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College Football All-Decade Team: Top Players Of The 2020s So Far
With the decade just over the halfway point, it is a great time to take a look at the All-Decade NCAAF of the 2020s. Which players will represent their respective positions?
QB: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
C.J. Stroud enjoyed a fantastic career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. After being in a reserve role during his rookie season, Stroud took over the starting job over his final two seasons. In his second season, Stroud finished fourth in Heisman voting and threw for 4,4435 yards. During his final season, he finished third in Heisman voting and once again, led the Big Ten in passing yards. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year twice (2021 and 2022) and held a cumulative passer rating of 182.4.
Honorable mentions: Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Stenson Bennett
RB: Bijan Robinson, Texas
Bijan Robinson was one of the greatest running back prospects to enter the NFL. During his time in college, Robinson ran for 3,410 yards and found the back of the ned zone 41 times. He was only the starter in Texas for two seasons but made a significant impact. In his final season (2022) Robinson was named consensus All-American and led the Big 12 in rushing yards (1,580) and rushing scores (18).
RB: Blake Corum, Michigian
Blake Corum will represent the No. 2 running back on this list. Corum spent his entire collegiate career in Michigan but only took over the starting role in his final two seasons. During this span, Corum ran for 2,708 yards (5.5 YPC) and tallied 47 total touchdowns. He finished seventh and ninth in Heisman voting during these seasons and won a National Championship in 2023.
Honorable mentions: Treyvon Henderson, Deuce Vaughn, Jonathon Brooks
WR: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. takes the top wide receiver spot by a significant margin. Harrison was named a two-time All-American and finished fourth in Heisman voting during his final season. He caught 14 receiving scores in each of his final two seasons (both led the Big Ten) and tallied at least 1,200 yards in each of these seasons. Harrison won the Fred Bilentikoff Award in his final campaign and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
WR: Jordan Addison, USC
The second wide receiver was much harder to select. Jordan Addison’s spectacular 2021 campaign earned him this spot. Addison played the first two seasons of his college career at Pitt before transferring to USC for his final season. In 2021, Addison led Pitt to an ACC title as he led the conference in receiving yards (1,539) and receiving touchdowns (17). He was named All-American this season. During his final campaign in 2022, Addison moved to USC where he tallied a strong 857 yards with eight scores.
Honorable mentions: Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers
TE: Brock Bowers, Georgia
Brock Bowers was one of the most well regarded tight end prospects of all time. During his three-year career in Georgia, Bowers was a two-time National Champion and was awarded the John Mackey Award twice. He was also a two-time All-American. He found the back of the end zone 31 times and totaled 2,538 yards.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Mayer, Sam Laporta
OT: Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Joe Alt was a foundational piece of the Notre Dame offensive line from 2021 through 2023. Alt was named unanimous All-American during the 2023 season and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy. His incredible performance put him near the top of draft boards as he was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
OG: Cooper Beebe, Kansas
Cooper Beebe was the top lineman in the Big 12 during his collegiate career. Beebe was named a two-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman and a two-time Outland Trophy Finalist. He was named All-American twice and a consensus All-American during the 2023 season. He played a critical role in leading Kansas to a Big 12 championship and made at least 13 starts in each of his last three seasons.
C: Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
After appearing in just two games as a freshman, Tyler Linderbaum became Iowa’s starting center for the remainder of his career and did not disappoint. Linderbaum was named unanimous All-American during the 2021 season and was named First-Team Big Ten twice in his career. He was also awarded the Dave Rimington Trophy during the 2021 season.
Honorable Mentions: Sedrick Van Pran, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Drake Nugent
OG: Zak Zinter, Michigan
Zak Zinter won the 2023 National Championship with Michigan. He was a full-time starter during the final three seasons of his college career. In 2023, he was named consensus All-American and was named First-Team Big Ten twice (2022, 2023). He was a force on one of the most dominant teams during this span.
