Offense
QB: Marcus Mariota, Oregon Ducks
Mariota edges out Jameis Winston purely because I think he will win the Heisman Trophy this year. He can make plays on the ground and through the air, making the Ducks a joy to watch.
HB: Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin Badgers
Gordon averaged just under eight yards per carry in 2013 and toppled 1,600 yards on the ground despite not being Badger with the most carries. He is explosive and will be a first-round draft pick.
HB: Todd Gurley, Georgia Bulldogs
Despite being slowed with injuries, when Gurley is on the field it is impossible not to watch. His tough, rumbling and tumbling running style is synonymous with football and that makes him one of the best in the nation.
WR: Amari Cooper, Alabama Crimson Tide
Another player who struggles with injuries, Cooper is possibly the most physically gifted wide receiver in college football right now. The Alabama offense is not tailored to him but he still puts up strong numbers and regularly displays his potential.
WR: Antwan Goodley, Baylor Bears
In quite the opposite fashion to Cooper, Goodley makes the team because of the offense he plays within. He is also, quite obviously, a tremendous player and his 71 catches, 13 touchdowns and 1,339 receiving yards in 2013 are evident of that.
TE: Nick O’Leary, Florida State Seminoles
O’Leary only caught 33 passes last season but he found the end zone seven times and averaged nearly 17 yards per catch.
T: Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M Aggies
Another All-American offensive tackle from the Aggies. At 6’5” tall and weighing in at 305 pounds, Ogbuehi is a force in the running and passing game.
G: A.J. Cann, South Carolina Gamecocks
Cann decided to return for his senior season after starting all but one game over the past three seasons. He is a team captain and a beast at the heart of the Gamecock line.
C: Hroniss Grasu, Oregon Ducks
Grasu has 40 career starts to his name and is the last line of defense between pass rushers and prized asset Mariota. Learn how to say his name because come the off-season you will need to know it.
G: Tre Jackson, Florida State Seminoles
An underrated piece in the Florida State success, Jackson is possibly more accomplished than tackle and team-mate Cameron Erving.
T: Brandon Scherff, Iowa Hawkeyes
Scherff returned for his senior season and what a good decision that turned out to be. He now projects to be a high first-round selection and the band wagon is up to full speed after it emerged he can hang clean 443 pounds… three times!
Defense
DE: Vic Beasley, Clemson Tigers
Clemson fans rejoiced when Beasley returned to school and rightly so. In 2013 Beasley had 13 sacks, 23 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles, enough to warrant a first-round draft pick. He heads into the new season with the potential to be the best defensive player in the country.
DE: Leonard Williams, USC Trojans
Despite suffering from a painful shoulder injury, Williams still tallied 74 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. If the Trojans are to get back on track it will start up front with Williams.
DT: Michael Bennett, Ohio State Buckeyes
Bennett is likely one of the top defensive tackles off the board next May and with his 2013 performance which included 11.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks, it is easy to see why.
DT: Chris Jones, Mississippi State Bulldogs
As a freshman Jones recorded 32 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and three sacks. That is some feat for a young man playing against top competition who is just getting started. Watch out for him in the SEC this upcoming season.
LB: Ramik Wilson, Georgia Bulldogs
The SEC’s leading tackler is back for his senior season after registering over 130 stops last time out, becoming just the third Bulldog to reach the feat.
LB: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Smith is already the leader of the Fighting Irish defense and, in the wake of the recent academic scandal surrounding the school, his role just got bigger. Watching any Notre Dame game and you will see Smith making plays from sideline to sideline.
LB: Myles Jack, UCLA Bruins
As a true freshman the two-way star lodged 76 total tackles, seven tackles for a loss and two interceptions. His journey to the NFL from here will be compelling football.
CB: Ifo Expre-Olomu, Oregon Ducks
Expre-Olomu’s decision to return to Oregon was one of the more surprising, but the Ducks need him if they are to challenge for a national championship. A well accomplished cover corner, the senior is not afraid of contact and he racked up 84 tackles last time out.
CB: Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida Gators
It was virtually a flip of a coin to decide between Hargreaves III and Virginia Tech’s Kendall Fuller. However, the Gator gets the nod after he tied a freshman school record with 11 pass break-ups to go with his three interceptions.
S: Landon Collins, Alabama Crimson Tide
A physical specimen, Collins has finally found his home at safety after jumping around positions in 2013. His 70 tackles were second on the team and he also recorded two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a touchdown.
S: Anthony Harris, Virginia Cavaliers
80 tackles, eight interceptions 3.5 tackles for a loss and a sack is Harris’ 2013 stat line and just about all Cavalier fans had to shout about. I’m surprised he is back for another season but head coach Mike London is probably just relieved.
Special Teams
K: Robert Aguayo, Florida State Seminoles
Aguayo connected on 21-of-22 field goals and all of his 94 extra points en route to winning the Lou Groza Award and setting the record for points by a kicker in a season.
P: Drew Kaser, Texas A&M Aggies
Kaser averaged 47.4 yards per punt in 2013 which was enough to top the SEC while also booming a 76-yarder against Rice.
KR: Ty Montgomery, Stanford Cardinals
Montgomery is an accomplished wide receiver but he makes this team thanks to his 1,091 kick return yards and two touchdowns on 36 attempts.
PR: Ryan Switzer, North Carolina Tar Heels
As a freshman, Switzer did crazy things as a punt returner when he returned five of his 24 returns for touchdowns as he became the first Tar Heel to be named as a freshman first-team All-American. Just think about that.
Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby