The staff over at ESPN as revealed their Top 25 college football player rankings for the 2023 season as a whole.
Before getting into how they came up with their rankings, ESPN prefaced their list by explaining how it’s all taken care of, “Voters were presented with a series of one-on-one votes. For example, ‘Who should be ranked higher following the 2023 season: Jayden Daniels or Michael Penix Jr.?’ Think of it as an Oklahoma drill of statistical reasoning. More than 10,000 votes later, these are the results,” they wrote.
Alas, here’s who ESPN believes ended up as the best of the best in the sport over the last season. Of course, there are some obvious rankings, but there’s also some surprises that you’ll see throughout the list. Check it out.
1) QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
It could be no other player than the Heisman winner in the top spot. Daniels and his 50 total touchdown season takes the top spot for ESPN, and it should be no mystery as to why.
If LSU had a better defense, perhaps we would be talking about the quarterback having one of the all time great seasons in college football. Daniels will take the Heisman though, and look to continue his success in the NFL in 2024.
2) QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Penix Jr. has been incredible for Washington since taking his talents to the Huskies. The transfer quarterback put on a show during the College Football Playoff, but he’s been doing that all season long inside the Pac-12.
He has a chance to end his college career with a national title this coming Monday. His 35 passing touchdown season put him among the best in the country, and he’s proven it week-in and week-out, no matter the stage.
3) WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
In 2023, Harrison Jr. put up some gaudy numbers, even with some uneven quarterback play from Ohio State. He amassed 67 catches for 1,211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.
He’s a sure-fire top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The college game will miss him, as he was a highlight machine during his time in Columbus, and especially over the last season.
4) QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Nix elevated his game to a new level in 2023. Passing for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns, and throwing only three interceptions. If not for the aforementioned Penix Jr. and Washington, he would’ve brought his team to the College Football Playoff.
Nevertheless, he ended the season as a Heisman finalist, and will now turn his attention to the NFL. He’s gone from afterthought to potential first rounder over the last season, and will look to keep his stock on the rise.
5) TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Bowers has been a revelation for Georgia over their immensely successful run. While he’s officially on to the NFL, he made his mark on the game in 2023, even if he dealt with some injuries throughout the season.
The Georgia star amassed 56 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns. He’s a game-changer, and one the Bulldogs will miss next season.
6) WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Nabers benefitted from Daniels’ rise in 2023, as he was his top target throughout the season. His statistics were 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns, some wildly impressive numbers.
After an amazing season, he’s slated to be a top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was one of the best players in college football last season, and will look to continue making an impact at the professional level.
7) WR Rome Odunze, Washington
If it wasn’t for Harrison Jr. and Nabers, perhaps Odunze would be receiving the proper hype he deserves. He’s been phenomenal over the last year, amassing 1,553 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023.
Much like Nabers for Daniels, Odunze has been the guy for Penix Jr. over his time with the Huskies. He’ll be a hot commodity among NFL teams come April.
8) OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Turner filled the shoes of some Alabama greats admirably in 2023. He was equal parts great against the pass and the run, and amassed ten sacks on the season.
He’s a game-wrecker, and will look to continue his dominance in the NFL. He came to Alabama with a ton of hype, and he more than lived up to it.
9) OL Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Over the 2023 season, Alt only allowed three pressures and one sack. Those are pretty incredible numbers for a team that passed the ball as much as Notre Dame did last season.
He’s been the consensus top tackle in all of college football over the last couple of years. Alt will be rewarded come the 2024 NFL Draft, when he’s selected with a top ten pick with all likelihood.
10) QB Caleb Williams, USC
Only Williams could end up tenth on this list and have it be a massive disappointment. USC was many’s pick to make the College Football Playoff, but some uneven play sent the Trojans down a disappointing path.
Still, Williams was incredible, passing for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns on the season. Barring a baffling decision, he’ll be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, possessing some amazing potential.
ESPN Top 25 CFB Player Rankings — 11-25:
11) RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State12) QB Jordan Travis, Florida State
13) LB Payton Wilson, NC State
14) DL Laiatu Latu, UCLA
15) WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
16) RB Cody Schrader, Missouri
17) DL T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
18) QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
19) CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
20) OL Olu Fashanu, Penn State
21) DB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
22) QB Carson Beck, Georgia
23)
24) CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
25) S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
As you can see, there was an embarrassment of talent in college football for the 2023 season. With one game left before we turn the page to next year’s campaign, we can’t wait to see who ends up on top when the final whistle blows.
