Top Juniors at Each Position Heading into the 2025 College Football Season

Within the college football universe, the third season of a career is a critical moment for the nation's best players.

Once that campaign ends, juniors are eligible to enter the NFL draft. So, that third year in college could be their last. For those with legitimate pro hopes, though, they're also in line to hold critical roles on their college team.

Chasing the dream of a national championship remains the highest priority.

While the following selections are subjective, they are based on a mix of previous production, expected contributions in 2025 and early NFL perception.

On the heels of losing Cam Ward to Miami—where he became a Heisman Trophy finalist and the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft—Washington State turned to a dual-threat named John Mateer.

He quickly became a force.

Mateer ended fourth nationally with 330.4 offensive yards per game. He threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions, adding 826 rushing yards and 15 scores while helping Wazzu to an 8-4 regular season.

After the campaign, the transfer portal—and that attractive NIL money—came calling. Mateer chose Oklahoma, which had recently hired Washington State's offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.

Mateer is tasked with elevating an OU program that has scuffled to 6-7 records in two of the last three seasons.

With a shout-out to now-Oregon running back Makhi Hughes, the backfield conversation is centered on Jeremiyah Love.

As a true freshman, he contributed in a rotational role. Love broke out in 2024, though, scoring at least one touchdown in 14 of Notre Dame's 16 games on its journey to a national runner-up finish.

Love showed off incredible balance—with a penchant for hurdling defenders—while scampering for 1,125 yards at a sizzling 6.9 per carry. He also chipped in 28 catches for 237 yards and totaled 19 trips to the end zone.

Following the departure of dual-threat QB Riley Leonard, Love is expected to hold an even greater share of responsibilities on the Irish offense in 2025.

Unfortunately for Arizona State, a collarbone injury ended Jordyn Tyson's year at the worst moment. The Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year missed the conference championship game and Peach Bowl.

However, he closed the season on an absolute heater.

Tyson gathered at least eight catches for 125 yards in each of ASU's last three outings. Overall, he collected 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns to help the program surge to a surprise Big 12 title.

Although a deeper receiving corps should ease the pressure on Tyson, he's now ASU's featured player as running back Cam Skattebo heads to the NFL.

There were few bright spots for a 1-11 Purdue program that ended up hiring a new coach when the season ended, but Max Klare was one.

In his sophomore year, the 6'4", 240-pound tight end corralled 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns. He scorched Illinois for 133 yards and went for 83 yards and a score against Penn State.

Naturally, he became a coveted target in the transfer portal.

Ohio State swooped in and landed Klare, who is expected to fill the reigning champion Buckeyes' void as the starter at the position.

There are many quality options at offensive tackle.

You might prefer Miami's Francis Mauigoa, a two-year starter who is a popular early name on 2026 NFL draft radars. Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, a second-team All-SEC selection last year, is a rising star.

Look out west, and you'll find Spencer Fano.

Utah's right tackle is a devastating run-blocker and yielded a single sack during the 2024 season, per Pro Football Focus. He secured first-team All-Big 12 and second-team AP All-American honors.

Fano returns to anchor a blocking group that returns all five players—on a Utah offense that otherwise brings back zero starters.

Nick Saban's retirement led to Alabama hiring then-Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, and he brought along a very impactful player.

Parker Brailsford, who took a redshirt in 2022, earned a starting job at center for the Huskies in 2023. That season, he received second-team All-Pac-12 recognition while guiding UW to a national runner-up finish.

Brailsford then followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa, reprising his role at center as the Crimson Tide narrowly missed the College Football Playoff.

Alabama will be shifting to a new QB in 2025 after Jalen Milroe's departure, but Brailsford's presence will be helpful in that transition.

T.J. Parker made an impression in 2023, and he only improved last season.

As a true freshman, he piled up 32 tackles with 12.5 for loss (5.5 sacks), seven hurries and two pass breakups.

If that wasn't impressive enough, he developed into an edge-rushing terror in his sophomore year. He amassed 57 tackles with 19.5 for loss—which ranked fifth nationally—and 11 sacks, also forcing a remarkable six fumbles.

Parker seems destined for All-American honors in 2025.

You know what doesn't hurt Parker or Peter Woods? Playing on the same defensive line as another elite talent.

Woods also stood out as a true freshman in 2023, notching 26 tackles with 2.5 for loss from an interior position. His role expanded last season to include snaps all over the trenches, resulting in 28 stops with 8.5 for loss (three sacks).

Looking ahead to 2025, the 6'3", 315-pounder is expected to primarily align at tackle once again in new coordinator Tom Allen's system.

Clemson, the reigning ACC champion, should have an elite defense that starts with Parker and Woods up front.

Follow the ball, and Anthony Hill Jr. will show up soon enough.

That reputation began in 2023 when the prized prospect had 67 tackles with eight for loss (five sacks). He worked into a starting role for the Big 12 champions and landed co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.

Hill exploded as the program moved to the SEC, posting 113 tackles with 16.5 for loss (eight sacks), four forced fumbles and an interception last year.

That level of production and versatility is special, and Hill's impact will be on full display for a well-regarded preseason title hopeful.

Let's start with the asterisk.

Shortly after Tennessee's year ended, the program received some unfortunate news. Star cornerback Jerrod McCoy tore an ACL while training at home, sidelining him for spring practice and perhaps into the 2025 campaign.

McCoy, nevertheless, deserves praise after a season in which he had four interceptions and garnered second-team All-SEC honors. He ceded just 6.2 yards per target, according to Pro Football Focus.

If his recovery scares you away, Auburn's Raion Strader and Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds are both worthy candidates for this recognition.

Caleb Downs, who presumably will enter the 2026 NFL draft, has a rare opportunity to finish a perfect 3-for-3 in All-American honors.

The safety initially went to Alabama and paced the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles—40 more than any teammate—in 2023. The second-team AP All-American also snared two interceptions and returned a punt for a touchdown.

Saban's retirement led Downs to the portal, where he picked Ohio State and bolstered a veteran-filled defense. He posted 75 tackles (7.5 for loss) with two more picks and took back another punt for a score, rising to first-team AP All-American status as the Buckeyes won a national championship.

Downs already has a decorated career, and he's probably not done adding to it.