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Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt ranked the Top 10 players in college football ahead of the 2025 college football season. Some programs even have multiple players on this list!

Skill guys, linemen, you name it! Klatt scoured across college football to find the 10 best players across the sport going into the fall.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the best players in college football. We start in the Big Ten!

Smith broke out as a freshman and even before he stepped on a college football field, people knew he was special. He helped Ohio State capture last year’s national championship and look to add at least one more before he heads to the 2027 NFL Draft.

Last year, Smith reeled in 76 catches for 1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns and 17.3 yards per catch. He’ll be in Heisman discussions this season.

The second best player in college football is Smith’s teammate, Caleb Downs. Downs transferred in from Alabama last season after a standout freshman year in 2023.

Klatt already pegged him as the best defensive back in the game with his coverage skills and tackling ability. He was NFL-ready last year, but could be a top 10 pick by the time spring rolls around.

Klubnik had the best year of his college football career in 2024. Klatt has him No. 3 overall and the top QB in the nation.

It took him a few years, but the Clemson signal caller really slinged it last season, helping the Tigers win the ACC and get to the CFP. He threw 36 touchdowns, just six picks and had nearly 3,700 yards.

Manning is already in the top five college football players per Klatt. He had limited action in terms of starting under center, but he has the tools.

It’s just about Manning proving it over the course of a full season with a team that has national title expectations. If he does just that, he might skyrocket to the top spot and maybe actually go to the 2026 NFL Draft, rather than play another year at Texas.

If Smith is the best wide receiver in college football then Williams is a close second. Also only a sophomore, Williams’ breakout came against Georgia last season.

So not only did people obsess over his skill, they did the same with his age considering he was playing college football at 17. Insane. Anyway, Williams finished his freshman year with 48 catches, 865 yards, eight touchdowns and 18 yards per catch.

The best running back in college football comes from Notre Dame. Love helped the Fighting Irish get to the College Football Playoff national championship last season and will certainly be in the Heisman conversation this fall.

As a sophomore, Love got more than double the work as a freshman. He had 163 carries for 1,125 yards, 17 touchdowns and 6.9 yards per catch.

Hill Jr. is a menace on defense and could be key to the Longhorns winning a national title this year. Going into Year 3, he’s poised for a career year.

One of the best, if not the best, linebacker in college football, Hill really stood out through 16 games last season. He had 113 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, an interception, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection.

Parker is the second of three Clemson players on Klatt’s top 10 college football players. The EDGE rusher might have a banner year with a teammate who we’ll get to in a second. 

Parker was a menace in the backfield last season, logging 20 tackles for loss. He had 57 total tackles and 11 sacks to go along with six forced fumbles as well.

Proctor was dubbed the best offensive lineman in college football per Klatt. The Alabama offensive tackle will be key to the Crimson Tide offense.

Ty Simpson is the projected starting QB and Proctor will have to showcase his freakish abilities to protect him. That could turn him into a high first round pick this spring!

We already broke down Parker on the Clemson defensive line, so here’s another stud defender in college football. Woods will plug up the middle of the line to stuff the run and be able to rush the passer.

Last season, Woods logged 28 total tackles, but nine tackles for loss and three sacks. Expect some gaudier numbers this coming season.

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On July 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled, “Saving College Sports,” aimed at preserving athletic opportunities and preventing college athletes from being classified as professional employees. The order directs his Cabinet to develop a plan within 30 days to achieve these goals.

Key Highlights of the Executive Order

• Scholarship Guidelines for Based on Revenue: Schools with athletic department annual revenues over $125 million must increase scholarships for non-revenue sports. Those earning at least $50 million must maintain existing scholarship levels.
• Ban on Pay-for-Play: The order prohibits “third-party, pay-for-play payments” that function as direct compensation for athletic performance, while still allowing fair-market Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
• Federal Oversight: The Secretary of Education is empowered to ensure federal funding to ensure schools comply with these policies.

The NIL Debate and NCAA Challenges

The NCAA has long banned direct “pay-for-play,” but the rise of NIL deals has complicated enforcement efforts While these deals were intended to reward athletes for legitimate endorsements, critics argue they’ve become de facto salaries, undermining the NCAA’s ability to reinforce its rues.  

Legal and Legislative Challenges to Amateurism

The NCAA’s long-standing model has been significantly weakened by a series of legal challenges and state laws. While the House v. NCAA is seen by many as a win for athletes, it also further blurred the lines between amateur and professional.

President’s Trump’s new executive order has drawn criticism from some who argue that presidential intervention is unnecessary and detrimental to athletes’ newfound ability to make their own deals.

However, NCAA President Charlie Baker and other college sports leaders contend that federal assistance is crucial to maintaining competitive balance. Following the House settlement, which was rooted in anti-trust claims, they’re calling on Congress to grant an antitrust exemption. They argue that without federal backing, it will be nearly impossible to enforce rules that protect competitive equity while allowing athletes to earn.

While the executive order itself cannot grant such an exemption, a bill granting broad antitrust leeway to the NCAA has passed through two House committees and could be up for a full vote in September.

The Employee Debate Intensifies

The executive order also addresses the question of whether college athletes should be classified as employees. It directs the Secretary of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board to clarify college athletes’ employment status in a way that prioritizes educational benefits.

