What's in a number?
A lot, when it comes to college football players. Many wear the same digits on their jerseys from pee wee days until they retire. Some numbers can become legendary and synonymous with a school, such as the No. 44 at Syracuse. Others lead to cool nicknames, like
Cardale Jones' "12 Gauge" moniker.
We have attempted to come up with the current best player in the country to wear every single jersey number, from 1 to 99. A panel of reporters covering every Power 5 conference nominated players for each number then voted on the best. Some numbers created lots of competition, like the popular No. 5 (Ole Miss'
Robert Nkemdiche, Ohio State's
Braxton Miller, Florida State's Everett Golson, Georgia Tech's
Justin Thomas). Other numbers left us searching high and low for a hero (What in the name of Jerry Rice is up with the drought at No. 80?).
In the end, we came up with the 99 biggest names for all 99 numbers. And here they are:
1 Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
From the minute he got to Florida, you knew he could play. In fact, he has never not been an All-SEC corner. Barring his career going off the rails this season, he's likely to have the choice to either return for his senior year or become a top-10 selection in the NFL draft.
-- Alex Scarbrough
2 Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU
The best No. 2s in the country reside in the Big 12. Boykin got the nod over Baylor's
Shawn Oakman after finishing fourth in the Heisman voting in 2014. Considering he has only one full season as a starting quarterback, and considering last season was his first operating out of a spread offense, Boykin figures to be even more lethal in 2015.
-- Jake Trotter
3 Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
Imagine the numbers Shepard could have finished with had he not suffered a groin strain that hampered him over the second half of last season. Through mid-October, Shepard was the nation's third-leading receiver, despite playing in a run-first scheme. With "Air Raid" disciple Lincoln Riley now coordinating the Oklahoma offense, Shepard could have a tremendous finish to his tremendous career.
-- J.T.
4 Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
An ACC preseason player of the year candidate, Watson completed 67.9 percent of his passes and had a 188.6 pass efficiency rating in eight games before a torn ACL ended his season. His ability to run and pass make him a threat every time he takes a snap.
-- Andrea Adelson
5 Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
He doesn't get the stats, but then again how many defensive tackles do? You can hold his number of sacks against him, but watch him play. If you can look at the former No. 1 overall recruit and not see a future NFL All-Pro, you need to visit your eye doctor. He's a scout's dream: big, strong and athletic enough to have played running back in high school.
-- A.S.
6 Cody Kessler, QB, USC
Kessler has a strong case to be among the early Heisman Trophy candidates after throwing for 3,826 yards with 39 touchdowns (tied the USC single-season record) and five interceptions as a junior. In his second year as a starter, he set school records for completions (315), completion percentage (69.7), and passing efficiency (167.1).
-- Kyle Bonagura
7 Leonard Fournette, RB LSU
It should have been expected, but it took Fournette a few months to get his bearings in Baton Rouge as a freshman last year. But when he did, you could see why he was the nation's No. 1 recruit. Against Texas A&M and Notre Dame to end the season, he ran for 289 yards and three touchdowns. More of the same is expected in 2015.
-- A.S.
8 Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
Ramsey moves back to cornerback this season, where he should be an All-America candidate. Last year at safety, he had 79 tackles, 12 pass breakups and two interceptions.
-- A.A.
9 KD Cannon, WR, Baylor
Cannon is the latest addition to Baylor's budding line of star wide receivers. As a true freshman, he finished with eight touchdowns and 1,030 receiving yards, becoming the first Baylor underclassman ever to top the 1,000-yard receiving mark. He and
Corey Coleman, also a 1,000-yard receiver last year, give Baylor arguably college football's best receiving tandem.
-- J.T.
10 Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri
He gets lost a little bit playing at Missouri, where D-Line Zou dominates the conversation. But the 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker was a force last year with 122 tackles on the season, including a team-high three forced fumbles.
-- A.S.
11 Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The potential first-round pick and preseason All-America candidate is next in line at a place that calls itself DBU. Last year, he had 54 tackles, two interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
-- A.A.
12 Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
He has started only three career games, but he led the Buckeyes to victory in the Big Ten title game, the Sugar Bowl and the national title game. The strength of his arm is eclipsed only by his prodigious personality.
-- Brian Bennett
13 James Burgess, LB, Louisville
Burgess had 71 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, last year. He enters 2015 as a preseason All-ACC candidate.
-- A.A.
