Caleb Williams, Brock Bowers, Marvin Harrison Jr. lead college football’s top 100 players for 2023
Everyone wants to be known as the best at something. Anything. Being the best grill master at your house. Being the best among your friends at singing Taylor Swift karaoke at 2 a.m. Being the best player in all of college football. And when it comes to us who cover college football for a living, we want to be the best at determining who those best players are!
It was with that goal in mind that we here in the college sports corner of ESPN.com once again spent a large chunk of our summer discussing, debating, voting and, in this age of ever-evolving AI, even leaning on an algorithm to help us determine the best of the college football best. And as far as you know, none of us did that while standing over the grill singing Taylor Swift karaoke at 2 a.m.
So, as the season bears down on us like Washington’s Bralen Trice chasing Caleb Williams, you decide whether we are the best or the worst at separating the truly best from the merely great as you read our 2023 ESPN Preseason Top 100 College Football Player Rankings.
— Ryan McGee
Methodology: Voters were presented with a series of one-on-one votes. For example, “Who should be ranked higher for the 2023 season: Blake Corum or Caleb Williams?” Think of it as an Oklahoma drill of statistical reasoning. More than 10,000 votes later, these were the results.
Jump to: 1-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50
51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-100
QB, USC, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 52 TDs (42 pass, 10 rush), 4,537 yards
2022 end-of-season ranking: 1
In his first year at USC and second year in college, Williams took the sport by storm. He threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and only eight interceptions on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. He draws Patrick Mahomes comparisons and has more or less secured the No. 1 overall draft pick for next season barring some unforeseen circumstances. What can he do for an encore?
TE, Georgia, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 790 rec yards, 9 total TDs
2022 ranking: 14
Bowers has been a fixture at tight end since the day he arrived on Georgia’s campus. He catches everything thrown his way, blocks with the same efficiency and runs like a running back both after the catch and when he’s taking a handoff. He has scored 24 touchdowns in his first two seasons (20 receiving and four rushing).
WR, Ohio State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,263 yards, 14 TDs
2022 ranking: 9
Harrison was an unanimous All-American in 2022 — Ohio State’s first — and was named the Big Ten’s Wide Receiver of the Year. He caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. He went over the 100-yard receiving mark in seven games last season.
LB, LSU, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 8.5 sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT
2022 ranking: 54
Perkins — who can play linebacker or edge rusher — is an impact defender wherever he lines up. He was learning the ropes in the SEC a year ago as a true freshman but still led LSU in tackles for loss (13), sacks (7.5 sacks), quarterback hurries (14) and forced fumbles (three).
QB, North Carolina, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 38 TDs, 4,321 passing yards
2022 ranking: 18
A year ago, Maye entered fall camp unsure whether he would land UNC’s starting job. This year, he opens the season as one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy. In between, he threw for 4,321 yards, ran for 698 more, accounted for 45 touchdowns and led North Carolina to an ACC Coastal Division title.
QB, Washington, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 31 TDs, 4,641 yards
2022 ranking: 17
After transferring to Washington from Indiana to be reunited with coach Kalen DeBoer, the former Hoosiers offensive coordinator, Penix was a revelation in Seattle. He led FBS in passing yards per game (357), tossed 21 touchdown passes and turned down the opportunity to enter the NFL draft to return to UW.
RB, Michigan, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 18 TDs, 1,463 rush yards
2022 ranking: 10
Corum, a driving force for Michigan’s drive to a second straight Big Ten title and CFP berth, was a Doak Walker finalist, unanimous All-American and Big Ten Running Back of the Year in 2022 (1,463 rushing yards and 18 TDs). He had eight straight 100-yard rushing games from Sept. 24 through Nov. 19 last season.
QB, Florida State, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 32 total TDs (24 pass, 7 rush, 1 rec)
2022 ranking: 29
Three years ago, Travis approached Florida State’s new coaching staff with an offer to swap positions to tailback or receiver. Mike Norvell & Co. declined. Their decision was wise. Last year, Travis blossomed into one of the most prolific QBs in the nation, accounting for more than 3,600 yards of offense, 32 touchdowns and a Total QBR of 85.8, seventh best nationally.
DL, Florida State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 9 sacks, 22 solo tackles
Preseason ranking: 56
In his first season playing at the FBS level, Verse — an Albany transfer — proved to be among the top pass-rushers in the country. Despite battling injuries most of the year, Verse finished with 9 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 31 QB pressures. His pressure rate of 17.1% ranked fourth among FBS D-linemen.
DE/Edge, Georgia, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 31 QB pressures, 6.5 TFLs
2022 rankings: NR
Williams was one of the top freshman defenders in college football last season. He tied Jalen Carter with a team-leading 31 quarterback hurries and played especially well in the College Football Playoff for the two-time defending national champion Bulldogs. His six sacks tied for the national lead among true freshmen.
OL, Notre Dame, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1 sack allowed, 3 pressures allowed
2022 ranking: 19
He’s the latest in Notre Dame’s run of premier offensive linemen and projects as an NFL first-round draft pick in 2024 who could possibly go in the top 10. The 6-foot-8, 322-pound Alt earned first-team AP All-America honors in 2022 and enters his third season with 21 consecutive starts. Alt will protect the blind side of new quarterback Sam Hartman.
DB, Alabama, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 15 PBUs, first-team All-SEC honors
2022 ranking: 64
McKinstry has been a starter in Alabama’s secondary since the second game of his college career. He provides the kind of skill and experience that Nick Saban has had at cornerback on some of his more dominant defenses. McKinstry doubles as one of college football’s most dangerous punt returners.
WR, Ohio State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,151 yards, 10 TDs
2022 ranking: 32
Egbuka was a Paul Hornung finalist last season after hauling in 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. A second-team All-Big Ten pick, he finished third in the conference in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Along with Harrison, Egbuka will cause opposing defenses fits as the Buckeyes’ offense figures to keep humming along.
QB, Oregon, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 285.1 QBR, 3,593 yards, 29 TD passes
2022 ranking: 46
Nix’s change of scenery paid off as he moved from Auburn to Eugene and seemed to fit in the Ducks’ offense well. His 2022 campaign resulted in 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. While there was plenty of talk about him using last year as a launching pad to the NFL, Nix decided to run it back for one more year.
QB, LSU, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 3,798 total yards, 28 total TDs
2022 ranking: 97
Daniels blossomed into one of the nation’s best dual threats at quarterback last season. The 6-4, 210-pound senior was the only FBS player to pass for more than 2,900 yards (2,913) and rush for more than 800 yards (885) in leading the Tigers to the SEC championship game. His 11 rushing touchdowns were a career high after he played his first three seasons at Arizona State.
OL, Penn State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: didn’t allow 1 sack in 8 games started
2022 ranking: 98
Fashanu passed up potentially being a first-round NFL draft selection to return for another season. He was a big part of an offensive line that allowed Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen to enjoy such early success last season. The Nittany Lions averaged 181.1 yards on the ground — fourth in the Big Ten.
