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[NCAA] Week 4: Garrett Nussmeier, on the trail of Jayden Daniels?

September 22, 2024

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 4 – Garrett Nussmeier (QB, LSU)

His game (against UCLA): 32/44, 352 yards, 3 touchdowns
In 2023, Garrett Nussmeier is Jayden Daniels' backup. In 2024, the LSU quarterback is the starter. Since the start of the season, the 4th-year player (Redshirt Junior) has appeared confident, with a disconcerting calm in the pocket.

Against UCLA, the quarterback was able to count on a quality offensive line. Most of his passes were precise, and we were able to see an unprecedented capacity for improvisation for this player described as a passer from the pocket.

For the profile, Nussmeier is far from being a dual-threat quarterback like his predecessor was. Nevertheless, he has good skills in reading the game. All this combined with good accuracy and good velocity in his arm. Currently projected for the 3rd day, he could invite himself into one of the first 3 rounds of a draft where the promotion of quarterback is rather good.

Players of the week 4 – Honorable mentions

  • Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson): 16/24, 279 yards, 4 touchdowns
  • Will Johnson (CB, Michigan): 1 interception for a touchdown
  • Patrick Payton (EDGE, Florida State): 5 tackles, 3 sacks
  • Travis Hunter (WR, Colorado): 7 receptions, 130 yards, 1 forced fumble
  • Emery Jones Jr. (OT, LSU)

Starting his game off strong with a 55-yard touchdown run, Cade Klubnik then went on to be near-perfect against NC State's formidable defense.

Will Johnson sparkles. The cornerback intercepts USC quarterback Miller Moss for a touchdown. His third of his career. Rarely targeted, he does more than the job necessary the few times he was targeted.

Florida State's defense wakes up. Helped by Marvin Jones Jr. (2 sacks), Patrick Payton is the cement of the Seminoles' first victory of the season against California.

Travis Hunter, decisive once again (see the action of the week)! Already very good in the offensive phase, the young Colorado player shows that he also knows how to be clutch in his own way. If Shedeur Sanders (2 touchdowns) is the miracle man, Travis Hunter is the jack of all trades. His forced fumble allows Colorado to secure a 3rd victory this season, the first for their return to the Big 12 conference.

Very solid and praised by Garrett Nussmeier in the post-game comments, Emery Jones Jr. and the LSU offensive line had a very good game. Despite an injury during the game, the right tackle was dominant against the UCLA offensive line.

Could have been mentioned: Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado), Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss), Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina), Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State), Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson), Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State), Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas), Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss), Jay Higgins (LB, Iowa), Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky), Marvin Jones Jr. (EDGE, Florida State) , Princely Umanmielen (EDGE, Ole Miss), Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan), Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green)

The revelation of week 4 NCAA – Kalel Mullings (RB, Michigan)

His game (against USC): 17 carries, 159 yards, 2 touchdowns
Recruited as a linebacker, Kalel Mullings plays running back in high school. A running back for only 2 seasons at Michigan, he finally has his reference match.

Blake Corum's departure to the NFL gives Michigan's running backs an opportunity to shine. While Donovan Edwards has the majority of carries, he's not decisive despite a touchdown this weekend.

Against USC, it was the former linebacker who proved decisive. First, by opening the scoring on a 53-yard run, well helped by his teammates on the offensive line. Then, by closing the scoring on a long 89-yard series where he carried the ball 8 times.

Big and physical for a running back (6'2″, 230 lbs), Mullings shows good vision and tackle-evading skills. Is that enough to get him drafted? Probably not, but his matchup against a ranked team deserves more attention.

Week 4 Revelation – Honorable Mentions

  • Alonza Barnett III (QB, James Madison): 22/34, 13 carries, 487 yards, 7 touchdowns
  • Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa): 21 carries, 206 yards, 3 touchdowns
  • Ja'Corey Brooks (WR, Louisville): 4 receptions, 125 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Terrence Spence (CB, James Madison): 4 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown
  • Trey Rucker (S, Oklahoma State): 14 tackles (including 1 for loss), 2 interceptions

Since their arrival in the 1st division, James Madison University has not stopped surprising its little world. The university of the state of Virginia deserves to be recognized after a season with 12 victories last year.

