Top 10 College Football Player Rankings 2025

Updating the best College Football Player Rankings midway this 2025-2026 NCAA Football season as Michael Penix Jr. leads the way

By Sunday Umoh | October 30, 2025

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Top College Football Players through Nine Weeks

College football in 2025 has erupted into a thrilling blend of explosive offense, suffocating defense, and new stars redefining expectations on both sides of the ball. Through nine weeks, the country has witnessed breakout sensations and Heisman hopefuls shaping a season filled with drama and postseason implications. From game-saving tackles to highlight-reel touchdown throws, this has been a year where individual brilliance meets team success. This has been the case for each of the players landing on the Top 10 Best College Football Players 2025 Rankings every Saturday bringing their next great performance to the table.

As the playoff picture begins to sharpen, the margin between greatness and good has never felt so razor-thin. The 2025 College Football season has been defined by big time performances by the game’s top offensive stars such as Ty Simpson, Fernando Mendoza, Sawyer Robinson, Ahmad Hardy, Elijah Sarratt, Eric McAlister, and Justice Haynes. On the other side of the football stars such as Rueben Bain Jr, Caleb Downs, Bishop Fitzgerald, Cashius Howell, and David Bailey have forced havoc on opposing offenses.

One thing is for sure the 2025 season has provided a ton of fireworks; quarterbacks extending plays under fire, running backs carving through defenses built to stop them, and defensive monsters terrorizing anyone unlucky enough to face them. The impact of these players transcends the box score; they have become the pulse of college football’s most compelling narratives. Here is a look at the Top 10 Best College Football Players 2025 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Justice Haynes

School: Michigan Wolverines

Position: Running Back

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

One of two College Football studs to miss the Top 10 Best College Football Players 2025 Rankings landing as honorable mention is the Michigan Wolverines running back Justice Haynes.

Haynes has been the heart of the Wolverines backfield, providing the Wolverines with the kind of balanced rushing attack that keeps defenses guessing. In his first season in the Big Ten after transferring from the Alabama Crimson Tide to the Wolverines, Haynes has produced among the top running backs in the country ranking fourth in total rushing yards (857), tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns (10), and sixth in average yard per attempt (7.1) with at least 60 rushing attempts on the season.

The junior star has emerged as one of the Big Ten’s most complete runners, blending vision, acceleration, and power through contact. Haynes thrives in traffic, turning what should be two-yard gains into chunk plays with a mix of balance and grit.

Eric McAlister

School: TCU Horned Frogs

Position: Wide Receiver

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

Eric McAlister has been one of the premier vertical threats in the country for the TCU Horned Frogs. McAlister’ continues to bring down contested catches and erupting for explosive plays that keep the Horned Frogs in the Big 12 race.

His size-speed combination forces defensive coordinators to constantly bracket coverage his way, yet it rarely matters. McAlister’s ability to win at the catch point, separate off the line, and track the deep ball has made him a nightmare for opposing corners. Entering week 10, McAlister currently ranks seventh among all receivers in receiving yards (727), and tenth in receiving touchdowns (10), while also leading all receivers with at least 30 catches in yards per catch (19.6).

The Horned Frogs haved endured ups and downs this season, McAlister’s consistency and highlight potential have made him a weekly difference-maker on national television

Top 10 College Football Player Rankings

10. Sawyer Robinson

School: Baylor Bears

Position: Defensive Back

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

Sliding in at number 10 on the Top 10 Best College Football Players 2025 rankings list is the Baylor Bears senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson.

Robertson has been a game changer all season for the Bears while helping the team remain competitive week in and week out. The Bears quarterback enters week 10 of the college football season, leading all quarterbacks in passing yards (2,513) and trailing only fellow Top 10 player Fernando Mendoza in passing touchdowns (23).

Once viewed as a developmental prospect, Robertson has matured into the centerpiece of the Bears’ offense, throwing with confidence and poise in high-pressure situations. Robertson’s pocket presence and ability to evade pressure showcase his growth, while his calm leadership has stabilized a program eager to contend again.

Baylor remains competitive largely because of his arm talent and decision-making, making Robertson one of college football’s most improved and indispensable quarterbacks.

