Preseason Top 25 players in 2023: Caleb Williams leads, Big Ten goes big, a new addition
The season is so close you can taste it. Or smell it. Or whatever your heightened sense is … that.
Week 0 starts this Saturday, and after unveiling my Top 10 players from each Power 5 conference last week, we wrap the series with my preseason Top 25 players for 2023.
Whittling each list down to just 10 guys from every conference in a sport this loaded with stars all over was hard. This was really difficult.
A list of the Top 25 players consists of less than 0.5% of all FBS college football players. The below comes from my Top 10 rankings + one new addition in Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. As a reminder, this is not the best 25 NFL Draft prospects or a projection of the best 25 players by season’s end. It’s a preseason look at the Top 25 players entering 2023. In case you missed each league’s Top 10 rankings:
The makeup of my preseason Top 25 has the Big Ten with the most players ranked, followed by the SEC and the Pac-12.
Big Ten (7)
SEC (6)
Pac-12 (5)
ACC (4)
Big 12 (2)
Independent (1)
As always, debate away.
25. Malik Nabers, LSU
The Tigers had the SEC’s No. 5 passing attack in 2022, but Nabers returns as the league’s top receiver in yards (1,017) and receptions (72). While he caught just three touchdowns, expect that number to jump significantly after he emerged as the Tigers’ go-to option down the stretch last season.
In LSU’s final four games, Nabers averaged seven catches for 122 yards, with two of his three scores coming during that period. Nabers was an ankle-breaker after the catch, too, forcing 21 missed tackles (fifth-most among all Power 5 wideouts), per PFF.
24. Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders, Arkansas
Sanders more than lived up to his ‘Rocket’ nickname in 2022, proving an explosive Razorbacks rushing attack with a bashing home run hitter. The 6-2, 227-pound tailback had 15 carries over 20 yards last season (second-only to Quinshon Judkins) and a league-high five carries over 40 yards.
The junior averaged over 6.5 yards per carry, finishing with 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. Can he challenge Judkins for the RB1 spot with a 2023 encore?
23. Rome Odunze, Washington
The 6-3, 210-pound junior headlines the deepest receiver room in the conference, and Odunze is the best wideout in the Pac-12. He led the conference with 1,145 yards in 2022 and was second in receptions with 75. He had seven touchdowns, too.
Flanked by Jalen McMillan (another 1,000-yard wideout) and dynamic freshman Ja’Lynn Polk, Odunze emerged as Michael Penix’s favorite deep-threat target. With another big season, Odunze could be a potential 1st Round draft pick come April.
22. DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
DeJean is the Swiss Army knife of Phil Parker’s defense at Iowa, lining up all across the defensive backfield as an impact playmaker. DeJean recorded 75 tackles and five interceptions — including three pick-sixes, which was more touchdowns than Iowa’s entire receiving room combined in 2022.
DeJean is a ballhawk in coverage, but he also provides real value as a defender on the perimeter in run support. Like Kool Aid McKinstry at Alabama, DeJean is a dynamic punt returner, averaging 16.5 yards per return.
21. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
If anyone can push Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison for the Biletnikoff Award this fall it might be Worthy, who had a semi-down season in 2022 but still caught 60 balls for 760 yards and nine touchdowns.
The 6-1, 175-pound receiver is slight but he’s one of the most explosive players in the country with 4.3 speed and lightening quickness. He’s Quinn Ewers’ favorite target, and if he’s fixed his problems with drops, he’s an All-American candidate.
20. Kalen King, Penn State
While Joey Porter Jr. was seen as PSU’s star cornerback in 2022, King emerged as one of the best corners in the Big Ten, too. The junior led all Power 5 defensive backs with 21 passes defended, adding three interceptions, too.
King was the nation’s best corner in single-coverage, per PFF, checking in with a 93.3 grade and a a 18.3 passer rating allowed.
19. Bralen Trice, Washington
Trice went from a little-used backup (just a dozen career appearances over three seasons) to a First-Team All-Pac-12 standout in 2022.
