NHL Power Rankings: Players under the most pressure in the final month
Playoff races are getting tighter. So is the race for teams that are jockeying for position ahead of the NHL draft lottery. Because this is what happens when the NHL is in the midst of its final full month of the season.
Don’t forget the players. There are a number of them who are also going to be under watch for one reason or another — either in those playoff races or as they approach free agency. That’s why for this week’s edition of NHL Power Rankings, we have identified the players who are under the most pressure as the regular season draws to a close.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition, published March 10. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 79.85%
Next seven days: @ MIN (March 18), @ BUF (March 19), vs. OTT (March 21), vs. MTL (March 23)
Can the whole team be the answer? And that’s a serious question. Are the Bruins really about to go wire-to-wire and win it all? What they’ve done places them in the discussion to be one of the all-time great regular-season teams that can be an all-time great team should it win a championship. Of course, there is that caveat about how the past nine Presidents’ Trophy recipients haven’t won the Stanley Cup. The Bruins know this because it has happened to them twice since the 2013-14 season. Plus, we just saw it recently in 2018-19, when the 128-point Lightning were eliminated in the first round. Is this the team that becomes the next Icarus or does it torch everything and everyone in its path?
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 72.73%
Next seven days: @ TOR (March 17), @ PHI (March 18), @ NYR (March 21), vs. NYR (March 23)
Jesse Puljujarvi has a rather strong case. The Hurricanes were already without Max Pacioretty for the rest of the season and announced earlier this week Andrei Svechnikov would also miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Losing two top-six forwards within months is a serious blow to any team, let alone one challenging for the Stanley Cup. It’s not to suggest Puljujarvi can be the quick fix. But any offensive contributions he could provide would be welcomed.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 69.85%
Next seven days: @ FLA (March 18), @ TB (March 19), vs. MIN (March 21)
There are a few options here, starting with Timo Meier. The Devils parted with quite a bit to get him, with the idea that the pending RFA can help them in the interim and possibly in the future. But there’s also this prospect named Luke Hughes, who potentially gives the Devils another puck-moving option the second he leaves the University of Michigan. It could also be pending RFA Jesper Bratt, who has a chance for what would be his first 30-goal campaign.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 66.42%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (March 17), @ OTT (March 18), @ NYI (March 21), @ FLA (March 23)
Matt Murray‘s reintroduction into the Leafs’ lineup after missing more than a month with injury has had a rocky start. He has allowed more than four goals per game over his first three outings, two of which were Leafs losses. While the Leafs are playing for seeding at this point, Murray gaining consistency could be vital to his team’s playoff chances. He has two Stanley Cups and more than 50 games of postseason experience, whereas Ilya Samsonov has one playoff win in eight games.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 65.22%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (March 19), @ VAN (March 21), @ CGY (March 23)
By scoring four goals and eight points in his first nine games, Ivan Barbashev has helped the Golden Knights find a temporary solution to the hole left by captain Mark Stone. Losing Stone left the Golden Knights without one of the premier two-way forwards in the league. It appears Barbashev, a pending UFA, could be the one who bridges that gap. And if so, it is going to make his offseason a rather interesting one.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 64.49%
Next seven days: vs. VAN (March 18), vs. CGY (March 20)
The Pheonix Copley–Joonas Korpisalo tandem has had only six games together. But the Kings have won five of those games, with the one loss coming in overtime. It might be a small sample size, but it’s one that has allowed the Kings to enter the Ides of March with seven wins in their past 10 games and to move within three points of the Golden Knights for the conference and division lead.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 63.04%
Next seven days: @ CGY (March 18), vs. SEA (March 21), vs. PIT (March 23)
Prior to Max Domi‘s arrival, the Stars had six players account for 67% of their goals. Domi gives them another top-nine forward who can not only score but can also create for others. They’re far more prolific than they were last season, when they scored the fewest regular-season goals by a playoff team. But they also know the value of getting contributions from as many sources as possible.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 64.71%
Next seven days: vs. PIT (March 18), vs. NSH (March 19), vs. CAR (March 21), @ CAR (March 23)
Is it Patrick Kane? Is it Vladimir Tarasenko? Let’s go with both. The Rangers were already a Stanley Cup contender before adding two top-six wingers with four titles between them to create the sort of lineup that should make them one of the most formidable teams in the entire NHL. The Rangers’ additions of Kane and Tarasenko amplify the expectation the East is going to be a gauntlet for the team that makes it to the Stanley Cup Final.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 63.77%
Next seven days: vs. MTL (March 18), vs. NJ (March 19), @ MTL (March 21), @ OTT (March 23)
This one has less to do with pressure, and more to do with circumstances. What Alex Killorn has done this season reinforces why he is important to the Lightning’s lineup, and how their ability to draft and develop beyond the first round remains a staple of their overall success. He’s having his strongest offensive campaign and has a chance to set a new career high in points. But … he’s also a pending unrestricted free agent on a team that is slated to have $2.4 million in cap space ahead of next season.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 63.24%
Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 18), vs. WSH (March 19), @ NJ (March 21), @ PHI (March 23)
Some wondered how the Wild would score goals without star forward Kirill Kaprizov. They’ve answered that by averaging 5.67 goals in their first three games without him. Even if it is just three games, it’s proof the Wild are capable of scoring more. If they can remain at anything close to that level of proficiency once Kaprizov returns, and possibly add Gustav Nyquist too? That could change the expectations for a roster that currently has the fewest goals of a Western Conference team in a playoff spot.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 62.69%
Next seven days: @ DET (March 18), vs. CHI (March 20), vs. PIT (March 22)
Bowen Byram is healthy, and that fact alone is massive considering the Avalanche’s season has been shaped by injuries. The Avs have seen Byram tap into his promise to be a minutes-eating defenseman who can facilitate possession and be trusted in a number of areas. What Byram does over the final month will play a role in where the Avs are seeded. It could also play a part in them repeating as Stanley Cup champs. But as for how much it could cost them to retain the pending RFA? That’s one of the many questions the Avs will need to answer this offseason.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 60.87%
Next seven days: @ SEA (March 18), vs. SJ (March 20), vs. ARI (March 22)
Evan Bouchard is quarterbacking the most dangerous power-play unit in the league, while also operating as a top-four defenseman. Up until now, it hasn’t been the season most were expecting given Bouchard is averaging 0.40 points, compared to 2021-22 when he averaged 0.53 points. But it’s possible a new role leads to Bouchard finding continuity in his game and perhaps impacts his upcoming contract talks as a pending RFA.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 61.03%
Next seven days: vs. EDM (March 18), @ DAL (March 21), @ NSH (March 23)
Philipp Grubauer opened March with four straight wins. Even though he has lost his past two starts, this has been one of his strongest months in an up-and-down season. Grubauer’s consistency is crucial, given that the Kraken are trying to secure a playoff spot at a time in which goaltending is at the forefront. Martin Jones has lost six of his past eight starts while Chris Driedger continues to rehabilitate from a torn ACL he sustained last season. If Grubauer can offer continuity, it could provide the Kraken with the sort of balance that makes the already daunting task of getting into the playoffs more manageable.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 57.35%
Next seven days: @ NYR (March 18), vs. OTT (March 20), @ COL (March 22), @ DAL (March 23)
Tristan Jarry‘s latest performance saw him allow four goals in the first period, continuing a tough March. Jarry has a 4.73 goals-against average and a .832 save percentage in his first five games this month. In fact, he’s allowed four goals in four of his past five games. The Penguins have still won seven of their past 10, but getting a consistent Jarry will help them retain their grip on the first wild-card spot.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.25%
Next seven days: @ NSH (March 18), @ STL (March 19), vs. ARI (March 21), @ ANA (March 23)
It’s not just one player under pressure with the Jets. They’ve seen deadline acquisitions such as Vladislav Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter make instant impacts. But the Jets have also seen themselves slip down the standings. As of March 15, they had won three of their past 10 games, and occupied the final Western wild-card spot. Sure, they could still be in the hunt for one of the three Central Division spots. But the surging Predators are within four points of them and have played three fewer games.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.71%
Next seven days: @ SJ (March 18), vs. TOR (March 21)
Bo Horvat is the clear answer — whether or not he scores. The Islanders are 23rd in scoring, averaging 2.91 goals per game. It’s part of why they traded for Horvat, who was on pace for a 50-goal season when he arrived. He had three goals and five points in his first five games. But he has had only one point — an assist — in his past seven games. And even though the Isles have won six of their past 10, they are still trying to hold off a handful of teams for the final wild-card spot.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 56.82%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (March 18), @ NYR (March 19), @ BUF (March 21), vs. SEA (March 23)
The Preds are staying in the playoff race with Filip Forsberg on injured reserve while Ryan Johansen is out for at least nine more weeks. They also traded Tanner Jeannot, Mattias Ekholm, Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter. How are they still in the mix? Juuse Saros has developed the reputation of being a goalie who can keep teams in games, and he’s done just that. He’ll be critical to their final spot in the standings.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 55.15%
