• USC quarterback Caleb Williams comes in at No. 1: The Heisman Trophy winner is first on PFF’s list of the top 101 players of the 2022 college football season.
• Michigan running back Blake Corum is the next man up: The junior comes in at second after leading all FBS players in PFF grade this season.
• Georgia interior defensive lineman Jalen Carter: The second-best prospect on PFF’s 2023 NFL Draft big board is third after leading the Power Five with a 92.3 grade this season.
Estimated reading time: 25 minutes
Now that the college football season is officially over, it’s time to go over the best players from the year. So, here is the PFF College 101, the top 101 players from the 2022 college football season.
This ranking is based on various factors, including PFF grades and other stats available only to PFF+ subscribers. Click here to subscribe for as little as $9.99 a month, or receive a free subscription when you bet $10 or more on BetMGM.
1. QB Caleb Williams, USC Trojans
Williams became head coach Lincoln Riley’s third quarterback in the last six years to win the Heisman Trophy, joining Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. The sophomore excels outside of the original play design. Outside of structure, Williams led the nation in passing yards (707), passing touchdowns (seven) and big-time throws (10).
2. RB Blake Corum, Michigan Wolverines
While Williams brought home the coveted stiff-arm trophy, there’s a serious case to be made that Corum deserved the award. His 95.9 grade was the fourth-best PFF’s seen from a Power Five player since we 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 |
3. DI Jalen Carter, Georgia Bulldogs
There are not many players like Carter, who is one of the top defensive tackles we’ve ever seen in the PFF era. It’s rare to find an interior defender who is as dominant against both the run and the pass. He posted a 92.3 final PFF grade, which led the entire Power Five this season. Carter was the best player on college football's best defense two years in a row.
4. RB Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns
Robinson is the best running back prospect we’ve seen since Saquon Barkley, largely because of his special tackle-breaking ability. The junior forced 104 missed tackles this season, breaking David Montgomery’s PFF record. His 39% career forced missed tackle rate is also tied for the best in the PFF College era with Javonte Williams.
5. QB Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide
While he may not have received the same accolades this year, Young was just as spectacular as last season. He single-handedly carried a weaker Alabama team all year long, tallying 36 total touchdowns by himself. His 91.3 final PFF passing grade led the entire nation. Young will undoubtedly go down as one of the best quarterbacks in Alabama history.
6. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes
Simply put, Harrison was the best receiver in the country this season. For as many good receivers as Ohio State has had in recent memory, Harrison could top the list, as he finished with 1,263 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. The scary thing is that he recorded the highest PFF grade amongst all wide receivers and still has to come back for another year.
7. QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Buckeyes
Stroud undoubtedly had the best receiving corps in the country, which helped him put up fantastic numbers as he once again led the nation in passer rating. Additionally, he threw for more than 40 touchdowns and over 3,600 passing yards for the second time. Although Stroud never really won a “big game” in college, he will still go down as one of Ohio State's best quarterbacks in its history. His performance against Georgia in his final game was enough to solidify him as a Buckeye legend.
8. EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama Crimson Tide
It’s so hard to replicate Anderson's 2021 season, which is why he was never going to put up those same ridiculous stats. Nonetheless, he came pretty close. Generating 65 total pressures and 14 sacks this year, Anderson is now second all-time on Alabama's sack leader list. He is easily one of college football's best pass-rushers of the last decade.
9. TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Mayer has been arguably the best tight end in the country for the last two years, going for over 800 yards in both seasons. He led all tight ends this year with a 92.5 grade. Not only is he a weapon in the passing game, but his 82.1 run-blocking grade was third among all tight ends in the nation. The Irish will certainly miss Mayer, who presented a mismatch against almost every college defense.
10. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina Tar Heels
The redshirt freshman QB burst onto the scene this year, putting up insane numbers through his first 10 games. He finished with 4,321 passing yards and 698 rushing yards, which is incredible production for his any QB. It’s not surprising that he led the country with 45 big-time throws — 10 more than the next closest quarterback. Maye will be a Heisman favorite heading into next season and is already looking like a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
11. OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Alt led all offensive tackles in the country with a 91.4 grade and a 91.0 run-blocking grade, and his dominance extended over to pass protection as well, as his 99.0 pass-block efficiency score was tied for fifth among all FBS tackles. He did all of that as a true sophomore, making Alt one of the top prospects in the 2024 draft.
12. CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois Fighting Illini
After entering the season as a relative unknown, Witherspoon is now PFF’s top cornerback prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. That didn’t happen by accident, as the junior led all FBS corners this season with a 92.5 coverage grade. Witherspoon finished top-five in the country in completion percentage allowed, forced incompletions, passer rating allowed when targeted and yards allowed per coverage snap.
13. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia Bulldogs
Bowers led all tight ends in the nation in receiving yards (942), yards after the catch (479) and yards after contact (274). The John Mackey Award winner was also second in contested catches and tied for fourth in missed tackles forced on receptions. Like Alt, Bowers was just a true sophomore.
14. OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern Wildcats
Skoronski’s 93.0 pass-blocking grade led all offensive tackles this season. He only gave up one sack and six total pressures this entire season.
15. QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Volunteers
Hooker’s torn ACL doesn’t take away from his magical season, as Tennessee had the best offense in the country from a yard and points-per-game perspective. Hooker was the one leading the charge for the Vols with 32 total touchdowns and only two interceptions on the season. He also finished second in the nation in passer rating (123.9), only behind C.J. Stroud.
16. QB Jordan Travis, Florida State Seminoles
The highest-graded Power Five quarterback wasn’t Caleb Williams or any of the Heisman finalists; it was Travis with a 91.7 grade. The redshirt junior was the only signal-caller in the Power Five who finished top 10 in both big-time throw rate and turnover-worthy play rate. He’s one of the top candidates to bring home the stiff-arm trophy in 2023. While he said that’d be nice, he recently told PFF that his ultimate goal is a national championship.
17. C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Schmitz’s 92.3 overall grade led all offensive linemen in college football while his 92.6 run-blocking grade is nearly three points higher than the next-closest center. The sixth-year senior’s 12 big-time blocks were tied for the most in the country among centers.
18. OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida Gators
Torrence told PFF’s Trevor Sikkema that when he entered the transfer portal, he didn’t know if he’d be needed by head coach Billy Napier since the SEC was loaded with offensive linemen. Not only has the Louisiana transfer joined the elite SEC offensive linemen, but he also dominated his position like no other this season.
Biggest grading gaps in college football
| Name | Position | School | Grade | Gap to 2nd |
| O’Cyrus Torrence | Guard | Florida | 88.0 | 3.9 points |
| John Michael Schmitz | Center | Minnesota | 92.4 | 2.1 points |
| Karl Brooks | Edge | Bowling Green | 93.0 | 1.6 points |
Torrence’s 89.9 run-blocking grade is tied for the best among all guards in the country.
19. QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington Huskies
It had been a few years since we had last seen Penix Jr. play this well, as his career has been riddled with injuries up until this season when he finally got to shine after transferring from Indiana. Penix finished with the second-most passing yards in the entire nation with 4,641 yards.
20. LB Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati Bearcats
The Miami (OH) transfer wasted no time getting comfortable with the Bearcats. He was effective from Day 1 and posted some of the best statistics among all defenders in college this year. Leading all linebackers with a 93.2 grade, Pace was everywhere on the field this season. He was dominant against both the run and pass, tallying 136 total tackles along with 12 sacks.
21. LB Jack Campbell, Iowa Hawkeyes
Campbell's 92.9 coverage grade led all linebackers in the country by over two points. The senior’s 16 coverage stops were tied for the fourth-most among Power Five linebackers. The Butkus Award winner was also the only Power Five linebacker with 85-plus grades as both a run-defender and in coverage.