9. Cashius Howell

School: Texas A&M Aggies

Position: Defensive End

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

As the game of football continues to evolve from one season to the next with offenses getting bigger, stronger, faster and more explosive, the need for a game changer on the defensive side of the football is required.

One of those game changers is the Texas A&M Aggies star defensive end Cashius Howell. Howell has quickly become the SEC’s most feared edge rusher and one of the top all around defensive players in all of college football not named Reuben Bain Jr. The Texas A&M standout is a physical specimen with an explosive first step that gives him the upper hand on nearly every snap. Through nine weeks, Howell leads the Aggies in tackles for loss and sacks, often drawing double teams that open opportunities for his teammates.

His relentless energy and knack for collapsing pockets have turned A&M’s defense into one of the most unpredictable units in the conference. Howell currently ranks second in the nation in sacks (10) while being a core force on an Aggies defense that has helped the team to an undefeated 8-0 start to the season.

8. Elijah Sarratt

School: Indiana Hoosiers

Position: Wide Receiver

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

When you look around college football the Indiana Hoosiers continue to be one of the biggest story lines of the first nine weeks of the season.

Starting off fast and strong, the Hoosiers have stormed out of the gate winning eight straight games to start the season while both the offensive and defensive groups have ranked among the best groups in the country. Currently the Hoosiers offense is led by a talented group of stars including wide receiver Elijah Sarratt ranking sixth in the nation in yards per game (494.5) and third in points scored per game (45.4).

Sarratt continues to be a key threat for quarterback Fernando Mendoza to start the season picking up a college football high 10 touchdown receptions through eight games In addition Sarratt has posted at least three catches in seven of his first eight contests while also posting at least 70 yards with a touchdown in four of those contests.

He’s a Sunday-caliber talent putting up video-game numbers in Big Ten play.

7. Ahmad Hardy

School: Missouri Tigers

Position: Running Back

2025 NFL Draft Status: Not Eligible

The sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy has not disappointed in the SEC since arriving with the Missouri Tigers through the transfer portal before the season.

After posting 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns with the UL Monroe Warhawks, Hardy has emerged as one of the most electrifying players in the SEC, showcasing a unique blend of patience, speed, and lower-body strength that makes him nearly impossible to tackle one-on-one. Missouri’s offense flows through Hardy, who currently sits second in rushing yards (937) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (11).

Hardy’s ability to stay productive even against elite defensive fronts has kept the Tigers in SEC contention throughout the first nine weeks. If he continues this pace, All-American talk will follow shortly behind.

6. Bishop Fitzgerald

School: USC Trojans

Position: Safety

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

Bishop Fitzgerald has been the backbone of USC’s defense in 2025, bringing physicality and intelligence to a secondary that’s improved drastically this season.

After posting five touchdowns in his first two seasons with the NC State Wolfpack, Bishop Fitzgerald has posted five to start the season while leading the nation in interceptions. Fitzgerald has become a Big Ten star, combining elite tackling instincts with ball-hawking ability in coverage. His motor and field awareness make him a constant presence around the football, whether breaking up passes or timing blitzes with precision.

With multiple interceptions and tackles for loss through nine weeks, Fitzgerald’s all-around play style has transformed USC’s defensive identity. He’s the leader who sets the tone, a do-it-all safety capable of delivering game-changing hits or erasing big plays entirely.

5. Fernando Mendoza

School: Indiana Hoosiers

Position: Quarterback

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

Among the best five players on the Top 10 Best College Football Players 2025 rankings list is the future first round NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza’s rise with the Indiana Hoosiers has been one of the most surprising quarterback stories of the 2025 season. The poised signal-caller has turned the Hoosiers into a legitimate Big Ten contender with his arm strength and decision-making. After a strong season with the Cal Bears last season, the move to the Big Ten has paid off for Mendoza as he currently has the Hoosiers atop the standings with eight straight wins to start the season.

Over those eight games, the Hoosiers’ talented quarterback leads the nation in touchdown passes (24) while also throwing for 1,923 yards. His connection with wideout Elijah Sarratt has ignited Indiana’s offensive evolution, making the Hoosiers one of the toughest teams to stop in the conference. Mendoza’s growth from promising player to program star underscores his meteoric rise on the national stage.

