Top Three Players of 2024 at each Offensive Skill Position
A few players stood out during a season as exciting as the one in 2024. Here we will dive into the league’s top three players at each offensive skill position, from the 2024 season.
Quarterbacks
1) Jared Smith - Matadors (2024 league MVP and leader in all major quarterback categories)
A true gunslinger, Smith’s arm and ball placement are what separates him from the rest. With quality weapons around him, Smith ran away with every league quarterback award in 2024. It seemed that every week, Smith was an inch above the rest of the competition. His high football IQ also gave him an edge as the season went along. Overall, 2024 was a great year for Smith.
After this record-breaking year, as reported earlier this week, Smith will be on the sideline as an offensive coordinator for the Matadors this year. Luckily for the Matadors, the next man up looks promising. Kadun Allen had minimal snaps in 2024, but he showed promise and with what the Matadors have in place, Allen could keep the Matadors just as successful in 2025 as before.
2) Colt Knigge - Aztecs (No.2 on the league’s passing leader list, No.4 in league MVP voting)
In week one of the ICFL season, Knigge tallied 4 interceptions against the Matadors, worrying himself and the team that it could be a rough season. Knigge however, threw just 3 interceptions over the rest of the season, collecting 18 passing touchdowns on the way. With a 59% completion percentage, it seemed that every throw by Knigee was the right throw.
The Aztecs were undefeated up until the championship loss (Matadors) for a reason. They looked like the league’s best team all year. Much of that is to the credit of Knigge. A true leader on the football field, Knigge always put his team in a position to win. Chances are, he can have the same success next year.
3) Emmitt Johnson - Sabers (league leader in passing yards per game)
Emmitt Johnson took over for the Sabers midway through the season who stood at 1-3 at that time. With Johnson, the Sabers would finish 3-1 to reach the 4-4 mark when the season concluded. Alongside a star-studded wide receiver group, one being his brother, Johnson lit up opposing defenses. If these receivers return for 2025, this passing attack will be the best in the league. Also, with Johnson having a full season to work with, he could very well be the Jared Smith of 2025.
The Sabers and Johnson are a good bet to finish better than 4-4 in 2025 and rightfully so. Johnson is the guy to take this team to new heights.
Running backs
1) Austin Barber - Aztecs (2024 league leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns)
Aztecs running back Austin Barber, was a man amongst boys last season. In 2024, the ICFL featured solid running backs around the league, however, Barber still outshines the competition. A running back who embraces contact and thrives running in between the tackles, Barber led the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season.
Barber has been on the record praising his Aztecs team for the smash-mouth culture within the team, as his running style seems to fit in perfectly. Look for Barber and the Aztecs to take over as the league's best team, thanks to the Barber's dominance on the field.
2) Kohl Profitt - Black Tide (2024 league leader in rushing (ypg), No.2 in rushing touchdowns)
Power, speed, and consistency can describe Black Tide's running back Kohl Profitt. A true "bell-cow" running back, Profitt will look to put together a season at full strength after missing the end of last season due to injury. Before the injury, Profitt was proving his importance to this team, carrying them week after week.
With improved health, he will receive more opportunities, and the ICFL will be in trouble if that happens. Profitt will fill up the sheet and the Black Tide as a team will light up the scoreboard thanks to Profitt's running ability.
3) Logan Bowers - Alphas (No.3 in the league in all major rushing categories)
The Alphas' Logan Bowers could have taken the title of the league's most versatile player last season. Tied for No.3 in all rushing categories in 2024, Bowers showed that he is a shifty back who can make people miss with ease, but that is not all. Bowers had an impact as a wide receiver last season catching 17 passes for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. On offense, having a player like Bowers gives your team an advantage.
Bowers' rare talent allowed him to be a force on defense as well. Bowers collected over 40 tackles as a linebacker, proving that he is the ultimate football player. Bowers can run, catch, and play defense and you cannot say that about a lot of football players. Bowers was a top-three runner in 2024.
Wide receivers
1) Grant Roberts - Matadors (No.3 in receiving yards, No.2 in rec touchdowns in 2024)
Grant Roberts is as dynamic as they come in the open field. The Matadors' wide receiver was easily one of the league's best receivers in 2024. During the Matadors' outstanding season, Roberts alongside Jared Smith showed that they are the best QB-WR combo in the ICFL.
Throughout the season, Roberts was consistently making plays both vertically and lined up in the slot, catching passes over the middle and on the outside. Not many receivers can impact the game from both spots, but Roberts proved in 2024 that he is a different animal. He and the Matadors' know that they have the right pieces to be just as successful this upcoming season.
2) Mark Colon - Aztecs (League No.2 in receiving yards, ypg and receiving touchdowns)
One of the most reliable football players you will see, the Aztecs' Mark Colon is in a league of his own. In 2024, while nearly leading the league in receiving yards, Colon showed that he is a high-IQ receiver. Seemingly always knowing the right route to run and using his solid hands, Colon was a target that Knigee could lean on for a big gain.
Whether on a short/intermediate route or along the sideline, Colon could be counted on to make a play. Colon was also a force in the return game, returning two kicks for touchdowns in 2024. In a league, loaded with wide receiver talent, Colon was nearly the best.
3) Brig Johnson - Sabers (Top five in all major receiving categories)
Everyone loves a good childhood-turn-stars story and that is what the Johnson brothers have. Emmitt and Brig Johnson, both shined together for the Sabers and 2024 was a dominant year, especially for Brig. Even though Brig only had his brother Emmitt throwing to him for half of the season, Brig had big games throughout the whole season. Brig was a stronger-build receiver therefore he had an advantage over opposing defenses. His strength alone made him a tough receiver to play against. Brig was also a force as a defensive back using his receiver skills to be a ball hawk. Chances are that the brothers will have the same success in 2025 and if this was a fantasy football league, selecting Brig would be a home run for your roster.