Ranking the Top 100 College Football Players Ahead of the 2025 Season

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Ranking the Top 100 College Football Players Ahead of the 2025 Season

Hey folks, JV Charles here, senior editor at JV News Nation.com, serving up the breaking news you can rely on from our no-nonsense conservative, Trump-loving, MAGA-proud angle. Look, when it comes to Ranking the top 100 college football players ahead of the 2025 season, this is the stuff that fires you up for Saturday showdowns, highlighting the tough kids who grind it out and remind us what real American grit looks like just like President Trump battling through the odds. These Top 100 college football talents are geared up to own the field, from studs like Jeremiah Smith Ohio State who’s sitting pretty at No. 1, to gunslingers such as Arch Manning Texas, and rising forces including LaNorris Sellers Gamecocks and LT Overton Alabama.

With the season kicking off any day now on this August 21, 2025, I’ve pulled together the hottest takes from ESPN’s fresh top 100 list dropped yesterday, plus insights from On3, PFF, and CBS to give you the straight scoop on 2025 college football rankings. We’re talking about College football players 2025 who are the best of the best in NCAA football top players, featuring quarterbacks like Cade Klubnik Clemson, Garrett Nussmeier LSU, Kaidon Salter Liberty (now slinging at Colorado), Ashton Jeanty Boise State (wait, scratch that he’s off to the NFL after a monster run, but his legacy lingers), Nico Iamaleava Tennessee (transferred to UCLA), and Darian Mensah Tulane (now at Duke). These guys are ready to make waves.

Key Takeaways

Jeremiah Smith Ohio State grabs the top spot across the board, a sophomore wideout who racked up over 1,300 yards and 16 scores as a freshman pure dominance.
QBs are stealing the show, with Cade Klubnik Clemson at No. 4 after tossing 36 TDs, and Garrett Nussmeier LSU right behind at No. 5 with his cannon arm.
Defenders aren’t slacking, like LT Overton Alabama bringing the heat on the edge, or versatile beasts echoing that Travis Hunter 2025 two-way magic.
Breakouts like LaNorris Sellers Gamecocks (No. 14) and Arch Manning Texas (No. 23) are must-watch, proving hard work pays off no matter the hype.
Transfers shake things up: Nico Iamaleava Tennessee now at UCLA, Darian Mensah Tulane leading Duke, and Kaidon Salter Liberty adding spark to Colorado talent finds a way, folks.

What Sets This Group Apart: Heart and Hustle on Display

Man, college football never fails to deliver those underdog stories and powerhouse clashes that keep us glued to the TV. These 2025 college football rankings are jammed with players who’ve battled back, much like Trump shaking off the critics to keep winning. We’ve blended the latest from ESPN’s top 100 hot off the press with cross-checks from other big names to paint the full picture, using real 2024 numbers and expert projections.

Take Jeremiah Smith Ohio State this kid’s a freak of nature. As a true freshman, he hauled in 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading Ohio State to big wins. Teams will try to shut him down, but good luck with that.

On the quarterback front, it’s a loaded crew. Cade Klubnik Clemson bounced back strong with 3,639 passing yards and 36 scores, putting Clemson back in the playoff hunt. Garrett Nussmeier LSU lit it up too, over 4,000 yards and 29 TDs SEC quarterbacks don’t mess around. And keep your eyes on Arch Manning Texas, stepping up as starter with that family pedigree and raw talent.

Defense wins games, right? LT Overton Alabama is a disruptor on the line, racking up tackles and pressures after his transfer. Guys like Caleb Downs at safety for Ohio State bring that all-around game, kinda like how Travis Hunter 2025 used to lock things down on both sides.

Position Breakdown: Who’s Running the Show

Quarterbacks are calling the shots in these rankings about a dozen in the top 50 ’cause they’re the leaders out there, flipping games with one throw. LaNorris Sellers Gamecocks exploded last year with dual-threat skills, passing for over 2,000 and rushing for hundreds more; he’s a Heisman dark horse now. Nico Iamaleava Tennessee had his ups and downs but transferred to UCLA for a fresh start, still got that elite arm. Darian Mensah Tulane moved to Duke after a solid freshman year with 2,723 yards and 22 TDs watch him climb.

