The wild and exciting 2021 college football season is officially in the books after the Georgia Bulldogs avenged their past losses to the Alabama Crimson Tide to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. But before we completely turn the page and focus on the 2022 season, it's time to take one final look at the best players from 2021 using PFF's player grades.
The following is a list of the highest-graded player overall and highest-graded true freshman at every position in 2021. We'll also include the biggest surprise to highlight a player who made a major leap in grade year over year. One thing to remember: PFF grades are not opponent-adjusted.
Enjoy!
QUARTERBACK
Highest-graded overall: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
While Stroud was blessed with one of the best ecosystems in the country and had his fair share of inconsistencies in 2021, he still finished with the highest PFF grade at the position for the season after a big Rose Bowl performance and Bryce Young's struggles in the CFP. Stroud battled a shoulder injury through his first three starts, which hurt his accuracy and caused him to sit out against Akron in Week 4. But he was sharp after returning in Week 5, earning an 89-plus PFF grade in five of his last nine starts and posting the highest rate of accurate passes in that span. The first-time starting quarterback did an excellent job of evading sacks when under duress, leading to the ninth-lowest pressure-to-sack conversion rate in the FBS (10.8%).
Highest-graded true freshman: Caleb Williams, Oklahoma
Williams was a top-20 recruit in the 2021 class and is still in the transfer portal deciding on a new program. The team that lands the 6-foot-1, 218-pound quarterback -- presumably Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans -- will get one of the most talented players in the country. There were times when Williams made things a little more difficult than they needed to be, always looking for the home run downfield. Because of that, he was often volatile, putting up four passing grades below 70 after taking over for Spencer Rattler in early October. Still, his tools helped lead to multiple elite-graded performances en route to a 91.3 PFF grade in 2021, which broke Trevor Lawrence's record for the highest single-season mark by a true freshman quarterback in the PFF College era.
Biggest surprise: Kenny Pickett, Pitt
Pickett is in the conversation for most-improved player in college football this past season. He produced more turnover-worthy plays than big-time throws in 2018, 2019 and 2020 while earning PFF grades of 60.6, 75 and 69.8. In 2021, Pickett produced 12 more big-time throws than turnover-worthy plays (29 to 17) en route to a 92.3 grade. Pickett has been calmer under pressure and much more accurate when throwing the deep ball. His wealth of experience was on consistent display throughout 2021.
RUNNING BACK
Highest-graded overall: Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
Between his work as a rusher and a receiver, the 5-6 back was responsible for 59 plays that resulted in a gain of 10 or more yards -- the most among Power 5 running backs. Vaughn's 93.4 rushing grade and 78.8 receiving grade both finished in the top 10 among running backs. He was also the most valuable running back in the country according to PFF wins above average (WAA).
Highest-graded true freshman: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson was the 2021 class' top-ranked running back recruit, per ESPN, and he definitely looked the part. The Buckeye converted 18.6% of his carries into a gain of 10 or more yards -- the eighth-highest rate among Power 5 running backs. His five 20-plus-yard touchdown runs tied for second among that group.
Biggest surprise: Abram Smith, Baylor
Smith only carried the ball 12 times in the first four years of his career from 2017 to '20, and one resulted in a fumble. He actually made the move to off-ball linebacker in 2020 and was a defensive starter to close out the season. He switched back to running back in 2021 and proceeded to earn the fifth-highest PFF grade at the position in the Power 5 at 90.1.
WIDE RECEIVER
Highest-graded overall: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Smith-Njigba's record-breaking Rose Bowl performance -- 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns -- helped him earn a 91.7 PFF grade this season. Not only is that the best of 2021, but it's also among the three best by a Power 5 wide receiver in the past five years. Smith-Njigba also was the most productive wide receiver in the country on a per-route basis this year, recording 4.01 yards per route run.
