• Keep an eye on top EDGE prospects: Five edge defenders feature on this list, including Penn State's Chop Robinson and UCLA's Laiatu Latu.
• Interior defender Kris Jenkins stands out for Michigan: Jenkins is higher on PFF's big board than quarterback J.J. McCarthy and has recorded an 83.0-plus run-defense grade in each of the past two seasons.
• Check out PFF's 2024 NFL Draft big board: Click here to see 200 of the top draft prospects that college football has to offer.
Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
The first release of the College Football Playoff rankings is here, providing us with a good look at the best teams in college football and a platform from which to highlight several top 2024 NFL Draft prospects.
These are the top players from each team in the playoff's initial top 25.
1. OHIO STATE: WR MARVIN HARRISON JR.
PFF big board rank: 2
As WR1 in this class, Harrison is an easy choice for the Buckeyes. He has an astounding 34.8% THREAT percentage, which tracks how often a wide receiver is targeted when they are on the field. He is the total package and a future top-five pick.
2. GEORGIA: TE BROCK BOWERS
PFF big board rank: 5
There’s a chance we won’t get to see Brock Bowers in a Georgia uniform the rest of this season, as he underwent ankle surgery earlier in the year. But he has been one of the best offensive players in college football over the past three seasons, earning 85.0-plus overall grades in each, and has a case to be one of the highest-drafted tight ends ever.
3. MICHIGAN: DL KRIS JENKINS
PFF big board rank: 37
This pick could be quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but with Jenkins higher on our big board, he’s our choice. Jenkins has recorded an 83.0-plus run-defense grade in each of the past two seasons and is one of the strongest interior defensive linemen in the country.
4. FLORIDA STATE: EDGE JARED VERSE
PFF big board rank: 14
Amid a stacked Florida State roster this season, edge rusher Jared Verse is the highest-rated player on the PFF big board. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Verse has recorded a 19.6% pass-rush win rate (12th in the Power Five) over the past two seasons.
5. WASHINGTON: WR ROME ODUNZE
PFF big board rank: 12
Odunze is making a case to be the next wide receiver selected after Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he has been a contested-catch machine this year, hauling in nine of his 13 contested targets. He’s also on pace for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
6. OREGON: QB BO NIX
PFF big board rank: 19
Nix has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country over the past two years. Across 2022 and 2023, he has a 75.9 passing grade when pressured and an 83.5% adjusted completion percentage.
7. TEXAS: WR ADONAI MITCHELL
PFF big board rank: 31
At 6-foot-4, Mitchell is a smooth route-runner for a taller receiver. He has scored 10 touchdowns in the past 11 games where he has played the entire game. Texas is very talented overall, but Mitchell is the highest prospect on the PFF big board.
8. ALABAMA: CB KOOL-AID McKINSTRY
PFF big board rank: 13
This is the second season in a row that Mckinstry has looked like a steady, shutdown outside cornerback. He has recorded 18 forced incompletions over the past two seasons and has not allowed a catch rate above 50% in each year.
9. OKLAHOMA: S BILLY BOWMAN JR.
PFF big board rank: 62
Bowman is a playmaker in the Oklahoma secondary. He arrived in Norman as an “athlete” recruit who played both sides of the ball in high school, but he eventually found a home at safety. While he is on the small side for the position, it has given him the speed and range in coverage to come up with six interceptions and six forced incompletions over the past two years.
10. OLE MISS: WR TRE HARRIS
PFF big board rank: 104
Harris is new to Ole Miss’ offense this season after transferring from Louisiana Tech. Despite missing some time due to injury, he is the Rebels’ highest-graded receiver, racking up 15 explosive plays and eight missed tackles forced after the catch.
11. PENN STATE: EDGE CHOP ROBINSON
PFF big board rank: 10
Robinson is one of the most twitched-up pass-rushers in the 2024 class. It was a bit of a slow burn for him to start the season, but he has two games with a 22%-plus pass-rush win rate, including against Iowa when he recorded an astounding 46.7% clip.
