25 offensive players to watch during the 2023 college football season

According to STATS Perform, since 2018, no active player has thrown for more yards than Hartman's 12,967, or tossed more touchdowns (110) during that span. Of course, all came during 48 games for Wake Forest. Now, Hartman, who had his moments of Heisman Trophy consideration in the past, gets a shot on the main stage with Notre Dame. Hartman certainly has the experience to handle the pressure. So, if he can stay healthy, then the Irish might be in a good position to again challenge for a College Football Playoff spot. 

The ACC Preseason Player of the Year, Maye seems to be college football's "It" guy for 2023. Now, his latest moment of praise seems justified after winning ACC Player of the Year last season, while ranking fourth in the nation with 4,321 passing yards, plus tossing 38 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. Maye also rushed for 698 yards and seven touchdowns, all coming during his first full season as a starter for the Tar Heels, who should again be one of the most potent offensive teams in the country. 

Nix truly has a chance to end an interesting collegiate career in style. One of the most hyped freshman quarterbacks in Auburn history back in 2019, things didn't work out as planned for Nix, who threw just 39 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Tigers. However, when he changed addresses to Eugene last season, Nix was one of the best stories of 2022. Showing off his overall athletic ability, Nix set career highs for passing attempts (409), completions (294), touchdowns (29) and passer rating (165.7), all while totaling personal bests on the ground with 510 yards and 14 TDs. We can't wait to see what Nix has for his grand finale.

One of the best comeback stories in recent memory within the confines of college football, Penix proved he can still play at high level last season. Injuries — including two ACL tears — at Indiana kept him from being a star. However, Penix made the most of his return to action with Washington in 2022, ranking among the top five nationally in passing yards (4,641) and completions (362), while throwing for 31 touchdowns and being sacked just eight times. If Penix can stay healthy, the Huskies can seriously build on that 11-2 mark from last season, and he could end up being one of the first QBs taken in the '24 NFL draft.

Like Sam Hartman, Bo Nix and Michael Penix, Travis has a chance to end a long collegiate career on an exceptionally high note. However, unlike those mentioned, Travis didn't live up to his early hype — beginning at Louisville, then FSU. But after throwing for 1,539 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021, Travis finally tasted sustained success while recording 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2022. The Seminoles have high expectations for 2023, and Travis must be the center of attention for the resurgent storied program.

Ohio State great Archie Griffin remains the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice, which he accomplished in consecutive years (1974-75). Is Williams the guy capable of being the guy to join Griffin on that list? Perhaps, but the pressure will no doubt be massive on the shoulders of the Trojans star, notably because it's going to be hard to top Williams's 2022 performance, when he recorded 4,537 passing yards and 42 touchdowns (while throwing just five interceptions). He also ran for 382 yards and 10 TDs. It will be interesting to see if Williams can handle it all. 

Wisconsin's 7-6 effort from 2022 was highly disappointing for the folks in Madison, and coach Paul Chryst didn't even make it to the end before being fired. And while the offense was anemic, Allen was a bright spot while rushing for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. In his two seasons at Wisconsin, Allen has posted 2,510 yards, averaged 6.0 per carry and totaled 23 touchdowns on the ground. Enter new coach Luke Fickell, along with a potentially more balanced, up-tempo offense, and Allen could be in for even better days.

Corum told USA Today's Wolverines Wire that he's "feeling stronger than ever" following that knee injury he suffered against Illinois on Nov. 19. He would only play a bit of the Ohio State game before being shut down for the season. Now, Corum is poised to return in grand fashion. Even with the injury, Corum rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns, while averaging nearly 6.0 yards per carry last season. Obviously, health will be at the forefront for Corum's cause in 2023, and paramount if the Wolverines are to make a third straight trip to the College Football Playoff.

A foot injury limited Henderson to eight games during his 2022 sophomore season, which ended on Nov. 19. Apparently healthy, and ready to star like the guy who ran for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman in '21, Henderson is primed to go. However, he's going to share the spotlight, at least to start, with a pair of talented backs in Miyan Williams and Evan Pryor, not to mention Dallan Hayden and Chip Trayanum also potentially in the Ohio State backfield mix this season. Henderson, though, will be the one to watch. 

There is plenty of anticipation to see how Judkins follows up his stellar freshman season. In 2022, Judkins led the SEC in carries (274), rushing yards (1,567) — only Herschel Walker had more yards in the league as a freshman — and rushing touchdowns (16). The Rebels hope to make serious noise within the SEC in '23, and while a good deal of the attention will be on the quarterback spot, Judkins' needs to step up his game, as well. He's no longer a mystery, which puts obvious pressure on a player some pundits of the game feel is a darkhorse Heisman contender.

Right behind the aforementioned Quinshon Judkins in SEC rushing last season was the bruising Sanders, who enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign with 1,443 yards. He also ran for 10 scores and caught 28 passes that resulted in two more touchdowns. Plenty of eyes will be on the player known as "Rocket," who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs roughly 240 pounds. However, much like the case at Ohio State, the Razorbacks' backfield corps is stacked with talent. Sanders remains at the forefront, but the pressure to build on his sophomore season will be quite high — with others eagerly waiting in the wings.

The Tigers will be counting on young Cade Klubnik to lead the offense under center, but Shipley enters this season as the established offensive star of the team. An injury dimmed an otherwise strong freshman season when he ran for 738 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games in 2021. Then last season, Shipley handled a full load, rushing for 1,182 with 15 TDs, while also catching 38 passes out of the Tigers' backfield. In 2022, Shipley became the first ACC player to earn all-conference honors in the running back, all-purpose and specialist categories.

