College Football Preseason Defensive Back Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College football unit rankings – the defensive backs. Ranking the top 10 overall, and then ranking each conference’s situations.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten defensive back situations and rankings by conference.


The college football secondaries are getting better and better.

In response to all of the high-powered passing games, defenses are putting even more of a premium on the top pass rushers, and they’re getting more and more creative with their defensive backfields.

Now it’s the norm to have a hybrid safety who can be used like an extra linebacker, and as a pass rusher, and as a corner, and …

Versatility is important, and lots and lots and lots of options matter, because the offenses adjusted, too.

Putting more defensive backs on the field is fine, but if there’s one weak link, or if one of part goes down, the improved passers and offensive coordinators have figured out how to take advantage of that better than ever before.

With all of that in mind, here are the defensive back unit rankings with the ten best going into the season along with the rankings in each conference.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Defensive Backs

Unit Rankings By Conference: Defensive Backs 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

1. Alabama

The Crimson Tide secondary was already great, and then it brought in corner Eli Ricks from LSU – there’s a shot he’s the first defensive back off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft. Safeties Jordan Battle and Brian Branch will also work at the next level, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Khyree Jackson are terrific corners, and Malachi Moore is sure to be special at one of the safety spots if his back problems are over.

2 Notre Dame

There’s a shot the secondary turns into the team’s biggest strength. Corners Clarence Lewis and Cam Hart can hit, the depth is – for the most part – there for all spots, the safeties are experienced, and on top of all of that, Northwestern transfer Brandon Joseph might be the best safety in college football.

LSU

The transfer portal taketh away, but it also giveth, and giveth some more. Losing star corner Eli Ricks to Alabama hurts, but LSU was able to load up with five excellent transfers – safeties Greg Brooks (Arkansas) and Joe Foucha (Arkansas), and corners Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Oklahoma State), Mekhi Garner (Louisiana), Sevyn Banks (Ohio State), and Quad Wilson (McNeese State) – who should work right away around veteran safety Jay Ward.

Georgia

Like everywhere else on the Georgia defense, a slew of key starts are missing from last year’s national championship group. However, Kelee Ringo – the new legend whose pick six sealed the CFP title – is back at one corner, Christopher Smith is an NFL starting safety, and Tykee Smith is a special free safety if he can get past his injury issues.

5 Penn State

The talent is there, and now the pass rush has to help the cause. Joey Porter might be the best corner in the Big Ten, safety JiAyir Brown is the leading returning tackler, and Kalen King is a strong corner on the other side of Porter. The latest recruiting class is strong enough to push for meaningful time.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


Texas A&M

The Texas A&M defense is loaded with superstar prospects, but it’s really, really young on the front six/seven. That goes for the key backups in the secondary, too, but the starting five is experienced and very, very good. Safeties Demani Richardson and Antonio Johnson are the best of the bunch, but they’re all going to have to hold off the new guys from finding their way in.

Michigan

The Wolverine secondary loses some huge parts from last year’s group, but it has two likely all-stars in corner DJ Turner and safety RJ Moten, and there was enough of a rotation to have new starters ready to step up. The depth is very young, but very talented.

8 Utah

Start with all-star corner Clark Phillips and rock-solid safety Cole Bishop, throw in some good parts around them, and add in former Illinois State star Clayton Isbell at safety and great-looking freshman Sione Vaki, and this will once again be one of the Pac-12’s best defensive backfields.

Iowa

The secondary that took the ball away in bunches should be every bit as dangerous with playmaking corner Riley Moss back from a knee injury. There’s experience across the board for what should be one of the most sound pass defenses in the country.

10 South Carolina

The SEC’s No. 1 pass defense – fine, so that’s partly because everyone ran the ball on the Gamecocks – not only gets back  good veterans – starting with safety RJ Roderick and Nickel Cam Smith – but in comes one of the MAC’s best defensive players over the last few years. Devonni Reed is transferring in from Central Michigan to take over at free safety.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Defensive Backs 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Defensive Backs Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Offense Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

Top 10 College Football Offenses: Which Os are the most talented going into the 2022 college football season? How good are each attacks in every conference?

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten offenses along with each ranking within the conferences.  


Defense might win championships, but offense is more fun.

Who has the most talented offenses going into the 2022 college football season?

This isn’t a ranking of who’ll have the top statistical offenses – some high-powered attacks will put up massive yards and big numbers because of scheme and lesser opponents. This is about which offenses return the most experience, talent, depth, and … yeah, scoring and yards matter.

So call this a mix of the teams with the best combination of skill and stars with the expected production. Okay, enough stalling – if you think we whiffed by not having Western Kentucky or Texas Tech in the top ten, you’re probably not wrong.

These ten, though, are about to be among the best and most effective and the highest of levels – at least that’s where the expectations are set.

The top ten offenses of 2022 are …

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Offenses

Unit Rankings By Conference: Offenses 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

2022 Unit Rankings
QB | RB | WR&TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

1 Ohio State

Fair warning: Ohio State probably won’t have the No. 1 offense in college football again – it averaged 561 yards per game last year – so it might be more about its effectiveness and efficiency than the big numbers. Remember, last year’s O had to keep bombing away because the D wasn’t up to snuff. This year’s defense will be better.

There’s NFL talent all across the starting 11. CJ Stroud might be the nation’s best quarterback, TreVeyon Henderson might be the top running back, Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be the best wide receiver, and they all work around one of the best offensive lines in the country.

2 USC

It’s going to be a massive disappointment if this isn’t one of the most exciting offenses in college football. Getting QB Caleb Williams, RB Travis Dye, and receivers Jordan Addison, Mario Williams, and Brenden Rice from the transfer portal should provide an instant jolt to Lincoln Riley’s attack. As long as the line doesn’t disappoint, look out.

Alabama

The offensive line has to be better, the wide receiver talent isn’t quite where it’s been over the last few years, the running backs are just okay if Georgia Tech transfer Jahmyr Gibbs isn’t great, and … whatever. The O line is full of NFL-caliber blockers, the transfer portal helped the receiving corps, Gibbs could be devastating, and there’s that Bryce Young guy leading it all.

