CBS just released their list of the Top 100 players in college football for the 2024 season. Some interesting notes on the list:
Miami moving past peers
Miami has four players listed: Cam Ward (#30), Rueben Bain (#33), Xavier Restrepo (#67) and Francis Mauigoa (#98). For comparison, Florida State (Patrick Payton- #35) and Florida (Graham Mertz-#86) each have one. Clemson (LB Barrett Carter- #24 and DL TJ Parker- #78) and North Carolina (DE Kaimon Rucker- #59 and RB Omarion Hampton- #64) each have two.
Blue-chip offensive linemen dominate
While offensive line has traditionally been considered a developmental position, it seems the recruiting services have gotten better at identifying elite players. This was the most blue-chip heavy position on the list. Of the nine players listed, seven were 5* or high 4* players who stayed with the school that signed them: Will Campbell (#6), Kelvin Banks (#10), Emery Jones (#61), Tate Ratledge (#65), Josh Conerly (#71), Francis Mauigoa (#98) and Wyatt Milum (#100).
An eighth (Jaeden Roberts of Alabama) was a mere four star. The only non-blue chip and transfer, Seth McLaughlin, signed with Alabama and transferred to Ohio State. This has become a position where you need to sign elite players out of high school.
Portal QBs continue to make waves
Of the 13 QBs listed, 8 came via transfer portal- Shedeur Sanders (#4), Quinn Ewers (#15), Dillon Gabriel (#20), Cam Ward (#30), Cam Rising (#49), Jaxson Dart (#56), Graham Mertz (#86) and Riley Leonard (#99).
Five QBs were signed out of high school: Jalen Milroe (#7), Carson Beck (#8), Brady Cook (#50), Noah Fifita (#36) and Jalon Daniels (#66). None of the five were Top 10 QBs in their class, and three of the five were mid-to-low three stars: Cook (86 rating), Daniels (81 rating) and Fifita (87 rating)
South Florida creeping back
South Florida has been in a rut the last few classes, but there are renewed signs of life. The region has 7 players in the Top 100: Bain (#33), Payton (#35), CB Ricardo Hallman (#42), TE Mason Taylor (#48), Restrepo (#62), DE Ashton Gillette (#82) and DE Elijah Roberts (#88). Notably, four of the seven players are pass rushers. As we've highlighted at CanesInSight, the trends continue to suggest that EDGE is surpassing CB and WR as the premier position in the region. The only elite South Florida player in this year's draft, Dallas Turner, is also an EDGE.
www.cbssports.com
Miami moving past peers
Miami has four players listed: Cam Ward (#30), Rueben Bain (#33), Xavier Restrepo (#67) and Francis Mauigoa (#98). For comparison, Florida State (Patrick Payton- #35) and Florida (Graham Mertz-#86) each have one. Clemson (LB Barrett Carter- #24 and DL TJ Parker- #78) and North Carolina (DE Kaimon Rucker- #59 and RB Omarion Hampton- #64) each have two.
Blue-chip offensive linemen dominate
While offensive line has traditionally been considered a developmental position, it seems the recruiting services have gotten better at identifying elite players. This was the most blue-chip heavy position on the list. Of the nine players listed, seven were 5* or high 4* players who stayed with the school that signed them: Will Campbell (#6), Kelvin Banks (#10), Emery Jones (#61), Tate Ratledge (#65), Josh Conerly (#71), Francis Mauigoa (#98) and Wyatt Milum (#100).
An eighth (Jaeden Roberts of Alabama) was a mere four star. The only non-blue chip and transfer, Seth McLaughlin, signed with Alabama and transferred to Ohio State. This has become a position where you need to sign elite players out of high school.
Portal QBs continue to make waves
Of the 13 QBs listed, 8 came via transfer portal- Shedeur Sanders (#4), Quinn Ewers (#15), Dillon Gabriel (#20), Cam Ward (#30), Cam Rising (#49), Jaxson Dart (#56), Graham Mertz (#86) and Riley Leonard (#99).
Five QBs were signed out of high school: Jalen Milroe (#7), Carson Beck (#8), Brady Cook (#50), Noah Fifita (#36) and Jalon Daniels (#66). None of the five were Top 10 QBs in their class, and three of the five were mid-to-low three stars: Cook (86 rating), Daniels (81 rating) and Fifita (87 rating)
South Florida creeping back
South Florida has been in a rut the last few classes, but there are renewed signs of life. The region has 7 players in the Top 100: Bain (#33), Payton (#35), CB Ricardo Hallman (#42), TE Mason Taylor (#48), Restrepo (#62), DE Ashton Gillette (#82) and DE Elijah Roberts (#88). Notably, four of the seven players are pass rushers. As we've highlighted at CanesInSight, the trends continue to suggest that EDGE is surpassing CB and WR as the premier position in the region. The only elite South Florida player in this year's draft, Dallas Turner, is also an EDGE.
College Football Top 100 Players of 2024: SEC crowds top 10, Colorado star at No. 1 in spring rankings
Former All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick Blake Brockermeyer evaluates and ranks the top 100 players entering this season
www.cbssports.com
