Wide receivers that wowed. Running backs that relished taking on dreary defenses. Tight ends that played tantalizing football. Quarterbacks who quickly quashed their opposition. Dominant defensive destroyers. Week 10 had it all as college football’s top players came to make an impression. Who were the best of the best?
Introducing the CFN College Football Players of the Week.
Week 10 College Football Players of the Week
Quarterback of the Week: Jacob Zeno, UAB
The American Athletic Conference saw a slew of incredible quarterback performances in a slate of close games, but none were as impressive as that of UAB passer Jacob Zeno, who combined a ludicrous stat line with a commanding game-winning drive with time running out late in the fourth quarter. Matt Quinn kicked the game-winner, but the victory belongs to the UAB QB.
Starting with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Brown Jr, it was a career night for Zeno, who threw for 484 yards and five touchdowns. Two of those were 70+ yard pass plays, including a game-tying score with 4:20 in the fourth. Yet, it was the seven-play, 66-yard final drive that saw three 10+ yard completions that sealed his place amongst the College Football Players of the Week.
Honorable mentions: Kaidon Salter, Liberty; Bo Nix, Oregon; Jordan McCloud, James Madison; TJ Finley, Texas State; Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss; Jalen Milroe, Alabama; Seth Henigan, Memphis
Offensive Player of the Week: Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
In a week of standout offensive performances, it was a display from Dillon Johnson that truly stood out and saw the Washington running back secure his place amongst the college football’s top players. The Washington Huskies have built a reputation as a high-volume passing offense, making Johnson’s career night in a much-needed Week 10 win over USC even more spectacular.
It became apparent early on that Johnson’s matchup against a porous Trojans defense was going to be fruitful for Kalen DeBoer’s star running back. The former Mississippi State back asserted his will from the get-go, bagging Washington’s first score of the night. A combination of bullying physicality and breakneck speed saw him total 256 yards and four touchdowns.
Honorable mentions: LaJohntay Wester, WR, FAU; Sean Brown, TE, Jacksonville State; Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson; Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina; Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss; Ricky White, WR, UNLV
Defensive Player of the Week: Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB, Clemson
Clemson vs. Notre Dame might not have been the big-ticket game we’d have expected prior to the season, but linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. rose to the occasion nonetheless. A constant thorn in the side of the Fighting Irish offense, the highly-regarded NFL Draft prospect was unstoppable in all phases of the game as a game-wrecking, playmaking, difference-maker.
The highlight play of his afternoon was a 28-yard interception returned for a touchdown that helped Clemson stretch their legs in the middle of the second quarter.
However, he also led a swarming Tigers defense in tackles with 11 tackles that included seven solo. Putting the icing on the defensive cake, Trotter registered two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, leaving Sam Hartman with nightmares and a 0-5 career record against Clemson.
Honorable mentions: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota; Aaron Casey, LB, Indiana; Jordan Magee, OLB, Temple; Ike Larson, S, Utah State; Xavier Benson, LB, Oklahoma State; Elijah Jones, DB, Boston College; Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida
Special Teams Player of the Week: Dominic Zavada, K, Arkansas State
Written off prior to the season, Arkansas State is on the verge of bowl eligibility after a 37-17 win over Louisiana. While there were multiple impressive performances throughout their team, kicker Dominic Zavada continues to show why he’s one of college football’s top players.
With two field goals, including a 41-yard strike, Zavada was the only Arkansas State player to score in the second quarter. Without his six points, the Red Wolves would have held a slender four-point lead going into the half instead of a comfortable 10-point cushion. He added a 30-yard field goal in the fourth to finish the day perfect on seven kicks, contributing 13 points.
Honorable mentions: Chike Anigbogu, PR, Rice; Jacquez Stuart, KR, Toledo; Porter Wilson, P, Duke; Bert Auburn, K, Texas; Peyton Woodring, K, Georgia; Malik Sherrod, KR, Fresno State
Freshman Player of the Week: Kaden Feagin, RB, Illinois
Kaden Feagin is establishing himself as a pivotal part of the Illinois Fighting Illini offense as a true freshman. Leading all running backs at the program ahead of their matchup with Minnesota, he turned in the performance of his young career to establish himself amongst the top college football players in Week 10.
Feagin paced the Illinois offense with 22 carries, tallying a team-high 89 rushing yards as the Illini shocked Minnesota and prevented the Gophers from sealing bowl eligibility. His 54-yard touchdown reception from Luke Altmyer in the third quarter ensured Illinois entered the fourth quarter with a one-point lead. He was also involved in the late-game touchdown drive.
Honorable mentions: Jalen Thompson, DL, Michigan State; Jordan Casteel, S, Florida; Jaylen Raynor, QB, Arkansas State; Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State; Eugene “Tre” Wilson, WR, Florida; Cedric Baxter, RB, Texas