The deadline for college football players to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft has passed, which means everyone who hasn’t declared is returning for at least one more season before possibly making the jump next year.
But what about the players who weren’t eligible to declare for the 2022 draft but will have the option next year? Some of the biggest names in college football this past season weren’t draft-eligible due to the NFL’s rule that you must be at least three years removed from high school before declaring. With players more physically ready to compete at an earlier age than in the past, we see more early declarations every season, and today we’re ranking the top 20 players in college football who will be draft-eligible for the first time following the 2022 season.
Keep in mind that these rankings are not scientific. They aren’t based on how NFL teams will view them as prospects, nor are they based on who is necessarily better. All 20 are great. That’s why they’ll be facing a tough decision a year from now.
1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: All Young did in his first year as Alabama’s starting quarterback was win a Heisman Trophy and lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship, passing for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns in the process. He’ll enter the 2022 season as the favorite to win repeat as the Heisman winner while helming the team favored to win the national title. Oh, and he’ll be hyped up as a possible No. 1 overall pick, too.
2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: Stroud will be alongside Young as far as the NFL Draft analysts are concerned, as they’ll debate between which one is the best future pro. While Stroud didn’t win the Heisman, or the Big Ten, he did finish second nationally in passing efficiency while throwing for 4,435 yards…
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