• Michigan running back Blake Corum: With a 95.9 grade, the junior put together the fourth-highest-graded season ever by a Power Five player.

• Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.: The true sophomore was the highest-graded receiver in the country this season.

• Georgia interior defensive lineman Jalen Carter: The projected top-five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was the Power Five’s highest-graded interior defensive lineman this season.

Estimated Reading Time: 10 mins

The 2022 college football season has sadly come to an end. So, who were the best players from this year?

Here are the highest-graded Power Five and Group of Five players at every position after the 2022 college football season, bowl games and all.

Quarterback

Power Five: Jordan Travis, Florida State Seminoles | 91.7

Next up: Caleb Williams, USC Trojans | 91.6

Jordan Travis saved his best for last with a season-high 92.4 grade against Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl. 

This season, the redshirt junior was the only Power Five quarterback who ranked top 10 in both big-time throw rate and turnover-worthy play rate. Travis is returning to Florida State next season, where he’ll lead what should be one of the best teams in the country.

Breakdown of why I’m conducting Florida State’s hype train in 2023 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vGJB5iuESj

— Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) January 7, 2023

Group of Five: Clayton Tune, Houston Cougars & Kurtis Rourke, Ohio Bobcats | 92.0

Next up: Todd Centeio, James Madison Dukes | 90.4

Clayton Tune was the second-most valuable player this season, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. The senior’s 91.3 passing grade tied with Bryce Young for the best among FBS quarterbacks. Tune now moves on to the 2023 NFL Draft, where he’s one of the top 10 quarterback prospects. 

Kurtis Rourke’s older brother, Nathan, is one of the greatest quarterbacks Ohio has ever had. He has the second-most passing yards and passing touchdowns and is tied for the most rushing touchdowns in program history. 

Kurtis has followed his brother up nicely. The redshirt junior’s 117.2 passer rating ranked fifth best in the country this season. He’s returning to Ohio in 2023 after tearing his ACL in November. 

Running Back

Power Five: Blake Corum, Michigan Wolverines | 95.9

Next up: Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns | 95.2

Not only was Blake Corum the highest-graded FBS player this season, but he also posted one of the highest-graded seasons PFF has ever seen from a Power Five player. 

Highest-graded seasons by a Power Five player in PFF College era (Since 2014)

All of those players were subsequently selected in the top five of their respective drafts. Corum, meanwhile, is returning to Ann Arbor for his senior season. He’s my pick to bring home the Heisman Trophy next year and would’ve gotten my vote this season.

Group of Five: DeWayne McBride, UAB Blazers | 94.1

Next up: Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss Golden Eagles | 91.9

DeWayne McBride is one of the best tackle-breakers in PFF College history. His 36% career missed tackles forced percentage is the third highest among FBS running backs since we began grading college football in 2014.

Most career missed tackles forced per attempt by an FBS RB in PFF College era (Since 2014, min. 300 attempts)

The junior led the nation with 7.3 yards per attempt this year and ranked second with 1,702 rushing yards. His 4.6 yards after contact per attempt also ranked second in the country. McBride entered his name in the 2023 NFL Draft and is a fourth-round prospect on PFF’s big board.

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