RB, Michigan, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 991 rushing yards and 7 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Edwards had 991 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. He established a career-high 216 rushing yards in Michigan’s 45-23 victory at Ohio State last year. He rushed for over 100 yards five times last season.
RB, Arkansas, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,443 yards, 10 TDs
2022 ranking: 84
Sanders, aka Rocket, was the main cog last season in an Arkansas running game that finished seventh nationally (236.5 yards per game). Not only does Sanders carve up defenses as a runner, he’s also an excellent receiver. He’s the only returning FBS player who rushed for more than 1,400 yards (1,443) and had more than 250 receiving yards (271).
OL, Michigan, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 0.5% pressure pct allowed; 4th in Big Ten
2022 rankings: NR
A member of Michigan’s offensive line that won a second straight Joe Moore Award (best offensive line in the country), Zinter was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022. The Wolverines rushed for 238.9 yards per game, fifth in the FBS.
WR, Washington, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 75 catches, 1,145 yards, 7 TDs
2022 rankings: NR
Odunze led the Pac-12 with 1,145 receiving yards and ranked second in receptions per game on his way to 75 on the season. His receiving total ranks No. 5 in school history, and he returns as part of one of the deepest receiving corps in the country.
LB, Clemson, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 2 INTs, 6.5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 4 QBH
2022 ranking: NR
Trotter is all business, head coach Dabo Swinney said, and business was good in 2022. He led the Tigers with 89 tackles (50 solo) to go with 6.5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 5 PBUs and 4 QB hurries. Pro Football Focus graded Trotter as the ACC’s top-graded linebacker and the second best among all returning Power 5 LBs.
RB, Ole Miss, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 16 TDs, 1,567 yards
2022 ranking: 50
The only freshman running back to rush for more yards in the SEC than Judkins a year ago was Herschel Walker in 1980. Judkins is coming off a 1,567-yard season and had eight 100-yard games to go along with 16 rushing touchdowns. He’s a breakaway threat and also a tough, physical runner between the tackles.
QB, Utah, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 83.1 QBR, 3,034 yards, 26 TDs
2022 ranking: 53
Rising’s résumé is not as stellar from a statistical standpoint as those of some of his Pac-12 peers, but his achievements rule them all. After leading the Utes to a Pac-12 title in 2021, he made another leap last year, jumping over 3,000 passing yards and adding 26 touchdowns on his way to a second straight Pac-12 championship.
LB, Georgia, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: Led Georgia with 9 TFLs, 2nd with 4 sacks
2022 ranking: 76
When you’re a Butkus Award finalist during your first full season as a starter, you’re something special. Such was the case with Dumas-Johnson in his sophomore year, tallying 70 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 26 quarterback hurries.
QB, Notre Dame, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 38 TDs, 3,701 yards
2022 ranking: 59
Arguably the biggest prize of the quarterback portal, Hartman set the ACC’s career touchdown passes record (110) and brings 12,967 career passing yards and 21 games of 300 yards or more from Wake Forest. He thrived in an RPO-based offense and must adjust to a more traditional system at Notre Dame, which will lean on his experience, production and accuracy.
RB, Clemson, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,182 yards, 15 TDs
2022 ranking: 40
How big was Shipley’s impact last season? He made the 2022 All-ACC team three times — as a tailback, all-purpose player and return man. Shipley ran for 1,182 yards, caught 38 balls for 242 more yards and had 324 yards in kickoff returns, scoring 15 times total. With new OC Garrett Riley calling plays in 2023, he could be in for even bigger things.
G, Kansas State, senior
Notable 2022 stats: Didn’t allow a sack
2022 ranking: NR
Beebe is one of the most talented offensive linemen in the nation. After getting first-team All-Big 12 honors at left tackle in 2021, he moved inside to left guard and was named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league’s coaches, and he earned a second consecutive All-Big 12 first-team selection.
OLB, Alabama, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 4 sacks, 37 total tackles
2022 ranking: NR
Now that Will Anderson Jr. is off to the NFL, Turner steps in as the Crimson Tide’s top pass-rusher. He’s a menace to opposing offensive tackles with his speed and will be looking to recapture some of the same numbers he put up as a freshman, when he recorded 10 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
RB, Penn State, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 1,061 yards, 12 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Singleton led the Penn State offense with 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns. He ran for at least 100 yards in four games, paced by a 179-yard effort in a convincing 46-10 win over Ohio, and had five multi-touchdown games.
QB, Arkansas, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 2,648 yards, 24 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Injuries curtailed an otherwise solid junior season in which Jefferson passed for 2,648 yards and 24 touchdowns, and rushed for 640 yards and nine touchdowns. At 6-3 and 247 pounds, Jefferson can be one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country when healthy.
RB, Wisconsin, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,242 yards, 11 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Allen ran for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns last season as he came close to matching his numbers from his breakout freshman season in 2021. Those numbers placed him fourth in yards and fifth in touchdowns, respectively, in the conference. He had seven 100-yard rushing games in 2022, paced by 165 yards in a 52-21 loss at Ohio State on Sept. 24. He led the Badgers in rushing 10 times.
QB, UTSA, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 32 TDs, 4,059 yards
2022 ranking: 57
The left-hander has been the most significant player in UTSA’s rise to national prominence. Harris enters his seventh year in the program and holds more than 30 team records, including career passing yards (9,356), passing touchdowns (74) and total offense (11,178 yards). He’s 31-11 as UTSA’s starter and won Conference USA MVP honors in 2022.
RB, Ohio State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: In 8 games, ran for 571 yards and 6 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Henderson battled injuries after a stellar freshman season. He played in just eight games last year but rushed for over 100 yards in victories over Wisconsin (121 yards) and Michigan State (118 yards). He ran for 571 yards and six touchdowns this past fall after churning out 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021.
LB, Clemson, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 5.5 sacks, 10.5 TFL, 8 PBU, 6 QBH, 2 FF
2022 ranking: NR
Dabo Swinney calls Carter one of the most dynamic players he’s coached — a guy who’s dominant at linebacker but could easily play safety, corner, edge rusher or even tailback, Swinney said. The numbers back up the claim. Carter finished 2022 with 73 tackles (10 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, 2 picks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass breakups and 25 QB pressures. No other FBS player has done all that in the same season in the past five years.
DL, Illinois, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 59 tackles (28 solo), 14 TFLs, 5.5 sacks
2022 ranking: NR
Newton’s 59 tackles (28 solo) placed him tied for third with safety Sydney Brown on Illinois’ defense last year. Newton’s 14 tackles for loss and 5½ sacks led the team, which had the country’s top scoring defense (12.3 PPG). He was an All-Big Ten first-team pick.
QB, Mississippi State, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 3,974 yards, 35 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
The most accomplished passer in the SEC, Rogers is already the only quarterback in SEC history with over 1,000 career completions. With 32 consecutive starts, he owns school career records for passing yards (10,689) and passing touchdowns (82).
WR, LSU, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 72 catches, 1,017 yards, 3 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
The Tigers needed an alpha in the receiver room, and Nabers stepped into that role during the postseason with a combined 291 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia in the SEC championship game and Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Quarterback Jayden Daniels said of Nabers, “If it’s man coverage and I give him an opportunity to make a play, he’ll probably come down with the football.”