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 18), @ DET (March 20), @ PHI (March 21), vs. TOR (March 23)
Cap complications made it practically impossible for the Panthers to make a move at the trade deadline. It’s what makes Anthony Duclair coming back from offseason surgery in late February so important — Duclair opened with three points in his first six games. His continued contributions will aid in their quest to land one of the East’s wild cards.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 55.07%
Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 18), @ LA (March 20), @ ANA (March 21), vs. VGK (March 23)
This has been Jacob Markstrom‘s most challenging season with the Flames. But what he has done through mid-March is have one of his strongest sequences of the campaign. While he’s 3-3-1 this month as of March 15, Markstrom has a 2.26 GAA and a .925 save percentage. That’s the best GAA and save percentage he’s had during any month this season — he’ll continue to be in the spotlight if the Flames’ scoring woes persist.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.90%
Next seven days: vs. STL (March 17), @ MIN (March 19), vs. CBJ (March 21), vs. CHI (March 23)
Figuring out what the Capitals have with Rasmus Sandin is one of the club’s biggest questions. He opened his tenure with nine points in his first six games, while averaging more than 25 minutes of ice time per game since being traded from the Maple Leafs. It’s possible that Sandin’s contributions could help the Caps answer another large question about their playoff chances, given they are just five points out of the final wild-card spot.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 53.73%
Next seven days: @ PHI (March 17), vs. BOS (March 19), vs. NSH (March 21)
There may not be one player under the most pressure, but a multitude. The Sabres have lost five of their last six games, and each defeat hurts their playoff chances. They have games in hand on the teams with which they’re battling, but they need to start winning some of these “extra” games.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 51.47%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (March 18), @ PIT (March 20), @ BOS (March 21), vs. TB (March 23)
The Senators are still in play for a wild-card spot, and one person who could help get them there is Mads Sogaard. Injuries are why Sogaard, who had only two games of NHL experience prior to this season, was thrust into the role of being a No. 1 goaltender. He started 4-0-1 with a 2.33 GAA and a .922 save percentage, only to lose three of his past four starts while allowing more than four goals in each outing. If he can regain his earlier consistency, the Senators could stay in the fight for a postseason berth until the end.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 51.49%
Next seven days: vs. COL (March 18), vs. FLA (March 20), @ STL (March 21), vs. STL (March 23)
The Red Wings might have too much to overcome to reach the postseason after losing seven of their past 10. If so, the focus could be on next season and beyond. Does that mean the Red Wings could call up defenseman Simon Edvinsson? The No. 6 pick from the 2021 draft has spent his first North American season playing in the AHL, where he has five goals and 27 assists through 50 games.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 47.02%
Next seven days: @ WSH (March 17), vs. WPG (March 19), vs. DET (March 21), @ DET (March 23)
How do forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Jakub Vrana fit into the Blues’ plans going forward? Kapanen was claimed off waivers and has scored two goals and three points in eight games. As for Vrana, who arrived in a trade, he has four goals in his first five games with the Blues.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 47.01%
Next seven days: @ LA (March 18), @ ANA (March 19), vs. VGK (March 21), vs. SJ (March 23)
The Canucks are tied for the eighth-fewest points in the NHL and have been forced to think about their future. Filip Hronek appears to be part of that future. He arrived in a trade that saw the Canucks get a 25-year-old top-four defenseman at the expense of parting with the first-round pick they received in the Bo Horvat trade. Now it is a matter of seeing how Hronek, who is currently injured, can impact a franchise that’s aiming for what it hopes can be a better future.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 45.65%
Next seven days: vs. CHI (March 18), @ WPG (March 21), @ EDM (March 22)
Can Matias Maccelli catch Matty Beniers in the rookie points race? Even though Maccelli missed several games due to injuries, he sits 11 points behind Beniers, while the Ducks’ Mason McTavish is between them. Maccelli has six points in his past seven games, and the idea he could overtake Beniers is not too far-fetched.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 43.48%
Next seven days: @ TB (March 18), vs. TB (March 21), @ BOS (March 23)
Denis Gurianov already has four goals and five points in nine games with the Canadiens since coming over in a trade with the Stars. It’s a contrast to the two goals and nine points he had with the Stars over 43 games. What happens going forward could get interesting considering that the 25-year-old Gurianov is a pending RFA.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 44.03%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (March 17), vs. CAR (March 18), vs. FLA (March 21), vs. MIN (March 23)
What becomes of James van Riemsdyk in the offseason? He was rather open prior to the trade deadline about how he likes the coaching staff and the growth the Flyers have shown this season. Could he remain with the Flyers going into next season, or does he sign with a team closer to Cup contention?