Texas

No pressure, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas coaching staff, but the talent level is more than good enough to win and win big.

There’s no excuse considering QB Quinn Ewers is a superstar prospect – shhhhhh, not everyone is assuming Arch Manning will walk in and take over next year – Xavier Worthy and Wyoming transfer Isaiah Neyor lead a great receiving corps, and Bijan Robinson might just win the Heisman. However, the O line has to be good enough to make it all go.

Utah

It took a few years to pivot a bit to more of a dynamic attack after years of pound, pound, pound, but this group can grind away, too. The offensive line is loaded with talent, the backs are in place, and Cameron Rising turned into a find as he led the way to the Pac-12 title. The one question is at wide receiver – it’s a young corps – but the tight ends are great.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


Tennessee

The Josh Heupel offense all kicked in right away, and now it should go up a few notches after finishing ninth in the nation overall. Hendon Hooker is a terrific quarterback who’s starting to get his due, the receiving corps could be unstoppable if USC transfer Bru McCoy rolls, and the backs are good enough to crank up yards in chunks behind a line with a whole lot of potential all-star talent.

Ole Miss

This is a leap of faith ranking believing the transfer portal will bring the parts to keep the top 2021 SEC offense rolling. It’ll still be fast, it’ll still be explosive, and it’ll still tough to keep in check.

Running backs Zach Evans (TCU) and Ulysses Bentley (SMU) are great, USC transfer Jaxson Dart will push hard for the quarterback gig, and transfers are about to crank up the passing game. Now the O line has to keep defenses out of the backfield.

Wake Forest

The 11th best offense in college football last year – at least in yards – returns loaded. AT Perry is the star of a great wide receiver show, four starters return to a good line, the rotation of backs will be productive again, and in a league full of great quarterbacks, Sam Hartman might be the standout star.

Florida

For all of Florida’s problems last season, it still finished 15th in the nation in total offense. If you’re buying into the hype around QB Anthony Richardson – and you should – and if you think new head coach Billy Napier is about to make the O and ground game roll like he did at Louisiana – and you should – then believe the Gators are about to be in for a big offensive season.

10 Texas Tech

Fine, so stats matter. The offensive coordinator who made the WKU attack that finished second in the nation in total yards was brought in by new head coach Joey McGuire – look out. Zach Kittley will take the Red Raider attack up a few notches once the parts are in place after fall camp.

Texas Tech might not have settled on a starting quarterback quite yet, but that’s because it has three great options. The running backs will be ultra-effective for what they need to do, and the receivers will grow into statistical stars.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Offenses 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

2022 Unit Rankings
QB | RB | WR&TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

 

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Offenses Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Defensive Line Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College football unit rankings – the defensive lines. Ranking the top 10 overall, and then ranking each conference’s situations.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten defensive line situations and rankings by conference.


The defensive lines are going to be outstanding this season – there were at least 20 that could’ve made the preseason top 10 unit rankings.

There’s plenty of talent returning to some of last year’s top defenses, the lost parts on some of the powerhouses will quickly be replaced, and there’s more depth than usual – at least among the top defenses – thanks to the transfer portal adding more options.

As always, styles matter. Some programs know how to get into the backfield and hit the quarterback every year no matter who’s on the defensive front, and others know how to get big humans to clog things up with a three-man line.

Get the job done up front, and everything else on the defense will usually fall into place.

Again, this is a great year for the lines, and there are other options that probably should be here, but the top 10 defensive lines on this list are strong.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Defensive Lines

Unit Rankings By Conference: Defensive Lines 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

Clemson

It’s almost unfair how good this defensive line is – if everyone is healthy. The tackle combination of Bryan Bresee and Tyler Davis are NFL-good right now, but Bresee hasn’t had any injury luck so far. Xavier Thomas and Myles Murphy are elite all-around ends, and the depth is there after getting plenty of work thanks to all the fill-in time for the injured parts last season.

Georgia

But … but … Georgia lost Travon Walker and Jordan Davis. They’re off to the NFL, but tackle Jalen Carter might end up being the best all-around pro prospect from last year’s line – yeah, potentially even better than the No. 1 overall pick. There’s size among the front three, talent thanks to years of good recruiting classes, and a new wave of freshmen who might be too strong to keep off the field.

Alabama

There aren’t any big-name superstars compared to what Bama brings with its phenomenal linebacking corps, but you know what’s coming. Three giant, NFL-caliber linemen who can all move. Byron Young can get into the backfield, DJ Dale is an elite anchor, and the backups are all more giant. NFL-caliber linemen who can all move.

Wisconsin

There’s nothing flashy about the Badger front three, but the brick wall on the nation’s No. 1 defense of 2021 is once again loaded with tough run stoppers. The linebackers do the heavy lifting when it comes to getting in to the backfield, and the line takes care of everything between the hashmarks – there’s no moving Keeanu Benton on the nose.

LSU

The starting four was already good, and then it got Mekhi Wingo from Missouri to add even more to the interior. BJ Ojulari will be one of the SEC’s top playmakers in the backfield, Ali Gaye is ready to roll on the other side, and Maason Smith has huge upside at one of the tackle spots.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


Oklahoma State

The tackles are experienced upperclassmen – they’ll be fine. The ends, though, will form a special rotation with almost all the parts back from the defense that led the nation in sacks and was second in tackles for loss. Collin Oliver, Brock Martin, and Tyler Lace are a good pass rushing end tandem as is, and now the rotation gets Trace Ford back after suffering a knee injury.

7 Baylor

The Baylor back seven might be going through some reshuffling, but the line is once again going to be a problem for the Big 12. Siaki Ika is one of the nation’s best nose tackles, Gabe Hall is an all-star on the end, and in comes Jaxon Player from Tulsa as a good option in the rotation.

Pitt

It’s Pitt, so you know what’s coming. The D will be among the best in the nation at getting into the backfield – it was second in sacks and fifth in tackles for loss – and it gets back Habakkuk Baldonado to lead the way on the end. Combined with tackle Calijah Kancey, the show goes on.

