PFF College Football 101: The Top 101 players from the 2025 season

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Now that the 2025 college football season has concluded, it’s time to take stock of the year’s top performers. The PFF College 101 highlights the 101 best players from the 2025 season, combining PFF grades, on-field impact and positional value to provide a comprehensive look at college football’s elite.

This list will be released in stages throughout the week, culminating with the unveiling of the top 20 players on Friday, Jan. 23. Each installment offers a deeper look at the players who defined the 2025 season and helps set the stage for the upcoming draft and offseason evaluation cycle.

76. WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Concepcion captured the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player, and the production backs it up. The projected first-round pick led all SEC wide receivers in receptions resulting in either a first down or a touchdown (48), while his 84.2 return grade ranked second among all Power Four players after he returned two punts for scores.

77. RB LJ Martin, BYU

Martin was the engine of BYU’s offense this season. His 893 yards after contact ranked fourth among Power Four running backs, while his 36 explosive runs tied for fourth. He also added 251 receiving yards, cementing his status as one of the top running backs entering the 2026 season.

78. QB Byrum Brown, USF

Brown was the top quarterback in the Group of Five this season, earning a 91.4 PFF grade that ranked third nationally among all quarterbacks. He also ranked third among signal-callers in rushing yards after contact (702) and forced missed tackles (58). Brown will transfer to Auburn for the 2026 season after following head coach Alex Golesh.

79. RB Antwan Raymond, Rutgers

Rutgers may have lost star running back Kyle Monangai in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the Scarlet Knights found another in Raymond. His 884 rushing yards after contact ranked fifth among Power Four running backs, while his 76 forced missed tackles trailed only Ahmad Hardy and Kewan Lacy in that group. Raymond enters his true junior season as one of the top running backs in the country.

80. WR KJ Duff, Rutgers

Raymond wasn’t the only star weapon for Rutgers this season. Duff emerged as the Scarlet Knights’ top receiver, earning an 83.4 PFF grade that ranked ninth among Power Four wide receivers. His 1,084 receiving yards also ranked sixth in that group.

81. S Amare Ferrell, Indiana

Often an unsung piece of Indiana’s secondary, Ferrell has been a productive contributor over the past two seasons. His seven pass breakups were tied for second among all safeties nationally, and he added four interceptions to earn an 82.8 PFF coverage grade.

82. EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Howell was one of the SEC’s most productive pass-rushers this season. The projected first-round pick recorded 12 sacks, tied for the fifth most nationally, and earned a 90.3 PFF pass-rush grade that ranked 20th among all edge defenders.

83. QB Drew Mestemaker, North Texas

Mestemaker spent his high school career as a backup quarterback before walking on at North Texas, and he took home the Burlsworth Award for 2025, with no player in the country throwing for more yards (4,384). His 86.1 PFF passing grade ranked ninth in the FBS, and he will transfer to Oklahoma State for the 2026 season after following head coach Eric Morris.

84. RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State

Not much went right for Penn State this season, but Allen closed his career as the program’s all-time leading rusher, with 4,180 rushing yards. His 1,303 rushing yards ranked fifth among Power Four running backs in 2025, while his 91.3 PFF rushing grade ranked eighth at the position.

85. LB Ethan Wesloski, North Texas

Wesloski is one of several former North Texas players following head coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State and projects as a centerpiece of the Cowboys’ defense. His 90.6 PFF grade ranked fourth among all linebackers this season, and he was one of just six linebackers to earn 85.0-plus grades in both coverage and run defense.

86. RB Nate Sheppard, Duke

Duke must sort out its quarterback situation now that Darian Mensah has entered the transfer portal, but whoever takes over in 2026 should benefit from handing the ball to Sheppard. The former three-star recruit broke out as a true freshman, earning an 89.3 PFF grade that ranked ninth among FBS running backs while placing sixth among Power Four backs with 286 receiving yards.

87. LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU

Elarms-Orr finished as one of the 10 most valuable linebackers in the country this season, according to PFF’s Wins Above Average metric. Much of that value came as a run defender, where his 89.1 PFF run-defense grade ranked eighth among Power Four linebackers.

