College football 2024: Five names to follow from Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

The 4-8 Colorado Buffaloes were easily the biggest story in all of college football last season. They started with a bang but ended in a whimper. Individually, two-way star Travis Hunter enthralled football fans from start to finish.

Heading into the 2024 season, Hunter is one of the biggest stars in college football. It's no wonder he became one of three cover athletes for the EA Sports' college football video game.

Standing at 6ft 1in, Hunter produced stellar numbers in the 2023 season that saw him grab 57 passes for 721 yards and five TDs on offense, while recording 31 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 5 pass breakups and three picks.

The primary focus for the upcoming season will be: How does he project to the next level? Is he better suited to playing wide receiver or cornerback?

Hunter is an explosive and instinctive player, showcasing versatility as a wide receiver by effectively lining up both outside and in the slot. As a fluid route runner, he employs creativity in his releases from the line of scrimmage and accelerates to top speed quickly. His elusiveness in tight spaces and exceptional stop/start quickness allow him to evade defenders and make big plays.

At just 21 years old, Hunter has a keen sense for navigating zone defenses, making it easier for his quarterback to find him. He consistently catches the ball away from his body and can leap to make impressive grabs downfield, but he truly excels after the catch.

While he may not be as refined defensively as a cornerback, his movement skills and playmaking abilities remain highly impressive.

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts is getting plenty of preseason recognition after his breakout season in 2023. The Omaha, Nebraska product came to Notre Dame in the 2020 recruiting class as a wide receiver, but injuries to the defense in 2021 meant he was asked to change roles, something he gladly did and has reaped the benefits of the clever positional change.

Simply put, Watts was brilliant in 2023, finishing the season with 47 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss while leading the country with seven interceptions. Watts had two games with multiple interceptions, and his turnovers were impactful. Not only did he force turnovers, but each turnover he forced finished in a touchdown for Notre Dame.

At the end of the season, Watts won the prestigious Nagurski Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive player regardless of position. He was also named a unanimous first-team All-American, but despite this brilliance and recognition, he wasn't even named a finalist for the Thorpe Award last season. He'll get another shot at winning the award in his final season at Notre Dame.

The transfer of Freshman All-American safety Caleb Downs from Alabama to Ohio State in the wake of Nick Saban's retirement has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the college football landscape. Downs' decision to don the scarlet and gray has significantly bolstered the Buckeyes' defensive unit, which already ranked second in the nation in yards allowed per game last season.

The excitement surrounding Downs' arrival in Columbus is palpable, but one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason has been head coach Ryan Day's suggestion that the versatile athlete could potentially see action on the offensive side of the ball as well. Day's willingness to unleash Downs' multifaceted talents on both defense and offense has left fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.

In his final year of high school, Downs showcased his all-around abilities, not only excelling on defense but also making a significant impact on the offensive end. He amassed an impressive 389 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on just 57 carries, while also hauling in 36 receptions for 422 receiving yards and three scores through the air. Downs' prowess with the ball in his hands was further demonstrated at Alabama, where he returned four punts for 87 yards and a touchdown against Chattanooga.

With his combination of athleticism, versatility, and playmaking ability, Downs has the potential to be a game-changer for the Buckeyes and a nightmare for opposing teams.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is the first of many watchlists this season for Harold Perkins, as he is one of, if not the best defensive player in college football. After what many would term a disappointing season, Perkins is expected to return to his game-changing form with a year at line-backer under his belt and new defensive coordinator Blake Baker.

Perkins' success might influence how well LSU's defense performs. Last year, the LSU Tigers had an atrocious defensive season, prompting the team to replace its entire defensive staff. In 2024, the defense's success will be determined by Harold Perkins Jr's performance.

If Blake Baker is able to deploy Perkins in a variety of ways taking advantage of matchups then LSU will take a step up while if he can't then LSU will have wasted an incredible talent who is seen as a likely early first-round pick. It's certainly easy to see that potential with the former five-star talent, but Perkins needs to put together a much more complete season this fall.

Williams, a 6-foot-5, 265-pounder from Columbus, is getting plenty of hype as a potential No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 NFL Draft. He needs to develop as a pass-rusher, but his run-defense skill are ready for the pros.

The 20-year-old did not make the statistical progress that many expected in 2023, but by the end of the year, he was planning to change things up positionally. Williams played 13 games, including nine starts at defensive end, with 18 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two pass breakups.

In the Orange Bowl blowout win over Florida State, the sophomore moved from the standard defensive end position to a hybrid role, where he played defensive end in an even front and lined up as a stand-up edge rusher/outside line-backer in an odd front.

He had a season-high four tackles, a sack, a forced fumble that he recovered and one and a half tackles for loss, all while trying out a new position. It will be interesting to see how well he fares in the hybrid OL/DE role for the entire season, but he's sure wreak havoc on touted opposing quarterbacks.