Photo courtesy of Gary McCullough | AP Photo
Week 1 provided some highlight performances that looked like athletes were already in midseason form. Here is AOU Network’s first crack at listing FBS players that you should keep an eye on for the big, individual trophy at the end of the season.
ON THE RISE:
Tanner Mordecai, QB (SMU) – 23/32, 432 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
Braelon Allen, RB (Wisconsin) – 14 carries, 148 yards, 2 TDs
Frank Gore Jr., RB (Southern Miss) – 32 carries, 178 yards, 2 TDs
Deuce Vaughn, RB (Kansas State) – 18 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD
Drake Maye, QB (North Carolina) – 53/72, 646 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs
5. C.J. Stroud, QB (Ohio State)
Stroud’s stock is slightly down from his projections after a slow start against Notre Dame but it’s only one game and the junior signal caller still got the job when needed and completed over 70% of his passes. He’ll go stat-patting this weekend against Arkansas State to build the resume back up.
4. Caleb Williams, QB (USC)
Williams and head coach Lincoln Riley are bringing the Big 12 fireworks to the Pac-12 and you can’t really impress better in your Hollywood debut than what the sophomore did against Rice. Williams was 19/22 with 2 passing TDs and wasn’t afraid to run the ball with six carries averaging over 11 yards. The swagger looks to be back for the Trojans but Williams will have one of his toughest tests of the year with a trip to Palo Alto Saturday night.
3. Anthony Richardson, QB (Florida)
A Week 1 win inside the swamp over a top-10 school will certainly have heads turned and Richardson showcased highlight after highlight against what is usually a tough code to crack in the Utes’ defense. Richardson made it look easy with three rushing TDs and over 100 yards on the ground. The Associated Press awarded the Gators with a No. 12 ranking heading into a pivotal matchup with rival Kentucky this Saturday.
2. Bryce Young, QB (Alabama)
Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner did exactly what he needed to do in Alabama’s cupcake matchup against Utah State. Five TD passes are nothing to overlook but playing Utah State vs. what our current Heisman favorite player is an apples and oranges comparison. Don’t worry though. Young shouldn’t be going anywhere from the top two anytime soon.
1. Stetson Bennett, QB (Georgia)
Bennett has a knack for shining the brightest when the spotlight is on him and he certainly did that last Saturday with an absolute dismantling of Oregon in a 49-3 outclassing. 368 yards, 2 TDs and an 80% completion rate over what was the No. 11 team in the country is deserving of our top spot for this week.
