ESPN releases Top 25 most important players in 2022 College Football Playoff race

Ahead of the 2022 college football season, ESPN broke down their top 25 most important players this season as it pertains to the College Football Playoff race. Some players made the list because they are the main cog in their unit’s overall success, however, others are on the list because of their spoiler potential.

ESPN’s top 25 features mostly quarterbacks, including several quarterbacks that are currently in the midst of heated competition, however, they’ve also highlighted stars in need of a breakout year, important transfers, and the key difference makers on the nation’s top CFP contenders.

What the list doesn’t include are known commodities like Bryce Young, Will Anderson, CJ Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Most players won’t make it to the big stage in the CFP, however, they’ll definitely have an opportunity to shape how the final four teams get to that stage before the national championship. The majority of the players on ESPN’s list are in the SEC or the Big Ten since that’s where the bulk of this year’s top CFP contenders are from. Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson received the most votes from coaches in the preseason top-25 poll.

Check out the full list of the top 25 most important players in this year’s CFP picture.

ESPN’s CFP Top 25

1. Max Johnson/Haynes King, QB, Texas A&M
2. Tyler Buchner/Drew Pyne, QB, Notre Dame
3. DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson
4. Cade McNamara/J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
5. Cam Rising, QB, Utah
6. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma
7. Caleb Williams, QB, USC
8. Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
9. Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
10. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
11. Eric Gentry, LB, USC
12. Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
13. Taron Vincent, DT, Ohio State
14. [Any DE], Michigan
15. Marvin Harrison Jr., or other WR, Ohio State
16. Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
17. Joseph Ngata, WR, Clemson
18. Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
19. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Georgia
20. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
21. Casey Thompson, QB, Nebraska
22. Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State
23. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
24. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
25. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU