Can anybody top Chase Young? That could be a question we're asking ourselves until April's 2020 NFL draft. The Ohio State pass-rusher is coming off a spectacular game, and he is proving to be the top prospect in a loaded class.
Check out my updated Big Board rankings for the Class of 2020, which include several moves up and down the board. These are my top 25 prospects as it stands right now, along with my position-by-position rankings. You can jump to those rankings here.
A few notes before we dig in:
These aren't detailed scouting reports just yet. I still have a lot of work to do on these players, and what they do this season really matters.
I've included asterisks next to the names of the underclassmen, who could still return to school for at least one more season.
Height and weight are based on what we have from schools. We don't get official numbers until the 2020 combine in March.
1. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State*
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 265 | Previously: 1
A lot has changed since my last Big Board, when I moved up Young to the top spot. He missed two games after being suspended for taking a loan from a family friend in 2018, then returned with three sacks in a dominant performance against Penn State. His 16.5 sacks have already broken the Buckeyes' single-season record, and they could have four games left. He's having a phenomenal season and is the clear top prospect in the class. Now, does that mean he'll go No. 1? No, because we know how much teams value quarterbacks. The NFL loves twitchy edge rushers who can get after quarterbacks, though, and that's Young. He caught my eye as a true freshman in 2017, and he really came on last season, picking up the production with Nick Bosa sidelined. Young finished with 9.5 sacks and 14.5 total tackles for loss in 2018.
Jalen Hurts throws to Ceedee Lamb who takes off for a 63-yard Oklahoma touchdown.
2. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 215 | Previously: 6
There's no longer any question about whether Burrow is legit. The Heisman front-runner leads FBS in completion percentage (78.6%) and ranks second in passing yards (4,014) and touchdowns (41). He's also averaging 10.9 yards per attempt and has a Total QBR of 92.9. His improvement has been one of the greatest stories of the season. With a great release, much better accuracy at all levels of the field and enough athleticism to maneuver the pocket to evade rushers, Burrow reminds me of Tony Romo. Coaches rave about his leadership and toughness too. Burrow has a chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in April (if the team that gets that pick doesn't need a pass-rusher).
3. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 218 | Previously: 2
Like Young, a lot has changed over the past few weeks for Tagovailoa, and now he's the 2020 draft's biggest wild card. Tagovailoa, of course, is out for the season after he dislocated his right hip and suffered a posterior wall fracture against Mississippi State. It's an extremely serious injury for one of college football's best players, but the early prognosis is that he should be ready to throw again by the spring. Still, his injury history -- he has dealt with ankle and knee injuries the past two seasons -- will complicate how teams evaluate him, and they're going to want to see his medical reports before committing to him. I don't think this is a career-threatening injury. As a player, Tagovailoa is a top-five talent with elite accuracy and all the physical and mental tools teams look for in a starter. There's a long time until April's draft, but I'm not moving him much.
4. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 192 | Previously: 3
Jeudy is a special talent, a true No. 1 receiver the minute he gets drafted. Just watch him run past the Arkansas secondary for one of his two touchdowns in that game. He's unguardable at the college level. Jeudy is up to 66 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns this season. I said in May that he's the most talented receiver to enter the NFL since the duo of Julio Jones and A.J. Green went in Round 1 in 2011. He can run every route and has elite ball skills, and he runs by SEC defensive backs every week. Jeudy is the best wideout in what could be a special 2020 class.
5. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 200 | Previously: 4
Credit McShay here -- he had Okudah at No. 4 overall in his preseason rankings. When I went back through the 2018 tape, I saw why Todd was so fired up. This is a potential top-five pick with a high ceiling based on talent alone. The problem? Okudah hadn't picked off a single pass in his two seasons for the Buckeyes. He has three interceptions this season, though, including two picks in a blowout of Nebraska. While Young gets all of the attention for the Ohio State defense, Okudah is a true shutdown corner in the secondary.
6. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 237 | Previously: 5
Herbert is coming off his worst game of the season, as he threw two poor fourth-quarter interceptions in the upset loss to Arizona State. He completed just 55.6% of his passes and looked rattled at times. He can be a maddening evaluation, though overall this season he has shown improved accuracy and better decision-making. As I wrote in May, he just looks like a potential No. 1 pick -- great size, a powerful arm to make every throw, limited interceptions, good athleticism. Yet he took a step back in consistency in 2018, and that's why I thought he made a good decision to return to Oregon for his senior season. Herbert is up to 30 touchdown passes and only five interceptions, and he can make a statement to scouts with great performances against Oregon State and in the Pac-12 title game.
LSU clinches a birth in the SEC championship behind another strong performance from Joe Burrow and Clyde Edwards-Helaire's three rushing touchdowns.
7. Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson*
HT: 6-foot-4 | WT: 225 | Previously: 7
A converted safety who had 89 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss last season, Simmons is exactly what NFL teams look for in three-down linebackers in today's game. He has the size and speed to run sideline to sideline to chase down tailbacks, and he has the athletic ability to cover tight ends in the slot. He could even flip his hips and play some safety. Simmons is a combo player in the mold of Keanu Neal. He has 72 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception and 12 total tackles for loss this season.
8. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 318 | Previously: 10
I wrote about Brown last month, when he had two sacks and a forced fumble in the Tigers' win at Texas A&M. He had another sack and a forced fumble -- plus two fumble recoveries -- in Auburn's loss at Florida. Brown is starting to come on and show production -- that's what he needed to do this season. NFL teams want interior disruptors who can knock down quarterbacks, and Brown hasn't shown that he can consistently do that. Yet. He's still raw, but he has top-five talent in a massive frame.
9. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia*
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 320 | Previously: 8
There haven't been many top-tier offensive tackle talents lately -- the last time a tackle was picked in the top five was 2015 (Brandon Scherff). Could 2020 be the year of the tackle resurgence? I'm not going to go that far just yet, but there are some talented big men to watch, such as Tristan Wirfs and Thomas, who is my top-ranked tackle in the class. The left tackle, who started on the right side as a true freshman in 2017, was flawless in pass protection against the Gators, showing his great footwork, strong hands and excellent technique. He had several nice drive blocks in the run game too.
10. Grant Delpit, S, LSU*
HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 203 | Previously: 9
Going through the 2018 LSU tape again, it's easy to see why NFL scouts raved about Delpit. He made plays everywhere for this defense, picking up 74 tackles, 5 interceptions and 5 sacks. He is a complete safety in the mold of former LSU star Jamal Adams. Both can stick running backs in the hole on one play, cover the slot receiver on the next and play the deep middle of the field on the same drive. Delpit has dealt with an ankle injury for the past few weeks, and he missed the rout over Arkansas. Hopefully he makes it back this week for the Tigers' game with Texas A&M. The injury won't hurt his long-term outlook; he's the best safety prospect in this class.
11. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma*
HT: 6-foot-2 | WT: 191 | Previously: 11
Lamb showed how special he can be in the Sooners' win over Texas in October, catching 10 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns. But you should really watch the highlights because the overall numbers don't quite capture his dominance. Lamb had 65 catches for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and that was as the Sooners' No. 2 target. With Marquise Brown off to the NFL, he has become the top target for Jalen Hurts. He is an advanced route runner, has outstanding hands and can get open against any defender. He doesn't have elite speed, but he'll test well athletically. Lamb ranks third in the FBS in yards per catch (21.7) and touchdown catches (14).
Auburn DT Derrick Brown is sent onto the field after the play has already begun, but he still ends up making the tackle on the play.
12. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado*
HT: 6-foot-2 | WT: 220 | Previously: 16
Shenault is such a fun prospect, and he's moving up after back-to-back great games, which included this tremendous touchdown catch. He plays wide receiver like a running back and is stellar after the catch. The Colorado staff has been smart in moving him up all over the field to get the ball in his hands, even playing him as a Wildcat quarterback at times. Shenault had 86 catches for 1,011 yards and 11 total touchdowns (five rushing) in 2018, and he has four receiving TDs and two rushing scores this season. Although he isn't as developed of a route runner as the other receivers in my top 25, that should come with more reps. He has the versatility and traits that will have NFL teams interested.
13. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot | WT: 190 | Previously: 12
As the Crimson Tide's No. 2 receiver, Ruggs' game is all about speed, though he improved as a route runner last season when he had 46 catches for 741 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's averaging 19.1 yards per catch this season, and he has six touchdowns, though he doesn't get much target volume in a stacked Bama offense. Check out this route on a 74-yard TD catch on which he almost outruns the throw. Ruggs is the early favorite to be the fastest prospect in the 2020 class, and he's perfect for today's NFL. He missed Bama's last game because of an injury to his ribs, but he'll be OK long term.
14. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 190 | Previously: 17
Adebo, who made his debut in my Big Board early this month, is a ball hawk. He had four interceptions and a whopping 19 pass breakups last season, and he has four picks and another 10 breakups in 2019. Check out this one-handed interception from last season. Adebo has hands like a wide receiver (and a few schools recruited him at that position). Stanford has been disappointing this season, but Adebo is a legit first-round talent.
15. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
HT: 6-foot | WT: 200 | Previously: 19
It's hard to watch LSU and not focus on its defensive backs, as Delpit and Fulton were spectacular in 2018. Because of an NCAA suspension that wiped out his 2017 season, Fulton really didn't get playing time for two years before standing out a year ago, when he had nine pass breakups and an interception. He has nine pass breakups and an interception this season too. He is a gifted corner, and I expect him to test extremely well once he enters the NFL.
16. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia*
HT: 5-foot-9 | WT: 215 | Previously: 18
Just watch Swift on this 48-yard screen. He runs through and by defenders, showing off what has scouts so excited about his potential. It starts with speed, as Swift is one of the fastest running backs in the country. But he also has a physical side, and he makes tacklers miss. After running for 1,049 yards as part of a rotation last season, Swift is the Bulldogs' clear No. 1 back. He's averaging 6.2 yards per carry with eight total touchdowns. He caught 32 passes last season, so he is already a third-down threat. That versatility will be important for his future.
17. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 202 | Previously: 20
Henderson has dealt with an ankle injury this season, and he sat out a few games. He returned for the two tough matchups with Auburn and LSU, and he had three pass breakups in each of those games. Henderson is a lockdown cover corner who needs to improve on the little things to make his all-around game better. With six interceptions combined in 2017 and 2018, Henderson has tremendous ball skills, and he has the athletic traits to be a No. 1 corner in the NFL.
18. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson*
HT: 6-foot-4 | WT: 205 | Previously: 14
It's the size that sticks out with Higgins -- he has a huge frame to create mismatches. But he's also a better-than-expected route runner, and he can stretch the field for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He can box out smaller cornerbacks in the red zone, and he can high-point the ball on sideline throws. Check out this catch-and-run from last season. Higgins was a touchdown machine in 2018, scoring 12 times on 59 catches, and he's averaging 20 yards per catch on his 40 receptions this season, with eight TDs, including three in his most recent game against Wake Forest.
19. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 310 | Previously: 21
With a massive frame and great athleticism for his size, Kinlaw is physically gifted. And we know NFL teams are looking for interior pass-rushers, which is what Kinlaw can bring. After putting up 4.5 sacks all of last season, he has six in 2019. And he's getting to quarterbacks with quickness and power. Kinlaw moves really well for his size, and he can eat up blockers in the run game.
20. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa*
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 280 | Previously: NR
Epenesa moves back into my top 25 after a great stretch of games, including Iowa's win over Minnesota in which he dominated with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. After a slow start this season, he's up to seven sacks and three forced fumbles. As a sophomore in 2018, he led Iowa in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (16.5) despite playing only 30 snaps per game. As Epenesa has taken on a bigger role, there has been an adjustment period, but he has shown that he can bring inside and outside pressure. With a massive frame, Epenesa could play tackle in a 4-3 defense or end in a 3-4.
21. Curtis Weaver, OLB, Boise State*
HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 265 | Previously: NR
After Chase Young, this class isn't loaded with elite edge rushers. It's not like the group from 2019. Weaver, though, has a chance to be the No. 2 guy. He pops on tape and is tough to miss for a really good Boise State defense. And with 13.5 sacks this season, it's time for him to debut on my Big Board. Weaver is a pure pass-rusher with great burst off the ball and power in his lower body. Now, he has put up huge sack numbers against really bad teams (four vs. Portland State and three vs. UNLV), but that's what great pass-rushers are supposed to do. I'm intrigued about how he will test at the combine in March.
22. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa*
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 322 | Previously: NR
Left tackle, right tackle -- it really doesn't matter anymore. NFL teams aren't differentiating between the value of the two positions. Just look at the $36.75 million guaranteed the Raiders gave Trent Brown, who moved back to right tackle this season. Teams just want good tackles, period. Wirfs, a former high school wrestling champion, plays right tackle for the Hawkeyes -- though he has had a few series on the left side -- and he just mauls defenders. Dominates them. He has incredible strength and power -- check out this video -- and he can also move his feet. Wirfs is a rare talent who could keep moving up.
23. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 310 | Previously: 13
After starting at guard as a sophomore in 2018, Leatherwood replaced first-round pick Jonah Williams as Bama's left tackle this season. The former five-star high school prospect has been a rock this season. With a massive frame and great athleticism for the position, Leatherwood also packs a punch in the run game.
24. Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin*
HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 321 | Previously: NR
I wrote about Biadasz's rise earlier this month, after he helped blow up the Iowa defense to the tune of 300 rushing yards. He has proven to be the clear top center in this class and a potential top-20 pick in April. The fourth-year junior moves extremely well -- he can pull to get to the edge with ease -- and anchors well in pass protection. I really like watching the Wisconsin offense on tape.
25. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State*
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 311 | Previously: 25
A five-star prospect in the 2017 class, Wilson took some time to come into his own. He was good as a sophomore last season, but he had a phenomenal start to 2019, dominating Louisville in September with two sacks and recovering a fumble. Wilson, unfortunately, hurt his hand earlier this month and is out for the season. I'm not dropping him out of the top 25, however, because he'll be fine if he decides to enter April's draft. Wilson is quick off the ball, stellar against the run and has shown the ability to penetrate past guards and centers.
Top 10 prospects at each position
An asterisk denotes the prospect is an underclassman:
Quarterbacks
1. Joe Burrow, LSU
2. *Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
3. Justin Herbert, Oregon
4. *Jacob Eason, Washington
5. *Jake Fromm, Georgia
6. *K.J. Costello, Stanford
7. *Jordan Love, Utah State
8. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
9. Anthony Gordon, Washington State
10. Steven Montez, Colorado
Running backs
1. *D'Andre Swift, Georgia
2. *Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
3. *J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
4. *Travis Etienne, Clemson
5. *Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
6. Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
7. Zack Moss, Utah
8. *Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
9. *Cam Akers, Florida State
10. Lamical Perine, Florida
Wide receivers
