10 most valuable non-quarterbacks in college football

In any list about the top players in college football, quarterbacks typically litter the rankings. They have a major impact on the game and wins and losses.

But there are other irreplaceable players on rosters outside of the quarterback room. So, taking quarterbacks out of the equation, On3 is breaking down the 10 most valuable non-quarterbacks in college football.

1. Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith

In his freshman season at Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith lived up to his billing as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound wide receiver put the nation on notice as he racked up 1,315 receiving yards on 76 catches with 15 touchdowns. Smith averaged 17.3 yards per catch and would be a top pick in the 2026 NFL draft. But Smith is only a sophomore and has two seasons left before he can turn pro. A frontrunner to win the Heisman, he told reporters this week that, “It’s going to be scary this year.”

2. South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart

Dylan Stewart was no secret on the recruiting trail. With a 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, it was clear that the Five-Star Plus+ recruit was built to wreak havoc on Saturdays in college football. He passed on Ohio State and Tennessee for South Carolina, believing it was the best spot for him to develop. With the Gamecocks in 2024 as a true freshman, Stewart posted 6.5 sacks, falling just shy of Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman record of eight. Between his knack for getting to the quarterback and viral celebrations, Stewart has become a household name and emerged as one of the top defensive players in the country. This offseason, Stewart is up six pounds and now weighs 256. A source previously told On3 that the EDGE has also ripped off 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

3. Ohio State S Caleb Downs

The former Alabama transfer easily transitioned into the Ohio State secondary last fall. Caleb Downs is being projected by most as a surefire top-10 pick in next spring’s NFL draft. One of the best returning players in the country entering this season, he’s earned preseason All-American honors and is coming off a 2024 season where he posted 81 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions.

4. Texas EDGE Colin Simmons

Another standout from the 2024 recruiting class, Colin Simmons turned heads during his first season at Texas. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound pass rusher appeared in all 16 games as a true freshman and had a team-high nine sacks, which is the third most in a single season by a freshman defensive player in program history. The 2024 Shawn Alexander National Freshman of the Year award winner and SEC All-Freshman Team selection finished with 14 tackles for loss and an interception, and is expected to be a pillar of this year’s Texas defense.

5. Alabama WR Ryan Williams

As everyone across college football knows, Ryan Williams didn’t turn 18 until after the college football season, but his age did not impact what he was able to do on the field. One of the freshmen wide receiver standouts of the 2024 season, the former five-star recruit closed out the 2024 season with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown against Georgia. Despite the personal success, Williams has been open that his goals entering 2025 are to win 10 games and make the CFP. He’ll be a top target for whoever emerges as Alabama’s starting quarterback.

6. Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore

Leonard Moore cemented himself as one of the top cornerbacks in college football last season. In four College Football Playoff games, he was targeted 20 times and allowed only nine catches and a yards per reception average of 7.1. No touchdowns were allowed by Moore in those games, and he conceded just two touchdowns on 56 targets across the entire season.

7. Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

Even if the odds are stacked against him, the Notre Dame running back is setting expectations to compete for the Heisman Trophy in 2025, he recently told On3. Jeremiyah Love will have one of the top offensive lines in the sport blocking for him. Self-described as an “all-around back,” Love rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. That included a 98-yard touchdown run in the first round of the College Football Playoff in December while dealing with the flu. The 6-foot, 206-pound running back is now fully healthy and is expected to be a key piece of Notre Dame’s offense this season.

8. Clemson DL Peter Woods

Clemson has had no shortage of great defensive linemen during Dabo Swinney‘s tenure at Clemson, but Peter Woods is viewed as one of the best to come through. One of the top prospects on 2026 NFL draft boards, he’s quick and a bruiser in the middle of the Clemson defense. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive lineman enters 2025 credited with 59 tackles, 11 for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 698 snaps over 23 games.

9. Utah OT Spencer Fano

According to Pro Football Focus, Spencer Fano is the top-returning offensive tackle in the country after leading all FBS tackles with a 93.0 grade last year. His strength is in the run game, but Fano is an excellent pass protector, too. Expected to be a first-round pick next spring, the 6-foot-6, 302-pound offensive lineman has played 25 career games with 24 starts.

10. Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson

Arguably, nobody in college football has a better returning quarterback-wide receiver duo than what Arizona State brings back in Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound wide receiver evolved into Leavitt’s top target during last year’s run. But Tyson was not available in the Big 12 title game or CFP loss, dealing with a collarbone injury and his absence showed. Tyson is viewed as a top wide receiver on draft boards and finished with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.