South Carolina

The pass rush needs to be more consistent throughout the season, and it could stand to be a wee bit better against the run – the team lost in the five games the D allowed 200 rushing yards – but the talent is there to be strong for what should be another statistically-solid defense. Zacch Pickens gets into the backfield from the interior and Jordan Strachan is a good pass rusher who can do even more.

10 Florida State

There’s one giant question when it comes to Florida State’s defensive front living in the top ten – can Albany transfer Jared Verse translate his production to the next level with Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas gone? If so, the Noles are set thanks to a great group of tackles that should be a dominant against the run.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Defensive Lines 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Defensive Lines Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Quarterback Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College football unit rankings – the quarterbacks. Ranking the top 10 overall, and then going conference by conference.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten quarterback situations and rankings by conference.


What teams have the best quarterback situations going into the 2022 college football season?

How do all of the quarterback depth charts rank in each conference – to go along with the top ten overall?

It’s tough to do with quarterbacks because, obviously, the superstar starter is among the most important players in the country, but what about the backups?

Which teams have a good No. 2 option, or a third, or have the right mix to work with? Making this even harder is the transfer portal – it’s impossible to keep a good backup quarterback now.

This isn’t a list of the top players – it’s about that depth chart and the overall unit rankings, to a point.

Quarterback unit rankings are different. The elite of the elite starters raise up the entire ranking, but some teams have a better overall situation because of the good backup to go along with No. 1 guy.

Doing the top ten overall and by conference, here are the 2022 quarterback unit rankings.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Quarterbacks

Unit Rankings By Conference: Quarterbacks 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

1 Ohio State

CJ Stroud is coming off a monster season and should be in for an even stronger one – he might be more effective, even if the stats aren’t as great if he doesn’t have to bomb away so much. Kyle McCord was a big-time prospect coming in last year, and true freshman Devin Brown isn’t going to be bad, but the reserves need experience.

2 Alabama

Go ahead and put Alabama No. 1 if you want – you’re not wrong assuming the team with the reigning Heisman winner has the best quarterback unit in the country. Bryce Young is obviously special, but the backups need some work. Five-star recruit Ty Simpson has the skills – but he’s a true freshman – and Jalen Milroe is a potentially dangerous dual-threat option.

LSU

Depth, depth, depth. There isn’t a starter as good as the main men up top here, but Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels could’ve gone just about anywhere, Myles Brennan has a world of upside if he can stay healthy, Garrett Nussmeier is an interesting option, and Walker Howard was a huge recruit who can do a little of everything.

4 USC

Caleb Williams – this ranking is all about the starter who should continue to shine under Lincoln Riley. It’s a thin room, though, with redshirt freshman Miller Moss the likely backup early on. Former Vanderbilt transfer Mo Hasan has a little experience and was around last year.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


5 Tennessee

Is this the year when Hendon Hooker gets national respect for being among the most consistent and effective passers in the country? All he did was throw for close to 3,000 yards with 31 touchdowns and three picks, and he didn’t even start the season – Joe Milton did. Milton struggled at Michigan and early on with the Vols, but he’s not a bad No. 2.

Texas Tech

Look … out. This is a nod to the depth and options to run the new high-powered offense that’s going to try to be what Western Kentucky was in 2021. Tyler Shough has NFL starter skills, but can the former Oregon transfer stay healthy and put it all together? Donovan Smith was terrific when Shough got hurt, and Behren Morton might eventually be the best of the bunch.

Wake Forest

You could take make this a whole list of ACC teams and not be too terribly far off. However, Wake Forest has the somewhat underappreciated star of the bunch in Sam Hartman, and the team has a reliable backup in Michael Kern to bring in if needed.

Coastal Carolina

Grayson McCall is going into his fourth season as one of the nation’s most efficient and accurate passers – and he can run, too. Backup Bryce Carpenter is going into his fifth year with the program, he knows what he’s doing, and he’s been fantastic when needed.

South Carolina

Just how much do you believe in Spencer Rattler? He was fine for Oklahoma – he just wasn’t Caleb Williams last year. The pro skills and arm are there to open up the South Carolina attack, and backup Luke Doty hit 60% of his passes over the last two years when needed. True freshman Braden Davis is an interest prospect to keep an eye on.

10 NC State

Devin Leary got lost in all the great ACC quarterbacks in 2021, but he had as strong a season as anyone with 35 touchdown passes and five picks with two rushing touchdowns. Ben Finley is in his third year as a backup, and Jack Chambers is a veteran option from Charleston Southern.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Quarterbacks 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Quarterback Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Linebacker Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College football unit rankings – the linebackers. Ranking the top 10 overall, and then ranking each conference’s situations.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten linebacker situations and rankings by conference.


Ranking linebacking corps has become harder and harder over the years.

Do edge rushers count as defensive end or outside linebackers? How about other hybrid defenders who do a little of everything, and what position are the safeties who act as linebackers, and vice versa?

And, of course, the schemes have changed up and morphed to deal with the high-powered offenses, going to more 4-2-5 alignments with the need for more speed on the field.

Okay, so this actually isn’t that hard to figure out, except when conferences are relatively dead-even after the best ones up top – like the SEC – and this can all change in a hurry depending on transfers, game plans, and …

Here are the top ten linebacker unit rankings along with figuring out conference by conference how they all shape up.

Just be warned – out of all the unit rankings, these are by far the most fluid.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Linebackers

Unit Rankings By Conference: Linebackers 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

Alabama

Start with Will Anderson in the edge rusher Jack role, and everything else falls into place. Alabama has the nation’s best pass rusher on the outside, Dallas Turner is a playmaker in the backfield from the strongside, and Henry To’o To’o will be one of the SEC’s best tacklers in the middle.

Depth isn’t always a given with the Tide linebackers – it wasn’t exactly a problem a few years ago when injuries struck and the backups were way young – but the twos are just fine this year.

Oregon

Is everyone healthy? Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasn’t had any semblance of a break with injuries. He’s ready to go on the outside, and leading tackler Noah Sewell can do it all in the middle. Throw in pro prospect Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and the Ducks are loaded.

NC State

The already outstanding linebacking corps got a whole lot better with Isaiah Moore returning from injury to take back his spot in the middle. Drake Thomas is an all-star on the strongside, Payton Wilson is back after leading the team in tackles in 2019 and 2020 – he was hurt last year – and the backups know what they’re doing.

Washington

How talented is the Washington linebacking corps? It lost top tackler Jackson Sirmon to Cal and it’s still among the best in the country thanks to the transfer portal. Former Pitt Panther Cam Bright is an all-around game-wrecker on the inside, former UAB Blazer Kristopher Moll is also an all-around game-wrecker on the inside, and Carson Bruener is a burgeoning star who’ll push for time somewhere. If big-time tackler Edefuan Ulofoshio is back form after getting hurt, the new coaching staff will have to find ways to get everyone on the field.

Iowa

This group can really, really tackle. Jack Campbell is an All-Big Ten hitter who made 143 stops, Seth Benson made 105 tackles on the weakside, and the rest of the corps is loaded with upperclassmen who’ll rotate in if they can ever get Campbell and Benson off the field.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


Georgia

Georgia might be able to replace the talent of Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and Channing Tindall, but it’ll be impossible to quickly replace the chemistry of last year’s linebacking corps – maybe. Nolan Smith is right there with those other three with what he can bring, Robert Beal has seen starting time, and Trezman Marshall gets to try replacing Dean. It’s Georgia – there won’t be much of a drop-off, if any.

7 Kentucky

There might not be a whole lot of national star power, but this group is sound. JJ Weaver was the team’s top sacker last year, and he’s back on the outside with leading tackler Jacquez Jones handling the middle. Third-leading tackler DeAndre Square returns on the weakside, and there’s talent backing up all three spots – even if it’s a little green.

Syracuse

The Orange went young last year at linebacker, and the payoff is coming with the stars returning from a strong run D that allowed just 3.5 yards per carry. Mikel Jones, Stefon Thompson, and Marlowe Wax were all underclassmen who ended up being the team’s top three tacklers. This group can get into the backfield, too.

9 Notre Dame

The Irish defense is going to be strong, and the linebackers are going to be the stars – this coaching staff knows how to crank up the production from the position. JD Bertrand led the team in tackles, and now he’s back in the middle. Jack Kiser can do a little of everything on the outside, and Bo Bauer is a good backup as part of the good depth.

10 Cal

This group is big, it can thump, and it just got better by landing Washington transfer Jackson Sirmon for the middle. Femi Oladejo is outstanding against the run, Muelu Iosefa was third on the team in tackles, and Orin Patu is a pass rusher on the edge.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Linebackers 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Linebackers Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Wide Receiver, Tight End Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College football unit rankings – the wide receivers and tight ends. Ranking the top 10 overall, and then ranking each conference’s situations.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten Wide Receiver, Tight End situations and rankings by conference.


Great quarterbacks make good receivers better, offensive schemes matter, and talent, of course, beats everything else. Teams are doing a better job of figuring out how to make all three of those things happen.

It’s not just about having one great receiver anymore – although, that might be enough depending on the style of play. Teams need lots of options, a good No. 3 target, and having an elite tight end is gold.

You’d think the college game would turn tight end into a glamour position considering all the stars in the NFL cranking up the production several levels, but it’s just not happening quite yet – which is one of the teams on this list is so high.

The wide receiver and tight end unit rankings are about depth charts and options along with the talent, and the ten best on this list are all in for huge seasons.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

Unit Rankings By Conference: Wide Receivers, Tight Ends 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

USC

Welcome to the transfer portal era. Drake London is off to the NFL, and Bru McCoy left for Tennessee, but the corps might be even more talented getting Mario Williams from Oklahoma, Brenden Rice from Colorado, Terrell Bynum from Washington, and 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison from Pitt. Those parts go along with three of the top four receivers from last year – Tahj Washington, Gary Bryant, and Kyle Ford – along with tight end Malcolm Epps.

Ohio State

Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are about to rip up the NFL, and Ohio State still has one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the country. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the best receiver in last year’s bunch catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine scores, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Julian Fleming are about to rise up and rock with their bigger roles, and Cade Stover is about to be a 20+ catch tight end.

3 Virginia

There might not be any nationally known stars, but this group is about to power up one of the best passing games in college football. Dontayvion Wicks is a devastating home run hitter averaging over 21 yards per catch with nine touchdowns last year, all-around key cog Keytaon Thompson led the team with 77 catches, and Billy Kemp IV is a No. 1-caliber mid-range target who caught 75 passes.

4 Georgia

It’s not an exaggeration to suggest that Georgia might have one of the most promising tight end rooms in the history of college football. Brock Bowers led the team with 56 catches, Arik Gilbert is one of the most talented players in the country who just needs to put it all together, and Darnell Washington is a big pass catcher who can hit. All three are terrific NFL prospects – now the receiving corp has to catch up. Ladd McConkey and Adonai Mitchell are experienced, but losing Jermaine Burton – the team’s best receiver – to Alabama hurts.

5 Texas

The Longhorns were already great at receiver, and then they added Isaiah Neyor from Wyoming, Agiye Hall from Alabama, and Tarique Milton from Iowa State to deepen the corps. Xavier Worthy is an NFL target, leading the team with 62 catches averaging almost 16 yards per catch last season, and No. 2 target Jordan Whittington is back, too.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


Tennessee

The fantastic passing game got even more help with Bru McCoy a big-time talent from USC coming in. Leading receiver Cedric Tillman returns after catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 scores, Jalen Hyatt will grow into more of a role, and there’s good depth.

North Carolina

Josh Downs has all the tools to be deep in the hunt for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver. He caught 101 passes for 1,335 yards and eight scores last season, but he’s not alone with Antoine Green a big target who averaged over 19 yards per catch. The tight end combination of Kamari Morales and Bryson Nesbit might be the best in the ACC, and the latest recruiting class is full of new options for the receiving corps.