Honorable Mentions: Peter Skoronski, Christian Mahogany, Troy Fautanu
OT: Paris Johnson Jr, Ohio State
Paris Johnson Jr. will represent the other offensive tackle on this list. Johnson spent his entire three-year career with Ohio State. Even though he was only a starter for two seasons, he made a significant impact. In 2022, Johnson was named First-Team All-Big Ten and was named All-American. He was drafted with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Honorable Mentions: Evan Neal, Olu Fashanu, JC Latham
DE: Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Even though Aidan Hutchinson only played in two seasons during this period, he was the most dominant edge rusher. After suffering a leg fracture during the 2020 season, Hutchinson returned to form in 2021 as he tallied an incredible 14 sacks and finished second in Heisman voting. He was named All-American this season and led Michigan to a Big Ten Championship.
DT: Jalen Carter, Georgia
Jalen Carter played a critical role on the Georgia defensive line, which won back-to-back national championships. Carter was named All-American (unanimous) during the 2022 season. In this same season, he was also named First-Team SEC and played at least 10 games in each of his three seasons. During his final season (2022) he forced two fumbles and matched a career-high in sacks (three).
DT: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Jer’Zhan Newton claims the second interior spot on the defensive line. Newton spent his entire four-year college career with Illinois. Newton was named unanimous 2023 All-American and was named two-time First-Team All-Big Ten. During his final three seasons, he tallied at least 3.5 sacks in each campaign with a high of 7.5 in his final season. In 2023, he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Davis, Maason Smith
DE: Will Anderson Jr, Alabama
Will Anderson Jr. of Alabama claims the final spot on the defensive line. During his three-year collegiate career, Anderson was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice and was a two-time All-American. He was named the 2021 and 2022 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He won a National Championship in 2020 and led the SEC in tackles for a loss during his final two seasons.
Honorable Mentions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dallas Turner
LB: Jack Campbell, Iowa
Jack Campbell was the leader of the Iowa defense from 2019 through 2022. During his final two seasons, Campbell played in at least 13 games in each season and tallied at least 128 combined tackles in each campaign. In 2022, he was awarded the Butkus Award and an unanimous All-American. He was named two-time All-Big Ten (2021,2022) and was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in the 2022 season.
LB: Devin Lloyd, Utah
Devin Lloyd of Utah claims the No. 2 linebacker spot. Lloyd was one of the best linebackers in the nation during the 2021 season. During this season, he was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and was named consensus All-American. During this season, he led the conference in solo tackles (65) and tackles for loss (22).
Honorable Mentions: Nakobe Dean, Trenton Simpson
CB: Will Johnson, Michigan
Will Johnson has been a foundational piece on the Michigan defense for the past three seasons. He was named Freshman All-American in 2022. In 2023, Johnson won a National Championship with the Wolverines and was named First-Team All-American. He was also named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2023 and second-team All-Big Ten the following season.
CB: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cincinnati
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner was one of the most well regarded defensive backs during his collegiate career. Gardner played 37 games during his three-year career in Cincinnati (2019-2021). In his final season, Gardner was named All-American (unanimous) and was the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. He tallied at least three interceptions during each of his three seasons and was eventually drafted by the New York Jets with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Honorable Mentions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Devon Witherspoon
S: Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Kyle Hamilton was one of the top safety products during this period. From 2019-2021, Hamilton was the leader of the Notre Dame secondary. He was named Consensusus All-American in 2021 and First-Team ACC in 2020. He led Notre Dame to two-straight playoff appearances and totaled 138 combined tackles over his three seasons.
S: Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
Jaquin Brisker claims the No. 2 safety spot on this list. Brisker spent his three-year collegiate career with Penn State. In 2021, Brisker was named First-Team Big Ten and second-team All-American. During this season he tallied a career-high 64 combined tackles and added two interceptions.
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Battle, Daxton Hill, Christopher Smith
K: Will Reichard, Alabama
Will Reichard was a dominant kicker with the Crimson Tide. During their 2020 National Championship campaign, Reichard went 84-for-84 on extra points and 14-for-14 on field goals. The following season, Reichard went 71-for-72 on extra points. He led the SEC in total points during both of these seasons. His 547 points are an FBS record.
Honorable Mentions: Jake Moody, Cameron Dicker
P: Jordan Stout, Penn State
Jordan Stout began his college career at Virginia Tech, but he is known for his contributions at Penn State. Stout was named 2021 First-Team Big Ten. During this season he averaged an impressive 45.9 yards per punt and went 34-for-36 on extra points.
Honorable Mentions: Ty Zentner
