1. Sam Darnold, Quarterback (USC Trojans)- Darnold has the potential to have John Elway or Andrew Luck level hype if he declares for the 2018 draft, Sam Darnold is pretty much the only reason for why USC is a college football playoff contender and he already looks like he is better than some starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Sam Darnold made plays in the Rose Bowl that college quarterbacks simply shouldn’t make, he is that good.
2. Saquon Barkley, Running Back (Penn State Nittany Lions)- Saquon Barkley reminds me of Le’Veon Bell when I watch him play, he runs with so much power and explosiveness while also being an incredibly shifty and smart runner. The combo of Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley will help Penn State compete for a Big Ten title and maybe even more, don’t be surprised if Saquon Barkley wins the Heisman.
3. Lamar Jackson, Quarterback (Louisville Cardinals)- The reigning Heisman trophy winner and one of the most electrifying talents in all of college football, Jackson is as much of a threat on the ground as he is through the air. The play of Jackson will help Louisville be competitive with the great teams of the ACC like Florida State and Clemson and he will once again be one of the elite players in college football.
4. Harold Landry, Defensive End (Boston College Eagles)- Landry had 16.5 sacks last season and he had the potential to declare for the NFL Draft but he decided to stay in school. If he can post similar numbers next season he has the chance to get the same amount of attention from NFL scouts that elite collegiate players like Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett had. One thing that is special about Landry is that he puts up great stats on a team that has nowhere close to the level of talent that other players on this list have around them.
5. Derwin James, Safety (Florida State Seminoles)- James is on one of the best teams in college football and many people consider him to be the best defensive player in all of college football, James missed some games last season but as long as he stays healthy he should be one of the best defensive players in the country.
6. Baker Mayfield, Quarterback (Oklahoma Sooners)- Mayfield is a player that is very good in the pocket and he is very mobile. The arm that Baker Mayfield has is impressive and he has a legitimate chance to lead Oklahoma back to the college football playoff, I am interested to see how he can do without the loaded backfield he had last season with Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine and without Bob Stoops on the sidelines.
7. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety (Alabama Crimson Tide)- It seems like Alabama has elite defensive backs every season and Minkah Fitzpatrick is a perfect example of this. The Alabama defense is traditionally known for it’s loaded defensive line but this year may be different with Fitzpatrick in the secondary, he is a fun player to watch and he should be the best defensive player in the SEC.
8. Derrius Guice, Running Back (LSU Tigers)- Derrius Guice was overshadowed last season due to the attention that Leonard Fournette received and it will be exciting to see how he performs when he is the primary running back in the LSU offense. Guice is a small running back but he makes up for that with elite quickness and power, expect the hype around him as the season goes on to only increase.
9. Arden Key, Defensive End (LSU Tigers)- Key is a defensive force that can consistently get to the quarterback, he had 12 sacks last season and he will have the opportunity to top that this season. The quickness that Key plays with off the edge is impressive and he has a strong chance to be a top-10 pick in April.
10. Bo Scarbrough, Running Back (Alabama Crimson Tide)- It seems like every time there is a Heisman winner it is either a speedy quarterback or an Alabama running back. Scarbrough may split carries with Damien Harris and freshman Najee Harris but he will be one of the most intimidating running backs in the country when he is at the top of his game.
11. Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle (Texas Longhorns)- Williams is an elite offensive lineman who is already getting noticed as a potential top ten pick, the Longhorns will need Williams and the rest of the offensive line to be dominant to help ensure that new coach Tom Herman will have a stable offense.
12. Ed Oliver, Defensive Tackle (Houston Cougars)- Oliver had a dominating freshman season and he was an All-American player last season, I am interested to see how Oliver adjusts without coach Tom Herman but as long as he has focused this off-season he should improve on his numbers from last year.
13. Christian Wilkins, Defensive Tackle (Clemson Tigers)- Wilkins is a threat to opposing offensive coordinators in both stopping the run and the pass. Last season the Clemson Tigers were known primarily for their great offensive weapons but this season their defensive line should be the main focus with elite playmakers in Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence.
14. Jalen Hurts, Quarterback (Alabama Crimson Tide)- Hurts is a dynamic playmaker who will garner legitimate Heisman consideration this season, the Crimson Tide have not had a Quarterback of his caliber since AJ McCarron and it will be fascinating to see how he rebounds off his incredible freshman performance.
15. Jake Browning, Quarterback (Washington Huskies)- Browning had a very impressive season last year and he led the Huskies to the playoffs, Browning threw for 43 touchdowns last year which was second in the entire FBS. Expect the Huskies to win the Pac-12 North once again this season.
