CBS

● By Tom Fornelli
The deadline for college football players to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft has passed, which means everyone who hasn't declared is returning for at least one more season before possibly making the jump next year. But what about the players who weren't eligible to declare for the 2022 draft but will have the option next year? Some of the biggest names in college football this past season weren't draft-eligible due to the NFL's rule that you must be at least three years removed from high school before declaring. With players more physically ready to compete at an earlier age than in the past, we see more early declarations every season, and today we're ranking the top 20 players in college football who will be draft-eligible for the first time following the 2022 season. Keep in mind that these rankings are not scientific. They aren't based on how NFL teams will view them as prospects, nor are they based on who is necessarily better. All 20 are great. That's why they'll be facing a tough decision a year from now.

Top Players Not Included

These players appear in the top 20 of our

Consensus Big Board

, but do not show up on this big board.