College Sports

Star power: Players to watch in college football

A short but strong list starts with the returning Heisman winner and a top contender for this year's trophy.

By Chip Scoggins

August 30, 2022 at 1:43AM
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during warm ups before the start of an NCAA college football game against Auburn on Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama is banking on Young and Will Anderson Jr. to lead the team back to a national championship after a tantalizingly close call last season. Both are high on the lists of preseason Heisman Trophy candidates and potential No. 1 NFL draft picks. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, threw 47 touchdown passes with only seven interceptions as a sophomore last season. (Butch Dill, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

STAR POWER

Players to watch in college football:

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama — Reigning Heisman Trophy winner passed for nearly 5,000 yards and 47 touchdowns with only seven interceptions as sophomore.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State — Buckeyes led the nation in total offense and scoring with Stroud guiding the attack as a freshman.

Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama — Voted college football's top defensive player last season after leading nation in tackles for loss (34.5) and sacks (17.5).

Jordan Addison, WR, USC — Portal transfer addition for the Trojans who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver at Pittsburgh after catching 17 touchdown passes.

about the writer

about the writer

Chip Scoggins

Columnist

Chip Scoggins is a sports columnist and enterprise writer for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He has worked at the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2000 and previously covered the Vikings, Gophers football, Wild, Wolves and high school sports.

See More

More from College Sports

See More

College Sports

Ten Minnesotans to watch in college football this season who don't play for Gophers

card image

Two offensive linemen from Lakeville, Bryce Benhart and Riley Mahlman, are standouts for Big Ten rivals of Minnesota.

Colleges

Reusse: First-year coach Polasek aims to lead North Dakota State’s return to top

Staff headshot
Patrick Reusse
card image

College Sports

Tommies get a boost from Canada with 6-8 junior national team forward Nyagudi

card image