- Garrett Nussmeier provides optimism for LSU‘s future: He’ll be viewed as one of the best quarterbacks entering next season, both college and NFL draft-wise. The senior threw for 4,039 yards, the fifth-most in all college football. Nussmeier loves to get out there and spin it.
- Ohio State has the most players: The national champions have 12 players on this list, five more than any other school in the country.
Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Now that the college football season has concluded, it’s time to review the year’s best players. Here is the PFF College 101, highlighting the 101 best players from the 2024 college football season.
This ranking is based on various factors, including PFF grades and other stats available only to PFF+ subscribers. Please note that the players’ NFL potential is not a factor in this ranking.
The full PFF College 101 will be released throughout the week:
- Monday: Nos. 101-81
- Tuesday: 80-61
- Wednesday: 60-41
- Thursday: 40-11
- Friday: 10-1
41. QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Rourke was squarely at the center of Indiana’s incredible run to the playoff despite dealing with multiple injuries throughout the season. His 90.2 passing grade ranked fourth in the nation, as he threw 29 touchdowns and just five interceptions. As a result of his efforts, the Hoosiers finished with the Power Four’s highest-graded offense. Rourke’s performance this season will live forever in Indiana lore.
42. EDGE Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Even though he only played 440 total snaps, Stewart was one of the best edge defenders in college football this year. He likely would’ve racked up more than nine sacks if he hadn’t missed a few games with an injury. His pass rush win rate was 27.2% this season, the third highest among all qualified edge defenders.
43. RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Sampson carried Tennessee’s offense all the way to the playoff. His hard-charging style led to him earning a 90.9 rushing grade, the seventh-best among FBS running backs. He also tied for the Power Four lead with 22 rushing touchdowns and broke 70 tackles along the way. Simply put, Sampson was one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season.
44. LB Jay Higgins, Iowa
Higgins is the latest and greatest defensive player at Iowa who can do it all. His four interceptions on the season put his coverage grade at 91.5, second-best among all linebackers. If you need him to stop the run, he can also do that. On 758 total snaps, Higgins racked up 41 run stops and forced two fumbles along the way.
45. WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami (FL)
En route to becoming Miami’s all-time leading receiver, Restrepo had an outstanding season with Cam Ward as his quarterback. He led the ACC with an 83.5 receiving grade and 1,127 receiving yards. He dropped just two of his 95 targets and set a career-high with 11 touchdowns. Restrepo made his case as arguably the best slot receiver in the country.
46. LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon finished 2024 as the most valuable linebacker in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric. He was particularly dominant as a run defender, finishing third among FBS linebackers with a 90.8 run-defense grade. Simon also sacked the quarterback five times, tied for fourth among all linebackers in the country.
47. C Jake Slaughter, Florida
Slaughter was the only center in the Power Four who earned 80.0-plus grades both as a pass blocker and as a run blocker. Making that even more impressive is the fact that he faced a murderer’s row of defensive linemen like Walter Nolen, Deone Walker, Omarr Norman-Lott, Alfred Collins and Joshua Farmer.
48. QB Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
The Michigan State transfer found a nice home in Tempe this year, leading the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff. Leavitt will be remembered for the gutsy performance he gave against Texas in the double-overtime loss. Even though it wasn’t Leavitt’s best game throwing the ball, he showed a level of heart and toughness that every program in America would love to have in their quarterback. His 502 rushing yards this year raised his overall PFF grade to 88.5, which was tenth best among all FBS quarterbacks.
49. LB Austin Romaine, Kansas State
Romaine finished his true sophomore season as the highest-graded linebacker in the Power Four (91.0). His 43 run-defense stops were fourth in that group, while his 90.7 run-defense grade was fourth in the nation. Romaine will enter his junior year as one of the best linebackers in America.
50. RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson played a crucial role in Ohio State’s national championship run. He carried the nation’s fifth-best rushing grade at 91.8. He also finished sixth with 7.0 yards per carry. Henderson’s efficiency, explosiveness, and receiving ability were the perfect complement to Quinshon Judkins for the Buckeyes’ offense.
51. RB Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)
Often forgotten with Cam Ward’s heroics is how efficient Martinez was as a runner for the Hurricanes. The Oregon State transfer posted a 94.3 rushing grade in 2024, third to only Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo among FBS running backs. He averaged 4.5 yards after contact per attempt, which was second among Power Four tailbacks.
