13. LSU — Arden Key
The Tigers will need to find a way to get Key in the field. The passrusher won’t be ready for the opener after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier in the summer. After an 11-sack season last year, though, expectations are high for the team’s star pass rusher. If he can get back on the field and be his old self, LSU will have a fearsome defense indeed.
14. Stanford — Bryce Love
It’s quite the luxury when you’re able to replace one of the best running backs in college football almost seamlessly, but that’s more or less what the Cardinal will be able to do after Christian McCaffrey’s departure. Love was a threat even while backing up McCaffrey, averaging 7.0 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns last season. With a strong offensive line in front of him, Love should prove a capable replacement for McCaffrey.
15. Georgia — Nick Chubb
Once upon a time, Chubb was in the picture as one of the nation’s best rushers. A gruesome leg injury in 2015 stunted his progress, and upon returning, his junior year wasn’t as good as his freshman one. Perhaps it’s too much to expect him to get back to a 1,500-yard season, but an improvement would go a long way toward helping an offense that struggled in 2016.
16. Louisville — Lamar Jackson
Well, he is the Heisman winner, after all. After collecting over 5,000 all-purpose yards and 51 total touchdowns, Jackson has given himself a tough act to follow. But no matter what, he will be one of the most exciting players in the entire country. He single-handedly makes Louisville a threat to win any game they play.
17. Florida — Antonio Callaway
There is no doubt about Callaway’s talent, but he’s key not just because of that. Florida needs to find a way to keep him in line so he can play. Already suspended for the team’s season opener against Michigan, Callaway can be an impact player, averaging 15.7 yards per catch over his career. He needs to stay out of trouble to contribute, though, and he’s running out of chances.
18. Miami (Fla.) — Malik Rosier
The junior quarterback will be surrounded by a lot of talent, including running back Mark Walton and star receiver Ahmmon Richards. That is what makes Rosier’s role so important. Miami could legitimately win the ACC Coastal if they can get decent quarterback play, and the inexperienced junior will be leaned upon. If he performs, Miami could fly.
19. South Florida — Quinton Flowers
The best dual-threat quarterback in the country not named Lamar Jackson, Flowers has the ability to lift South Florida to the top of the Group of 5 this season. The senior racked up 42 total touchdowns in 2016, and he is poised to build on those numbers, with the Bulls being eyed for big things.
20. Kansas State — Jesse Ertz
Another dual-threat quarterback, Ertz was a thousand-yard rusher in 2016 to go along with 1,755 yards through the air. He didn’t score enough — 21 total touchdowns is a bit underwhelming for someone with his physical tools — but if he can polish the passing side of his game, he could really open some eyes nationally.
21. Virginia Tech — Tremaine Edmunds
An outstanding defensive playmaker, Edmunds was blowing up plays left and right in 2016. After a season where he tallied up 94 total tackles, 16.5 of them for a loss, and 4.5 sacks, the junior linebacker looks ready to post another stat-stuffing season. He’s the leader of Virginia Tech’s defense.
22. West Virginia — Will Grier
The coveted Florida transfer will quarterback West Virginia this season, and he should do a fine job of it. As a freshman with the Gators in 2015, he played in only six games before being suspended, but still threw for 1,202 yards and ten touchdowns. Now in charge of the Mountaineers’ offense, he could lead them to a very good season.
23. Texas — Malik Jefferson
Charlie Strong’s most prized recruit hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations since his arrival in Austin, but the junior linebacker could be ready for liftoff after a season that saw him collect 6.5 sacks. When playing up to his potential, Jefferson is the most talented player on the Longhorn defense, and a premier defensive playmaker.
24. Washington State — Luke Falk
The Pac-12 is loaded with quality quarterbacks, and Falk certainly belongs on the list. The senior has thrown for 38 touchdowns and about 4,500 yards in each of his two full seasons as Cougar starter. He can do everything that the famously pass-minded Mike Leach would possibly ask of him.
25. Tennessee — Darrin Kirkland
It speaks to Kirkland’s talent that he was starting at middle linebacker for the Vols as a freshman. His sophomore season was shortened by injury, and the defense as a whole suffered for it. Kirkland should be back to full strength for the season, and he’ll be looking to build on the exploits that had him looked at as the anchor of Tennessee’s defense.
