• Michigan running back Blake Corum: With a 95.9 grade, the junior currently has the fourth-highest-graded season ever by a Power Five player.
• Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt: The sophomore looks like the best offensive tackle prospect since Penei Sewell and is the Power Five’s highest-graded tackle.
• Washington edge defender Bralen Trice: The sophomore has been the best pass-rusher in college football this season and is the Power Five’s highest-graded edge defender.
Estimated Reading Time: 10 mins
We finally made it to the end of the college football regular season, meaning many players’ grades are set in stone.
With that in mind, here are the highest-graded Power Five and Group of Five players at every position through the 2022 college football regular season.
Quarterback
Power Five: Drake Maye, North Carolina Tar Heels | 91.6
Next up: Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide | 91.3
Drake Maye entered 2022 with the tall task of following in the footsteps of Sam Howell, arguably the best quarterback North Carolina football has ever seen.
And not only has Maye held down the fort, but he’s also been arguably the best quarterback in the country. His 40 big-time throws are seven more than any other quarterback in college football. Maye’s also an incredible dual-threat signal-caller, as his 498 rushing yards after contact are the second-most among FBS quarterbacks.
Next up for the No. 24 Tar Heels is the ACC championship game against No. 10 Clemson.
Group of Five: Kurtis Rourke, Ohio Bobcats | 93.1
Next up: Frank Harris, UTSA Roadrunners | 91.4
Maye isn’t the only quarterback who’s filling big shoes.
Kurtis Rourke’s older brother, Nathan, ranks second in passing yards, second in passing touchdowns and tied for the most rushing touchdowns in Ohioprogram history.
Kurtis has followed his brother up nicely. He has a 92.1 passing grade, higher than any other quarterback in the country. Ohio plays Toledo in the MAC championship game this week.
Running Back
Power Five: Blake Corum, Michigan Wolverines | 95.9
Next up: Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns | 94.2
Blake Corum has a chance to post the highest-graded season by a Power Five player since PFF began charting college football in 2014.
Highest-graded seasons by a Power Five player in PFF College era (Since 2014)
Name | Position | School | Year | PFF Grade |
Kyle Pitts | Tight End | Florida | 2020 | 96.0 |
Chase Young | Edge Defender | Ohio State | 2019 | 96.0 |
Quinnen Williams | Interior Defensive Lineman | Alabama | 2018 | 96.0 |
Blake Corum | Running Back | Michigan | 2022 | 95.9 |
All of those players were subsequently selected in the top five of their respective drafts. While positional value will likely preclude Corum from joining that group, it still shows how ridiculous of a season the junior has had. He has a chance to boost his grade in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday as second-ranked Michigan takes on Purdue.
Group of Five: DeWayne McBride, UAB Blazers | 92.5
Next up: Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss Golden Eagles | 88.7
DeWayne McBride is one of the best tackle-breakers PFF has seen. His 36% career missed tackles forced percentage is the third-highest among FBS running backs since PFF began grading college football in 2014.
Most career missed tackles forced per attempt | FBS RBs since 2014, min. 300 attempts
Name | School | Years Played | Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt |
Javonte Williams | North Carolina | 2018-2020 | 0.39 |
Bijan Robinson | Texas | 2020-present | 0.38 |
DeWayne McBride | UAB | 2020-present | 0.36 |
McBride’s 1,702 rushing yards this season currently lead the nation. He and the Blazers are currently waiting to find out what bowl game they’ll be playing in.
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