College football never fails to provide fans with drama, breakout performances, upsets and shocking moves by coaches who seek greener pastures.
Looking back at the most popular figures from the 2017 season, it’s clear that quarterbacks and head coaches dominated the national landscape. Not surprisingly, Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield found himself in headlines and talked about on social media more than any other player or coach in college football this year. But who else dominated the news this past season?
We’re taking a look at the 25 most popular men from the 2017 calendar year. Some are on this list purely for what they did on the field. Some made headlines for stuff that happened off the field. But all were fixtures who kept our attention focused on them, for one reason or another.
1. Baker Mayfield, quarterback, Oklahoma
Mayfield ran away with the Heisman this year, and for good reason. He broke the FBS record for passer rating (203.8), smashing his own record from 2016 while averaging 11.8 yards per attempt (another record). He passed for 4,340 yards with 41 touchdowns and just five interceptions, and he’s not done yet. He also led the Sooners to a one-loss season and berth in the College Football Playoff.
Those are the on-field accomplishments, which were unbelievable but hardly encompass why Mayfield dominated college football in 2017. He also became known for his outrageous behavior, both during and after games (like this). His character was questioned by many, and he made headlines throughout the year for reasons other than his play, though not all of it was of the negative variety.
2. Sam Darnold, quarterback, USC
Even before the 2017 season began, Darnold was making headlines, both in the college football world and the world of the NFL draft. He was highly touted as a guy who could potentially take the Heisman crown away from Lamar Jackson, and as a guy who could very well become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Darnold’s 2017 season didn’t quite go according to plan, however, which also led to plenty of headline material. He was highly turnover prone for the first half of the season, and the Trojans lost a couple of games in dramatic fashion. Darnold did turn things around, however, and guided USC to a 11-3 record, though he did melt down again against Ohio State.
At this point, nobody knows whether he’ll declare for the draft next April or stay in school. So you can bet Darnold will remain a hot topic in the coming weeks.
3. Jim Harbaugh, head coach, Michigan
It’s hardly surprising that, of all the head coaches around the nation, Harbaugh was in the news more than any other. After all, this is the coach who continues to push the envelope when it comes to recruiting, both in terms of how he’s doing it in the states and what he’s doing with his team overseas.
It’s also notable that Michigan was underwhelming in Harbaugh’s third year at the helm. The Wolverines went just 8-4, and they didn’t beat a single ranked team after Week 1. This sparked a bit of a Twitter war between Harbaugh and Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio when bowl selection time came around, because of course Michigan got a New Year’s Six bid, despite a relatively poor season.
4. J.T. Barrett, quarterback, Ohio State
Overall, Barrett had a phenomenal season for the Buckeyes. He totaled 3,671 yards and 45 touchdowns. He also passed the great Drew Brees in the all-time Big Ten record record books for most career touchdown passes along the way.
Though, Barrett was also in the news for more frustrating reasons, too. He had an awful time of it in both of Ohio State’s losses, to Oklahoma and Iowa, throwing a total of three touchdowns and five interceptions in those games. He was also injured late in the season and was questionable for the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin. For those reasons, he was a very constant force on social media and in headlines around the nation.
5. Chip Kelly, head coach, UCLA
It’s pretty remarkable that Kelly made such a national impression, given the fact he was out of football most of the year. It wasn’t until Kelly became a hot item in the rumor mill once coaches started dropping like flies and vacancies opened up that he became a headline hog.
In the end, the former Oregon coach who flamed out at the NFL level is back in the college game, where he’ll be coaching the UCLA Bruins for the foreseeable future.
6. Jim McElwain, former head coach, Florida
Here’s a guy who was in headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2017.
McElwain was unceremoniously fired after the Gators were blown out by Georgia in late October. His players had to find out about it on social media, though they should have seen it coming based on the many reports that Florida was looking into whether it had cause to fire him and retain some of the buyout money in his contract.
Quite aside from the team’s awful performance on the field, McElwain also made a claim that he, his family and players were receiving death threats. It was a claim he never substantiated, which really upset a lot of folks at Florida.
7. Saquon Barkley, running back, Penn State
Perhaps the most prominently talented individual playing in college football this past season, Barkley was also one of the most popular.