22. QB Stetson Bennett, Georgia Bulldogs
Bennett is one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. The former walk-on became the first starting quarterback to win multiple national championships since Alabama’s A.J. McCarron a decade ago. He’s more than just a game manager, as his 89.1 passing grade was sixth among Power Five quarterbacks.
23. TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah Utes
Kincaid’s 91.8 receiving grade led all FBS tight ends this season. The senior is the ultimate chain-mover, leading all tight ends in the country this year with 49 receiving first downs/touchdowns.
24. QB Max Duggan, TCU Horned Frogs
This season, TCU became only the second school to make the national championship game after not receiving a vote in the AP's preseason poll (Auburn, 2013). The embodiment of that Cinderella run was Duggan, who opened the season as the backup quarterback. He proceeded to become the first Horned Frog to finish top two in the Heisman voting since Jim Swink in 1955. His 18 passing touchdowns on deep throws tied for the most in the country.
25. WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee Volunteers
Hyatt won the Biletnikoff Award this season after leading the nation with a 156.5 passer rating when targeted. His 15 receiving touchdowns also led the Power Five. Now, a lot of that production was schemed, as his 77.4 grade barely ranked top 50 among college football wide receivers. He only faced press coverage on 31 snaps this season. Still, his elite speed was a nightmare for SEC defenses all season.
26. DI Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois Fighting Illini
Newton was the most valuable Power Five interior defensive lineman this season according to PFF’s wins above average metric. The sophomore’s 59 pressures were seven more than the next-closest Power Five interior defensive lineman while his 13 tackles for loss/no-gain were tied for the most in the country for interior defensive linemen.
27. CB Mekhi Blackmon, USC Trojans
Blackmon’s 91.1 coverage grade ranked third among FBS corners this season. The redshirt senior allowed a 0.0 passer rating when targeted in man coverage. Blackmon’s 22.2% completion rate allowed in man was tied for the fifth lowest in the country.
28. CB Clark Phillips III, Utah Utes
Phillips III was the leader on a very good Utah defense this season. His coverage production was off the charts, as he recorded six interceptions, which was tied for second-most in the country. Phillips finished with an 86.3 coverage grade — ninth in the Power Five.
29. WR Quentin Johnston, TCU Horned Frogs
Although Georgia may have limited him to three yards in the national title game, his performance against Michigan’s defense in the semifinal (163 yards and a touchdown) was truly impressive. Johnston is as good a deep threat as anyone in the country, and he is also a menace in the open field. He finished with 19 broken tackles, which tied for 11th among all FBS receivers.
30. CB Kalen King, Penn State Nittany Lions
Like Blackmon, King was a lockdown cornerback in man coverage this year. His 13 forced incompletions in man were tied for the second-most in the country. The sophomore’s 90.6 coverage grade ranked fourth in the nation, as well.
31. QB Bo Nix, Oregon Ducks
Nix had a career resurgence this season. Over his first three seasons at Auburn, his 69.7% adjusted completion rate ranked just 108th among FBS quarterbacks. This season, Nix’s 82.3% mark led the Power Five and was second in the nation.
32. S Kamren Kinchens, Miami Hurricanes
Kinchens was the FBS' highest-graded safety this season (90.0), while his six interceptions were tied for the most among Power Five safeties. He did that as just a true sophomore.
33. S Brian Branch, Alabama Crimson Tide
Branch is the top safety on PFF’s 2023 NFL Draft big board because he’s the most well-rounded in the country. He was the only safety in the country with 85-plus grades both as a run-defender and in coverage. Branch’s 15 coverage stops were tied for the most among FBS safeties while his 24 run-defense stops were tied for the most among Power Five safeties.