14 Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
He suffered through a sophomore slump, which can be largely blamed on a patchwork offensive line. But Hackenberg still boasts tremendous natural talent and could be a first-round NFL draft pick as soon as next spring.
-- B.B.
15 Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The offensive MVP of both the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff championship game, Elliott ran for 1,878 yards and 18 TDs last season and is a leading preseason Heisman contender. But we'll miss his midriff, since the NCAA outlawed half-shirts.
-- B.B.
[h1]MOST PLAYERS BY SCHOOL[/h1]
The defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes placed the most players on our list. What other programs made the cut? Here's the breakdown.
| |
| Ohio State | 11 |
| Michigan State | 5 |
| Baylor | 4 |
| Florida State | 4 |
| Georgia Tech | 4 |
| Michigan | 4 |
| Utah | 4 |
| Arkansas | 3 |
| LSU | 3 |
| Penn State | 3 |
| UCLA | 3 |
| USC | 3 |
| Alabama | 2 |
| Clemson | 2 |
| Colorado | 2 |
| Georgia | 2 |
| Iowa | 2 |
| Louisville | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 2 |
| Ole Miss | 2 |
| Oregon | 2 |
| TCU | 2 |
| Virginia Tech | 2 |
| Wake Forest | 2 |
| Arizona | 1 |
| Arizona State | 1 |
| Auburn | 1 |
| Boise State | 1 |
| Colorado State | 1 |
| Duke | 1 |
| Florida | 1 |
| Florida International | 1 |
| Georgia Southern | 1 |
| Indiana | 1 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | 1 |
| Minnesota | 1 |
| Missouri | 1 |
| Northwestern | 1 |
| Notre Dame | 1 |
| Oklahoma State | 1 |
| Oregon State | 1 |
| Pitt | 1 |
| Rutgers | 1 |
| Stanford | 1 |
| Texas Tech | 1 |
| Virginia | 1 |
| Western Michigan | 1 |
| Wisconsin | 1 |
[th=""]School[/th][th=""]Players[/th]
16 J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State
A late fill-in for the injured Braxton Miller, Barrett finished fifth in the Heisman voting last year after producing a Big Ten record 45 total touchdowns. All that, and he may be No. 3 on the Buckeyes' QB depth chart.
-- B.B.
17 Jalin Marshall, WR/PR, Ohio State
The speedy and versatile Marshall had 38 catches for 499 yards, 145 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. More is expected of him this year.
-- B.B.
18 Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
His most important stat: 24-3 as a starter. Cook has led the Spartans to Rose and Cotton bowl crowns over the past two seasons and could be an NFL first-rounder next spring.
-- B.B.
19 Roberto Aguayo, PK, Florida State
The 2013 Lou Groza Award winner was a consensus All-American last year, making 27 of 30 field goals and all his extra point attempts. In two seasons at FSU, Aguayo has scored 293 points.
-- A.A.
20 Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson
He might not be a household name yet, but Kearse plans on changing that after a standout spring. The nephew of former first-round pick Jevon Kearse had 67 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups last year.
-- A.A.
21 Su'a Cravens, LB/S, USC
One of the most unique talents in the country, Cravens would deserve All-America consideration at either linebacker or safety. Primarily a linebacker now, Cravens is big enough to help in run support (17 tackles for loss in '14), but athletic enough to cover receivers.
-- K.B.
22 Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado
The active FBS leader in receptions, Spruce made 99 catches over his first two seasons in Boulder, but broke out with 106 catches (tied for fourth nationally) for 1,198 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.
-- K.B.
23 Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has been vocal in his belief that Booker should be considered a Heisman candidate after he rushed for 1,512 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, when he was named first-team All-Pac-12. The Utes' offense will rely heavily on the powerful back, who could make a run at a 2,000-yard season.
-- K.B.
24 James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
The reigning ACC player of the year rushed for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, breaking three of Tony Dorsett's school records in the process. He ranked No. 3 in the nation in rushing touchdowns and seventh in rushing yards.
-- A.A.
25 Josh Harvey-Clemons, S, Louisville
Harvey-Clemons sat out last year after transferring from Georgia, but coaches raved about the spring he had. Harvey-Clemons played under Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Grantham at Georgia. In his last season with the Bulldogs, Harvey-Clemons had 68 tackles and recovered three fumbles.
-- A.A.