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 39.71%
Next seven days: @ ARI (March 18), @ COL (March 20), @ WSH (March 23)
The trade deadline lends itself to presenting opportunities to players who did not get a ton of minutes in one place but stand to get playing time elsewhere. Could that be the case for Joey Anderson? He’s already averaging nearly two full minutes more per game with the Blackhawks compared to earlier this season with the Maple Leafs. The extra time has contributed to him scoring four points in his first nine games.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 39.71%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (March 17), vs. VAN (March 19), vs. CGY (March 21), vs. WPG (March 23)
All Troy Terry did this season was reinforce what he did last season, when he broke out to amass 67 points. Terry is on pace for another 60-point season despite missing seven games. So how much is all that worth to the Ducks and for how many years, considering Terry is a pending RFA who is central to their youth movement?
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 37.68%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (March 18), @ EDM (March 20), @ VAN (March 23)
Erik Karlsson‘s renaissance campaign has led to a number of questions. One of them being: Does he break the 100-point mark? He’d be the first defenseman to do so since Brian Leetch in 1991-92. Then, there’s this one: Even though he’s on a lottery team, has Karlsson done enough to become a three-time Norris Trophy winner?
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 36.57%
Next seven days: @ ANA (March 17), @ VGK (March 19), @ WSH (March 21)
Moving on from Joonas Korpisalo opened the door for the Blue Jackets to further evaluate what they have with Daniil Tarasov. He’s under contract for two more seasons after this one and could use the remainder of the year to give the Blue Jackets a stronger feel for what a tandem featuring Elvis Merzlikins and Tarasov could look like going forward.
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Chris Low, ESPN Senior Writer
With schools playing as many as 16 games this season in the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff format, we waited a little longer than usual to unveil our 2024 ESPN All-America team.
Postseason performances should matter, especially when you’re talking about up to four games.
Headlining the team is Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who turned in All-America performances at three spots. (We limited him to one position on our list.) The receiver/cornerback was the cornerstone of a Colorado team that won nine games in 2024 after suffering through seven straight losing seasons.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts are the only repeat selections from last season. Ohio State and Texas each have three first-team selections to lead the way, and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith is the only true freshman on the team.
OFFENSE
Ward made the most of his one season at Miami after transferring from Washington State. A Heisman Trophy finalist, he tied for the FBS lead by accounting for 44 touchdowns (39 passing, 4 rushing and 1 receiving) on the ACC’s No. 1 offense and threw just seven interceptions in 454 pass attempts. Ward, who started his career in the FCS ranks at Incarnate Word, had 10 games with at least 300 passing yards and set a Miami record with 4,313 passing yards.
Second team: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
The mere fact that Jeanty made a run at Barry Sanders’ hallowed NCAA rushing record of 2,628 yards tells you everything you need to know about Jeanty’s 2024 season. He led the country with 2,601 rushing yards and scored 30 touchdowns. Jeanty was the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Hunter, and defenses aligned to stop him all season. Even so, he entered the Fiesta Bowl with 1,882 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus, which was more than any other FBS player had in total rushing yards.
Second team: Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Everybody in and around Arizona State’s program already knew Skattebo was an elite running back, but he showed the rest of the country in his two postseason outings. Skattebo finished second to Jeanty with 1,711 rushing yards and had 21 touchdowns. He also caught 45 passes, and in the Big 12 championship game win over Iowa State and playoff loss to Texas, he rolled up 450 all-purpose yards and accounted for six touchdowns, one a 42-yard pass in the Sun Devils’ double-overtime loss to Texas.
