College Football 2023: Highest-graded players at every position through Week 10

• Jayden Daniels: The LSU quarterback is the highest-graded in the country this year.

• Audric Estime: The Notre Dame junior paces all FBS running backs with a 91.5 grade.

• Tyler Nubin: One of the top safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft is also the highest-graded safety in college football.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

We’re now three-quarters of the way through the 2023 college football season. Ahead of a jam-packed Week 11, here are the highest-graded Power Five and Group of Five players at every position.

Quarterback

Power Five: Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers – 93.1

Don’t let his team’s three losses fool you — Jayden Daniels is still playing at an elite level. His 23 big-time throws are tied for second among all quarterbacks in the country while his 34 forced missed tackles are third.

Group of Five: Gunnar Watson, Troy Trojans – 88.6

Watson’s 21 big-time throws this season are tied for fourth among all quarterbacks in college football.

Running Back

Power Five: Audric Estime, Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 91.5

Estime’s 671 yards after contact this season are fifth among FBS running backs.

Group of Five: Kimani Vidal, Troy Trojans & Ashton Jeanty, Boise State Broncos – 90.4

Vidal’s 64 forced missed tackles are tied for third among FBS running backs while Jeanty’s 405 receiving yards are the most in the country.

Wide Receiver

Power Five: Malik Nabers, LSU Tigers – 92.6

Nabers’ 1,151 receiving yards are over 100 more than the next-closest FBS receiver. The junior has also proven to be one of the best deep threats in the country, as his 99.1 receiving grade on 20-plus yard throws leads the country.

Group of Five: Ricky White, UNLV Rebels – 87.4

White has been one of the most efficient receivers in college football. His 3.77 yards per route run is third among all receivers in the nation.

Tight End

Power Five: AJ Barner, Michigan Wolverines – 90.5

Barner is almost like a third offensive tackle for the Wolverines when he’s on the field. The Indiana transfer’s 82.2 run-blocking grade leads all tight ends in the country this season.

Group of Five: Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green Falcons – 81.5

Fannin is a menace with the ball in his hands, as his 241 yards after the catch are the fourth-most among all tight ends in college football. Only Brock Bowers averages more yards per route run than the sophomore as well.

Offensive Tackle

Power Five: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State Beavers – 89.9

Fuaga has been an absolute road grader this season. His 91.9 run-blocking grade is over five points higher than the next-closest tackle in the country.

Group of Five: Adam Karas, Air Force Falcons – 85.1

Air Force runs the ball at easily the highest rate in the country, meaning their offensive linemen must be dominant run blockers. Karas does just that, placing fourth among Group of Five tackles with an 81.1 run-blocking grade.

Offensive Guard

Power Five: Michael Jurgens, Wake Forest Demon Deacons – 86.5

Jurgens’ 90.0 run-blocking grade this year is nearly five points higher than the next-best guard in college football.

Group of Five: Clay Webb, Jacksonville State Gamecocks – 88.8

Webb is the only guard in the country with top-three grades as a pass-blocker and run-blocker this season. Amazingly, he still hasn’t given up a pressure this season on 257 pass-blocking snaps.

Center

Power Five: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon Ducks – 81.6

JPJ is second among all centers in the nation this season in both pass-blocking and run-blocking grades. He’s only surrendered one pressure on 328 pass-blocking snaps.

Group of Five: Ethan Miner, North Texas Mean Green – 80.2

Miner excels in pass protection, as he hasn’t allowed a sack on 379 pass-blocking snaps this year. His 1.1% pressure rate allowed is tied for sixth among all FBS centers as well.

Interior Defensive Lineman

Power Five: T’Vondre Sweat, Texas Longhorns – 91.3

Sweat is the only defensive tackle in the country who possesses a top-five grade both as a pass-rusher and run defender. The senior’s 16.0% pass-rush win rate is sixth in the nation at his position while his 12 tackles for loss/no gain are tied for second.

Group of Five: Peyton Zdroik, Air Force Falcons – 84.6

Zdroik eats up blocks in the run game. The junior’s 87.9 run-defense grade this season is tied for third among Group of Five interior defensive linemen.

Edge Defender

Power Five: Laiatu Latu, UCLA Bruins – 93.9

Latu has the best comeback story in college football. While at Washington, he missed the 2020 and 2021 seasons after being forced to medically retire with a neck injury. He then transferred to UCLA and posted a 91.0 pass-rushing grade that was fourth among Power Five edge defenders.

His 24.7% pressure rate this season leads all FBS edge defenders.

Group of Five: Ben Bell, Texas State Bobcats – 90.8

Bell has been the most efficient pass-rusher in the nation this year. He leads the FBS with a 31.3% pass-rush win rate while his 22.6% pressure rate is fourth among all edge defenders.

Linebacker

Power Five: Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M Aggies – 91.0

Cooper has been an all-around stud for the Aggies this season, posting 75-plus grades as a run defender, pass-rusher and in coverage. His 91.8 coverage grade, in particular, leads the nation for his position.

Group of Five: Jailin Walker, James Madison Dukes – 90.4

Speaking of versatile stars, that’s exactly what Walker has been for the Dukes this season. He’s the only linebacker in college football with 80-plus grades in run defense, as a pass-rusher and in coverage.

Cornerback

Power Five: Sebastian Castro, Iowa Hawkeyes – 90.1

Castro has only allowed a 38.2 passer rating when targeted this season. For reference, spiking the ball every play nets a 39.6 rating. His three interceptions are a top-15 mark among FBS corners as well.

Group of Five: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo Rockets – 90.2

Mitchell was the highest-graded corner in the country last season, earning a 92.5 mark. He’s continuing that success this year with 13 forced incompletions, the third-most in the country.

Safety

Power Five: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota Golden Gophers – 91.2

Nubin has only allowed a 25% completion rate this season, second among all safeties in the country. He’s only allowed three catches while picking up a combined eight interceptions and forced incompletions.

Group of Five: Brylan Green, Liberty Flames – 85.2

Green is one of only two Group of Five safeties with 80-plus grades both in coverage and as a run defender. His five interceptions are tied for second among all safeties in the FBS as well.