52. EDGE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Tuimoloau led the Big Ten with 15 sacks this year as he formed one half of an elite edge defender duo along with Jack Sawyer. He also set a new career-high with an outstanding 87.3 run-defense grade that placed him seventh among qualified edge defenders. Given his output across his four years at Ohio State, Tuimoloau will likely see a top-50 selection in this year’s draft.
53. WR Tez Johnson, Oregon
Johnson’s production would likely be higher this year if he hadn’t missed a few games due to an injury. When he was on the field, he was as dynamic and shifty as they come for the Ducks, finishing with an 87.0 receiving grade. Additionally, 604 of his 898 yards came after the catch, the third most YAC among all WRs. The only question for Tez as a prospect is if he needs to put on weight or not, but you certainly can’t question his athleticism.
54. RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
The Judkins addition to the Buckeyes gave the offense an elite running back duo that couldn’t be stopped. He finished the year with an elite 90.0 rushing grade, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He also showed out in the national championship game with a 100-yard rushing performance and three total touchdowns.
55. EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Parker was one of several young stars on Clemson’s defense who shined this season. He finished the year with an 87.4 overall grade, 51 pressures, and 12 sacks. All of those marks ranked inside the top 20 edge defenders in the nation. He was also one of just three ACC edge defenders who finished with an 80.0-plus pass rush grade and run defense grade.
56. LB Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
Ole Miss’ defense featured several studs this year, and Paul was one of them. The versatile Arkansas transfer made the right call coming to Oxford and fit perfectly in Lane Kiffin’s defense. Paul thrives on all three levels and posted career highs in run defense (84.6), pass-rushing (83.9) and coverage grade (78.1). He is one of only two linebackers in the country with over five sacks with at least four pass breakups.
57. DI Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Harmon’s 55 pressures were 12 more than any other defensive tackle in college football, while his 17.9% pass-rush win rate was third. The Michigan State transfer finished as the sixth-most-valuable interior defender in the nation according to our wins above average metric.
58. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka wrapped up his four-year career in Columbus with a national championship and is now the school’s career record-holder in receptions (205) and receiving yards (2,868). He finished his senior season as the fourth-most-valuable wide receiver in the nation according to PFF’s wins above-average metric.
59. EDGE Mikail Kamara, Indiana
Kamara was a star on an outstanding Indiana defense and one of the best edge defenders in the country this season. He led all players with 68 pressures and finished fifth amongst a loaded Big Ten edge group with an 88.5 pass-rush grade. Kamara returns to the Hoosiers for one more season and heads into 2025 as one of the best players at his position.
60. EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas
Simmons immediately showed why he was a top-15 recruit coming out of high school, finishing his true freshman season as the fifth-most-valuable edge defender in the nation according to PFF’s wins above-average metric. His 18.6% pressure rate was 13th among FBS edge rushers while his 90.2 pass-rushing grade was 16th.
61. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
It was a shame we didn’t get to see Tyson suit up against Texas because he really would’ve helped Sam Leavitt and put pressure on the secondary. Nevertheless, Tyson had a phenomenal year before going down in the Arizona game with a shoulder injury. Tyson was able to crack both the 1,000-yard and 10-touchdown mark in what was his final game of the season. His 83.3 receiving grade is top-20 in the nation. Leavitt has to be thrilled that Tyson will return next year, as their chemistry should improve even more.
62. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Loveland’s statistical output would have looked much better this year if it hadn’t been for Michigan’s revolving door at quarterback. Loveland couldn’t quite develop the chemistry he had with JJ McCarthy, but scouts still know how talented this guy is, as he is the second-ranked tight end on PFF’s big board. Despite Loveland’s production, he still walked away this season with a 90.6 receiving grade on 56 catches with only two drops.
63. OG Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
Lampkin finished the season as the highest-graded interior lineman (84.2) from the entire Power Four. His primary job was to pave the way in the run game for Omarion Hampton, which he did very successfully, given his 85.5 run-blocking grade. On 851 snaps, Lampkin didn’t allow a single sack either. Now, he may be undersized, but Lampkin has all the toughness and strength to hold his own in the league.
