The New York Red Bulls signed veteran forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to a two-year contract as a designated player.

The deal announced on Wednesday with the 35-year-old Cameroon international includes an option for 2027.

Choupo-Moting spent the past four seasons at Bayern Munich, where he scored 38 goals in 122 matches and won three Bundesliga titles, one German Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.

"We are excited to add a player of Maxim's caliber to our roster," NYRB head of sport Jochen Schneider said. "Maxim is a great player, a winner and his experience in Europe's top leagues will be greatly important to our club in 2025 and beyond."

Before Bayern, Choupo-Moting contributed nine goals in 51 appearances with Paris Saint-Germain from 2018-20, winning two Ligue 1 championships and one French Cup. He also has played for England's Stoke City (2017-18) and Germany's Schalke 04 (2014-17).

Internationally, Choupo-Moting has scored 20 goals and appeared in 73 matches for Cameroon, including action in three FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2022).

The January transfer window for the Women's Super League (WSL) opens on Jan. 1 and closes on Jan. 30. While money is tight, as ever, in the women's game, there are some possible deals in the offing. We assess what could happen at each of the 12 WSL clubs this summer.

ARSENAL

Arsenal will adopt a one-in, one-out approach to transfers, considering the current shape of their squad. Midfielder Katherine Kuhl, who joined in January 2023, is expected to depart after struggling for minutes, despite a strong loan spell with Everton last season. Loan moves for other academy graduates are also possibly, which could create space for potential reinforcements in the shape of a winger or a left-footed centre-back.

In midfield, interim manager Renée Slegers has relied on left-back Steph Catley in a central defensive role, highlighting the need for depth in that area. Arsenal have been monitoring Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh for some time and made a world-record bid to sign the 26-year-old England international during the summer but may wait until the summer to move again as she is out of contract in the summer. Additionally, Victoria Pelova's return from an ACL injury toward the end of the season could add further options.

With several high-profile players out of contract in the summer, Arsenal's priority will be to secure extensions for key squad members. However, appointing a permanent manager to succeed Jonas Eidevall remains the top task before new deals or transfer strategies can fully take shape. -- EK

ASTON VILLA

Villa have already conceded 17 goals this season, so adding to their defensive ranks could give them a boost heading into the second half of the campaign. Another body in midfield could be useful too. But Villa currently find themselves in a bit of a tricky situation as far as forward planning is concerned, following the departure of head coach Robert de Pauw. Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has taken temporary charge of the team but, without a permanent manager in place, it's hard to predict who their January targets will be.

There are a lot of key players out of contract at Villa next summer and decisions on the futures of Rachel Daly, Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth and Dan Turner will need to be made ahead of the end of the season. Meanwhile, after signing a permanent deal in the summer following a successful spell on loan for Liverpool, 24-year-old midfielder Miri Taylor has started just three games this term and may have her eye on a move. -- BL

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Brighton have performed exceptionally well under Dario Vidošić, surpassing expectations in the early stages of the season. For the first two months they sat as high as third, though losses to Arsenal and Chelsea have seen them drop to fifth now. Despite this, it's a significant accomplishment for a team that has been near the bottom of the table in the past two campaigns.

Securing a top-five spot will be Brighton's main target and it would mark substantial progress for the Seagulls. But they will also have eyes on breaking into the top four, given the six-point gap separating them from Spurs.

The arrivals of Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby were marquee summer signings, but with Kirby sidelined by a knee injury, Brighton may look to bring in an attacking midfielder to compensate for her absence. However, with players like Kiko Seike, Marisa Olislagers, and Jelena Čanković hitting their stride after 10 games, Brighton's squad cohesion is evident. While they don't necessarily need a major influx of new players, one or two strategic signings could provide valuable depth to manage injuries and ensure their competitiveness, particularly as they aim for strong runs in both the FA Cup and League Cup competitions. -- EK

CHELSEA

The reigning WSL champions have enjoyed a near-perfect start under new manager Sonia Bompastor and already boast an abundance of attacking talent, with the return of forwards Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel from anterior cruciate ligament injuries expected in the second half of the season. However, strengthening in should be a priority.

Erin Cuthbert remains Chelsea's most-reliable option in defensive midfield but while the Scotland international is arguably one of the team's most valuable players, the Blues can't continue to rely on her alone, especially during a demanding season. Youngster Wieke Kaptein has stepped in when needed, but Chelsea could benefit from added depth and experience.

On outgoings, Bompastor may consider loan moves for young talents such as Julia Bartel or Alejandra Bernabe. Despite being with the squad for six months, both have had limited opportunities to feature and a loan spell could provide them with valuable game time and development opportunities, while also helping balance the squad.

As the season progresses, Chelsea will likely go deep into three competitions, as well as challenging for the WSL title, so Bompastor will have to be able to rotate her squad. -- EK

CRYSTAL PALACE

Like most of the teams around the bottom of the table, scoring goals has been a problem for Palace this season. Elise Hughes, who scored 23 goals in 27 games last term to help her team win promotion from the Championship, remains sidelined with an ACL injury, so bringing in more attacking firepower could give Laura Kaminski's side the edge in the battle to avoid the drop.

While Kaminski has regularly hailed the support she has received from club chairman Steve Parish, Palace aren't expected to have a great deal of money to work with in January, so it is about being smart with the budget they do have to ensure they have the best chance of staying in the WSL. As a newly-promoted side, it is always difficult to navigate contract situations due to the uncertainty surrounding the club's long-term future and, with Palace currently at the bottom of the table, it's likely any decisions over players' futures will wait until closer to the summer. -- BL

EVERTON

Only Leicester have scored fewer goals than Everton this season and so bringing in another forward feels like a necessity, particularly with the club having lost the creativity of midfielder Inma Gabarro to an ACL injury in September. Brian Sorensen's side also have just the one recognised centre-back in Megan Finnigan, so bolstering that back line would also be a smart move.

Sorensen has had to be smart with his transfers over the past couple of years owing to Everton's wider financial struggles. While the Blues are unlikely to spend big in January, the manager confirmed after his team's Merseyside derby win in November that he has already earmarked his targets for January, so there are expected to be incomings. But, like their city rivals Liverpool, Everton don't have a particularly deep squad, so departures aren't expected.

Among the players out of contract next summer are midfielders Lucy Hope and Justine Vanhaevermaet. Both have played a vital role under Sorensen so far, so it might be wise to extend their stays. -- BL

LEICESTER CITY

Leicester started the season strongly under new manager Amandine Miquel, but a combination of injuries and tough fixtures have derailed their momentum. Now, just one point above the relegation zone, the team face a challenging second half of the campaign.

Injuries have hit Leicester hard, leaving them without a natural striker for an extended period. Midfielder Ruby Mace has been deployed in the role while Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann, and Noémie Mouchon remain sidelined. Adding to their woes, Shana Chossenotte suffered an ACL injury early in the season, ruling her out for the remainder of the campaign. While injuries are not unique to Leicester, wealthier clubs like Manchester City possess the depth and funding to better absorb such setbacks.

Short-term loans from other WSL clubs could help Leicester cover their paper-thin squad in key positions for the rest of the season. However, relying on loans is not a sustainable solution for long-term league stability. Miquel has provided young players with valuable minutes, which bodes well for their development, but the lack of experienced players leaves the team vulnerable. -- EK

LIVERPOOL

It's hard to assess where Liverpool are at the moment because they've had so many injuries all over the pitch. The impending return of some of those players, including last season's top-scorer Sophie Román Haug, should give the team a massive boost but, with Matt Beard's side having only scored nine goals in 10 games so far this term, adding another reliable goal threat would be a smart idea.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, there's unlikely to be the budget available to seriously bolster their ranks in January. Beard admitted as much after his team's defeat to Arsenal, though he has previously said he would be looking to bring "possibly one" new player to the club next month. He also described Japan international Fuka Nagano as "one of the best holding midfielders in the world," so handing her a new long-term deal feels imperative.

Liverpool are already down to the bare bones due to injury so it's unlikely they will sanction any major departures in January. That said, promising young defender Hannah Silcock could perhaps benefit from a loan spell in the second half of the season. -- BL

MANCHESTER CITY

City came into this season with one of the most complete squads in the WSL, but injuries have hit them hard in recent weeks, with major absences in both attack and defence. An injury to captain Alex Greenwood, while not as serious as first feared, means it would make sense for Gareth Taylor's side to dip into the market for another central defender. Though defender Kerstin Casparij has just signed a new deal to secure her future.

The club recently hired Therese Sjögran as the club's director of women's football, following her 10-year stint as sporting director at Swedish champions FC Rosengård, and her knowledge of Swedish market could prove useful.

Also, keep an eye on the future of England forward Chloe Kelly. She is out of contract at the end of the season and has largely been relegated to a bench role in recent months. With Euro 2025 coming up next summer, it would not be a surprise to see her leave in search of regular game time. -- BL

MANCHESTER UNITED

Despite several key departures, United recruited well in the summer and look to have the spine of a very good squad. They have the best defence in the WSL, while midfielder Grace Clinton has continued the excellent form she displayed on loan at Tottenham. However, they've only scored 16 goals so far this term -- nearly half the number managed by league leaders Chelsea -- and adding another goal threat could help take them from top-three challengers to title contenders.

While United could benefit from adding to their attacking ranks, uncertainty over the future of Hayley Ladd -- who has made just three WSL appearances so far this season -- means a midfield reinforcement could be a necessity too. With Wales having qualified for next summer's Euros, Ladd may well be eager to leave the club in the hope of getting more minutes under her belt.

Meanwhile, there are several players out of contract at the end of the season, including Millie Turner, Jayde Riviere and Clinton, though the latter does have an option to extend for another year. The futures of all of those players will need to be looked at sooner rather than later. -- BL

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Spurs have endured a turbulent first half of the season following the highs of last year, which saw them reach the FA Cup final and secure a top-six finish. This season, however, they've struggled to maintain form, often squandering early leads to settle for draws against mid-table opponents.

The departures of Celin Bizet and Grace Clinton have left significant gaps in the squad. Clinton returned to her parent club, Manchester United, and Bizet signed for them permanently, leaving Spurs without two key contributors from last season. Although the club brought in Maite Oroz and Hayley Raso to bolster the team, injuries have disrupted their impact.

If Spurs are to progress, reinforcements are crucial, particularly in midfield, defence, and goalkeeper. The club are eyeing Sweden international Jennifer Falk to share responsibilities with Becky Spencer in goal, but could do with some seasoned players to bolster a defensive line which has leaked 23 goals, the second highest in the league thus far.

Tactical cohesion has also been elusive so far for manager Robert Vilahamn, with formations and player linkups seldom delivering consistent results. Adjustments in both recruitment and strategy will be key to turning their season around. -- EK

WEST HAM UNITED

West Ham's need for experienced players remains a glaring issue. After four transfer windows under Rehanne Skinner, the club have yet to address long-standing gaps that predate her tenure. While it's commendable that they club have leaned on younger players, West Ham's ability to compete against top-tier teams, who boast squads filled with seasoned talent, highlights the stark difference in squad depth and experience.

Skinner has previously opted to offer longer contracts to younger players rather than shorter, high-value deals for more experienced names, citing budget constraints -- an all-too-familiar scenario for mid-to-lower table teams. While this strategy has its merits for future development, West Ham urgently need to find immediate solutions.

Leveraging the loan market could be a lifeline, as several top clubs are eager to send players out for short-term experience. However, West Ham must also prioritise filling key gaps left by the summer departures of Hawa Cissoko, Honoka Hayashi, and Mackenzie Arnold. Without bolstering the squad with seasoned professionals, the team risk further struggles. Currently sitting ninth, just three points above the relegation zone, West Ham must strike a balance between nurturing young talent and acquiring the experience necessary to secure their survival. -- EK

The transfer window is set to open in the Premier League, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1 on Jan. 1, with Spanish LaLiga and Italian Serie A a day later, as clubs are looking to do some mid-season business.

ESPN's reporters have everything you need to know about the top teams' hopes as they delve into deals that might be in the cards. Who will come in? Who will depart?

PREMIER LEAGUE

LIVERPOOL

Budget: Having decided against spending big in the summer, Liverpool still have plenty of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) wiggle room, though they're only likely to dip into the transfer market should a target become unexpectedly available.

What does the team need? The two positions that are in most glaring need of reinforcement are defensive midfield and left-back. Liverpool came close to signing Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi last summer for 52m, viewing him as the ideal candidate to fill their longstanding void in the No. 6 role, but he ultimately decided to remain in San Sebastian. The emergence of Ryan Gravenberch has made Zubimendi's non-arrival look like a blessing in disguise, though Liverpool still retain an interest in the Spain international, and having someone to lighten Gravenberch's workload would be a good idea going into the second half of the season.

Who are the major targets? Aside from Zubimendi, who has also garnered interest from Manchester City, Andy Robertson's struggles this term mean Liverpool are likely to upgrade at left-back in the coming transfer windows, with Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez and Wolves' Rayan Aït-Nouri among the names being linked.

Who could be leaving? It's unlikely there will be any major departures for Liverpool in the January window. Arne Slot's side are fighting for the title and therefore need as many bodies available as possible. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to Real Madrid as uncertainty over his future rumbles on. But, sources have told ESPN that he is Madrid's top defensive target following an injury to right-back Dani Carvajal, the Spanish club are likely to wait until next summer to try and tempt him to the Bernabéu on a free transfer.

Any new contracts? Liverpool fans will certainly hope so. As well as Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are both out of contract at the end of the season. Negotiations with all three players remain ongoing but, from the club's perspective, the sooner they all sign new deals, the better. -- Beth Lindop

CHELSEA

Budget: Chelsea remain adamant they are compliant with PSR, but another big splurge is unlikely.

What does the team need? Stability. Chelsea's transfer spending surged past the 1 billion mark this year since owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control of the club in May 2022, leading to a dramatic overhaul of the squad. Sources have told ESPN that the club are moving into a different, calmer phase of their transfer strategy, although they will still continue to scour the world for the best young talent. Despite their outlay to this point, a case can be made for further upgrades in goal, at centre-back and in attack, although Nicolas Jackson has done his best of late to make the argument against signing another forward.

Who are the major targets? Chelsea pursued a deal for Victor Osimhen late in the summer window prior to the striker leaving Napoli for a loan to Galatasaray. Any encouragement that a move could be revived would make the club seriously consider another attempt. One promising centre-back they are tracking is Tomás Araújo at Benfica. It remains to be seen whether the Portuguese club would allow the 22-year-old to leave midseason and in any case, Chelsea would likely face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.

Who could be leaving? Out-of-favour left-back Ben Chilwell is perhaps the highest-profile member of the so-called "bomb squad," a group of players deemed surplus to requirements and marginalised by new boss Enzo Maresca in an attempt to convince them to leave. Midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei are also available, while Deivid Washington and Lucas Bergstrom could depart either on loan or permanently. Bergstrom's contract expires at the end of the season.

Any new contracts? The vast majority of the Chelsea squad have long-term contracts. Talks are ongoing over signing young defender Josh Acheampong to fresh terms, with his current deal running out in 2026. -- James Olley

ARSENAL

Budget: Modest, but room for manoeuvre.

What does the team need? Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are not planning major investment in the January window. The club are open to making a move if injuries create an emergency, or an unexpected opportunity arises, but there is no strategy for major surgery next month. Injuries in defence could trigger a temporary move if the situation does not ease in the next few weeks but there is a longer-term plan to bolster their attacking options. Arsenal's set-piece prowess has masked a slight drop in their creativity of late and many supporters feel another striker could make the different between competing for and winning the Premier League.

Who are the major targets? Arsenal retain an interest in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško. Sources have told ESPN that there is a belief in Germany that the 21-year-old could be allowed to leave at the end of the season despite only signing a new contract this year. The Gunners have also tracked Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres among others. They may also look to add a central midfielder depending on what decisions are made regarding veterans Jorginho and Thomas Partey.

Who could be leaving? Gabriel Jesus may attract some interest as he struggles for regular game time, but earlier this month, Arteta dismissed reports he could leave in January. Arsenal are likely to listen to any offers for full-backs Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Defender Jakub Kiwior has attracted interest from Serie A clubs including Napoli but Arteta will be reluctant to part with the Poland international if he remains short on defensive options.

Any new contracts? Jorginho and Partey are out of contract at the end of the season. Arteta has made positive noises about keeping both players, but compromises would have to be reached in both cases if Arsenal pursue fresh talks. Jorginho is likely only to be offered a one-year extension given he turns 33 on Dec. 20, while Partey would be required to take a wage cut. -- Olley.

MANCHESTER CITY

Budget: City's ability to get big transfer fees for academy graduates means they're in a strong position in terms of PSR; they also banked more than 80m from the deal which saw Julián Álvarez move to Atlético Madrid in the summer. Last week, City announced club revenue is up to a record 715m, with profits at 73.8m.

What does the team need? There's an obvious need for a central midfielder. Rodri is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing knee surgery, Mateo Kovačić is only just back from his own injury layoff and Ilkay Gündogan has struggled since his return from Barcelona in the summer. Goals have also been a problem. Alvarez, who averaged a goal every game across two seasons at City, wasn't replaced and he's been a big miss.

Who are the major targets? Guardiola is a long-term admirer of Bruno Guimarães. Newcastle's 100m valuation was a problem in the summer, but City would be interested again if they drop their demands. If Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi decided to leave in January, City would be among the suitors. Club sources have, however, been strong in saying that there is no interest in Paul Pogba, who is a free agent after leaving Juventus. City have tracked Eberechi Eze for a while, but it's unlikely that Crystal Palace will let him leave midway through the season. The same goes for his teammate Adam Wharton, who also has fans at the Etihad.

Who could be leaving? Guardiola likes to keep a small squad, and it's been stretched to its limit this season because of injuries to key players. It's unlikely anyone will leave in January because City cannot afford to lose any more players.

Any new contracts? City still need to decide what to do about Kevin De Bruyne. The 33-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and there has been interest from clubs in MLS and Saudi Arabia. -- Rob Dawson.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Budget: Spurs are in a strong PSR compliance position, so there is scope to invest.

What does the team need? Speaking on Dec. 4, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said: "There's no doubt we need some bolstering in that front third over the course of the next couple of transfer windows." Fresh injury setbacks for Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven could make a centre-back signing more of an immediate priority and central midfield is another position which could use an upgrade, but Postecoglou's thinking in where Spurs need to improve in the longer term could not be clearer.

Who are the major targets? Sources close to Spurs have privately distanced the club from reported interest in Lille striker Jonathan David, but they are one of several Premier League clubs monitoring Matheus Cunha at Wolverhampton Wanderers. They have also scouted AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, while reports in Italy suggest Inter Milan's Davide Frattesi is of interest.

Who could be leaving? Richarlison's future is not entirely clear. Postecoglou remains an admirer of the 27-year-old striker but his persistent injury problems have become frustrating for Tottenham and several clubs are circling. Losing him mid-season would surely only happen if Spurs could guarantee a replacement coming in, given Postecolgou's desire to increase his defensive options. Full-backs Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilón would be allowed to leave if a suitable offer emerges.

Any new contracts? The main issue here centres on captain Son Heung-Min. His deal expires at the end of the season, but Spurs have the option to extend by a further year, which removes some of the urgency on the club's side. However, the 32-year-old is hopeful of securing a longer-term deal but meaningful talks have so far not taken place. Tottenham are also talking to Romero over a fresh deal amid persistent speculation that Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain could be interested in the Argentina international. -- Olley

MANCHESTER UNITED

Budget: Ruben Amorim has been told there is very little budget to sign new players after United posted losses of more than 300m over the past three seasons.

What does the team need? The priority positions, if there is going to be any business done in January, are left-back and striker. Amorim has been told to work with the players he's got, but there's a general acceptance that he will eventually need at least one specialist wing-back for his 3-4-3 system. Luke Shaw is injured again and Tyrell Malacia is continuing his comeback after more than a year on the sideline. Diogo Dalot has filled in on the left, but he's far more comfortable on the right.

Who are the major targets? United are set to sign 17-year-old Paraguayan left-back Diego León but he's unlikely to join the first-team squad for at least six months. Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has struggled since his arrival and while Amorim likes Sporting star Viktor Gyökeres, he's considered more of a long-term target at around 80m.

Who could be leaving? Given their financial position, United will listen to realistic offers for almost every player in the squad. Victor Lindelöf and Christian Eriksen are out of contract at the end of the season and are unlikely to get new deals; both would be available for a minimal fee in January. Marcus Rashford's future is also in doubt. Moving on an academy graduate would help the club's PSR position, but United found in the summer that there was very little market for the England forward. His high wages and long contract are a major stumbling block.

Any new contracts? United are hopeful of getting winger Amad Diallo to sign a long-term contract after impressing this season. His deal expires in the summer, although United hold an option to extend until 2026. Harry Maguire could also have a one-year option in his contract triggered to protect his transfer value ahead of a potential departure in the summer. -- Dawson

EUROPE

BARCELONA

Budget: Nothing.

What does the team need? Barcelona need cover in the full-back positions, if not upgrades on Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé. They also require short-term competition for Robert Lewandowski and a long-term replacement for the 36-year-old striker. More width would be welcome, too. When Lamine Yamal was absent with an ankle injury, they struggled in that department. A defensive midfielder has also been a long-term need, but young Marc Casadó is covering that hole for now.

Who are the major targets? Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. Yes: Barça's main goal is to register summer signings Olmo and Victor for the second half of the campaign. They are currently on temporary registrations which expire on Dec. 31. Barça need to make space in their salary cap to extend them. Because of that, there's an acceptance that signings will be difficult. Sporting director Deco's work is more based on next summer, with players whose contracts are expiring, like Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah and Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, being targeted.

Who could be leaving? Ansu Fati and Pablo Torre are two players that have not played as much as they would have liked this season. Their futures will be analysed in January. Defender Eric García is another player who has been linked with an exit, but he looks more likely to stay for now.

Any new contracts? Barça are advancing well in talks to extend Pedri and Gavi's contracts, which expire in 2026. In fact, there are a lot of players moving into the final 18 months of their deals, including Ronald Araújo, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen. If they don't renew, the club will listen to offers for them in the summer. Iñigo Martínez is out of contract at the end of the season but pushing for a new deal, while back-up left-back Gerard Martín is also set to sign new terms, as much as anything to protect his transfer value. -- Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens

REAL MADRID

Budget: Madrid don't like spending in January, and their planning for the summer involves high-profile free transfers rather than big fees. But they have some money to spend, if required.

What does the team need? A right-back is badly needed, with first-choice Carvajal ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear, and backup Lucas Vázquez proving to be a defensive liability, as evidenced in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano. Youngster Raúl Asencio and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni have also been filling in at centre-back, although David Alaba's long-awaited return from injury should help there.

Who are the major targets? Alexander-Arnold is the right-back Madrid want, but a midseason departure from Premier League-topping Liverpool is highly unlikely, if not impossible. A number of young centre-backs have been linked with Madrid, but none have solidified as being a serious option for January.

Who could be leaving? Nobody, at present. The squad has been hit so hard by injuries this season that even bit-part players like midfielder Dani Ceballos have been called upon to feature regularly, while coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted youngsters Arda Güler and Endrick will not be allowed to depart on loan.

Any new contracts? There's nothing urgent, with the only players with deals expiring in 2025 being Luka Modrić, 39, Vázquez, who renews year-on-year, and Jesús Vallejo, who has no future at the club. Asencio has impressed since coming into the first team and will need a new deal soon. -- Alex Kirkland and Rodri Faez

ATLÉTICO MADRID

Budget: Atlético invested heavily in the squad last summer -- bringing in Alvarez, Conor Gallagher, Alexander Sørloth and Robin Le Normand for a total of around 185m -- so won't be investing much in January.

What does the team need? A full-back on either flank would be welcome, although left-back Javi Galán has won Simeone over in recent weeks, and midfielder Marcos Llorente is now a defacto right-back. A defensive-minded deep-lying midfielder would be useful too, after the failure of Arthur Vermeeren -- signed for 22m earlier this year, and now on loan at RB Leipzig -- to convince the coach.

Who are the major targets? No names have emerged yet as genuine contenders. If a deal does materialise, it would be low-profile and low-risk, given the experience of Vermeeren, who barely featured after his much-hyped arrival in January 2024.

Who could be leaving? An exit for the perennially injured Thomas Lemar -- who was absent for almost all of 2023-24 and has only featured twice this season -- would be welcome, but finding a suitable club willing to take him might be challenging. Antoine Griezmann is expected to leave for MLS at some point, but that's more likely to come in the summer, with Atletico challenging for the LaLiga title, a trophy Griezmann has never won.

Any new contracts? Defender Reinildo Mandava is out of contract in the summer and is no longer a guaranteed starter, so a decision must soon be taken on him, and Giuliano Simeone must be due an improved deal soon, given how impressive he's been since breaking into the team. -- Kirkland and Faez

BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Budget: Leverkusen don't have a dedicated transfer budget allocated for the January window and the 120m exit of starlet Florian Wirtz, which would have raised funds, is now off the table.

What does the team need? Leverkusen are looking to bolster their options in central defence and attacking midfield. These two positions have been the focus in recent weeks.

Who are the major targets? Sources have told ESPN that Leverkusen will sign Argentine striker Alejo Sarco in January. Sarco is viewed as the most promising young striker in the country and would join on a free transfer as his contract with Velez Sarsfield expires on Dec. 31. A potential target in attacking midfield is Rayan Cherki of Lyon, given the player's profile and the French club's desperate need to offload players. However, Cherki might have been scouted as a potential replacement for Wirtz.

Who could be leaving? Rumours about Jonathan Tah's future seem certain to ramp up in the coming weeks. The defender opted to stay at Leverkusen last summer despite extensive talks with Bayern, but he also did not extend his contract. Barcelona and Bayern are the two front-runners to sign the 28-year-old if he leaves on a free transfer next summer, and Tah and his agent are reported to have recently met with Barca.

Any new contracts? Recent reports indicate that Leverkusen and Wirtz are close to reaching an agreement over a contract extension. Since Amine Adli recently extended his contract and Tah's will run out no matter what, no other talks are immediate. -- Constantin Eckner

BAYERN MUNICH

Budget: Bayern's bank accounts are topped up so the Bavarian powerhouse are always able to finance a major signing or two. However, they are seemingly saving their resources to make a splash in the summer transfer market.

What does the team need? The team needs a backup striker to fill in when Harry Kane is tired or unavailable. The England skipper suffered a thigh injury during the Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund, and it has since become very obvious that Bayern don't possess a suitable replacement.

