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. 16-20.
16. Florida
Players to watch: DT Caleb Brantley, WR Antonio Callaway, DE Bryan Cox, Jr., LB Jarrad Davis, TE DeAndre Goolsby, OG Martez Ivey, DT Joey Ivie, DE CeCe Jefferson, S Marcus Maye, OT David Sharpe, CB Teez Tabor, CB Quincy Wilson
The outlook: The Gators have arguably the three top players in college football at their respective defensive positions in Tabor, Davis and Maye. Tabor is a tough corner with ball skills. Davis is a good athlete and a big hitter. Maye does everything a coach wants his safeties to do. With a legacy player in Cox and an up-and-coming star in Brantley, NFL scouts will be keeping a close eye on Gainesville. On offense, things are a bit leaner, though Callaway looks like a future star and Goolsby has potential as a matchup nightmare.
Newcomer in the spotlight: QB Luke Del Rio -- OK, so this is cheating a bit because the son of NFL lifer Jack Del Rio transferred from Oregon State before last season. He also left Alabama, where he walked on, after one season. But with an excellent showing in the spring, he'll now get a chance to run Florida's offense efficiently on Saturday afternoons. The last time Florida rated in the top 50 in the FBS in passing efficiency? It was 2009 under you-know-who. Jim McElwain is a very good offensive mind, and Del Rio will benefit from his teaching.
17. Ole Miss
Players to watch: WR Quincy Adeboyejo, CB Tony Bridges, DE Fadol Brown, S/LB Tony Conner, TE Evan Engram, OLB Marquis Haynes, DT D.J. Jones, QB Chad Kelly, WR Damore'ea Stringfellow, CB Ken Webster
The outlook: The Rebels have gone from seven to 10 wins over the past four years under Hugh Freeze. Have they plateaued? Possibly ... but Kelly has the same sort of competitive fire that his uncle -- Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly -- possessed. Chad Kelly also has a few NFL-quality targets to whom he can throw in Adeboyejo, Engram and Stringfellow. Though the team no longer has Robert Nkemdiche, there are plenty of veterans (Conner, Bridges, Haynes, Webster), and young, highly rated players looking to make their mark on defense.
Newcomer in the spotlight: OT Greg Little -- If Kelly has any chance to stay clean in the pocket behind an inexperienced line, Little must be as good as advertised in Game 1 vs. Florida State. Kelly last had 2016 first-round pick Laremy Tunsil protecting his blind side, so Little has tough shoes to fill.
18. Auburn
Players to watch: DT Montravius Adams, K Daniel Carlson, WR Marcus Davis, S Johnathan "Rudy" Ford, QB John Franklin III, CB Joshua Hosley, QB Jeremy Johnson, OG Alex Kozan, DE Carl Lawson, DT Dontavius Russell, OL Braden Smith
The outlook: People like to discuss the offensive scheme of head coach Gus Malzahn, but he really builds his team on the offensive and defensive lines -- and NFL scouts come to town looking for that talent. If Lawson can stay healthy, he'll join with Adams and Russell to form one of the top defensive lines in the country. Kozan, Smith, and transfers Darius James (Texas) and Austin Golson (Ole Miss) make up an outstanding group up front. If Johnson or Florida State/junior college transfer Franklin take command of the offense, the Tigers will make noise in the SEC West.
Newcomer in the spotlight: DE Marlon Davidson -- Last year, Byron Cowart was the "next big thing" coming in. Davidson's the new kid in town, looking to become the pass-rush force that the team needs across from Lawson. The competition there should only make them better. WR Nate Craig-Myers is another freshman to watch, as he has the skills to earn a starting gig before too long.
19. North Carolina
Players to watch: C Lucas Crowley, OT Jon Heck, RB Elijah Hood, WR Mack Hollins, WR Bug Howard, DT Nazair Jones, CB Des Lawrence, RB T.J. Logan, S Donnie Miles, OG Caleb Peterson, CB M.J. Stewart, WR Ryan Switzer
The outlook: Even though North Carolina is primarily a basketball school, the NFL regularly finds draftable prospects in Chapel Hill. This year, scouts first will be looking at three seniors on the offensive line in Crowley, Heck and Peterson. Hood is a sturdy back willing to pound his way to yardage, while Hollins, Howard and Switzer give the Tar Heels a chance to move the ball through the air if Matt Trubisky can take over as an effective replacement for Marquise Williams. Scouts can check out a very strong secondary, as well, with corners Lawrence and Stewart unafraid to match up against any receiver. The best of the bunch might turn out to be Jones, who is due for a breakout year.
Newcomer in the spotlight: CB Patrice Rene -- Rene decommitted from Rutgers to join UNC, and his physical style of play could earn him playing time right away. His 6-foot-2, 203-pound frame could push him to the safety spot at some point in his career.
20. Stanford
Players to watch: LB Joey Alfieri, OG Johnny Caspers, S Zach Hoffpauir, LB Peter Kalambayi, RB Christian McCaffrey, S Quenton Meeks, WR Michael Rector, TE Dalton Schultz, DE Solomon Thomas, OT Casey Tucker
The outlook: Losing quarterback Kevin Hogan to the NFL is a blow for the Cardinal, so whoever wins the job between Keller Chryst and Ryan Burns takes on a lot of pressure. Their most important duty, however, will be to hand the ball to McCaffrey, an all-around threat that could have easily won the Heisman last year. There are no worries about the offensive or defensive lines in Palo Alto, as head coach David Shaw has continued to bulk up on both sides of the ball. Caspers and Tucker are strong, smart linemen for McCaffrey to follow, while Thomas and Kalambayi lead the defensive charge.
Newcomer in the spotlight: TE Kaden Smith -- Stanford is known for two-tight-end sets that keep the chains moving, and bringing in one of the top prospects at the position will only make Schultz and the rest of the offense more potent. If Smith is ready to block, then McCaffrey wins, as well.
Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@chadreuter_.
