Ranking the On3 Impact Top 25 players in college football ahead of 2025 season

With the 2024 season in the books, we’re beginning to get an idea of how things will shape up for the 2025 season thanks to the transfer portal starting to settle. But who are the Top 25 players?

On3 combed through the seasons of each of the top talents in the nation in 2024, intent on determining who the biggest impact players are. Now we’ve compiled that information in an easy-to-read format for you.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the biggest impact Top 25 players in the country.

1. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Nobody had a bigger breakout year as a freshman than Smith, who toppled record after record at Ohio State during his first year there. And when it’s Cris Carter‘s records you’re breaking, that’s saying something.

Smith finished the year with 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns receiving, while also rushing for 47 yards and a score. He scored five touchdowns in the playoffs en route to a national title, too. He’s one of the scariest weapons in the sport.

2. QB Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

Few went from off the radar to firmly in the national spotlight the way that Leavitt did with Arizona State in 2024. The Michigan State transfer instantly took charge of the offense and helped lead the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff.

As far as the numbers, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns, against six interceptions. He also ran for 443 yards and five scores. There’s room to improve both totals going forward into the 2025 campaign, with plenty of room to defend this ranking among the Top 25 players.

3. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

One of the most high-profile transfers of the 2024 offseason, Downs moved from Alabama to Ohio State. He made it work in a hurry, too, quickly establishing himself as the guy in the Buckeyes’ secondary.

Downs recorded 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions and eight passes defended. And it sure feels like he’s capable of even more going into 2025.

4. EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina

Another instant impact freshman in 2024, Stewart immediately turned the South Carolina pass rush into one of the nation’s best. He was named a unanimous Freshman All-American as a result.

The talented edge rusher had 23 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass defended. He’ll be back looking for even more in 2025, as South Carolina will be eyeing a College Football Playoff berth.

5. EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas

The man that beat out Stewart for the Shawn Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, Simmons was an absolute monster for Texas in his rookie year. He was a big part of the defense helping carry the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff and thus is an easy inclusion among the Top 25 players.

The stellar pass-rusher finished the year with 48 tackles, 14.0 tackles for a loss, 9.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and three passes defended. How’s that for sheer versatility?

6. QB Drew Allar, Penn State

Like Leavitt, Allar led Penn State to a conference title game and a College Football Playoff appearance. He will need to work on getting his completion percentages up against high-quality opponents, but Allar proved the moment wasn’t too big.

He threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns, against eight interceptions. He also ran for 302 yards and six scores. With another year under his belt, Allar should be even more confident next fall.

7. WR Ryan Williams, Alabama

For a hot minute in 2024, Williams was being talked about in the same breath as Smith for biggest impact players as true freshmen. But he cooled off a bit in the second half of the season, slipping down the Top 25 players ranking just a touch.

Still, the talent is absolutely undeniable. He’s a bona fide star at wideout. He finished his freshman season with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran for 48 yards and two scores.

8. CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame

Moore burst onto the scene as a freshman, earning FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors. It’s no surprise that Notre Dame reached the national title game with as many impact players as they had on this list.

The talented cornerback was one of the nation’s best. He recorded 48 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and 13 passes defended. He’ll be one of the anchors in the Fighting Irish secondary in 2025.

9. DL LT Overton, Alabama

After spending two seasons at Texas A&M, Overton transferred to Alabama. His transition went very well and he immediately became a difference-maker for the Crimson Tide and one of the Top 25 players in the nation.

Overton racked up an impressive 42 tackles up front on the defensive line, as well as 3.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass defended. That’s a lot of production for a 6-foot-5, 283-pound player.

10. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

For a player whose maximum number of carries in a game was 16, Love still managed to make a monumental difference in the Notre Dame offense. He was excellent all season long churning out yards, even against stacked boxes.

Love finished with 1,125 yards rushing and 17 scores, finding the end zone in 14 of the team’s 16 games on the year. He also chipped in 28 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns and should be one of the most versatile players in the country in 2025.

Rest of the On3 Impact Top 25 Players: 11-25

11. LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
12. DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
13. QB DJ Lagway, Florida
14. QB Arch Manning, Texas
15. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
16. DE TJ Parker, Clemson
17. DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
18. DT Peter Woods, Clemson
19. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
20. QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
21. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
22. OL Spencer Fano, Utah
23. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
24. QB Carson Beck, Miami
25. DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State