The 25 most important players in 2023’s College Football Playoff

Costs Connelly, ESPN Staff WriterAug 10, 2023, 07:00 AM ET Close Costs Connelly is a staff writer for ESPN.com.Caleb Williams is the best player in college football. He won the Heisman in 2022 by tossing for 4,537 backyards and an eye-popping 42-to-5 TD-to-INT ratio. He postpones more Mahomesian vibes than anybody in college football has since Patrick Mahomes himself. You hold your breath when he starts seeking to improvise. He’s incredible.He’s also a known entity. We know what we have in Williams, and we understand he’s the major reason the USC Trojans are the betting favorites to win the Pac-12 title race.There are birds in hand, and there are unfinished items. We know what the former has to offer

, but advancements for the latter play a conclusive role in the nationwide title race this year. We headed into 2019 without understanding everything we needed to understand about Joe Burrow, right? Mac Jones in 2020? Stetson Bennett in 2021? My annual Essential Players list has to do with those unknowns. Here are 25 players who might specify the season with either moments or long spells of greatness. Some play for contenders, while others bet the teams that might prevent competitors from reaching their goals. All of them will have a chance to make their mark on 2023. Pure transcendence potential

25. QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington It

‘s possible we have actually seen the very best of Penix. The senior tossed for 4,197 backyards and 29 goals over parts of 4 injury-plagued seasons at Indiana, then moved to Washington to rejoin previous IU offensive organizer Kalen DeBoer and topped his Hoosier career in one fell swoop. His 4,641-yard, 31-touchdown efficiency totally reversed the Huskies ‘fortunes and earned him eighth place in the Heisman voting.That’s quite the denouement, but Penix chose to return for a sixth year and compose another act. What if, with a loaded

getting corps and a bit more help from his defense, Penix beguiles himself? Washington may just be an underdog a number of times in 2023, after all. 5 thousand yards, an area in the Pac-12 and a CFP run all may be on the table.