12. MISSOURI: CB KRIS ABRAMS-DRAINE
PFF big board rank: N/A
Wide receiver Luther Burden III would be on this list if he were draft eligible, but he’s just a true sophomore. We’ll get to him next year. On the other side of the ball, Abrams-Draine has been one of the top secondary playmakers in the SEC this season, notching eight forced incompletions and four interceptions.
13. LOUISVILLE: WR JAMARI THRASH
PFF big board rank: 113
Thrash, a Georgia State transfer, has been Louisville’s top deep threat this season. He has recorded 12 catches of 15-plus yards and a very impressive 17 missed tackles forced after the catch.
14. LSU: WR MALIK NABERS
PFF big board rank: 8
Nabers is currently WR2 behind Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. on PFF’s 2024 big board. That is because of his movement skills. The way Nabers can accelerate while changing direction makes him a route-running nightmare for defensive backs, and he sports the highest receiving grade in the FBS (91.9) this season.
15. NOTRE DAME: OT JOE ALT
PFF big board rank: 7
Alt went into this season with some high expectations as a projected first-round pick. He has not only lived up to those expectations but exceeded them. This year, he has earned a 92.8 pass-blocking grade with just one sack and three total pressures allowed.
16. OREGON STATE: OT TALIESE FUAGA
PFF big board rank: 11
Fuaga may not have garnered much hype for his draft status going into the year, but he’s making sure that doesn’t continue. His 91.0 run-blocking grade is one of the highest in the FBS, and his 81.0 pass-blocking grade of 81.0 shows how well-rounded his skill set is.
17. TENNESSEE: QB JOE MILTON III
PFF big board rank: 130
If not for injuries, Kamal Hadden or Bru McCoy might have been chosen to represent Tennessee on this list. But getting to highlight Milton and his cannon of an arm is never a bad thing. So far this season, Milton has eight big-time throws and six turnover-worthy plays.
18. UTAH: EDGE JONAH ELLISS
PFF big board rank: 42
Elliss has been on a tear this season as one of the most effective and productive pass-rushers in the country. A bit undersized at 6-foot-2 and 246 pounds, he currently has a 90.4 pass-rush grade with a 20.6% pass-rush win percentage.
19. UCLA: EDGE LAIATU LATU
PFF big board rank: 6
Latu currently carries the title of EDGE1 in this class. He has earned a 93.0 pass-rush grade with a 23.8% pass-rush win percentage this season, ranking first and sixth, respectively, among FBS edge rushers.
20. USC: QB CALEB WILLIAMS
PFF big board rank: 1
Despite recent struggles, Williams is still the easy choice for USC's top prospect. He still holds an 88.1 overall grade this season with an 81.4 rushing grade and an 81.7 passing grade.
21. KANSAS: EDGE AUSTIN BOOKER
PFF big board rank: N/A
Booker, the Jayhawks' most productive pass-rusher this season, has earned an 83.6 pass-rush grade. On the year, he has six sacks, 25 total pressures and a 16.6% pass-rush win percentage.
22. OKLAHOMA STATE: LB COLLIN OLIVER
PFF big board rank: N/A
Oliver has recorded a 76.8 overall grade in 2023, thanks in large part to his 90.3 pass-rush grade. When attacking the pocket, he has generated a 16.5% pass-rush win percentage with 25 total pressures.
23. KANSAS STATE: IOL COOPER BEEBE
PFF big board rank: 141
Beebe has been a solid offensive lineman for the Wildcats for three seasons now — and that’s across multiple offensive line positions. He has earned 80.0-plus overall grades in each of the past three seasons, with only one sack allowed in that span.
24. TULANE: QB MICHAEL PRATT
PFF big board rank: 67
Pratt suffered a setback after injuring his knee early in the season but has still been able to record a 7.4% big-time throw rate with 14 passing touchdowns and just three interceptions.
25. AIR FORCE: S TREY TAYLOR
PFF big board rank: N/A
Taylor, a three-year starter for Air Force, is putting together a great senior season. He has earned an 85.8 overall grade with an 88.5 coverage grade. He’s also related to Ed Reed (Reed is Taylor’s father’s cousin), who has helped teach Taylor how to play the position at such a high level.
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