64. LB Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Dolac was the nation’s leader in both tackles (125) and run stops (76). Unsurprisingly, his elite 91.5 tackling grade also tops the nation. He also reeled in five interceptions and led the nation with a 92.6 coverage grade. Dolac played well enough to get on the radar of many NFL teams this season.
65. LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Boettcher played just 468 snaps for the Ducks this year but made the most of them. His 90.0 overall grade ranked third among qualified linebackers. He was a crucial part of Oregon’s run defense but was no slouch in coverage either, as he broke up four passes and earned a solid 84.5 grade in that department.
66. DI Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
After earning an elite 90.1 pass-rushing grade at Duke last year, Peebles remained a dominant pass-rusher at a different ACC school this past season. His 91.2 pass-rushing grade led all defensive tackles in the nation, while his 18.6% pass-rush win rate paced all Power Four ones.
67. WR Nick Nash, San Jose State
The nation’s leader in receptions (104) also finished with the most touchdown catches (16). Nash was a well-deserved finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and has a very bright future ahead of him, currently the 110th-ranked player on the PFF big board. The 6-foot-3 sixth-year man tore up the Mountain West all year long and accounted for 33% of his team’s total yards through the air.
68. RB RJ Harvey, UCF
Harvey was UCF’s workhorse this season as he racked up 1,578 rushing yards and tied for the Power Four lead with 22 touchdowns. He also finished atop the Power Four with 54 explosive runs and broke 69 tackles on the year. Expect Harvey’s name to be called either on day two or very early on Day 3 in the upcoming draft.
69. WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss
Harris was on his way to putting up a record-breaking season statistically before getting hurt against LSU. He had 1,030 yards in eight games for the Rebels on 60 receptions. Having only played in one game post-injury, Harris still finished with the fourth-highest PFF grade among all receivers at 89.8. His 5.15 yards per route run is the most ever in the PFF College era.
70. S R.J. Mickens, Clemson
Mickens was the veteran leader of a very young Clemson defense. His 89.8 coverage grade tied for fourth among qualified safeties. He allowed just 100 yards across 29 targets as the primary defender while picking off two passes and breaking up five others. Mickens’ experience and versatility in the defensive backfield should serve him well in the NFL.
71. QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
There might not be any single player from the College Football Playoff who showed more heart, effort and leadership down the stretch than Leonard. While Leonard may forever be limited with what he can do with his arm, his legs more than made up the difference this season for the Irish. Leonard nearly broke 1,000 yards on the ground, finishing with 982 total on 173 carries. This earned him an 82.8 run grade which ranks in the top 10 of all quarterbacks.
72. LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Campbell put himself in a position to potentially be the first linebacker selected in this year’s draft due to his performance in 2024. He was one of just four Power Four linebackers who finished the season with at least an 80.0 grade in run defense and coverage. He also contributed eight sacks, two pass breakups, and an interception.
73. CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
While not the most physically imposing player (5-foot-9, 170 pounds), Ponds doesn’t let his smaller stature preclude him from being a dominant outside cornerback. After a stellar true freshman season at James Madison, he backed it up with a similarly fantastic year as a sophomore in the Big Ten. His 85.0 coverage grade was a top-20 mark in the nation, while his 13 coverage stops were tied for sixth among Power Four cornerbacks.
74. OT Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
While not as flashy as some of his other teammates on this list, Jackson was still one of the most important parts of the Buckeyes’ national championship team. Due to injuries, the senior was forced to move from his natural position of left guard to left tackle midway through the season. He earned an 86.0 pass-blocking grade in the College Football Playoff with no sacks, no hits and just two pressures allowed across 119 pass-blocking snaps.
75. CB Jordan Clark, Notre Dame
Clark was an important piece to a Notre Dame secondary that ran as much man coverage as any team in the country. Playing primarily in the slot, Clark’s 83.2 coverage grade was a top-15 mark among Power Four cornerbacks. He also broke up six passes and allowed just 9.1 yards per reception.
76. TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
The one-time quarterback recruit made a great call transitioning to tight end (89.0 receiving grade). Stowers meant so much to Vanderbilt’s passing attack this season and accounted for 644 of their 2,319 yards through the air. He is a very gifted natural athlete who is the perfect size for a TE and is a mismatch against most defenders on the field. In his first full season at the position, Stowers finished as the fourth-highest graded (86.8) tight end overall.
