Kirk Herbstreit picks his favorites for the 2019 season, from superstars to surprise teams, student sections and bands, plus predictions for conference champions and the College Football Playoff. Tune in for The Herbies Preseason Special at 7 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN.
Ultimate game-changer
Travis Etienne, Clemson
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Auburn defensive line
Grant Delpit, LSU
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Most exciting player
Rondale Moore, Purdue
Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
Adrian Killins Jr., UCF
KJ Hamler, Penn State
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Best tandems
Tua Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Nick Coe and Derrick Brown, Auburn
JT Daniels and Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
Michael Pinckney and Shaquille Quarterman, Miami
Camryn Bynum and Elijah Hicks, Cal
Throwback players
Khaleke Hudson, Michigan
Evan Weaver, Cal
Garrett Groshek, Wisconsin
David Reese, Florida
Michael Warren, Cincinnati
Breakout star
Dylan Moses, Alabama
Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
Trey Sermon, Oklahoma
Rodney Dangerfield ('no respect')
Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
Leki Fotu, Utah
Hunter Bryant, Washington
Greg Eisworth, Iowa State
Best-kept secret
Brian Robinson, Alabama
Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
Quartney Davis, Texas A&M
Trajan Bandy, Miami
All-intangible
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Grant Delpit, LSU
Khaleke Hudson, Michigan
Nate Evans, UCF
Marcelino Ball, Indiana
Welcome back
Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Elijah Sindelar, Purdue
James Skalski, Clemson
Biggest shoes to fill
Justin Fields, Ohio State
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Xavier Thomas, Clemson
Kwity Paye, Michigan
Nate Wieting, Iowa
Best stadium entrance
Clemson
Virginia Tech
South Carolina
Oregon
Michigan
Most improved atmosphere
Texas
Miami
UCF bounce house
Iowa State
Washington State
Best student sections
Penn State
Notre Dame
Texas A&M
Wisconsin
Utah
Best bands
Ohio State
Southern
Wisconsin
Michigan
Ohio University
Ultimate Herbie
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Jake Fromm, Georgia
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Jonathon Cooper, Ohio State
Justin Herbert, Oregon
Impact transfer
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Justin Fields, Ohio State
Brandon Wimbush, UCF
Juwan Johnson, Oregon
K.J. Osborn, Miami
Most pro ready
Grant Delpit, LSU
Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Derrick Brown, Auburn
Tee Higgins, Clemson
Chase Young, Ohio State
Dual-threat QB
D'Eriq King, Houston
Adrian Martinez, Nebraska
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Bryce Perkins, Virginia
Khalil Tate, Arizona
Best restaurant
Giuseppe's, Columbus, Ohio
Sotto Sotto, Atlanta
Jeff Ruby's, Louisville, Kentucky
Chuck's Fish, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Limoncello, Boston
Best WR
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
Justyn Ross, Clemson
CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Best pass-rusher
Chase Young, Ohio State
Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Nick Coe, Auburn
Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
A.J. Epenesa, Iowa/K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Best tight end
Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Grant Calcaterra, Oklahoma
Hunter Bryant, Washington
Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
Brevin Jordan, Miami
Best linebacker
Dylan Moses, Alabama
Joe Bachie, Michigan State
Shaq Quarterman, Miami
Erroll Thompson, Mississippi State
Evan Weaver, Cal
Best non-Power 5 team
Boise State
UCF
Cincinnati
Memphis
Army
Best Group of 5 player
Jordan Love, Utah State
Patrick Johnson, Tulane
D'Eriq King, Houston
Greg McCrae, UCF
Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Top guy on an island -- CB
Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
A.J. Terrell, Clemson
Patrick Surtain, Alabama
Bryce Hall, Virginia
Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Impact coordinator hire
Josh Gattis, Michigan
Alex Grinch, Oklahoma
Graham Harrell, USC
Kendal Briles, Florida State
Jeff Hafley/Greg Mattison, Ohio State
Baller
Joe Burrow, LSU
Brock Purdy, Iowa State
Richard LeCounte, Georgia
David Woodward, Utah State
Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Question mark THAT ISN'T actually a question
Georgia WR
Washington defense
Penn State skill (QB/WR/RB)
Washington State QB (next man up)
Oregon defense
Best true freshman
Jordan Whittington, Texas
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
DJ Dale, Alabama
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Bo Nix, Auburn
Surprise team
Arizona State
Minnesota
Wake Forest
Baylor
East Carolina
College Football Playoff
Alabama over Texas
Clemson over Ohio State
National champion
Alabama over Clemson
Conference champions
ACC
Clemson over Miami
Sleeper: Virginia
Big 12
Texas over Oklahoma
Sleeper: Oklahoma State
Big Ten
Ohio State over Wisconsin
Sleeper: Minnesota
Pac-12
Washington over Arizona State
Sleeper: Cal
SEC
Alabama over Georgia
Sleeper: Missouri
AAC
UCF over Memphis
Sleeper: Tulane
C-USA
Southern Miss over Marshall
Sleeper: FIU
MAC
Western Michigan over Ohio
Sleeper: Eastern Michigan
MWC
Boise State over Fresno State
Sleeper: Nevada
Sun Belt
Appalachian State over Louisiana
Sleeper: Louisiana