Highest-graded true freshman: Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy was the Longhorns' No. 2 recruit in the 2021 cycle and the 62nd-ranked player overall in the class. He's a 6-2, 160-pound speedster who became the go-to option for the Longhorns in the second half of the season because of a depleted receiver room. Worthy was targeted on 30.4% of his routes from Week 6 on -- the sixth-highest rate among Power 5 wide receivers. He made the most of the substantial workload, averaging 2.88 yards per route run and racking up 17 receptions of 15 or more yards in that span. In all, Worthy earned an 80.3 receiving grade for the season.
Biggest surprise: Deven Thompkins, Utah State
The 5-8, 155-pound receiver caught nearly twice as many passes as anyone else in his offense, with a good chunk of those looks coming deep downfield. Thompkins ranked first in the FBS in deep receptions (24) and deep receiving yards (906). The diminutive receiver also made a killing adjusting to off-target throws, as he led the country in receptions from inaccurate passes with 33. His 87.1 receiving grade for the season was over 20 points higher than his previous career best.
TIGHT END
Highest-graded overall: Trey McBride, Colorado State
McBride was the engine of the Rams' offense this season. The 6-4, 260-pound tight end was targeted on 30% of his routes -- the second-highest rate at the position -- and he finished the season averaging an incredible 2.77 yards per route run. McBride earned a stellar 95 receiving grade for his efforts -- second to only Kyle Pitts (2020) in the PFF College era. He also picked up 18 more combined first downs and touchdowns than any other FBS tight end.
Highest-graded true freshman: Brock Bowers, Georgia
Bowers was in the conversation for best tight end in college football despite being a true freshman this past season. He earned a 91.7 PFF receiving grade while generating 3.14 yards per route run. This is a level of production we've never seen from a true freshman -- and a level rarely obtained by any player at the position. With his speed, explosiveness and ball skills, Bowers is already a college football star.
Biggest surprise: Austin Allen, Nebraska
Allen showed up as a three-star recruit back in 2017. After not playing a down of football his first year with the team, he ran off a three-year stretch of poor PFF grades below 60 from 2018 to '20. This time around, the 6-9, 255-pound tight end posted an 89.8 PFF grade that ranked fourth at the position.
TACKLE
Highest-graded overall: Max Mitchell, Louisiana
Over the years, Louisiana's offensive line has consistently found itself atop the national ranks, and Mitchell has produced better than any lineman the Ragin' Cajuns have fielded in the PFF College era. He led FBS tackles with a 94.8 PFF grade, as the 6-6, 297-pounder allowed only 13 pressures across 13 games while racking up the third-most big-time run blocks.
Highest-graded true freshman: Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Alt was thrust into the starting left tackle spot in Week 6 and held his own from the get-go. From Week 6 on, Alt finished as one of the 25 highest-graded tackles in the Power 5 (plus Notre Dame, of course). The adjustments made by offensive coordinator Tommy Rees following the Week 7 bye helped, as they tasked the line with fewer true pass sets. The true freshman performed better than most seniors in that scenario.
Biggest surprise: Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Beebe was one of the most improved offensive linemen in 2021. After posting a middling 64.2 PFF grade in his debut year -- 2020's mini-season -- Beebe earned an 85.4 in 2021. The 6-3, 320-pound lineman hardly made any mistakes, ranking fourth among Power 5 tackles in negatively graded run-block rate and allowing less than a pressure per game.
GUARD
Highest-graded overall: William Dunkle, San Diego State
Dunkle was one of the most violent run-blockers in college football this season. The 6-5, 330-pound guard earned a 98.8 run-blocking grade in 2021. His 17 big-time run blocks -- PFF's highest-graded blocks -- were four more than any other FBS guard. Even after playing nearly 500 run blocks for the season, Dunkle led the position in positively graded run-blocking rate.
Highest-graded true freshman: Connor Colby, Iowa
Colby took over the starting spot at right guard for Iowa in Week 4 and steadily improved as a pass-protector as the season went on. His pass protection was volatile, but he pieced together a nice stretch of play over his last five regular-season games. Colby earned an 81.3 pass-blocking grade and allowed only three pressures in that span. Even with a rocky first batch of games and postseason, Colby played well considering his age and situation, with a 71.5 PFF grade overall for the season.
