Even Jeremiah Smith has a flaw (yes, really): The biggest holes in college football's top stars

Even the best players in college football have something to clean up. You won't find many cracks in these games, but if you're looking for a weak spot -- or at least a spot to sharpen -- here's where my top 10 guys can still improve.

Check out the full list of my top 150 player rankings here, and you'll find many of those guys in both the CBS Sports Preseason All-America Team and Mike Renner's 1.0 Mock Draft for 2026. Stats listed below are from the 2024 season. 

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State — Needs more YAC

Jeremiah Smith

OHIOST • WR • #4

Rec76

Yards1,315

TD15

Hometown: Miami Gardens, Florida | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Let's be clear: Smith is the best wide receiver prospect I've seen in my 52 years, and it's scary to think he's only getting better. Weaknesses are few and far between, but if I have to nitpick, it's his ability to create yards after contact. Smith piled up 1,315 receiving yards last year, but only 170 came after contact. Expect a bigger, faster, wiser Smith in 2025 -- and improvement in that area is almost a given.

2. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson — Needs better eye discipline

Cade Klubnik

CLEM • QB • #2

Yards3,639

TD38

INT6

Rush Yards463

Rush TD7

Hometown: Austin, Texas | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Klubnik played at a high level in 2024, protecting the ball well while flashing dual-threat ability. But he too often locked onto receivers with a safety or linebacker reading his eyes. He had 13 turnover-worthy plays, six of which became interceptions -- and it could've been more if defenders had finished the play. To take the next step, Klubnik has to speed up his reads, move defenders with his eyes, and deliver on time.

3. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina — Needs better decision-making and ball security

LaNorris Sellers

SC • QB • #16

YARDS2,534

TD18

INT7

Rush YDS674

Rush TD7

Hometown: Florence, S.C. | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Sellers impressed as a first-year starter, but his next jump comes with cleaner decision-making. He threw seven interceptions, fumbled four times as a runner, and lost the ball on seven sacks that could've been avoided. Protecting the ball, throwing it away when nothing's there, and valuing every snap will be key in year two.

4. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU — Needs better decision-making and ball security

Garrett Nussmeier

LSU • QB • #13

YARDS4,052

TD29

INT12

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Nussmeier had a strong season as the Tigers' full-time starter, but costly turnovers down the stretch kept LSU from closing games. He tossed 12 interceptions and could've had four more if defenders had hung on. His gunslinger mentality is fun -- but in the SEC, you can't keep handing the ball away and expect to win.

Renner's QB scouting series for 2026 NFL Draft: What makes LSU's Garrett Nussmeier the frontrunner to be QB1

Mike Renner

5. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame — Needs to grow as a receiver

Jeremiyah Love

ND • RB • #4

Yards1,125

TD17

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Love is the best pure runner in college football entering 2025, but he can elevate his stock further as a pass-catcher. He caught 28 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns but looked less natural after the catch than he does in the open field. Two drops didn't help. If his receiving polish catches up to his running skills, his ceiling jumps even higher.

6. Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina — Needs a power rush

Dylan Stewart

SC • LB • #6

Tackles23

TFL10.5

Sacks6.5

FF3

Hometown: Washington, D.C. | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Stewart burst onto the scene as a true freshman with 37 hurries and seven sacks, all built on elite quickness. The next step? Developing a consistent power move. A strong long-arm rush would make tackles fear more than just his speed, unlocking the full potential of one of the SEC's next great edge players.

7. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State — Needs more ball production

Caleb Downs

OHIOST • S • #2

Tackles81

INT2

Hometown: Hoschton, Georgia | 247Sports (transfer) rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Downs' numbers dipped slightly from his freshman year at Alabama, and in 2025 he'll carry more of the load with much of Ohio State's defense off to the NFL. He had just two interceptions -- both on bad throws -- and dropped two more. Downs also left opportunities on the table to strip or punch the ball out. With a third defensive coordinator in three seasons, the hope is he plays freer, deeper, and more disruptive on the back end.

8. Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State — Needs to cut down on overthrows

Sam Leavitt

ARIZST • QB • #10

YARDS2,885

TD24

INT6

Rush Yards443

Rush TD5

Hometown: West Linn, Oregon | 247Sports (transfer) rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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The more I watch Leavitt, the more I like him. Scrappy, clutch, accurate, and in control of Kenny Dillingham's offense, he doesn't leave many holes to pick at. But almost all of his interceptions were overthrows to open receivers. Trusting his arm, ripping throws instead of guiding them, and keeping the ball down will push him from solid to special.

9. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson — Needs better hand usage

T.J. Parker

CLEM • DE • #3

Tackles57

TFL19.5

Sacks11

FF6

Hometown: Phenix City, Alabama | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Parker is a twitchy, explosive rusher with the get-off and bend to beat tackles in a variety of ways. What he doesn't do consistently is use his hands. He rarely swipes away linemen's punches, which limits him against stronger competition. Add better handwork to his speed-to-power package, and he'll take over games.

10. Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama — Needs to cut down on drops

Ryan Williams

BAMA • WR • #2

Rec48

Yards865

TD8

Hometown: Saraland, Alabama | 247Sports rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Williams' freshman year included highlight catches that had the nation buzzing, but his consistency faded late. He dropped seven passes, and that's too many for a No. 1 wideout. Seeing the ball all the way in is an easy fix for a player this talented. With Ty Simpson ready to rock as Alabama's new QB and with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb calling plays, Williams is ready to rack up the stats.