There is no doubt about the elite individual talent that the top college football players in the country possess. The stats can always vary based on situation but what separates these players is their elite ability that stands out every time they are around the football. There is an argument that can be made for the athletic ability of every single college player but the best of the best have found ways to stand out as individuals. Here is a look at the five best college football athletes in the country right now.
RB: Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
There aren’t many 6’1’’, 230-pound college football athletes around – especially running backs with the elite speed, quickness, elusiveness and power that Fournette possesses and that skill set translated to a monster season at LSU a year ago when he absolutely dominated throughout the first half of the year. Fournette has registered 3,992 total yards and 34 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Tigers and that is while playing in an offense that has been far too one-dimensional due to the lack of an experienced quarterback that can stretch the field vertically on a consistent basis. Expectations are high for Fournette heading in to the 2016 season and it will be very interesting to see if he can top what he did the last two years as one of the most explosive athletes in college football right now.
RB: Bo Scarborough, Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide will miss Heisman trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry after he left Alabama for the NFL this past summer but they do have some considerable talent that is ready to step in and help carry the load on offense from the position. Scarborough is an absolute beast at 6’2’’ and 230 pounds, and his elite combination of power, speed and elusiveness will be difficult to stop. Scarborough didn’t get many touches behind Henry last season but he showcased his skill set in the summer scrimmage when he ran for 132 yards and three touchdowns and Tide football fans have to be excited about his elite potential heading in to this season.
DE: Derwin James, Florida State Seminoles
James is an absolute monster coming off the edge at the defensive end position and his unique talent translated to some impressive statistics at Florida State last season. James registered 91 tackles with 9.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks to earn freshman All-American honors and the consensus is that he can top those numbers in 2016. The 6’3’’, 213-pound edge rusher can line up all over the Seminoles’ defensive line and his elite athleticism will put him over the top as one of the best pass rushers in the ACC this season.
RB: Nick Chubb, Georgia Bulldogs
A knee injury ended Chubb’s season prematurely a year ago but he has looked excellent at the team’s spring sessions and there is every reason to expect him to be just as explosive when he returns to the football field this season. Chubb has ran for 2,068 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns over 13 games as a starter and he will be anxious to get back to the football field to showcase his skill set this season. What’s key is that this might be the best team he’s been surrounded by, which means defenses will not be able to focus solely on him. There aren’t many backs with the elite combination of speed, quickness and elusiveness that Chubb possesses and it could go a long way to helping Georgia compete for an SEC championship this season.
WR: K.D. Cannon, Baylor Bears
Cannon is one of the most versatile athletes on the Baylor offense in big part because of his explosive speed and athleticism and he has the potential to put up outstanding numbers this season. The 6’0’’, 180-pound wide receiver had 58 catches for 1,030 yards and eight touchdowns two years ago and then delivered 50 catches for 868 yards and six touchdowns in an encore performance this past year. Cannon’s track star speed led to him placing second in the Big 12 in the 4×100-meter relay for his team and that speed could make him even more dangerous with another year of experience in the offense heading in to 2016. That’s why he’s one of the best college football athletes in the country.
