BY: COLIN BISH, STAFF WRITER
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
70. Running back Blake Corum, Michigan
Corum’s small stature never deterred his confidence, as he dominated for Baltimore’s premier high school football program, St. Frances Academy. Corum committed to Michigan, where he saw little activity amid a COVID-shortened season. 2021 saw the native of Marshall, Virginia, break out, rushing 35 times for 282 yards in his first two games. Corum rushed for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns, helping Michigan win their first conference title since 2004. His junior season saw him take off as the starter after the departure of Hassan Haskins, garnering legitimate Heisman notoriety. Unfortunately, Corum tore his meniscus and sprained his MCL against Illinois in November of that season. Though he tried to play the following week against Ohio State, Corum eventually underwent knee surgery. He missed out on the Wolverines’ Big Ten Championship win over Purdue and their College Football Playoff loss to TCU. Although he was named Big Ten MVP, a unanimous All-American and finished seventh in Heisman voting, Corum returned to Michigan for the 2023 season, which would be his last. Not only did he go out with a bang, he left Ann Arbor as a UM legend. Corum finished the 2023 season with 258 rushes, 1245 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns. This time, with Corum at the forefront, the Wolverines finally got over their hump. Michigan defeated Alabama in an overtime Rose Bowl classic, 27-20, before ousting Washington to win their first national title in 26 years, 34-13. Corum would go on to be drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, leaving Ann Arbor as Michigan’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and points scored.
69. Quarterback Will Grier, Florida/West Virginia
Born in Davidson, North Carolina, Grier established himself as one of the greatest high school football players in the state’s history. Before committing to the University of Florida, he accumulated over 17,000 all-purpose yards and 226 total touchdowns for his high school career. After redshirting the 2014 season, Grier competed with Treon Harris for the starting job 2015. Grier eventually won out after Harris started the Gators’ first game, which paid huge dividends after he threw four first-half touchdowns against #3 Ole Miss. Unfortunately, disaster struck after the NCAA suspended Grier for one year after testing positive for PEDs. Looking for a fresh start, Grier announced his intent to transfer in December 2015, eventually committing to West Virginia. Due to his previous suspension and NCAA transfer rules, Grier sat out 2016 and returned in 2017, throwing for 371 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 31-24 loss to Virginia Tech. He would keep the Mountaineers consistently in the top 25 rankings before breaking his finger against Texas, ending his season. In 11 games, Grier passed for 3490 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 64% completion. Grier would return the following season for his last go-around in Morgantown, cementing himself in the halls of West Virginia lore. Grier led West Virginia to an 8-3 record, throwing for 3864 yards, 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His best games came on the biggest stages, such as his 346-yard, three-touchdown game in a revenge effort against Texas. This included an unbelievable 33-yard touchdown to Gary Jennings Jr. with 16 seconds left, capped off by Grier running in for a two-point conversion, cementing the Mountaineers’ 42-41 victory. And, in what would be the last game of his college career, Grier threw for 539 yards and four touchdowns to zero picks in a 59-56 loss to Oklahoma. Though he never saw NFL success after being drafted by the Carolina Panthers, Grier remains not just a harrowing what-if, but one of the most underappreciated gunslingers in modern college football history.
68. Wide receiver Josh Doctson, Wyoming/TCU
No one could have ever predicted that Josh Doctson would become one of college football’s best modern receivers. Doctson was named the MVP at Mansfield Legacy, committing to Wyoming for football. After his freshman year, where he caught 35 passes for 393 yards and five touchdowns, he transferred to TCU. Doctson sat out the 2012 season and kicked off his tenure with the Horned Frogs with 36 catches, 440 yards and four touchdowns. Though the receiver showed promise, he became a star in 2014. Alongside previously mentioned Trevone Boykin, Doctson led TCU to a 12-1 season after notching 65 passes, 1018 yards and 11 touchdowns. Boykin and Doctson would return to Fort Worth for the 2015 season, which turned the latter into a highly touted NFL Draft prospect. Doctson put up career highs in receptions (79), receiving yards (1327) and receiving touchdowns (14). He ranks first in program history in career receiving yards and touchdowns and second in career receptions. Unfortunately, after being drafted 22nd by the Washington Redskins in the 2016 NFL Draft, Doctson never found consistency and eventually fell out of the NFL.
67. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, Houston
When it comes to five-star recruits, you can expect most of them to commit to top schools like Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, etc. Such was not the case for Ed Oliver, who committed to play at the University of Houston out of Westfield High. Oliver immediately started for the Cougars, notching 65 tackles, 22 for a loss, five sacks and six pass deflections. He won the Bill Willis Trophy as the nation’s best defensive lineman, becoming the first freshman to win the award. In 2017, Oliver continued his dominance, amassing 73 tackles, 16.5 for a loss and 5.5 sacks, winning the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman. To end his college career, Oliver only played eight games after playing 24 in his first two seasons, yet he still put up all-world numbers. He finished 2018 with 54 tackles, 14.5 for a loss and three sacks. Oliver would go down as one of the most decorated collegiate offensive linemen ever: 2016 AAC Rookie of the Year, 2017 AAC Defensive Player of the Year, three-time first-team All-American (twice a consensus selection) and the aforementioned Willis and Outland trophies. Oliver was a top-ten draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2019, where he still plays.
66. Running back Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona
So many running backs have grabbed the hearts of college football fans, and, unfortunately, many of them fade into obscurity. Carey ended up being one of those, but he’s carved out a great career post-college football. After dominating high school football, Carey committed to play at Arizona. He started well in his freshman year, rushing for 425 yards on 91 carries with six touchdowns. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Carey exploded onto the scene in 2012. The sophomore rushed 303 times for 1929 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. A year where he was named a consensus All-American was highlighted by a record-breaking performance against Colorado, rushing for 366 yards, setting a Pac-12 record. Carey missed the first game of the 2013 season following an alleged domestic violence incident, but came back to put up another All-American season. Carey rushed 349 times for 1885 yards and 19 touchdowns, thereafter declaring for the 2014 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears took Carey in the fourth round, where he played until 2016. Carey went on to have a successful career in the Canadian Football League, being named to a few All-Star teams and winning a Grey Cup (CFL’s Super Bowl) with the Calgary Stampeders in 2018 and Toronto Argonauts in 2024.
65. Offensive lineman Barrett Jones, Alabama
As a former offensive lineman, it’s a joy for me to praise my fellow trench brothers. And Jones is one of the most underrated and decorated linemen in college football history. Out of high school, Jones followed in the footsteps of his father, Rex, and committed to play at Alabama. Jones immediately made an impact when he hit the field, starting all 14 games at right guard for the national champion Crimson Tide in 2009. After 2010, however, Jones switched to left tackle for team needs. Many would assume that switching from right guard to left tackle would be exceptionally difficult, considering how different the two positions are regarding assignments and athletic capability. So, how did Jones perform? Well, he was only named a unanimous All-American, but he won the 2011 Outland Trophy and another national championship for the Tide. In 2012, he was asked again to switch positions, this time to center. And Jones dominated again, being named consensus All-American, winning a third national championship and receiving the 2012 Rimington Trophy, awarded to the best center in college football. This made him the second player in history to win the Outland and Rimington trophies in the same year. To top it all off, Jones completed a superhuman feat when he played the 2012 SEC Championship Game against Georgia and subsequent national championship against Notre Dame after suffering a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot. This is all without mentioning that Jones was a top-level student-athlete and a dedicated community service member. Though his NFL career didn’t pan out well, Jones was undoubtedly the most versatile offensive lineman in college football history. And, dare I say, no one else comes close.
64. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, USC
A native of Illinois, Jackson moved to California during his high school sophomore year and attended Junipero Serra. He was a threat on offense at both running back and wide receiver, on defense as a cornerback and special teams as a return man. His feats earned him a five-star rating, being named the #1 athlete in his class by Rivals.com. Jackson committed to USC, where he made an immediate all-around impact for the Trojans. Jackson amassed 50 tackles, caught three receiving touchdowns and returned two special teams touchdowns, earning him Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. The following year, he continued his Swiss-army-knife play by catching 27 passes for 414 and two touchdowns, recorded two punt return touchdowns and returned an interception for a touchdown. Jackson was a playmaking freak, even off the football field, as he was an All-American long jumper for USC’s track and field team. In 2016, USC primarily used Jackson on defense and special teams, strongly mitigating his offensive reps. Though he still caught a 52-yard touchdown against Notre Dame, maximizing Jackson’s defensive reps paid off well for the Trojans. Jackson won the Jim Thorpe award and was named a consensus All-American, after making 55 tackles, grabbing five interceptions with 11 passes defended. He also returned four touchdowns: two kick returns and two punt returns. His efforts helped dig USC out of a 1-3 hole to start the year, winning nine games in a row and capping off the season with a dramatic 52-49 win over Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Jackson would forgo his senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans took Jackson 18th overall, where he played for four seasons until signing with the New York Giants in 2021.
63. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
Having someone as talented and incredible as Chase this low hurts, but considering he only played two years, it makes some sense. Nevertheless, Chase showcased how great he was in just two years at LSU. As a freshman out of Archbishop Rummel in Louisiana, Chase had a solid freshman year with 23 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Then came a season out of nowhere that no one could have expected. And no, I’m not just talking about the legendary 2019 LSU squad, but Chase made a name for himself this season. In 14 games, Chase caught 84 passes for 1780 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 21.2 yards per catch. Chase’s efforts earned him the 2019 Biletnikoff Award, a unanimous All-American selection and a national championship. Chase would forgo his senior season due to COVID-19 and NFL Draft preparations. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Chase in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, reuniting him with his college quarterback (who we’ll talk about very soon). Chase remains in Cincinnati and is regarded as one of the best receivers in the NFL.
62. Linebacker Scooby Wright III, Arizona
Playing for Cardinal Newman High in California, Wright was only a two-star recruit in his graduating class. But he immediately made an impact at Arizona as a freshman, making 83 tackles, nine for a loss and catching an interception. Then came 2014, which may be one of the greatest single seasons by a defensive player in college football history. Wright amassed 163 tackles, 29 for a loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, Jack Lambert Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and was named a unanimous All-American. Arizona went 10-4 with Wright’s Heisman-level season, their first 10-win season since 1998. Wright suffered an injury in 2015, limiting him to three games, but he still had 23 tackles, 3.5 for a loss and two sacks. Wright declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, but didn’t find much success after being drafted in the seventh round by the Arizona Cardinals. Most recently, he played for the USFL/UFL Birmingham Stallions, who won two straight USFL titles in 2022-2023 and won the UFL championship this past year.
61. Quarterback J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
It’s no shocker that Ohio State has produced some of the best quarterback seasons in college football history. But, of all their recent signal callers, Barrett may be the most decorated. His college career didn’t start the best; having to redshirt his freshman year in Columbus due to a torn ACL in his high school senior season. Barrett became the starting quarterback in 2014, taking over for Braxton Miller. Barrett played excellent, passing for 2834 yards, 34 touchdowns on 64.6% completion while rushing for 938 yards and touchdowns. Although he led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten championship, he suffered an injury that forced him out of the 2014 postseason and most of the 2015 season. Barrett returned in 2016 as the full-time starter, leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoff. He passed for 2555 yards and 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions, but came up short against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Barrett returned for his final rodeo in 2017, ending ois Buckeye career with a bang. He set career highs in completions (240), completion percentage (64.7), passing yards (3053), passing touchdowns (35) and rushing touchdowns (12). He led Ohio State to a Big Ten title and a Cotton Bowl win over USC. He holds multiple records at Ohio State, such as passing yards and completions. He even has many Big Ten records for passing touchdowns with 104, total touchdowns with 147 and passed Drew Brees in career offensive yards with 12,697. Barrett never made much of a mark in the NFL, but since retiring, has transitioned into coaching. He is the Chicago Bears quarterbacks coach, following Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions.