26 Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia
Canady had a breakout season in 2014, earning second-team All-ACC honors. He ranked No. 2 in the league with 12 pass breakups and No. 2 in passes defended.
-- A.A.
27 Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
He's a man child. He's a bowling ball of destruction. And if he doesn't run over you, he'll gladly run by you. In eight starts, he had eight 100-yard games and easily became the SEC's Freshman of the Year in 2014. Now he's everyone's preseason All-American.
-- A.S.
28 Jalen Mills, S, LSU
His isn't a name known well outside of SEC circles -- not yet that is. But Mills appears to be the next in what has been a long line of stud defensive backs to come out of LSU. He has cornerback's cover skills with a linebacker's nose for the football.
-- A.S.
29 Nate Andrews, DB, Florida State
Andrews ranked third on the Seminoles last year with 93 tackles, and his 66 solo stops led all Seminoles. In addition, his three interceptions led the team for the second straight year.
-- A.A.
30 Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
In two seasons with the Bruins, Jack has twice been named second-team All-Pac-12. He was named both the conference's offensive and defensive freshman of the year in 2013. He has 165 tackles in two seasons and has rushed for 380 yards.
-- K.B.
31 Jarvion Franklin, RB, Western Michigan
It's scary to think what Franklin might accomplish by the end of his career at WMU, if he can stay healthy. As a freshman last season, he ran for 1,551 yards and became the first player in MAC history to win both the rookie of the year and the offensive player of the year awards. And if you think he's only a star because he's not in a Power 5 conference, remember that he ran for two TDs against Virginia Tech.
-- A.S.
32 Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
College football's single-game rushing record stood for 15 years until Wisconsin's
Melvin Gordon broke it in November. Then, thanks to Perine, it stood for only a week. Perine's 427-yard record-breaking effort against Kansas last year capped a true freshman season for the ages, as Perine led the Big 12 with 1,713 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. This season, Perine will have a chance to become just the fourth Big 12 running back to break the 2,000-yard rushing barrier.
-- J.T.
33 Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
Wright won just about every award possible -- Bronko Nagurski, Rotary Lombardi, Bednarik, etc. -- during his sophomore season in which he finished with 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles.
-- K.B.
34 Paul James, RB, Rutgers
Injuries have wrecked his past two seasons, but James has been highly productive when healthy. In his past 13 games, he has run for 1,266 yards and 14 touchdowns.
-- B.B.
35 Joe Bolden, LB, Michigan
One of the leaders on the Wolverines' defense, Bolden racked up 102 tackles in 2014. That was ninth-most in the Big Ten.
-- B.B.
36 Matt Breida, RB, Georgia Southern
Granted, we all know that Georgia Southern loves to run the football. But you have to be a special running back to play there. So if Breida's 1,485 total yards rushing don't impress you, consider his 8.68 yards per carry, which was higher than anyone in college football with at least 125 attempts.
-- A.S.
37 Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State
A respected leader in the locker room, Perry collected a team-high 124 tackles last year, including 8.5 tackles for loss.
-- B.B.
38 Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
In his first season as a starter, Ogbah made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, placing second in the Big 12 with 11 sacks. ESPN Insider Todd McShay currently projects the reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year to be a top-five pick in next April's NFL draft.
-- J.T.
39 Andy Phillips, K, Utah
A former competitive skier with a big leg, Phillips is one of two kickers on the list. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2014, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist and finished second in the country with 12 made field goals from 40 yards or deeper.
-- K.B.
40 P.J. Davis, LB, Georgia Tech
Davis ranked No. 5 in the ACC in tackles with 119, while also forcing three fumbles in a breakthrough season.
-- A.A.
41 Jared Norris, LB, Utah
Finished fourth in the Pac-12 with 117 tackles in 2014 and was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention. He's entering his third year as a starter for the Utes.
-- K.B.
42 KeShun Freeman, DE, Georgia Tech
Freeman started 12 games as a true freshman, leading all Jackets defensive linemen with 54 tackles. He also led the defense with 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss en route to Freshman All-America honors.
-- A.A.
43 Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
The defensive MVP of the Buckeyes' Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, Lee was a playmaking machine at linebacker. He finished the year with 16.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and two interceptions.
-- B.B.
44 DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon
Arguably the top NFL defensive prospect in the Pac-12, Buckner led the Ducks with 13 tackles for loss as they reached the first-ever College Football Playoff championship game. He finished the year with 81 tackles.
-- K.B.
