Top 8 College Football Players to Watch in the College Football Playoffs (2024)

Hey all,

Back with the final edition of the College Football Watch List. As usual, I’ll be covering two quarterbacks, two running backs, two wide receivers, and two tight ends you should be watching in the college football playoffs. Since I won’t have time to do a weekly watch list video for each playoff round, I instead wanted to include players to watch throughout the entire college football playoffs rather than players in specific games. That unfortunately limits how many players I could include so let me know who you'll be watching!

As usual, I have a YouTube video for this edition if you would like to hear more information on each player: https://youtu.be/w84i1KmouFE

As for why I only have time for one set for the whole playoffs, it's because I'm currently neck deep in QB charting and doing my 2025 QB evaluations. Right now, I have Cam Ward's done and Shedeur Sanders' nearly done (I'm just waiting for his bowl game). So be sure to keep an eye out for those when they come out later this month!

Now let’s get to the playoff list!

Quarterbacks

Cade Klubnik, Clemson Tigers
Height: 6’2” Weight: 210 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 21 Years and 6 Months
Class: Junior

2024 Stats

  • Passing: 282/443 (63.7%); 3303 yards; 33 TDs; 5 INTs
  • Rushing: 106 carries; 458 yards; 7 TDs; 6 Fumbles

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs SMU:

  • Passing: 24/41 (58.5%); 262 yards; 4 TDs; 0 INTs
  • Rushing: 14 carry; 21 yards; 0 TDs; 1 Fumble

Vs South Carolina:

  • Passing: 24/36 (66.7%); 280 yards; 0 TDs; 1 INT
  • Rushing: 10 carry; 62 yards; 2 TDs; 0 Fumbles

Vs North Carolina State:

  • Passing: 16/24 (66.7%); 209 yards; 3 TDs; 0 INTs
  • Rushing: 4 carry; 70 yards; 1 TD; 0 Fumbles

Vs Georgia:

  • Passing: 18/29 (62.1%); 142 yards; 0 TDs; 1 INT
  • Rushing: 4 carry; -17 yards; 0 TD; 0 Fumbles

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Quinn Ewers, QB; Texas Longhorns
Height: 6’2” Weight: 210 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 22 Years and 1 Month
Class: RS Junior

2024 Stats

  • Passing: 233/352 (66.2%); 2665 yards; 25 TDs; 9 INTs
  • Rushing: 42 carry; -62 yards; 1 TD; 5 Fumbles

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs Georgia (12/7/24):

  • Passing: 27/46 (58.7%); 358 yards; 1 TD; 2 INTs
  • Rushing: 6 carry; -27 yards; 0 TDs; 0 Fumbles

Vs Texas A&M:

  • Passing: 17/28 (60.7%); 218 yards; 1 TD; 1 INT
  • Rushing: 4 carry; 29 yards; 0 TDs; 1 Fumble

Vs Vanderbilt:

  • Passing: 27/37 (73%); 288 yards; 3 TDs; 2 INTs
  • Rushing: 5 carry; -20 yards; 0 TDs; 0 Fumbles

Vs Georgia (10/19/24):

  • Passing: 25/43 (58.1%); 211 yards; 2 TDs; 1 INT
  • Rushing: 6 carry; -34 yards; 0 TDs; 2 Fumbles

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Running Backs

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State Broncos
Height: 5’9” Weight: 215 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 21 Years and 4 Months
Class: Junior

2024 Stats:

  • Rushing: 344 carries; 2497 yards, 29 TDs; 2 Fumbles
  • Receiving: 30 targets; 20 receptions; 116 yards; 1 TD

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs Oregon State:

  • Rushing: 37 carries; 226 yards, 1 TD; 1 Fumble
  • Receiving: 2 targets; 0 receptions; 0 yards; 0 TDs

Vs UNLV:

  • Rushing: 33 carries; 128 yards, 1 TD; 0 Fumbles
  • Receiving: 5 targets; 3 receptions; 11 yards; 0 TDs

Vs Washington State:

  • Rushing: 26 carries; 259 yards, 4 TDs; 0 Fumbles
  • Receiving: 4 targets; 1 receptions; 7 yards; 0 TDs

Vs Oregon:

  • Rushing: 25 carries; 192 yards, 3 TDs; 0 Fumbles
  • Receiving: 4 targets; 2 receptions; 8 yards; 0 TDs

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Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State Buckeyes
Height: 6’0” Weight: 219 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 21 Years and 6 Months
Class: Junior

2024 Stats:

  • Rushing: 147 carries; 805 yards, 8 TDs; 1 Fumble
  • Receiving: 19 targets; 15 receptions; 109 yards; 1 TD

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs Michigan:

  • Rushing: 12 carries; 46 yards, 0 TDs; 0 Fumbles
  • Receiving: 0 targets; 0 receptions; 0 yards; 0 TDs

Vs Indiana:

  • Rushing: 14 carries; 36 yards, 0 TDs; 0 Fumbles
  • Receiving: 2 targets; 2 receptions; 7 yards; 0 TDs

Vs Penn State:

  • Rushing: 14 carries; 95 yards, 0 TDs; 0 Fumbles
  • Receiving: 5 targets; 2 receptions; 5 yards; 0 TDs

Vs Oregon:

  • Rushing: 11 carries; 23 yards, 1 TD; 1 Fumble
  • Receiving: 2 targets; 2 receptions; 38 yards; 0 TDs

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Wide Receivers

Evan Stewart, Oregon Ducks
Height: 6’0” Weight: 175 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 21 Years and 7 Months
Class: Junior

2024 Stats:

  • Receiving: 68 targets; 48 receptions; 613 yards; 5 TDs
  • Drops: 2
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (81.9%); Slot (17.6%)

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs Penn State:

  • Receiving: 1 targets; 0 receptions; 0 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (78.8%); Slot (21.2%)

Vs Washington:

  • Receiving: 4 targets; 1 reception; 4 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 2
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (84%); Slot (16%)

Vs Michigan:

  • Receiving: 4 targets; 3 receptions; 16 yards; 1 TD
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (78.4%); Slot (18.9%)

Vs Ohio State:

  • Receiving: 8 targets; 7 receptions; 149 yards; 1 TD
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (68.8%); Slot (31.3%)

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Isaiah Bond, Texas Longhorns
Height: 5’11” Weight: 180 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 21 Years and 1 Month
Class: Junior

2024 Stats:

  • Receiving: 52 targets; 33 receptions; 532 yards; 5 TDs
  • Drops: 1
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (76.5%); Slot (22.9%)

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs Georgia (12/7/24):

  • Receiving: 2 targets; 1 reception; 22 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (76.5%); Slot (13.3%)

Vs Texas A&M:

  • Receiving: 3 targets; 0 receptions; 0 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (75%); Slot (15%)

Vs Georgia (10/19/24):

  • Receiving: 4 targets; 2 receptions; 11 yards; 1 TD
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (76.3%); Slot (23.7%)

Vs Michigan:

  • Receiving: 5 targets; 3 receptions; 51 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (73.3%); Slot (26.7%)

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Tight Ends

Tyler Warren, Penn State Nittany Lions
Height: 6’6” Weight: 257 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 23 Years and ??? Months
Class: RS Senior

2024 Stats:

  • Receiving: 112 targets; 88 receptions; 1062 yards; 6 TDs
  • Drops: 2
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (12.6%); Slot (46.6%); In-line (35.5%)

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs Oregon:

  • Receiving: 12 targets; 7 receptions; 84 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 1
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (11.4%); Slot (47.7%); In-line (36.4%)

Vs Minnesota:

  • Receiving: 11 targets; 8 receptions; 102 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (11.8%); Slot (44.1%); In-line (38.2%)

Vs Ohio State:

  • Receiving: 5 targets; 4 receptions; 47 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (9.7%); Slot (51.6%); In-line (38.7%)

Vs USC:

  • Receiving: 20 targets; 17 receptions; 224 yards; 1 TD
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (19.6%); Slot (34.8%); In-line (34.8%)

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Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Height: 6’5” Weight: 260 pounds
Age on Draft Day: 22 Years and 1 Month
Class: Senior

2024 Stats:

  • Receiving: 39 targets; 29 receptions; 272 yards; 3 TDs
  • Drops: 2
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (11.9%); Slot (57.1%); In-line (28.8%)

Previous Key Matchup Stat Lines

Vs USC:

  • Receiving: 6 targets; 5 receptions; 59 yards; 1 TD
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (6.7%); Slot (66.7%); In-line (20%)

Vs Virginia:

  • Receiving: 7 targets; 4 receptions; 34 yards; 1 TD
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (23.5%); Slot (47.1%); In-line (29.4%)

Vs Georgia Tech:

  • Receiving: 5 targets; 4 receptions; 26 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 1
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (18.5%); Slot (70.4%); In-line (11.1%)

Vs Louisville:

  • Receiving: 3 targets; 3 receptions; 14 yards; 0 TDs
  • Drops: 0
  • Snap Distribution: Wide (9.5%); Slot (66.7%); In-line (19%)