34. C Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan Wolverines
Oluwatimi won the Outland Trophy this season as the best interior lineman in college football. The Virginia transfer earned an 83.0 run-blocking grade — a top-five mark in the country among centers. He also didn’t allow a sack all season.
35. DI Jonah Tavai, San Diego State Aztecs
Tavai was one of the most productive interior defenders in the nation. He was incredible from a pass-rushing perspective, racking up 69 pressures, 12 sacks and a 92.2 grade in that category.
36. RB Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State Wildcats
The 5-foot-6 running back plays way bigger than his size. He finished the season with the eighth-most rushing yards in the nation (1,561), while he played a mammoth 789 snaps over the year — 41 more than the next closest back.
37. EDGE Karl Brooks, Bowling Green Falcons
Brooks dominated the MAC all season long, with his 93.0 PFF grade ranking first among all college football edge defenders. He generated 69 pressures, the second most at the position in 2022.
38. WR Nathaniel Dell, Houston Cougars
Dell isn't nicknamed “Tank” for his 165-pound frame but for his performance on the football field. True to that nickname, he led the nation in both receiving yards and touchdowns, with 1,399 and 17, respectively. He broke 19 tackles on the year and generated a 131.4 passer rating when targeted.
39. S Calen Bullock, USC Trojans
Bullock’s 89.0 coverage grade tied for fourth among Power Five safeties this season. His five interceptions also tied for fourth in that same group.
40. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama Crimson Tide
McKinstry was the third-most valuable cornerback in the country this season, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 18 forced incompletions tied for the second most in the nation, and his 332 punt return yards were the most in the Power Five.
41. RB Chase Brown, Illinois Fighting Illini
An absolute workhorse for the Fighting Illini this season, Brown racked up 48 runs of 10-plus yards in 2022, which tied for the most in the Power Five. The only Power Five running back with more forced missed tackles was Texas’ Bijan Robinson, who broke the PFF College record in that regard.
42. WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State Cyclones
Hutchinson’s 89.7 grade this season trailed only Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. among Power Five wide receivers. The redshirt senior led all Power Five receivers with a 37.4% target rate. His 62 combined receiving first downs and touchdowns tied for the third most in the FBS, too.
43. EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State Seminoles
Verse transferred to Florida State from Albany and retained his star status. His 24.4% pass-rush win rate in 2022 ranked fourth among Power Five edge defenders. The redshirt sophomore was a projected top-20 pick in the 2023 draft but opted to return to Tallahassee for next season.
44. EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu, USC Trojans
Tuipulotu was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football this season, with his 13 sacks tied for the most in the country and his 56 pressures ranking ninth.
45. CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU Horned Frogs
The nephew of NFL legend LaDainian Tomlinson, Hodges-Tomlinson was a ballhawk in 2022. The Jim Thorpe Award winner forced 21 incompletions, more than any other player in the country.
46. OT Graham Barton, Duke Blue Devils
Barton was the only Power Five tackle to earn 85.0-plus grades as both a pass blocker and a run blocker. The senior gave up only two quarterback knockdowns (sacks or hits) all season. His 17 big-time blocks were five more than the next closest tackle in college football.
47. OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes
Johnson led arguably the best offensive line in the country. He was quarterback C.J. Stroud’s main bodyguard at left tackle and did a tremendous job protecting him all year long. Across 827 snaps, Johnson allowed only two sacks and 14 total pressures.
48. DI Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh Panthers
Kancey very well could be the best pass-rushing interior defender in college football. He earned the highest PFF grade (92.4) in that area, generating 47 total pressures on the season — eight of which were sacks.
49. EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State Nittany Lions
Robinson made the most of his first year as a Nittany Lion. The Maryland transfer’s 90.6 grade was nearly two points higher than the next closest Power Five edge defender. His 92.4 pass-rushing grade also led all Power Five edge defenders, and his 23.6% pass-rush win rate ranked sixth in the Power Five.
50. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State Buckeyes
You could make a case that Egbuka would be the best wide receiver in college football if he played for any other team. The fact that he’s Ohio State's second option and still finished top 10 in the country in receiving yards is unreal. Egbuka should be right behind teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. for WR2 in the 2024 NFL Draft if he has another stellar season.
51. RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA Bruins
Only Michigan's Blake Corum and Texas' Bijan Robinson posted higher grades than Charbonnet’s 91.5 mark among Power Five running backs this season. All the senior did was move the chains. Charbonnet picked up a first down or touchdown on 39.2% of his attempts, the second-highest rate in the Power Five.
52. WR Charlie Jones, Purdue Boilermakers
It was a massive breakout season for Jones, who found a home at his third school in Purdue. He played well enough to become a legitimate 2023 NFL Draft prospect. Jones was the Power Five’s leading receiver and finished second in FBS in total receiving yards (1,361).
53. RB Trey Benson, Florida State Seminoles
Benson was historically efficient as a tackle-breaker in 2022, with the redshirt sophomore forcing a missed tackle on 51% of his attempts. That mark broke Javonte Williams’ PFF College record.
Most forced missed tackles per attempt in a single season in PFF College Era (Since 2014, min. 100 attempts)
| Name | School | Year | Forced missed tackles per attempt |
| Trey Benson | Florida State | 2022 | 0.51 |
| Javonte Williams | North Carolina | 2020 | 0.48 |
| Travis Etienne | Clemson | 2019 | 0.44 |
| Jordan Mason | Georgia Tech | 2019 | 0.44 |
54. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama Crimson Tide
Gibbs felt like a big play waiting to happen all season long. While leading the team in receptions and rushing yards, Gibbs ended the campaign with a whopping 1,628 all-purpose yards.
55. WR Jordan Addison, USC Trojans
The former Biletnikoff Award winner failed to match his 2021 production, but he still thrived. After transferring to USC, Addison teamed up with Heisman winner Caleb Williams and nearly led the Trojans to the College Football Playoff. He led the team with 875 yards and eight touchdowns. It may have been a down year by his standards, but Addison still set himself up to be a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
56. CB Will Johnson, Michigan Wolverines
Johnson was a top-20 recruit coming out of high school and showed this past season that he should’ve been rated even higher. The true freshman earned a 91.1 grade in man coverage to lead all Power Five cornerbacks, and his three interceptions in man tied for seventh in the country.
57. EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington Huskies
For the first time since 2019, college football's pressure leader wasn’t Will Anderson Jr. Trice took that crown this past season with 70 pressures. His 29.5% pass-rush win rate led all FBS edge defenders, as well.
58. EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA Bruins
The former four-star recruit missed the 2020 and 2021 seasons while at Washington due to a neck injury and was forced to medically retire, but he has since revived his career in Los Angeles. While Will Anderson Jr. didn’t lead the Power Five in pressures, he tied for second with Latu at 64. Latu also posted a 21.7% pressure rate that ranked third among Power Five edge defenders.
59. DI Kobie Turner, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Turner started his career as a walk-on at FCS Richmond, and after dominating there, the redshirt senior transferred to Wake Forest. His overall grade this past season trailed only Georgia’s Jalen Carter among Power Five interior defensive linemen. Turner was the only one among that same group who earned top-three grades as a pass rusher and a run defender.
60. CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Forbes was unbelievably dominant in man coverage this season. The senior gave up only three catches in man while also snagging three interceptions. He also allowed only a 20% completion rate in man, the lowest among FBS cornerbacks.
61. RB DeWayne McBride, UAB Blazers
McBride's 36% career missed tackles forced percentage ranks third highest among FBS running backs since PFF began grading college football in 2014.