45 Darien Harris, LB, Michigan State
The fifth-year senior had 48 tackles in his first year as a starting linebacker for the Spartans.
-- B.B.
46 Christian Powell, RB, Colorado
One of the few players to make an impact for his team while wearing No. 46, Powell was Colorado's leading rusher with 448 yards in 2014. He enters his senior year with 1,701 career rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
-- K.B.
47 Eddie Vanderdoes, DL, UCLA
Though slowed by injuries at times during his first two seasons, Vanderdoes is among the nation's most talented defensive linemen. He was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention as a true freshman and as a sophomore.
-- K.B.
48 Brandon Chubb, LB, Wake Forest
Chubb had 109 tackles last year, earning honorable mention All-ACC honors, but he is one of the best returning linebackers in the league. He should be a preseason All-ACC choice.
-- A.A.
49 Hunter Dimick, DE, Utah
Dimick finished his sophomore season with 10 sacks to rank tied for No. 15 nationally (ninth in sacks per game, 0.91) playing opposite
Nate Orchard. With Orchard off to the NFL, Dimick will be looked to as one of the top pass rushers in the Pac-12.
-- K.B.
50 Nick Kelly, C, Arizona State
A second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2014, Kelly is expected to be one of the best centers in the country.
-- K.B.
51 Josh Garnett, OG, Stanford
Garnett has appeared in 41 games over the past three seasons and is a strong All-Pac-12 candidate.
-- K.B.
52 Mason Cole, OT, Michigan
In the storied history of Michigan football, no one has ever done what Cole did in 2014: He started all 12 games at left tackle as a true freshman.
-- B.B.
53 Bryan Chamberlain, OL, Georgia Tech
Chamberlain started 13 games last year as part of an offensive line that helped the Jackets rank first nationally in rushing, posting school records for rushing yards (4,789) and rushing yards per game (342.1).
-- A.A.
54 Jake Brendel, OL, UCLA
Brendel has started 39 games in the last three seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2014.
-- K.B.
[h1]MOST PLAYERS BY CONFERENCE[/h1]
The Big Ten fared the best on our list of the best players by numbers, and there were some other surprising results.
| |
| Big Ten | 30 |
| ACC | 19 |
| Pac-12 | 18 |
| SEC | 15 |
| Big 12 | 10 |
| Mountain West | 2 |
| Sun Belt | 2 |
| Conference USA | 1 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Mid-American | 1 |
[th=""]Conference[/th][th=""]Players[/th]
55 Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
When Lawson was lost for the season last year, Auburn's defense took a major step back. Without him rushing the passer, the secondary struggled. But now he's back and apparently quicker than he was before. In new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's system, expect him to shine.
-- A.S.
56 Isaac Seumalo, C, Oregon State
Though injuries remain a concern -- a foot injury cost him the 2014 season and spring practice -- Seumalo has the potential to be among the nation's best linemen. He was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2013 and can play anywhere on the line.
-- K.B.
57 Davion Pierson, DT, TCU
After previously operating out of the limelight, Pierson has taken over as the leader and focal point of Gary Patterson's defense with standouts Paul Dawson, Sam Carter and Chucky Hunter all gone. Pierson steadily has been one of the Big 12's best defensive linemen, giving Patterson a reliable cog up front to retool his defense around.
-- J.T.
58 Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
Over the last three years, Baylor has surrendered a sack on just 4.3 percent of its passing plays; only seven Power 5 conference offenses have fared better. Drango, a unanimous All-America selection last season, is one of the biggest reasons why the Bears have consistently featured one of the best pass protections in the country.
-- J.T.
59 Kelby Brown, LB, Duke
Brown got a sixth year of eligibility after missing 2014 with a torn ACL. He was terrific in 2013, earning All-ACC honors with 14 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and eight QB pressures.
-- A.A.
60 Viane Talamaivao, OG, USC
As a true freshman in 2014, Talamaivao started USC's final 11 games at right guard and was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention.
-- K.B.
61 Tyler Marz, OT, Wisconsin
He has started 27 straight games at left tackle for the Badgers and helped anchor a line that paved the way for a school-record 320.1 rushing yards per game in 2014.
-- B.B.
62 Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
Clark quietly has been one of the best offensive linemen in the country, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in each of the last two seasons. Last year, he helped pave the way for Tech's first 1,000-yard rusher (
DeAndre Washington) since 1998. And with Clark manning the blindside, the Red Raiders also ranked second in the country last year in fewest sacks per pass attempt.
