Top 20 college football players: Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler tops list

When Pro Football Focus released its list of the 50 best players in college football, there was no surprise about No. 1. Scroll through any preseason awards predictions, rankings, or simply the front page of any college football news outlet and you’ll likely see Spencer Rattler. He enters 2021 looking to be the third Oklahoma quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy under coach Lincoln Riley. For the purposes of this article, the list has been trimmed to the top 20 college football players.

We know the Sooner gunslinger leads things off, but who else makes the list? Find out below:

1. QB Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma: Rattler’s passing grade of 92.5 last season was the best ever from PFF for a freshman. He brings back his top two weapons from last season and adds Arkansas transfer Mike Woods to his receiving corps. He and the Oklahoma offense are primed for an explosive season.

2. CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU: After recording six interceptions and 15 passes defended as a true freshman, Stingley made a name for himself as a lockdown corner early on. Last year he didn’t record an interception, but that appears to be because quarterbacks weren’t willing to throw near him. A brilliant athlete, Stingley may even see offensive reps this season.

3. C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa: Linderbaum came in as a defensive lineman but played just 18 snaps there as a freshman. He quickly converted to offense and is now regarded as not only the best offensive lineman but one of the top-20 college football players in the country. He allowed just three QB pressures in 280 pass-blocking snaps this past season.

4. LB Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma: As good as the Sooners will be offensively, it almost seems unfair they have one of the best defensive players in the country. Bonitto led FBS edge defenders with a pass-rush grade of 93.6, putting him firmly in the PFF top 20 college football players.

5. CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati: In a total of 84 targets over his college career, Gardner has made 22 plays on the ball and not allowed a single touchdown. His presence makes the Bearcats the team to beat out of the Group of 5 conferences.

6. DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon: No. 6 on the top-20 college football players list, Thibodeaux finished with nine sacks as a freshman and had three in a seven-game season last year. He was a menace against USC and eventual first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker, as he had 12 QB pressures.

7. CB Eli Ricks, LSU: Ricks allowed just six catches on 19 targets as a true freshman. Paired with Stingley, he gives the Tigers two corners in the PFF top 20 college football players.

8. CB Tykee Smith, Georgia: The lone transfer on the top-20 college football player list, Smith joins Georgia from West Virginia this offseason. He gave up just 110 yards over 10 games with the Mountaineers in 2020 and never allowed more than 15 yards on a single play.

9. S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame: At 6-foot-4, 221 pounds with a 42-inch vertical, Hamilton is a rare kind of athlete. He had 51 tackles as well as six passes defended in 2020.

10. WR Chris Olave, Ohio State: Olave has had a step or more of separation on 87 percent of his targets since 2019. His decision to return to the Buckeyes this season is just one of the reasons they’re a title contender.

11. CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU: The nephew of NFL hall of famer LaDainian Tomlinson, Hodges-Tomlinson’s elite athletic skills landed him a spot among the top-20 college football players. He finished the season with an FBS-best 90.6 coverage grade and allowed 12 catches on 45 targets.

12. QB Sam Howell, North Carolina: Over the past two seasons, Howell is the FBS leader in 20-plus-yard completions (66), passing yards (2,654), touchdowns (32) and big-time throws (59, 15 more than the next QB). He loses his top two receivers from 2020 in Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, however.

13. WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State: Wilson ranked sixth in PFF grade in single coverage and is considered one of the best route-runners in the game. Along with Olave, he makes Ohio State the third team with two players in the PFF top 20 college football players.

14. OT Thayer Munford, Ohio State: One of the best pass protectors in nation, Munford should offer security for new quarterback C.J. Stroud. He earned a 91.8 grade from PFF this past season, the fourth-best in FBS.

15. CB Josh Jobe, Alabama: Jobe drew more flags than any corner in FBS last season and was the first Alabama corner to draw double-digit flags in the PFF era. If he can correct that, he’ll be one of the top 20 college football players. He recorded 11 passes defended in 2020.

16. CB Kaiir Elam, Florida: At 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, Elam has the height you want from an elite corner. He gave up 0.47 yards per snap in press coverage, the top number among Power 5 cornerbacks with at least 250 snaps.

17. RB Tank Bigsby, Auburn: The lone running back in the top 20 college football players, Bigsby had a phenomenal freshman season. He finished with 834 yards rushing and five touchdowns, and should be a 1,000-yard rusher this year.

18. DE DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M: Leal is massive at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, but moves with a speed that makes him especially dangerous. He was one of only four FBS players to finish with a grade of 80 or higher in both run defense and pass rushing.

19. CB Trent McDuffie, Washington: McDuffie has missed just two of his 64 tackle attempts in his career and has the second-best run defense grade among corners over the past two seasons. Look for him to lead the Huskies defense in 2021.

20. WR Justyn Ross, Clemson: Ross rounds out the PFF top 20 college football players. He missed all of 2020 after undergoing spinal surgery in the offseason. His football career was in serious jeopardy, so it’s good for both the Tigers and the sport to see him back.