The Top Players in College Football (Offense)
Week 1 of the college football season begins on Thursday night, and with that, it’s time to discuss some of the top players of the 2022 season ahead of the opening games. Here is a list of the top players at each position on the offensive side of the ball.
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QB- CJ Stroud (Ohio State)
The QB class in the 2023 draft looks much closer to the talent level of the 2021 draft class than the 2022 class. There should be multiple quarterbacks selected in the first round of next spring’s draft, but CJ Stroud heads into the 2022 season at the top of the mountain. The Ohio State quarterback brings an intriguing combination of arm talent as well as mobility in the pocket that should translate well to the NFL level. The only question is whether or not he can continue to produce without Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
RB- Bijan Robinson (Texas)
Running backs have become a devalued commodity in the NFL, but Bijan Robinson is as sure of a thing that we’ve seen at the position since Jonathan Taylor. His size and speed are a deadly duo that, even behind Texas’ shaky offensive line, allowed him to rush for over 1100 yards at a 5.8 yards per carry clip despite missing the final two games of the 2021 season. Robinson is easily the top dog heading into the fall.
WR- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State)
After Ohio State had two receivers taken in the first 11 draft picks last spring, they once again have one of the best receivers in the country ahead of the 2022 season. Jaxon Smith-Njigba may actually be the most talented receiver among the trio of himself, Olave, and Wilson. He led the Buckeyes in receiving during 2021 with 1606 yards. One of the top players in college football is on track for another huge year ahead of the 2023 draft where he could be a top-five pick.
WR- Kayshon Boutte (LSU)
Smith-Njigba may be the top receiver right now but nipping at his heels is LSU Tiger Kayshon Boutte. Boutte hasn’t had the advantage of an established QB passing him the ball, nor has he had health on his side. However, when he’s been on the field, the production is undeniable.
The LSU receiver played just six games in 2021, but he caught 38 balls for 509 yards and nine touchdowns in that time. He was also awarded the No. 7 jersey ahead of this season, a number that has traditionally been given to LSU’s best player. Clearly, the program is expecting a huge year from the junior, and if he delivers, he is a top prospect in next spring’s draft.
TE- Brock Bowers (Georgia)
Brock Bowers is the only player on this list that isn’t eligible for the 2023 draft class, but he makes an appearance for good reason. As a true freshman, Bowers almost instantly became the top tight end in the country. He had a historic first season with Georgia, recording a school-record 13 touchdowns.
Stetson Bennett returns as Georgia’s quarterback, and it’s hard to imagine how Bowers could possibly get better. Especially with receiver George Picken heading to the NFL, we may be in store for another massive year in Bowers’ sophomore season.
OT- Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
We’ve already seen Northwestern take the field this fall in an upset victory over Nebraska. In that game, Peter Skoronski started his junior season on a high note. Skoronski may be a bit undersized at 6’4, but his mean streak in the trenches is undeniable.
We’ve seen collegiate tackles with size questions go on to have terrific NFL careers as well. Most recently, we can point to Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater who, ironically, was also a Northwestern product. Slater was selected 13th overall in 2021, and Skoronski may very well be on his way towards being a first-round pick next spring.
OT- Paris Johnson (Ohio State)
It’s a pretty great luxury to have one of the best quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive linemen in the entire country, and that is the exact situation that the Ohio State Buckeyes offense finds itself in once again this year. Paris Johnson is going to be key in the passing game now that Thayer Munford is gone.
The new Buckeye LT is an intriguing prospect because he was one of the country’s best guards last year before transitioning to his new position. We’ll see if he can remain one of the top players in college football while protecting Stroud’s blind side.
IOL- Andrew Vorhees (USC)
2022 marks the sixth straight season in which Andrew Vorhees has had a role with the USC Trojans. In that time, he has solidified himself as a top guard in the nation, and he is one of the most experienced players in all of college football. It’s possible that he falls down the ranks of the NFL Draft because of his age, but in terms of collegiate ranks, he remains one of the top dogs.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing as well as minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh can often be found training for a marathon, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his takes, NFL and otherwise, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken