by Fred Perdue

 

 

 

 

***These statistics were compiled prior to this past weekend’s games***

 

Offense

QB – Lamar Jackson, Louisville: Jackson is the most explosive player in the nation. Jackson is averaging 439.7 yards and five touchdowns per game. Coaches lose sleep at night prepping for him. Easiest choice on the list.

RB – Dalvin Cook, Florida State: After a slow start Cook is really making teams pay on the ground. Cook averages 179.4 yards per game. Without a solid passing game, the Noles lean on their do it all back.

RB – Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State: The nation’s leading rusher at the midpoint has played one less game while still averaging 185.2 yards per game and having 169 yards more than the next closest rusher.

WR – James Washington, Oklahoma State: Washington racked up 296 yards’ vs Pitt early in the season is one of the most electric wide outs with the ball in his hands.

WR – Corey Davis, Western Michigan: Helping to guide his 7-0 Western Michigan team into the top 25, Davis has 44 catches for 652 yards and 10 TDs, which is tied for the most in the nation.

TE – Evan Engram, Ole Miss: Engram leads all tight ends with 590 receiving yards, and has caught five TDs. Going deep is what he does. Despite his team’s losses, he is Chad Kelly’s favorite and most consistent target.

OL – Cam Robinson, Alabama: Anchoring the fourth ranked rushing attack in the nation, Robinson started slow but has built up steam. Roll Tide Roll.

OL – Dorian Johnson, Pitt: Johnson is the heart and soul of this line. Starting 33 straight games and helping the Panthers have the 2^nd best rushing attack in the ACC.

OL –  Pat Elflein, Ohio State: Elflein anchors an offensive line that is getting six yards per carry and 6.5 yards per catch on first downs, and they’re also second-best in fewest TFLs allowed.

OL – Ethan Pocic, LSU: Pocic is Mr. Versatile for the Tigers, playing multiple positions and settling in at Right Tackle due to injury. Lot of love for the ultimate team player.

OL – Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin: Emerging as one of the more athletic tackles in the nation after moving up from Division III UW-Stevens Point. Ramczyk is helping power a very good Badger running game.

 

 

 

 

 

Defense

DL –  Montravious Adams, Auburn: Adams is playing as well or better than any interior lineman in the nation. The senior has four tackles for loss and his first defensive touchdown of his career.

DL – Derek Barnett, Tennessee: Barnett is making his case louder each week for SEC player of the year. After introducing himself to the college football world against Appalachian State and has not looked back. Six sacks (all in SEC play), 11.5 TFLs, five QB hurries, three passes defended, one interception and two forced fumbles is just the appetizer in long season of hunting quarterbacks.

DL – Myles Garrett, Texas A&M:  Four sacks, six tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Attacking Quarterbacks is what Garrett does.

LB – Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State: The numbers don’t say it but ask anyone in Columbus who should get this spot. It’s not even close.

LB – Reuben Foster, Alabama: Leading the Crimson Tide defense with 41 Tackles. Taking over for Reggie Ragland and not even missing a beat. Roll Tide Roll.

LB – Ben Boulware, Clemson: 59 Total Tackles, including four tackles for loss, a key interception in the win at Auburn, and had 17 tackles in the victory over Louisville. Couple that with a National Player of the Week selection, Boulware is the heartbeat of this defense and it will challenge anyone to say anything other than that.

CB – Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama: Ask Nick Saban and he will tell you that the secondary is having issues. Fitzpatrick should be the least of his worries. Totaling three INTs and five pass break ups, the former five-star corner is living up to the hype.

CB – Quincy Wilson, Florida: Wilson has left the ducks and trucks in the rearview. Locking down the other side of the field for the Florida Gators defense, Wilson is making a case not only for best corner on his team but also to NFL Scouts in 2017.

CB – Jourdan Lewis, Michigan: Injuries slowed Lewis down early but he has been the definition of a lockdown defender. According to PFF Lewis has only allowed 7 yards on 10 targets this season #NoFlyZone

S – Jabrill Peppers, Michigan: Whether you list him as a LB, CB or S, Peppers does one thing and that’s make plays. This was a no brainer. Peppers has already tallied 10.5 TFLs. #HeismanHopeful.

S – Malik Hooker, Ohio State: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield is still having nightmares about Hooker. The Buckeyes defensive playmaker has four interceptions, totaling 117 return yards.

 

Special Teams

K – Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State: This is one easy. 19 of 20 on field goals and booming 3 of them from 50 plus yards.

 

P – Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah: The nation’s leader in yards per punt average at 49.1 yards is a weapon that makes the Utes defense very happy.

 

Ret: Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech: Is at the top of the college football world as a receiver but he is and even bigger threat as a return man averaging 26.3 yards per return.

 

 

Fred Perdue for War Room Sports

Follow and Interact with Fred on social media @FPerdueSports