The countdown to the 2025 football season is on, and both fantasy managers and college football fans are buzzing as rankings and preseason lists hit the presses. With Field Yates’ freshly updated 2025 fantasy football PPR rankings and ESPN’s annual top 100 college football players list making waves, there’s plenty for gridiron enthusiasts to debate as summer winds down.
Field Yates, a prominent voice in fantasy football analysis, released his latest PPR rankings on August 22, 2025. The list, which is set to be updated throughout the preseason, highlights the shifting landscape of NFL talent and offers fantasy managers a critical tool as they prepare for drafts. Meanwhile, on the college front, the Detroit Free Press reported on August 20 that Michigan football, a storied program and the 2023 College Football Playoff champions, managed just one player on ESPN’s top 100 college football players list for the upcoming season—defensive end Derrick Moore at No. 81.
Let’s start with the fantasy side. Yates’ rankings, tailored for points-per-reception (PPR) formats, offer a comprehensive look at the top 100 players fantasy managers should target for 2025. Cincinnati Bengals’ star Ja'Marr Chase leads the pack as WR1, followed closely by Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (RB1) and Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson (WR2). Other heavyweights in the top five include Saquon Barkley, now with the Philadelphia Eagles (RB2), and Detroit Lions’ dynamic Jahmyr Gibbs (RB3). This group represents the cream of the crop, reflecting both proven production and high-upside projections.
“The 2025 fantasy football season starts now!” Yates’ rankings declare, urging fans to sign up or reactivate their leagues and get in on the action. The top 10 is rounded out by Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb (WR3), Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua (WR4), New York Giants rookie Malik Nabers (WR5), San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (RB4), and Las Vegas Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty (RB5). The list is a who’s who of fantasy relevance, spanning a wide array of NFL teams and highlighting the depth of talent across the league.
What’s particularly intriguing is the mix of established stars and rising prospects. For example, Malik Nabers’ rapid ascent to WR5 as a rookie for the Giants is a testament to the evolving nature of the NFL’s passing game and the opportunities presented by team situations. Meanwhile, veterans like Derrick Henry, now with the Baltimore Ravens (RB6), and Davante Adams, who finds himself with the Rams (WR12), continue to command respect in fantasy circles.
Quarterbacks, always a hot topic in fantasy drafts, are well represented with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (QB1) and Washington’s Jayden Daniels (QB2) leading the charge. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (QB3) and Buffalo’s Josh Allen (QB4) round out a formidable top tier. The list continues deep into the skill positions, with tight ends like Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers (TE1) and Arizona’s Trey McBride (TE2) offering managers options beyond the usual suspects.
Yates’ rankings don’t just serve as a draft cheat sheet—they tell the story of an NFL in flux. Big-name players have switched teams, rookies are poised to break out, and established stars face new competition. For fantasy managers, it’s a puzzle that requires careful attention and a bit of boldness. Who’s ready to take a chance on a high-upside rookie? Which veteran will defy the doubters for one more season?
Switching gears to the college scene, the latest ESPN top 100 list has sparked plenty of discussion in Ann Arbor and beyond. Despite being just two years removed from a national championship, Michigan football finds itself with only one player on the prestigious list: Derrick Moore, a senior defensive end and the lone returning starter on the Wolverines’ defensive line. Moore, who recorded four sacks and 23 tackles in 12 games during the 2024 season, opted to stay in school for his senior year rather than enter the 2025 NFL Draft—a decision that could pay dividends for both his draft stock and Michigan’s defense.
“At least Michigan football got one name on ESPN's list of top 100 college football players,” as reported by the Detroit Free Press. Moore’s inclusion at No. 81 is both a personal accolade and a reflection of a Michigan roster in transition. The Wolverines lost Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Josaiah Stewart to the NFL, leaving Moore as the anchor for a retooled defensive front.
While Michigan’s representation is slim, the Big Ten conference as a whole boasts a strong showing. Ten of the conference’s 18 teams placed at least one player in the top 100, with a total of 26 Big Ten athletes making the cut. Ohio State and Penn State lead the way, with the Buckeyes featuring five players—including the No. 1 overall spot, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and No. 3, safety Caleb Downs. Penn State edges out all Big Ten programs with seven players in the rankings; running back Nicholas Singleton is their highest at No. 15, and quarterback Drew Allar also cracks the top 20 at No. 17.
Other notable Big Ten standouts include Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei (DE, No. 20), Illinois’ Gabe Jacas (OLB, No. 22), and Indiana’s Mikail Kamara (DE, No. 35). Even programs like Minnesota, Rutgers, and Washington secured representation, underscoring the depth and competitive balance within the conference. In contrast, Michigan State was among eight Big Ten schools not to have a player listed, and USC—despite receiving 116 votes in the preseason coaches poll—also failed to land a player in the top 100.
For Michigan, the lack of top-tier individual recognition is notable, especially as the team enters the season ranked No. 14 in the preseason coaches poll, ahead of Indiana at No. 19. The Wolverines’ challenge will be to leverage their tradition of team-first football and player development to compensate for what appears on paper to be a talent gap relative to some of their biggest rivals.
As college football fans pore over the lists and speculate about breakout stars, it’s clear that preseason rankings and accolades are just the starting point. The real test will come on the field, where new leaders will have to emerge and unexpected heroes can rewrite the narrative in an instant.
So, whether you’re strategizing for your fantasy football draft or scanning the college football landscape for the next big thing, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of intrigue and opportunity. With Field Yates’ rankings fueling fantasy debates and the Big Ten’s deep talent pool promising plenty of drama, football fans have every reason to be excited as the action draws near.