Maryland

The recruiting for the receiving corps has been terrific under head coach Mike Locksley, and now all the building will pay off. Rakim Jarrett led the team with 62 catches, Dontay Demus is an NFL-level deep threat averaging over 18 yards per catch, and there’s more help coming in with Jacob Copeland transferring in from Florida.

Michigan State

It would’ve been nice if big-time deep threat Jalen Nailor was back, but the Spartans caught a break with leading target Jayden Reed returning for another year. He scan stretch the field, Tre Mosley is a dangerous No. 2 target, and getting fantastic tight end Daniel Barker to transfer over from Illinois will be a big boost for the attack.

10 Wake Forest

The high-powered Demon Deacon offense lost 71-catch playmaker Jaquarii Roberson, but they return loaded with three of the top four wide receivers along with tight end Blake Whiteheart. AT Perry is an All-American-caliber No. 1 target, and sophomores Taylor Morin and Ke’Shawn Williams know what they’re doing.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Wide Receivers, Tight Ends 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Wide Receivers, Tight Ends Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Defense Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten defenses along with each ranking within the conferences. The defenses now get graded on a bit of a curve considering all the amazing things the offenses are doing. Of …

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten defenses along with each ranking within the conferences.  


The defenses now get graded on a bit of a curve considering all the amazing things the offenses are doing.

Of course there are several statistically great defenses, and even then the stats get a bit funky.

Clemson’s defense was second in the nation last year, but even that doesn’t tell how good it was considering there were injury issues and the offense provided no help.

Wisconsin finished first in the nation in total defense and fourth in scoring D, but – for example – statistically it was hit with the 41 points allowed against Notre Dame, even though 24 of them came from pick-sixes, kickoff returns, and/or turnovers that put the Irish in a scoring position.

Georgia’s offense was great, but it was an interception return for a touchdown in the first game of the season, and the last one that sealed the national title.

There are a whole bunch of strong defenses returning again this season, and these appear to be the ten best for 2022, along with the rankings in each conference.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Defenses

Unit Rankings By Conference: Defenses 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

2022 Unit Rankings
QB | RB | WR&TE | OL | DL | LB | DB | Offenses

Alabama

The defense didn’t exactly take the year off, but it was hardly up to the standards of past Alabama brick walls. This one has a starting 11 that should take over games and be the best in America, starting with a deep front three with a good rotation.

The secondary has almost too much talent – helped by bringing in top NFL corner prospect Eli Ricks from LSU – and the linebacking corps around Henry To’o To’o in the middle will be a rock against the run. Oh yeah, and the Tide have the best player in college football in pass rusher extraordinaire Will Anderson on the edge.

2 Clemson

The O might have struggled last year, but the D was phenomenal finishing eighth overall in the country, and that’s with a rash of injury issues. You might have noticed the lack of Clemson players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. That’s because they’re all coming in 2023, and most are from the defensive front.

The line is the best in college football – if everyone stays healthy – and the back seven has parts ready to fill in with a whole lot of talent replacing the experience. The linebacking corps can really, really move.

Georgia

Poor Georgia. It lost defensive star after star after star – along with defensive coordinator Dan Lanning – and now it has to go through a big rebuild.

Not really.

The Next Man Up can play, too, with Jalen Carter one of the nation’s top tackles and Nolan Smith a dangerous all-around linebacker who should be in for a national breakout season. Even with the lost parts in the secondary, safety Tykee Smith and corners Kelee Ringo and Christopher Smith lead another great group.

Wisconsin

Georgia defense, Georgia defense, Georgia defense … Wisconsin finished 2021 No. 1 in the nation in total D. The scheme and style under coordinator Jim Leonhard will keep on rolling.

The secondary has some work to do – the transfer portal is providing a ton of help – and losing linebackers Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn hurts, but the corps is going to be great around Nick Herbig and the front three will be among the best in the nation against the run.

NC State

The star power is back from the nation’s 14th best scoring defense, and it starts with a linebacking corps that’s LOADED now that it gets back Isaiah Moore from a knee injury. The secondary is full of All-ACC talent, and the front three has a promising rotation with young parts ready to produce in a rotation.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


Iowa

Can the defense come up with the tons of turnovers like the 2021 version did? The secondary has to replace some parts, but it’s a veteran corps and corner Riley Moss is back from a knee injury. The defensive front has to get into the backfield more, but it’s going to be great against the run, and Jack Campbell and the linebackers should be among the best in the Big Ten.

Oregon

Starting with getting a star defensive coach in Dan Lanning as the new head man, and turn the focus on a linebacking corps that’s full of NFL talent if everyone can stay healthy.

Noah Sewell and Justin Flowe could be the best 1-2 linebacking punch in America, the front four is huge, and the already strong secondary welcomes in corner Christian Gonzalez from Colorado.

Utah

It’s Utah. You know what’s coming – no one’s running with ease against this group. The Utes are full of huge, active defensive linemen who’ll get behind the line, the linebackers will make a ton of big plays – getting Mohamoud Diabate from Florida will help. and corner Clark Phillips heads another terrific secondary.

Notre Dame

New head coach Marcus Freeman knows defense, and so does new defensive coordinator Al Golden. The Fighting Irish secondary might have lost Kyle Hamilton, but getting safety Brandon Joseph from Northwestern is a huge deal. The pass defense will be great, the line is active and should get behind the line on a regular basis, and the linebackers have the potential to be special.

10 Texas A&M

Based on pure talent, Texas A&M has the defensive parts to be dominant. However, that talent is very, very, very young – how fast can the epic recruiting class step up and shine?

The secondary has the veterans to go along with the great freshman gets, and the linebackers have solid parts in Andrew White and Edgerrin Cooper, but everyone will be watching a front four with amazing prospect after amazing prospect looking for time around McKinnley Jackson on the nose.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Defenses 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

2022 Unit Rankings
QB | RB | WR&TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Defense Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Offensive Line Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College football unit rankings – the offensive lines. Ranking the top 10 overall, and then ranking each conference’s situations.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten offensive line situations and rankings by conference.