77. RB Brashard Smith, SMU
The Miami (FL) transfer was vital in SMU’s quest of getting to the College Football Playoff, and the Mustangs couldn’t have done it without him. From a receiving standpoint, Smith led all HBs in receiving grade with a 90.6 on 41 catches. He also ran for 1,326 yards with 775 of them coming after contact to earn an overall 90.1 PFF grade.
78. LB Kobe King, Penn State
King’s dominant run defense helped him become the third-most-valuable Power Four linebacker in 2024 according to PFF’s wins above-average metric. His 89.2 run-defense grade tied for eighth among all linebackers in the nation.
79. WR Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas
Armstrong finished 2024 as the fifth-most-valuable receiver in the nation according to PFF’s wins above-average metric. His 18 contested catches were tied for fifth among FBS wideouts while his 1,140 receiving yards were fifth among Power Four ones.
80. S Koi Perich, Minnesota
According to On3’s industry rating, Perich is the highest-rated recruit the Golden Gophers have ever brought in. The Minnesota native immediately showed why as a true freshman, placing eighth among FBS safeties with an 89.0 PFF grade. His five interceptions tied for second among all safeties in the nation, and he only surrendered a 28.7 passer rating into his coverage all year. After losing one superstar safety in Tyler Nubin, Minnesota seems to have found another in Perich.
81. S Malachi Moore, Alabama
Moore had his best year yet in his fifth and final season at Alabama, finishing as one of the 10 most valuable safeties in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 89.4 coverage grade was 11th among FBS safeties, as well.
82. DI Vernon Broughton, Texas
Broughton finished this season as the eighth-highest-graded defensive tackle in the nation and was one of the Longhorns’ most productive pass rushers. He generated 32 pressures, four sacks, and a solid 12.9% pass-rush win rate. He showed up in a big way in the playoffs with nine pressures and an 83.8 pass-rush grade across three games against Clemson, Arizona State and Ohio State.
83. WR Pat Bryant, Illinois
Bryant was the best player on an Illinois squad that won 10 games for the first time in over two decades. His 86.0 receiving grade was ninth among FBS receivers. He forced 14 missed tackles after the catch, the fifth-most among Big Ten wideouts.
84. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Nussmeier flirted with the idea of turning professional but ultimately chose to return to Baton Rouge for one more year. He’ll be considered one of the best quarterbacks entering next season, both college and NFL draft-wise. The senior threw for 4,039 yards, which was fifth most in all of college football. Nussmeier loves to get out there and spin it. He recorded the seventh most big-time throws (26) but also ranks near the top in terms of turnover-worthy plays. If he can clean up those errant throws, he’ll undoubtedly be in the Heisman/first-round pick discussion next year.
85. TE Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
According to PFF’s wins above average metric, the only two tight ends who were more valuable than Gadsden this past season were Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin Jr. Those two were the only tight ends who tallied more receiving yards than Gadsden (934), too. The redshirt junior also led all Power Four tight ends with 17 contested catches as well.
86. DI Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Alongside Mason Graham, Grant was one of the biggest reasons Michigan pulled off the incredible upset against Ohio State. He picked the right time to have his best game in which he recorded five pressures and three stops to get an 89.9 PFF grade vs the Buckeyes. In a year when Michigan’s offense sputtered, they still held a top-10 defense and Grant was a major reason why. Grant’s main strength was stopping the run in which he ranked 15th among interior defenders with an 86.3 run-defense grade.
87. QB Drew Allar, Penn State
Allar quieted many critics by quarterbacking the Nittany Lions all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinals this past season, finishing as the nation’s sixth-most valuable signal-caller in the process according to our wins above average metric. His 21 big-time throws were a top-20 mark in America, while his 2.1% turnover-worthy play rate ranked 21st. Allar will lead what should be yet another loaded Penn State roster that has its sights set on delivering the program’s first national championship in nearly 40 years.
88. LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
The sixth-year captain of Marcus Freeman’s team had a hell of a career in South Bend. You won’t find many tougher football players out there than Kiser, who left it all on the field against Ohio State. Kiser posted his best statistical season in his final year, racking up 75 total tackles and 35 run stops. This earned him an elite 90.5 tackling grade combined with an 86.8 run-defense grade, both ranking in the top 16 among linebackers.