Who are the major targets? Bayern haven't been linked with any specific targets for January but are rather looking ahead to the summer to flex their muscle in the transfer market. Among the targets are Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. Moreover, sporting director Max Eberl recently stated that the club would not sign a striker in January, arguing that Bayern are only successful economically because they act thoughtfully in terms of investments.

Who could be leaving? Leon Goretzka would be the prime candidate for a move during the January window, but the 29-year-old midfielder has stressed to club officials that he has no desire to leave the club right now.

Any new contracts? Bayern are trying to extend the contracts of three key players -- Jamal Musiala, Davies and Joshua Kimmich, with Musiala set to become the club's top earner alongside Kane. Meanwhile, it seemed for a long time that Davies would leave Bayern in light of Real Madrid's reported interest, but the Canada left-back has seemingly changed his mind and could extend his contract, just like Kimmich. Contract extension negotiations with defender Dayot Upamecano are also expected to start in the coming weeks, while the German champions currently do not intend to offer winger Leroy Sané a new contract unless he shows significant improvement during the second half of the season. It also seems increasingly possible that veteran forward Thomas Müller will retire at the end of the season and removed his 17m-a-year salary from the books will see some financial wiggle room for other major signings. -- Eckner

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Budget: Due to investments of up to 80m during the summer transfer window, the budget for this season is almost exhausted.

What does the team need? Given the injuries woes, particularly in defence, with Niklas Süle expected to be sidelined for several months, the club could be looking at potential additions at centre-back. Manager Nuri Şahin recently expressed caution when asked about winter signings but indicated that Dortmund could be active in the window.

Who are the major targets? Since the injuries to Dortmund's centre-backs only occurred recently, the club have not had a lot of time to identify the perfect targets. However, someone who has been on Dortmund's radar for a while is PSV defender Olivier Boscagli.

Who could be leaving? Dortmund won't be looking to offload any key players in January, though a few might not be happy with their current situation. The most prominent example is Donyell Malen. The Netherlands winger hasn't been able to nail down a regular starting spot over the past few years and is viewed as an inconsistent player who is better suited to coming off the bench. Malen could potentially find a new employer if he wants to force his way out.

Any new contracts? Only third-choice goalkeeper Marcel Lotka possesses a contract that expires next summer. Hence, Dortmund are in no hurry to offer extensions at this time. And as for the 29-year-old Süle, whose deal runs out in 2026, Dortmund are not currently willing to offer him new terms -- Eckner

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Budget: There is money available for manager Luis Enrique, between 50m-100m if needed.

What does the team need? Officially, the plan is not to sign anyone in January and Luis Enrique is said to be happy with his squad, despite the lack of a proper goal scorer in his ranks. However, if players leave -- with defender Milan Skriniar and/or forward Randal Kolo Muani very likely departures this winter -- then they should be replaced.

Who are the major targets? Sporting director Luis Campos and Luis Enrique are big fans of Brazilian prodigy Vitor Reis, who is only 18 but is already a starter at centre-back with Palmeiras, sources have told ESPN. Up front, Galatasaray loanee Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres, who are both doing well, remain the main targets, but sources said that RB Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško is also on the shortlist.

Who could be leaving? Skriniar, who has started only five games in all competitions this season, is desperate to leave, and Juventus and Real Madrid are monitoring his situation. Kolo Muani wanted to stay to show he could succeed in his hometown, but Luis Enrique isn't playing him and he was dropped from the squad against Lyon. Monaco are keen on a loan for the France international, while clubs in England (Everton) and in Germany (Leipzig) are also interested.

Any new contracts? Although they are yet to announce anything, PSG have already extended the contracts of manager Luis Enrique, right-back Achraf Hakimi, midfielder Vitinha, and left-back Nuno Mendes. Though that should be made official before the end of December. -- Julien Laurens

ATALANTA

Budget: The club have posted nine straight years of profit in their accounts and made another 18m over the summer, so they can spend if needed.

What does the team need? Not much. They could use some more depth in central midfield, one of the few areas of the pitch where coach Gian Piero Gasperini doesn't rotate much. Midfielder Éderson is one of the best in the world in his position, but club captain Marten De Roon turns 34 in March. Atalanta like to move early in the summer transfer window so don't be surprised if they focus their attention on that.

Who are the major targets? The preferred option for depth in midfield is probably in-house where they hope that Ibrahim Sulemana can grow into a reliable understudy for De Roon and Éderson. Bayer Leverkusen loanee Odilon Kossounou would cost them 25m to make his deal permanent -- the club like him, but I'm not sure they like him enough to keep him around at that price.

Who could be leaving? In these situations you look to the guys they brought in who haven't played very much. They spent a decent amount to sign Ben Godfrey, but he has hardly featured and with Rafael Tolói and Giorgio Scalvini returning from injury, it's not clear where he'll fit. Goalkeeper Rui Patrício hasn't played at all and seems content to be Marco Carnesecchi's backup. His deal is up in the summer and if he finds a taker, they might let him go early.

Any new contracts? Sead Kolašinac is a free agent in June and you imagine he'll get a new deal, even at 31, as he's been fantastic. Mario Pašalić is in a similar situation but is a few years younger, while they'll have a big call to make on Nicolò Zaniolo, who is on loan from Galatasaray. -- Gab Marcotti

NAPOLI

Budget: Napoli have been very profitable over the past few seasons, and that's what allowed them to put together a net spend of nearly 138m in the summer to satisfy Antonio Conte. That splurge, plus the fact there's no income from European football this year, means they can't spend big in January. But that doesn't mean they won't bring in players, perhaps after moving others out. Because what Conte wants, Conte often gets.

What does the team need? Given there's no European football and they're out of the Coppa Italia, I'd be tempted to say not much at all. Maybe some extra cover at the back, but that's about it. They've had no long-term injuries and they're doing well in Serie A, so there's no real need to redesign the team. That said, Conte feels differently. There's talk of bringing in a couple of defenders -- one centre-back and one versatile player -- and a holding midfielder.

Who are the major targets? Conte had been linked to Juventus' Danilo earlier this year when he wasn't playing much, but now he's playing a bigger role and is the team captain you don't expect him to move. Conte's top priority is a central defender since he doesn't appear to be a fan of Juan Jesus or Rafa Marín, and a versatile full-back who can cover either flank. Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior has been mentioned time and again, though he's had a big run of games recently and I'm not sure, given the injuries they've had, that they'd let him go without finding a replacement. So Napoli may have to look elsewhere. Cristiano Biraghi -- out of contract with Fiorentina in June -- could be a cheap and cheerful full-back option.

As for holding midfield, Conte would look to his old buddy from the Chelsea days, Nemanja Matić. He's actually been playing regularly for Lyon at 36 years of age. But given his high wages and the fact that the club are in trouble with financial regulators in France, he might be available.

Who could be leaving? Basically, the guys Conte doesn't seem to trust, which includes Rafa Marín, Juan Jesus, and Leonardo Spinazzola. Up front, between wingers and forwards, Conte has no fewer than nine players. You'd assume Giacomo Raspadori could be available on loan, so too Michael Folorunsho and Cyril Ngonge. Then there's the elephant in the room: Star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has a long-term contract through 2027 but needs a new deal since he's ridiculously underpaid. Yet so far he hasn't signed. If a big enough offer came along from elsewhere, they would probably listen.

Any new contracts? Kvaratskhelia is the obvious priority, but not the only one. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Alex Meret are both free agents in June. The latter should extend, the Cameroon international remains a question mark and has suitors. But not until the summer. -- Marcotti

INTER MILAN

Budget: The team is doing fine, the club lose money every year (but the losses are shrinking) there's no real reason for them to spend in January, unless they raise money through exits, which is unlikely.

What does the team need? Not much, not to the point of paying a mid-season premium anyway. The squad isn't young, but it's deep and over the past few years the strategy has been to find young players who can grow into starters and round out the team with free transfers. Inter will be looking for a midfielder and central defender, but not necessarily for January and, likely, it will be a slow burn. The corps of reserve forwards isn't hugely impressive, but unless someone takes a Marko Arnautović or a Joaquín Correa off their hands they won't be adding to it.

Who are the major targets? Unless somebody suffers a serious injury in the next few weeks, I don't think they'll be adding to the first-team squad in January. Sure, some areas could stand upgrading, but coach Simone Inzaghi has the luxury of two options for pretty much every position and he loves his rotation.

Who could be leaving? Other than the aforementioned summer free agents, Correa and Arnautović (who have no incentive to move), there aren't many guys Inter will want to move on. Kristjan Asllani and Tajon Buchanan are young(ish) players who don't get many minutes and have long-term contracts and I guess they might go on loan, but that's it. Of course, there's always the risk that somebody rocks up with a major offer for one of their stars: Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martínez, Federico Dimarco, etc. And if a big enough offer arrives, they won't say no. But that's unlikely in January.

Any new contracts? Inter have seven significant players with deals expiring in 2025 or 2026, but they're all 32 or older (or, like Correa, players they don't want to keep) so they're in no rush. Their key men are locked up through at least 2027, so the pressure is somewhat off in that sense. -- Marcotti

JUVENTUS

Budget: Juventus have been haemorrhaging money for years and while they were able to cut the wage bill, they still had a net spend of 61m this past summer. That said, they realise the importance of investing to be able to generate more money and create a virtuous cycle. So there will be some money available, beyond what they can raise from players they shift.

What does the team need? Following season-ending injuries to Bremer and Juan Cabal, which is half of their back line, defence is key. The emergence of Nicolò Savona and Andrea Cambiaso means full-back is less of a priority, but they definitely need another centre-back, because Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu can't do it on their own all year long. Another striker as an alternative to Dušan Vlahović would be useful too, given that Tim Weah has had to play there on occasion and Arkadiusz Milik has been out since June and there's no telling what condition he'll be in when he returns.

Who are the major targets? Juve love Benfica's António Silva, but he would cost around 100m, so I doubt that's a possibility until the summer. Feyenoord's Dávid Hancko keeps getting mentioned, possibly because he has 18 months left on his contract, and he wouldn't come cheap either, but it's doable. Another option is to bring Skriniar back to Serie A, since he's not getting much love from Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain. As for the forward, there was talk of landing Joshua Zirkzee on loan after some of his early struggles at Manchester United since he played for Thiago Motta last year at Bologna. For that to happen though, Ruben Amorim would have to write him off by January and I doubt that's a possibility. More likely they'll assess where Milik is in January and figure it out from there.

Who could be leaving? Like every window since that horrendous swap deal for Miralem Pjanić, they'll be trying to shift Arthur Melo. This time they may actually succeed since he actually did OK on loan at Fiorentina last year and you imagine he's not going to be picky since he hasn't played a single first-team minute for Motta this season. Nicolo Fagioli isn't getting much playing time and doesn't seem to be a natural fit in Motta's 4-2-3-1. For the right deal, he may be available, possibly on loan, possibly on a permanent. Douglas Luiz has been a bust, relative to the 50m they paid to sign him, but it's hard to see him moving, except on loan, given he has a long-term contract.

Any new contracts? Danilo is out of contract and Juve need to decide whether, at 33, he should get a new deal and for how long. They'll also want to figure out whether they want to make Porto winger Francisco Conceição's loan deal permanent. He's done OK, but they spent big to sign Nico González and already have Kenan Yıldız, Weah and Samuel Mbangula for the wide areas. They also need to start working on Vlahović's new deal, with his current terms only having 18 months left. -- Marcotti

AC MILAN

Budget: The club have basically run at break-even the past two seasons, which is why they were able to put together a net spend of 40m in the summer. And for the right player, they could push the boat a little in January, plus whatever they raise from exits, which could be significant, since they have a number of gifted young players on board.

What does the team need? First and foremost, Milan have to figure out whether they'll continue to back coach Paulo Fonseca (I think they should). It has been an up-and-down season and he's had run-ins with several stars. Assuming they do stick with him, right-back could use an upgrade since Davide Calabria is a free agent soon and Emerson Royal has been a bust. Tammy Abraham is only on loan and Álvaro Morata isn't really a traditional centre-forward these days, so the club will want to push for a central striker, but that probably won't be until the summer.

Who are the major targets? Milan like Jonathan David from Lille (though he didn't have the best time with Fonseca when they were together last year) but as a free agent in the summer, he's going to want a big contract and it's unlikely he'll arrive in January.

Who could be leaving? Alessandro Florenzi and Luka Jović are free agents in June, so if somebody wants them, they could go straight away. Theo Hernández has had two bust-ups with Fonseca already and his transfer could fetch a hefty fee, but he's also in contract extension mode as his deal is up in 2026. Noah Okafor and Fikayo Tomori have their admirers and don't seem to be Fonseca favourites, but there's no real pressure to shift them either.

Any new contracts? Theo Hernández is an absolute priority as is goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Both their deals are up in 2026. Beyond that, their house is pretty much in order right now, though reports have suggested that USMNT star Christian Pulisic is closing in on a new agreement that would see the 26-year-old stay at San Siro until 2028 or 2029. -- Marcotti

Iowa will retire former star Caitlin Clark's No. 22 jersey on Feb. 2 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, the school announced Wednesday.

The Hawkeyes will face USC that day, and Clark will be in attendance.

"I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball," Clark said in a statement. "It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I've admired for so long."

Clark finished her college career as the all-time leading scorer in women's and men's Division I history, with 3,951 points.

As a senior last season, Clark broke the record set by Washington's Kelsey Plum to become the women's NCAA Division I scoring leader, then passed AIAW star Lynette Woodard of Kansas for the major college women's record and LSU's Pete Maravich, who holds the Division I men's scoring record.

Clark led Iowa to back-to-back national championship games and three Big Ten tournament titles. She was consensus national player of the year as a junior and senior.

Clark was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. She was WNBA Rookie of the Year and helped the Fever make their first playoff appearance since 2016.

"Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination," Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz said. "Her remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the University of Iowa and the world of women's basketball.

"Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Hawkeye fans are eager to say thank you for so many incredible moments."

Booth had been in charge of Ospreys since 2020 and was due to leave at the end of the season.

During his tenure he guided them to the URC Welsh Shield in 2021-22 and 2023-24. He also saw Ospreys reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals and the URC play-offs last season.

"It is never nice when a coach leaves his job like that and it is not for me to comment on any decision," said Peel.

"I just know he has done a good job there."

Ospreys said in September Booth would be succeeded by former Wales wing Mark Jones, who has stepped up from his defence coach role to take over six months earlier than expected.

He is somebody Peel knows well having come through the Llanelli youth ranks together into the Scarlets side before also becoming Wales team-mates.

"What he will bring is energy and enthusiasm and will get them emotionally ready for this game," said Peel.

"Knowing him as well as I have over the last 30 years he will definitely bring those elements to their team and I wish him all the best in the role.

"He is a rugby man through and through and I am sure he will do a good job there."

Zander Fagerson says he wants to win more trophies with Glasgow Warriors after he signed a new contract to remain at Scotstoun until 2027.

Fagerson, 28, has established himself as one of the top tightheads in the world and was instrumental in Warriors' URC title win last season.

Having been at the club for a decade, the Scotland prop admits he explored the possibility of moving on when his existing deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but ultimately decided he could fulfil his ambitions by staying put.

"After weighing up all the options and speaking with my wife and my family, I think this is the best place for me to develop personally on and off the field, to be the best rugby player I can be," Fagerson told BBC Scotland.

"I'm looking forward to being here for a couple more years and trying to get as much out of my rugby career as I can.

"Coming into the club when we won the league for the first time in 2015 and seeing how the boys went about their business, for me it was a great environment to come into. To still be at the same club 10 years later, it's a dream come true.

"Winning the URC trophy last season was one of the highlights of my career and I think once you taste that winning feeling you just want to keep winning."

Blumberg has also revealed more about the circumstances surrounding Flanagan's sudden departure, which was said to have been a mutual decision.

Blumberg said Flanagan "wanted a decision on his future" and had "applied a bit of pressure around what would happen for him".

"That almost made it a decision that had to be made quickly rather than wait for a bit longer and review things," Blumberg added.

"The decision was also based on the fact that we didn't win enough games in the first block.

"There was definitely an improvement in performances with certain things going in the right direction, but the board wasn't content with the amount of wins."

Dragons return to United Rugby Championship (URC) action on 26 December when they host Cardiff at 17:15 GMT.

Bookmakers estimate 90% of the action on the opening round of the College Football Playoff will be placed this week, ahead of the four on-campus games that kick off Friday. The games begin with an in-state tilt featuring the popular underdog Indiana Hoosiers and culminate with a potential redemption game for the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night at the Horseshoe.

Point spreads opened last week when the CFP bracket was released and have held mostly steady, with the higher seeds -- Texas Longhorns, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State Buckeyes -- favored by a least a touchdown. The Oregon Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs and two long shots -- the Boise State Broncos and Arizona State Sun Devils -- await the winners of the opening-round games.

Here is a look at the early betting storylines.

Toughest road

The top half of the CFP bracket is stacked, featuring the best three teams in most oddsmakers' power ratings: Oregon, Texas and Ohio State, in varying orders. Barring monumental upsets, oddsmakers believe the team that comes out of the top half of the bracket will be favored in the championship game.

"That half of the bracket is just so much harder than the other one," Ed Salmons, veteran oddsmaker for the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, told ESPN. "You basically could argue that there are three teams that could be No. 1 seeds."

Oregon and Texas are listed as around +350 co-favorites to win the national championship at ESPN BET and other sportsbooks. Georgia, at +400, is ahead of Ohio State (+500) at ESPN BET, but oddsmakers say that's mostly because the Bulldogs have a seemingly easier path to the championship game, which will be played Jan. 20, in Atlanta.

Ohio State would likely be favored over Georgia, oddsmakers say, especially with the Bulldogs' injury situation at quarterback.