The question of whether college athletes should be classified as employees remains highly contentious. College sports leaders strongly oppose this classification. They fear that such a shift would financially cripple many athletic programs and argue that most athletes do not wish to be employees.

But the legal landscape is shifting. In the ongoing federal case, Johnson v. NCAA, plaintiffs argue that athletes should be considered employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Some football coaches are even advocating for this model, suggesting that treating athletes as employees, with structured salary caps, could bring more stability to the increasingly commercialized college sports system.

Given the complexity and potential long-term impacts of these developments, it may be wise to consult with an attorney experienced in sports law or NIL matters before making decisions related to contracts, eligibility, or employment status.

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She may not have yet started the ninth grade, but 14-year-old Loradana Paletta is already aiming high ahead of her first tournament with the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Under-17s

The future appears bright for the US Women’s National Team, which most recently beat Canada 3-0, with 14-year-old Loradana Paletta already causing a storm.

The young midfielder recently became the first athlete to sign a name, image and likeness deal with Italian sportswear brand Lotto ahead of joining the USWNT’s Under-17s at the Four Nations Tournament, where the soccer starlet will have the opportunity to play against Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica.

“I’m honored to be the first NIL partner for such an iconic soccer brand like Lotto,” Paletta said, via Fashion Network.

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“As I continue to develop my game, having gear I trust makes a huge difference — Lotto’s Solista and Stadio cleats give me confidence and comfort every time I step on the field.

“I’m excited to help grow the brand in the U.S. alongside amazing athletes like Sofia [Huerta], Kellyn [Acosta], Tim [Parker], and Stu [Holden]. Off the field, I also love Lotto’s lifestyle pieces—especially the Brasil Select shoes and their unique, stylish apparel. Everything I wear from Lotto stands out and lets me express who I am, and I am so excited to be their partner.”

Jameel Spencer of Lotto’s parent company, WHP Global, said that “Paletta is everything Lotto stands for. Fearless, authentic, and driven by passion.

“She’s a dynamic leader on the pitch and rewriting the story for young female athletes in this country, and we’re proud to be a part of that. Her energy and attitude mirror our DNA, and she’s already leading the next generation by example.”

Heading into ninth grade, for Paletta, playing against others above her age bracket is nothing new to the New York City FC boys’ Under-14s star, however, with a year playing for the U.S. Under-16s already to her name.

“My dad always put me in teams with boys since I was little, even if they were two or three years older than me,” she told the New York Post, going on to add, “I always had a passion — I wanted to be better than them…playing with the boys makes me stronger.”

Playing against boys is something she’s had to do since day one, thanks to her brothers Gianluca, 17, and 15-year-old Leonardo, who plays for NYCFC’s Under-18s, both of whom she said “really toughen me up, and just really make me a better version of myself. I can be a leader around them.”

Paletta added that her brothers “motivate me,” explaining, “They’re always there for me whenever I need them, especially when it comes to soccer. They would always pull me and go out to the field. It’s just nice to have big brothers there to support me.”

Looking ahead to the tournament, whilst admitting that she was initially “really happy, excited, terrified, nervous,” Paletta said that playing for her country has “always been a dream,” noting that she hopes this can act as a stepping stone to much more down the line.

“I really want to make the U-17 World Cup roster, which is coming up soon,” she said. “For long-term goals, definitely the [senior] World Cup — winning gold.” While the 2027 World Cup in Brazil could come too soon for Paletta to push for a roster spot under head coach Emma Hayes, the tournament is set to head to the U.S. and Mexico in 2031.

Wisconsin Badgers football players are making real money now thanks to the revenue sharing agreement that went into place July 1, plus ongoing NIL deals.

Some have nicer cars or accessories than others, but the players aren’t letting financial differences divide them in the locker room.

“I couldn’t tell you what a single person makes,” left guard Joe Brunner said Monday. “You can kinda guess based on last year and how they performed, but I couldn’t give you a single number on anyone.”

Brunner said the money conversation doesn’t come up much between players. Players negotiated their deals before practices began, so everything is already set when they get into the locker room.

To him, all that matters is the work that teammates are putting in, day in and day out.

“I want to keep it that way,” Brunner said. “I don’t care what they make. As long as you’re going out there and you’re playing your absolute hardest, that’s all that matters.”

Building that culture was all about players and coaches being intentional about strengthening relationships.

Spending more time together and getting to know each other better helps them understand their shared goals that go beyond financial compensation.

“A huge part of that was getting out of the facility and hanging out with guys,” Brunner said. “Because then you get to know guys and you don’t care what they’re making. You’re all playing for the Motion W, and I think guys understand that.”

Outside linebacker Darryl Peterson said the same is true on defense.

Players still notice when someone makes a big purchase, but it doesn’t define their relationships on and off the field.

“I think we’ve got a bunch of humble guys,” Peterson said. I don’t know how many times I’ve talked about money in the locker room. Obviously, we’re making a bunch of it, throughout the team, but we’ve got a bunch of guys who don’t talk about that much and keep that to themselves.”

It’s becoming a more important issue across college football. Maryland head coach Mike Locksley felt it divide his locker room last year between haves and have nots.

It sounds like the Badgers are being intentional about not letting that happen in Madison.