College Football 2023: Highest-graded players at every position through Week 11

• QB Jayden Daniels, LSU: The LSU quarterback is staking his claim as the Heisman front-runner as the highest-graded signal-caller in the nation.

• WR Malik Nabers, LSU: Daniels’ favorite target is the highest-graded wide receiver in the country this year.

• LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M: The Aggies star is the highest-graded FBS linebacker this season.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Amazingly, there are only two weeks left of the college football regular season. Ahead of a jam-packed Week 12, here are the highest-graded Power Five and Group of Five players at every position.

Quarterback

Power Five: Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers – 94.6

Don’t let his team’s three losses fool you — Jayden Daniels is still playing at an elite level and deserves to be the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. He not only leads all FBS quarterbacks in passing grade (91.9), but he also paces them all in rushing grade (92.1).

Group of Five: Kaidon Salter, Liberty Flames – 90.2

Salter has been one of the biggest reasons for Liberty’s 10-0 record. His 8.9% big-time throw rate trails only Jayden Daniels among all FBS quarterbacks.

Running Back

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

Estime’s 4.1 yards after contact per attempt ranks fourth among Power Five running backs.

Group of Five: Kairee Robinson, San Jose State Spartans – 91.1

Robinson’s 93.1 rushing grade leads all running backs in the country, and his 7.1 yards per carry is fifth among that same group.

Wide Receiver

Power Five: Malik Nabers, LSU Tigers – 93.2

Nabers has racked up 1,283 receiving yards through 11 weeks, 126 more than the next-closest FBS receiver. The junior's 24 forced missed tackles after the catch is tied for third.

Group of Five: Ricky White, UNLV Rebels – 89.8

White has been one of the most efficient receivers in college football. His 3.95 yards per route run is second among all receivers in the nation.

Tight End

Power Five: AJ Barner, Michigan Wolverines – 90.3

Barner is almost like a third offensive tackle for the Wolverines when he’s on the field. The Indiana transfer’s 82.3 run-blocking grade leads all tight ends in the country this season.

Group of Five: Colin Weber, Charlotte 49ers – 81.6

Weber does most of his damage with the ball in his hands. Of his 339 receiving yards, 243 have come after the catch. That’s the seventh-most among all tight ends in the nation.

Offensive Tackle

Power Five: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State Beavers – 91.4

Fuaga has been an absolute road grader this season. His 93.4 run-blocking grade is nearly nine points higher than the next-closest tackle in the country.

Group of Five: Adam Karas, Air Force Falcons – 82.7

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 a 78.3 run-blocking grade.

Offensive Guard

Power Five: Michael Jurgens, Wake Forest Demon Deacons – 89.0

Jurgens’ 92.4 run-blocking grade is seven 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. Amazingly, he still hasn’t given up a pressure despite playing 257 pass-blocking snaps.

Center

Power Five: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon Ducks – 81.0

JPJ is second among all centers in the nation in pass-blocking grade and is third in run-blocking grade. He’s surrendered only one pressure on 361 pass-blocking snaps.

Group of Five: Ethan Miner, North Texas Mean Green – 81.4

Miner excels in pass protection, as he hasn’t allowed a sack on 418 pass-blocking snaps. His 1.0% pressure rate allowed is tied for sixth among all FBS centers.

Interior Defensive Lineman

Power Five: T’Vondre Sweat, Texas Longhorns – 91.2

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 fourth in the nation, while his 13 tackles for loss or no gain are tied for second.

Group of Five: Peyton Zdroik, Air Force Falcons – 85.1

Zdroik eats up blocks in the run game. The junior’s 89.2 run-defense grade is second among Group of Five interior defensive linemen and fifth among all defensive tackles in the country.

Edge Defender

Power Five: Laiatu Latu, UCLA Bruins – 93.6

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 ranked fourth among Power Five edge defenders.

This season, his 22.3% pressure rate is second among all FBS edge defenders, while his 23.1% pass-rush win rate is third.

Group of Five: Ben Bell, Texas State Bobcats – 90.7

Bell has been the most efficient pass-rusher in the nation. He leads the FBS with a 29.8% pass-rush win rate and is third with a 21.8% pressure rate.

Linebacker

Power Five: Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M Aggies – 90.5

Cooper has been an all-around stud for the Aggies this season, earning 80.0-plus grades as a run defender, pass-rusher and in coverage. He’s the only Power Five linebacker to accomplish that feat and is one of only two in the nation to do so, joining the next player on this list.

Group of Five: Jailin Walker, James Madison Dukes – 90.9

Walker is the other FBS linebacker with 80.0-plus grades in all three aspects of defense. His 90.8 coverage grade leads all linebackers in the country.

Cornerback

Power Five: Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas Razorbacks – 91.1

On 19 targets, McGlothern has allowed only nine catches and has seven combined interceptions and forced incompletions.

Group of Five: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo Rockets – 90.7

Mitchell was the highest-graded corner in the country last season at 92.5. He’s forced 16 incompletions this season, the second-most in the country.

Safety

Power Five: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota Golden Gophers – 90.6

Nubin has allowed only a 23.1% completion rate, the lowest among all safeties in the country. He’s caught more interceptions (four) than catches he's allowed (three) to opposing receivers this year.

Group of Five: Brylan Green, Liberty Flames – 85.8

Green is one of six FBS safeties with 80.0-plus grades both in coverage and as a run defender. His five interceptions are tied for second among all safeties in the nation, as well.