Biggest surprise: Caleb Chandler, Louisville
Chandler played near-flawless football in the second half of the season. From Week 6 on, he earned 90-plus pass- and run-blocking grades -- something no other Power 5 guard accomplished. He allowed only three pressures and earned a 92.6 overall mark in that span. That level of play was unimaginable for the fifth-year guard who posted PFF grades of 58.1, 64.4 and 75.1 in his three years on the field prior to 2021.
CENTER
Highest-graded overall: Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Linderbaum already was in a rare tier of players PFF has graded entering 2021, as he recorded the fifth-best PFF grade among centers in 2019 and then claimed the No. 1 spot in 2020 after flipping from defensive tackle following his first year on campus in 2018. This season, he solidified himself as the best player PFF has ever seen at the position. Linderbaum's 95.4 grade in 2021 is the highest by a Power 5 center in the PFF College era.
Highest-graded true freshman: Bryce Foster, Texas A&M
Foster's pass protection was a wild ride, but he made a substantial dent in the run game. The 2021 four-star recruit finished his first year at College Station with a 73 run-block grade. From Week 7 on, that mark stood at 83.9 -- eighth-highest among Power 5 centers over that span.
Biggest surprise: Brett Neilon, USC
Neilon took his play to another level in 2021. The 2017 four-star recruit earned an 86.2 PFF grade for the season, which is over 20 grading points higher than each of his previous two years as the starting center for the Trojans. Neilon's positively graded run-block rate -- one of the most stable metrics for centers -- was the fourth-highest at the position in the Power 5.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Highest-graded overall: Thomas Gore, Georgia State
Gore's 90.2 PFF grade edged out Georgia Bulldog Devonte Wyatt for the highest among FBS interior defensive linemen. The Georgia State Panther totaled the third-most defensive stops at the position (35) despite ranking only 234th in snaps (387). Doing that while playing over half of his snaps at nose tackle is impressive. Gore's PFF grade playing 0/1-technique was the highest in the FBS, too.
Highest-graded true freshman: Roderick Brown, North Texas
Brown was a two-star recruit with only a handful of FBS offers to speak of, but he is quickly showing that he should have been more coveted. Brown served as a reserve defensive tackle for the Mean Green and came out with a 79.9 PFF grade for the season across 259 snaps. He earned an 89.6 pass-rush grade buoyed by five sacks, two of which were strip-sack fumbles.
Biggest surprise: Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Dorlus finished the season as one of the five most valuable interior defensive linemen, with 0.29 WAA generated. For reference, he accumulated only 0.02 WAA his first two years on campus in 2019 and 2020. The former three-star recruit earned a 65.1 PFF grade across 340 snaps in that two-year span before jumping to a 79.2 on 665 snaps in 2021. The latter wasn't an easy thing to do on that volume in the Power 5.
EDGE
Highest-graded overall: Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
No defender in college football played better football in 2021 than Hutchinson. The 6-6, 265-pound pass-rusher earned an FBS-leading 94.5 PFF grade in 2021 and did so after suffering a season-ending leg fracture during the shortened 2020 season. With his power, get-off and advanced rush ability, Hutchinson was virtually unblockable this season. The potential No. 1 overall pick ended up with 0.88 PFF WAA generated for the 2021 season, far surpassing anyone in the previous top three of the PFF College era at the position (Chase Young, Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa).
Top true freshman: Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
Oliver made a name for himself as an explosive athlete who competed heavily in track and field. The four-star recruit earned a chance to play right away as a true freshman, and he earned a 77 PFF grade in his first season. He made the biggest dent in the pass rush, generating 40 pressures on 233 reps.
Biggest surprise: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
Anudike-Uzomah was one of the biggest surprises of this season. The 6-3, 255-pound edge defender was a three-star recruit in the 2020 class and ranked 2,423rd nationally in the cycle, according to 247Sports Composite Rating. He rushed the passer only 34 times his first year on campus before earning an 89.9 pass-rush grade and racking up 43 pressures -- along with 13 sacks -- in 2021 as a starter. Anudike-Uzomah got even better against the run, too, with an 86.9 run-defense grade over his last seven games.
