College football bowl season is here, which means the 2020 NFL draft is getting closer. Can you believe we're less than 130 days away? My pal Todd McShay even dropped his first mock draft for the 2020 class (you can see mine in a few weeks). The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Jan. 20, but we've already seen several prospects -- including intriguing Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and my top-ranked offensive tackle Andrew Thomas -- announce their intentions to enter this draft.
So let's do a pre-bowl update of the Big Board rankings for the Class of 2020, plus my top 10 prospects at every position. These are my top 25 prospects as it stands right now, and a position-by-position look from quarterbacks to long-snappers. I'll update again after bowl season.
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.
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 combine in March.
1. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State*
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 265 | Previously: 1
You should by now know about Young, who just finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He is a dominant pass-rusher whose 16.5 sacks broke the Buckeyes' single-season record. 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.
2. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 215 | Previously: 2
McShay just put Burrow at No. 1 overall in his Mock Draft 1.0, and I can't disagree with him. The Heisman winner -- he crushed the field -- put up astounding numbers on the way to one of the most impressive seasons I've ever seen. His improvement has been one of the greatest stories of the season because he started 2019 as a fringe NFL prospect. 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.
Justin Herbert rolls out and launches to Juwan Johnson for a 50-yard gain, resulting in a field goal for Oregon to go up 10-0.
3. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 218 | Previously: 3
I've said this for the past few weeks -- Tagovailoa is the 2020 draft's biggest wild card. Of course, he won't play in Bama's bowl game 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, and I want to hear what people inside the league say about him when they get a chance to look at his medical reports.
4. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 192 | Previously: 4
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 71 catches for 959 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. The Biletnikoff Award winner 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: 5
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 first 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. 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 93 tackles, six sacks, one interception and 14 total tackles for loss this season, and with Clemson in the College Football Playoff, he could get two more games to add to his numbers.
7. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 237 | Previously: 6
When I last updated my Big Board, Herbert was coming off his worst game of the season, when 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 has 32 touchdown passes and only five interceptions this year. Because of his physical tools, there will be teams that love him. But there will also be teams that stay away from him because of his inconsistent play.
Mac Jones overthrows his intended target, but Henry Ruggs III is lurking in the back of the end zone to snag the Alabama touchdown.
8. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 318 | Previously: 8
I wrote about Brown early in the season, 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 took a leap this season, turning his traits into production -- that's what he needed to do. 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: 9
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, is great in pass protection, showing off tremendous footwork, strong hands and excellent technique. He announced Tuesday that he's skipping Georgia's bowl game and will enter the 2020 draft.
10. Grant Delpit, S, LSU*
HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 203 | Previously: 10
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. I wrote more about Delpit in our big preview of the 2020 class -- he's the best safety in this class, but he's not a lock to be a top-10 pick. He was up-and-down this season as a nagging ankle injury hurt his play. Long-term, though, he could be a terrific find for a team in need of a complete safety.
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. He 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.
12. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado*
HT: 6-foot-2 | WT: 220 | Previously: 12
Shenault is such a fun prospect; just check out this tremendous touchdown catch to see some of his athleticism. 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 had four receiving TDs and two rushing scores this season while dealing with inconsistent quarterback play. 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: 13
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 18.9 yards per catch this season, and he has seven 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. There's a chance Bama has three receivers go in Round 1 next April.
Trevor Lawrence throws to Tee Higgins, who keeps one foot in bounds for a 24-yard gain.
14. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 190 | Previously: 14
Adebo, who made his debut in my Big Board in November, is a ball hawk. He had four interceptions and a whopping 19 pass breakups last season, and he had 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 disappointed this season, but Adebo is a legit first-round talent.
15. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa*
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 280 | Previously: 20
Epenesa ended the season on a high note, which included 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 nine 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.
16. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia*
HT: 5-foot-9 | WT: 215 | Previously: 16
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. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 310 | Previously: 19
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 had 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 running game.
18. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 202 | Previously: 17
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. He hasn't picked off a pass in 2019.
19. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson*
HT: 6-foot-4 | WT: 205 | Previously: 18
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 52 receptions this season, with 13 TDs, including three apiece against Wake Forest and in the ACC title game against Virginia.
LSU QB Joe Burrow's heartwarming speech when he accepted the Heisman Trophy has led to over $200K in donations to his hometown's food pantry.
20. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa*
HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 322 | Previously: 22
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.
21. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 310 | Previously: 23
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 running game.
22. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
HT: 6-foot | WT: 200 | Previously: 15
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 12 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.
23. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama*
HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 175 | Previously: NR
I called Smith a first-round sleeper back in October, when he was coming off a five-touchdown game against Ole Miss. He's not a sleeper anymore, and he's the Crimson Tide's third receiver with a chance to be drafted in the first round in April. As I wrote in October, Smith isn't as fast as Ruggs or as explosive as Jeudy, but he has smooth speed and creates separation on every route. He's also great after the catch, with room to grow into his 6-foot-1 frame. Smith has 1,200 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns for Bama this season.
24. Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin*
HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 321 | Previously: 24
I wrote about Biadasz's rise in November, after he helped blow up the Iowa defense to the tune of 300 rushing yards. He has proved 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 missed the rest of the season. I'm not dropping him out of the top 25, however, because he'll be fine if he decides to enter the 2020 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. *Jordan Love, Utah State
7. *K.J. Costello, Stanford
8. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
9. Anthony Gordon, Washington State
10. Steven Montez, Colorado
Purdue QB Aiden O'Connell dumps it off to Brycen Hopkins, who takes it 72 yards to the house for a Boilermakers touchdown.
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. Zack Moss, Utah
7. Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
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. Michael Pittman Jr., USC
9. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
10. *K.J. Hamler, Penn State
Tight ends
1. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
2. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
3. *Hunter Bryant, Washington
4. *Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
5. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
6. *Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
7. Adam Trautman, Dayton
8. *Colby Parkinson, Stanford
9. Jacob Breeland, Oregon
10. *Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Jalen Hurts coughs up his second fumble of the game as James Lynch jars the ball loose right before Hurts reaches the end zone.
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. Daishawn Dixon, San Diego State
10. Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon
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. *Landon Dickerson, Alabama
8. Jake Hanson, Oregon
9. Cohl Cabral, Arizona State
10. Darryl Williams, Mississippi 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 Basham, Wake Forest
6. Marlon Davidson, Auburn
7. Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
8. Alton Robinson, Syracuse
9. Bradlee Anae, Utah
10. Darrell Taylor, Tennessee
Defensive tackles
1. Derrick Brown, Auburn
2. Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
3. *Marvin Wilson, Florida State
4. *Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
5. *James Lynch, Baylor
6. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma
7. *Jordan Elliott, Missouri
8. Raekwon Davis, Alabama
9. Davon Hamilton, Ohio State
10. Leki Fotu, Utah
Inside linebackers
1. *Dylan Moses, Alabama
2. *Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
3. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
4. Troy Dye, Oregon
5. Evan Weaver, California
6. Malik Harrison, Ohio State
7. Kamal Martin, Minnesota
8. *K.J. Britt, Auburn
9. Logan Wilson, Wyoming
10. Francis Bernard, Utah
Outside linebackers
1. *Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
2. *Curtis Weaver, Boise State
3. Zack Baun, Wisconsin
4. *Terrell Lewis, Alabama
5. Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
6. Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
7. *K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
8. Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
9. Josh Uche, Michigan
10. Jonathan Greenard, Florida
Cornerbacks
1. *Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
2. *Paulson Adebo, Stanford
3. *C.J. Henderson, Florida
4. Kristian Fulton, LSU
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. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne
6. Julian Blackmon, Utah
7. Davion Taylor, Colorado
8. Josh Metellus, Michigan
9. Terrell Burgess, Utah
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