89. OG Addison West, Western Michigan
West finished as PFF’s highest-graded offensive lineman out of everyone in the country with a 94.9 mark. He played exactly 800 snaps in 2024 and only surrendered two pressures in that entire span, good enough for a 99.7 pass-blocking efficiency rate.
90. C Jacob Gardner, Colorado State
Gardner is a fifth-year senior who got better every single year in college, with the 2024 season being his best. In one season, he raised his overall PFF grade from 68.3 to 89.2. In 2024, Gardner led all centers in run-blocking with an 88.9 grade and was second in pass-blocking with an 88.6 mark. He didn’t allow a single hit on the QB this year and only gave up three hurries.
91. OT Hollin Pierce, Rutgers
Pierce was the senior leader of a very good Rutgers offensive line who had tremendous chemistry. He started all four years and raised his PFF grade each of those four years, recording an outstanding 85.1 this past season. Pierce finished the season with a 97.5 pass-blocking efficiency rate, which matches his career average. For his career, he only gave up five total sacks in 3,172 snap counts.
92. QB Bryson Daily, Army
Daily ran for 32 touchdowns this season, the third most in FBS history and the most ever by a quarterback. His 1,654 rushing yards and 852 yards after contact also led all quarterbacks in the nation this year as well. Daily’s legs were the biggest reason why the Black Knights won the AAC and finished the year with 12 victories overall (most in program history).
93. OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
Reed-Adams finished as the second-highest-graded Power Four guard this past season with an 82.4 mark. The Kansas transfer is an absolute road-grader, leading all Power Four guards with an 86.1 run-blocking grade. Reed-Adams projects as the best guard in America heading into next season after he announced his plans to return in 2025.
94. LB Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame
Bowen emerged as one of the best young linebackers in college football this season. His 80.7 overall grade was a top-20 mark in the Power Four this season. He was already an elite tackler as a true sophomore, as he missed just five tackles in his 16 games. Bowen will be one of the top returners at his position in 2025.
95. DI Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Williams’ talent in run defense shined again this season as his 88.6 run defense grade placed him eighth among qualified defensive tackles. His effort between the tackles was a huge reason that Ohio State finished second in the FBS in run defense grade. Williams could hear his name called in the latter half of the draft’s first round in April.
96. WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
Noel combined with Jayden Higgins to form the only pair of teammates in the country this season with at least 1,100 yards apiece. His 81.7 receiving grade ranked sixth among Big 12 wide receivers. Noel made several of the Cyclones’ biggest plays this season and was a huge reason they made the Big 12 championship.
97. S Malaki Starks, Georgia
While Starks may have not had the best season by his standards, there are plenty of safeties who would be thrilled with the output he gave in his final season before turning pro. Georgia had other problems in their secondary that were out of Starks’ control. He finished the season with a 78.3 overall grade, 62 total tackles and one interception.
98. OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Outside of playing Ohio State, Josh Conerly Jr. was nearly perfect on the season as a left tackle. In non-OSU games, Conerly only allowed three total pressures, which came in the first two weeks of the season. However, in those two OSU games, he gave up six pressures. Conerly still posted a terrific pass-blocking grade for the year with an 83.5 and is currently the fifth-ranked tackle on our big board.
99. EDGE Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
Kennard won the Nagurski Award this season by posting an excellent 80.6 pass-rush grade and piling up 39 pressures and 10 sacks. He racked up multiple pressures in all but two of his games in 2024. He was one of several reasons South Carolina finished as one of the top defenses in the country this year.
100. S Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Ransom played an important role at safety for the Buckeyes this season, especially in run defense. In fact, his 93.5 run-defense grade led all Power Four defenders regardless of position. His ability to support the run and move around the formation as a former cornerback brought plenty of value to Ohio State’s national title run.
101. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
The Commodores finished with a winning record and a bowl victory for the first time in over a decade, thanks in large part to Pavia. The New Mexico State transfer was 10th among FBS signal-callers with an 85.0 passing grade, while his 683 rushing yards after contact led all Power Four ones. After winning his injunction against the NCAA, Pavia will return to Nashville for one more season.