1. Alabama
Nick Saban's Tide had six players drafted in the first two rounds and still appear loaded, particularly on defense. Linemen Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Daron Payne and Da'Shawn Hand and OLB Tim Williams lead another dominant front seven. Running backs Bo Scarborough and Damien Harris were both productive throughout spring. And at this point, does it really matter who wins the quarterback job?
2. Florida State
The 'Noles have found their quarterback, redshirt freshman Deondre Francois, who separated himself in the spring. He'll have the benefit of a veteran receiving corps (Travis Wilson, Bobo Wilson and Kermit Whitfield), and speedy sophomore RB Jacques Patrick should see more carries behind star Dalvin Cook. DeMarcus Walker and Josh Sweat could become the nation's top pair of bookend pass-rushers.
3. Clemson
4. LSU
Junior QB Brandon Harris looked comfortable and avoided mistakes in the Tigers' spring game. His development could make or break an extremely talented team's playoff hopes. New coordinator Dave Aranda's defense is brimming with star power in pass-rusher Arden Key, DT Davon Godchaux, LB Kendell Beckwith and CB Tre'Devious White. And oh yeah, there's that guy Leonard Fournette. He's pretty good.
5. Michigan
6. TCU
7. Oklahoma
8. Tennessee
It's now or never for fourth-year coach Butch Jones' Vols, who return 17 starters from a team that won their last six games in 2015. New DC Bob Shoop, formerly of Penn State, inherits top-flight players like DE Derek Barnett, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin and CB Cam Sutton. Meanwhile, QB Josh Dobbs is back to lead an offense highlighted by the tailback tandem of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara.
9. Ohio State
10. Ole Miss
The Rebels lost their biggest stars in first-round picks Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche, but there's still plenty of talent in Oxford. QB Chad Kelly looks to continue his late-season tear, with help from WRs Damore'ea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo and TE Evan Engram. Five-star true freshman Greg Little may need to take over at left tackle. Only five starters return on defense.
11. Stanford
12. Baylor
13. Notre Dame
14. Houston
15. Michigan State
16. Washington
17. Georgia
Touted freshman QB Jacob Eason did nothing to temper the hype with his solid spring game performance, but he's not likely to take over and excel right from Week 1. Star RB Nick Chubb is recovering rapidly from last year's knee injury. Coach Kirby Smart seems concerned about the O-line. Georgia's defense lost several standouts, but in general the personnel fits well Smart's preferred scheme.
18. North Carolina
19. Washington State
20. Louisville
21. USC
22. Oregon
23. Florida
Despite losing several star players, the Gators should be very good on defense again, starting with CB Jalen Tarbor and DE Bryan Cox Jr. Sophomore DE CeCe Jefferson is poised for a breakout. Likely new starter Luke Del Rio should be a major upgrade at quarterback, but the offensive line remains a question mark. The Gators do have the makings of a solid backfield, led by sophomore Jordan Cronkite.
24. Iowa
25. Texas A&M
Oklahoma grad transfer and former Sugar Bowl MVP Trevor Knight came in and rescued the Aggies at quarterback. He'll be throwing to stud sophomore Christian Kirk and Josh Reynolds. Star DE Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall combined for 19.5 sacks last season, but the Aggies need to shore up a woeful run defense. LB Otaro Alaka's return from injury and sophomore LB Richard Moore's emergence should help.
Nick Saban's Tide had six players drafted in the first two rounds and still appear loaded, particularly on defense. Linemen Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Daron Payne and Da'Shawn Hand and OLB Tim Williams lead another dominant front seven. Running backs Bo Scarborough and Damien Harris were both productive throughout spring. And at this point, does it really matter who wins the quarterback job?
2. Florida State
The 'Noles have found their quarterback, redshirt freshman Deondre Francois, who separated himself in the spring. He'll have the benefit of a veteran receiving corps (Travis Wilson, Bobo Wilson and Kermit Whitfield), and speedy sophomore RB Jacques Patrick should see more carries behind star Dalvin Cook. DeMarcus Walker and Josh Sweat could become the nation's top pair of bookend pass-rushers.
3. Clemson
4. LSU
Junior QB Brandon Harris looked comfortable and avoided mistakes in the Tigers' spring game. His development could make or break an extremely talented team's playoff hopes. New coordinator Dave Aranda's defense is brimming with star power in pass-rusher Arden Key, DT Davon Godchaux, LB Kendell Beckwith and CB Tre'Devious White. And oh yeah, there's that guy Leonard Fournette. He's pretty good.
5. Michigan
6. TCU
7. Oklahoma
8. Tennessee
It's now or never for fourth-year coach Butch Jones' Vols, who return 17 starters from a team that won their last six games in 2015. New DC Bob Shoop, formerly of Penn State, inherits top-flight players like DE Derek Barnett, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin and CB Cam Sutton. Meanwhile, QB Josh Dobbs is back to lead an offense highlighted by the tailback tandem of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara.
9. Ohio State
10. Ole Miss
The Rebels lost their biggest stars in first-round picks Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche, but there's still plenty of talent in Oxford. QB Chad Kelly looks to continue his late-season tear, with help from WRs Damore'ea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo and TE Evan Engram. Five-star true freshman Greg Little may need to take over at left tackle. Only five starters return on defense.
11. Stanford
12. Baylor
13. Notre Dame
14. Houston
15. Michigan State
16. Washington
17. Georgia
Touted freshman QB Jacob Eason did nothing to temper the hype with his solid spring game performance, but he's not likely to take over and excel right from Week 1. Star RB Nick Chubb is recovering rapidly from last year's knee injury. Coach Kirby Smart seems concerned about the O-line. Georgia's defense lost several standouts, but in general the personnel fits well Smart's preferred scheme.
18. North Carolina
19. Washington State
20. Louisville
21. USC
22. Oregon
23. Florida
Despite losing several star players, the Gators should be very good on defense again, starting with CB Jalen Tarbor and DE Bryan Cox Jr. Sophomore DE CeCe Jefferson is poised for a breakout. Likely new starter Luke Del Rio should be a major upgrade at quarterback, but the offensive line remains a question mark. The Gators do have the makings of a solid backfield, led by sophomore Jordan Cronkite.
24. Iowa
25. Texas A&M
Oklahoma grad transfer and former Sugar Bowl MVP Trevor Knight came in and rescued the Aggies at quarterback. He'll be throwing to stud sophomore Christian Kirk and Josh Reynolds. Star DE Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall combined for 19.5 sacks last season, but the Aggies need to shore up a woeful run defense. LB Otaro Alaka's return from injury and sophomore LB Richard Moore's emergence should help.