Most missed tackles forced per attempt by an FBS RB in the PFF College era (Since 2014, min. 300 attempts)
| Name | School | Years Active | Forced missed tackles per attempt |
| Javonte Williams | North Carolina | 2018-2020 | 0.39 |
| Texas | 2020-present | 0.39 | |
| DeWayne McBride | UAB | 2020-present | 0.36 |
The junior averaged a nation-leading 7.3 yards per attempt this year and ranked second with 1,702 rushing yards. His 4.6 yards after contact per attempt also placed second.
62. OT Blake Freeland, BYU Cougars
Freeland was one of only two offensive tackles in college football this season to earn top-10 grades as both a pass protector and a run blocker. The junior allowed pressure on only 1.6% of his pass-blocking snaps, the fourth-lowest rate in the country for offensive tackles.
63. LB Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State Buckeyes
Eichenberg did plenty of dirty work on defense for the Buckeyes in 2022, racking up 120 tackles on the season. He was also one of the best run-stopping linebackers in the country, finishing with a top-five run-defense grade.
64. C Brett Neilon, USC Trojans
Neilon was the big guy in the middle leading the charge for USC's dominant offensive line. He finished second in the FBS in both run-blocking and pass-blocking grade.
65. OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State Wildcats
Beebe enjoyed a spectacular season for the Wildcats, but he is not done yet. The left guard is returning for the 2023 season and should go into it as a preseason All-American. He will be looking to build on a stellar 2022 season in which he finished with an 80.5 PFF grade. Beebe helped the Wildcats’ passing game tremendously, not allowing a sack all season and ranking third among all guards in pass-blocking grade.
66. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa Hawkeyes
DeJean does it all for the Hawkeyes. The true sophomore was the only cornerback in college football to finish 2022 with 85.0-plus grades in both run defense and coverage. His 15 run-defense stops tied for the most in the country, while his five interceptions tied for seventh.
67. S Christopher Smith, Georgia Bulldogs
Smith has been a star in Georgia’s secondary for three years now. The senior is the only safety in the country boasting 85.0-plus grades in run defense and coverage since 2020.
68. EDGE Yasir Abdullah, Louisville Cardinals
Abdullah ranked in the top five among Power Five edge defenders in sacks, pressures and pressure rate this past season. The senior’s 10 tackles for loss or no gain tied for sixth in that same group, as well. Abdullah is currently a fifth-round prospect on PFF’s big board.
69. WR Josh Downs, North Carolina Tar Heels
One of the best slot receivers in college football, Downs had a terrific year for the Tar Heels. He was Drake Maye’s favorite target in this high-powered offense. Downs caught the sixth-most passes in the nation and produced the eighth-most first downs. Although only a junior, Downs played well enough to be a potential first-round pick this spring.
70. RB Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss Rebels
The true freshman was a true workhorse for the Rebels this season. He ranked in the top 10 in college football in attempts, rushing yards, yards after contact and forced missed tackles. Judkins also tallied 91 combined rushing first downs and touchdowns — the fourth most in the country.
71. QB Sam Hartman, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Hartman, following a 2021 breakout, was just as good in 2022, adding 39 more touchdowns to his college resume. He raised his completion percentage by five percentage points to go along with a 71.2% adjusted completion rate. Hartman will get another year to add to his college stats but will do so in a Notre Dame uniform. Expect big things out of the Fighting Irish offense next season with this caliber of a quarterback.
72. WR Tez Johnson, Troy Trojans
Despite his 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame, Johnson averaged 3.52 yards per route run, the third most in college football among wide receivers. The sophomore is transferring to Oregon for next season, where he’ll catch passes from Bo Nix, his adopted brother.
73. LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson Tigers
Trotter was one of the best linebackers on passing downs this season. The sophomore was the only Power Five player at the position with 80.0-plus grades as both a pass rusher and a coverage defender. He’s the early favorite to be the top linebacker in the 2024 NFL Draft.
74. OG Andrew Vorhees, USC Trojans
Vorhees was one of only five guards in the country with 80.0-plus grades as both a pass blocker and a run blocker. This isn’t new for the redshirt senior, either. His 91.6 grade since 2021 ranks third among all guards in the country.