This season, they did even better. They beat the North Carolina Tar Heels, and in style. (see NCAA week 4 summary) ! The two great architects of this victory are called Alonza Barnett III and Terrence Spence. The quarterback and the cornerback humiliate the former university of Drake Maye (QB, Patriots) by scoring 8 touchdowns between them.

Kaleb Johnson could be one of the many good deals in this talented crop of runners. Another game with 20+ carries, and 3 more touchdowns, bringing his total to 9 this season.

He was a receiver at Alabama catching balls from… Bryce Young. Now in Louisville, Ja'Corey Brooks is coming back from hell, and could be a candidate to be drafted as a receiver on Day 3.

He is the only one to stay afloat in Oklahoma State's defeat against Utah. Very experienced in college, safety Trey Rucker has a full game. Unlike some of his teammates (see later), he has nothing to reproach himself for, and could also claim to be drafted next April.

Could have been mentioned: Graham Mertz (QB, Florida), Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois), Ceyair Wright (CB, Nebraska), Eric O'Neill (EDGE, James Madison), Isaiah Neyor (WR, Nebraska), Luke Altmyer (QB, Illinois), Eric Gentry (LB, USC), Savion Red (RB, Nevada), Doneiko Slaughter (S, Arkansas)

NCAA Week 4 Flop – Ollie Gordon II (RB, Oklahoma State)

His game (against Utah): 11 carries, 42 yards

How do you go from potential number 1 draft running back to potential undrafted running back in a matter of months? Look at Ollie Gordon II's performance and you may have answered your question.

For the past few games, the Cowboys running back has been unrecognizable, unlike his fellow graduates who have been shining. Unable to read the slightest gap offered by his teammates on the offensive line, he also seems to have lost his speed and footwork.

The performance was bad, yes, but Utah is one of the best defenses in the country. Yet, against Utah State, the Utes still conceded 115 yards from their best rusher.

His performance could be summed up by his only sharp run with 2 minutes left in the game, which brought in 18 yards. It's too little for a player aiming to start in the first rounds next April.

Weighed down by extra-sporting problems at the start of the season, Ollie Gordon seems to have lost his football. Next week, against Kansas State, another very solid defense against the run, the running back will have to show more, or risk disappointing a lot of NFL scouts.

Could have been mentioned: Ashton Gillotte (EDGE, Louisville), Luke Lachey (TE, Iowa)

NCAA Week 4 Recap

Arch Manning's first start was one of the highlights of Week 4.

With Texas (1), Quinn Ewers' replacement delivers an average game (15/29, 258 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INT) despite the victory. But, he shows that he is accurate on deep throws. No problem either for Ohio State (3) against Marshall, nor for Ole Miss (5) against Georgia Southern.

The clashes between ranked teams give defensive and close games. Tennessee (6) welcomes Oklahoma (15) in its own way in the SEC conference, with a narrow victory 25-15. Oklahoma State (14) is weighed down by its key players against the intense defense of Utah (12) without Cameron Rising, their quarterback. The day before, Nebraska (22) was surprised by Illinois (24) 31-24 after overtime.

Another team to be surprised, Kansas State (13). The Wildcats have a bad trip to BYU and take 38 points while scoring only 9. Northern Illinois (23) does not confirm the great victory of last week against Notre Dame, and loses to the Buffalo Bulls after overtime. LSU (16), Notre Dame (17), Louisville (19) and Texas A&M (25) win, not without having had difficulties.

But, the most prolific match is on the North Carolina side. Mentioned in the revelations of the week, the James Madison team passes 70 points (!) to the Tar Heels. The days of Mack Brown (73 years old) at the head of the Tar Heels are perhaps numbered.

Finally, news from Wilfried Pene. The defensive tackle plays a good part of Virginia Tech's defensive plays against Rutgers. Despite the defeat in a close match (26-23), the Frenchman has a good match with 4 tackles.

Action of the week 4

Travis Hunter on his way to the Heisman Trophy (best college player). In any case, as mentioned before, he shows that he can be decisive on both ends of the court.

Colorado wins 38-31 after overtime against the valiant Baylor Bears.

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