Breaking down the most irreplaceable players in college football entering the 2024 season
In college football, the Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in the country. In the NFL, the MVP is given to the league’s most valuable player. The word “valuable” seems to be a pretty subjective term, usually given to the best player on a playoff team. When you really think about […]
In college football, the Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in the country. In the NFL, the MVP is given to the league’s most valuable player. The word “valuable” seems to be a pretty subjective term, usually given to the best player on a playoff team.
When you really think about it, value comes from the dependency a team has on a player. How can we determine that? It’s typically pretty easy to see, but another way to figure it out is by projecting the drop off in the hypothetical world where the team doesn’t have the player. They can involve a lot of factors, similar to the Wins Above Replacement (WAR) statistic in baseball.
With that thought in mind, I considered the players who may be the most valuable in college football entering the 2024 season. These players are huge parts of their respective programs, and overall value is almost hard to measure.
RB Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
Let’s start with the easy analysis: Gordon is a tremendous player. He finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting last season after rushing for 1,732 and 21 touchdowns. While averaging 6.1 yards per carry, Gordon also hauled in 39 receptions for 330 yards and another score through the air.
The next closest runner behind Gordon was Jaden Nixon, who rushed for just 197 yards last season. No runner averaged more than 4.7 yards per carry for the Cowboys either. That rushing attack was the main catalyst for the team’s success, which boasted a very inconsistent passing game behind quarterback Alan Bowman.
ATH Travis Hunter (Colorado)
In the NFL Draft space, there has been a debate about whether Hunter would be better as a wide receiver or cornerback on the NFL level. Wherever you lie on that debate, that sums up just how talented Hunter is. You aren’t just losing one position when Hunter doesn’t play, Colorado is losing two.
On offense, Hunter hauled in 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns, in only nine games played. The talented athlete also recorded 30 total tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and five interceptions on defense.
WR Luther Burden III (Missouri)
Missouri has some good players, such as quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Theo Wease. But there is no question who the best playmaker on the team is. Burden is coming off of a year where he hauled in 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He also serves as the Tigers main punt returner.
Even more important, Burden provides the dynamic and big play ability that Missouri lacks otherwise. Without him, things get a lot more difficult. Burden is the type of player that can make up for a lack of efficiency at times. Missouri needs to create explosive plays for them to have any semblance of success as they did last season.
QB Cameron Ward (Miami)
You could include a long list of quarterbacks on this list. It goes without saying how important that position is, and how missing your starter can quickly turn the tides of a season. Another important thing to consider is what is behind the starter on a depth chart.
Miami is expecting a lot from Ward, who transferred from Washington State this offseason. He is coming off of a season where he threw for 3,736 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also adding another eight scores on the ground. Behind him, the Hurricanes have sophomore Emory Williams and Albany transfer Reese Poffenbarger. Keeping Ward healthy is very important.
QB Riley Leonard (Notre Dame)
Like Ward, Leonard has brought some high expectations for Notre Dame heading into 2024. The former Duke signal caller was off to a strong start last season, but it was cut short due to an ankle in foot injury. Thinking back to the 2022 season, Leonard was dynamic in his first year as a starting quarterback. That included 3,666 total yards and 33 touchdowns.
While there is talent behind Leonard, it is mostly unproven. If something happened to him for a long stretch, Notre Dame would have to decide between Steve Angeli, or the less experienced but more talented duo of CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey. Perhaps they could outperform their experience level, but it’s not a situation you want to be in with such a talented roster.
