• Carson Beck, Luther Burden III headline the way-too-early offense: Beck finished fourth in PFF overall grade (91.5), while Burden led college football in PFF receiving grade (91.0) last season.
• Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. has top-pick potential: His 93.5 PFF pass-rushing grade on true pass sets in 2023 ranked second to only Laiatu Latu, while his 21.8% pass-rush win rate ranked sixth.
• Get a head start on fantasy football: Use PFF's fantasy football mock draft simulator to create real live mock draft simulations to prepare for your live draft!
Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
OFFENSE
QB: Carson Beck, Georgia
After entering the 2023 season as an unknown, Beck silenced any doubters by finishing fourth in PFF overall grade (91.5) and third in passing yards (3,949) among quarterbacks. His consistency stood out, as he posted six PFF game grades above 85.0.
Some scouts believed Beck played well enough to go pro this year, but he ultimately decided to return, which likely makes him the current QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft.
RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
The nation’s leading rusher from 2023 is simply at a different level compared to most running backs. The Cowboys started heavily relying on Gordon in Week 4 last year, and he helped carry their offense every game after that, including with back-to-back games of tallying more than 270 rushing yards. Gordon finished second in the FBS in yards after contact (1,056).
Ollie Gordon II has EVERYTHING..
He has great patience, vision and HOME RUN breakaway speed #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/En3r75k6Ho
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 4, 2023
WR: Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden broke out last season as Missouri’s go-to target, a big reason the team finished 11-2. Among returning wide receivers in 2024, Burden sports the highest PFF receiving grade (91.0). He also finished third in yards after catch (724) among all wideouts in 2023.
WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
If you haven’t yet heard of McMillan, now is the time to start buying his draft stock. The 6-foot-5 true sophom*ore appears to have great chemistry with Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and started to break out as soon as the team made Fifita the starter.
A 266-yard game in Week 13 helped McMillan finish with 1,396 receiving yards on the year (fourth in FBS), and he dropped only two of his 130 targets.
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan in 2023:
🔹90 REC 130 TGT 1,396 YDS 10 TD
🔹89.1 PFF REC Grade (#10)
🔹2.79 Y/RR (#18)
🔹6.0 YAC (#51)
🔹15.5 Y/REC (#26)
🔹75.3 WID%McMillan elevated Arizona’s offense and should challenge for WR1 in the 2025 classpic.twitter.com/IwthWxBWTe
— Kevin (@Daboys_22) February 27, 2024
TE: Colston Loveland, Michigan
Loveland is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in college football, and his target share will only improve in 2024 with AJ Barner off to the NFL. His 2.38 yards per route run in 2023 ranked fifth among tight ends, and he was a top-20 player at the position in yards after the catch.
LT: Will Campbell, LSU
You can almost already pencil in Will Campbell as OT1 for the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s how talented he is. Campbell didn’t allow a single sack across 491 pass-blocking snaps and let up only 17 total pressures.
As great as Campbell is as a pass-blocker, he might be better suited to paving the way in the run game, as he posted an 84.9 run-blocking grade, good for fifth among all offensive tackles.
So far so good with LSU OT Will Campbell. He looks like a smooth operator. Has started 26 games straight for the Tigers. pic.twitter.com/5XMFLxNgEK
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) May 2, 2024
LG: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Jackson has slowly developed into one of the top interior linemen in the country. He improved massively as a pass-blocker last season and should only continue on that trajectory. Jackson’s success will be vital to the Buckeyes’ championship aspirations this upcoming season
| Stat | 2022 | 2023 |
| PFF Pass-Blocking Grade | 60.7 | 72.7 |
| Pressures | 13 | 10 |
| Sacks | 2 | 1 |
| Hits | 2 | 1 |
| Hurries | 9 | 8 |
| Pass-Blocking Efficiency | 98.2% | 98.7% |
C: Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Brailsford was one of the top transfer portal targets this offseason, and he followed his head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama.