The 6-4, 270-pound defensive end had 10 sacks for the Huskies last season, adding 12.5 tackles for loss and 46 hurries. In the pass-happy Pac-12, Trice should have ample opportunities to record double-digit sacks in 2023, and the edge rusher could vault himself into the top half of the 2024 NFL Draft.
18. Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The only representative on this list not from a Power 5 school, Alt has started 21 straight games for the Irish and was a First-Team All-American in 2022.
The 6-6, 322-pound tackle is a former converted tight end who quickly developed into a future NFL Draft midway through his freshman season in 2021. He graded out as PFF’s No. 1 tackle last season and is a potential Top 15 pick in the upcoming draft.
17. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
The Wildcats’ three-year starter is one of the best and most versatile offensive linemen in the country. Beebe was a First-Team All-Big 12 selection at left tackle in 2021 and then kicked inside to left guard last fall and earned First-Team honors once again.
He graded out as PFF’s No. 1 returning interior lineman for 2023 after not allowing a single sack in 14 games. He also helped Kansas State lead the Big 12 in rushing.
16. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
If not for Marvin Harrison Jr., Egbuka would be talked about as the top returning receiver in the country. Among all returning Power 5 wideouts, the 6-1, 200-pound junior ranks only behind his teammate in receptions (74), yards (1,263) and touchdowns (10).
Egbuka was Ohio State’s home-run hitter in 2022, tallying five catches over 40 yards, second-most in the Big Ten.
15. Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
The anchor of the Fighting Illini’s ‘Law Firm,’ Newton might be the best player in America the casual fan doesn’t know about. He’s a menacing interior rusher — perhaps the most valuable position on the field sans quarterback.
Starring on Illinois’ Top 5 defense last season, Newton had a whopping 59 pressures, per PFF — most among all Power 5 defensive linemen (edge or interior). He finished the season with 61 tackles, 14 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.
14. Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss
The former 3-star prospect shared touches with Zach Evans a year ago, yet still piled up 274 carries for 1,567 yards — the most by a SEC freshman tailback since Herschel Walker.
Judkins also scored 16 touchdowns and was a tackle-breaking machine, leading the SEC in forced missed tackles (76), per PFF. This offseason, the sophomore added muscle to his already stout 5-10, 210-pound frame and he could have more room to operate if Ole Miss’ passing game takes a step forward with Jaxson Dart in Year 2.
13. QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Similarly to Michael Penix at Washington, Nix’s decision to team up with former Auburn OC Kenny Dillingham at Oregon paid off dearly in 2022. The ex-Tigers’ quarterback had a career renaissance in Eugene, throwing for more than 3,500 yards, completing nearly 72% of his passes and accounting for 44 total touchdowns.
Nix opted to return to Oregon to improve his NFL Draft stock and with another monster season for the Ducks, he could work his way into the 1st Round conversation come next April.
12. Blake Corum, Michigan
Before tearing his ACL against Illinois, Corum was the best running back in college football last season. Despite defenses loading up the box to stop the junior tailback, Corum still managed to average nearly 6.0 yards per carry, finishing the season with 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Thanks to the depreciating value of NFL running backs + NIL, we’re blessed with another season of watching Corum on Saturdays. While the Wolverines have another dynamic tailback in Donovan Edwards, Corum is a first-down machine (96 such carries, second-most in the nation, per PFF), who also can hit explosive plays with 15 runs over 20 yards (sixth-most nationally).
11. Jordan Travis, Florida State
It’s hard to remember that Travis actually started his career at Louisville back in 2018, but the sixth-year senior has progressively improved during his four years in Tallahassee.
One of the front-runners for the Heisman Trophy this year, Travis accounted for 31 total touchdowns in 2022, and he has even more weapons to work with in his final season at FSU. Travis averaged over 9.1 yards per attempt (best in the ACC), and threw the fewest interceptions (five) of any full-time starting quarterback in the conference.
10. Jeremiah Trotter, Clemson
Trotter is the quarterback of Clemson’s defense, and along with Barrett Carter, gives the Tigers one of the best inside linebacker duos in the nation.
