This year's College Football Playoff bracket is stacked with elite players. Among the stars on the four rosters: Heisman winner Derrick Henry, Davey O'Brien Award winner Deshaun Watson and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm winner Connor Cook, among many others.
But how do those players compare when ranked against one another? Watson went No. 1, but then things got a little tougher.
1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
No player means more to his team than Watson. His 69.5 percent completion percentage ranks third in the country and he's thrown 30 touchdown passes despite losing his top receiver in Mike Williams to a season-ending neck injury during the first game of the season. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, his quick burst and instincts make him a threat to break long runs off options, designed keepers and scrambles.
2. Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
At 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, Reed is Alabama's fourth-leading tackler and literally is a big reason why the Tide run-defense ranks first in allowed yards per carry and yards per game. He's tough to move off the ball, he controls blockers with his powerful hands and he's an above-average tackler for the position. He also shows the ability to push the pocket and get his hands up in passing lanes as a pass-rusher.
3. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
With 22.5 tackles for loss, Lawson is one of the most disruptive defenders in the country. At 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, he has an explosive first step and flashes the ability to slip blocks quickly. He also shows above-average speed-to-power, lateral mobility and closing speed rushing the passer.
4. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
The fact that this year's Heisman Trophy winner comes in fourth says more about the talent in this group than Henry, who led the FBS in rushing yards and touchdowns. At 6-foot-3, 242 pounds, he is an efficient between-the-tackles runner and tough to tackle when he builds momentum. Plus, he's fast enough to rip off chunk yards when he gets a seam.
5. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Mayfield's touchdown-to-interception ratio of 35-5 is impressive and a testament to his decision-making as a passer. He's not as much of a threat with the ball in his hands as Watson, but he's a capable runner who has seven rushing touchdowns (six coming in the red zone) and he moves well enough to extend passing plays with his feet.
6. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
The 6-foot-2, 252-pound Ragland is an excellent run-stopper who leads Alabama with 90 tackles, including 51 solo stops. He has above-average instincts, the strength to hold his own between the tackles, and the range to make plays from sideline to sideline. He also shows good awareness in underneath coverage and flashes the ability to get to the quarterback as a pass-rusher.
7. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Allen, who leads Alabama with 10 sacks, is an effective interior pass-rusher who has the quick first step and hands to win most one-on-one matchups working against guards and centers. A versatile player, he also has the strength to put offensive tackles on roller skates and set a hard edge against the run when he lines up on the outside.
8. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
Throw on the tape and it's easy to see why Conklin projects as a first-round pick should he enter the draft following the 2015 season. At 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, he's a powerful run-blocker who excels at creating seams for his running backs, and is an effective pass-blocker with the quickness, length and strength to win most matchups.
9. A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
Robinson isn't as consistent as Reed and he's not as much of a threat rushing the passer as Allen. Yet he arguably has the highest upside out of the three Alabama defensive linemen listed in the top ten. At 6-foot-4, 312 pounds, he has the core strength to anchor and the length to press blockers off his frame. Plus, he flashes above-average closing speed rushing the passer.
10. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Calhoun is a dynamic pass-rusher who has 10.5 sacks and 18 QB hurries. He has the quick first step, flexibility and closing speed to beat offensive tackles around the corner, in addition to the lateral quickness and active hands to work back inside. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, he doesn't have great size but he's a disruptive run defender who does an adequate job of holding his ground when teams run at him.
11. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
A true freshman, Ridley is an above-average route-runner who leads Alabama with 75 catches and 893 receiving yards. His average of 11.9 yards per catch isn't all that impressive, but that doesn't mean he's not a big-play threat. In fact, four of his five touchdowns have come on plays of 30 yards or longer. He's dangerous after the catch and he has the top-end speed to take the top off the coverage.
12. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
During the past six games of the regular season, Perine rushed for 871 yards and 12 touchdowns despite sharing carries with talented running mate Joe Mixon. At 5-foot-10, 230 pounds, Perine is a bruising runner with the power base, size and balance to regularly pick up yards after contact and wear defenses out during the course of a game.
13. Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
Burbridge's production cooled off during the past four games but he still finished the season with 80 catches for 1,219 yards and seven touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, he's aggressive attacking the ball and he shows above-average body control in jump ball situations. He's also a competitive runner who flashes the ability to make defenders miss and pick up yards after contact after the catch.
14. Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma
The 6-foot-2, 282-pound Tapper caught fire down the stretch, recording seven sacks and eight tackles for loss in addition to forcing three fumbles during the Sooners' past five games. His relatively low center of gravity makes it tough for offensive tackles to drive him off the ball in the run game. He also flashes above-average speed-to-power rushing the passer.
15. Eric Striker, LB, Oklahoma
Striker is a dynamic player who impacts the game in a number of ways. At 6-foot, 222 pounds, he's on the smaller side but Striker is a disruptive run-stopper with the quickness to beat blockers to the spot and the speed to make plays in pursuit. He's an effective pass-rusher with 7.5 sacks, he shows good range in coverage and he intercepted a pass against Texas Tech.
16. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The redshirt sophomore's technique is inconsistent, which is a big reason why Alexander has broken up just four passes and has yet to record an interception. He still gets the nod at No. 16 because of his impressive cover skills. At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, he has the balance and toughness to reroute receivers in addition to the fluidity and quickness to shadow, then transition in and out of breaks.
17. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Cook is a three-year starter with a 34-4 record who has shown the ability to fight through adversity and find a way to help his team win big games. He's also flashed the ability to squeeze the ball into tight windows and he moves around the pocket well enough to buy some time. That said, his accuracy is erratic and he's not the running threat that Watson or Mayfield is.
18. Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
Determination is the first word that comes to mind when I think of the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Gallman. He is a hard-nosed runner who keeps his legs churning, spins off contact and breaks out of would-be arm tackles. There's also a lot to like about the way he lowers his shoulders, delivers the blow and finishes runs. Finally, he's a viable checkdown option in the passing game.
19. Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
Sanchez is a ballhawk who has intercepted six passes (including one he returned for a touchdown) despite missing two games with an ankle injury. He gets an early break on passes thanks to his ability to diagnose routes and read quarterbacks. At 5-foot-11, 179 pounds, he occasionally gets pushed around by bigger receivers, but he's an above-average run-stopper who closes well and doesn't shy away from contact.
20. Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
The 6-foot-6, 275-pound McDowell is on the taller and leaner side for a defensive tackle, yet he's an effective interior run-stopper for a few reasons. He tends to keep his pads downs, knock blockers back on contact and use his length to keep blockers off his frame. He also shows good range chasing the run and the quarterback.
21. Tim Williams, DE, Alabama
Listed at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Williams lacks the size to regularly hold up against the run and he has just 18 tackles on the season. However, he has 9.5 sacks and his ability to get after the quarterback is impressive. He's got the explosive first step and closing burst to regularly win with speed, in addition to the quick hands and feet to redirect inside when tackles overset in an effort to take away the outside.
22. B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson
Goodson's production has been impressive. He is Clemson's leading tackler, and he's recorded 14 TFLs and 5.5 sacks, intercepted a pass, broken up three passes, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles this season. At 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, he's a tough interior run stuffer and powerful tackler. He also flashes powerful hands and the ability to get off blocks rushing the passer.
23. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Shepard leads the Sooners with 79 catches, 1,201 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. He is a savvy route-runner who knows how to get open, and is quick to transition upfield once he gets the ball in his hands. While Shepard is on the smaller side, he's a tough player who isn't afraid to work the middle and runs hard after the catch.
24. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Throw on the Texas A&M tape if you want to see what Fitzpatrick brings to the table in coverage. He intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns against the Aggies, showing good balance and quickness in the process. The true freshman isn't a one-dimensional player, either. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he's active in run support, has two sacks and has played well on special teams.
25. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
Dodd isn't as explosive as his teammate, Lawson, but he's disruptive, nonetheless, recording eight sacks and 14 TFLs on the season. As a pass-rusher, he shows the ability to press offensive tackles off his frame, walk them back to the quarterback and shed in time to make the play. At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, his size, quickness and motor also make him a formidable run defender.
Next best 10 players
1. Clemson CB Cordrea Tankersley 2. Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon 3. Oklahoma CB Jordan Thomas 4. Alabama C Ryan Kelly 5. Clemson OT Mitch Hyatt 6. Clemson S Jayron Kearse 7. Oklahoma ILB Dominique Alexander 8. Michigan State G Brian Allen 9. Alabama OT Cam Robinson 10. Michigan State LB Riley Bullough