Georgia's odds reflect backup QB playing

Early lookahead lines on second-round games have Georgia as a small underdog to Notre Dame, a line that reflects the Bulldogs being quarterbacked by backup redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton. Starter Carson Beck injured his right elbow late in the second half of the SEC Championship Game and sat out all but one play in the second half. With Stockton under center, Georgia prevailed, beating Texas for the second time this season.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said last week that Beck underwent an MRI and was evaluating his options. The university offered no timeline for Beck's potential return, but oddsmakers aren't expecting him to play in Georgia's quarterfinal game Jan. 1.

"At this time, we are pricing Georgia with Carson Beck doubtful at best," Joey Feazel, who oversees college football odds for Caesars Sportsbook, said. "The strength of the Bulldogs is not their QB, so we do not expect a large decrease in their probability of winning the national championship."

Salmons of the SuperBook noted the challenge of gauging how good Stockton is after one half of football and said the Bulldogs have been inconsistent offensively even with Beck under center.

"It's an unknown right now," he said. "Usually when a quarterback goes out, you drop a team seven points in the power ratings. But I don't know how much to drop this Georgia team."

Even with the quarterback questions, Georgia remains an odds-on favorite to reach the semifinal round at sportsbooks and has the best odds of any team to make the championship game at +130 at ESPN BET.

Ohio State still has respect from bettors, bookmakers

There's lots to love about the 12-team playoff (unless you're Alabama), but at the top of the list is this: We get three times as much star power this year.

In the four-team era, the country wouldn't get to see the explosiveness of Ashton Jeanty or the brute force of Cam Skattebo or the all-around brilliance of Tyler Warren. The stage is bigger, so the stars can shine brighter.

With that in mind, ESPN's Bill Connelly, David Hale, Chris Low, Adam Rittenberg and Paolo Uggetti combed through the rosters of all 12 playoff teams to rank the top 50 players of the College Football Playoff.

This isn't a ranking of the stars who accomplished the most in the regular season, per se, though that plays a part. It's also not necessarily a ranking of the players who will put up the biggest numbers over the next seven weeks. Consider it more of a viewer's guide: When you tune in for the College Football Playoff, these are the 50 players you won't want to miss. -- David Hale

Jump to:
Top 25 | Top 10

50. Antonio Williams

WR, Clemson, sophomore
2024 stats: 838 yards, 10 TDs

After a breakout freshman season in 2022, Williams missed all but five games last year. The time away did little to hamper his development, however, and he returned in 2024 with a vengeance. He finished the season as the only player in the country with at least 800 receiving yards, 100 rushing yards and 100 punt return yards, and he also added a passing touchdown to his résumé, too. Williams was Clemson's most consistent receiver, catching 10 touchdown passes and hauling in at least five passes in each of the Tigers' final six games. His 18-yard grab on the final scrimmage play of the ACC championship game set up the game-winning field goal that launched Clemson into the playoff. -- Hale

49. Leif Fautanu

OL, Arizona State, senior
2024 stats: No sacks allowed

ASU's offensive MVP in 2023, the center returned to Tempe for his senior season and became one of the rocks of the Big 12's surprise team. Starting all 13 games, he was credited with only eight blown blocks all season -- five pressures and three blown run blocks -- and he will finish his career having earned all-conference votes in three separate conferences: the Mountain West (with UNLV), Pac-12 and Big 12. He's a modern success story. -- Bill Connelly

48. Dan Jackson

DB, Georgia, senior
2024 stats: 46 solo tackles, 1 FF, 3 PDs, 2 INTs

While Bulldogs safeties Malaki Starks and KJ Bolden were five-star recruits, Jackson had zero stars as a senior at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia. Jackson wasn't even an invited walk-on when he joined the Bulldogs in 2019. Remarkably, on a defense littered with future NFL players the past few seasons, Jackson started 18 games. This season, the hard-hitting safety had 60 tackles, 1 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. The sixth-year senior made one of the biggest plays of the season when he forced Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King to fumble with about two minutes left in regulation. Georgia won 44-42 in overtime. -- Mark Schlabach

47. Ahmed Hassanein

DE, Boise State, senior
2024 stats: 23 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks

After spending much of his childhood in Egypt, Hassanein has blossomed into one of the best defensive players in college football. He was named first-team All-Mountain West for a second straight year after finishing the regular season with 8.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. -- Kyle Bonagura

46. D'Angelo Ponds

DB, Indiana, sophomore
2024 stats: 35 solo tackles, 2 INTs, 9 PDs

Ponds delivered one of the more memorable plays in Indiana's breakthrough season, a 65-yard pick-six against Washington before a raucous crowd on a weekend where ESPN's "College GameDay" went to Bloomington for just the second time. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Ponds had two interceptions against Washington and finished the season with 53 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team. Ponds, a first-team All-Big Ten selection who joined Curt Cignetti at IU from James Madison, led the Hoosiers with nine pass breakups and also blocked a punt against Michigan State that resulted in a safety. -- Adam Rittenberg

45. Jaylen Reed

S, Penn State, senior
2024 stats: 43 solo tackles, 1 FF, 3 INTs, 3 PDs

He has lined up as a safety, a nickelback, an outside linebacker and an inside linebacker. He leads Penn State's defense in tackles and has generated 6 pressures and 1.5 sacks in 30 pass rushes. He also has made seven run stops (at or behind the line of scrimmage) and has picked off three passes with three breakups in coverage. He is the kind of senior leader every good defense needs. -- Connelly

44. Sam Leavitt

QB, Arizona State, freshman
2024 stats: 2,663 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs

As important as Cam Skattebo was, Leavitt wasn't far behind. The Sun Devils were 11-1 with him as the starter and have not lost a game he has played since Sept. 21, a span of eight games to end the regular season. Leavitt threw for 2,663 yards with 24 touchdowns to five interceptions and his QBR (81.6) ranked No. 11 in college football. -- Bonagura

43. Riley Leonard

QB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 2,092 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs

At first, his tenure as Notre Dame's starting quarterback was defined by a dismal loss to Northern Illinois. But since Week 3, he has been the seventh-best quarterback in college football (and third best in the CFP) based on Total QBR. He has topped 80 non-sack rushing yards four times, he has completed 68% of his passes with 16 TDs and only three interceptions since NIU, and most importantly, Notre Dame is 10-0 since then, too. -- Connelly

42. Will Howard

QB, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 2,860 yards, 27 TDs, 8 INTs

A transfer from Kansas State, Howard stepped into a high-profile role and generally handled himself well. He completed 72.3% of his passes for 2,860 yards and 27 touchdowns. Howard had some tough moments in Ohio State's losses to Oregon and Michigan, and even in a win at Penn State, but his accuracy stands out, and he rushed for touchdowns in seven games. A third-team All-Big Ten selection, Howard had multiple touchdown passes in 10 of 12 games and has 66 touchdown passes over the past three seasons. -- Rittenberg

41. Jack Kiser

LB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 37 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF

No player in Notre Dame's storied history has appeared in more games wearing an Irish uniform than Kiser, who is up to 66 in his sixth year with the program. A team captain this fall, he leads Notre Dame with 66 tackles, including three for loss and one sack, and he has added a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries. The 6-2, 231-pound Kiser anchors a Notre Dame defense that ranks third nationally in fewest points allowed and has fueled the team's CFP run. -- Rittenberg

40. Isaiah Nwokobia

S, SMU, junior
2024 stats: 51 solo tackles, 3 INTs, 3 PDs

An all-around ball hawk, Nwokobia emerged as one of the best defensive players in the ACC in the Mustangs' first season in the league. Nwokobia took the next step after being selected MVP in the American championship game a year ago, finishing second on the team with 96 total tackles, with 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 2 quarterback hurries. His interception in the end zone late against Louisville helped seal one of their best wins of the season. -- Andrea Adelson

39. Joshua Josephs

DL, Tennessee, junior
2024 stats:17 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 FFs

The 6-3, 245-pound junior edge rusher is the highest-graded defender in the SEC (minimum 150 snaps), according to Pro Football Focus. Josephs is second on Tennessee's team with nine tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries, and he leads the team with three forced fumbles. Josephs had some of his best games in two of the Vols' biggest wins, including a career-best three quarterback hurries in the win over Alabama and a career-best seven tackles (1.5 for loss) in an overtime win against Florida. -- Chris Low

38. Drew Allar

QB, Penn State, junior
2024 stats: 2,894 yards. 21 TDs, 7 INTs

A year ago, the knock on Allar was a lack of big-play performance. His overall numbers were impressive -- 25 touchdown passes and only two picks -- but after he completed less than half of his passes against Ohio State and Michigan, the enthusiasm was diminished. In the offseason, Penn State brought in new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and the results have been encouraging. Allar's yards-per-attempt went from 6.8 in 2023 to 8.9 in 2024, while his completion percentage ballooned from 60% last seaosn to nearly 70% this season. -- Hale