He added seemingly countless electric highlights to his resume in 2017. Whether it was the Penn State running back throwing a touchdown pass, once again hurdling over a hapless defender, making a ridiculous catch for a touchdown, streaking like a fighter jet through the heart of a defense or taking a kickoff to the house, he literally did it all this year.
The only thing Barkley didn’t do is hardly his fault. He should have been one of the men in New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation.
Unfortunately, Penn State head coach James Franklin refused to use him like a featured running back far too often and kept him from achieving the highest individual honor in college football (more on this in a bit). As a result, the Nittany Lions also failed to live up to their expectations.
8. Jalen Hurts, quarterback, Alabama
Being the quarterback of the most powerful program in college football has its perks. Jalen Hurts was a headline maker, whether he played well or struggled. Thankfully for the Crimson Tide, Hurts mostly lived up to expectations in his second year under center, guiding Alabama to a record of 11-1 and a spot in the CFB.
The sophomore didn’t have an overwhelming statistical season, totaling 2,791 yards and 23 touchdowns. But he also didn’t hurt the Tide very much and maintained a clean profile off the field. In fact, the main off-field headlines Hurts made revolved around his good deeds, rather than any sort of misbehaving. Hurts also gave fans reason to cheer when he saluted United States Armed Forces attending the game on Veterans Day.
9. Ed Orgeron, head coach, LSU
For a while there, it sure looked like Orgeron was going to be on the hot seat all season long, less than a year removed from replacing legendary coach, Les Miles. After meeting with program brass, Orgeron got things turned around in a hurry, leading the Tigers 6-1 finish and nearly knocking off Alabama in the process.
Beloved for his Cajun speech that makes one think of The Waterboy, Orgeron is also known for his fondness of energy drinks. He’s a unique character who seems to have found a niche with Louisiana Southern University.
10. James Franklin, head coach, Penn State
Franklin’s Nittany Lions are once again a prominent national presence, and that’s a good thing. He’s also doing a bang-up job on the recruiting trail, and that’s also a very good thing.
Unfortunately, another undeniable truth about Franklin is that his team was a huge disappointment this season. Seen as a legitimate challenger to Ohio State and Michigan to represent the Big Ten in the CFB, Penn State lost a winnable game against the Buckeyes and then laid an absolute egg the next weekend against Michigan State, dooming their shot at a title.
In both of those games, Franklin made quarterback Trace McSorley the focal point of his offense. And both times, McSorley ultimately failed. It was a problem we saw all year long. Franklin utterly refused to treat Saquon Barkley like the star running back he is, and it cost him and his team a shot at the playoff.
11. Lincoln Riley, head coach, Oklahoma
To say there was a huge amount of pressure on Riley to replace Bob Stoops would be an understatement of epic proportions. He immediately became the youngest coach in the FBS, inheriting a program that had posted double-digit wins 14 times since Stoops took over in 1999 and made a bowl every year he was at the helm. He also inherited one of the best college football quarterbacks that has ever played, Baker Mayfield.
Not only has Riley lived up to expectations, it could be said he’s exceeded them. The Sooners lost just once this year and earned a spot in the playoff. Oklahoma also has seen some excellent recruits lining up to join the program and sports the top class in the Big 12.
12. Tom Herman, head coach, Texas
There weren’t many coaches who generated as much buzz following the 2016 season than Herman. He was highly sought-after by top schools around the nation after helping transform Houston into a powerhouse. Landing the gig at Texas was a huge feather in his cap, though it was understood the Longhorns job came with some stiff challenges.
Those challenges were felt very early on, as Texas got steamrolled by Maryland right out of the gate. The program ended up going 7-6 on the season and failed to beat a single ranked team, too. Though injuries were a huge factor, they haven’t stopped some folks from wondering already if Herman was the right man for the job. No doubt, he’ll be one of the more talked-about coaches next season, too. For better or worse.
13. Kelly Bryant, quarterback, Clemson
Replacing Deshaun Watson is not an easy thing to do. Yet somehow Bryant did an amazing job. He wasn’t as flashy as Watson, or as polished a passer, but there’s no doubt Bryant was able to keep Clemson’s offense chugging along at top gear, right into the playoff where the Tigers will face Alabama on New Year’s Day.
