Marcus Mariota is easily the best quarterback in college football, as he won the Heisman Trophy for best player, and will also most likely be selected number one overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota led the Oregon Ducks to the National Championship, and although Oregon cruised past Florida State, the Ducks fell to Ohio State. Mariota’s best traits are that he has a great pocket presence and can wait to deliver the perfect pass, but he can also scramble with his surprising agility and speed to extend any play. This season, Mariota threw for 4,121 yards, 40 touchdowns and only had four interceptions.
The Wisconsin Badger Melvin Gordon was also a Heisman candidate and rose from being unknown to being an electrifying household name. Gordon’s best skills are his breakaway speed and elusiveness in the open field, which is why he broke so many long runs off this year. Also, Gordon is valuable in short yardage situations, as he has brute strength that he is not afraid to use to shed tacklers. Gordon racked up an astonishing 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns this year.
Amari Cooper was the last Heisman finalist and had an incredible junior year for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Cooper will surely be a superstar when he goes to the NFL, and he has shown that he can dominate opponents while looking like a man amongst boys. Cooper has the rare combination of speed, catching, strength and jumping that makes him so uncoverable. Cooper’s ability to dominate opposing cornerbacks showed this year, as he posted 1,727 yards and an astonishing 16 touchdowns.
Nelson Agholor has had a jaw-dropping junior year for the USC Trojans and has dominated in the Pac 12 Conference. What makes Agholor so dependable is that he can burn most cornerbacks on deep routes for easy touchdowns but has also proven to be reliable when catching short passes and turning them into long touchdown runs. Agholor has also dominated in the special teams game and has returned several punts for touchdowns. Agholor caught for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
Kevin White was one of the single most underrated players in college football this year. While he is unheard of, the West Virginia wide receiver had 1,447 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this year. White’s particularly deadly in the short yardage and screen games, because of his unprecedented speed. White will enter the NFL Draft, and will surely make an impact in his rookie season.
The Florida State Seminoles were outstanding this season and quarterback Jameis Winston’s right hand man was Nick O’Leary. The veteran tight end will declare for the NFL Draft and will bring his dual-threat nature to a much bigger stage. O’Leary is a pivotal component of the Seminoles’ run game with his sheer blocking strength but also takes play action dump-offs with his great downfield running and extends plays. O’Leary’s unparalleled talent has led to 618 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season.
The Iowa Hawkeyes had the best offensive lineman this year in senior Brandon Scherff. Scherff won the Outland Trophy for best interior lineman this year, and dominated opposing defenders with his pure strength, relentless blocking and surprising speed and athleticism. Scherff might even be selected number one overall this draft but will definitely go in the top five no matter what. Scherff is definitely a player that struggling NFL teams can build their run games around.
Ronnie Staley of Notre Dame switched from playing right tackle to playing left tackle and has improved dramatically. This aggressive beast uses his size to obliterate and brutalize opposing defensive linemen. Staley is the single best tackle eligible for the draft, and will be selected very high overall.
La’el Collins had has an intimidating presence this season with the LSU Tigers and will be ready for the NFL draft. Collins could have even been selected in the first round of the draft last year. What makes Collins so special is that he is a monstrous, physical specimen that can protect any quarterback. In addition, any run game can thrive behind his blocking. Watch out for Collins next NFL season.
Leonard Williams of USC is the player in the 2015 NFL Draft that will be most successful in his rookie season, regardless of who drafts him. William’s is known for his unmatched play recognition, as well as his athleticism and versatility, making him a rare monster at the position of defensive end.
Joey Bosa is relatively unheard of, yet was named national Best Defensive Lineman of the Year as well as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, in just his sophomore season for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Bosa posted incredible stats this season, with 13.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. This youngster is an absolute beast and uses his brute force to get his way and will be even more dominant in the future.
Washington Husky Danny Shelton might just be the single best nose tackle in college football and will be bringing his talents to the NFL next season. Besides his skills as a leader, Shelton brings his terrifying stature and speed to the table, making him a force to be reckoned with. Shelton posted 5 fumble recoveries, 16.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks this season.
This year, the UCLA Bruins had Eric Kendricks, the fearsome Butkus Award winner for being the best linebacker in college football. Kendricks has displayed an innate quickness with play recognition and pursuit and uses his strength to bring players to the ground. Kendricks can also drop into coverage and play the pass, which makes him dangerous in many ways.
Miami had Denzel Perryman leading its defense to a great season, and Perryman excelled and even finished as a finalist for the Butkus award. Although Perryman is short, he is powerful enough and has enough hit power to make a considerable impact at such a high level. Perryman also thrives in coverage, as his speed allows him to keep up with even the best receivers. Perryman’s game will mature and better in the future, making him a star.
Scooby Wright played an excellent season for the Arizona Wildcats, yet has gone under the radar. Even though Wright was passed over for other big names for awards, the talent is all there. This speedy and agile sack machine is an explosive hitter who will stuff any run game. Wright is a vicious, relentless player who will be ready to prove himself in the future.
Vernon Hargreaves had a surprisingly excellent sophomore season for the Florida Gators and played to the definition of a shutdown quarterback. Hargreaves’ best traits are his ability to read plays, and he has the speed to get to the receiver and light him up with deafening hit power. Hargreaves should be on every NFL scout’s watch list next year, as he will be returning to grow better in future years.
Senquez Golson was the best college football cornerback this season and dominated in the SEC Conference with the Ole Miss Rebels. Although Golson is below average in the height department, he has great jumping talent and the strength to rip 50/50 balls out of receivers’ hands. This tenacity was evident in the stats column this year, as Golson posted 10 interceptions. Golson will only improve in the future.
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is not only one of the best names in college football, but also one of the best athletes, regardless of position. Although the Oregon Ducks cornerback was injured for the end of the season, Ekpre-Olomu was a Jim Thorpe Award Finalist, for best multi-sport college athlete. Ekpre-Olomu is more than capable in coverage and has enough speed to keep up with any wide receiver. This trusty, talented star repeatedly comes up clutch, making important open field tackles. Because he was injured, he might get passed over in the draft but will make a large impact in the NFL, no matter who he plays for.
Vernon Hargreaves had a surprisingly excellent sophomore season for the Florida Gators and played to the definition of a shutdown quarterback. Hargreaves’ best traits are his ability to read plays, and he has the speed to get to the receiver and light him up with deafening hit power. Hargreaves should be on every NFL scout’s watch list next year, as he will be returning to grow better in future years.
The Florida State Seminoles’ defense was anchored by sophomore multi-sport athlete, Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and backed up his talk with play this season.This fiery, passionate player makes big hits and gets key picks and also finds the time to trash talk opponents both on and off the field. Ramsey is deadly because he can not only play coverage, but he can come off of the edge and make huge sacks with his deadly blitzes.
TCU was robbed when it came to the College Football Playoff selection yet won the lottery when it recruited Chris Hackett. Hackett is a hard-nosed safety who always gets involved in plays and makes things happen. Hackett is blessed with good hands and strong tackling skills. After this junior year season, Hackett declared for the draft and will surely be ready to prove himself in the NFL.