WR, Arizona, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 85 catches, 1,034 yards, 7 TDs
Preseason ranking: 80
The Arizona native has been the Wildcats’ model of consistency the past few seasons. In spite of whichever quarterback has been throwing to him, Cowing now has two seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He’s back this year for his senior season right as Arizona looks more competent than ever under Jedd Fisch and returning quarterback Jayden de Laura.
QB, Michigan, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 2,719 passing yards, 22 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
McCarthy was a Davey O’Brien semifinalist in 2022 with 2,719 passing yards and 22 passing TDs, helping pilot Michigan to a second straight College Football Playoff appearance. He added 306 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. He threw for a career-high 343 yards in the Wolverines’ loss to TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
DB, Georgia, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 2 INTs, 7 PBUs
2022 ranking: 39
Starks is one half of a talented safety combo at Georgia along with Javon Bullard. Last season as a freshman, Starks led all Georgia defenders with 847 snaps played and finished third on the team with 68 total tackles while starting in all 15 games. His speed and versatility make him a perfect fit in Kirby Smart’s system.
LB, Georgia, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 8 TFLs, 76 tackles
2022 ranking: NR
The tandem of Mondon and Jamon Dumas-Johnson gives the Bulldogs arguably the best inside linebacker corps in the country. Despite missing two games, Mondon led the team with 76 total stops last season, not to mention his 23 quarterback hurries.
C, Georgia, junior
Notable 2022 stats: Led all SEC centers with 944 snaps played
2022 ranking: NR
By all accounts, the 6-4, 310-pound senior should be in the NFL right now. He allowed only one sack the past two seasons, so he has already proven himself. But he put the draft on hold to come back for another season, which is good news for the Bulldogs and their quest for a three-peat.
OL, Boston College, senior
Notable 2021 stats: 0 sacks allowed in 314 pass rush snaps
2022 ranking: NR
A projected first-round pick, Mahogany missed all of last season with a knee injury but says he is much better than at any other point in his career. That is good news for a Boston College offensive line that struggled without him a year ago. With a healthy Mahogany back, expect him to continue to improve on his NFL draft stock and improve the overall BC line, too.
QB, Kansas, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 2,014 yards, 18 TDs in 9 games
2022 ranking: NR
In nine games in 2022, Daniels completed 66.1% of his passes for 2,014 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He also had 425 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. After being a Heisman candidate the first five weeks of the season, he suffered an injury against TCU that halted those aspirations. But expect him to be one of the best in the nation again in 2023.
CB, Penn State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 3 INTs, 30 tackles (23 solo), 18 PBUs
2022 ranking: NR
King’s three interceptions put him second on the team last year, behind safety Ji’Ayir Brown (four). He started nine games in 2022, recording 30 tackles (23 solo) and 18 PBUs. King’s 30 tackles were tied for eighth on the team. The Nittany Lions’ pass defense (212.8 YPG) ranked ninth in the Big Ten last season.
CB, Iowa, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 5 INTs,75 tackles (19 solo)
2022 ranking: NR
DeJean established a new program single-season record by taking three interceptions to the house. All told, he had a team-leading five interceptions on the year to go along with 75 tackles (19 solo), third on the Hawkeyes’ defense. He was the 2022 TransPerfect Music City Bowl MVP as Iowa posted a 21-0 shutout.
LB, Ohio State, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 12 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT
2022 ranking: 71
Eichenberg led the Buckeyes’ defense with 120 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. His 77 solo tackles paced the Big Ten and ranked fifth nationally. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection while also being named a Lott IMPACT finalist and Butkus Award semifinalist.
WR, Washington, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 79 catches, 1,098 yards, 9 receiving TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Like his fellow Huskies’ wideout Rome Odunze, McMillan was one of the great beneficiaries of the arrival of head coach Kalen DeBoer and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. As Washington’s offense turned into a juggernaut, McMillan had a breakout year that featured a 1,089-yard, nine-touchdown season for the rising senior.
LB, UCLA, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 10.5 sacks, 12.5 TFLs, 3 FF
2022 ranking: 86
After sitting out two seasons, Latu transferred to UCLA from Washington and made an immediate impact. He led the Bruins with 12.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks. He was named Pac-12 Player of the Week after a three-sack performance against Colorado and was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
RB, Ohio State, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 825 rushing yards, 14 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
In 2022, Williams made the All-Big Ten third team after rushing for 825 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he led the Buckeyes in both of those categories. He ran for a career-high 189 yards and five touchdowns in Ohio State’s 49-10 victory over Rutgers, and he eclipsed the 100-yard mark four times last season.
LB, Oklahoma, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 125 tackles,10.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 INTs
2022 ranking:
A player who will be integral on Brent Venables’ second-year defense, Stutsman led the Big 12 last season with 125 total tackles with an average of 9.6 tackles per game. Stutsman also totaled 10.5 tackles for loss, which was good for second on the team, as well as three sacks and two interceptions.
WR, USC, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 66 catches, 1,1105 yards, 6 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
A first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2022, Singer caught 66 passes for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns and was one of two 1,000-yard receivers for the Wildcats, along with Jacob Cowing.
QB, Coastal Carolina, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 2,700 yards, 24 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Since 2020, McCall ranks third among FBS quarterbacks in wins (28), sixth in passing touchdowns (77) and seventh in total QBR (82.9). He has thrown only eight interceptions on 788 pass attempts during the span. The three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year must adjust to a new offense under coach Tim Beck, but his efficiency stands out.
OL, Alabama, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1.2% pressure pct allowed, 2nd among SEC RTs
2022 ranking: NR
According to Pro Football Focus, Latham didn’t allow a single sack while pass-blocking last season. If he can pick up the pace as a run blocker — and there’s no reason to think he can’t with 29 knockdown blocks last season — he could play his way into being a top NFL draft pick in 2024.
CB, Michigan, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 3 INT, 3 PD, 25 solo tackles
2022 ranking: NR
Johnson finished second on the Wolverines with three interceptions. He had a career-high eight tackles in Michigan’s decisive 45-23 victory at Ohio State while picking off two passes in a 43-22 victory over Purdue as the program claimed a second straight Big Ten title. Johnson was part of a secondary that ended the year sixth in the Big Ten in passing defense (191.8 YPG).
LB, Michigan, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 101 tackles (42 solo)
2022 ranking: NR
Colson recorded 101 tackles (42 solo) to lead a Wolverines’ defense that finished third in the country in rushing defense (85.2 YPG) and fifth in the FBS in scoring defense (13.4 PPG). He had double-digit tackles in four games last year, paced by 15 in a 43-22 victory over Purdue in the Big Ten championship.
RB, Marshall, sophomore
Notable 2021 stats: 1,401 yards, 23 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
He tied for the FBS rushing touchdowns lead with 23 in 2021, to go along with 1,401 yards on 250 carries. A knee injury cost Ali the first 10 games last season, although he returned down the stretch and won Myrtle Beach Bowl MVP honors after a 92-yard effort. He projects as the centerpiece for Marshall’s offense under coach Charles Huff.
S, Miami, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 6 INT, 6 PBU, 59 tackles, 1 FF
2022 ranking: NR
Kinchens had a breakout season in 2022, winning All-ACC honors after starting all 12 games. He finished with a team-high six interceptions, and he also led the Hurricanes with 59 total tackles. He has a sense for where the ball will be at all times, and his presence in the secondary is one that forces opposing offenses to try and scheme around him.
WR, Texas, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 60 catches for 760 yards, 9 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Worthy comes into the 2023 season with 21 career touchdown receptions, good for third all-time in Texas Football history. In 13 games last season, he had 60 receptions for 760 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, and will certainly compete for the award if Quinn Ewers and Texas take the leap many expect.
QB, Oklahoma, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 3,168 yards, 25 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
The Big 12’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year started 12 games in 2022, completing 62.7% of his passes for 3,168 yards with 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also had six rushing touchdowns, a career high. Per Oklahoma, his 95 touchdown passes are the second most in the country over the last four years despite missing 11 games due to injury.
WR, Florida State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 43 catches, 897 yards, 5 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
There is no question the 6-7 Wilson is an automatic matchup advantage for the Seminoles — he just needed more game reps and experience to put everything together. What he showed last season — 43 receptions for 897 yards and five touchdowns — is only a start. If his 202-yard performance against Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl is any indication, bigger things are in store for 2023.
DL, Washington, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 10 sacks, 39 tackles
2022 ranking: NR
Trice’s 10 sacks this past season were good enough to put him in the top 10 players in the country in the statistic. His season, which also included 39 tackles, looked to be good enough to vault him to the NFL, but Trice chose to come back to Seattle for another season. His prediction for his performance this upcoming season? Twenty sacks.
S, USC, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 5 INTs, 6 PBUs
2022 ranking: NR
Bullock earned some All-American recognition in 2022 during his breakout sophomore season with the Trojans, after which he was named second-team All-Pac-12. His five interceptions led the team and ranked No. 11 in the country.
LB, North Carolina, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 12 TFLs, 6 PBUs, 4 QBHs, 3 FF, 2 INTs
2022 ranking: NR
The North Carolina defense may have struggled last season, but Gray was the one consistent force the unit had across the board. In fact, he was so good and reliable, he rarely came off the field for the Tar Heels. Gray had 145 tackles — tops among all Power 5 players — a sack, 12 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three forced fumbles a year ago en route to All-ACC honors. He is back on the preseason All-ACC list with more to come.
CB, Florida State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 13 PBUs, 45.2% completions, 0 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Cypress was one of the most heralded transfers this past season, leaving Virginia for Florida State and immediately providing a boost to the Seminoles secondary. A preseason All-ACC choice, he led the country with an average of 1.6 pass breakups per game last year with the Cavaliers — ranking No. 1 in the ACC and ninth nationally with 14 total pass breakups.
DT, Clemson, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 5.5 sacks, 9.5 TFLs, 9 QBHs
2022 ranking: NR
When Davis is healthy, he is the best interior defensive lineman in the ACC. His decision to return to Clemson for one more year gives the Tigers defensive front a huge advantage. The three-time All-ACC selection had 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures a year ago, but he has not played a complete season since 2019. That has still not stopped him from dominating.
WR, Texas A&M, senior
Notable 2021 stats: 509 yards, 6 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Arguably the biggest win of the offseason for the Aggies was getting Smith to return for his senior season. He’s as dynamic a playmaker as anyone in the SEC, whether he’s lining up at receiver, running back or returning kicks and punts. In four seasons, he’s amassed 2,804 yards from scrimmage.
RB, Penn State, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 867 yards, 10 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Allen rushed for 867 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman last fall, playing in all 13 games and forming a productive 1-2 punch with Nicholas Singleton. Allen ran for a career-high 117 yards in a 55-10 victory at Rutgers on Nov. 19. His three touchdowns against Indiana helped lead the way to a 45-14 road victory on Nov. 5.
RB, Florida State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 990 rush yards, 9 rush TD, 114 rec. yards
2022 ranking: NR
Since Benson arrived at Florida State from Oregon, he has been nothing but productive — helping lead the Seminoles to a top 15 rushing offense a year ago. Benson started six games in 2022 and ran for 990 yards and nine touchdowns, while also catching 13 passes for 144 yards. Much more is expected this season, as Benson is a preseason All-ACC choice.
All purpose, Colorado, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 19 tackles, 8 PBUs, 2 INTs
2022 ranking: NR
The two-way threat came with coach Deion Sanders to Colorado from Jackson State and is expected to play much more on offense than he did as a freshman last year. He made a splash during recruiting when he signed with Jackson State as a five-star cornerback and will now test his game at a higher level.
OG, Alabama, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 150 snaps at both guard spots
2022 ranking: NR
With new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees onboard, Alabama will lean even more on its offensive line in 2023, and Booker is a big reason why. He has a chance to develop into one of the most dominant interior offensive linemen in the country with his blend of size, power and agility. The 6-5, 335-pound Booker will line up at right guard beside his old IMG Academy teammate JC Latham at right tackle, a combo Latham said would be “dangerous.”
S, TCU, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 12 PBUs, 3 INTs
2022 ranking: NR
The Louisiana-Monroe transfer was named first-team All-Big 12 alongside Thorpe Award winner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. He had 35 tackles on the season with 15 pass breakups and added three interceptions, including one he returned 57 yards for a touchdown against Iowa State. He enters his final season with 27 career pass breakups.
DL, Penn State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 26 tackles (19 solo), 10 TFLs, 5.5 sacks
2022 ranking: NR
Robinson earned the team’s defensive player of the week award three times. He recorded 26 tackles (19 solo) with 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. His 5½ sacks were tied for seventh-most in the Big Ten while his 10 tackles for loss were 15th in the conference.
LB, TCU, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 9.5 TFLs
2022 ranking: NR
After transferring from Navy, the linebacker showed why Sonny Dykes wanted him in Fort Worth. He led TCU with 87 tackles, the most by a Horned Frog since Garret Wallow had 90 in 2020, according to the school. It earned him Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors, as well as second-team All-Big 12.
LB, Oklahoma State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 5 sacks, 12 QBH
2022 ranking: NR
A converted defensive end, Oliver led Oklahoma State in sacks in each of the past two seasons (11.5 and 5.5); led the team in quarterback hurries with 12 last season; led the Big 12 in sacks in 2021 and has earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in each of the past two seasons.
QB, Tennessee, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 971 yards, 10 TDs in 8 games
2022 ranking: NR
Milton served as Hendon Hooker’s backup the past two seasons and stepped in after Hooker was injured late last season. Milton, who has one of the strongest arms in college football, tied a career high with three touchdown passes and was named MVP in the Vols’ 31-14 Orange Bowl victory over Clemson to close the 2022 season. The 6-5, 245-pound redshirt senior started his career at Michigan before transferring to Tennessee. He threw 10 touchdown passes and no interceptions a year ago.