-- J.T.
63 Austin Blythe, OL, Iowa
The most experienced lineman on the Hawkeyes' roster has 35 career starts and has spent time at both center and guard. He was named second-team All-Big Ten last year by the coaches.
-- B.B.
64 Tyler Johnstone, OT, Oregon
He's coming off back-to-back ACL tears, but Johnstone is expected to reclaim the Ducks' left tackle spot, where he started for 26 consecutive games over the course of his freshman and sophomore seasons.
-- K.B.
65 Pat Elflein, OG, Ohio State
He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2014 in his first full year of starting and was a key cog in what developed into one of the nation's best offensive lines.
-- B.B.
66 Jack Allen, C, Michigan State
He was an All-American and a Rimington Trophy finalist in 2014. The former high school wrestling champion helps bring a nastiness to the Spartans' offensive line.
-- B.B.
67 Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana
A fourth-year starter at guard, Feeney has allowed just one career sack and helped block for
Tevin Coleman's 2,000-yard season last year.
-- B.B.
68 Taylor Decker, OL, Ohio State
The left tackle is the anchor of the Buckeyes' offensive line and should be a preseason All-American. Expect to hear his name early in next year's NFL draft.
-- B.B.
69 Willie Henry, DT, Michigan
The senior had 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception for a touchdown against Minnesota last season as part of the Wolverines' defensive tackle rotation.
-- B.B.
70 Dan Skipper, OT, Arkansas
Granted,
Alex Collins and
Jonathan Williams are
really talented running backs. But someone has to block for them. Skipper, at 6-10 and 307 pounds, is a big-time road grader for Arkansas. As a sophomore last year, he led the line with a grade of 80 percent in more than 50 snaps.
-- A.S.
71 John Theus, OT, Georgia
An honorable mention All-SEC tackle in 2014, Theus was a big reason for Georgia's success running the football, leading the SEC with 257.8 yards per game. At 6-6 and 313 pounds, he has the build NFL scouts covet. Rather than turning pro as a junior, he returned for a senior season.
-- A.S.
72 Marcus Henry, C, Boise State
A watch list candidate for the Rimington Award, Henry is the best center in football you probably have never heard of. He's the heartbeat of a Boise State offensive line that helped the Broncos average 214 yards per game on the ground, propelling running back
Jay Ajayi into a fifth-round NFL draft pick.
-- A.S.
73 Sebastian Tretola, OG, Arkansas
The big fella can sling it. While
his trick play touchdown pass took college football by storm, we should have been paying closer attention to him in the trenches. The hefty guard didn't allow a single sack and was penalized only four times in 690 snaps.
-- A.S.
74 Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
A potential All-American and early first-round NFL draft pick, the one-time walk-on has allowed just 2.5 sacks in 27 career starts.
-- B.B.
75 Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Because he commands so many double teams, Billings doesn't put up huge numbers. Yet there might not be a more dominating defensive presence in the Big 12. The Bears are known for their flashy offense, but behind Billings and Shawn Oakman, the Bears should boast the best defensive line in the Big 12 this season, and one of the best in the country.
-- J.T.
76 Gerrand Johnson, DL, Louisiana-Monroe
The former Missouri signee transferred to UL-Monroe, sat out a year and then posted a team-high four sacks. Then, as a sophomore, he earned All-Sun Belt second-team honors. Last year he bumped himself up to first-team status with 93 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.
-- A.S.
77 Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State
Johnson emerged as a starter as a true freshman in the final five games of the season and helped solidify the offensive line. According to Florida State, he graded out to an average of 82.2 in his five starts -- on par with veterans
Cameron Erving and
Tre' Jackson.
-- A.A.
78 Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
He'll have to come back from a devastating leg injury in the Peach Bowl, but if Tunsil is healthy, you're looking at a top-five pick in the NFL draft. He's that talented. He might be 305 pounds, but he's a light 305 when he wants to be, serving as one of the best pass-protectors in the country at left tackle.
-- A.S.
79 Jonah Pirsig, OT, Minnesota
He has had some trouble staying healthy. But when he's in the lineup, the Gophers' right tackle strikes an imposing presence as a 6-9, 325-pound man mountain.
-- B.B.
