College football's most electrifying players

The Kentucky defensive standout continues to rise up NFL draft boards. At 6-foot-5 and in the neighborhood of 260 pounds, Allen seems like an ideal fit to thrive in a 3-4 scheme at the next level. He's among the nation's leaders in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (14.5). His pursuit of both ball-carriers and quarterbacks is something special.

Kyler Murray's favorite target leads the team with 40 receptions and 738 yards. Five of Brown's seven touchdown receptions this season have gone for 50 or more yards. His straight-line speed combined with good hands make Brown an enticing NFL prospect with game-breaking ability.

Fifth in the country, averaging 133.3 rushing yards per game, Cronkrite has found a home some 120 miles from Gainesville — and the University of Florida — where his college career began. He's busted touchdown runs of 66, 76, 77 and 80 yards already this season. Cronkrite's 302 rushing yards against UMass earlier this month set a school record.

Whether it's as a receiver or return man, Dortch is someone to keep an eye on the rest of the season. The sophomore might be only 5-foot-9, but he is sixth in the country, averaging 154.4 all-purpose yards. Dortch also ranks among the national leaders with 60 receptions and a 13.5 yards-per-average punt return.

Like Dortch, what the 5-foot-10 Duck lacks in size he certainly makes up for in heart and talent. He's one of the Mountaineers most active defenders with 26 tackles and two pass break ups. Duck also ranks 10th in the country, averaging 13.3 yards per punt return and took one back 62 yards for a TD against Gardner-Webb earlier this season.

The sophomore has worked his way into the fringe of the Heisman conversation while gaining 845 yards and totaling 15 touchdowns — tied for first in the country. His 203-yard, three-touchdown effort in a comeback victory over Syracuse in Week 5 was the breakout performance that showed Etienne's capabilities.

Another diminutive (5-foot-8) athlete who has not let a lack of size prevent him from enjoying a solid collegiate career, Green is far from a household name. But he'll enter November with 187 receptions and 21 touchdowns during his four seasons with the Warhawks. The shifty Green has also returned a punt 71 yards for a TD this season after taking back four kickoffs for scores in 2017.

Henderson is banged up at the moment, but he still leads the nation in yards per carry (10.1) and is tied in total touchdowns (15). The nation's second-leading rusher is averaging 143.5 yards per game and relies on an explosive burst that isn't seen by many running backs currently in college. Eight of his 13 rushing TDs have been at least 47 yards.

Great name, great game. Humphrey has shown he can do it all. Already this season, the junior has run for and thrown a touchdown. That's in addition to his four TD catches for the Longhorns. His versatility and happy-go-lucky nature have also made Humphrey a favorite in Austin, though not among Big 12 opponents.

If college football fans didn't know about King, they should after he posted five passing touchdowns, two rushing, and 551 combined yards in a rout of then-No. 21 South Florida over the weekend. King, who is generating some modest Heisman buzz, is tied for third in the country with 28 passing TDs and has rushed for 11 — combined they are the most in the nation. He just might be the most exciting player in college football.

The preseason Heisman favorite is not even in the consideration because of injuries and an inconsistent offense. However, there is still time for Love to heat up — if he is healthy enough. He broke free for a 43-yard gain against Washington State on Saturday, so the burst still appears to be there.

During UCF's remarkable 20-game winning streak, Milton has thrown 53 touchdown passes and rushed for another 14 scores. Milton can obviously do it with his arm and feet, but what makes him even more exciting is his intelligence. He reads defenses well enough to understand when his legs can do the job better than his arm.

Just a freshman, Moore has already put the country on notice of his talent — especially after the explosive receiver caught 12 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Purdue's impressive upset rout of Ohio State. Also one of the nation's better return men, Moore is tied for third in the country with 68 catches and is his team's third-leading rusher (163 yards).

What's perhaps most impressive about Murray is that he makes things look easy. Whether it's throwing any of his 28 touchdown passes or rushing for six, the first-year starter is as confident as they come. The Heisman candidate has thrown at least three touchdowns in all but one game in 2018 and has been picked off once in the last four. 

The 2017 Outland Trophy winner is dealing with a bruised knee, but not even a bad wheel is likely to keep him down for long. Oliver's explosiveness off the ball is truly something special to watch. A great combination of size and speed has resulted in 13.5 sacks and 52 tackles for loss in his two-plus seasons for the Cougars.

Samuel's numbers aren't necessarily eye-catching and injuries have hindered his career at South Carolina, but there is no doubting his versatility and big-play capability. In addition to his 10 career touchdown receptions (five in 2018), Samuel has rushed for seven, returned three kicks for TDs and thrown two touchdown passes.

A toe injury has recently sidelined one of the most dynamic athletes and breakout performers in college football this season. The sophomore has caught six touchdowns and rushed for five. His 60 receptions also rank among the most in the nation. Mired in a three-game skid, Colorado has missed its best player and is uncertain when he will be back. 

Nicknamed "Motor," Singletary got off to a slow start this season but has averaged 125.4 rushing yards in his last five contests. That run started with a 131-yard, three-touchdown performance against undefeated UCF. Many believe Singletary has the potential for a solid NFL future because of his speed and game-breaking talent.

Known as the "Tasmanian Devil," Smith might be undersized at 6-foot, 225 pounds and his future in pro football is uncertain. What's a fact is that he's one of the most exciting defenders in the nation. In over two seasons for the Huskies, Smith has totaled 22 sacks and an impressive 45 tackles for loss. Not bad for a guy who went to college as a running back.

It's been a special season for Kentucky, thanks in part to Snell. The junior is in pursuit of the school's all-time rushing record while on the verge of a third consecutive 1,000-yard season. At 5-foot-11, 223, Snell can bang with the toughest of defenders but is still capable of scooting by pursuing defensive backs.

A preseason All-American after recording 10.5 sacks last season, Sweat again ranks among the national leaders in that department. He might not possess the technical graces that pro scouts like in other collegiate defensive ends at the moment, but Sweat is a relentless pass rusher who is as disruptive and entertaining as they come.

The Heisman front-runner might not fall under the typical electrifying label, but the way he goes about his business with confidence seems subtly exciting. Tagovailoa is electrifying in the sense that he can make just about any throw, works the pocket well and is an elite decision maker. He's still yet to throw an interception.  

Quarterback Khalil Tate grabbed the headlines prior to the season, but Taylor might currently be the best player on Arizona's roster. The redshirt sophomore is among the nation's leaders in all-purpose yardage and has rushed for 1,029 yards thanks to a stellar 212-yard effort against then-No. 19 Oregon over the weekend and 284 vs. Oregon State earlier in the campaign.

The nation's leading rusher in terms of yards (1,155) and average yards per game (144.4) was stymied by Northwestern over the weekend, but the sophomore still is one of the most explosive backs in the country. Only five times in 22 career games for the Badgers has Taylor, whose strength is almost as impressive as his speed, been held to fewer than 100 yards.

The long hair flowing from Winovich's helmet only adds to the wild-man image of one of the game's top defenders. His passion and heart make Winovich fun to watch and someone who expects to carry over his success to Sundays. His 11 tackles for loss rank among the most in the Big Ten.