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Joel Klatt ranks Top 10 players in college football entering 2025 season

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko07/28/25nickkosko59
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Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt ranked the Top 10 players in college football ahead of the 2025 college football season. Some programs even have multiple players on this list!

Skill guys, linemen, you name it! Klatt scoured across college football to find the 10 best players across the sport going into the fall.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the best players in college football. We start in the Big Ten!

1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State WR

Smith broke out as a freshman and even before he stepped on a college football field, people knew he was special. He helped Ohio State capture last year’s national championship and look to add at least one more before he heads to the 2027 NFL Draft.

Last year, Smith reeled in 76 catches for 1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns and 17.3 yards per catch. He’ll be in Heisman discussions this season.

2. Caleb Downs, Ohio State DB

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs
© Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Disp / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The second best player in college football is Smith’s teammate, Caleb Downs. Downs transferred in from Alabama last season after a standout freshman year in 2023.

Klatt already pegged him as the best defensive back in the game with his coverage skills and tackling ability. He was NFL-ready last year, but could be a top 10 pick by the time spring rolls around.

3. Cade Klubnik, Clemson QB

Klubnik had the best year of his college football career in 2024. Klatt has him No. 3 overall and the top QB in the nation.

It took him a few years, but the Clemson signal caller really slinged it last season, helping the Tigers win the ACC and get to the CFP. He threw 36 touchdowns, just six picks and had nearly 3,700 yards.

4. Arch Manning, Texas QB

Manning is already in the top five college football players per Klatt. He had limited action in terms of starting under center, but he has the tools.

It’s just about Manning proving it over the course of a full season with a team that has national title expectations. If he does just that, he might skyrocket to the top spot and maybe actually go to the 2026 NFL Draft, rather than play another year at Texas.

5. Ryan Williams, Alabama WR

Alabama WR Ryan Williams
Alabama WR Ryan Williams (William McLelland / Imagn Images)

If Smith is the best wide receiver in college football then Williams is a close second. Also only a sophomore, Williams’ breakout came against Georgia last season.

So not only did people obsess over his skill, they did the same with his age considering he was playing college football at 17. Insane. Anyway, Williams finished his freshman year with 48 catches, 865 yards, eight touchdowns and 18 yards per catch.

6. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB

The best running back in college football comes from Notre Dame. Love helped the Fighting Irish get to the College Football Playoff national championship last season and will certainly be in the Heisman conversation this fall.

As a sophomore, Love got more than double the work as a freshman. He had 163 carries for 1,125 yards, 17 touchdowns and 6.9 yards per catch.

7. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas LB

Hill Jr. is a menace on defense and could be key to the Longhorns winning a national title this year. Going into Year 3, he’s poised for a career year.

One of the best, if not the best, linebacker in college football, Hill really stood out through 16 games last season. He had 113 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, an interception, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection.

8. T.J. Parker, Clemson EDGE

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Parker is the second of three Clemson players on Klatt’s top 10 college football players. The EDGE rusher might have a banner year with a teammate who we’ll get to in a second. 

Parker was a menace in the backfield last season, logging 20 tackles for loss. He had 57 total tackles and 11 sacks to go along with six forced fumbles as well.

9. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama OT

Proctor was dubbed the best offensive lineman in college football per Klatt. The Alabama offensive tackle will be key to the Crimson Tide offense.

Ty Simpson is the projected starting QB and Proctor will have to showcase his freakish abilities to protect him. That could turn him into a high first round pick this spring!

10. Peter Woods, Clemson DT

We already broke down Parker on the Clemson defensive line, so here’s another stud defender in college football. Woods will plug up the middle of the line to stuff the run and be able to rush the passer.

Last season, Woods logged 28 total tackles, but nine tackles for loss and three sacks. Expect some gaudier numbers this coming season.