80 LaQuan McGowan, OL/TE, Baylor
The big man isn't even a full-time starter. But with no other notable No. 80 in the country, we couldn't resist placing the 400-pound tight end on this list. Especially if last year's magical touchdown reception was the first of many to come.
81 Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
The Buckeyes' starting tight end is an excellent blocker and had five touchdown catches last season.
-- B.B.
82 Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
The debate over who the best receiver in football was last year revolved around two men: Alabama's
Amari Cooper and West Virginia's
Kevin White. But neither had more receiving yards or receiving touchdowns than Higgins, who was a constant long-ball threat for CSU, leading the country in catches of 20 or more yards.
-- A.S.
83 Travin Dural, WR, LSU
Despite having what would charitably be described as an average couple of QBs throwing him the ball last year, he made the most of his 37 catches, going for 20.49 yards a pop. Three-quarters of his receptions went for a first down or a touchdown -- 13 percent higher than Alabama's Cooper.
-- A.S.
84 Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
If he wasn't in a run-oriented offense and if he had any help around him at receiver, it would be scary to think what Henry could do. But at Arkansas, Henry is the passing game. In 2014, he had 37 catches despite being the focus of defenses. What will make him a good pro, however, is that he's just as adept blocking.
-- A.S.
85 Cam Serigne, TE, Wake Forest
As a tight end, Serigne led the Deacs in receptions (54), receiving yards (531) and touchdowns (5). He is one of the best tight ends in a very deep group across the ACC.
-- A.A.
86 A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
Forget the stats with Robinson. Just look at him. He's 312 pounds of danger on the defensive line. He's big, strong and awfully nimble. He was a consensus Freshman All-American in 2013. He continued to anchor Alabama's line in 2014. After this season, he'll likely go in the first round of the NFL draft.
-- A.S.
87 Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International
How the Florida native slipped through the clutches of Florida, Florida State and Miami is mind boggling. But the 6-3, 230-pound athlete ended up at FIU where he has flourished, starting with a rookie season in which he was All-Conference USA honorable mention. In 2014, he followed that up with 61 catches, 710 yards and eight touchdowns -- all of which were tops among tight ends in college football.
-- A.S.
88 Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
The third-year starter caught 21 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns last year. He should improve those numbers in Jim Harbaugh's tight-end heavy offense.
-- B.B.
89 Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Calhoun has been named a second-team All-American in each of the past two seasons and was the Big Ten's defensive lineman of the year in 2013. He has 16.5 career sacks.
-- B.B.
90 Dadi Lhomme Nicolas, DE, Virginia Tech
Nicolas emerged as one of the best defensive ends in the ACC last year, recording 72 tackles, nine sacks (No. 3 in the ACC) and 18.5 tackles for loss (No. 2 in the ACC). He will be a preseason All-ACC candidate.
-- A.A.
91 Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
He could have skipped his senior season, turned pro and made his money. But Day wanted to come back to Notre Dame where he was the team's lineman of the year in 2014 with 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and nine QB hurries.
-- A.S.
92 Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
He had 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for the national champions last season and will be counted on even more in the defensive interior after the graduation of Michael Bennett.
-- B.B.
93 Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Because of Nick Saban's system, defensive linemen don't generally dominate the stat sheet. Sacks and tackles for loss are mostly left to the linebackers. But Allen still got his as a sophomore in 2014, racking up 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, earning first-team All-SEC honors.
-- A.S.
94 Dean Lowry, DE, Northwestern
A three-year starter for the Wildcats, Lowry finished with eight tackles for loss and four sacks last season.
-- B.B.
95 Drew Ott, DE, Iowa
Ott enjoyed a breakout 2014 season, recording eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors.
-- B.B.
96 Adam Gotsis, DT, Georgia Tech
A second-team All-ACC selection a year ago, Gotsis had 36 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He should be one of the best defensive linemen in the ACC in 2015.
-- A.A.
97 Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The 2014 Big Ten defensive player of the year registered 13.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss as a true sophomore. He was No. 1 on Mel Kiper's first
2016 NFL draft Big Board.
-- B.B.
98 Anthony Zettel, DT, Penn State
The Big Ten's top defensive tackle was an unblockable beast last year, piling up 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three interceptions. In his spare time, he likes to work on MMA training and occasionally tackle trees.
-- B.B.
99 Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
The 325-pound run stuffer had 49 tackles and six tackles for loss as a sophomore in 2014. The scary news for opposing offensive lines is that he's still getting better.
-- B.B.
