With the 2016 season in the rear-view mirror and the excitement already ramping up for spring football, we thought we’d take a look at some of the top players ready to dominate the college football landscape in 2017. Here’s a look the 17 for ’17 who will influence games on Saturdays next season.
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The Heisman Trophy winner is obviously No. 1 here and should have another dominant season. Can he lead Louisville to the ACC title with a talented supporting cast?
Mayfield’s return will make Oklahoma the clear favorite in the Big 12. He could make a strong Heisman push, although the departure of both elite running backs and Dede Westbrook will hurt.
Barkley is the best running back in college football for next season and should make a strong run towards the Heisman. Even when teams key on him, they can’t stop him. Four of five starters on the offensive line and quarterback Trace McSorley return for PSU, so topping his 1,898 yards from scrimmage last year is a real possibility.
Darnold has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in college football and if he takes the next step in his development, he could surpass both Jackson and Mayfield on this list. He’s that impressive. Darnold went 9-1 as a starter as a redshirt freshman and capped the season with a five-touchdown performance in the Rose Bowl.
Remember him? Many forgot about James last season after an injury early in the season, but he is athletic enough to be the ACC’s Jabrill Peppers.
Browning was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year after throwing 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’s losing All-World wide receiver John Ross, but the Huskies are primed for another big season after reaching the playoffs in 2016.
Perhaps Fitzpatrick is a little low here as he will be the leader of the Alabama defense next season and has been amazingly versatile. He earned All-American honors as a sophomore.
With many of the elite pass rushers from the SEC off to the NFL, it is time for Key to shine and get his due. He had 12 sacks for a stingy LSU defense in 2016.
Hurts was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman and showed in the playoffs how special he can be. Once he refines his passing mechanics and feels more comfortable throwing downfield, watch out.
Rosen is an elite talent who missed the last six games last season with a shoulder injury but should bounce back for a big year that could propel him to the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Look for a big comeback.
Williams, to me, was the best offensive lineman in college football regardless of class last year and should have a great 2017 and be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
While Barrett needs some work on his passing skills, he's a dynamic talent that should take the next step in 2017. In his final three games of 2016, Barrett completed less than 50 percent of his passes with one touchdown and three interceptions, though he ran for 228 yards in those games. Should his passing return to his freshman level, he could make a run for the Heisman.
One of the most overlooked talents in college football, Alexander is up there with any of the elite corners in college football. He will be a first-round draft pick before all is said and done.
Guice runs angry and has a great combination of power and speed. He could have a better career than Leonard Fournette in the long run. In the five games Fournette missed in 2016, Guice averaged 181 yards per game and scored 11 touchdowns. No telling what he will do with the No. 1 role the entire season.
Freeman is returning to Oregon and is ready to get back to his old dominating ways. A fully healthy Freeman should put up monster numbers next season.
The true freshman was so dominant this past season it’s scary to see how good he could be next year with a full offseason under his belt.
Chubb is a wildcard here as injuries and a poor offensive line have held him back from his amazing freshman stats. With Sony Michel also returning, it will be interesting to see if Chubb can push for 1,700 yards again.
