25 offensive players to watch for the 2024 college football season

Here's a look at 25 of the best offensive players entering the 2024 college football season. Listed in alphabetical order.

Kelvin Banks Jr., Tackle, Texas (1 of 25)

Entering his third season at Texas, which enters the 2024 campaign ranked fourth in The Associated Press Top 25, Banks has started all 27 games the Longhorns have played the last two years. At 6-foot-4, 234 pounds, Banks has been a mainstay on Texas' offensive line since he arrived in Austin, and more big things are expected from one of the best in the business, which could be his final collegiate season before moving on to the NFL.

Carson Beck, Quarterback, Georgia (2 of 25)

As of mid-August, Beck was considered one of the leaders among preseason Heisman Trophy favorites . The Georgia signal-caller exceeded expectations in 2023, when he threw for 3,941 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions. It will be interesting to see what he can do with a full season of college experience under his belt. Of course, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart isn't asking Beck to be Superman . He just needs to be among the best in the country for the preseason No. 1 Bulldogs to solidify themselves as the nation's top team.

Tyler Booker, Guard, Alabama (3 of 25)

Eyes will obviously be on the Crimson Tide and first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, especially regarding the program's offensive production. One area where there should be little reason for concern is on Alabama's offensive line. With Booker , the 6-5, 325-pound junior, who started 12 games and was a first-team all-conference pick last season, and will again be a key cog in helping the Crimson Tide improve on a run game that totaled more than 193 yards once in SEC play from 2023.

Parker Brailsford, Center, Alabama (4 of 25)

Lining up next to Tyler Booker will be Brailsford, the star lineman who came over to Alabama from Washington with new head coach Kalen DeBoe r. At 6-2, 275-pounds, Brailsford is considered to be undersized compared to some of the giants in the game at the moment. However, Brailsford's biggest asset is his versatility. He started 13 games at center and two at guard as a redshirt freshman last season for the Huskies. This could prove to be one of the most significant transfer decisions of the 2024 season.

Tahj Brooks, Running Back, Texas Tech (5 of 25)

Brooks has gotten better each season at Texas Tech, where his college career began in 2020. In 42 games, Brooks has rushed for a little more than 3,000 yards and 28 scores. Brooks amassed 1,542 of those yards last season, when he ranked fourth in the nation for total rushing yards. With one more collegiate go-around waiting, Brooks enters this season needing 1,167 to tie Byron Hanspard’s school rushing record of 4,219 (1994-'96).

Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver, Missouri (6 of 25)

The Tigers are top 15 team entering the 2024 season and Burden is a big reason why. Arguably the nation's best returning receiver after he ranked among the country's leaders with 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. In his two college seasons at Missouri, Burden has totaled 18 touchdowns receiving, rushing and via return. He's a big-play talent who plays hard and, playing in the SEC. starred against some of the best defenders in the business.

Will Campbell, Tackle, LSU (7 of 25)

According to Pro Football Focu s, Campbell did not yield a sack spanning nearly 500 snaps last season. A standout staple on the Tigers' offensive line since his first game in 2022, the 6-6, 323-pound Campbell was named a second-team All-American by The Associated Press in 2023, and will anchor the LSU front five once again. While we noted Campbell's stellar ability to pass block, he's also considered one of he country's top run blockers due to his overall strength.

Jaxson Dart, Quarterback, Mississippi (8 of 25)

The return of Dart (6,338 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, 16 interceptions in 2022 and ''23) is massive and a major reason Ole Miss opens the season ranking sixth in the AP Poll. Now, the Rebels are more than just one man, but this preseason Heisman Trophy candidate has improved in the three seasons to his college career, which began at USC. If that progression continues, then the Rebels will be in the mix for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff, but their defense needs to improve, too.

Donovan Edwards, Running Back, Michigan (9 of 25)

Finally out of the shadows of Blake Corum, Edwards has the potential to be the most potent offensive performer for the Wolverines this season. Spanning 37 games over three seasons, Edwards has rushed for 1,662 yards and 714 through the air -- and totaling 18 touchdowns. His always had big-play capability and his experience will only a benefit a Michigan offense that has some sizable holes to fill this season.

Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State (10 of 25)

If there's a preseason comeback player of the year candidate it could be Egbuka . In 2022, he caught 71 passes for 1,151 yards with 10 touchdowns. However, an ankle issue was a key reason his production slipped to 41 grabs for 515 yards in 10 games last season. With transfer quarterback Will Howard apparently already meshing well with Egbuka, the senior could regain his star status. Even with promising receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith poised to breakout themselves.

Quinn Ewers, Quarterback, Texas (11 of 25)

Another serious Heisman Trophy candidate, Ewers is back in charge of the Longhorns offense after he completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions, is still the starting quarterback at Texas, which moves to SEC play this season with an eye on a second straight trip to the College Football Playoff. Now, some early injury issues at running back for the Longhorns could put the onus on Ewers to do more, but as a third-year starter he seems ready for any challenge.

Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon (12 of 25)

The venerable Bo Nix is gone, but fellow college football veteran Gabriel (14,860 career passing yards, 125 touchdowns, 26 interceptions; 26 rushing TDs) will play his sixth season for a third different school, and should keep Oregon's offense humming even in a new conference . Gabriel, who saw his first collegiate action in 2019 at UCF, brings major experience to a Ducks offense that's in a re-set, of sorts, and joins the aforementioned Beck, Ewers and Dart among preseason Heisman favorites. One caveat, Gabriel is 1-2 in bowl contests and has yet to play in a really big game.

