits to be a first-rounder. With graceful agility at his size, Williams can dance with pass rushers at the line of scrimmage and be a devastating force when pulling in the run game or getting to the second level in the screen game. He's learning and developing, so no one should expect a finished product. But his ceiling is as high as any tackle in the class.
20. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 345
The Vita Vea or Dexter Lawrence II comparisons flow from scouts when they talk about Walker. He isn't going to fill the stat sheet with sacks -- he has just half a sack this season -- but his impact is undeniable as he collapses pockets and stuffs the run. Walker's ability to play a true nose or kick to a 1-technique position gives him great scheme versatility. His Year 1 impact could be very similar to Titans rookie T'Vondre Sweat, who is also a pocket-pushing big man.
21. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 330
The massive Minnesota left tackle has allowed one sack and four pressures this season, as Ersery has found his footing with better movement at the point of attack. He is a prime fit for a team like the Ravens, who value size and power at tackle. And while his technique needs some work, Ersery could be in play for OT1 status.
22. Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
The epitome of an interior lineman quietly doing his job, Fairchild doesn't get a lot of public hype -- but scouts rave about his instincts and technique at left guard. "He's the best interior player in the country," an AFC East area scout told me before the season began. And that hasn't changed. Fairchild hasn't allowed a sack over 17 starts at Georgia and has been penalized just three times in that time span. He's as solid as you can get at guard with picture-perfect hand positioning, NFL-level strength and agility, and a battle-tested SEC résumé.
23. Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 280
Jackson would have potentially been a first-rounder had he declared for the 2024 draft, with the ideal length/strength/quickness combination that scouts are looking for at defensive end. He has had a quiet start to this season with just 2.5 sacks and 16 pressures, but he's consistently a disruptive presence on the edge. And unlike many smaller pass rushers with better sack numbers, Jackson is the best DE in this class when asked to stop the run. He's also scheme-versatile with his frame. Teams running a three-man front could play him over the tackle, and those with four-man fronts could put him on their outside shoulder.
24. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310
When I first began evaluating players, an NFL offensive line coach told me to look at recovery agility for offensive tackles. Their ability to regain leverage and position after being beaten is key, he said. Simmons has that, with the way he moves and slides with quick feet. The way he gets out in space in the run game is the best in the class, too. He's electric on the move and arrives to the defender with powerful hands. Unfortunately, he's now out for the season with a knee injury, but Simmons is one of my favorite tackle prospects and would have been in play for OT1 before the injury.
25. Will Campbell, OT, LSU*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 320
Campbell is easy to spot at left tackle with his upright stance, and he's a powerful blocker in the run game who generates strength and leverage with his quickness and lower-body power. A three-year starter, Campbell has allowed one sack in his past 22 games. (There are questions about penalties, however, as he has been flagged 11 times over the past two seasons.) Some scouts think his best bet in the pros is at guard due to his sub-33-inch arm length, whereas others think his agility makes up for it. Expect an intense debate about his position, but I like him as a player who can start at tackle and slide inside if needed.
26. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 219
The first line in my notes on Judkins this season is "reminds me of Dalvin Cook." Judkins has a powerful base but also enough speed to pull away for an 86-yard explosive touchdown run against Marshall back in September. A transfer from Ole Miss, Judkins is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,567 as a true freshman in the SEC. We're not seeing it as much given Ohio State's depth at running back, but Judkins is capable of being a 20-carry back and a valuable receiver out of the backfield. And maybe my favorite Judkins' stat is that he has four fumbles in 616 career rushes. He's as reliable as they come.
Quinshon Judkins breaks free for his second touchdown of the game for Ohio State.
27. Shemar Stewart, DT, Texas A&M*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 290
Defensive line coaches will be in love with Stewart's upside once they get a look at his film. His frame means positional and alignment versatility, but his quickness and power off the ball should have them thinking about ways to get him splitting gaps and getting after quarterbacks. Stewart has a size/length/strength profile that points to immense potential. So far this season, he has just 1.5 sacks while working in a heavy rotation, but his 17 pressures show how much impact he's making out front.
28. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200
Barron has been a playmaker for the Texas secondary this season, allowing just seven receptions on 19 targets while also grabbing three interceptions. Formerly used as a slot cornerback, Barron moved to the right corner spot this season and is playing like a Thorpe Award winner. Barron's value will ultimately vary based on NFL team and scheme preferences, but he is playing as well as any corner in the country. After beginning the season as an early-Day 3 guy, Barron has moved into Round 1 territory.
29. Jonah Savaiinaea, G/OT, Arizona
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 330
Savaiinaea plays right tackle for Arizona, but he is projected by scouts to play guard in the pros. He has solid arm length, lower-body power and agility, and he adds good positional versatility. He has taken 64 snaps at left tackle this season in addition to his time at right tackle and inside at guard. I wanted to see him cut down on penalties and pressures allowed, and he has done that through seven games with just two penalties (including a phantom holding call) and three pressures against (zero sacks allowed). Teams running a power scheme could love him at right tackle, but his best bet is at guard in a zone system.
30. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 193
Revel suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. The good news is that his October surgery puts him in place to likely work out for NFL teams pre-draft. Revel is a big, long cornerback with excellent start-stop quickness and the ball skills you want in a CB1. An injury always throws an unpredictable factor into a player's draft evaluation, but it's fair to rate Revel as a Round 1 player on talent alone. Where he's ultimately drafted will depend on his recovery. He finished his season with two interceptions in three games.
31. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 339
Area scouts who have visited Michigan speak highly of Grant's potential. "People his size shouldn't move like this," an AFC West area scout texted me earlier this season. Grant is rumored to run a sub-5-second time in the 40-yard dash and has posted a 29-inch vertical. That movement ability shows up on tape when he's crashing the pocket or chasing down runners. Grant even had an interception off a batted ball last season when he tracked it down like a punt returner fielding a kick. His scheme fit as a true nose tackle might limit his value to every team, but Grant is a plug-and-play starter over the center.
32. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Ewers came back from an oblique injury and looked great in a blowout win over rival Oklahoma, but the third-year player was benched at one point against Georgia the following week. That sums up the Ewers experience. He's accurate, reads defenses well and does a good job setting up his playmakers. But in that way, he's very much a game manager. When asked to let it rip and throw receivers open in a crowded pocket against the Bulldogs, Ewers froze. He has to play looser football and be less robotic to realize his immense potential.
The scheme and talent around Ewers are elite, so it's on him the rest of the season to put together moments and production that will show scouts his talent. He has 11 touchdown passes to four interceptions this season.
Quinn Ewers scores the 1-yard touchdown to put Texas up 34-3.
33. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220
The season started with Beck ranked as my QB1 based on expectations that he would build on his fantastic debut 2023 season. Instead, Beck has struggled with turnovers and turnover-worthy plays. Beck has thrown 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a total QBR of 76.9 (No. 22 in the nation). Beck's first-half struggles against Alabama last month -- he threw three interceptions -- and his poor displays against Mississippi State and Texas have hurt his stock. There's time for his stock to recover, but he has serious work to do in terms of decision-making, ball placement and showing an attacking mentality downfield.
34. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
The development of Milroe over the past calendar year has been amazing. He transformed from a run-only QB early in his career to a viable dual-threat to now a legitimate NFL prospect. Milroe still has some big misses due to footwork issues, but he has shown an ability to dial up soft touch on deep passes while still carving up defenses with his legs. Milroe has speed and power as a runner that opens up the offense for creative playcallers. He has 13 touchdown passes, six interceptions and 11 rushing scores this season.
35. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 244
On the season, Campbell has produced first-round stats with 59 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. His game is still raw, but he has good size and movement traits, and NFL teams crave his kind of length from linebackers in coverage. Campbell brings that to the table, as well as quickness to run down ball carriers. His instincts and timing in pass coverage could be his calling card for NFL scouts.
36. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
If you want a do-it-all receiver, Egbuka is your prospect. The senior can play either outside alignment or do damage from the slot. He's an expert on slant routes and has the toughness to make plays in traffic, which he shows off as a punt returner, as well. Egbuka doesn't look like a true speed player on tape, but his route-running prowess and sure hands are ideal for NFL offenses. He has 526 receiving yards and six touchdowns over six games.
37. Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 195
Davis was a potential transfer candidate after the 2023 season, in which he posted one interception and 14 pass breakups, but he opted to stay at Arizona. In 2024, Davis has been slowed by a groin injury, and his numbers haven't been as impressive (zero picks, five PBUs), but the toughness is still there. Davis is an ideal Cover 3 or man coverage corner thanks to his length and speed. There are plenty of dropped interceptions on his tape, but one constant is that he's routinely in position to make plays on the ball.
38. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 193
Igbinosun quickly impressed in Columbus after transferring from Ole Miss before the 2023 season. He has great size and length, notching his first career interception this season. Igbinosun played primarily at outside corner last season before moving mostly to right-side corner in 2024, so he has some versatility. He has the long speed and size to shadow WR1-type players, along with the quickness to excel inside. I'd like to see better ball skills, but he does a great job limiting targets in coverage (16 this season).
39. Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 327
Williams is excellent when asked to two-gap in the run game, but he's also quick enough off the snap to create splash plays in the backfield as a pass rusher. He has the size, agility and power to be a starting defensive tackle in the pros and could line up anywhere from nose tackle to 3-technique. He has posted 1.5 sacks and five pressures this season despite missing the team's Week 3 matchup against Marshall due to an injury.
40. Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 322
The starting right tackle at LSU, Jones projects to be a guard in the pros based on conversations with scouts and offensive line coaches. He's a power player on the move with massive hands and enough lower-body pop to control defensive linemen. Jones does struggle with speed when asked to pass protect in space, as he has allowed seven pressures this season. But he's experienced and should be viewed as an early-career starter.
41. Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
The national leader in receiving yards at 987, Harris has exploded in his senior season. He has the size to run through traffic and beat press coverage. Harris also plays well at the catch point and is able to climb the ladder for 50-50 balls with concentration and strong hands. With 57% of his catches coming on short routes, Harris has proved he can win underneath with timing and leverage. The biggest question will be his speed, which looks average on tape. I've had scouts project him having a time in the mid-4.5s in the 40-yard dash.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart connects with Tre Harris for a 15-yard touchdown to extend the Rebels' lead late in the first half.
42. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 238
Scouts wanted to see Allar play more aggressively after a conservative 2023 campaign. He has done that while also improving his completion percentage from 59.9% last season to 70.5% in 2024. Allar has all-world traits, and he's starting to put them together on the field with better decision-making and a more relaxed demeanor. We're seeing flashes, meaning Allar could finish hot and soar up the board.
43. Tyler Booker, G, Alabama*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 325
Booker is an immovable force with the lower-body power to truly anchor against bull rushers and flat-back defenders in the run game. He can toss defenders once he gets his hands on them. There will be concerns from NFL teams that need their offensive guards to pull and cover a lot of ground since that's not Booker's strength, but he is hard to beat when asked to fight in a phone booth.
44. Jaeden Roberts, G, Alabama*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310
Roberts is battling through a hand injury that coaches say is affecting his game. But Roberts -- the smaller of the two Alabama guards -- has really good movement ability. He's smooth when asked to pull and trap, with the traits to get to the second level or reach defensive tackles with ease. Roberts, who has 16 career starts, could be a starting right guard in the pros.
45. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 220
Hampton is rumored to have 4.4 speed to go with his excellent frame. He is experienced in pass protection, works well as a receiver (20 catches this season) and has rushed for 901 yards (fourth in the nation) and seven touchdowns in seven games. He bounces off tacklers, and his decisiveness in a one-cut offense has helped him into my top 50. Hampton is a dream for any outside zone rushing attack.
46. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
I grew up in the days of the West Coast offense and X receivers who dominated on in-breaking routes. Ayomanor is a throwback to those days. He consistently wins on hooks, crossers and shallow routes thanks to his size and timing. Ayomanor doesn't have game-changing speed, but his frame, reach and route running have him projected as a quality WR2 in the pros. He has 31 catches for 388 yards and four scores this season.
47. Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 254
One of the best stories of this season is the South Carolina defense, and Kennard is a huge part of that. He has stood out against the much-heralded offensive lines of LSU and Alabama, and his 14.7% pressure rate ranks inside the top 20 in the nation. That has helped him to 8.5 sacks and 23 pressures. Kennard has first-step speed, but it's his relentless motor and exceptional timing off the snap that make him the total package.
48. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 257
Warren has been a huge part of the Penn State offense's improvement this season; he has four touchdowns and 513 yards on 40 catches. He was at his best against USC, when he posted 17 catches for 224 yards and one score. Warren has the speed to separate downfield and is the ideal "move" tight end, but he does it with enormous size. He has also showcased his all-around versatility, playing Wildcat quarterback and even center at one point on a trick play.
49. Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260
Watching Sawyer work out during Ohio State's pro day before the 2024 draft, I knew he'd be in my top 50 players for this season as long as he didn't get hurt. He has lived up to all those expectations. A powerful defensive end with an NFL frame, Sawyer is a fast processor on the edge with immense power in his hands. He has 2.5 sacks and 24 pressures this season, and he had 1.5 of those sacks against Iowa.
50. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 305
Nolen was the No. 1 recruit in the 2022 class, and he transferred to Texas A&M from Ole Miss before this season. In Week 6 against South Carolina, he had the best game of his career with two sacks and five tackles. Nolen is still working more off power and quickness than technique, but he's putting together better performances each week. That's notable in the run game, where his play strength is a difference-maker.
Rankings at every position
Quarterback
1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
2. Cam Ward, Miami
3. Quinn Ewers, Texas
4. Carson Beck, Georgia
5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Running back
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
2. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
3. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
4. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
5. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Fullback/H-back
1. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
2. Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
3. Jake Briningstool, Clemson
Wide receiver
1. Luther Burden III, Missouri
2. Travis Hunter, Colorado
3. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
4. Isaiah Bond, Texas
5. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Luther Burden III runs for 61-yard rushing touchdown
Tight end
1. Colston Loveland, Michigan
2. Tyler Warren, Penn State
3. Mason Taylor, LSU
4. Oscar Delp, Georgia
5. Gunnar Helm, Texas
Offensive tackle
1. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
2. Cameron Williams, Texas
3. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
4. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
5. Will Campbell, LSU
Guard
1. Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
2. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
3. Emery Jones Jr., LSU
4. Tyler Booker, Alabama
5. Jaeden Roberts, Alabama
Center
1. Jared Wilson, Georgia
2. Jonah Monheim, USC
3. Bryce Foster, Kansas
4. Parker Brailsford, Alabama
5. Clay Webb, Jacksonville State
Edge rusher
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State
2. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
3. Jalon Walker, Georgia
4. Mykel Williams, Georgia
5. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Defensive tackle
1. Mason Graham, Michigan
2. Deone Walker, Kentucky
3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
4. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
5. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Linebacker
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
2. Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
3. Lander Barton, Utah
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson
5. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Cornerback
1. Will Johnson, Michigan
2. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
3. Jahdae Barron, Texas
4. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
5. Tacario Davis, Arizona
Will Johnson jumps the route and takes the interception to the crib on the second play of the game.
Safety
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia
2. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
3. Keon Sabb, Alabama
4. Andrew Mukuba, Texas
5. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State