The 2024 National Championship game featured two Big Ten teams. This time around, don’t expect the same, as we go over the best players from each power conference.
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Big Ten:
Offense: QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
The Veteran QB out of Hawaii is among the most talented passers in the nation. Gabriel ranked 4th in QBR (87.0) in 2023 while throwing for over 3,600 yards. He held a 5:1 TD:INT ratio his Junior year and had 12 touchdowns on the ground with the Sooners.
Defense: CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
A contender for the #1 Overall Pick in 2025 and arguably the best corner in CFB had a surefire slot in this position. Despite only being a Sophomore, Johnson cemented his status as one of the most talented Wolverines in recent memory, racking up 4 Interceptions and 27 tackles en route to a National Championship.
SEC:
Offense: OT Will Campbell (LSU)
There’s only one word to describe Will Campbell:
Behemoth.
Legend says he begins each day with half a pig and Walmart’s egg section. Sorry Porky. Jokes aside, the 6’6 320lb monster of a man looks to be the first offensive lineman off the board and not let up a single sack in the year ahead.
Defense: EDGE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)
Pearce led the SEC in sacks (10) for the second season in a row, making a name for himself in the Southern Conference. Predicted as a Top-10 pick, he’ll gain plenty of experience facing off against the most talented offensive lines in the country.
ACC:
Offense: QB Cameron Ward (Miami)
The Tyler Van Dyke era came and went in Miami, but there’s another intriguing prospect waiting to take his place.
Cameron Ward has seemingly been on every side of the Continental United States. From playing highschool ball in Texas, to transferring from Washington State to play in Florida. He does seem to have a knack for this football thing though, throwing for 3,735 yards in 2023. His stats should skyrocket given the receiving targets of the Canes.
Defense: LB Barrett Carter (Clemson)
If the Tigers chose to prioritize the transfer portal, this portion of the article could look far different, but here we are.
Carter was a pivotal part of this Tigers defense last season, leading Clemson to a four game winning streak to end the year, including over ranked Notre Dame and North Carolina. Wearing the #0, which has become a sign of superiority among defensive college football players, he will look to expand his impact, surpassing his 62 tackles last year, a decrease from 2022.
Big XII:
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Offense: QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
Sanders very well may be the best Quarterback in all of America. One of two Colorado players on this list, the strong arm QB is both athletic and efficient. He averaged nearly 300 yards a game last season, while completing 69% of his passes. His WRs accounted for 21 drops, per CBS.
Defense: CB Travis Hunter (Colorado)
The #1 Overall recruit is also the #1 player in the country, according to CBS sports. A true ironman athlete, Hunter is a serious contender for the Heisman Trophy in 2024. He took well over a 1,000 snaps last season, more than two seasons worth for the typical college defender.