The best college football teams have plenty of stars, but unsung contributors are always key elements of successful programs.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, we're digging a little deeper into the rosters of top-ranked teams. Look beyond the biggest names, and you'll find any number of lesser-known starters or impactful reserves who deserve more attention.

While the choices are entirely subjective, each player at least held a rotational role in 2023. Some of them might not start this season, but they all should play significant snaps once again in 2024.

The ranking is based on B/R's post-signing day Top 25.

10-9. Clemson and Oklahoma

10. Clemson Tigers: Payton Page, DT

Tyler Davis garnered first-team All-ACC honors last season, and Ruke Orhorhoro landed third-team recognition. As if that's not enough, Peter Woods emerged as one of the country's top freshmen.

However, the rotation also included Payton Page, a quality run-stopper and experienced backup.

Over the last two seasons, he has collected 24 tackles with four stops for loss. As with most D-tackles, his numbers aren't overwhelming. His impact, nevertheless, is evident.

9. Oklahoma Sooners: Jayden Gibson, WR

Oklahoma had no shortage of options at receiver in 2023. Drake Stoops and Nic Anderson both caught 10 touchdowns, while Jalil Farooq ended just shy of 700 yards. Andrel Anthony surpassed 400 yards in just six appearances before his knee injury.

Jayden Gibson only caught 14 passes, yet he scored five times.

Most impressively, half of his receptions covered at least 25 yards. He was hugely explosive in a small role—something that may happen for Gibson again in 2024 with Anderson, Anthony, Farooq and Purdue transfer Deion Burks all on the roster.

8-7. Michigan and Ole Miss

8. Michigan Wolverines: Rayshaun Benny, DT

Mason Graham put together a tremendous 2023 season in the middle, and Kenneth Grant also held a major role. They are the foundation of what should be another excellent defense.

Don't overlook Rayshaun Benny, though.

Last year, he was basically the fifth player in the rotation behind Kris Jenkins, Graham, Grant and Cam Goode. Benny notched 27 tackles with 5.5 for loss anyway. It's fair to expect similar production as he presumably slides into a second-string role in 2024.

7. Ole Miss Rebels: Yam Banks, DB

Among the many reinforcements to the Ole Miss defense, Yam Banks is an outstanding addition to the secondary.

Banks, a transfer from South Alabama, was a first-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2022 and third-team choice in 2023. The safety/nickelback posted a combined 96 tackles (11.5 for loss) with seven interceptions and 15 pass breakups in those two seasons.

Even if he's technically not a starter, he will be a valuable piece for the Rebels' pursuit of a College Football Playoff trip.

6-5. Utah and Alabama

6. Utah Utes: Sione Fotu, LB

Utah already knew it had an impactful depth piece with Sione Fotu. Now, it needs to use him.

Top linebacker Levani Damuni is expected to miss significant time in 2024 because of a lower leg injury. Lander Barton and Karene Reid will likely start, but Fotu should be the primary backup.

Fotu debuted in 2020, left for his two-year LDS mission and returned to the Utes last year. He made 18 tackles, including seven in the season-opening victory over Florida.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide: James Burnip, P

Great punters are true weapons.

Within the conference, James Burnip is a well-respected player who received second-team All-SEC recognition last year. Let's not pretend he's a national star, though.

He averaged 47.5 yards (43.1 net) last season, and opponents only returned 13 of his 59 punts. He'll be a fourth-year starter for the Crimson Tide in 2024.

4-3. Texas and Oregon

4. Texas Longhorns: Justice Finkley, Edge

Ethan Burke and Barryn Sorrell are back, and Texas brought in coveted transfer Trey Moore from UTSA. Plus, the Longhorns signed 5-star prospect Colin Simmons in the 2024 class.

It's easy to skip right over Justice Finkley. However, he earned a regular role in 2023 and contributed 14 tackles with three for loss (two sacks) and four hurries.

Moore, Burke and Sorrell will likely be the most productive players at the position, but Finkley is a valuable part of the edge-rushing rotation.

3. Oregon Ducks: Iapani Laloulu, C

Though he didn't start a game until the Fiesta Bowl, Iapani Laloulu held a constant presence as a true freshman.

He took snaps at center—where he's expected to succeed Jackson Powers-Johnson in 2024—and both guard positions throughout the season. Most impressively, he allowed a pressure on less than one percent of his pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

2-1. Ohio State and Georgia

2. Ohio State Buckeyes: Jermaine Mathews Jr., CB

Ohio State returns top corners Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun, along with nickelback Jordan Hancock. That trifecta, when healthy, will command a heavy majority of snaps.

Nevertheless, the Buckeyes may be eager to use Jermaine Mathews Jr. after his outstanding freshman year. The corner collected 13 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He also started once as an injury replacement.

1. Georgia Bulldogs: Oscar Delp, TE

Gone is superstar Brock Bowers, the back-to-back Mackey Award winner and a three-time All-American. He paced the Dawgs in receiving yards during all three of his college seasons.

Those expectations should not be tossed on Oscar Delp, but he impressed in his first year as a regular contributor in 2023. He caught 24 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns, filling the first-string spot whenever Bowers couldn't play, too.