75. DI Levi Bell, Texas State Bobcats
Bell was one of the most well-rounded interior defensive linemen in college football in 2022, finishing the campaign as the sole player at his position with 90.0-plus grades as both a pass rusher and a run defender. His 29 run-defense stops were tied for fourth among FBS interior defensive linemen.
76. S Kaevon Merriweather, Iowa Hawkeyes
Merriweather led an elite Iowa secondary in 2022. The Hawkeyes’ defense doesn’t get the credit it deserves, given the team's offensive woes, but it was truly a no-fly zone for the unit. Merriweather was the fifth-highest-graded safety in the FBS with an 89.3 coverage grade. He recorded three interceptions and t47 tackles on the season.
77. RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Ibrahim was the ultimate chain-mover for Minnesota in 2022. He led the nation with 110 combined rushing first downs and touchdowns. The sixth-year senior also led the Power Five with 1,675 rushing yards and 1,106 yards after contact.
78. RB Bucky Irving, Oregon Ducks
Trey Benson may have set the PFF College record for single-season forced missed tackles per attempt, but Irving wasn’t too far behind. His 43% broken tackle rate ranked second in the country and fifth in the PFF College era.
79. WR Zay Flowers, Boston College Eagles
Here’s a guy you’ll want to study up on come 2023 NFL Draft season. Known for his speed and separation ability, Flowers is rising up draft boards every single day. On one of the worst offenses in college football this past season, he still managed 1,077 receiving yards with 12 touchdowns.
80. RB Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh Panthers
Abanikanda tied with Mohamed Ibrahim for the most rushing touchdowns in college football this year, with 20. The junior was also a big-play threat, with his 38 rushes of 10-plus yards ranking eighth in the Power Five.
81. RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane Green Wave
What a turnaround season it was for Spears and Tulane. He helped carry the Green Wave all season, ranking fifth in the country in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns — with 1,581 and 19, respectively.
82. WR Rome Odunze, Washington Huskies
Odunze led the Pac-12 with 1,145 receiving yards in 2022, In particular, the junior excelled in the short game. His 375 yards on throws up to nine yards were the fifth most in the Power Five.
83. C Luke Wypler, Ohio State Buckeyes
Wypler manned the middle of the Ohio State line and performed at a high level. He was the fifth-highest-graded center in the country, earning an 82.4 PFF grade. On 827 total snaps, Wypler finished with a phenomenal 98.9 pass-blocking efficiency rate after allowing only eight pressures all year.
84. OT Broderick Jones, Georgia Bulldogs
Jones was one of the best pass protectors in college football in 2022. The redshirt sophomore allowed pressure on only 2% of his pass-blocking snaps, the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five tackles. He didn’t let up a sack on 449 pass-blocking snaps.
85. CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The true freshman Morrison was an absolute ballhawk this past season, recording six interceptions — tied for the most among Power Five players. He also allowed only a 29.2 passer rating when targeted, which ranked fourth lowest among FBS cornerbacks. For comparison, spiking the ball every play nets a 39.6 passer rating.
86. OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State Buckeyes
Jones marks the third Buckeye offensive lineman to make this list, showing truly how dominant their line was in 2022. Unlike his counterpart Paris Johnson, Jones did not allow a single sack at right tackle. Jones was actually more dominant in the run game, earning an 85.0 grade in that facet for the season.
87. QB Clayton Tune, Houston Cougars
Tune capped off a five-year career with his best season yet, throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2022. This was a high-powered Houston offense that put up points in bunches with Tune leading the way. He tied for the highest PFF grade among all quarterbacks in the FBS, at 92.0. His 30 big-time throws this season helped him earn that honor.
