College football Week 4 lived up to the hype as one of the best slates in the history of the sport, providing nail-biting games, shock results, and highlight reel plays a-plenty. Now that the dust has settled on another week, who were the top players in college football for Week 4? It’s time to unveil the CFN College Football Players of the Week.
Week 4 College Football Players of the Week
Quarterback of the Week: Cameron Ward, Washington State
From the minute Washington State quarterback Cam Ward unfurled a perfectly placed downfield bomb to Kyle Williams for a 63-yard opening drive touchdown, you got the feeling we were about to experience something pulsating in Pullman. So it came to pass, as Ward lit up a strong Oregon State defense that had allowed just two passing touchdowns coming into the game.
Ward is arguably one of the most athletically and physically gifted quarterbacks in college football, and that was on full display as the Cougars outlasted the Beavers for a 38-35 win in what had been dubbed as the real Pac-12 title game. The Washington State QB threw for 404 yards and four scores, while finding the end zone with his legs midway through quarter one.
Honorable mentions: Bo Nix, Oregon; Michael Penix Jr., Washington; Jack Plummer, Louisville; Byrum Brown, USF; Spencer Rattler, South Carolina; Mikey Keene, Fresno State.
Offensive Player of the Week: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
In a week of incredible offensive performances, you’ll struggle to find one that was more dominant than Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty’s one man demolition job of the San Diego State Aztecs on Friday night. With lead back George Holani sidelined for the most part of the season, Jeanty has established himself as a star for the Mountain West contender.
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The true sophomore running back averaged 8.91 yards per carry against an Aztecs defense that has been the strength of their team over the last couple of seasons. Tallying 205 rushing yards, Jeanty’s two touchdowns prevented the Aztecs from ever really getting close to a result. Showcasing his all-round dominance, the Boise State back also snagged four receptions for 49 yards.
Honorable mentions: Naiem Simmons, WR, USF; Lideatrick Griffin, WR, Mississippi State; Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina; Marcus Carroll, RB, Georgia State; Emmanuel Michel, FB, Air Force; Chris Lewis, WR, Troy; Peny Boone, RB, Toledo; Jalen Raynor, QB, Arkansas State; Elijah Gilliam, RB, Fresno State.
Defensive Player of the Week: Jonah Ellis, DE, Utah
In the aftermath of the Utah Utes’ 14-7 win over UCLA — another one where they leant on the defense to mask offensive inefficiencies — defensive end Jonah Ellis told the assembled media that on the first play of the game, the UCLA offensive line had told him “we are going to out physical you today.” That, with the benefit of hindsight, was a massive mistake by the Bruins.
Ellis led a phenomenal Utes defensive effort that restricted Chip Kelly’s team to just nine rushing yards at 0.3 yards per clip. The Utah defensive end was responsible for five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks against an o-line that ranked in the national top 40 ahead of the game. The Bruins had allowed just four sacks through three games before Ellis was let loose on their backfield.
Honorable mentions: Kalen DeLoach, LB, FSU; Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama; Justin Abraham, LB, Georgia State; Edgerrin Cooper, DE, Texas A&M; Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma; Tate Hallock, DB, Western Michigan; Kyle Kennard, DL, Georgia Tech.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Jakorey Hawkins, CB, Wyoming
Special teams plays don’t come much more special than Jakorey Hawkins’ blocked field goal late in the fourth quarter of the Wyoming Cowboys’ win over Appalachian State. It was so special, that the CBS Sports camera crew missed it and the Cowboys cornerback was halfway to taking the scoop for a score by the time the camera man found the ball.
Adding icing to an already tasty cake, the blocked field goal returned for a touchdown gave Wyoming their third win of the season. Furthermore, it was the first blocked field goal returned for a touchdown in Cowboys football history. Hawkins certainly put the “special” into special teams with just one incredible play.
Honorable mentions: Casey Rogers, DT, Oregon; Kenny Johnson, KR, Pitt; Rome Odunze, KR, Washington; Randy Bond, K, Texas A&M
Freshman Player of the Week: Parker Jenkins, RB, Houston
On his first start for the Cougars, Houston true freshman running back Parker Jenkins ran amok on the Sam Houston Bearcats defense. The true freshman established himself as one of the top college football players in Week 4, rushing for 105 touchdowns and three touchdowns as Houston got their second win of the season, alleviating some pressure on the Cougars head coach.
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Jenkins was the only Houston player to score a touchdown in the first half, with his first giving the Cougars a 10-7 lead and his last ensuring his team went in 24-7 at the half. The true freshman routinely showcased a toughness beyond his tender years, while demonstrating his playmaking ability.
“He has a chance to be a special player,” Dana Holgorsen told the media in the aftermath of Jenkins’ standout performance. “First start. First 100-yard game. I think we’ll be seeing a lot of that around here from Parker Jenkins.”
Honorable mentions: Blake Purchase, DE, Oregon; Darius Taylor, RB, Minnesota; Jalen Hale, WR, Alabama; McCae Hillstead, QB, Utah State; Luke Hasz, TE, Arkansas.