Bryant did all the right things this year, both on and off the field. He didn’t do anything to create any negativity for himself or the University of Clemson. Though, he did make some news when he shaded the Miami Hurricanes and their turnover chain in the ACC Championship Game.
Mostly thanks to the high-profile nature of his position at one of the nation’s football powerhouses, however, the junior was a constant presence in the news and on social media.
14. Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Louisville
This is pretty stunning. The fact that Lamar Jackson ranked this low on such a list shows just how Louisville’s national stature diminished during the quarterback’s (presumed) final year. Jackson was superb in 2017, but the Cardinals were not. If not for him, they would have been lucky to win four games. Because of him, they won eight and earned a berth at the Taxslayer Bowl against Mississippi State.
Hardly anyone got to see Jackson play this season. And that’s a shame. He became the first person in the history of the FBS to have back-to-back seasons passing for at least 3,000 yards and rushing for at least 1,000. He finished with 5,050 yards and 42 touchdowns, leading an offense that was measurably better in 2017 than it was in his Heisman-winning 2016 campaign.
Heck, even despite his lack of national exposure, Jackson still came in second place behind Mayfield for the 2017 Heisman Trophy. It’s notable that, of all his achievements, perhaps the one thing that got the most attention was the fight Jackson got into against Kentucky late in the season.
15. Brian Kelly, head coach, Notre Dame
Being the head coach at Notre Dame automatically puts one in the national spotlight. Though, before the season began, that spotlight existed for Kelly more because of what the Fighting Irish did in 2016, rather than what they would do in 2017. Following a disastrous 4-8 campaign, many were the voices calling for Notre Dame to fire Kelly. The program retained him, however, and is likely glad it did.
Until being annihilated by Miami in the middle of November, Notre Dame was prominent among the teams being considered as playoff contenders. Ultimately, they dropped three games on the season, but positive steps were made by Kelly and the Irish that should bode well for the program’s future.
16. Josh Rosen, quarterback, UCLA
As we saw in 2016, the 2017 season offered college football fans a mixed bag of good and bad when it came to Rosen. Like Sam Darnold, Rosen is seen as a potential top pick in the 2018 NFL draft, though he has yet to decide whether he’ll declare. He’s been getting media attention because of this since well before the season began.
Then in Week 1, Rosen did something that had the nation’s collective jaw on the floor against Texas A&M. His season of ups and downs concluded in the final game when a shoulder injury knocked him out against Cal. Injuries have been an issue for Rosen his entire college career and should give NFL teams something to ponder as they wade through the good and bad he brings to the next level, whenever he does come out of school.
17. Kerryon Johnson, running back, Auburn
Johnson had a stellar season for the Tigers, who had great need of him once Kamryn Pettway was injured. The junior running back heads into bowl season with 1,508 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns, eclipsing 100 yards seven times while driving the Auburn offense.
He also got a bit of Heisman love, finishing No. 9 overall when the votes were tallied. Johnson injured his shoulder in the Iron Bowl against Alabama and was subsequently unable to perform at a high level in the SEC Championship Game. Thankfully he’s raring to go for Auburn’s Peach Bowl matchup against unbeaten UCF, which should be spectacular.
18. Brandon Wimbush, quarterback, Notre Dame
Leading Notre Dame’s run-heavy offense in 2017, Wimbush suffered through multiple injuries throughout the year. Still, he battled through them and played in 11 of the team’s 12 games, racking up 2,584 yards and 30 touchdowns from scrimmage.
Unfortunately, Wimbush made more news when he struggled and the Fighting Irish lost than he did on a positive note. During the team’s three losses he managed to throw three touchdowns and four interceptions, completing well below 50 percent of his attempts. Wimbush also made headlines for getting benched by Kelly against Miami, which absolutely abused the Irish in that pivotal game this November.
19. Jimbo Fisher, head coach, Texas A&M
What a year Fisher had. Before jumping ship to Texas A&M, Fisher’s Florida State Seminoles were seen as a potential championship squad. Then Alabama happened in Week 1. Not only did Fisher lose Deondre Francois for the year, he appeared to lose all command of his team at the same time.
