Who made the top 10 of PFF’s “Way-too-early” 2022 college football top-25? rankings?
Pro Football Focus, known by the masses by its acronym form PFF, has released its initial top-25 rankings for the upcoming college football season, primarily basing its rankings on the “PFF grade” for returning players who ranked highest on the grading scale during and after the 2021 season.
PFF explains the process as “PFF assigns a grade for every play to each player during a football game” and their grading scale is described as “Each player is given a grade of -2 to +2 in 0.5 increments on a given play with 0 generally being the average or “expected” grade.”
With that, the grading scale was used to analytically rank the best teams for the upcoming college football season, leaving a lot of room for debate and discussion among fan bases.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest Demon Deacons tight end Brandon Chapman (23) reacts to his touchdown during the first quarter Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced each other in the 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Key Starting/ Returning Player: Quarterback Sam Hartman (PFF grade: 91.8)
Oklahoma Sooners
Dec 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Eric Gray (0) pitches the ball to wide receiver Mario Williams (4) during the second half of the 2021 Alamo Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Key Starting/ Returning Player: Wide Receiver, Marvin Mims (PFF grade: 86.5)
USC Trojans
Dec 4, 2021; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) run the ball against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Key Starting/ Returning Player: Oklahoma transfer Quarterback, Caleb Williams (PFF grade: 91.3)
Utah Utes
Sat., Jan. 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Utah Utes linebacker Karene Reid (32) react after missing an interception in the end zone during the third quarter of the 108th Rose Bowl Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl.
Rose Bowl Game Ohio State Buckeyes Against Utah Utes
Key Starting/Returning Player: Quarterback, Cameron Rising: (PFF grade: 88.3)
Texas A&M Aggies
Nov 20, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies tight end Jalen Wydermyer (85) celebrates running back Amari Daniels (4) touchdown in the second half against the Prairie View Am Panthers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Key Starting/Returning Player: Running Back, Devon Achane: (PFF grade: 91.0)
Michigan Wolverines
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Andrel Anthony (1) makes a touchdown catch against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter in the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Key Starting/Returning Player: Running Back, Blake Corum: (PFF grade: 91.1)
Clemson Tigers
Nov 27, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end K.J. Henry (5) and linebacker James Skalski (47) celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Key Starting/Returning Player: Defensive End, Myles Murphy: (PFF grade: 79.2)
Georgia Bulldogs
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Jaylen Johnson (23) celebrates after the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Key Starting/Returning Player: Defensive Lineman, Jalen Carter: (PFF grade: 85.4)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Sat., Jan. 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 108th Rose Bowl Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl.
02 rosebowl
Key Starting/Returning Player: Quarterback, C.J. Stroud: (PFF grade: 91.8)
Alabama Crimson Tide
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to throw against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter of the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Key Starting/Returning Player: Quarterback, Bryce Young: (PFF grade: 92.2)
