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Carey Mecole (MEE-cole) Hardman was a high school All-American defender as well as Class AAA Georgia Offensive Player of the Year at quarterback his senior year at Elbert County High School. The top 50 prospect nationally signed with the Bulldogs for the 2016 season, and played in 11 games on special teams, making four coverage tackles and returning one kickoff for 17 yards. Coaches got him the ball on offense in 2017, even starting him once in 15 games played at receiver (25-418-16.7, four TD receiving; 8-61-7.6 two TD rushing). Hardman provided excitement on special teams, as he ranked eighth in the FBS on punt-return average (23-271-11.8) and also excelled on kickoff returns (20-505-25.3). He scored both of the Bulldogs' touchdowns against Alabama in the national championship game. He continued to make plays as a receiver (34-532-15.6, seven TD receiving; 5-36-7.2 rushing in 14 games with five starts) and on special teams as a junior, garnering second-team All-SEC notice for his returns (16-321-20.1, one TD on punts; 14-353-25.2 on kickoffs). He would have ranked second in the FBS in punt-return average but came up one return short of qualifying.

Thornhill looked destined for collegiate athletic success after he made SportsCenter as a high school basketball player due to his dunking prowess. He was also an All-State defender and quarterback for a two-time state champion Altavista High School in Virginia. Thornhill played in nine games as a reserve as a true freshman (two tackles), then became a starter as sophomore, leading the Cavs with three interceptions to go along with 45 tackles, three for loss, and seven pass breakups in 12 games (11 starts). He garnered third-team All-ACC honors in 2017, starting 12 games and posting 63 tackles, 4.5 for loss, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Thornhill saved his best for last, grabbing first-team all-conference accolades as a senior by leading Virginia in total tackles (98) and interceptions (six, which tied for third in the FBS) while also making 4.5 tackles for loss and breaking up seven passes.

Saunders is a St. Louis native who showed FBS-level talent as soon as he hit the field as a redshirt freshman. He posted 27 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 13 games as a reserve in 2015. He started all 11 games as a sophomore, posting 48 stops, five for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. Missouri Valley Football coaches named him first-team all-conference in 2017, as he started all 12 games and accumulated 57 tackles, 12 for loss, a team-high 7.5 sacks, and three pass breakups. In 2018 he was named AP FCS second-team All-American.

Fenton started 11 of 13 games at cornerback for the Gamecocks in 2017, breaking up eight passes and intercepting another during his junior season (48 tackles, one for loss.) He started 12 of 13 games played as a senior, making 34 tackles, 2.5 for loss, intercepting a team-high three passes and breaking up six other throws. His career with the Gamecocks ended on a sour note, however, as he missed the second half of the team's Belk Bowl loss to Virginia, leaving the game under mysterious conditions (a teammate said he was injured, head coach Will Muschamp said "it was Rashad's decision." The Miami native was a part-time starter his sophomore campaign, beginning 7 of 12 contests and compiling 38 stops, 1.5 for loss, an interception and five pass breakups. Fenton played as a true freshman, making two tackles on defense and special teams in 10 games.

Thompson is the nephew of former Oklahoma State and St. Louis rams running back David Thompson. After one productive season at Utah State, Darwin decided it was time to see if he was one of the fittest, declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft. Mountain West coaches voted him second-team all-conference in 2018, as he rushed for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns (6.8 average) on just 153 carries in 13 games (nine starts). He transferred to USU from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, where he was a second-team NJCAA All-American and conference Offensive MVP as a sophomore after rushing for 1,391 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also an all-conference performer in his freshman year (1,029 yards, nine touchdowns). Thompson led Jenks High School to a state title as a high school senior, earning honorable mention All-Metro honors from the Tulsa World.

Allegretti's father and two uncles played football at Butler University. Nick got the call from Big Ten schools, though, after earning top-10 center recruit grades nationally. The consensus first-team All-Illinois selection and four-year wrestler redshirted his first year with the Illini. Allegretti contributed as a reserve offensive lineman in 12 games and also on the defensive line in two of those games. He stayed on offense the next season, starting once at center and the other 11 contests at guard. Allegretti was voted honorable mention All-Big Ten and was a team captain in 2017, starting all 12 games, again splitting time between center (four) and guard (eight). He was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2018, as well, starting 12 games at guard.