College football’s wide geographical appeal, coupled with the sheer volume of players stocking 131 FBS rosters, creates a huge pool of potential characters who can emerge as stars. Sometimes, those stars are predictable. Former five-star prospect Bryce Young, for example, met the hype as a sophomore last season and won the Heisman Trophy while playing quarterback for a big-brand school like Alabama.
Other times, the sport produces unexpected stars like Kansas tight end Jared Casey, who became a national hero last season for catching the game-winning 2-point conversion in the Jayhawks’ upset victory at Texas. Casey, who began his career as a walk-on, and Young, who was the No. 1 overall prospect in his recruiting class, can both be stars in college football. Such is the beauty of the sport.
As the 2022 season gets underway, we’re firing up a Star Power Index to see who is shining the brightest. This isn’t a Heisman Trophy watch list or a ranking of earnings potential based on players’ name, image and likeness, nor is it an NFL mock draft. There are plenty of places to find those things.
This is a rundown of players who are maximizing their platform — be it for quality performance or other reasons — to stand out as stars in the sport.
College Football Star Power Index
Anthony Richardson, Florida quarterback
How a quarterback making his first career home start against a top-10 opponent in his coach’s debut could look so perfectly in control defied explanation. There were Cam Newton and Dak Prescott vibes emanating from Richardson during No. 12 Florida’s 29-26 win over No. 13 Utah. The passing stats alone — Richardson went 17 of 24 through the air for 168 yards — don’t tell the story. Richardson’s impact on the ground — he hit 106 yards rushing and three touchdowns — along with his command in big moments and knack for clutch plays make him one of the 2022 season’s early stars.
This critical 2-point conversion stands out as the top highlight from Richardson’s performance, but there were plenty to choose from as he put the Gators on his back and put his name in the national spotlight.
Tory Taylor, Iowa punter
It’s not hyperbolic, or even sarcastic, to suggest that no player was more critical to his team’s Week 1 win than Taylor. The immaculate right foot of Iowa’s punter helped the Hawkeyes’ defense pick up two safeties in the second half of a disgusting 7-3 win…
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