RB, Oregon, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,058 yards rushing, 5 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
After arriving from Minnesota via the transfer portal last year, Irving settled in nicely in the Ducks’ offense, averaging 6.8 yards per carry on his way to a 1,000-yard season and five touchdowns as well as 299 receiving yards. His performance was good enough to make him the likely top back for Dan Lanning’s team heading into this season.
RB, Kansas, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,090 yards, 9 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
The Big 12’s only returning 1,000-yard rusher, Neal amassed 1,090 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. He became the first KU player ever to have 200 yards rushing and 100 receiving against Oklahoma State when he ran for 224 yards and a TD on 6.1 yards per carry and added 110 yards on six receptions.
DT, LSU, sophomore
Notable 2021 stats: 4 sacks, 13 solo tackles
2022 ranking: NR
The 6-6, 315-pound Smith returns as one of the interior anchors of LSU’s defensive line. He was primed for a big season a year ago, but he injured his knee in the first quarter of the opener against Florida State and missed the remainder of the season. Smith was a Freshman All-America selection in 2021 after recording five tackles for loss, including four sacks. Even as a freshman, he was the target of frequent double teams.
TE, Utah, senior
Notable 2021 stats: 611 receiving yards, 7 total TDs
2022 ranking: NR
A season-ending injury ended what was shaping up to an outstanding senior year in 2022 after just four games. Kuithe has been named second-team All-Pac-12 three times, has 148 career receptions and had 32 straight games with a catch.
LB, NC State, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 12.5 TFLs, 45 sacks, 3 PBUs, 1 INT
2022 ranking: NR
When Wilson decided to return to the Wolfpack for one more season, he gave NC State a huge boost to a linebacker group that is replacing two long-time starters. His veteran presence alone will be a big advantage. Last season, Wilson had 83 tackles to rank third on the team and was pivotal in helping the Wolfpack rank among the best run defenses in the ACC.
LB, Penn State, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks
2022 ranking: NR
Carter was second on the Nittany Lions in tackles with 56 last season while leading the way with his 6½ sacks. On the way toward earning second team All-Big Ten recognition, he became the eighth linebacker in school history to record at least 10 tackles for loss and six sacks in a season.
S, Texas, senior
Notable 2020 stats: 95 tackles, 2 FF, 3 INTs
2022 ranking: NR
An Arkansas transfer, Catalon suffered a season-ending injury in the opener against Cincinnati last year after making eight tackles in the game. In 2021, he started the first six games, making 46 tackles, before suffering another season-ending injury. He was a breakout star and a freshman All-American in 2020 with 99 tackles, three interceptions and four passes broken up.
QB, Western Kentucky, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 48 total TDs, 4,744 yards (most in FBS)
2022 ranking: NR
A success story for the portal era, Reed’s career includes a Division II national title (West Florida in 2019) and the FBS passing yards title last season (4,746 yards). Reed eclipsed 400 yards four times, including 497 in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. He enters his final season with 12,248 passing yards, 118 career touchdowns and, most importantly, 31 career wins.
DL, Ohio State, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 28 tackles, 10.5 TFLs
2022 ranking: NR
Tuimoloau earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022 after recording 28 tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss. He dominated in Ohio State’s 44-31 victory at Penn State after compiling six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, forcing one fumble and recovering another fumble.
WR, Florida State, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 58 catches, 798 yards, 7 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Florida State coach Mike Norvell has been praised for his use of the transfer portal, and Coleman is another key addition who is expected to boost the wide receiver group. With Johnny Wilson (6-7), the 6-4 Coleman can also be expected to be a big-play receiver. Last year at Michigan State, Coleman had 58 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns — and he ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 15 catches of at least 20 yards.
QB, Kansas State, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,633 yards, 15 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Howard had six starts over the second half of last season, including the Wildcats’ Big 12 Championship win over TCU. He recorded multiple touchdown passes in six straight games, the longest streak ever in a single season at Kansas State. The 6-5 senior comes into the 2023 season just about to enter the top 10 in school history in many statistical categories, if he’s not already in them.
LB, Texas, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 4 INTs, 119 tackles, 10 TFLs
2022 ranking: NR
Last season, Ford finished with a career-high 119 tackles, which was also the most for a Texas linebacker in almost 10 years. In addition, he had 10 tackles for loss and is sure to vie for the Big 12 defensive player of the year title after falling just short of it in 2022.
OL, Utah, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 894 snaps, 2nd-most among Pac-12 RTs
2022 ranking: NR
A three-time All-Pac-12 honoree, Laumea was a first-team selection in 2022 after making 14 starts, including 13 at right tackle. He anchored a line that helped the Utes rank No. 2 in the Pac-12 in rushing.
LT, Duke, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 2 sacks allowed on 465 pass rush snaps
2022 ranking: NR
There were plenty of reasons for Duke’s sudden turnaround from 3-9 in 2021 to 9-4 in 2022, but Barton may have been among the biggest. He anchored the left tackle spot on a vastly improved O-line, finishing the season as the top-graded tackle in the ACC by Pro Football Focus (and fifth overall), allowing just 10 pressures and two sacks all season.
WR, South Carolina, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 68 catches, 6 TDs, 928 yards
2022 ranking: NR
His nickname is “Juice,” and that’s what Wells provides for a South Carolina offense that played its best football at the end of last season. The 6-1, 208-pound senior returns for his second season with the Gamecocks after beginning his career at James Madison. Wells became the go-to guy for quarterback Spencer Rattler a year ago. He earned first-team All-SEC honors after leading the team in catches (68), receiving yards (928) and touchdown receptions (6).
QB, Duke, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 3,396 total yards, 33 total TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Perhaps the most unheralded quarterback in the ACC, those who have not paid attention for the last year should start paying attention now. Leonard won the starting quarterback job last year in preseason camp and has not looked back, throwing for 3,348 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. But he can run, too. Leonard is one of three FBS quarterbacks returning in 2023 who gained 2,900 or more passing yards and 695 or more rushing yards last year, joining Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (UNC).
QB, South Carolina, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 3,026 yards, 18 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Rattler, who was at one point a Heisman Trophy front-runner at Oklahoma. After losing his job to Caleb Williams, Rattler transferred to South Carolina and put it all together at the end of last season, including a school-record six touchdown passes in the 63-38 win over Tennessee. Rattler finished the season with 4,026 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He’s 23-7 in 30 career starts at Oklahoma and South Carolina.
RB, Baylor, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 972 yards, 14 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
The Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year set a program record for rushing yards by a freshman (972), and his 14 rushing touchdowns were the fourth-most in team history. He ranked second nationally in rushing TDs and fifth in rushing yards as he became a freshman All-American.
RB, Oregon State, sophomore
Notable 2022 stats: 982 rushing yards, 7 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
In and around Oregon State there was plenty of hype surrounding the arrival of Martinez, an incoming freshman from Lewisville, Texas. By season’s end, the Beavers’ offense couldn’t function without giving Martinez, who had six straight 100-yard games to finish the regular season, at least 15 carries per game. He finished with 982 yards and five touchdowns in his debut season.
