The Stars of College Football in 2024
By Hayden Shapiro
With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rear-view mirror, let’s take a look at some current college football talent. In this piece, I highlight what players to watch out for this upcoming CFB season.
Starting with a strong interior force, Michigan’s Mason Graham
Mason Graham, DT Michigan
Graham plays with violence and urgency. He just doesn’t stop; it’s quite remarkable. His stamina is unreal for the position, and he can play on all three downs. He can operate right over the center due to his size, as well as bounce to the left or right because of his deceptive speed. He’s got great size and tremendous explosiveness. The league seems to be valuing interior lineman more and more, that’s why Graham is my number one player in the 2025 class.
James Pearce Jr, EDGE Tennessee
Pearce Jr posted a 21.3% pressure rate as a sophomore in 2023. This was third in the country and first in the SEC. He’s crazy explosive and 6'6. At his size, this speed is game wrecking. It’s been a minute since we’ve seen an EDGE go first overall, but Pearce Jr is more than capable of accomplishing the feat. The burst he plays with is special and I think he would have been a first round pick this year if he was eligible.
Kelvin Banks Jr, OT Texas
Kelvin banks Jr just doesn’t seem to have a weakness. He’s got strong arms and heavy hands which allows his running backs to bounce carries outside, as well as a strong base in pass-pro. He doesn’t budge from edge pressure and keeps his quarterback’s jersey clean.
Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Johnson has a really good combination of length and speed. His arms are really, really long and it allows him to give cushion to his wideout, ultimately baiting the QB into throwing his way. He’s got great ball skills and is extremely sticky in man. I’d like to see him put on some weight, but I really like Johnson; a true cover-technician.
Luther Burden III, WR Mizzou
This Missouri Tiger has exceptional speed and plays with so, so much electricity. He could very well end up being the number one player in this class once it starts to take more shape. Burden III can play all over the field, including the backfield. The Tigers just give him the ball and watch him do damage, it’s such a fun offense. Incredible athlete and pure playmaker.
Will Campbell, OT LSU
Campbell is freakishly strong and plays with a certain nastiness that’s just flat-out intriguing to me. He’s an old-fashioned mean tackle who excels in the run-game.
Deone Walker, DT Kentucky
Deone Walker is going to climb this board and I know it, the dude is a mammoth of a human being. He’s a freak athlete and plays with so much raw power and explosiveness. He can rush the passer and stop the run, given his insanely strong arms and long reach. Complete physical specimen, and if he can put it all together on the field, he could be a top five selection and I wouldn’t be mad about it.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
This guy is one of the most polished route runners I’ve ever seen at the college level. His body control is elite and he’s so, so shift. He can make plays after the catch and get open down the field. He’s a product of good QB play and is unfortunately the only weapon in the Wildcat’s offense but he makes plays despite the attention he draws.
Carson Beck, QB Georgia
Beck looked great in 2023. If he were to declare in ’24 he very well could have been QB4 or QB5. His upside is legit, and he’s got the arm talent to succeed in the league.
Travis Hunter, WR/CB Colorado
It’s crazy to say that Hunter would probably be a first-round pick playing wideout or corner, but I think he’s best suited as a corner in the league. Colorado literally just finds any way to keep him on the field and I could see something similar in the league. He’ll get offensive snaps and return reps, and gives his team a sticky, instinctive corner in coverage.
Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
With the brand and flash comes a great quarterback. Sanders is exceptional at extending plays and throwing on the run. The accuracy can be spotty at times, but the potential and talent is undeniable and a big 2024 could be coming.
Malaki Starks, S Georgia
Starks is a lightning quick, hard-hitting safety with great instincts and an impeccable football mind. He plays bigger than he is and happens to be one of the best tackling defensive backs in CFB. He jumps off the screen when watching the Bulldog’s.
Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame
Great ball skills and sticky in man. Gets thrown at a fair amount because of the cushion he gives off of the LOS. 2023 game against Marvin Harrison Jr was really, really impressive.
Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Loveland has great hands and works the seam very, very well. The blocking is iffy but his size and length prove to be an issue for opposing secondaries. Great red zone threat but really needs to improve in the run-game.
Harold Perkins, LB LSU
I don’t think it’s crazy to say that Perkins reminds me of Micah Parsons. He lines up all over the field and has the speed to play off-ball and contain QB’s. Perkins is easily the best linebacker in all of college football and looked phenomenal in 2023. I can’t wait to see what he does in ‘24.
Abdul Carter, LB Penn St
Carter has crystal clear NFL talent and an extremely intriguing play style, but character issues and trouble with the law is a real concern. With that being said, Carter is sort of an EDGE/ILD combo. Given his versatility, he can line up over the center, on the edge, and even in coverage. He’s a scary athlete who’s primed for a huge 2024 campaign.
Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio St
Best fit as a slot receiver in the league. Really soft hands and crisp route runner.
Ollie Gordon II, RB Oklahoma St
Pure electricity and speed, Gordon II makes a living outside of the numbers. His breakaway speed is insane and his vision between the tackles is special. He’s my RB1 right now and I wouldn’t be shocked if it stayed that way throughout the draft cycle.
JT Tuimoloao, EDGE Ohio St
This Buckeye won’t dazzle you with his speed and he’s not the greatest athlete, but his pass-rush repertoire runs deep, and he rushes with so much power and urgency.