37. Jordan James

RB, Oregon, junior
2024 stats: 1,253 yards, 15 TDs

James was a was a second-team All-Big Ten selection after rushing for 1,253 yards with 15 touchdowns. James was a model of consistency rushing for between 83 and 121 yards in 11 of the Ducks' 13 games and was held out of the end zone in only two games. -- Bonagura

36. Matayo Uiagalelei

DE, Oregon, sophomore
2024 stats: 23 solo tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 1 INT

Many expected a breakout sophomore season from Uiagaleielei, who showed plenty of flashes of greatness during limited action in his freshman campaign, and he did just that. Uiagaleilei totaled 10.5 sacks, nearly one per game, and good for eighth-most of any player in the country. The sophomore added 23 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception, solidifying himself as one of the best defenders in the forthcoming playoff field, and in the country. -- Paolo Uggetti

35. Peter Woods

DL, Clemson, sophomore
2024 stats: 15 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 1 FF

He's 315 pounds of pure O-lineman-eating machine, and this season, Clemson lined him up on the edge. The results were mixed. Woods finished the regular season with only three sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, battling some injuries along the way and sitting out two games. But the upside remains incredible. Woods moves like a player half his size, and even when he's not making the sack, he's commanding the attention of opposing offenses, often freeing up rush lanes for his partner in crime, T.J. Parker. In the opener against Texas, he'll probably have his share of head-to-head battles with Kelvin Banks, setting up one of the most intriguing matchups of the postseason. -- Hale

34. Josh Conerly Jr.

OL, Oregon, junior
2024 stats: 1.4% pressure pct

A first-team All-Big Ten tackle, Conerly was the standout member of an Oregon offensive line that ranked No. 7 nationally in points per drive (3.05). No Power 4 quarterback with as many dropbacks as Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel (439) was sacked fewer times than he was (13), leading a balanced offensive attack. -- Bonagura

33. Jayden Virgin-Morgan

DE, Boise State, sophomore
2024 stats: 20 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 1 FF

With so much attention on Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos' offense this season, what has gone under the radar is Boise's defense and more specifically, the play of defensive end Virgin-Morgan, who has been a force. The sophomore from San Diego didn't have a single sack in his first season in Boise, but this season he turned the backfield into his playground and recorded 10 sacks. At 6-3, 245 pounds, Virgin-Morgan is one of the more dynamic players in the playoff and certainly one who deserves more of the spotlight. -- Uggetti

32. Jack Sawyer

DE, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 20 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 1 INT

Sawyer nearly came up with the game-changing play, intercepting a pass at the goal line in the fourth quarter against Michigan, but the Wolverines wound up winning anyway 13-10. Sawyer has had an impactful senior season, with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the way to earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. -- Jake Trotter

31. Barrett Carter

LB, Clemson, senior
2024 stats: 39 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks

Carter opted to return to Clemson for one season, and the move paid off. A Butkus Award finalist and first-team All-ACC selection, Carter again made an impact on defense. Carter racked up 76 total tackles -- including 10.5 tackles for loss while adding seven pass breakups and seven passes defended. There's a reason coach Dabo Swinney calls him "one of the best pure football players I've had in 20 years." -- Adelson

30. Kevin Jennings

QB, SMU, sophomore
2024 stats: 3,050 yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs

When coach Rhett Lashlee decided to elevate Jennings as his starter midway through the BYU game in Week 3, you could say the decision changed the trajectory of the Mustangs' season. Jennings went 9-1 as the starter, coming up just short in a 34-31 loss to Clemson in the ACC title game. On the season, Jennings threw for 3,050 yards, 22 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while adding 529 yards rushing and six scores. -- Adelson

29. Cody Simon

LB, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 31 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 1 FF

Simon can be overshadowed by Ohio State's other big-name players, but he is quietly having a fantastic senior season. Though only a third-team All-Big Ten selection, the team captain is second on Ohio State with 74 tackles and five sacks. Simon came up with several huge plays late to help the Buckeyes stave off an upset bid from Nebraska in a 21-17 victory in late October. -- Trotter

28. Aiden Fisher

LB, Indiana, junior
2024 stats: 44 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks

Fisher became the engine of Indiana's improvement on defense under coordinator Bryant Haines. He finished third in the Big Ten with 108 tackles, recording eight or more in eight games. Fisher earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and had four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also became an immediate leader for a defense that led the nation against the run and was No. 6 in fewest points allowed. -- Rittenberg

27. Malaki Starks

DB, Georgia, junior
2024 stats:48 solo tackles, 1 INT, 3 PDs

Georgia's coaches asked Starks to wear multiple hats in the secondary this season, as the junior lined up at safety and the star position. He led the Bulldogs with 73 tackles to go with 4 tackles for loss, 1 interception and 3 pass breakups. Starks' instincts and versatility are a big reason why he's considered the top safety in next year's NFL draft. According to PFF, he lined up 252 times in the slot, 190 in the box and 385 on the back end of the defense. He missed six tackles in 843 snaps. -- Schlabach

26. Cade Klubnik

QB, Clemson, junior
2024 stats: 3,303 yards, 33 TDs, 5 INTs

Consistency was the biggest issue for Klubnik in his first season as Clemson's starter in 2023, but he has been a steady performer week in and week out, particularly when it comes to using his legs. Klubnik rushed for 458 yards and seven touchdowns this season to go with more than 3,300 yards passing. His 33 touchdown throws rank third nationally, his 6.60 TD-to-INT ratio was best in FBS, and his 78.9 Total QBR ranks third among playoff QBs, trailing only Dillon Gabriel and Carson Beck. -- Hale

25. Tate Ratledge

OL, Georgia, senior
2024 stats: 0.4% pressure pct

It was no coincidence that Georgia's offensive line did a better job protecting quarterback Carson Beck once Ratledge returned to the starting lineup. The 6-6, 320-pound senior sat out four games after undergoing surgery on his right ankle on Sept. 17. He played every snap in the Bulldogs' 31-17 win over Tennessee on Nov. 16. Georgia didn't allow the Volunteers' vaunted defense to record a sack, and Ratledge was selected SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his effort. He gave up one sack and three quarterback hurries in 436 snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus. -- Schlabach

24. Andrew Mukuba

DB, Texas, senior
2024 stats: 33 solo tackles, 1 FF, 4 INTs, 5 PDs

The 6-0, 190-pound Austin native, who transferred back to Texas after three years at Clemson, is a physical hitter who helped stabilize the Longhorns' pass defense, which ranked 116th last season and No. 1 this season (143.1 YPG). He had 52 tackles (four for loss) with four interceptions this season, and led the Longhorns in tackles against Georgia in the SEC championship game with 11. -- Dave Wilson

23. Donovan Jackson

OL, Ohio State, senior
2024 stats: 250 snaps at both LT and LG

Jackson's versatility helped the Buckeyes weather the season-ending injury to left tackle Josh Simmons. After Jackson slid from left guard to left tackle, the Buckeyes defeated Penn State, then Indiana to earn the home playoff game. Regardless of position, Jackson has given up only seven quarterback pressures and three sacks all season. -- Trotter

22. Mikail Kamara

DL, Indiana, junior
2024 stats: 19 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 2 FFs

The James Madison transfer who followed coach Curt Cignetti to IU filled several roles, including pass rushing, where Kamara thrived. He finished second in the Big Ten in both tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (10), while earning first-team all-conference honors. Kamara became the first Indiana player to record 10 or more sacks since Jammie Kirlew in 2008, and has now recorded a tackle for loss in 30 of 35 career games. Kamara also forced two fumbles and had three fumble recoveries. -- Rittenberg

21. Jermod McCoy

DB, Tennessee, sophomore
2024 stats: 22 solo tackles, 4 INTs, 7 PDs

The Vols picked up McCoy in the transfer portal from Oregon State, and he has been a key addition on a defense that has given up more than 19 points in a game only once this season. The 6-0, 193-pound sophomore was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist as the top defensive back in college football, and he is second in the SEC with 13 passes defended and tied for second with four interceptions. He's a lockdown cover cornerback who has made several game-changing plays for the Vols. -- Low

20. James Pearce Jr.

DL, Tennessee, junior
2024 stats: 20 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 FF

After a slower start, mostly because of added attention from opposing offenses, Pearce played his best football down the stretch and leads all SEC defenders with 52 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. With 110 career pressures in three seasons at Tennessee, the 6-5, 243-pound junior edge rusher leads the Vols with 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks this season. He has registered at least half a tackle for loss in eight straight games. -- Low

19. Caleb Downs

S, Ohio State, sophomore
2024 stats: 33 solo tackles, 1 INT, 3 PDs

Downs has made an impact in his first season at Ohio State, both on defense and special teams. Downs, the SEC Freshman of the Year last season at Alabama before transferring, is third on the Buckeyes with 61 tackles to go along with two sacks and an interception. He also had a punt return touchdown that ignited a 38-15 rout of Indiana. -- Trotter