How good is every college football team going to be this season? How can you tell who’s going to be steady and who’s going to struggle? Start with the offensive line, and you’ll probably be on the right track.

It’s not exactly the single biggest predictor of success, but if you were to have one area of your team standout – or, at least, not be a negative – you want it to be your offensive line.

Just look at last year. Michigan, Utah, Cincinnati, Baylor – their offensive lines were fantastic.

In general, this is a bit of a rebuilding year for offensive lines, but the ones at the top either filled in the parts fast or have the stars returning to anchor their respective offenses and be fantastic.

Do the O lines have the talent, depth, and experience? In a lot of ways, these are the most important unit rankings.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Offensive Lines

Unit Rankings By Conference: Offensive Lines 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

Oregon

You want to see a football player get mad? Mention the words finesse offense around an Oregon O lineman – this group is nasty. This year’s starting five might still shift a few pieces around to put the puzzle together, but Mario Cristobal – an offensive line coach by trade – left the new coaching staff with a loaded bunch with five likely all-conference blockers starting with future NFL starter Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu.

Ohio State

Ohio State might be all about the big-time skill parts, and everyone is focusing on the defense. Meanwhile, the offensive line will keep on dominating. The depth might need a little bit, but the starting five will keep CJ Stroud clean around future NFL starters Paris Johnson and Dawned Jones at tackle.

Wisconsin

The biggest negative with the 2021 Badger offensive line was that it wasn’t quite up to the program’s ridiculously high standard, at least when it came to consistency. It loses some good blockers, but the all-star talent is there to work around – Jack Nelson is going to be a thing at left tackle, and Joe Tippmann might be the Big Ten’s best center – and the depth is strong.

BYU

BYU’s offensive front has the potential to be one of the season’s big stories with the way it’s about to dominate. The pass protection is going to be fantastic, the left side of Blake Freeland at tackle and Clark Barrington at guard will be dominant, and somewhere in the mix will be Kingsley Suamatala, a superstar get for Oregon who’s transferring over.

Utah

There’s just enough missing from last year’s crushing line to need a wee bit of a tweak, but everything will be just fine after finishing fourth in the nation in pass protection and pounding away for over 200 yards per game. Tackle Braeden Daniels and guard Sataoa Laumea are devastating on the left side.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


6 Michigan

The line that blasted away to the College Football Playoff might be every bit as strong, even with a few parts needing to be replaced. Ryan Hayes is a terrific tackle, Zak Zinter is an All-Big Ten guard, and coming in is Olusegun Oluwatimi from Virginia as a new star at center.

Georgia

Defense, defense, defense, Stetson Bennett, defense, defense. That’s what got all the hype last year – and maybe Brock Bowers at tight end – but the O line played a huge part in the national championship run. A few starters are gone, and this is a relatively young group, but the left side will be dominant and Sedrick Van Pran is a next-level talent in the middle.

Notre Dame

It’s not like the Irish were bad on the offensive front last year, but they weren’t as strong as the 2019 and 2020 versions. However, there was supposed to be a step back in a slight rebuild, and now comes the payoff with former star recruits – like Blake Fisher at right tackle – looking ready to do a whole lot more.

Cincinnati

There might be a ton of turnover on the Cincinnati offense, but the line that was among the best in the nation in tackles for loss allowed will be a rock again.  Three First Team All-AAC veterans – guard Lorenz Metz, tackle Dylan O’Quinn, center Jake Renfro – head up an even better front five than the CFP version.

10 Baylor

The starting O line that did such a great job in pass protection and paved the way for over five yards per carry on the way to the Big 12 title is going to be outstanding again. Tackle Connor Galvin and center Jacob Gall are All-Big 12 blockers with good parts around them.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Offensive Lines 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Offensive Lines Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Preseason Running Back Unit Rankings: CFN Preview 2022

College football unit rankings – the running backs. Ranking the top 10 overall, and then ranking each conference’s running back situations.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason unit rankings, looking at the top ten running back situations and rankings by conference.


The quarterbacks have turned into the stars of college football, but there are a whole slew of great backs and teams with terrific rotations of runners returning for 2022.

Who has the No. 2 and 3 backs to keep the main man fresh? Who has the guys to take the pressure off the quarterback so he doesn’t have to take a slew of big hits?

This isn’t a list of the top players – it’s about that depth chart along with the key starters in the unit rankings.

And remember, it’s not necessarily about the running games the crank up huge yards. How effective are these groups in the respective systems?

Sometimes, averaging over five yards per carry and being able to move the chains are more important than amassing big yard totals. So with all of that in mind …

Here are the 2022 running back unit rankings.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Unit Rankings: Running Backs

Unit Rankings By Conference: Running Backs 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt

1 Texas

As long as Bijan Robinson is rolling, everything else about the Texas offense should work. He was banged up last year, but he still ran for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. Roschon Johnson and Keilan Robinson are great reserves who can more than carry the load.

Wisconsin

Leave it to Wisconsin to find a superstar from out of nowhere. Braelon Allen was a load as a true freshman – running for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns – and the offense gets back Chez Mellusi, the main man early on before getting hurt. Isaac Guerendo can pound away, too.

3 Minnesota

Mohamed Ibrahim was cranking it up against Ohio State in the opener last year with 163 yards and two touchdowns, and then he tore his Achilles tendon and was out for the year. He’s back, Trey Potts and Bryce Williams are proven veterans, and it should all work behind another pounding offensive front.

4 Ohio State

Yeah, Bijan Robinson might be the best running back in college football, and Minnesota and Wisconsin have the Big Ten’s killer ground games, and CJ Stroud and the passing attack own the Ohio State offense … Buckeye RB TreVeyon Henderson takes a back seat to no one. He averaged close to seven yards per carry with 15 scores, and backup Miyan Williams averaged over seven yards per pop with 507 yards and three scores.

5 Alabama

Get ready for Jahmyr Gibbs. Alabama has had some fantastic running backs over the years, but the Georgia Tech transfer is the best home run hitter the program has had in a while. He’s about to explode, and Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, and Trey Sanders can rotate in and produce, too.