Florida State finished with just six wins on the season and barely qualified for a bowl. Then, in the blink of an eye, Fisher bolted to coach the Aggies after being offered an ungodly sum of money.
Now that he’s signed on the dotted line at College Station, Fisher is facing some serious pressure. The Aggies and their fans are expecting a miraculous turnaround, given Fisher’s track record at Florida State. Whether he can provide it remains to be seen.
20. Bret Bielema, former head coach, Arkansas
Talk about making headlines for the wrong reasons. Bielema led a program that went the wrong way in 2017. Arkansas won just four games all year and Bielema was on the hot seat almost immediately after TCU and Texas A&M blew out the Razorbacks by a combined score of 78-50 in Weeks 2 and 3.
Ultimately, Bielema was unceremoniously fired while walking off the field following the team’s final regular season game, a blowout loss to Missouri. Don’t weep for him, though. Bielema ended up hauling in millions in his buyout settlement. Also, we must say he’s been a class act all the way and will almost certainly be landing another job sooner, rather than later.
21. Bryce Love, running back, Stanford
The fact that Bryce Love is so far down this list goes to show how little national exposure Stanford really gets. Love was the most explosive running back in college football all year long, finishing with 2,118 yards (No. 2 in the nation) and 19 scores on the ground.
As a result, Love was a Heisman finalist and finished third place in the voting. And the most remarkable thing about this young man is that he was battling through an ankle injury for much of the second half and had to limp off the field countless times when the pain became too overbearing. He also set a new NCAA record this year for most 50-plus-yard rushes in a single season.
22. Dan Mullen, head coach, Florida
Mullen gained fame for his continued excellent work turning the Mississippi State football program into one that SEC rivals grew to fear. In the nine years he coached the Bulldogs, Mullen earned a 69-46 record, taking his team to seven bowl games and winning five.
Then, once Jim McElwain was fired by Florida, Mullen immediately became a top target of the Gators, eventually taking over as their next head coach. Though, not everyone at the university is happy about the huge salary he commanded.
Mullen has a big job ahead of him to turn Florida back into a national powerhouse, which is why Mullen’s stature should only become larger in the coming years.
23. Derrius Guice, running back, LSU
It’s been an interesting year for Guice, who had the unenviable task of taking over for Leonard Fournette as the featured back at LSU. An injury hampered him early on, but he did come on strong in the end to finish with 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Though, perhaps it was Guice’s off-field antics that garnered him the most attention this year. At one point, he posted a picture of himself with a very expensive car that led to some uncomfortable questions. He also nearly flipped an ATV doing a wheelie, which wasn’t very smart. Hopefully the young man will stay healthy in the coming years, because he’s undeniably talented and has a future in the NFL.
24. Mark Dantonio, head coach, Michigan State
Dantonio has developed a reputation as one of the best coaches in college football. He’s built Michigan State into a highly competitive program that produces NFL talent on a yearly basis. So, it was quite shocking when his Spartans won just three games in 2016.
That stunningly bad campaign led to some questions about Dantonio’s long-term future at Michigan State in this era when younger is better and everyone’s looking for the next big thing. The 61-year-old coach answered those questions with one of his strongest coaching campaigns to date, leading Michigan State to a record of 10-3 while beating the likes of Michigan and Penn State along the way.
And as we mentioned before, he uncharacteristically got into a Twitter spat with none other than Harbaugh after the Spartans were handed a lesser bowl, despite beating the Wolverines and posting a better overall record.
25. Nick Fitzgerald, quarterback, Mississippi State
As the leader of Mississippi State’s offense, Fitzgerald had a couple of high-profile moments in the spotlight this past season. He led a big win for the Bulldogs over LSU in Week 3, passing for two scores and rushing in another two. Then he nearly helped Mississippi State beat Alabama in November, putting together a gutsy performance that came up just short.
Ultimately, Fitzgerald’s season was cut short when he suffered a very painful, gruesome ankle injury against Ole Miss during the Egg Bowl. He had to have surgery to repair the damage and will hopefully be ready to get back to it before the 2018 season kicks off.