The new college football season kicks off with four Week 0 games, headlined by No. 10 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday.
Here are 10 compelling players to watch this season, from a pair of seventh-year QBs to a 29-year-old freshman wide receiver and ex-MLB prospect.
Oklahoma State QB Alan Bowman: Bowman, 24, is entering his seventh year of college eligibility with the Cowboys, who have Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff aspirations.
In 2018 at Texas Tech, Bowman set the freshman record for passing yards per game (329.8). Bowman, who played for Michigan in 2021 and 2022, is one of the few active players left who played before the NCAA transfer portal existed.
Utah State QB Spencer Petras: He is entering his seventh year of college football with the Aggies. Petras, who will turn 25 in November, was a coaching assistant in 2023 at Iowa, where he also played quarterback, before transferring to Utah State for his final year of eligibility.
At Mountain West Conference media day in July, Petras’ appearance did not go unnoticed online by humorous fans.
Notre Dame WR Jordan Faison: Dual-sport athletes are common in high school, but Faison took it to another level during his freshman year with the Fighting Irish. He may be the only player to earn Sun Bowl MVP honors and then win an NCAA lacrosse championship.