DE, Boston College, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 8.5 sacks, 14.5 TFLs, 4 QBHs, 3 FFs
2022 ranking: NR
The BC edge rusher has a good case as the most underrated impact player in college football. He toiled largely in the shadows during an abysmal 3-9 season for the Eagles last year, but he was often unblockable for opposing lines, finishing with 8.5 sacks, 14.5 TFL and three forced fumbles.
WR, Syracuse, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 61 catches, 969 yards, 6 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
Is he a tight end or a wide receiver? Stop asking, Dino Babers said. Gadsden is just a football player — one who’s nearly impossible to defend. At 6-5, 220 pounds, Gadsden makes for an imposing-yet-agile target, and last year he used his impressive size and skills to rack up 61 catches for 969 yards and six touchdowns for the Orange.
CB, Kansas, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 3 INTs, 9 PBUs
2022 ranking: NR
Bryant was named All-Big 12 first team by the league’s coaches, finishing his sophomore year with 37 tackles, nine passes defensed and three interceptions in 10 starts. He sealed a Jayhawks win over West Virginia with an interception in overtime.
QB, Tulane, senior
Notable 2022 stats: 3,010 yards, 34 total TDs
2022 ranking: NR
After a frustrating 2021 season, Pratt and his Green Wave pulled off one of the most incredible turnarounds imaginable, surging to an AAC title and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic win over USC. Pratt threw for 3,010 yards and 27 touchdowns. Efficient with his arm and legs, Pratt will now lead a title defense in a new-look AAC.
RB, Southern Miss, junior
Notable 2022 stats: 1,382 yards, 9 TDs
2022 ranking: NR
The younger Gore has lived up to all expectations in Hattiesburg. In 2022 he generated 1,601 yards from scrimmage, averaging more than six yards per carry and 11 yards per catch. At times over the past two years, he’s even been Southern Miss’ best QB, albeit of the Wildcat variety. He does it all.
Sports
‘A small difference, but a big difference’: Inside the process of making an MLB star’s torpedo bat
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David Schoenfield
A FaceTime call came in last Monday morning to Freddie Vargas, CEO of Tater Baseball.
On the other end: New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte. Like everyone around baseball, Marte had seen the New York Yankees score 36 runs and bash 15 home runs in a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, with five of the Yankees’ regulars using bats shaped like bowling pins that immediately caught the attention of fans, announcers and other players.
Marte, who has used Tater bats since 2018, was one of many MLB players who inquired about the bat — now known as a torpedo bat — as the craze took baseball by storm. He wanted to place an order with Tater for some new torpedo bats to use (at least initially) in batting practice.
“Well, they’re trending right now,” Marte said this weekend. “Let’s see what happens when I use it. I have to give it a try.”
Freddie and his younger brother Jeremiah, who started Tater Baseball in 2015 along with their father, Fred Sr., had Marte text them a data plot of his contact points on his barrel. They design the specifications for a new torpedo bat that would best suit Marte — a process similar to creating a traditional bat. By the end of the day, four new bats were ready to be shipped to Citi Field, awaiting Marte when the Mets returned home from their series in Miami.
Torpedo-shaped bats are not new for Tater Baseball, a small family business operating out of an industrial park in Cheshire, Connecticut. The brothers played baseball growing up and eventually both played in college, but Jeremiah was still a senior in high school when the family had the idea to develop a training bat. Freddie became CEO/Founder with Jeremiah as Co-Founder and COO.
Training bats are usually a little lighter, helping a player develop bat speed while focusing on the sweet spot of the barrel, and can be used for tee work, soft toss or batting practice. Fred Sr. had an engineering background — he still works for a plastics molding company, helping at Tater mostly on weekends — but none had woodworking experience. They ventured into business anyway.
“I told them, ‘We’re not going to do it half-ass,'” Fred Sr. said. “What’s going to differentiate us?”
They started with four models, making premium bats by hand in a shed in their backyard and focusing on the training bats. One of their early models in 2015 was a torpedo-shaped game bat — but it was for softball, not baseball. Three months later, they purchased their first CNC lathe, a sophisticated machine that uses computer-controlled automation to create the desired shape of the bat (the company is now on its second one).
Operations soon moved to the garage and eventually the shop in Cheshire — and Tater is up to 800 or 900 models. The front is a retail store, selling not just the various training bats and game models for baseball and softball, but other equipment with the Tater logo — batting gloves, sliding mitts, fielding gloves, apparel and foam balls also used for training.
Jeremiah laid out a bunch of bats on a table. He pointed to one.
“We make what we call an underload trainer that is shaped like a torpedo. It’s really for sweet-spot training, but also to train underload for bat speed,” he said. “It mimics the torpedo shape, so we enlarge the sweet spot here, taper it off at the end so players have a visual representation of where to hit the ball. Players wanted a sweet spot where they typically impact it, and that’s what we kind of came up with.”
Tater made its first underload trainer in 2018 and started shifting to the torpedo style around 2021 — and it has become the company staple since it was introduced. Jeremiah said 22 of the 30 major league teams use their training bats at the major league level and several others use them across their minor league organizations, with the company working with players or minor league hitting coordinators and major league hitting coaches.
The world of major league game bats is a competitive field to break into — Freddie referred to it as “cutthroat.” MLB must approve any bat-making company and though 41 companies have been approved, Marucci and Victus dominate the market with an estimated 60% of the bats used in the majors — and Marucci owns Victus. Only a handful of companies sell even more than a few dozen bats to major leaguers, according to Freddie. Tater broke into the majors in 2018.
Jeremiah estimated that Tater ranked about seventh or eighth last season, with Marte and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez their most prominent players. Others using Tater bats include Chicago White Sox infielder Brooks Baldwin, plus Travis Bazzana, the top pick in the 2024 MLB draft, and Nick Kurtz, the Athletics’ first-round pick last summer. Freddie said about 150 professional players are using Tater game bats at least part of the time.
Marte holds a special place for the Vargas family, however. He was their first major league client, coming to Tater via a stroke of good fortune. A family friend named Ruben Sosa, who used Tater bats, was a teammate of Marte’s in the Dominican Winter League in December 2017. Jeremiah tells the story: “Marte was in a little bit of a slump, picked up Sosa’s bat, got a couple hits, and then here we are.” Marte has been using Tater bats ever since.
Gregory Polanco, Yan Gomes and Carlos Correa joined Marte as early clients.
“Really, it was just bootstrapped word of mouth and making a good product and providing a good service,” Jeremiah said. “We like to say we have a relentless pursuit on making the best bat in the game.”
The brothers are friendly and clearly love talking baseball and baseball bats — everything from grain deviation and max barrel diameter to discussing what kind of bat to use in specific situations.
“I love seeing the evolution of baseball bats,” Jeremiah said. “It’s great to see it being used in games and see the transition to help hitters be a little more competitive at the plate or give them a little bit more of an edge.”
The process of making a torpedo bat is no different from a regular bat.