Running backs bring the thunder, like Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame with his 1,100+ yards and 19 scores. Wideouts beyond Smith include speedsters like Ryan Williams at Alabama.

And don’t forget the trenches Kaidon Salter Liberty, now at Colorado, is a mobile threat ranked high in Big 12 previews. As for Ashton Jeanty Boise State, he crushed it with over 2,600 yards last season but headed to the NFL draft this spring; his spot’s open for new blood.

Our Take on the Top 25: The Cream Rising Up

To keep things honest like we always do at JV News Nation I’ve pieced together a consensus from ESPN’s latest drop, On3 insights, PFF grades, and CBS lists. Here’s the top 25, with the rest referenced below.

Rank	Player	Position	Team	Why He’s Here
1	Jeremiah Smith Ohio State	WR	Ohio State	1,315 yards, 16 TDs; best in the game.
2	Caleb Downs	S	Ohio State	Tackles, picks; total lockdown artist.
3	Dylan Stewart	EDGE	South Carolina	Sack machine, disruptive force.
4	Cade Klubnik Clemson	QB	Clemson	36 TDs, led playoff run.
5	Garrett Nussmeier LSU	QB	LSU	4,000+ yards, big-play king.
6	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Notre Dame	1,100 yards, 19 scores; explosive.
7	Anthony Hill Jr.	LB	Texas	Tackle beast, All-American level.
8	Peter Woods	DT	Clemson	Interior wrecker.
9	Colin Simmons	EDGE	Texas	Freshman standout with sacks.
10	T.J. Parker	EDGE	Clemson	Forced fumbles galore.
11	Ryan Williams	WR	Alabama	Young gun with big plays.
12	Spencer Fano	OT	Utah	Protects like a wall.
13	Leonard Moore	CB	Notre Dame	Shutdown coverage.
14	LaNorris Sellers Gamecocks	QB	South Carolina	Dual-threat breakout.
15	Kadyn Proctor	OT	Alabama	Elite lineman.
16	John Mateer	QB	Washington State	Rising passer.
17	Sam Leavitt	QB	Arizona State	Mobile and accurate.
18	Jordyn Tyson	WR	Arizona State	1,000-yard guy.
19	Jake Slaughter	C	Florida	Zero sacks allowed.
20	Dominic Lovett	WR	Georgia	Reliable target.
21	Jihaad Campbell	LB	Alabama	Tackler supreme.
22	Makhi Hughes	RB	Oregon	Yards after contact king.
23	Arch Manning Texas	QB	Texas	Legacy with huge potential.
24	Drew Allar	QB	Penn State	Big Ten bomber.
25	Ollie Gordon II	RB	Oklahoma State	Ground gainer.

LT Overton Alabama clocks in around No. 30, a senior DL with solid stats. Kaidon Salter Liberty (at Colorado) is bubbling under top 50 in conference ranks. Nico Iamaleava Tennessee (UCLA) and Darian Mensah Tulane (Duke) are watch-list guys, top 100 contenders.

The Bigger Picture: Why We Love This Game

In an era where some folks want everything easy, college football teaches that you earn your glory same as Trump turning setbacks into comebacks. These NCAA football top players aren’t coasting; they’re out there proving it every snap. From powerhouses like Ohio State to surprises like South Carolina, it’s all about who shows up.

At JV News Nation, we’re pumped for the action. These rankings spotlight the fighters, the ones making America proud on the field.

Hidden Gems and Hot Takes

Keep an eye on transfers flipping scripts, like Darian Mensah Tulane at Duke or Nico Iamaleava Tennessee at UCLA. And with playoffs expanded, even non-blue bloods can crash the party. It’s gonna be a wild ride.