OFF-BALL LINEBACKER
Highest-graded overall: Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Dean was the best player on the field for the vaunted Georgia defense. With his physical skills and sharp instincts, he came out with the highest PFF grade at the position for the season. Dean's blitzing prowess and coverage ability stood out in particular. He recorded a 90-plus grade as both a pass-rusher and in coverage this season -- something no Power 5 off-ball linebacker has accomplished in the PFF College era.
Highest-graded true freshman: Eric Gentry, Arizona State
At 6-6 and 200-pounds, Gentry stood out on the field for his lanky frame and disciplined play. The three-star true freshman had the lowest negatively graded play rate against the run among Pac-12 off-ball linebackers and allowed only 59 yards in coverage on 151 such snaps while breaking up two passes.
Biggest surprise: Ivan Pace Jr., Miami (OH)
Pace was the easy decision for PFF's 2021 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. This season, he stepped into a starting job for the first time and came out with an 88.3 PFF grade. He was a weapon regardless of the role but stood out as a blitzer, where he earned a 91.2 pass-rush grade and totaled 19 pressures on 46 rushes. Pace paired that with an 88.6 coverage grade and 78.7 run-defense grade. Next season, he'll be going back to his hometown to play for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
CORNERBACK
Highest-graded overall: Roger McCreary, Auburn
McCreary has had one of the best cornerback careers of the PFF College era, and his 2021 campaign was his best yet. The Auburn corner earned 78 and 80.8 PFF grades in 2019 and 2020 before posting an FBS-leading 89.9 mark in 2021. He's always at the catch point and rarely loses, as only Derek Stingley Jr. has forced more tight coverage than McCreary since 2019. He's smart, fast and scheme-versatile.
Highest-graded true freshman: Justin Walley, Minnesota
No true freshman cornerback earned a higher PFF grade in 2021 than Walley's 75.5 mark. The Golden Gopher played double-digit coverage snaps in 11 games this season and allowed under 15 yards in seven of those. He broke up six passes, intercepted one and forced a fumble in the process.
Biggest surprise: Cam Smith, South Carolina
Smith was one of the unsung heroes of the 2021 season, allowing multiple catches in just two of his 11 games this year. He gave up only 15 catches for the season. Of those 15, 10 went for a first down, which is fewer than the number of plays he made on the ball (12). This led to an 89.7 coverage grade in 2021, over 40 grading points higher than the season before, when he was a reserve. While Smith was a top-300 recruit in the 2019 class, no one was expecting this kind of jump in production.
SAFETY
Highest-graded overall: Kerby Joseph, Illinois
No safety earned a higher PFF grade in 2021 than Joseph, and that's thanks to his top-notch coverage ability. Joseph intercepted five passes and broke up four others en route to a 90.6 coverage grade while primarily playing deep safety for the Illini. After playing sparingly across his first three years with the team, Joseph is putting his name on the map.
Highest-graded true freshman: C.J .Baskerville, San Diego State
Baskerville earned a starting job by season's end and was one of the top performers in the Aztecs' Frisco Bowl win over UTSA. The former three-star recruit earned a 78.9 PFF grade in that game, picking off a pass and recording three defensive stops without missing any of his 10 tackles. Baskerville played 383 snaps for the season and earned an 81 PFF grade.
Biggest surprise: Traveon Redd, Wake Forest
This past season was Redd's sixth year in the collegiate ranks. He played under 200 snaps his first three years on campus and earned middling PFF grades in the mid-60s in 2019 and 2020. Needless to say, it was quite a surprise when Redd produced the sixth-highest grade among FBS safeties in 2021 at 84.7. He joined Kerby Joseph and Alabama's Jordan Battle as the lone Power 5 safeties with a coverage grade above 90.