Since the start of the 2019 season, no wide receiver in college football has produced more receiving yards than Cowing's 3,629. Also during that span, Cowing ranks sixth in receptions (226), and has scored 21 touchdowns during his accomplished collegiate career. Now, three of those seasons came at UTEP, but Cowing enters 2023 as the Pac-12's reigning reception leader from 2022, when he hauled in 85 for Arizona. He's also been placed on the preseason watch lists for both the Maxwell and Biletnikoff Awards. 

One half of America's best receiving duo, Egbuka burst on the scene in 2022, when he caught 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes. He finished in the top 10 nationally in the latter two categories and added another dimension to the Ohio State offense. Egbuka recorded 17 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns during Ohio State's two CFP contests. Now, he has a new quarterback throwing his way in Kyle McCord. Not to mention, Egbuka still has to share the Buckeyes' receiving workload with the squad's undisputed superstar ... 

... who would be Mr. Harrison. Arguably the best non-quarterback Heisman Trophy contender, Harrison is a stud. College football fans got a glimpse of what he could do during a modest 2021 effort. However, Harrison balled out in 2022, ranking fourth in the country in receiving touchdowns (14), sixth in receiving yards (1,263), eighth in average yards per game (97.2) and 18th in receptions (77). In 2022, Harrison became Ohio State's first unanimous All-American wide receiver, and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which he should be considered a favorite to win this season.

Perhaps the only person who can contain Nabers is the standout LSU receiver himself. Nabers is a serious talent (72 receptions, 1,1017 receiving yards in 2022), who is expected to help lead the Tigers back to the college football promised land in 2023. However, he comes with some baggage that can be concerning. In February, Nabers was arrested for allegedly carrying a weapon in New Orleans, but wasn't charged. Then, in the early days of fall practice, he got into a fight on the field. The skill level is obviously elite for Nabers, but will his head stay on straight?

Another receiver looking to build on a breakout season from 2022. In this case, Odunze truly benefited from having the previously mentioned Michael Penix Jr. under center at Washington. Last season, Odunze caught 75 passes for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. In the previous two seasons, without Penix in the mix, Odunze totaled 47 catches for 487 yards and four touchdowns combined. It will be fun to what Penix and Odunze have in store in 2023, when the Huskies will be eyeing a Pac-12 title — and perhaps more. 

Maybe the ideal scenario for Longhorns fans is Arch Manning throwing the ball to Xavier Worthy. That day might come at some point this season, but to start, Quinn Ewers is Texas' quarterback, and Worthy should no doubt be his favorite target. In his two seasons at Texas, Worthy has totaled 122 receptions for 1,741 yards and 21 yards. He's a serious big-play threat who performs larger than his 6-1 frame. That said, Worthy only amassed one game of 100 or more receiving yards last season, so Texas might like to see a few more in 2023. 

There's an argument to made that Bowers is a legitimate preseason Heisman Trophy contender. In two seasons, the Bulldogs star has totaled 119 receptions for 1,824 yards and 20 touchdowns. The latter two are the most of any tight end combining the 2021 and '22 seasons. And, talk about stepping up when it matters most: Bowers has three touchdowns in four CFP games, including one coming while catching seven passes for 152 yards during Georgia's 65-7 rout of TCU in last season's national championship contest.

We already touched on Edwards' running mate in Blake Corum. However, when it comes to true versatility and dynamic offensive ability, the Wolverines have Donovan Edwards. With Corum banged up in 2022, Edwards ran for 991 yards and seven touchdowns (including 216 yards and two scores versus Ohio State). During his two seasons at Michigan, Edwards has also caught 38 passes for 463 yards with three touchdowns. Edwards could be showcased more in 2023, regardless of Corum's status, and is obviously a big reason why the Wolverines are good enough to claim a third straight Big Ten title.

Alt actually played some tight end to open his Notre Dame career in 2021, but he's obviously found his form as one of the best tackles in the country. At 6-foot-7, and tipping the scales at a little more than 320 pounds, Alt has started 21 consecutive games as the Irish's left tackle, and last season was named a first-team All-American by The Associated Press. This season, he'll have a new quarterback in the aforementioned Sam Hartman to work with and protect. Alt and Co. allowed just 21 sacks in 2022. 

One of the most decorated offensive lineman currently playing college football, Beebe is a two-time, first-team All-Big 12 selection and was the conference's Offensive Lineman of the Year (by the league's coaches) in 2022. Beebe has started 35 games for the Wildcats, and according to Pro Football Focus, he has not yielded a sack in his last 803 blocking plays. Beebe also happens to be one of the most versatile lineman in the country, having started 13 games at left tackle in 2021 and all 14 at the left guard spot last season.

At 6-6 and in the neighborhood of 320 pounds, Fashanu has made quite the name for himself in a relatively short period of time. After seeing time as a freshman in 2021, Fashanu started eight games at left tackle in 2022, and according to the Nittany Lions, he did not allow a sack in 281 block plays. Sure, Fashanu's sample size isn't all that big, but when it comes to what he's already shown and the potential that lies within, it's understandable why he's thought of so highly around the country. 

When it comes to college football's top centers entering this season, Van Pran certainly stands out among the rest. After getting his feet wet with the Bulldogs in 2020, Van Pran started all 15 games at center for the national champs in 2022. He then repeated that feat last season, when Georgia again won it all. Entering the 2023 campaign, Van Pran was included on Outland Trophy Watch List, and should be in the running for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's top center. 

A two-time, first-team All-Big Ten selection, Zinter has started 31 of the 33 games he's played for Michigan during his successful collegiate career. All but one of those has come at right guard, where Zinter just might be the best in the country to play the position at the moment. Guys like Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards can thank Zinter for their own personal successes for the Wolverines. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see when Zinter's college days have finished as to where he slots among NFL draft picks.