1. *Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
2. *CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
3. *Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
4. *Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
5. *Tee Higgins, Clemson
6. *DeVonta Smith, Alabama
7. *Justin Jefferson, LSU
8. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
9. Michael Pittman Jr., USC
10. *KJ Hamler, Penn State
Tight ends
1. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
2. *Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
3. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
4. *Hunter Bryant, Washington
5. Adam Trautman, Dayton
6. *Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
7. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
8. *Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
9. *Colby Parkinson, Stanford
10. Jacob Breeland, Oregon
Offensive tackles
1. *Andrew Thomas, Georgia
2. *Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
3. *Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
4. Josh Jones, Houston
5. Matt Peart, Connecticut
6. *Jedrick Wills, Alabama
7. *Samuel Cosmi, Texas
8. *Saahdiq Charles, LSU
9. Lucas Niang, TCU
10. Trey Adams, Washington
Guards
1. Ben Bredeson, Michigan
2. *Netane Muti, Fresno State
3. John Simpson, Clemson
4. Shane Lemieux, Oregon
5. Robert Hunt, Louisiana-Lafayette
6. Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
7. *Trey Smith, Tennessee
8. Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson
9. *Solomon Kindley, Georgia
10. Daishawn Dixon, San Diego State
Centers
1. *Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
2. *Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
3. *Matt Hennessy, Temple
4. Nick Harris, Washington
5. *Keith Ismael, San Diego State
6. *Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU
7. Luke Juriga, Western Michigan
8. Cohl Cabral, Arizona State
9. Darryl Williams, Mississippi State
10. Frederick Mauigoa, Washington State
Defensive ends
1. *Chase Young, Ohio State
2. *A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
3. *Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
4. Jabari Zuniga, Florida
5. Carlos "Boogie" Basham, Wake Forest
6. Bradlee Anae, Utah
7. *James Lynch, Baylor
8. Marlon Davidson, Auburn
9. Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
10. Alton Robinson, Syracuse
Defensive tackles
1. Derrick Brown, Auburn
2. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
3. *Marvin Wilson, Florida State
4. *Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
5. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma
6. *Jordan Elliott, Missouri
7. Raekwon Davis, Alabama
8. Davon Hamilton, Ohio State
9. Leki Fotu, Utah
10. *Ross Blacklock, TCU
Inside linebackers
1. *Dylan Moses, Alabama
2. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
3. *Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
4. Evan Weaver, California
5. Troy Dye, Oregon
6. Malik Harrison, Ohio State
7. Kamal Martin, Minnesota
8. *K.J. Britt, Auburn
9. Shaq Quarterman, Miami
10. Logan Wilson, Wyoming
Outside linebackers
1. *Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
2. *Curtis Weaver, Boise State
3. *Terrell Lewis, Alabama
4. Zack Baun, Wisconsin
5. Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
6. Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
7. Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
8. Darrell Taylor, Tennessee
9. Josh Uche, Michigan
10. Jonathan Greenard, Florida
Cornerbacks
1. *Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
2. *Paulson Adebo, Stanford
3. Kristian Fulton, LSU
4. *CJ Henderson, Florida
5. Bryce Hall, Virginia
6. *Shaun Wade, Ohio State
7. Jeff Gladney, TCU
8. Trevon Diggs, Alabama
9. *A.J. Terrell, Clemson
10. *Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State
Safeties
1. *Grant Delpit, LSU
2. *Xavier McKinney, Alabama
3. Ashtyn Davis, California
4. Brandon Jones, Texas
5. Davion Taylor, Colorado
6. Julian Blackmon, Utah
7. Josh Metellus, Michigan
8. Terrell Burgess, Utah
9. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne
10. Jeremy Chinn, So. Illinois
Kickers and punters
1. Braden Mann, Texas A&M (P)
2. Alex Pechin, Bucknell (P)
3. Joseph Charlton, South Carolina (P)
4. Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse (P)
5. *Blake Haubeil, Ohio State (K)
6. Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia (K)
7. Austin Parker, Duke (P)
8. *Oscar Bradburn, Virginia Tech (P)
9. *Drue Chrisman, Ohio State (P)
10. Tommy Townsend, Florida (P)
Long snappers
1. Blake Ferguson, LSU
2. Steve Wirtel, Iowa State
3. Rex Sunahara, West Virginia
4. *John Shannon, Notre Dame
5. A.J. Carty, Washington
6. Matt Beardall, Marshall
7. Geron Eatherly, Tulane