For this installment of our college football player power rankings, we have lots of guys moving up and down the ladder. Some didn’t perform up to expectations, while others unfortunately fell to the injury bug. To clarify, these rankings are just for draft-eligible players, so no Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields this year.
25) Kenny Willikes, EDGE, Michigan State
The Michigan State defense had a day against Tulsa, and Willikes joined in. He had seven total tackles and one sack, which allows him to hold on to the number 25 ranking. Willikes will be tested heavily throughout the season, as the Spartans face off against four ranked teams as of now.
24) Jacob Eason, quarterback, Washington
The Georgia transfer had his way with the Eastern Washington defense, and showed off his physical attributes throughout the win. Eason tossed for 349 yards and four touchdowns. People forget that Eason was terrific in his time at Georgia, but just couldn’t beat out Jake Fromm for the starting job.
23) Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Gross-Matos looked unblockable against Idaho, and certainly contributed in the blowout win. After notching 2.5 sacks, Gross-Matos easily leapfrogged his way on this list. The Nittany Lions defensive line also allowed a grand total of four rushing yards. If that doesn’t impress you, I don’t know what will.
22) Jake Fromm, quarterback, Georgia
Fromm played like a game manager on Saturday, which is the biggest fear for NFL scouts. He didn’t come close to topping 200 yards, but that’s because the run game was firing on all cylinders. Look for Fromm to rebound against Murray State.
21) Raekwon Davis, defensive tackle, Alabama
Davis didn’t register big on the stat sheet, but still contributed. He helped limit the Duke Blue Devils to 115 yards on the ground. If his pass-rushing improves, he’ll become a top-15 prospect.
20) CJ Henderson, cornerback, Florida
Henderson hasn’t played since week zero, so I didn’t think it was fair for him to rise or fall throughout week one. His first true test will come in week six, when the Gators take on Auburn.
19) Walker Little, left tackle, Stanford
This is the most drastic drop in the rankings, but it’s not due to level of play. Little is expected to be out until midseason, and everyone knows your best ability is your availability. With any luck, he’ll be back by Stanford’s matchup with #22 Washington State.
18) CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver, Oklahoma
Lamb is a talented player, but he didn’t show that much on Monday night. The Houston Cougars pretty much shut him down, holding him to only two catches for 46 yards and a score. This draft class is loaded with wide receivers, so if Lamb starts performing badly NFL teams will quickly find replacements.
17) D’Andre Swift, running back, Georgia
Swift put on a show against Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs offense ran through him, and he absolutely came through to the tune of 16 carries for 149 yards. That’s a ridiculous 9.3 yards per carry against a decent opponent.
16) Tee Higgins, wide receiver, Clemson
Higgins had a nice day against Georgia Tech, but the offense was focused on the ground game for week one. Higgins still put up four catches for 98 yards and a score, and provided decent blocking all game long.
15) Bryce Hall, cornerback, Virginia
The Virginia defense was great on Saturday, and Hall was a big part of that. Hall helped cause two interceptions, and also tallied a sack against the Pitt Panthers.
14) Isaiah Simmons, linebacker, Clemson
Simmons was an absolute monster on Thursday night. The Georgia Tech triple-option attack is a good test for any linebacker, and Simmons passed. He had ten total tackles, and looked like he was all over the field all night.
13) Travis Etienne, running back, Clemson
Etienne had the second-best running back showing of the week. He took 12 carries for 205 yards, averaging a ridiculous 17.1 yards per carry. The Tiger got into the end zone three times, but didn’t show any receiving ability, which is his biggest question mark. Clemson will face #12 Texas A&M, so Etienne is in line for another big workload.
12) Derrick Brown, defensive tackle, Auburn
Brown is another one of those guys who didn’t show up statistically, but still had a decent game against the Oregon Ducks. The vaunted Oregon running game was held to under 100 yards, and life was hard all day for quarterback Justin Herbert.
11) Kristian Fulton, cornerback, LSU
Fulton keeps his spot on the rankings because of a solid but unspectacular showing. He didn’t have to play much coverage, as Georgia Southern kept the ball on the ground all day. When he was tested in coverage, he passed easily.
10) Laviska Shenault, wide receiver, Colorado
Shenault was one of the most disappointing players of the week. With an easy matchup against Colorado State, he failed to make a serious impact on the game besides one touchdown catch. Hopefully he improves next week against Nebraska.
9) Paulson Adebo, cornerback, Stanford
Adebo returned to his lockdown ways against Northwestern. The Northwestern receivers didn’t find any space against him, and the Cardinal also notched an interception that was the cherry on top of a great game.
8) AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Epenesa had a quiet game against Miami Ohio, but still contributed to the win. The Iowa defensive end showed off his run stopping skills, blowing up blockers and disrupting rushing plays all day
7) Jonathan Taylor, running back, Wisconsin
Watching Taylor run is watching art in motion. He looked untouchable against USF, and had several highlight-reel plays. He also showed off his elusiveness on two short receptions, which he took for two touchdowns.
6) Justin Herbert, quarterback, Oregon
Herbert led the Ducks through three quarters of good football before an epic meltdown resulted in an Auburn victory. He didn’t play well but he didn’t play poorly, so he keeps his spot in these rankings.
5) Grant Delpit, safety, LSU
Delpit had four total tackles against Georgia Southern, and didn’t need to do much more. It was an easy matchup as a whole, and the Tigers played lockdown defense all day. Expect a huge showing from Delpit when LSU faces Texas on Saturday.
4) Andrew Thomas, tackle, Georgia
Thomas was absolutely dominant against Vanderbilt. He was the key in leading Georgia to 326 yards on the ground. Quarterback Jake Fromm should by Thomas dinner, as he wasn’t sacked once during the game.
3) Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, Alabama
As expected, Tagovailoa ripped apart the Duke Blue Devils. He looked the part of a cerebral, accurate, and talented passer. He remains the best quarterback prospect for the 2019 draft.
2) Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Young put on a show against Florida Atlantic. He posted five tackles and 1.5 sacks, but even more impressive was his run defense. Young was a key part of a defensive line that allowed only 22 yards on the ground.
1) Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver, Alabama
If anyone was wondering if Jeudy is going to live up to the hype, wonder no longer. Watching Jeudy cut through the Duke secondary was like watching a high school All-American play Pop Warner football. He keeps his crown as the number one prospect in the world.
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