The son of former longtime NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, he led Clemson with 79 tackles as a sophomore last season, and was a menace as a pass rusher and coverage linebacker — the lone LB with a 80+ grade at both spots, per PFF. Trotter had two picks (one for a touchdown), 6.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups.
9. Michael Penix, Washington
Penix’s reunion with former Indiana coordinator Kalen DeBoer did wonders for the southpaw’s career last season, as the former Hoosiers quarterback led the nation in passing yards per game (357) in his first season at Washington. He finished with over 4,600 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
He’s one of three Heisman Trophy candidates in the conference, and if Penix can avoid the injury bug that’s plagued him throughout his career, then he should put up video game numbers surrounded by so much talent in DeBoer’s system.
8. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
According to PFF, McKinstry played over 500 snaps at corner for Alabama in 2022 and the First-Team All-American allowed just a single touchdown (with only four penalties). He had an SEC-high 16 pass breakups and one pick.
The 6-1, 188-pound junior stands to be a future 1st Round NFL Draft pick, and he also showcased as one of the most dynamic punt returners in the country, ranking No. 2 nationally with 15.8 yards per return.
7. Olumuyiwa Fashanu Jr., Penn State
Fashanu Jr. was projected to be a Top 25 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he opted to return to school to get his degree and put a full season on tape after missing the final five games last year.
The 6-5, 320-pound lineman will help open holes for Penn State’s two-headed tailback attack, and he’ll protect Drew Allar’s blindside, where he allowed zero sacks in eight starts in 2022.
6. EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Verse was a potential 1st Round pick who opted to return to school for his senior season to help Florida State win the ACC Championship.
The former Albany transfer tied for the league lead with nine sacks, adding 17 TFLs and 25 hurries. Verse will be a Day 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and he has a chance to showcase himself as the best pass rusher in the country this fall.
5. QB Drake Maye, UNC
Maye wasn’t even named North Carolina’s starting quarterback until this time last fall, and yet, the redshirt freshman became arguably the second-best quarterback in America by the end of the 2022 season.
Despite playing behind a shoddy offensive line, Maye threw for more than 4,300 yards and led the Tar Heels in rushing with 698. He had 45 total touchdowns and led UNC to the ACC Championship Game. He’s working with new OC Chip Lindsay this fall, and his weapons aren’t quite as good, but the 6-4, 230-pound dual-threat star should cement his future as a Top 5 pick with another strong season.
4. LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Perkins has a chance to make his case as the best overall defensive player in the country in 2023, especially if he can show growth as a run-defender. The former 5-star phenom racked up 72 tackles, 14 TFLs, 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as an undersized true freshman.
He’s put on weight this summer and cross-trained at inside linebacker, where the freaky edge rusher is expected to be utilized as an X-factor blitzing from multiple angles in Matt House’s defense.
3. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Bowers isn’t just the No. 1 player in the SEC, the two-time All-American is one more awesome season away from becoming perhaps the most impactful collegiate tight end ever.
Bowers has a team-high 24 touchdowns in the last two years for the back-to-back national champions, averaging nearly 15 yards per touch — as a game-changing receiver and end-around rusher. While Georgia is likely to still spread the ball around to more than half a dozen impact playmakers, Bowers could be the program’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Terrance Edwards in 2002.
2. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Here’s a hunch that Harrison wins the Biletnikoff Award this fall after getting snubbed in 2022. The former 5-star recruit is arguably the best non-QB in the country, leading the Big Ten with 14 touchdowns and 16.4 yards per catch as a sophomore.
If healthy all season, Harrison could be a dark horse contender for the Heisman Trophy, which has largely become a QB award.
1. QB Caleb Williams, USC
What hasn’t been said about the reigning Heisman Trophy winner? The former Oklahoma transfer blossomed into the best quarterback in the country last fall, throwing for 4,537 yards with an eye-popping 52 total touchdowns.
Williams is accurate (67% completion), avoids mistakes (just five interceptions on 500 attempts) and a wizard at making big plays out of structure (nation’s-best seven touchdowns on such throws, per PFF). He’s looking to become the second-ever two-time Heisman winner while leading USC to a potential Pac-12 Championship in its final year in the conference.