88. TE Darnell Washington, Georgia Bulldogs
Brock Bowers is the star, but Washington was also a stud tight end for Georgia this season. At 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, the junior was essentially a third offensive tackle for the offense. His 81.3 run-blocking grade ranked fifth among FBS tight ends this season. Washington’s 14 catches of 15-plus yards placed eighth among Power Five tight ends, as well.
89. CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State Nittany Lions
Porter’s father, Joey Porter Sr., was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks as a former All-Pro edge defender. The younger Porter also terrorizes signal-callers as one of the best ballhawks in the country. The redshirt junior’s 40% forced incompletion rate led all Power Five cornerbacks in 2022.
90. LB SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh Panthers
Dennis dominated in the run game this past season to the tune of a 92.1 grade in that facet, which ranked second among all linebackers in college football.
91. DI Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati Bearcats
Corleone’s 93.8 PFF grade was the highest of any FBS defender this past season. For a defensive tackle, he is as good as it gets at stopping the run, having missed only two tackles the entire season. The only knock on Corleone is that he was mostly a two-down defender this year due to some minor injuries. If he can become a three-down guy, he will surely be much higher on this list in 2023.
92. CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo Rockets
Mitchell's coverage was so good in 2022 that he led all college football cornerbacks in PFF grade (92.3). He was also an interception machine, having one game where he caught four. Mitchell allowed completions on only 38.6% of targets into his coverage and held opposing quarterbacks to an NFL passer rating of 34.8.
93. RB Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
The son of an NFL legend, Frank Gore Jr. plays just like his dad. Running through defenders left and right, Gore broke 83 tackles on the season, the third most among running backs. He ended up with 1,382 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, which helped earn him a final PFF grade of 91.9.
94. CB Javon Bullard, Georgia Bulldogs
Bullard can sometimes blend in on Georgia's talented defense, but he still deserves his fair share of credit for the unit's success this year. He recorded 46 total tackles, two interceptions and even four sacks on the season. Bullard also finished with an 80.4 coverage grade.
95. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers
One of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, Daniels made a significant impact with his legs in 2022. He is the main reason LSU had such a successful turnaround. While throwing for 2,913 yards, Daniels added another 885 yards on the ground. He was responsible for 28 of the team’s touchdowns and threw just three interceptions.
96. RB Kendre Miller, TCU Horned Frogs
Miller was the leading back in TCU's high-powered offense, finishing with 1,399 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He was also extremely efficient, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. It’s a shame Miller's injury in the semifinals knocked him out for the title game.
97. CB Fentrell Cypress II, Virginia Cavaliers
Cypress enjoyed a breakout season with the Cavaliers, earning an 87.8 grade that ranked third highest among Power Five cornerbacks. The junior allowed 0.53 yards per coverage snap, the fifth-lowest mark among the same group. Cypress is transferring to Florida State for the 2023 campaign.
98. OG Christian Haynes, UConn Huskies
Haynes' 91.0 pass-blocking grade in 2022 led all FBS guards. The redshirt junior gave up pressure on just 0.9% of his pass-blocking snaps, which was the second-lowest rate in the country at the position. His 84.6 run-blocking grade ranked sixth among all guards, as well.
99. EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech Red Raiders
This athletic specimen played his way into the first round in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. Wilson was one of the best edge rushers all season, racking up eight sacks and 50 total pressures. He improved his pass-rushing technique every year of his college career, headlined by a ridiculous pass-rush win rate of 22.6% this past season.
100. WR Rashee Rice, SMU Mustangs
You are in luck if you can get the ball in Rice's hands. He was one of the best receivers in the country in 2022, finishing top three in receiving yards and top five in PFF grade. He also averaged 14.1 yards per catch.
101. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia Bulldogs
Ladd did a little bit of everything for Georgia in 2022, getting involved in the run game and on special teams as a punt returner. He racked up 1,093 all-purpose yards with nine total touchdowns. The sophomore receiver knows how to get open and is as shifty as they come. Ladd capped off a terrific season with two touchdown receptions in the national championship game.
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