Every Sunday, the DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the NCAA championship and the players eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.
NCAA Player of the Week 1 – Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
His game (at Georgia Southern): 20 carries, 267 yards, 6 touchdowns
What if the first runner called in April 2025 came from a less renowned university (Group of Five)? Ashton Jeanty starts his game very strong from his first ball touched with a 77-yard touchdown, taking advantage of the hard work of his line and his power. Long ahead, Boise State sees Georgia Southern being ahead at the start of the last quarter.
That was without counting on the star running back from Boise State who finished his performance with a 75-yard touchdown to definitively put his team back in front. In the meantime, the runner found the way to the end zone 4 times, scoring points for the Draft next April. An incredible performance that should increase an already very high rating before the Draft process.
📺 ESPNU#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/IfgJCmTqku
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) August 31, 2024
NCAA Players of the Week 1 – Honorable Mentions
- Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado): 7 receptions, 132 yards, 3 touchdowns
- Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): 26/34, 445 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Cameron Ward (QB, Miami (FL)): 26/35, 385 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Carson Beck (QB, Georgia): 23/33, 278 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona): 10 receptions, 304 yards, 4 touchdowns
Quarterbacks and receivers in top form from week one! Colorado duo Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are already doing damage against North Dakota State, a 2nd division university team, and are widely followed across the country. Cameron Ward is inspired for his first start in Florida. During the clash between Georgia and Clemson, Carson Beck was not worried, and delivered another solid performance.
But, the big performance of week 1 comes from receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The Arizona Wildcats player has a first anthology game. With 10 successful receptions out of 14 and 4 touchdowns, he is already moving up the ladder to be the first receiver called up next April.
Could have been mentioned: Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama), Nick Singleton (RB, Penn State), Will Johnson (CB, Michigan), Keon Sabb (S, Alabama), Kevin Winston Jr. (S, Penn State), Ollie Gordon II (RB, Oklahoma State), Malaki Starks (S, Georgia), Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia)
The revelation of week 1 – Jahvaree Ritzie (DT, North Carolina)
His game (in Minnesota): 6 tackles, 3 sacks
Before this game against Minnesota, Jahvaree Ritzie had never had more than 1 sack per season! In one game, he therefore beat his record for sack per season, but also his record for sack in a university career!
Thank goodness he and his defense were there for North Carolina, because the offense without Drake Maye has suffered. Plus, they lose starting quarterback Max Johnson for the rest of the season. Fortunately, all is not lost for the Tar Heels, victory is at stake, and this defensive line can surprise. Ritzie still has some work to do to be among the best defensive tackles in his class, but he's on the right track.
NCAA Week 1 Revelation – Honorable Mentions
- Cameron Rising (QB, Utah): 10/15, 254 yards, 5 touchdowns
- Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia): 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks
- Aaron Graves (DT, Iowa): 4 tackles, 3 sacks
- Jackson Woodard (LB, UNLV): 11 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 pass defended
- Jimmy Horn Jr. (WR, Colorado): 7 receptions, 198 yards, 1 touchdown
Welcome back Cameron Rising! Absent almost all of last season, the Utah quarterback made a remarkable return with 5 touchdowns.
On the defensive side, some are pulling out all the stops, like Jalon Walker. Georgia's star linebacker is showing that he is also decisive alongside the many stars of this defense. Georgia is not the only team with a very good defense, Iowa and UNLV too. Both teams are giving up few points during this first week, with players who stand out with 3 sacks each: Aaron Graves and Jackson Woodard.
Finally, the duo of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders could add another person to form an intimidating trio. Gadget Jimmy Horn Jr. presents himself as a deep threat with his speed. Author of 6 touchdowns in 2024, he is already opening his account this season. And, it is (maybe) only just beginning.
Could have been mentioned: Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers), Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss), RJ Maryland (TE, SMU), Brant Kuithe (TE, Utah), Deion Burks (WR, Oklahoma), Josaiah Stewart (EDGE, Michigan), Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
NCAA Week 1 Flop – Tacario Davis (CB, Arizona)
Last year, his aggressiveness in contact with receivers was an asset. For his first game of the season, Tacario Davis did not shine in the best way against New Mexico.
Supposed to be one of the best players at his position in the Big 12 conference, the cornerback was penalized with 2 misconduct penalties, leading to his expulsion. Very bad publicity that can lower a very high rating before the start of the season. Which led us to place him in the first round of our very first mock Draft.
Having thrown an interception earlier in the game, NFL scouts can't ignore Davis' discipline issues. That problem will need to be addressed by the player or he could miss out on a first-round selection.
Could have been mentioned: Connor Weigman (QB, Texas A&M), Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson), Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)
NCAA Week 1 Recap
The clash between Georgia (3) and Clemson (14) turned to the Bulldogs' advantage. A 34-3 victory that was built in the second half, while the Tigers were only 6 points behind at halftime. The other clash of the week between Notre Dame (7) and Texas A&M (20) went into the pocket of the Fighting Irish. More solid and more consistent, Marcus Freeman's players scored the winning touchdown with 2 minutes left in the game. The Mike Elko era at Texas A&M therefore began with a 23-13 defeat.
Few surprises in the other results this week, Texas wins largely against Colorado State. Arch Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli, takes advantage of this opportunity to score his first passing touchdowns. The small surprise comes from Oregon who had a hard time against Idaho, a 2nd division university. The Ducks struggle on offense, but win “only” 24-14. For their first game as a member of the Big Ten conference, it is not necessarily a convincing start. Conversely, Ole Miss is doing well on offense, and passes 76 points to the modest Furman University. Quarterback Jaxson Dart takes advantage to score 6 touchdowns.
NCAA Week 1 Action
The interception of the season may already be here! It was scored by cornerback Robert Carter of the University of … Robert Morris (yes, you couldn’t make it up) against Utah State. Robert Morris is a 2nd division (FCS) university located in Pennsylvania.
OMG WHAT IS THIS INTERCEPTION? 😱
CB Robert Carter (Robert Morris, FCS) against Utah State.pic.twitter.com/ducDOaZrhG
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) September 1, 2024
