Experience is tough to replace, so college football teams—and certainly their fans—are quick to celebrate when key contributors return for their senior year.

Generally speaking, the best draft-eligible players head to the NFL and pursue a professional career. However, these standout performers will return in 2024 to chase a national championship in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

One spoiler alert? Georgia and Ohio State, two of the most respected teams of the offseason, are common sights.

Class standing is based on each program's official team roster.

QB: Carson Beck, Georgia

Georgia hardly could've asked for more out of Carson Beck in his first season as the starting quarterback.

Yes, the Dawgs fell a victory shy of the College Football Playoff. Otherwise, though, he was a steady presence who notched 300 yards of total offense in eight games. He finished the campaign with 3,941 yards through the air with 24 touchdowns to six interceptions.

The defense should be excellent as usual, but Beck will likely be the driving force of a championship-caliber offense.

Honorable mention: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

One of the most productive QBs in college football history, Dillon Gabriel is playing his final season of eligibility at a new spot. The former UCF and Oklahoma signal-caller is set to replace Bo Nix at Oregon, which is also shifting from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. Gabriel threw for 3,660 yards, scampered for 373 and totaled 42 scores last season.

RB: Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech

Tahj Brooks isn't a household name nationally, but he's been a fixture of the Texas Tech offense for several years.

As a freshman, he rushed for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Brooks went for 658 yards and seven scores in 2021, then tallied 691 yards and another seven trips to the end zone in 2022. Last year, he finished fourth in the country with 1,538 yards and scored 10 times.

Brooks, a super-senior using his extra year of eligibility, should be a strong contender for All-American honors in 2024.

Honorable mention: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson soared onto the college scene in 2021, collecting 1,567 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns. Injuries have limited him in the last two seasons, but Henderson is an efficient runner and quality pass-catcher. Between him and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins, the Buckeyes may have the nation's best one-two punch.

WR: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Emeka Egbuka is hoping for a bounce-back season, and he'll be doing so while holding a greater share of the spotlight.

Gone is Marvin Harrison Jr., a projected top-five pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Egbuka remains a prospect with first-round potential, but he decided to stay in Columbus after an injury-affected season. Egbuka managed 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.

If he regains his 2022 form—a season with 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 scores as a No. 2 target—Egbuka may be a contender for national awards.

Honorable mention: Tez Johnson, Oregon

Similar to Egbuka, Tez Johnson is moving into a larger role. Troy Franklin exited for the NFL, leaving Johnson as the leader of Oregon's receiving corps. Last year, the speedster reeled in a program-record 86 passes for 1,182 yards and 10 scores. Johnson had a couple of 700-yard seasons at Troy before transferring to Oregon, too.

TE: Brant Kuithe, Utah

Please stay healthy, Brant Kuithe.

Unfortunately for him and Utah, that hasn't happened lately. Kuithe only played in four games in 2022 and missed the entire 2023 campaign because of a serious knee injury that involved multiple procedures.

Kuithe, nevertheless, is a massive piece when healthy. He's a three-time All-Pac-12 selection who paced the Utes in receiving yards during the 2019 and 2021 seasons. He already had 206 yards and three touchdowns before his significant injury in 2022, as well.

Honorable mention: Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame

In case you needed a reminder of how dangerous this sport can be, most of these seniors have battled injuries lately. Mitchell Evans is another member of that list, having missed five games in each of the last two seasons. Last year, though, Evans emerged as a key target for Notre Dame with 29 catches for 422 yards in his eight appearances.

IOL: Tate Ratledge, Georgia

Back in 2021, Tate Ratledge earned a starting job at right guard—only to exit the opener against Clemson with a season-ending foot injury.

He returned in 2022, though, and quickly stood out as a force up front. Ratledge helped UGA win a national title that season and then earned first-team All-SEC and second-team AP All-America honors in 2023.

Honorable mention: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

Oh, look, another OSU player! Seriously, the Buckeyes have an impressive number of would-be 2024 NFL draft picks who stuck around for a final season. Donovan Jackson has started at left guard in both 2022 and 2023, earning first-team All-Big Ten recognition last year.

OT: Jonah Monheim, USC

Not only is Jonah Monheim a great college blocker, but the lineman's versatility also makes him especially valuable.