2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
CFN 2022 Preseason Ranking of all 131 Teams
CFN 2022 Preview of all 131 Teams


Appalachian State

The Mountaineers are insane-deep in talent and experience. 2021 leading rusher Nate Noel is back after running for over 1,600 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons. Cameron Peoples led the team in rushing in 2020 – he averaged over six yards per carry with over 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in the last two years. Anderson Castle averaged over five yards per carry as the third leading rusher, and Daetrich Harrington is a 1,425-yard career rusher with 12 scores – averaging over five yards per pop.

Syracuse

Sean Tucker is as good as any back in college football. He might not have the hype of some of the other starts, but the guy who ran for almost 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns might just be the ACC Player of the Year if he can do that again. QB Garrett Shrader is the team’s second best runner, but New Mexico State transfer Juwaun Price is a terrific all-around back who adds more flash to the mix.

Michigan State

It worked last year with Kenneth Walker. Get a solid transfer, turn him loose, get massive production. Jalen Berger was a huge recruit for Wisconsin, but it didn’t quite work out. He might not be Walker, but the talent is there to explode. Colorado transfer Jarek Broussard was terrific in his two years in Boulder – he could be the one who takes over right away.

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9 USC

USC might have lost Keontay Ingram and Vavae Malepeai, but Darwin Barlow is a nice back with upside. He’ll be a part of the mix, but Oregon transfer Travis Dye is the star. The tough back can do it all – he scored 18 times last year and has over 3,000 career rushing yards and 83 catches. Peeling away Austin Jones from Stanford was terrific for the depth.

10 Florida

The backs under Billy Napier in the Louisiana offense ripped off yards and big plays in chunks. The attack is great at putting the runners in a position to do big things, and that’s about to be what Montrell Johnson – 838 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 12 touchdowns last year for the Ragin’ Cajuns – does for the Gators. Nay’Quan Wright and Lorenzo Lingard should roll in the new attack, too.

Unit Rankings By Conference: Running Backs 
Top 10 | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt 

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Running Back Unit Rankings: ACC

College Football Rankings: 2022 CFN Preseason Ranking Of All 131 Teams

CFN’s preseason ranking of all 131 teams along with the top players, early games, and predicted finishes.

College Football News Preview 2022 preseason college football rankings with top players, early games, and predicted finishes for all 131 teams.


Here we go with 2022 college football rankings for all 131 teams. Call this the jumping off point.

As always, the preseason rankings are about how good the teams appear to be going into fall camp, and then they’ll change drastically once the season starts and the results come in.

Teams are never ranked based on the projected finish, but the season prediction is added along with everyone’s season opening matchup and a player you need to know.

The teams at the very, very top are relatively obvious, but it gets interesting fast with the hype jacked for a whole slew of programs that pushed through into the elite. Of course, the fun comes when the lower-ranked teams show us just how wrong the early thoughts were.

What are the expectations for each team? How do they compare and contrast with everyone else? The 2022 college football season is about to get rolling.

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CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Rankings

2022 CFN Predictions For Every Game 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
Preseason Predictions AP Poll | Coaches
CFN 2022 Preview of All 131 Teams

CFN Preview 2022 Rankings 
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

131 UConn

Player You Need to Know: Jackson Mitchell, LB Soph.
Season Opener: at Utah State
2022 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 Record: 1-11 2021 CFN Prediction: 3-9
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 129 2021 CFN Final Rank: 128
CFN Final Rankings 2020 NR 2019 126 2018 129
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

130 UMass

Player You Need to Know: Ellis Merriweather, RB Sr.
Season Opener: at Tulane
2022 Preseason Prediction: 1-11
2021 Record: 1-11 2021 CFN Prediction: 2-10
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 130 2021 CFN Final Rank: 129
CFN Final Rankings 2020 127 2019 130 2018 104
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

129 New Mexico State

Player You Need to Know: Chris Ojoh, LB Sr.
Season Opener: Nevada
2022 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 Record: 2-10 2021 CFN Prediction: 2-10
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 126 2021 CFN Final Rank: 126
CFN Final Rankings 2020 NR 2019 127 2018 124
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

128 Akron

Player You Need to Know: Jeslord Boateng, LB Jr.
Season Opener: Saint Francis
2022 Preseason Prediction: 1-11
2021 Record: 2-10 2021 CFN Prediction: 2-10
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 125 2021 CFN Final Rank: 127
CFN Final Rankings 2020 123 2019 129 2018 102
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

127 FIU

Player You Need to Know: Davon Strickland, DT Jr.
Season Opener: Bryant
2022 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 Record: 1-11 2021 CFN Prediction: 5-7
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 115 2021 CFN Final Rank: 130
CFN Final Rankings 2020 125 2019 85 2018 43
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

126 ULM

Player You Need to Know: Boogie Knight, WR Sr.
Season Opener: at Texas
2022 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 Record: 4-8 2021 CFN Prediction: 1-11
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 124 2021 CFN Final Rank: 124
CFN Final Rankings 2020 124 2019 100 2018 89
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

125 Ball State

Player You Need to Know: Brandon Martin, LB Sr.
Season Opener: at Tennessee
2022 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Record: 6-7 2021 CFN Prediction: 7-5
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 90 2021 CFN Final Rank: 98
CFN Final Rankings 2020 46 2019 83 2018 106
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

124 Bowling Green

Player You Need to Know: Darren Anders, LB Sr.
Season Opener: at UCLA
2022 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Record: 4-8 2021 CFN Prediction: 2-10
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 127 2021 CFN Final Rank: 108
CFN Final Rankings 2020 126 2019 124 2018 118
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

123 Buffalo

Player You Need to Know: James Patterson, LB Sr.
Season Opener: at Maryland
2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Record: 4-8 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 99 2021 CFN Final Rank: 109
CFN Final Rankings 2020 63 2019 39 2018 34
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

122 New Mexico

Player You Need to Know: Jerrick Reed, S Sr.
Season Opener: Maine
2022 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2021 Record: 3-9 2021 CFN Prediction: 5-7
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 106 2021 CFN Final Rank: 125
CFN Final Rankings 2020 95 2019 120 2018 110
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