After Marte sent in his contact data, an analysis was made on a shape best suited for him. This is the most time-consuming part of the process. The overlay of Marte’s traditional bat compared with his new torpedo bat showed the traditional bat had a sweet spot 22.4 inches from the knob, while the torpedo bat had a sweet spot 21.8 inches from it.
“A small difference, but a big difference,” Fred Sr. said.
With the sweet spot closer to the hitter’s hands, the bat will have less flex — which means it will lead to a little better contact on balls hit closer to the hands. This was the reason some of the Yankees players, like Anthony Volpe, made the change to the torpedo shape, with data showing his sweet spot was closer to his hands.
“We recommend players to use a little bit of a heavier game bat weight for their torpedo compared to the regular bat,” Jeremiah said. “The reason being, when you do fatten out the barrel slightly at the sweet spot, it changes the density a little bit. The easiest way to describe it is more density, more pop; less density, less pop.”
Marte typically uses a 33.5-inch, 30.5-ounce bat. After a conversion to lock in the specifics, it was decided that his torpedo bat would be an ounce heavier at 31.5 ounces and the process of physically making the bat began.
The wood — birch or maple — is sourced from Canada, where the colder weather makes the wood fibers harder. And, yes, the new tariffs will increase costs.
“Tariff-based wood is a tricky game right now that we’re navigating,” Jeremiah said, adding that they’re seeing a 25% increase in raw material costs, not including freight costs to ship it across the border.
The wood is delivered in precut, rectangular slabs that are about the length of a bat. Each slab is weighed and marked (the more dense, the more performance on impact). Then, it goes to the lathe. You might envision a craftsman with decades of experience at work, but Kyle Green, who works the machine, is 20 years old and has been working at Tater since he was 16.
After the bat is cut on the lathe, it is hand-sanded, which takes about two minutes, and then cupped, the end hollowed out (a maximum of an inch and a quarter). The process takes about six minutes — on a busy day, Tater might make around 150 bats. Finally, the bats are painted with a special lacquer. There are rules here as well, Jeremiah explained, as MLB approves only certain colors for game bats.
Players, of course, love to show off a little swag whenever they can, so Tater has designed unique colors to use in batting practice. They created a glacier-colored bat for Marte and also made a special design for Hernandez to use in last year’s Home Run Derby.
Hernandez’s nickname is “Mr. Seeds,” so they replicated the David sunflower seeds logo, but replaced David with Tater, and instead of saying America’s favorite seed brand, it said Teoscar’s favorite seed brand. Because the Tater name appeared twice on the bat, however, an MLB official prevented Hernandez from using it.
When Hernandez used the bat in the All-Star Game, Freddie said MLB fined the company “a couple hundred dollars.”
For now, the Tater Baseball crew will continue to work 12- and 13-hour days, as Freddie and Jeremiah field calls about torpedo bats and churn them out for all their clients, just like they did for Marte.
“My gut tells me that there will be a place for torpedo bats and there will still be a place for regular game bats,” Jeremiah said. “But I think there’s going to be a significant uptick in the guys using the torpedo bats.”
A week has passed since torpedo bats burst onto the scene as the talk of the 2025 MLB season, and the hitting innovation is still buzzing through the industry.
We asked our MLB reporters to talk to players and coaches to see if they think the bowling pin-shaped bat trend is here to stay, how much it really helps hitters — and if they believe it should be allowed in the majors.
Here’s what those around baseball had to say about the trend taking the sport by storm.
When did you first hear about torpedo bats?
Andrew Benintendi, OF, Chicago White Sox: I had never heard of it. I’ve used the same bat for nine years so I think I’ll stick with that. It’s pretty interesting. It makes sense. If it works for a guy, good for him. If it doesn’t, stick with what you got.
Robert Van Scoyoc, hitting coach, Los Angeles Dodgers: I’ve heard about bat fitting. We do bat fitting and all that. I just haven’t heard about this specifically. When I first heard about [torpedo bats specifically] was when everyone else kind of knew about it.
Ryan O’Hearn, first baseman, Baltimore Orioles: (Orioles assistant GM and former NASA engineer) Sig Mejdal deserves credit. Sig has been on the torpedo bat for a long time. He’s been trying to get guys to experiment with it, use it. He’ll send them out, send us everybody. He sent some in the offseason. He sent me the traditional torpedo bat and then he sent me a special model that, based off of my batted ball data, would fit better. He’s been all over it. I think I first heard about it in maybe the end of ’23 from Sig. And then he made them available. I took BP with it. I was unsure because it does feel a little different. Not in a bad way, just different. I feel like I was hitting balls and kind of feeling the vibrations on the end, which I didn’t really like.
Dansby Swanson, SS, Chicago Cubs: This offseason. It’s just caught on. People have used it before. It’s not that new.
Adam Ottavino, veteran reliever: I noticed last year that there were some guys with different shaped bats. I think [Francisco] Lindor had one. And, honestly, I didn’t think too much of it because there’s always been a lot of tinkering with bat models since I’ve been in the big leagues. There’s so many bat models. Even like custom handles like big knobs. Some hockey puck knobs. And there’s like those triangular knobs. So I didn’t really think too much of it. I didn’t maybe understand what they were going for.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels: I heard about it in spring training this year. Chuckie Robinson had a bat. We kind of weren’t serious about it, you know? He pulled it out and we were like, “Uh, that’s kind of strange.” But the science behind it makes total sense. I didn’t really think about that from that standpoint at all until the science came up for it and said why it would benefit certain people’s swings.
[Robinson] never used it … I don’t know if he had it the year prior, but for some reason he had one. And we were just like, “That’s a weird-looking bat.” I didn’t think anything of it until come Opening Day, you see all these guys swinging it in the regular season.
Martin Maldonado, C, San Diego Padres: I don’t know anything about it other than what I read on Twitter.
Have you used a torpedo bat before and if not, are you planning to try it now? If so, how did it feel?
Max Muncy, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers: It felt good. The swing felt good. But after the Dylan Lee at-bat (in which Muncy struck out in the sixth inning last Wednesday), I felt like the bat was causing me to be a little bit off-plane, a little bit in and out of the zone. My swings felt really, really good tonight but just a little bit off. So the last at-bat I decided just to go back to my regular bat.
Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs: I’ve used it in batting practice. I wasn’t a big fan. The weight felt a little heavier. The ball feedback wasn’t as good. But we’ll see.
Swanson: It’s not the perfect product. There are so many nuances involved. I’ve committed to using it enough to get a good sample size. There is definitely validity in everything, but it just has its media craze right now.
Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, Chicago Cubs: I talked to [Swanson] a lot this winter about it. He was very open-minded. It’s a process. That’s why we wanted to have guys use them in spring training. The more the veteran guys do it, hopefully that has a carry-over effect.
Michael A. Taylor, OF, Chicago White Sox: I would love to try one. I’m sure everyone is trying to order one right now. It’s interesting. I’m not too educated on the science behind it, but it seems pretty straightforward. I tried the axe bat then the puck bat so the torpedo bat is the latest thing. I want to try it.
Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins: I haven’t tried it. Not going to try it either. I’ve been doing perfectly fine with my bats. No point in trying to switch it up now. People blowing up the Yankees about all the homers they hit. Same guys that hit homers are the same guys that hit homers last year. It’s not that big of a deal.
O’Hearn: I’ve used a torpedo bat for one major league at-bat. I struck out. And then I threw it in the trash. Didn’t even make contact. I’m weird, man. I just remember guys laughing at me, being like, you’re done with it already?
Salvador Perez, catcher, Kansas City Royals: No, but it’s interesting. I’m going to talk to Davy (Royals VP of major league team operations Jeff Davenport) about that. Are we going to put in some orders for that bat? I talked to Gary Sanchez yesterday. He used the bat yesterday. The first time that I saw that bat, I grabbed it. Big barrel. I think if it helps, why not? Why not just try it out and see what happens?”
Mark Canha, outfielder, Kansas City Royals: It wasn’t anything I was aware of during spring until that half of the first week. I’m using kind of a modified one right now. It’s torpedo-esque. It’s not as drastic. I didn’t even know what I was ordering. Pete Alonso told me to get that model. It’s great. And usually he knows a lot. He’s really likes stuff like that. So I kind of just trusted him, and it’s been working. I like it. But I do like that there’s more barrel, a little lower than I’m used to swinging. It feels a little different. It’s not as ringy when I get it closer to the label, which I like.
Schanuel: I mostly miss [the ball] on the inner side of the barrel, so if I miss the barrel, I get jammed the most. If I were to get a torpedo bat … I think it would help me out a lot, especially my bat path and seeing the ball deep. I’d be more than willing to try it yet.
Nicky Lopez, 2B, Los Angeles Angels: I gave it a little bit of a test run in spring training because that’s what everyone was kind of doing. But it takes a little bit of getting used to.
Your whole career you’ve been using a bat that you know, and you know where the sweet spot is, and it’s one kind of length. You have the specifications of it and you kind of feel where that barrel is, and now when you move that barrel down a little bit, you have to refine where that sweet spot is. It takes a little bit to get used to. I used it a little bit in BP and I’m going to continue to use it and just see where it’s at.
Nico Hoerner, 2B, Chicago Cubs: I’ve used it since mid-spring training. Every AB I’ve taken this year has been with some version of the reverse taper barrel (which is what the Cubs call the torpedo bat). Still in the process of figuring that out, but I like it. It’s not something I’m thinking of when I go to the plate. A misconception I’ve heard is guys are not changing what they do to fit the bat. It’s kind of the opposite.
What do you make of the way the topic has blown up across the sport?
Ottavino: I mean, listen, first of all, it’s the Yankees and they scored a million runs in the first few games and it’s cool to hate the Yankees and it’s cool to look for the boogeyman and that’s what some people are going to do and can’t really stop that. But there’s also a lot of misinformation and noneducation on it too.
I was in Boston this spring and there were a bunch of guys using those types of bats over there too. So, they’re all over the place. It’s not unique to this organization. Maybe it originated in [the Yankees clubhouse], but I mean, there’s no secrets in baseball. Everybody’s going to be using what they think’s going to give them the best result. So I don’t really make too much of people complaining about it, honestly.
Schanuel: I think it’ll help out, especially to boost offensive performances. I think it’s good for MLB itself. Fans would like to see it. Everyone loves homers. Everyone loves when guys get on base. I think it’ll help out a lot. I mean it’s just exciting talking about it.
Mark Leiter, reliever, New York Yankees: I wouldn’t say I’m surprised just because I think there’s a level of it’s something to talk about in a big market. I mean, just the fact that it’s within the rules and stuff, I just think it’s more surprising that it took this long for somebody to do this. Just because you know about customizing golf clubs and stuff like that. Like, it makes a lot of sense.
Buxton: Everyone is blowing up the Yankees about all the homers they hit. Same guys you see hit homers, are the same guys that hit homers last year. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s like when the sweeper came around. We were like, “What’s a sweeper?” We had never heard of sweepers. And now we’ve never heard of torpedo bats and now they pop.
Shaw: The Yankees hitting a bunch of home runs made it blow up. Aaron Judge not using the torpedo bat is funny to me. It blew up with the Yankees, but he doesn’t swing it. You can clearly see both sides. They might work, but the old bats work too. The difference might be very small.
Do you think it should be allowed in the sport to use torpedo bats?
Canha: Yes. I do feel like we need all the help we can get. These guys are throwing so hard now. But it’s not a cheat code. We’ll see how it plays out over a little bigger sample size.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers: I do not look down on anybody. If it’s legal, you can do whatever you want. I swung the same bat for 16 years. I will not be changing to a torpedo bat. I’ve swung the same length, ounces, everything. If it works for the guys, go for it. I know some of our guys are getting them, so, we’ll see. I will not be swinging them.
Jake Cronenworth, 2B, San Diego Padres: [Torpedo bats] give everyone something to talk about. If any team hit 15 home runs, you’d be like, “What bats are they using? Are they legal?” And they are.
Are torpedo bats a trend based on this week’s buzz or something that is here to stay?
Lopez: I think so, yeah. I really do. I think this can be a good thing for a lot of hitters.
Van Scoyoc: I’m sure some guys will try it out. Someone gets hot, then you’ll probably see more guys going to it. I think it’s good. In pitching they have Trackman. In hitting we do, too. But we don’t capture the bat, which is essentially our same equipment. That’s why I think hitting is behind — because they just get more information that’s useful a lot faster.
O’Hearn: It’s kind of like the axe handle or puck knob. I think just because the Yankees went bananas for two games, it’s going to blow up. And I honestly felt bad for Sig when it went crazy because I was like, I don’t know if he was the first one on it, but I feel like he’s sitting around somewhere, like, ‘I wish the Orioles would’ve done this.’
Freeman: I promise you I have not read a thing about it. I only know there’s a torpedo bat and it looks kind of like the barrel’s shorter or lower down. That’s all I’ve got. Nor will I read into it. That’s just me. I’m not the right guy to ask those kind of questions. I swing the same bat every day.
Muncy: Baseball is not a one-size-fits-all sport, going from socks to batting gloves to shoes to pants. It’s not a one size fits all for anyone in this game. So, everyone swings different. Everyone likes their bat different. There’s some guys I think it could be a real benefit for, and there’s some guys it might be a detriment. I still don’t know where I’m at on that scale.
Hoerner: I think [it’s a trend]. There was the axe handle. A lot of guys with the Red Sox had success with that. Then in 2021, there was the big puck knob trend. You still see some of those. This is a little different when you’re changing where you impact the ball with. The jury is still out. I don’t look at that Yankees series and think it would have been a totally different series without the bats. It’s about marginal differences over the course of 600 ABs. That really matters.
Hoyer: This isn’t the kind of thing, one team did it and everyone copied. There were a number of teams on this. There is a lot of attention because of the size of the market and [the Yankees] scored 20. Guys were hitting in the cage with them last year. Pete [Crow-Armstrong] used it in a game last year in September (he flew out). It’s new, but it’s not like it started game two last weekend and everyone copied it quickly.
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