He played right tackle in both 2021 and 2022, also spending a portion of the latter year at right guard. Last season, the two-time All-Pac-12 player shifted to left tackle and put together a strong performance.

Technically speaking, Monheim may actually be a poor fit in this category. USC plans to start him at center in 2024. For now, though, he's still the best returning tackle in the class.

Honorable mention: Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

Let's allow the stats to talk. According to Pro Football Focus, Wyatt Milum surrendered zero sacks, zero quarterback hits and only nine pressures in 337 pass-block snaps last season. Nothing further, your honor.

IDL: Howard Cross III, Notre Dame

Notre Dame returns a few super-seniors as the foundation of what could be a superb defense in 2024, and that strength starts with imposing tackle Howard Cross III.

A sixth-year player, he's been a noticeable part of the Fighting Irish since 2020. Cross tallied 68 stops with seven tackles for loss in his first three seasons as a contributor. Then, in 2023, he generated 66 takedowns with seven TFLs (two sacks) and two forced fumbles.

Cross, who secured second-team AP All-America recognition last year, will be on Defensive Player of the Year watchlists.

Honorable mention: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Tyleik Williams wasted no time making his presence felt in Columbus, gathering 6.5 tackles (five sacks) as a freshman in 2021. Williams followed that up with 21 stops in his sophomore year, setting the stage for an outstanding breakout season. He amassed 53 stops with 10 for loss (three sacks) and five pass breakups in 2023.

DE/Edge: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

Jack Sawyer's counting stats are not as glamorous as those of others, yet his impact is undeniable.

After a relatively quiet freshman year, he held a regular role and produced 6.5 tackles for loss in 2022. Sawyer rarely left the field last season because of his elite run defense, closing the campaign with 48 tackles—including 10 for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Sawyer and fellow edge-rusher JT Tuimoloau are certain to give offensive coordinators some restless weeks in 2024.

Honorable mention: Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

As a whole, UNC's defense has struggled recently. Nevertheless, the Tar Heels have a pass-rushing star in Kaimon Rucker. The fifth-year senior is looking to build on a campaign in which he recorded 61 tackles with 15 for loss (8.5 sacks) and 12 hurries.

LB: Barrett Carter, Clemson

All season, it seemed Clemson would lose All-ACC linebackers Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter to the NFL draft. The former went pro, but the latter stayed.

Carter is heading toward his third campaign as a starter for the Tigers. The once-coveted 5-star prospect tallied 73 stops with 10.5 for loss (5.5 sacks) and eight pass breakups in 2022, and then posted 62 tackles with 9.5 TFLs (3.5 sacks) and five breakups last season.

At least entering the year, Carter will be on scouting radars as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Honorable mention: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Few linebackers will put up flashier stats than Danny Stutsman. Following a superb freshman year in a rotational role, he collected 124 tackles with 10.5 for loss (three sacks) and two interceptions in 2022. Stutsman landed third-team AP All-America honors last season while registering 104 stops with 16 in the backfield (three sacks) and a pick-six.

CB: Sebastian Castro, Iowa

Yes, he's a nickelback. No, I don't care.

Sebastian Castro didn't allow a touchdown in 483 coverage snaps last season, per Pro Football Focus. As part of a sensational Iowa defense, he ranked third on the Hawkeyes with 67 tackles (eight TFLs) while intercepting three passes and breaking up eight.

Castro, a third-team AP All-America pick in 2023, also had 33 tackles and five pass breakups two years ago.

Honorable mention: Denzel Burke, Ohio State

The sixth and final OSU senior on the list, Denzel Burke has lockdown potential in 2024. While his nine breakups and one interception in 2023 don't look incredible, the lack of passes that went in Burke's direction is reflected in league coaches naming him first-team All-Big Ten.

S: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

It's probably not a stretch to say that Xavier Watts, the 2023 winner of the Nagurski Trophy—which is presented to the nation's best defensive player—is the best returning safety in the sport.

Shocker, I know.

Watts brought home the hardware after making 52 tackles (three TFLs) and tying for the national lead with seven interceptions.

Honorable mention: Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin

Michigan safety Rod Moore deserves a mention, but a torn ACL in spring practice means he might play little or none in 2024. Hunter Wohler, meanwhile, amassed 120 tackles (5.5 for loss) in a breakout season with Wisconsin. He added six pass breakups and two interceptions.

Recruit rankings via 247Sports.