121 Arkansas State

Player You Need to Know: Kivon Bennett, LB/DE Sr.
Season Opener: Grambling State
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 2-10 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 97 2021 CFN Final Rank: 123
CFN Final Rankings 2020 112 2019 67 2018 72
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

120 Rice

Player You Need to Know: Gabe Taylor, S Soph.
Season Opener: at USC
2022 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2021 Record: 4-8 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 120 2021 CFN Final Rank: 116
CFN Final Rankings 2020 106 2019 115 2018 127
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

119 Charlotte

Player You Need to Know: WR Grant DuBose, Jr.
Season Opener: at Florida Atlantic
2022 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Record: 5-7 2021 CFN Prediction: 3-9
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 119 2021 CFN Final Rank: 115
CFN Final Rankings 2020 116 2019 72 2018 93
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

118 Texas State

Player You Need to Know: Marcell Barbee, WR Sr.
Season Opener: at Nevada
2022 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2021 Record: 4-8 2021 CFN Prediction: 3-9
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 114 2021 CFN Final Rank: 122
CFN Final Rankings 2020 111 2019 114 2018 123
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

117 UTEP

Player You Need to Know: Praise Amaewhule, DE Jr.
Season Opener: North Texas
2022 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2021 Record: 7-6 2021 CFN Prediction: 3-9
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 123 2021 CFN Final Rank: 106
CFN Final Rankings 2020 121 2019 128 2018 130
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

116 Georgia Southern

Player You Need to Know: Derrick Canteen, CB Jr.
Season Opener: Morgan State
2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Record: 3-9 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 87 2021 CFN Final Rank: 121
CFN Final Rankings 2020 78 2019 55 2018 28
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

115 Ohio

Player You Need to Know: Kurtis Rourke, QB Jr.
Season Opener: Florida Atlantic
2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Record: 3-9 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 111 2021 CFN Final Rank: 112
CFN Final Rankings 2020 109 2019 51 2018 30
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

114 Eastern Michigan

Player You Need to Know: Sidy Sow, OG Sr.
Season Opener: Eastern Kentucky
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 7-6 2021 CFN Prediction: 5-7
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 117 2021 CFN Final Rank: 100
CFN Final Rankings 2020 107 2019 80 2018 71
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

113 Kent State

Player You Need to Know: Dante Cephas, WR, Jr.
Season Opener: at Washington
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 7-7 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 107 2021 CFN Final Rank: 90
CFN Final Rankings 2020 89 2019 66 2018 114
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

112 James Madison

Player You Need to Know: Kris Thornton, WR Sr.
Season Opener: Middle Tennessee
2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Record: 12-2 2021 CFN Prediction:
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: NR 2021 CFN Final Rank: NR 
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

111 South Alabama

Player You Need to Know: Darrell Luter, CB Sr.
Season Opener: Nicholls State
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 5-7 2021 CFN Prediction: 3-9
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 122 2021 CFN Final Rank: 120
CFN Final Rankings 2020 108 2019 119 2018 109
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

110 Southern Miss

Player You Need to Know: Hayes Maples, LB Jr.
Season Opener: Liberty
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 3-9 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 116 2021 CFN Final Rank: 119
CFN Final Rankings 2020 117 2019 68 2018 75
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

109 Old Dominion

Player You Need to Know: Zack Kuntz, TE Jr.
Season Opener: at Virginia Tech
2022 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Record: 6-7 2021 CFN Prediction: 2-10
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 128 2021 CFN Final Rank: 94
CFN Final Rankings 2020 NR 2019 125 2018 105
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

108 Middle Tennessee

Player You Need to Know: Jordan Ferguson, DE Sr.
Season Opener: at James Madison
2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Record: 7-6 2021 CFN Prediction: 5-7
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 118 2021 CFN Final Rank: 95
CFN Final Rankings 2020 119 2019 107 2018 59
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

107 Temple

Player You Need to Know: Isaac Moore, OT Sr.
Season Opener: Duke
2022 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 Record: 3-9 2021 CFN Prediction: 5-7
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 84 2021 CFN Final Rank: 118
CFN Final Rankings 2020 110 2019 54 2018 58
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

106 UNLV

Player You Need to Know: Harrison Bailey, QB Soph.
Season Opener: Idaho State
2022 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Record: 2-10 2021 CFN Prediction: 3-9
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 110 2021 CFN Final Rank: 113
CFN Final Rankings 2020 120 2019 106 2018 107
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

105 Hawaii

Player You Need to Know: Ilm Manning, OT, Sr.
Season Opener: Vanderbilt
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-7
2021 Record: 6-7 2021 CFN Prediction: 7-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 74 2021 CFN Final Rank: 102
CFN Final Rankings 2020 74 2019 32 2018 73
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

104 Florida Atlantic

Player You Need to Know: Teja Young, S Jr.
Season Opener: Charlotte
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 5-7 2021 CFN Prediction: 8-4
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 101 2021 CFN Final Rank: 111
CFN Final Rankings 2020 101 2019 13 2018 91
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

103 Central Michigan

Player You Need to Know: Lew Nichols, RB Soph.
Season Opener: at Oklahoma State
2022 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 Record: 9-4 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 108 2021 CFN Final Rank: 70
CFN Final Rankings 2020 105 2019 71 2018 128
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

102 Louisiana Tech

Player You Need to Know: BeeJay Williamson, S Jr.
Season Opener: at Missouri
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 3-9 2021 CFN Prediction: 7-5
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 100 2021 CFN Final Rank: 114
CFN Final Rankings 2020 103 2019 43 2018 77
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

101 Miami University

Player You Need to Know: Brett Gabbert, QB Jr.
Season Opener: at Kentucky
2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Record: 7-6 2021 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2021 CFN Preseason Rank: 109 2021 CFN Final Rank: 96
CFN Final Rankings 2020 93 2019 47 2018 70
Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

CFN Preview 2022 Rankings 
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

NEXT: CFN Preview 2022 Preseason College Football Rankings: Top 100