88. EDGE Mitchell Melton, Virginia

Melton emerged as one of the standout performers on a surprising Virginia team this season. The Ohio State transfer generated 53 pressures, ranking 10th among Power Four defenders, while also earning a strong 77.9 PFF run-defense grade.

89. DI Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

Halton was the anchor of another strong Oklahoma defense this season. His 84.7 PFF grade ranked eighth among all defensive tackles nationally, while his 86.9 PFF run-defense grade ranked fourth at the position. He also made an impact as a pass rusher, recording 30 pressures and five sacks.

90. LB Rasheem Biles, Pittsburgh

Biles entered the season as one of PFF’s top 10 linebackers in the country and validated that billing. His 84.4 PFF grade was tied for sixth among Power Four linebackers, while his six sacks were tied for seventh. Biles transferred to Texas this offseason, where he’ll look to help replace the production left behind by Anthony Hill Jr.

91. TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Stowers entered the season as PFF’s top-ranked tight end and backed it up by winning the John Mackey Award. His 769 receiving yards led all tight ends nationally, while his 85.3 PFF receiving grade ranked sixth at the position.

92. OT Austin Siereveld, Ohio State

Siereveld shifted from guard to left tackle this season after playing inside for Ohio State a year ago, and the move paid off. His 83.5 PFF grade was tied for 12th among all tackles nationally, while his 83.3 PFF run-blocking grade ranked ninth at the position. He is expected to return as Ohio State’s starting left tackle in 2026.

93. QB Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Stockton entered his first full season as Georgia’s starting quarterback with questions but largely answered them. He finished the season as the seventh-most valuable quarterback in the country according to PFF’s wins above average metric.

94. CB Brice Pollock, Texas Tech

Texas Tech jumped from the 10th-worst coverage grade in the country last season to the top spot this year, and the addition of Pollock from Mississippi State played a major role in that turnaround. His five interceptions were tied for second among all cornerbacks nationally, while his 35.7 passer rating allowed ranked fourth at the position.

95. S Bray Hubbard, Alabama

Following a breakout sophomore season, Hubbard remained productive as a junior. He recorded four interceptions and four pass breakups, while his 90.4 PFF run-defense grade ranked sixth among all safeties.

96. S Keon Sabb, Alabama

Sabb finished one spot behind his safety running mate and was similarly impactful on the back end of Alabama’s defense. He ranked as the seventh-most valuable safety in the country, according to PFF’s wins above average metric, highlighted by an 84.8 PFF coverage grade.

97. WR Charlie Becker, Indiana

Becker’s placement on this list is largely a product of timing, as he did not become a major part of Indiana’s offense until Week 11, but his impact on the Hoosiers’ national title run was undeniable. His 89.3 PFF receiving grade ranked third among Power Four wide receivers behind only Makai Lemon and Jeremiah Smith, and he posted an exceptional 146.8 passer rating when targeted.

The sophomore is expected to be a featured option for new quarterback Josh Hoover next season.

98. DI Rene Konga, Louisville

Konga was dominant in the middle of Louisville’s defensive line this season. His 86.4 PFF grade ranked second among Power Four interior defenders, while his 85.2 PFF pass-rush grade ranked third at the position.

99. DI Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Texas Tech’s defensive line was well represented on this list, with Hunter rounding out the unit. The UCF transfer finished the 2025 season as the fifth-most valuable defensive tackle in the country according to PFF’s wins above average metric, while his 84.5 PFF run-defense grade ranked second in the Big 12.

100. DI A’Mauri Washington, Oregon

Washington made a surprising decision to return to Oregon despite being projected as a top-40 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He ranked sixth among all defenders in PFF wins above average last season while recording 22 pressures and earning an 83.8 PFF run-defense grade.

101. OG Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati

Tengesdahl was a standout on the interior of Cincinnati’s offensive line, earning an 85.4 PFF grade that ranked third among all guards nationally. His 89.7 PFF run-blocking grade led all Power Four guards, and he did not allow a sack on 385 pass-blocking snaps during the season.