The seniors are set for the final year of their college football careers. Whether they retire into the sunset or venture further into the pros remains to be seen, and it all depends on their performances this season. There’s no lack of star power when it comes to this year’s collection of seniors, from Heisman contenders to elite NFL prospects. Read on as we break down the top 10 seniors heading into the 2015-16 NCAA Football season.
These seniors will lead a collection of young, hungry players looking to showcase their skills in college football. Check out the best freshmen and sophomores set to take the field this year.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Top 10 Seniors of the 2015-16 College Football Season
10. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Devontae Booker was just an unassuming junior last season; not many were aware of his skills. Everybody, especially Utah fans will be raving about him now after he ran for 1,512 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He had a monster streak of five straight 100-yard rushing games, including running for 229 yards and three scores against Oregon State. Booker should be one of the key players in the Utah offense this season.
9. Duke Williams, WR, Auburn
A transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, D’haquille “Duke” Williams didn’t have the most ideal of situations in his junior year with Auburn. He had to contend with Sammie Coates in catching Nick Marshall’s passes. He also had to play in a team which valued run over pass. Williams still caught 47 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns.
Now set as the No. 1 receiver, Williams should be up for a strong 2015 senior campaign. One in which he could be the SEC’s leading receiver with Amari Cooper now in the NFL.
8. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
A 6’8” and 315 pounds, Taylor Decker looks like the perfect piece to put in your offensive line. He was impressive in providing protection for J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones last season as well as opening up running routes for Ezekiel Elliott. The result was a win in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Decker has experience at both tackle positions; his versatility should be a welcome commodity as the Buckeyes attempt to defend their national championship.
7. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
You’ve probably seen countless memes of a towering Baylor football player around the internet. That player happens to be 6’9” 280-pound defensive end Shawn Oakman. He’s not just a big body, though. He happens to be one of the best pass rushers in the nation after tallying 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, three passes broken up and three forced fumbles last season.
6. D.J. Foster, WR, Arizona State
D.J. Foster could’ve entered the NFL Draft this season, but decided to return to Arizona State to improve his stock and help his team’s chances of winning its division or even the conference (Pac-12). Foster has played his first three seasons as a running back, most recently leading Arizona State with 1,081 yards rushing and nine touchdowns last season.
Foster will be playing as a wide receiver this upcoming season after Jaelen Strong left for the NFL and Cameron Smith still out injured. He’s not too shabby as a catcher too, receiving 62 passes for 688 yards and three touchdowns last year.
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5. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Reggie Ragland is the heart and soul of the Alabama defense, leading the team with 95 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss last season. He is also one of the few ‘Bama players to finish his final year of eligibility as plenty of others, such as Amari Cooper, elected to enter the NFL Draft as early as possible. Having Ragland back should help strengthen the Tide’s defense being the top-rated inside linebacker of the senior class.
4. Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Dak Prescott was on his way to a potential Heisman Trophy last season. A few late season struggles from the Mississippi State Bulldogs hurt his chances, though. Prescott is back as the life and soul of the Bulldogs, who he led to a school-best 9-0 start last year. He averaged 341.2 yards of total offense per game along with 42 total touchdowns last season. Expect Prescott to give his team a fighting chance.
3. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Despite losing quite a bit of star power on defense heading into the upcoming season, Michigan State can still be confident on that side of the ball with de facto leader Shilique Calhoun returning for his senior year.
Calhoun offers Michigan State his talent on the pass rush after tacking on 15.5 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. His leadership should also be a welcome commodity playing with towering Freshman All-American Malik Dowell and a rising star in junior Riley Bullough in the front seven.
2. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Michigan State has always been known for its defense, but senior quarterback Connor Cook has been making a case for the other side of the ball. Cook has won 22 of the 24 games he’s started, most recently leading the Spartans to a come-from-behind 42-41 win over Baylor in last season’s Cotton Bowl. He led the Spartans with 314 yards passing and two touchdowns as they rallied from 20 down entering the fourth quarter.
Cook is projected as the best senior quarterback to enter the 2016 NFL Draft, being projected as the ninth overall draft pick next spring.
1. Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU
Trevone Boykin had a breakout season in 2014, leading the TCU Horned Frogs to nearly make the inaugural College Football Playoff. Unfortunately, the Frogs missed out as the playoff committee ranked them sixth in the final rankings. With the extra motivation fueling his 2015 campaign, expect Boykin to even top his 354.5 yards of total offense per game last season (fourth in the nation).
Boykin is the favorite to win this year’s Heisman Trophy at +500.
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