18. Brashard Smith

RB, SMU, senior
2024 stats: 1,270 yards, 14 TDs

Smith made the switch from receiver to running back this season and found a different gear -- posting the best season of his career after transferring from Miami. He earned a spot on the All-ACC first team with 1,270 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns, adding 303 yards receiving and four scores. His ability to make explosive plays helped transform the Mustangs' offense into one of the most dynamic in the country. -- Adelson

17. T.J. Parker

DE, Clemson, sophomore
2024 stats: 32 solo tackles, 11 sacks, 6 FFs

The sophomore defensive end made a huge impact along the Tigers' front, with 19 tackles for loss to rank No. 6 in the country, and 11 sacks to rank No. 11. His performance in the second half of the season is where he really made his mark. In his past seven games, Parker has 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 16 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage and 32 tackles -- including eight and 3.5 tackles for loss in the ACC championship game. -- Adelson

16. Kurtis Rourke

QB, Indiana, sophomore
2024 stats: 2,827 yards, 27 TDs, 4 INTs

The Ohio transfer anchored Indiana's efficient and powerful offense, completing 70.4% of his passes for 2,827 yards with 27 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He had touchdown passes in 10 of the 11 games he played, and had a 74% or better completion rate six times, while spreading the ball to Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr. and others. Rourke earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and tied a team single-game record with six touchdown passes in a rout of rival Purdue. -- Rittenberg

15. Tez Johnson

WR, Oregon, senior
2024 stats: 78 receptions, 866 yards, 10 TDs

After a 1,182-yard season while catching passes from Bo Nix last season, it was going to be difficult for Johnson to top that in 2024. Despite not having Nix under center and having to acclimate to a new quarterback while Oregon added transfer wideout Evan Stewart, Johnson didn't miss a beat. The senior from Alabama was still the Ducks' leading pass catcher (866 yards and 10 touchdowns) despite sitting out two games because of injury only to have his best game of the season in the Big Ten title game with 181 yards and a touchdown. -- Uggetti

14. Derrick Harmon

DL, Oregon, junior
2024 stats: 24 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 2 FFs

Much like his QB Dillon Gabriel, Harmon has made the most of his transfer decision. After three years at Michigan State, Harmon arrived in Eugene with the expectation he would wreak havoc on the Ducks' defensive line. He has done exactly that and more. In 13 games, Harmon has 42 tackles, 24 solo tackles, 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles -- all of them career highs. Oregon's defense hasn't been underrated, but it's worth noting that its consistency has been largely anchored by Harmon's play. -- Uggetti

13. Xavier Watts

S, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 31 solo tackles, 1 FF, 5 INTs, 8 PDs

A year ago, Watts won the Bronko Nagurski trophy as the nation's best defender, and yet in 2024, he was almost certainly better. Though his interception total dipped from seven to five, that was still tied for third most nationally. Meanwhile, Watts gave up only nine completions -- and no TDs -- as the primary defender in coverage this season, while racking up 14 passes defended, 11th most in the country. He also tallied 49 tackles, three QB hurries and a forced fumble as the centerpiece of Notre Dame's exceptional secondary. -- Hale

12. Jalon Walker

LB, Georgia, junior
2024 stats: 35 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks

The junior won the Butkus Award as the sport's top linebacker after totaling 57 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries this season. Texas will probably be happy to see the projected NFL first-round pick turn pro. Walker had seven tackles and three sacks in the first half of the Bulldogs' 30-15 win at Texas on Oct. 19, then had three tackles for loss and one sack in a 22-19 overtime victory against the Longhorns in the SEC championship game. -- Schlabach

11. Jeremiyah Love

RB, Notre Dame, sophomore
2024 stats: 949 yards, 15 TDs

He shares a backfield with the almost equally brilliant Jadarian Price, so his carry totals don't match those of other backs, but college football's 2024 hurdles champion proves his awesomeness with every touch, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown on every 9.2 carries or receptions. And of the 46 players with at least 900 rushing yards, Love's 4.1 yards per carry after contact are second to only Ashton Jeanty. -- Connelly

10. Jeremiah Smith

WR, Ohio State, freshman
2024 stats: 57 receptions, 934 yards, 10 TDs

The Big Ten Freshman and Receiver of the Year shattered all of Cris Carter's Ohio State true freshman receiving records set in 1984. On a Buckeyes offense loaded with playmakers, Smith is the most dangerous, highlighted by an ability to bring down one-handed catches or break off big runs after the catch. -- Trotter

9. Anthony Hill Jr.

LB, Texas, sophomore
2024 stats: 47 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 FFs, 1 INT

The 6-3, 235-pound sophomore linebacker is an every-down, sideline-to-sideline star. He led Texas in tackles (90), tackles for loss (16), forced fumbles (4), and he was second in sacks (7.5). He added an interception, four hurries and a fumble recovery to his stat line this fall. -- Wilson

8 Dylan Sampson

RB, Tennessee, junior
2024 stats: 1,485 yards, 22 TDs

Sampson has been the cornerstone of Tennessee's offense and one of the more consistent running backs in the country. The 5-11, 201-pound junior has 1,485 rushing yards and set the school record with 22 rushing touchdowns. Sampson became the second Tennessee player to have 10 rushing games of 100-plus yards in a season, and 1,051 of his yards came against SEC competition. He was selected as the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year by the conference's coaches. -- Low

7. Jahdae Barron

DB, Texas, senior
2024 stats: 32 solo tackles, 5 INT, 9 PDs

Barron, a fifth-year senior, won the Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. He has 36 career starts for the Longhorns, and he led the SEC in interceptions this season with five, while leading Texas in passes broken up (nine). He added 47 total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble for the nation's best pass defense that gave up only 143.1 yards per game and 5.1 yards per pass attempt, with just four passing TDs allowed all season. -- Wilson

6. Abdul Carter

DE, Penn State, junior
2024 stats: 37 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 2 FFs

It's sometimes hard to stand out on a really good defense. Carter doesn't have that problem. The junior from Philadelphia ranks first on the Nittany Lions' defense in tackles for loss (20), sacks (10), pressures (49), run stops (14) and is second in both tackles against the run and tackles against the pass. He's third nationally in TFLs and fifth in pressures, too. He's a do-everything star for a do-everything defense. -- Connelly

5. Kelvin Banks Jr.

OL, Texas, junior
2024 stats: gave up only 1 pressure

The 6-4, 320-pound junior won the Outland Trophy and started 39 straight games at left tackle. He helped three Texas running backs record 100-yard games this season, and he was the centerpiece for an offense averaging 6.2 yards per play, 164.4 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry with 21 TDs, while also ranking 13th in passing offense (281 YPG). -- Wilson

4. Tyler Warren

TE, Penn State, senior
2024 stats: 88 receptions, 1,062 yards, 6 TDs

In any season that didn't include Travis Hunter, odds are Warren would be considered the clear-cut best all-around player in college football. Penn State used him all over the field offensively, lining him up at tight end, halfback, receiver and even quarterback. Warren finished the regular season with 1,062 receiving yards and six TD catches, 191 rushing yards and four TD runs, and, for good measure, 35 passing yards and a touchdown throw. He's the first non-QB since Kentucky's Lynn Bowden to rack up 1,200 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in a season in which he also threw, ran and caught at least one TD. -- Hale

3. Cam Skattebo

RB, Arizona State, senior
2024 stats: 1,568 yards, 19 TDs

Skattebo was a revelation in Arizona State's monumental turnaround, becoming the first player in Big 12 history to rush for at least 1,500 yards and have more than 500 yards receiving in the same season. He trailed only Ashton Jeanty in yards from scrimmage this season (2,074) and finished with 22 touchdowns, including nine in his past three games. -- Bonagura

2. Dillon Gabriel

QB, Oregon, senior
2024 stats: 3,558 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs

The journeyman of college football found his way to Eugene this season and his decision to return to college could not have gone much better. After a stellar year at Oklahoma, Gabriel seamlessly fit into Oregon's offense and led the Ducks to an undefeated season while completing 73.2% of his passes (the best mark of his college career) for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns. Beyond the numbers, Gabriel has yet to meet a stage too big for him this season -- some of his best games have come against Oregon's toughest opponents, and his experience across six years of college football is bound to be crucial come playoff time. -- Uggetti

1. Ashton Jeanty

RB, Boise State, junior
2024 stats: 2,497 yards, 29 TDs

There's not much more to be said about Jeanty that hasn't been said this season and yet, it bears repeating, reemphasizing and reiterating just what kind of year Jeanty has put together. Jeanty carried the ball 344 times this season for 2,497 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and 29 touchdowns. It is arguably the best single season by a running back since Barry Sanders in 1988 when he ran for 2,850 yards. His play has been a crucial part for why Boise State finds itself with a place in the College Football Playoff and a first-round bye. Whichever team the Broncos face in the Fiesta Bowl will have to try its best to do what no one else has been able to. Perhaps Jeanty himself said it best, on a recent podcast appearance: "The whole defense, every single week, is geared toward stopping me, and they still couldn't." -- Uggetti