CBS Sports puts pair of Gators in top college football players rankings

A couple of star players from the Florida Gators’ football program have landed on CBS Sports’ top college football player rankings for the 2024 season.

Sports writer Blake Brockermeyer of CBS Sports ranked the best 151 college football players in the country and quarterback Graham Mertz (No. 86) and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (No. 141) are the two Gators represented in the rankings.

This spotlight not only showcases their standout talents but also gives them their much-deserved recognition as they gear up for a pivotal 2024 football season.

What CBS Sports says about Mertz

CBS Sports has Mertz as the 13th-best quarterback heading into the 2024 college football season.

“Yep. I’m a believer in Mertz,” Brockermeyer wrote. “Don’t forget he profiled as an elite prospect out of high school. A change of scenery, from Madison to Gainesville, did him well in 2023. He was consistent, completing 73% of his passes for the season for 2,900 yards, and took care of the football, throwing just three picks.”

Brockermeyer went on to write, “Florida has an unbelievably difficult schedule ahead and Mertz’s favorite target Ricky Pearsall is off to the NFL. Mertz can really silence the doubters if he delivers a good season in what will be choppy waters.”

CBS Sports’ thoughts on Marshall

“A former five-star recruit, Marshall Jr. is a lengthy cornerback who has led the Gator defense in pass breakups two years in a row with 19 combined — as well as two interceptions, Brockermeyer wrote. “Had some of his better games vs. Georgia as well. Can he make one final leap in 2024?

Marshall is the 12th-best cornerback on the rankings.

CBS Sports’ Top 10 college football players

1. CB Travis Hunter (Colorado Buffaloes)
2. EDGE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee Volunteers)
3. DT Mason Graham (Michigan Wolverines)
4. QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado Buffaloes)
5. WR Luther Burden III (Missouri Tigers)
6. OT Will Campbell (LSU Tigers)
7. QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama Crimson Tide)
8. QB Carson Beck (Georgia Bulldogs)
9. RB Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State Cowboys)
10. OT Kelvin Banks (Texas Longhorns)

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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