Ollie Gordon II, Running Back, Oklahoma State (13 of 25)

Gordon is the nation's top returning rusher in terms of average yards (123.7) and total on the ground (1,732). However, there is some question to whether Gordon will be healthy enough to begin the 2024 campaign on the field . The Cowboys certainly can't afford to be without Gordon for any significant period of time, especially within the confines of the new-look Big 12. Gordon, who ran for 21 touchdowns last season, also caught 39 passes during his breakout 2023.

Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina (14 of 25)

Hampton entered his sophomore season on the 2023 North Carolina season as a backup. By the end of the year, he was among the nation's leading rushers, amassing 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns . He breakout came against Appalachian State in Week 2, when he rushed for 234 yards and two touchdowns. During one stretch of the season, Hampton recorded six consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Can't wait to see what Hampton has in store for 2024.

TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Ohio State (15 of 25)

As we're about to see, Ohio State might have the best running back room in the country. Henderson has rushed for 2,745 yards and 32 touchdowns in 31 games spanning three seasons. Yes, he's dealt with injuries during his time as a Buckeye, but Henderson is coming off a solid bounce-back 2023 season. There is plenty of promise for even more individual success, but Henderson is going to share the load -- at least, that's the plan.

Travis Hunter, All-Purpose, Colorado (16 of 25)

The two-way standout is perhaps the most consistently positive aspect of a Colorado program that's more flash than substance at the moment. The reigning Paul Hornung Award winner (as the nation's most versatile player), Hunter recorded 57 catches for 721 yards with five TDs. Then on the other side of the ball, he collected 30 tackles, three interceptions and had five pass breakups in 2023, his first with the Buffaloes. Hunter just might be college football's most exciting player, at least in the mold of boisterous Coach "Prime" -- on the field.

Donovan Jackson, Guard, Ohio State (17 of 25)

Ohio State has two of the nation's most potent running backs in tow, a talented group of receivers, and another strong offensive line leading the way. At the forefront of the Buckeyes' O-line is Jackson. The 6-4, 320-pound guard made the watch list for both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. Jackson is a two-time first-team all-Big Ten selection and has made 26 consecutive starts at left guard, and played in 39 games during his time in Columbus.

Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State (18 of 25)

Jeanty stands at 5-9, but playing around 215 pounds, he packs a wallop when encountering opposing defenders. The Bronco ran for 821 yards in his first season of 2022, then gained 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He also caught 43 passes for 569 yards in his second season at Boise State. There's talk that Jeanty could also see time as a return man this season. ESPN listed Jeanty as its top Group of Five player entering the 2024 campaign.

Tez Johnson, Wide Receiver, Oregon (19 of 25)

After three seasons at Troy, Johnson proved he could star on some of the country's biggest stages while catching 86 passes for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first run with the Ducks. Johnson thrived with Bo Nix throwing him the ball in 2023, and now has another dynamic arm in the aforementioned Dillon Gabriel looking his direction. It will be interesting to see how the on-field relationship between Johnson and Gabriel develops and if it can make Oregon a serious national title contender.

Quinshon Judkins, Running Back, Ohio State (20 of 25)

It was a major get for the Buckeyes when Judkins transferred from Mississippi. In his two seasons with the Rebels, Judkins rushed for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns over 26 games. Now, Judkins will have to split time with the aforementioned TreVeyon Henderson -- at least to begin the 2024 season. While both have the potential to be among the best players in the nation, the real intrigue will come with how this 1-2 backfield punch scenario plays out.

Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan (21 of 25)

Loveland and the aforementioned Donovan Edwards are Michigan's two biggest returning offensive weapons. Both should be reliable option for projected starting quarterback Alex Orji. Loveland, in particular, is considered the top tight end in the nation after he caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns. Loveland is a do-it-all talent at the position, though not as versatile as Brock Bowers. Still, he's an elite talent that continues to get better. We'll see if a new, inexperienced quarterback will hinder Loveland's progress.

Tetairoa McMillian, Wide Receiver, Arizona (22 of 25)

Working with the talented quarterback Noah Fifita, McMillan resulted in 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns as Arizona went an impressive 10-3 in 2023. The potential for more greatness, while playing within the Big 12, is quite high for the Wildcats, who enter the season ranked 21st in the AP Poll. McMillan, an obvious key to any potential team success , sat out the Wildcats' spring game with an apparent leg injury, but appears ready to roll for 2024.

Jalen Milroe, Quarterback, Alabama (23 of 25)

The experience that Milroe gained in 2023 is immense, making it a night-and-day scenario for the Crimson Tide star. Milroe finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting while helping take Alabama to another CFP appearance. After a slow start, Milroe threw for 882 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception as the Crimson Tide won their final four games, including the SEC title game, to reach the playoff. That built confidence heading into 2024, and with new coach Kalen DeBoer calling the shots, Milroe should shine even brighter in a more up-tempo, quarterback-friendly system.

Tate Ratledge, Guard, Georgia (24 of 25)

An exceptional pass-blocking guard, the 6-6, 310-pound Ratledge will enter this third season as a starter for this perennial power that is looking to regain its place atop the college football world. Another second-team All-American selection by The Associated Press , Ratledge is the class of a Georgia offensive line that many national college football experts consider to be the best in the country.

Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami, Fla. (25 of 25)

If there is a preseason "It" athlete for 2024, look toward Cam Ward. While it's always wise to take the Hurricane's potential for resounding success with caution these days, Ward gives reason to take Miami, ranked No. 19 in the preseason AP Poll, seriously to start the 2024 campaign. He transferred to Miami in January after throwing for 13.871 yards with 119 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and 16 rushing scores in 44 games, spanning four seasons and two schools (Incarnate Word and Washington State). Following a strong Spring showing for the 'Canes, the hype machine for Ward is in high gear .