Second team: Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who has been a head coach at the NFL and collegiate levels, said he has never had a receiver like Smith, with his blend of size, speed and ability to track the ball in tight coverage. A true freshman, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Smith was uncoverable in the Buckeyes’ first two playoff games, with four touchdown catches and 290 receiving yards. He’s tied for third nationally with 14 touchdown receptions and averages 17.3 yards per catch.
Second team: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Nash is the first San José State player to be named a consensus All-American. The 6-3, 195-pound redshirt senior became the fourth player in FBS history to earn the receiving triple crown in the regular season with 104 catches, 1,382 receiving yards and 16 touchdown catches. Nash had 39 catches of 15 yards or longer, according to Pro Football Focus, and 71 catches resulting in a first down, leading the nation in both categories. He also threw two touchdown passes this season.
Second team: Xavier Restrepo, Miami
Warren came to Penn State as a quarterback, and that athleticism was on full display in his sensational redshirt senior season. He caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and 13 combined touchdowns (8receiving, 4 rushing and 1 passing). The 6-6, 261-pound Warren became the first tight end in Big Ten history to catch 100 passes in a season and won the John Mackey Award as the top tight end in college football.
Second team: Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Despite a left ankle injury that sidelined him for the SEC championship game, Banks was the centerpiece of a Texas offensive line that paved the way for one of the most balanced offenses in the country. The Longhorns were one of six FBS teams to average more than 275 passing yards and 160 rushing yards per game. The 6-4, 320-pound junior won the Lombardi Award this season as the nation’s best collegiate lineman and has been a starter at left tackle since his true freshman season.
Second team: Wyatt Milum, West Virginia
Jackson’s versatility has been a huge part of Ohio State’s run to the national championship game. He returned for his senior season after earning All-Big Ten honors at left guard each of the previous two seasons. He continued his stellar play at guard through the first half of this season but moved to left tackle after Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Second team: Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
Florida’s offensive line improved steadily in the latter part of the 2024 season, when the Gators won their last four games, and Slaughter’s play was a big reason. A redshirt junior who has announced he will return for the 2025 season, Slaughter allowed just one sack and one quarterback hit in 728 snaps in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.
Second team: Cooper Mays, Tennessee
Booker was a powerful blocker in the run game during all three of his seasons at Alabama and was a two-year starter at left guard. He also started one game this season at left tackle. Booker recorded a team-high 87 knockdown blocks and didn’t allow a sack in 715 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He declared for the NFL draft following the Crimson Tide’s bowl game.
Second team: Bill Katsigiannis, Army
From the time he stepped foot on campus, Campbell was a fixture on LSU’s offensive line at left tackle, and this season, he played every offensive snap (866) in 11 of LSU’s 12 games. Campbell shared the Jacobs Trophy as the SEC’s top blocker with Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. Campbell is headed to the NFL after three seasons in Baton Rouge and is rated as the No. 2 tackle in the draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper.
Second team: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
It might be a while before college football sees another iron man like Hunter, who played a staggering 1,440 snaps this season. In addition to playing more than 650 snaps on both offense and defense, he even played some on special teams — talk about an all-purpose player! Hunter tied for fourth nationally with 96 catches and ranked second with 15 touchdown receptions in winning the Biletnikoff Award as the country’s top receiver and led Colorado on defense with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Second team: Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
DEFENSE
Carter played through a painful shoulder injury in Penn State’s playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame and still managed a sack. He led all FBS players with 23.5 tackles for loss, including 12 sacks. The 6-3, 252-pound junior moved from linebacker to edge rusher this season and established himself as one of the most dynamic defenders in the country. He had four games with multiple sacks and is projected to be one of the top defenders taken in the 2025 NFL draft.
Second team: Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
The defensive front was Michigan’s strength, and it was dominant in the upset win over Ohio State in the regular-season finale. Graham was the rock of that unit and a disrupter in the interior against both the run and pass. He had 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 26 pressures and is headed to the NFL, where he’s projected by ESPN’s Mel Kiper to be the top defensive tackle taken in the 2025 draft.
