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A third-year college football player can offer any program youthful energy combined with experience. These players are extremely valuable to their squads.
The 2024 season features many players entering their third season who are due for big years. Here is a look at the top 10 Year Three players who could make a big impact this season.
Top 10 Year Three college football stars set to make an impact in 2024
#10, Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
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Tetairoa McMillan is entering his junior season at Arizona after posting 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving last season. He led the Wildcats in receiving yardage and will have starting quarterback Noah Fifita also returning for his third season.
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#9, Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. returns for his third season ranked as one of the country's top linemen. He started in all 14 games for the Longhorns at left tackle and helped lead the offense all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season.
#8, Travis Hunter, Colorado
The dynamic Travis Hunter returns for his second season at Colorado following his transfer from Jackson State. He split time between wide receiver and cornerback last season but was absent from three games due to injury. He was still on the field for the most snaps by any player in the FBS last season and racked up 721 yards on 57 catches.
As a cornerback, he made 30 tackles, with 2.0 tackles for loss, and three interceptions on his way to being named a 2023 consensus All-American. He will return to college football for his third season in 2024 and will be an impact player on both offense and defense for the Buffaloes.
#7, Will Johnson, Michigan
Will Johnson opted to forgo the 2024 NFL draft, where he likely would've been a first-round selection. He will return to Michigan for his third season with the Wolverines and a chance to win back-to-back titles. The 6-foot-2 cornerback locked down some of the nation's top receivers last season and was named the CFP national championship game MVP in their 34-13 title victory over Washington.
#6, Will Campbell, LSU
LSU left tackle Will Campbell returns for his third season with the Tigers, starting in each season he's been with the team. He earned first-team All-SEC honors as a sophomore and was a key member of the highest-scoring offense in the nation during the 2023 college football season.
#5, Luther Burden III, Missouri
Last season, Luther Burden III finished first among the Missouri Tigers in receiving yards as a sophomore with 1,212 yards. In addition, he scored nine touchdowns and established an excellent connection with Brady Cook, the Tigers quarterback who will also be back for the 2024 college football season. As Burden aims for consecutive first-team All-SEC awards, Cook and Burden are determined to strengthen their connection on the field even further.
#4, Abdul Carter, Penn State
Linebacker Abdul Carter will be returning for his third college football season with the Nittany Lions after appearing in all 26 games for the team over the last two seasons. Carter ranked third in the Big Ten with 6.5 sacks during his freshman season and followed that with a 4.5-sack season in 2023. He can get after the quarterback and is also effective in pass coverage with nine career pass breakups.
Carter will be a full-time edge rusher in 2024, putting opposing quarterbacks on notice as one of the country's most all-around athletic defensive players.
#3, Mason Graham, Michigan
Mason Graham is the second Michigan defensive player to make this list, showing just how dangerous the Wolverines will be on that side of the ball in 2024. Graham was a force on the defensive line last season, making 7.5 tackles for loss, including 3.0 sacks. He was the Rose Bowl Defensive MVP last season after making four tackles, with one tackle for loss.
#2, James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. is an extremely athletic player on the Vols defensive line who earned first-team All-SEC honors as a sophomore in 2023. He finished last season with an astonishing 14.5 tackles for loss and led the SEC with 10.0 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and returned his only interception 52 yards for a touchdown.
#1, Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Considered the top running back entering the 2024 college football season, Ollie Gordon will return to Oklahoma State after leading the country in rushing yards last season. Gordon recorded 1,732 yards on the ground and led the Big 12 with 21 rushing touchdowns. He also added over 300 yards receiving, giving him over 2,000 yards of total offense as a sophomore.
Which third-year college football player do you think will have the best season in 2024? Let us know in the comment section.
