The top 50 players of 2016 (30-21)

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

As the kickoff to the college football season draws closer, theScore continues to count down the top 50 players in 2016.

From 30-21, many players are set to pick up where they left off last season, with three notable quarterbacks occupying spots and two prominent linebackers bookending the list.

30. Devonte Fields - LB, Louisville

Reigning Louisville Defensive Player of the Year Devonte Fields is poised for another stellar season after his emphatic junior campaign. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Fields recorded 64 total tackles to go along with 11 sacks, good for fourth-highest in the ACC in 2015. Fields recorded eight tackles and three sacks in the Cardinals' 27-21 win over Texas A&M in the Music City Bowl to close an 8-5 season, proving the senior linebacker has what it takes to excel on a big stage.

29. Tim Williams - LB, Alabama

The second senior linebacker in this section of the list, Alabama's Tim Williams looks to build on a junior season in which he recorded 19 tackles and 10.5 sacks. Williams' best games of 2015 came in the latter half of the season against tough conference opponents Mississippi State, Auburn, and Florida, recording a pair of sacks against both Auburn and Florida, along with five tackles and 1.5 sacks against Mississippi State. Although last year's defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart, is now at the helm of Georgia, there's no reason Williams cannot be an anchor in the Alabama defense that's been an integral part of the program's recent success.

28. Patrick Mahomes - QB, Texas Tech

While the likes of DeShaun Watson and Baker Mayfield may dominate talk about Heisman candidates, Texas Tech pivot Patrick Mahomes is a dark horse to watch for. Mahomes stepped up as a sophomore in 2015 in a big way, logging 4,653 passing yards with 36 touchdown passes, the longest a 90-yarder against Oklahoma State. Mahomes' only blemish came in a 63-27 defeat by Oklahoma, in which he handed four interceptions to the Sooners' defense. Texas Tech has yet to capture a Big 12 championship, and Mahomes will look to change that as the centerpiece of a pass-heavy Red Raiders offense.

27. Malik McDowell - DL, Michigan State

As a first-year starter, Michigan State's Malik McDowell asserted his dominance on the defensive line while showing his ability to play multiple positions. He's currently riding a streak of 15 consecutive starts that should continue into the early stages of this season. McDowell amassed 40 tackles and 3.5 sacks and showed his multidimensional athleticism by also hauling in an interception against Penn State for a 13-yard touchdown return. Some regard McDowell as one of the premier defensive linemen in college football heading into 2016, and the Spartans need him to be a consistent presence in order to make a push for the College Football Playoff.

26. Roderick Johnson - OL, Florida State

The current holder of the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy heads into his junior season as a crucial piece of Florida State's offense. Roderick Johnson started every game for the Seminoles at left tackle in 2015, and his impact apparently resonated, given the success of star running back Dalvin Cook. The 6-foot-7, 311-pounder is listed as an All-America candidate for 2016, as well as a Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy candidate. Johnson's efforts helped Florida State produce nine 100-yard rushing performances in 2015, and he'll have to keep playing a big role this season for the Seminoles to have continued success.

25. Greg Ward Jr. - QB, Houston

Greg Ward Jr.'s prowess as a passer and runner was a significant element of Houston's 13-1 season in 2015. Ward proved himself against ranked opponents, leading the Cougars to wins over Memphis, Navy, and Temple, and capped off the season with a win over ninth-ranked Florida State in the Peach Bowl. Ward's 2,828 passing yards and 1,108 rushing yards made him the first Houston quarterback ever to rush for over 1,000 yards - and one of just two quarterbacks in 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 2,000 (the other being Clemson's DeShaun Watson). Ward appears on a multitude of award watch lists heading into 2016, and he's already been named to the Athlon Sports Preseason AAC First Team.

24. Christian Kirk - WR, Texas A&M

The reigning SEC Newcomer of the Year is poised to continue his dominance as a sophomore for Texas A&M. In his freshman season, Christian Kirk hauled in 80 passes for 1,009 yards, along with 341 punt-return yards and 385 kick-return yards, for eight touchdowns overall. His explosiveness and versatility helped him garner over 200 all-purpose yards in three separate games, and he'll be a heavily used weapon for quarterback Trevor Knight and head coach Kevin Sumlin. Kirk's all-purpose contributions will be a big factor in the Aggies' hopes for success in 2016.

23. Samaje Perine - RB, Oklahoma

It may not be a matter of "if" but more a matter of "when" Samaje Perine becomes the all-time leading rusher in Oklahoma history. Perine rushed for 1,349 yards on 226 carries as a sophomore last season, and needs 1,057 more to etch his name atop the Sooners' rushing list. His performance in 2015 earned selections to the All-Big 12 team in the coaches' poll and by the Associated Press. While much attention will be given to other star running backs like Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, and Dalvin Cook, Perine has proven he can blow a game wide open with his explosiveness on the ground. His performance against Texas Tech last season demonstrates his legitimacy as a top back in college football: He ran for 201 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries.

22. Josh Rosen - QB, UCLA

Last September, Josh Rosen became the first UCLA quarterback to start the season opener as a true freshman, and he's still just beginning a career that's already rewritten the Bruins' record books more than once. Rosen set school records for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception with 245, most passing yards in a season by a true freshman with 3,688, most completions in a game with 34, and most passing attempts in a season with 487. A force within the Pac-12, Rosen needs to shoulder the weight of responsibility and maintain his level of output if he hopes to lead the Bruins to their first conference championship game since 2012.

21. Raekwon McMillan - LB, Ohio State

Linebacker Raekwon McMillan was the leading force on the defensive side of the ball for Ohio State last season, and the Buckeyes will expect him to continue that dominance in 2016. McMillan led the team in tackles as a sophomore with 119 and finished the season ranked fourth in the Big Ten in total tackles and average tackles per game with 9.8. He provided a presence on special teams as well as middle linebacker, playing 889 total plays last season. Ohio State is primed to contend for the College Football Playoff as the sixth-ranked team in the 2016 AP poll, and McMillan's contributions will be crucial in returning the Buckeyes to the championship game two seasons after their win.