4. David Bailey

School: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Position: LineBacker

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

One under the radar defensive star to watch down the stretch is the Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey.

Bailey who transferred in for the current season has paid off producing a career high 10.5 sacks while leading the nation in sacks. The former Stanford Cardinal star has brought a ferocity and intelligence to Texas Tech’s defense rarely seen in the Big 12.

As both a blitzer and run-stopper, Bailey commands the middle of the field with an intensity that sets the tone for the Red Raiders. Bailey is the cornerstone of Texas Tech’s defensive resurgence, a tackling machine whose relentless pursuit has earned him national recognition and Butkus Award consideration.

3. Caleb Downs

School: Ohio State Buckeyes

Position: Safety

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

Caleb Downs entered 2025 as one of the most hyped defenders in the nation, and he’s lived up to every bit of it.

The former five-star recruit has become the Swiss Army knife of the Ohio State Buckeyes defense, capable of dominating against both the run and pass. A Buckeyes defense that is allowing just 5.9 points per game and allowing 216.9 yards per game while leading the nation. While the stat sheet doesn’t stack up against other top stars, it’s his play on the field and performance you see in film that allows you to recognize what he brings to the Buckeyes defense.

His lateral quickness, coverage range, and closing speed turn him into a game-wrecker from deep safety alignments. Even as opponents scheme away from him, Downs still impacts games through leadership, communication, and situational brilliance.

As the Buckeyes chase another College Football Playoff Championship, Downs remains their defensive heartbeat.

2. Ty Simpson

School: Alabama Crimson Tide

Position: Quarterback

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

Ty Simpson has reinvigorated the Alabama Crimson Tide’s offense under Kalen DeBoer, emerging as the Heisman frontrunner for much of the 2025 season.

After sitting behind multiple top prospects early in his career, Simpson has blossomed into one of college football’s premier passers. Through the Tides 7-1 start to the season, Simpson has been nearly flawless throwing for 20 passing touchdowns to just one interception.

The ability to protect the football is just one part of Simpson’s game as the Crimson Tide quarterback currently ranks ninth in the nation in passing yards with 2,184 over eight games. Simpson’s poise in clutch moments, most notably his fourth-quarter heroics in tight SEC contests, has cemented his reputation as a field general.

He blends arm talent, decision-making, and mobility in a way that feels tailor-made for the modern Alabama offense.

1. Reuben Bain Jr

School: Miami Hurricanes

Position: Defensive Line

2025 NFL Draft Status: Eligible

In atop the Top 10 Best College Football Players 2025 rankings list is the Miami Hurricanes star defensive standout Reuben Bain Jr.

Through nine weeks, no player in the country has disrupted games more consistently than Reuben Bain Jr. of Miami. The junior defensive lineman has ascended from breakout freshman to full-fledged superstar, anchoring one of college football’s fiercest front sevens.

Bain’s blend of strength, lateral agility, and advanced hand technique has made him a force on the defensive line while forcing opposing offenses to game plan and double team him. Like other stars, Bain Jr has sacrificed personal statistics while bringing on double teams while opening up opportunities for his teammates.

While the numbers on paper look down, his play in film is as strong as ever sliding him up the NFL Draft board each week. Simply put, Bain is the nation’s most complete defensive force and the best player in college football through Week 9 of 2025.

Which standout college football stars of the 2025 College Football season would crack your Top 10 list? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings

Sunday Umoh

Sunday Umoh is the visionary founder and CEO of Fan Rankings LLC, a platform that merges sports passion with technology to create an engaging and interactive space for fans worldwide. With a background in Information Science and Systems and experience as a Software Engineer, Umoh has built a brand that blends analytical insights with emotional connection, offering unique coverage of Football, Basketball, MMA, and Boxing. A graduate of Morgan State University and a former collegiate Track and Field athlete, Umoh previously gained attention for his impactful Washington Wizards blog, fireerniegrunfeld.com. His journey exemplifies how technology can amplify sports fandom, with Fan Rankings setting a new standard in sports media, providing a community for fans to connect, debate, and celebrate their favorite teams and athletes.

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