The redshirt freshman proved to be crucial to Washington’s success in 2023, keeping Michael Penix Jr. protected and allowing only one sack and 14 pressures. He will now be expected to do the same for Jalen Milroe, who struggled to find chemistry with center Seth McLaughlin last season.
RG: Tate Ratledge, Georgia
The 6-foot-6 senior flirted with the 2024 NFL Draft but ultimately chose to come back to school, which certainly excited Georgia fans.
Ratledge has earned an 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade in back-to-back seasons, and his 99.4 pass-blocking efficiency rate in 2023 ranked eighth among all guards.
RT: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
Cornelius has come a long way in his college career since playing at Rhode Island. He has transformed himself into arguably the best right tackle in college football and should be even better in 2024. He was a big reason why Bo Nix rarely took sacks in 2023, as he allowed only one hit on the now-Denver Broncos quarterback.
Oregon will likely have one of college football's best offensive lines in 2024, led by Cornelius, whose 85.3 PFF pass-blocking grade from 2023 ranks third among returning offensive tackles.
FLEX: RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Judkins may have been the most underrated transfer portal pickup for Ohio State this offseason. He could not fit any better in this offense as a physically imposing back who can also catch passes. His 78 forced missed tackles in 2023 was a top-five figure among running backs.
Behind this Buckeyes line, Judkins is set up to have a monster season.
DEFENSE
EDGE: James Pearce Jr, Tennessee
Not only will Pearce likely be the first edge rusher drafted next April, but he could also be the first player drafted altogether.
The 6-foot-5 true junior is as physically gifted as defensive ends come, bringing all the potential in the world to Tennessee's defensive line. His 93.5 PFF pass-rushing grade on true pass sets in 2023 ranked second to only Laiatu Latu, while his 21.8% pass-rush win rate ranked sixth.
I have been blown away by James Pearce Jr. this season.
The true sophom*ore has…
🔸 26.8% pressure rate (1st in FBS)
🔸 28.6% pass-rush win-rate (3rd)Speed to power is ridiculous. Playing like a top-five pick in 2025.@JamesPearceJr10 @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/4k7ms6pBgg
— Max Chadwick (@MaxChadwickCFB) October 15, 2023
EDGE: Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
Gillotte has been one of the ACC's best defensive players for a few years now, finishing with an 85.8 PFF grade last season. He debated going pro this spring but ultimately chose to return, looking to have an even bigger year for the Cardinals.
In 2023, Gillotte racked up 42 quarterback hurries and 58 total pressures, both of which ranked in the top 10 among edge defenders.
DI: Mason Graham, Michigan
You may remember Mason Graham from last year’s College Football Playoff when he wreaked havoc on Alabama's and Washington's offensive lines, racking up seven pressures and five tackles. The fact that two of the best lines in the country couldn’t stop Graham shows how dominant he is. And he is only going to get better.
Graham's 90.0 PFF grade in 2023 is the best mark among returning defensive tackles.
DI: Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
The next highest-graded interior defender returning to school is Howard Cross III (89.8), who will be entering his final year of eligibility.
Cross was incredibly productive in 2023, tallying 41 tackles and 39 pressures on his way to a near-elite 89.8 PFF pass-rushing grade.
Howard Cross III, IDL, Notre Dame
Quick club and win from cross. Quickly closes ground and gets the quarterback hit. The one gap penetration is really impressive. https://t.co/o6yit17Ycu pic.twitter.com/l6tY5aUGzK
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) May 4, 2024
LB: Harold Perkins Jr, LSU
Perkins can play a handful of positions on defense and cover the field adequately. LSU forced him into coverage more often last season, but Perkins is typically at his best when rushing the passer (90.9 pass-rushing grade and 41 pressures in 2022). His 10 sacks as a true freshman were third most at his position that year.
Look for LSU to use Perkins more in that role as an off-ball linebacker in 2024.
LB: Barrett Carter, Clemson
Carter was a preseason All-American candidate but faced some struggles in 2023. He returned to Clemson for 2024 in the hopes of getting back to his sophom*ore-year form, when he finished with an 81.4 PFF overall grade.
