We're taking a look at the 25 college football programs with the most NFL-caliber talent heading into the 2016 season.
Here are the teams ranked Nos. 1-5.
1. Alabama
Players to watch: DE Jonathan Allen, LB Ryan Anderson, CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, LB Reuben Foster, DT Da'Shawn Hand, CB Marlon Humphrey, TE O.J. Howard, S Eddie Jackson, WR Calvin Ridley, OT Cam Robinson, RB Bo Scarbrough, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Tim Williams
The outlook: Alabama has had more first-round picks taken from its program since 2006 (17) than any other school in the country. Nick Saban gets enough big-time recruits to reload every year. The defense doesn't have many returning starters, but Allen and Foster are superstars leading the way for a bunch of future superstars. Offensively, the Tide has Ridley and Howard, and a boatload of running backs ready to take the mantle of Heisman winner Derrick Henry. It's Saban's world, and we're all just tailgating in his parking lot.
Newcomers in the spotlight: OL Brandon Kennedy and Jonah Williams. The Tide might look to true freshmen to fill in holes on the offensive line this fall. The door might be open for Kennedy at guard, while true frosh Williams has a chance to replace Dominick Jackson at right tackle.
2. LSU
Players to watch: S Jamal Adams, LB Kendall Beckwith, WR Malachi Dupre, WR Travin Dural, RB Leonard Fournette, DT Davon Godchaux, DE Arden Key, DE Lewis Neal, C Ethan Pocic, OT Maea Teuhema, CB Tre'Davious White
The outlook: Over the past decade, no school has had more top-100 draft picks than the Tigers (USC is tied for the top spot with 33). There's another highly touted group of prospects lining up on defense for Les Miles, including a fearsome foursome at defensive line and tough, athletic defensive backs like Adams, White, Kevin Toliver and Rickey Jefferson. Fournette is an absolute stud, and if quarterback Brandon Jennings finds Dupre and Duval consistently this season, it'll be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Newcomer in the spotlight: DB Saivion Smith -- The next of the top-flight LSU defensive backs might see playing time this season despite the return of four starters in the secondary. His versatility could allow him to flourish in a nickel position, working with Toliver and White to form as good a trio as there is in the country.
3. Florida State
Players to watch: S Nate Andrews, RB Dalvin Cook, OT Roderick Johnson, S Derwin James, WR Travis Rudolph, DE/OLB Josh Sweat, DE DeMarcus Walker, CB Marquez White, WR Kermit Whitfield
The outlook: Talents like Sweat (State's next great edge rusher) and James (the most intimidating safety in the country) keep the defense among the nation's elite, while less heralded players like Andrews and White do the dirty work. Cook could hit the 2,000-yard mark this year with five returning starters on the offensive line. If young quarterbacks Deondre Francois or Malik Henry step up this season, the Seminoles will continue to contend for ACC and national titles.
Newcomer in the spotlight: K Ricky Aguayo -- The brother of three-time All-American and Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick Roberto Aguayo is stepping into his sibling's shoes. FSU will need the younger Aguayo to make big kicks if the Seminoles want to challenge Clemson for the ACC crown.
4. Clemson
Players to watch: LB Ben Boulware, RB Wayne Gallman, OT Mitch Hyatt, TE Jordan Leggett, WR Artavis Scott, CB Cordrea Tankersley, DT Carlos Watkins, QB Deshaun Watson, DT Christian Wilkins, WR Mike Williams
The outlook: NFL teams know that their stops in Clemson will be fruitful. Dabo Swinney has one of the most talented offenses in the country with Watson, a Heisman Trophy contender, throwing to Scott, Williams, and Leggett. And when Watson isn't running through defenses, Gallman takes the rock with super sophomore Hyatt and returning starters Jay Guillermo (center) and Tyrone Crowder (guard) clearing holes for him. Boulware and Tankersley will be leaders on the defense this year.
Newcomer in the spotlight: DT Dexter Lawrence -- A massive human (6-foot-5, 340 pounds) among the top 10 recruits in the country, Lawrence joins Watkins and Wilkins in forming a huge wall up front for the Tigers.
5. USC
Players to watch: OT Zach Banner, RB Justin Davis, DT Rasheem Green, OLB Porter Gustin, CB/WR/RS Adoree' Jackson, DT Noah Jefferson, C Toa Lobendahn, OG Damien Mama, CB Iman Marshall, TE Taylor McNamara, LB Cameron Smith, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, OT Chad Wheeler
The outlook: Clay Helton heads into his first full year as head coach with a lot of talent, including a No. 1-rated 2015 recruiting class. Members of that group included Green, Gustin, Jefferson, Marshall, Smith, and a handful of others who will make their names known in 2016. Davis is this year's version of former Alabama back Kenyon Drake, except with a bit more physicality. And I haven't even mentioned versatile star Jackson and the top receiver in the country in Smith-Schuster. If Helton finds a quarterback this year, look out for the Trojans.
Newcomer in the spotlight: CB Jack Jones -- Even with Jackson and Marshall in the secondary, Jones' playmaking ability will be tempting to throw into the nickel spot. After Jackson and Marshall have moved on, Jones will be the guy everyone expects to make plays for the Trojans.
Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@chadreuter_.
