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ESPN revealed its top 25 player rankings ahead of the 2025 college football season and there are so many stars in the sport. The list was composed of players that have already proven themselves and others have loads of potential. There could be some surprises along the way, but there are well established players on […]

There could be some surprises along the way, but there are well established players on this list. ESPN’s college football experts David Hale, Adam Rittenberg, Chris Low, Paolo Uggetti and Bill Connelly came together to create the list.

Without further ado, let’s dive into ESPN’s top 25 players going into the season. We start at the top!

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR – Ohio State

Smith is the top player in the country, per ESPN. As a freshman, Smith proved that he was the best wide receiver in the land and could’ve gone to the NFL last year, had he been eligible.

Last season, in 16 games en route to a national title, had 76 catches for 1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns and 17.3 yards per catch. What does he have for an encore?

2. Anthony Hill Jr., LB – Texas

Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. — Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If there’s one player on Texas’ defense that can carry the unit, it’s Hill Jr. In two seasons, Hill has improved from 2023 to ‘24, setting career highs as a sophomore.

Last season, Hill had 113 tackles, 59 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one interception, three pass deflections and four forced fumbles. He has 13 career sacks.

3. Caleb Downs, DB – Ohio State

Downs has an argument to be the best defender in college football, if you prefer him over Hill. He’s a top three player in college football though.

While Downs logged more tackles as a freshman at Alabama (70), he managed eight tackles for loss last season for the Buckeyes. He has four career interceptions and 189 total tackles to his name and is a blanket for opposing WRs.

4. Cade Klubnik, QB – Clemson

Klubnik set career highs last season, leading Clemson back to the College Football Playoff after winning the ACC. Now, there are national championship expectations in 2025.

There should be for the No. 4 player in college football. Last year, Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 63.4% completion percentage.

5. Jeremiyah Love, RB – Notre Dame

Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love vs. Indiana in the College Football Playoff — Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. (Photo by MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Love should be on the Heisman watch list as we get into the season. Being a top five player in college football warrants that type of hype.

Last season, Love took the reins at RB and went off. He had 163 carries for 1,125 yards, 17 touchdowns and 6.9 yards per carry. Love added 28 catches for 237 yards and two scores.

6. TJ Parker, DL – Clemson

Parker is the latest Clemson player on this list and he’s not the last! The Tigers’ pass rusher set a career high in sacks last year with 11.5.

In total, Parker has 16.5 sacks in two seasons to go along with 89 tackles, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

7. Spencer Fano, OL – Utah

Fano leads the Utah offensive line going into 2025. He is the lone Utes’ player on the list but he’ll be key to the resurrection of their offense.

Fano is getting a lot of buzz for next year’s NFL Draft after being a 2024 First-Team All-American. He’s one of the best pure lineman in college football.

8. Garrett Nussmeier, QB – LSU

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU – © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Nussmier is also in the Heisman race as it stands in the preseason. The LSU quarterback ranks as the No. 8 player in college football and has a lot of pressure to deliver for the Tigers in 2025.

In his first year as a starter, Nussmeier was very solid after taking over for Jayden Daniels. He threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 64.2% completion percentage.

9. Peter Woods, DL – Clemson

Remember the other Clemson player we referred to just above? Well, here he is! Woods anchors that defense line with Parker, giving the Tigers a dominant defensive front.

Over the course of two years, he has 54 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Expect a scary combo with him and Parker this season.

10. Dylan Stewart, DE – South Carolina

Stewart broke out as a freshman last season and ESPN put him in the top 10 players ahead of the 2025 season. South Carolina is banking on further development of Stewart to aid their defense.

Last season, Stewart had 23 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and one pass deflection. One can imagine he’ll take a step forward this Fall.