Second team: Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
After transferring from Texas A&M, Nolen had his best season at Ole Miss. He’s big (6-3, 305 pounds) and has great burst. Nolen led all SEC defenders with 12 tackles for loss in league games and is the kind of interior pass rusher all defenses covet. And as a run stopper, he was ranked second among all interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.
Second team: Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Ezeiruaku blossomed as a senior and leaves BC as one of the top defensive players in school history. At 6-2 and 247 pounds, Ezeiruaka was a pass-rushing dynamo with 16.5 sacks to rank second among FBS players. He was third nationally with 20.5 tackles for loss en route to winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and the Ted Hendricks Award as college football’s top defensive end.
Second team: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
The Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker, Walker is the third Georgia player to win the award since 2017. He’s a fierce tackler wherever he lines up and led the Bulldogs with 10.5 tackles for loss. Walker played more snaps at inside linebacker than he did rushing the passer, but he still finished with 34 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Second team: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
One of the best stories in college football, Dolac started his career at Buffalo as a walk-on, then missed most of last season because of a shoulder injury before transferring to Utah State for a semester and going through spring practice. But he knew he belonged closer to home and returned to Buffalo to have a huge senior season. He led the nation with 168 total tackles and led all linebackers with 18.5 tackles for loss to go along with five interceptions.
Second team: Jay Higgins, Iowa
The epitome of a do-it-all linebacker, Hill went from being one of the best true freshmen in 2023 to one of the best defenders in the country this season. And, yes, he has another season remaining at Texas. The 6-3, 235-pound sophomore led the Longhorns with 113 total tackles and tied for fourth among FBS linebackers with 16.5 tackles for loss. He also had four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Second team: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Barron was already widely viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in college football but only raised his stock in helping limit Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith to one catch for 3 yards in the Longhorns’ playoff semifinal loss at the Cotton Bowl. Barron, a 5-11, 200-pound redshirt senior, was the Thorpe Award winner as the best defensive back in college football and tied for the team lead in a talented secondary with five interceptions.
Second team: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
In his second season at Cal after transferring from UNLV, Williams led all FBS players with seven interceptions and tied for third with 16 passes defended. He finished his college career with 14 interceptions and scored touchdowns this season on an 80-yard kickoff return in the opener against UC Davis and a 40-yard interception return against Cam Ward and Miami in a 39-38 loss to the Hurricanes.
Second team: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Watts has been everything you could ask for in the back end of the Notre Dame defense. He erases mistakes, makes big plays in big moments and raises the game of everybody around him. The 6-foot, 203-pound redshirt senior leads all FBS safeties with six interceptions and is second on his team with 74 total tackles. He has 13 interceptions over his past two seasons and will go down as one of the best safeties in Notre Dame history.
Second team: Malaki Starks, Georgia
There’s no shortage of talent on the Ohio State defense, and adding Downs in the transfer portal helped spur the Buckeyes to the national championship game. He has uncanny instincts and is a force against both the run and pass. The 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore was a Thorpe Award finalist after earning Shaun Alexander Award honors as the national freshman of the year in his first season at Alabama. Downs ranks third on his team with 76 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss, and has two interceptions.
Second team: Michael Taaffe, Texas
SPECIAL TEAMS
Zvada came to Ann Arbor by way of Arkansas State and kicked his way into Michigan history in just one season. His winning 21-yard field goal in the final minute gave the Wolverines their fourth straight victory over rival Ohio State, and he was money all season for the Maize and Blue. Zvada was 21-of-22 on field goal attempts and made all seven of his tries from 50 yards or longer.
Second team: Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana
The Trojans led the country in net punting, and Czaplicki’s ability to keep opposing offenses backed up against their own goal line was a big part of USC’s improvement on defense. Czaplicki, the Ray Guy award winner as the nation’s best punter, averaged 47.8 yards per punt, and opponents returned only 13 of his kicks. He had just one touchback all season, and 25 of his 43 punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
Second team: Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
Shanks did a little bit of everything for UAB. The redshirt freshman led the nation in punt return yards (329) and punt return average (20.6), and he returned two punts for touchdowns, including a 58-yarder against Tulsa; he accounted for 311 all-purpose yards and four TDs in the game. Shanks also tied for the team lead with 62 catches and racked up 656 receiving yards to go with six touchdown receptions.
Second team: Rayshawn Pleasant, Tulane
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