In the days leading to the start of the 2024 college football season, the national focus is typically centered on early games or overall predictions for the upcoming year.

The players deserve their shine, too.

In this space, we're not simply talking about Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, many of those marquee names are listed here. They wouldn't be viewed as Heisman threats if they weren't great players, after all.

But the country's list of top talent needs to include the tight ends and linebackers who might not otherwise capture many headlines.

While the following picks ultimately are subjective, these players are proven performers at the college level.

Quarterbacks

Big quarterback fan? Start in the SEC.

This season, the returning crowd includes Carson Beck (Georgia), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama). Each of them totaled at least 3,300 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023 and lead College Football Playoff contenders this year.

Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) is a notable NFL draft prospect after tossing 27 touchdowns and three interceptions in his CU debut.

Key veterans are Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) and Cameron Rising (Utah) for their production and championship pedigree, respectively, while Noah Fifita (Arizona) broke out as a freshman.

The best Group of Five signal-caller is Kaidon Salter (Liberty), although Seth Henigan (Memphis) isn't far behind.

Running Backs

Ohio State has decided to hoard running backs, pairing Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins with TreVeyon Henderson.

Still, there's plenty of backfield talent to go around.

Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) and Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) were AP All-Americans last year. Donovan Edwards (Michigan) ended the 2022 campaign on a torrid hot streak and helped the Wolverines win a national title in 2023.

Two others to know are Trevor Etienne (Georgia) and Damien Martinez (Miami), as they've transferred to potentially ideal offenses to excel.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Part of Fifita's emergence can be attributed to his connection with Tetairoa McMillan, who surpassed 1,400 yards last season. The duo played together in middle and high school prior to reuniting at Arizona.

McMillan has a legitimate claim to the "best receiver in the nation" title, as does Luther Burden III (Missouri).

The next tier features Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) and Tez Johnson (Oregon), the primary targets for two of the country's most respected teams in 2024. Tre Harris (Ole Miss) could fit that description, too.

Meanwhile, the G5 crown belongs to the Mountain West with Tory Horton (Colorado State) and Ricky White (UNLV).

Brock Bowers has relinquished his undisputed title at tight end, where Colston Loveland (Michigan) leads the early standouts. Mitchell Evans (Notre Dame) and Brant Kuithe (Utah) return from injuries and should be critical targets for CFP hopefuls in 2024.

Offensive Linemen

To kick off the offensive line, we return to the SEC.

Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) and Will Campbell (LSU) are outstanding left tackles, and Washington transfer Parker Brailsford—the nation's top center—is now at Alabama. For good measure, Tyler Booker (Alabama) and Tate Ratledge (Georgia) highlight the list of guards.

Other star tackles are Ajani Cornelius (Oregon) and Wyatt Milum (West Virginia). Jonah Monheim (USC) would also deserve that label, but he's shifted to center in 2024.

Rounding out the blocking group are guards Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) and Clay Webb (Jacksonville State).

Defensive Linemen

First, an explainer: Teams do not necessarily view edge-rushers as defensive ends, so they may formally be labeled outside linebackers. For sake of simplicity, however, edges are included here.

And, whew, is there an impressive cast of sack artists.

Ashton Gillotte (Louisville), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) and Purdue transfer Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) all notched 10-plus sacks at power-conference schools last season. Ahmed Hassanein (Boise State) and UTSA transfer Trey Moore (Texas) did the same at G5 programs.

In addition, NFL scouts are watching Ohio State duo Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, as well as Abdul Carter (Penn State), Patrick Payton (Florida State), Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss) and Mykel Williams (Georgia).

Next up, the interior linemen.

Mason Graham (Michigan) and Deone Walker (Kentucky) headline the space-eaters up front. Howard Cross III (Notre Dame) is a returning AP All-American, and Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati) previously earned that recognition. Hopefully, he'll be cleared soon after the discovery of blood clots in his lungs.

Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Peter Woods (Clemson) and Tyliek Williams (Ohio State) are outstanding tackles with All-American upside.

Linebackers

Were it not for Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU), Iowa would have a serious claim to the nation's two best linebackers.

Jay Higgins collected an FBS-high 171 tackles last season, and Nick Jackson recorded his fourth 100-tackle year during his first campaign with the Hawkeyes. For good reason, they practically never leave the field.

Jason Henderson (Old Dominion) and Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma) are both tackling machines, too.

Perkins, meanwhile, is a playmaker who will patrol the middle of LSU's defense. Barrett Carter (Clemson), Francisco Mauigoa (Miami) and Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia) did that admirably for their respective schools in 2023.

Defensive Backs

You might need to stop me from rambling about defensive backs; the 2024 season is loaded with talent on the back end.

Travis Hunter (Colorado) probably owns the biggest national profile, especially given his two-way talent. Will Johnson (Michigan) and Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) have starred at cornerback since both cracked their defense's lineup as touted true freshmen in 2022.

Other corners I couldn't not mention: Tacario Davis (Arizona), Ricardo Hallman (Wisconsin), Jabbar Muhammad (Oregon) and Ohio State duo Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun.

Sebastian Castro (Iowa), a returning AP All-American, is probably the country's best defender in the slot.

At safety, there's a ridiculous amount of talent in the Midwest.

Xavier Watts (Notre Dame) is the reigning Nagurski Trophy winner. Plus, the Big Ten features Alabama transfer Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Xavier Nwankpa (Iowa), Dillon Thieneman (Purdue), Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State) and Hunter Wohler (Wisconsin). As if that's not enough, Rod Moore (Michigan) is highly respected but recovering from a knee injury.

Watts, Downs and Thieneman all landed AP All-America honors last season, as did Georgia's Malaki Starks.