All the talent is still there for Carter, and Clemson’s defense will continue to be one of the nation’s best.
| Stat | 2022 | 2023 |
| PFF Overall Grade | 81.4 | 70.6 |
| PFF Run-Defense Grade | 78.8 | 64.8 |
| PFF Pass-Rushing Grade | 82.4 | 74.1 |
| PFF Coverage Grade | 77.4 | 68.3 |
| Pressures | 27 | 18 |
| Tackles | 52 | 43 |
| Run Stops | 37 | 27 |
CB: Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Morrison made a name for himself last September when he held Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. to two receptions for 26 yards on five targets as his primary coverage defender.
Those were the types of performances that earned Morrison an excellent 84.6 PFF coverage grade for the season.
Caleb Williams ???? Benjamin Morrison
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 15, 2023
CB: Will Johnson, Michigan
Will Johnson is a name you’ll want to remember for the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s easy to see why scouts are so high on Johnson, given his elite size and speed for a cornerback. Opposing quarterbacks had very little luck targeting him last season, as passed into his coverage netted a 30.9 passer rating and he didn't allow a touchdown. Across 321 coverage snaps, Johnson snagged four interceptions.
S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs was arguably the best true freshman in college football last year and is only going to get better. He racked up 85 total tackles in 2023 at Alabama, good for seventh at his position. His 88.9 PFF coverage grade also ranks third among returning safeties.
Now at Ohio State, Downs will look to help form one of the nation’s toughest defenses for 2024.
S: Malaki Starks, Georgia
Starks was also once one of the best true freshmen in college football and managed to get even better as a sophom*ore, raising his PFF grades in every category. Starks is entering what will likely be his last year of college football and will be looking to bring one more national championship back to Georgia.
| Stat | 2022 | 2023 |
| PFF Overall Grade | 67.1 | 81.1 |
| PFF Run-Defense Grade | 72.1 | 84.8 |
| PFF Tackling Grade | 86.4 | 89.8 |
| PFF Coverage Grade | 64.8 | 78.3 |
| Receptions Allowed | 35 | 18 |
| Yards Allowed | 593 | 200 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 3 |
| Pass Breakups | 5 | 7 |
FLEX: CB Sebastian Castro, Iowa
Although Castro was overshadowed by Cooper DeJean on Iowa's 2023 defense, he could be the better cornerback of the two.
Castro is just as versatile as DeJean, having played 137 snaps in the box last year. He earned a 91.2 PFF overall grade and a 91.2 PFF coverage grade, which both ranked third among cornerbacks. He also led Iowa in pass breakups (seven) and interceptions (three) last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Bert Auburn, Texas
Auburn has made plenty of big kicks in his career. He was a perfect 56-of-56 on extra points a season ago and missed only six field goals out of 35 attempts. His 90.5 field-goal grade is a top-10 mark among returning kickers.
Now off to the SEC, Texas is surely going to be in many close games with massive implications in 2024. Auburn will be an asset.
Bert Auburn with a 49-yd FG to put Texas up 19-17 over Alabama late in the 4th quarter. pic.twitter.com/1ji002QmIy
— Kicker Update (@kickerupdate) September 10, 2022
P: James Burnip, Alabama
It’s almost unfair for Alabama to have the nation’s best punter as a team that should rarely have to punt.
Burnip averaged 47.5 yards per punt in 2023, which ranked sixth in the country. His 92.3 punt grade and 4.38-second average hang time both led all punters in college football last season.
Flex: Travis Hunter, Colorado
It would be almost impossible for any other player to fill this role better than the Shohei Ohtani of college football. Hunter played 1,074 snaps last season (622 on defense, 452 on offense and 30 on special teams). Not only does he play both sides of the ball, but he is very good at both, earning 70.0-plus PFF grades in almost every category.
Hunter actually recorded more receiving yards (721) than he allowed on defense as a cornerback (414) in 2023. It will be interesting to see how Colorado utilizes him this season and the type of impact he’ll have on the team.
