College football’s most disappointing players and best surprises as 2024 season nears midway mark

The 2024 college football season is flying by and we’re somehow just a few weeks away from the halfway mark, which means I’m hard at work in curating what a midseason ranking of the top 151 players looks like.

In the preseason edition, Travis Hunter was No. 1. Safe to say that was a good decision and won’t change. But some of the players, especially towards the bottom of the list, look like bad calls. Several players have had disappointing seasons bordering on disastrous (and some indeed have had disastrous seasons). A midseason ranking will also include true freshmen for the first time — so prepare for the slotting of studs like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams. 

Here’s a six-pack to whet the appetite: With the benefit of hindsight, three players who I wish had been on the preseason list — and three players I wish I had left off.

They’ve played their way into Top 151 consideration

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Warren is a jack of all trades for Penn State, even playing wildcat quarterback and throwing touchdown passes. He is a tough, dependable receiver who fights for extra yardage and is a capable blocker. He is a throwback player who will be a great fit in any offense at the next level.

Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
The former Yellow Jacket is excelling for the Gamecocks, with 5.5 sacks, 17 total pressures, and 8.5 TFLs on a defense that is dominating early. Kennard has a nice toolbox of moves, including a great get-off, speed to power, and a quick inside move. He had an impressive game against future first-rounder Will Campbell of LSU a few weeks ago. Kennard has significantly increased his draft value this year.

Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
I was unsure what to expect from Brailsford after he opted out of spring football, but he looks fantastic early on for the Crimson Tide. Brailsford is a bit undersized but shows elite quickness, technique, and the ability to pull and add gaps in the running game. He has a bright future and will face a tough decision about whether to stay for another season or leave early.

They should not have been on the preseason Top 151

DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Florida State (No. 149)
There’s not much left to say about how poorly Florida State and Uiagalelei have played this season after having huge expectations. He fooled me in Oregon State’s run-first offense that fit him better, but now he’s completing just 54% of his passes with four touchdowns and six interceptions on the 1-4 Seminoles. To be fair, his receivers have dropped 13 passes, but this was a terrible evaluation by me and Mike Norvell.

Moose Muhammad III, WR, Texas A&M (No. 148)
I thought Muhammad had a Jimbo Fisher issue, but it turns out there’s likely more to it. He has just four catches for 47 yards and one touchdown, against McNeese State. I’m not sure what the deal is, especially on an offense desperate for playmakers, but I’m out.

Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan (No. 143)
There were lots of red flags last year with Edwards’ lack of production, but then he looked like Walter Payton in the national championship. I thought this was his year to be the man, but Kalel Mullings has taken over as RB1 and looks like the bell cow on a Michigan offense that must be mind-boggling to their fans. They didn’t upgrade their offense by adding an elite quarterback through the portal after the spring, and now their passing game is virtually nonexistent.