We’re highlighting the top 50 players returning to college football in 2016. After the appetizer of Nos. 26-50, now here's the main course. These are the best players in the sport, closing with several Heisman Trophy finalists from a year ago.
But, a hint, No. 1 on the list was not in New York this past December.
First, though, some players who just missed the cut for top 50 ...
Honorable mention: Ronald Jones II, USC RB; Joe Mixon, Oklahoma RB; Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson CB; Marcus Williams, Utah S; Brad Kaaya, Miami QB; Cameron Smith, USC LB; Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee LB; Skai Moore, South Carolina LB; Orlando Brown, Oklahoma OT; Jahad Thomas, Temple RB; Soso Jamabo, UCLA RB; Josh Sweat, Florida State DE; Dan Skipper, Arkansas OT; Antonio Callaway, Florida WR; Cam Sutton, Tennessee CB
2015 stats: 45 tackles (3 for loss, 2 sacks), 2 interceptions (2 TDs)
Even though he had yet to play a college snap, Alabama coaches raved all spring and summer about a freshman named Fitzpatrick.