A top-10 defensive end recruit and Detroit Free Press All-State Dream Team member in 2017, Hutchinson was the Wolverines' Rookie of the Year in 2018, playing in all 13 games as a reserve (15 tackles, 1.5 for loss). He had a third-team All-Big Ten sophomore campaign (68 tackles, 10 for loss with 4.5 sacks, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 13 starts) and started the first three games of the 2020 season (15 tackles, two pass breakups) before a leg fracture that required surgery ended his season. He exceeded the already-high expectations for his 2021 season, winning the Lott IMPACT Award, Lombardi and Ted Hendricks Award while being named first-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year. The two-time Wolverines captain was also the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, a rare feat for a defender (former Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson is the only defensive player to win the award), and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (also known as the Academic Heisman), Walter Camp Player of the Year and Senior CLASS Award (excellence on and off the field). Leading Michigan to the 2021 College Football Playoff, Hutchinson ranked third in the FBS with 14 sacks among his 62 total tackles, including 16.5 for loss, while breaking up three passes and forcing two fumbles in 14 starts. His exceptional return from injury in 2021 gained him one of three Mayo Clinic Player of the Year Awards, along with Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton and Kentucky linebacker J.J. Weaver. He is the son of Michigan All-American defender Chris Hutchinson, who signed with the Cleveland Browns (with then-head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Nick Saban) but decided to walk away from the field to get his medical degree. -- by Chad Reuter

Williams is a St. Louis native who not only scored 22 touchdowns as a senior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep but also broke Ezekiel Elliott's state record in the 300-meter hurdles. He signed with Ohio State and played in all 14 games as a reserve and on special teams (6-112-18.7, one TD) in 2019. Williams started six of eight games played in 2020, but caught just nine passes for 154 yards (17.1 per rec.) and two scores in a deep receiver rotation including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. He decided to enter the transfer portal and signed with Alabama for 2021 -– a school he strongly considered during his high school recruitment. Williams starred in 2021, grabbing 79 passes, ranking fifth in the FBS with 1,572 receiving yards and tying for third with 15 receiving touchdowns in 15 starts. He was named a first-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-SEC receiver and Co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Year (10-352-35.2, two TDs kick returns), and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation's top receiver. Williams' season did not end on a high note, however, as he suffered an ACL tear against Georgia in the national title game. -- by Chad Reuter

As a true freshman at Kentucky in 2017, Paschal played in all 13 games with one start (17 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks) after a strong career at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland. Paschal was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in July 2018, undergoing multiple surgeries and a year of immunotherapy treatment on the bottom of his right foot. While getting treatment during the 2018 season, he redshirted, playing in three games with one start. Paschal returned to start all 13 games in 2019 (34 tackles, 9.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles) and 10 of 11 games played in 2020 (32 tackles, 6.5 for loss). He was a team captain in both seasons. He finished his career on a high note, earning second-team All-SEC and Academic All-American honors while leading the Wildcats with 15.5 tackles for loss, including 5.5 sacks among his 53 total tackles, in 12 starts. Paschal opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Joseph matriculated from Jones High School in Orlando to Champaign in 2018, suiting up for 10 games as a reserve as a true freshman (nine tackles, one pass breakup). He started twice in 12 appearances in 2019 (30 tackles, three pass breakups) and then contributed coming off the bench in 2020 (19 tackles in seven games). His breakout year came in 2021, garnering second-team All-Big Ten honors by tying for fourth in the FBS with five interceptions and posting three fumble recoveries (along with 57 tackles, one sack in 12 games, 10 starts). -- by Chad Reuter

Mitchell was a four-time All-Virginia tight end at Union High School but played as a wildcat quarterback during his senior year (eventually winning the state's 2A Offensive Player of the Year Award) because of an injury to the starter. He played in all 13 games with one start for the Hokies in 2018 but recorded no receptions. Mitchell became a larger part of the offense in 2019 (21-361-17.2, two TDs in 13 games, eight starts) and then led the team with four receiving touchdowns in 2020 (26-435-16.7 in 10 games, nine starts). He missed all but the first two games of the 2021 season with a knee injury (and was granted a medical redshirt), starting both contests and catching five passes for 42 yards (8.4) and a score. -- by Chad Reuter

Rodriguez finished his career with the Cowboys by garnering All-Big 12 honors in three straight seasons, making the first team in his final year. He ranked seventh in the FBS with 76 solo tackles (129 total tackles, 15 for loss with three sacks) in 2021 and tied for 10th nationally with four forced fumbles in 14 starts. The team captain was also the Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP with 11 tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups in the win over Notre Dame. In 2020, he led his team with 82 tackles (including 57 solos, tying for seventh-most in the FBS), seven for loss with three sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 11 starts. He was the team's Defensive MVP as a junior in 2019, topping his squad with 103 tackles (seven for loss with 1.5 sacks), one interception returned for a score and three pass breakups in 13 starts. In high school, Rodriguez led Wagoner to three straight Oklahoma state titles at quarterback, while also being named the state Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and winning a state championship in wrestling. He got on the field for the Cowboys as a reserve defensive back and special teamer as a true freshman in 2017 (11 tackles) before starting 10 of 13 games played the following fall, receiving an honorable mention all-conference nod at linebacker (83 tackles, five for loss). -- by Chad Reuter

Even though an injury kept Houston from playing for American Heritage head coach and former NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain during his senior season in high school, Florida signed the young talent. He was suspended for his entire first season with the program due to alleged involvement in a credit card fraud scheme with other teammates. Houston returned to contribute as a reserve for the Gators in 2018 (28 tackles, two for loss, one blocked kick in 13 games), 2019 (38 tackles, six for loss with 3.5 sacks) and 2020 (37 tackles, 3.5 for loss with one sack) before transferring to Jackson State. The move paid off as he garnered second-team Associated Press FCS All-American and first-team All-SWAC honors by leading the FCS with seven forced fumbles, tying for second with 24.5 tackles for loss and with 16.5 sacks. Houston had 70 total tackles and returned his lone interception for a score during 13 starts. -- by Chad Reuter

Lucas was a four-star recruit who played with former ASU teammate N'Keal Harry and former Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins at Chandler High School. He broke out in a big way his redshirt freshman season by earning second-team All-Pac-12 and Freshman All-American honors (59 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, 10 starts in 12 games played). Lucas started 12 of 13 games played in 2018 (62 tackles, six for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, five pass breakups) and then all 13 contests as a junior (50 tackles, four for loss, one interception, four pass breakups). He received second-team all-conference honors again in 2020 (15 tackles, five pass breakups in four starts) and then garnered honorable mention accolades in his final year (34 tackles, six pass breakups in 10 starts) before opting out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter