It’s the best we saw in Week 10 of the college football season, highlighted by the CFN Week 10 Team of the Week. And what a weekend it was.
Week 10 College Football Team of the Week | First Team
It’s important to note that the CFN Week 10 College Football Team of the Week awards players based on their impact in their respective games and is not necessarily based on total statistical output.
The strength of competition is accounted for, as is the situation — both time of the game and score. These individual awards are also solely based on a player’s ability on the field and does not look into any future beyond college football.
Quarterback: Jacob Zeno, UAB
After the Saturday of Week 10, the options for the top quarterback spot were certainly plentiful. However, none of them were more integral toward their team’s success than Jacob Zeno.
The UAB Blazers went as Zeno went and, fortunately for Blazers fans, Zeno went far against FAU. Despite some late-game momentum swings that allowed the Owls back in the game, it was Zeno who shined brightest.
Inside his 484-yard performance was also a game-winning drive that ended with a field goal and a 45-42 victory. Zeno completed 29-of-35 passes for 484 yards and five touchdowns in a masterful outing.
Running Back: Dillon Johnson, Washington
Defense was completely optional in the Washington-USC game, and Dillon Johnson took advantage of that on Saturday night. Taking over as the game went along, it was Johnson’s momentum and breakaway ability that eventually preserved the Huskies’ victory.
Johnson ran the rock 26 times for 256 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his all-around ability that included some ridiculous contact balance, elite vision, and downright dominant ability.
Running Back: Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
Given the fact that the Louisville offense was down several players, Isacc Guerendo’s performance against Virginia Tech is all the more special. Guerendo rushed for a career-high 146 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing he’s capable of an extended workload.
He rushed for touchdown scores of 12, 36, and 39, but it was his multiple long, explosive runs that kept the Louisville offense on schedule, if not ahead of schedule, and well ahead of the Hokies.
Wide Receiver: LaJohntay Wester, FAU
Making a game of it in the second half, the FAU Owls rode the hot hand that was LaJohntay Wester in a valiant come-from-behind effort against UAB. Wester consistently made himself open with his speedy release, sharp routes, and strong hands.
In the end, Wester caught 11 receptions for 219 yards and three scores. He added to his highlight reel with multiple high-level receptions and touchdown plays of 12, 20, and 76 yards. Wester also added a three-yard touchdown run, as he simply couldn’t be stopped.
Wide Receiver: Xavier Legette, South Carolina
It was clear that Xavier Legette wasn’t fully healthy against Jacksonville State, and yet, he was the best player on the field, hands down. Legette exploded for 217 yards and two scores, proving to be unstoppable against JSU.
Despite the offense seemingly running through Legette on Saturday, No. 17 was too special. He lost defenders at the line of scrimmage or after the catch all the same and displayed his ridiculous catch-point skills as well.
Wide Receiver: Tre Harris, Ole Miss
At one point, Tre Harris made back-to-back one-handed receptions that made Odell Beckham Jr. blush. Sure, one of them was out of bounds, but the point remains: Tre Harris is a superstar.
Harris finished with 11 receptions for 213 yards and a touchdown, proving to be too much for any combination of Texas A&M defenders to keep him from contributing in a big way.
Tight End: Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Back on Wednesday evening, Harold Fannin Jr. made the Bowling Green offense run smoothly against Ball State. With the talent of Ball State’s defense on the outside, Fannin and BGSU exploited the middle of the field very well.
Fannin recorded five receptions for 92 yards and a score, hauling in multiple screen passes and maximizing his touches all the same.
Flex: Jalen Milroe, Alabama
With his legs, Jalen Milroe was as dangerous as ever against LSU on Saturday. And he still flashed his arm talent as well. Milroe paced the Alabama offense and kept the Crimson Tide in it early and often before ultimately taking over late.
With 20 carries for 155 yards and four touchdowns, his biggest impact was on the ground. Yet, his 219 passing yards did more than enough to keep Alabama alive in crucial situations and extend drives as well as spark his offense through the air.
Tackle: Troy Fatanu, Washington
Well, you don’t rush for 316 yards and five touchdowns as a team without some strong run blocking and that’s what Troy Fatanu provided. Fatanu was integral in the goal-to-go situations just as he was on possessions backed up on their own side of the field. He provided a spark and a clear rushing lane to his side whenever the Huskies ran left.
Guard: Nate Kalepo, Washington
Speaking of rushing for success, Nate Kalepo was routinely spotted downfield or at the second level occupying USC defenders for Johnson on Saturday. Kalepo and Fatanu were two of what could have been one of the better offensive line performances of the season.
Center: Jack Freeman, Houston
When it mattered most, the Houston Cougars turned to their long-time starter at center for a big play. With the game on the line, Houston ran a QB power up the middle, following the lead block of Jack Freeman for the game-winning score. Freeman had a great game overall, seen planting his defenders in the ground and on the move in pass protection incredibly well.
Guard: Christian Mahogany, Boston College
Back on Friday night, Christian Mahogany put on a clinic of pass protection and run blocking for BC. The Eagles guard was seen on the move, motoring to the second level and clearing huge rushing lanes just as he kept the pocket clean for Thomas Castellanos against a talented Syracuse front.
Tackle: JC Latham, Alabama
The offenses took center stage on the First Saturday of November, and JC Latham helped pave the way for a big game on the ground for Alabama. Latham was a stalwart in pass protection for Jalen Milroe but made multiple highlight-reel blocks in the ground game. When it was all said and done, Latham’s blocking prowess helped the Crimson Tide to a convincing win.
EDGE Defender: Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, UCF
At times, the UCF Knights needed a big spark on defense. Though they couldn’t quite contain the Cincinnati rushing attack, it was Tre’Mon Morris-Brash who sparked the Knights with his high-level play against the pass.
Morris-Brash finished with 2.5 sacks, but it felt like it could’ve been an even bigger outing with how quickly he was in the backfield. Given the athleticism and speed in the pocket of Emory Jones, Morris-Brash’s 2.5 sacks are more than impressive enough for his spot here.
EDGE Defender: Nelson Ceaser, Houston
With how strong the Baylor offensive line is, the fact that Nelson Ceaser pushing and pulling his way into the backfield for 2.5 sacks of Blake Shapen is a ridiculous feat. Shapen is light on his feet and possesses great pocket presence, yet it didn’t matter for Ceaser.
The big man off the edge for the Cougars ripped through the offensive line, seemingly at will, and dominated in clutch moments to boot.
Defensive Line: Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
We’ll give Nazir Stackhouse the benefit of the doubt. He was a few feet short of getting into the end zone, even if it wouldn’t have counted in the long run, but it was as impressive a play that we saw from a big man on Saturday.
It doesn’t hurt that Stackhouse added that interception to a solid day of pass rushing up the middle and some stalwart defensive plays against Missouri.
Defensive Line: Judge Culpepper, Toledo
Back on Tuesday, Judge Culpepper was basically a one-man wrecking crew for the Toledo Rockets. Culpepper pushed himself through the Buffalo offensive line at will, forcing multiple errant throws from Cole Snyder in the process.
He finished with a half-dozen pressures and was consistently seen chasing down running backs from behind or pushing the quarterback out of the pocket all the same.
Linebacker: Nikhai Hill-Green, Charlotte
Though it didn’t quite have the emphatic moment of some of his fellow defenders on here, Nikhai Hill-Green was a mere overtime interception away from an all-around elite game in the box score. Hill-Green was just downright dominant on Saturday against Tulsa.
He recorded 11 total tackles, nine of which were solo, and broke through for two tackles for loss. In the end, his near interception turns into a pass breakup, as he was awesome in all facets.
Linebacker: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Integral toward Clemson’s upset victory over No. 15 Notre Dame, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was arguably the biggest catalyst for the Tigers on Saturday. Trotter was simply all over the field and made his impact in each facet.
He recorded 11 total tackles, two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, and seven solo tackles from his linebacker spot. Trotter’s biggest impact, however, was his pick-six in the second quarter that essentially landed as the game-winning touchdown as Notre Dame couldn’t quite recover.
Linebacker: Aaron Casey, Indiana
Pulling off a big-time program victory, Aaron Casey was integral for the Indiana Hoosiers against Wisconsin on Saturday. Casey was terrific when he blitzed, getting home with two sacks, and perhaps even better in the open field.
He recorded two more tackles for loss on the ground, and patrolled the middle of the field in the short-area Air Raid offense of the Badgers incredibly well.
Cornerback: Bo Nicolas-Paul, Army
Knocking the Air Force Falcons from the ranks of the unbeaten, the Army defense certainly held the line against their rivals. Bo Nicolas-Paul was on another level for the Black Knights, clearly in his element in stopping their option attack.
He filled well and kept his responsibilities clean and clear with great discipline. In coverage, however, Nicolas-Paul recorded two interceptions as he locked down the outside and kept Air Force from even sniffing a comeback.
Cornerback: Fentrell Cypress II, Florida State
Florida State’s defense closed the door multiple times on Pitt drives, including a surefire touchdown, had it not been for Fentrell Cypress II. Moving quickly to correct a slightly blown coverage, Cypress’ recovery skills were on full display against Konata Mumpfield as he forced a fumble on a YAC chance from Mumpfield just before the goal line.
The touchdown-saving play sparked the FSU defense got the ball back for the offense, and that was essentially all they needed to ride to victory over Pitt.
Cornerback: Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
Speaking of sparking their offenses, Jordan Hancock is yet another cornerback who all but won the game for his respective team. Hancock grabbed a deflected ball after a hard hit from Josh Proctor, and returned it 93 yards for a pick-six that all but iced the game for Ohio State.
In the end, Hancock, who was filling in for the Buckeyes’ defense, recorded five total tackles to go with his pick-six.
Defensive Back: Ike Larsen, Utah State
An All-American type performance followed Uke Larsen to San Diego as the CFN Midseason Safety of the Year put on yet another display of his all-around ability. Larsen was consistently around the football all game long, making multiple plays in the backfield on the ground, or breaking up passes in coverage.
In the end, however, it was Larsen’s interception in overtime that won the game for Utah State. Larsen jumped a route, flashing his athletic ability, and nearly took the ball back for an unnecessary touchdown as his interception sealed the Aggies’ victory.
Defensive Back: Elijah Jones, Boston College
It was Friday night that the Boston College Eagles made Carlos Del Rio-Wilson’s night a nightmare, intercepting the Syracuse QB four times. It was Elijah Jones who recorded two of those interceptions, as the Eagles’ CB has turned it on as of late.
Jones made two picks while recording two more tackles in space during what was yet another breakout performance to get BC to bowl eligibility.
Flex: Jordan Magee, Temple
The sum of the parts on the Temple defense finally seemed to pay dividends on Saturday as the Owls got a much-needed victory over Navy. Jordan Magee was integral in that successful defensive plan, racking up 11 total tackles.
Playing his position to near perfection, the edge setters against a triple-option offense must be disciplined and athletic. That about sums up Magee, and he reaped the rewards of that with 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack when Xavier Arline dropped back to pass.
Kicker: Dominic Zavada, Arkansas State
The Arkansas State offense played very well, mostly on Saturday. However, in the red zone, the drives seemed to stall. Fortunately, for Red Wolves fans, they have Dominic Zavada.
The sophomore kicker made every kick he attempted against Louisiana, scoring 15 points via field goals of 20, 30, and 41 yards to go with his four extra points.
Punter: Zach Haynes, New Mexico State
It was a game of big legs in the punting arena between Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State. The Aggies, however, possess Zach Haynes, leading to a considerable advantage.
Haynes punted the ball six times for 250 yards, drilling MTSU back inside their own 20 on four of those punts.
Kick Returner: Malik Sherrod, Fresno State
Sparking the Fresno State offense and crowd, Malik Sherrod returned Boise State’s kick following a touchdown with 0:07 left on the clock for a 95-yard touchdown. Sherrod’s day wasn’t finished, but his ability to push the Fresno State lead back up to 10 points as time expired meant all the more when the Bulldogs scored the first touchdown of the second half and went up 17 points, almost insurmountable.
Week 10 College Football Team of the Week | Second Team
Offense
- QB: Jordan McCloud, JMU
- RB: Marion Lukes, Central Michigan
- RB: RJ Harvey, UCF
- WR: Chris Lewis, Troy
- WR: Trayvon Rudolph, Northern Illinois
- WR: Tez Johnson, Oregon
- TE: Sean Brown, Jacksonville State
- FLEX: Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss
- OT: Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
- G: John Champe, Northern Illinois
- C: Sincere Haynesworth, Tulane
- G: Wes King, Wyoming
- OT: Nick Rosi, Toledo
Defense
- EDGE: Jalen Thompson, Michigan State
- DL: Michael Mason, Coastal Carolina
- DL: Jamree Kromah, JMU
- EDGE: Ben Bell, Texas State
- LB: Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
- LB: Jay Higgins, Iowa
- LB: Stone Blanton, South Carolina
- DB: Mello Dotson, Kansas
- DB: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
- DB: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
- DB: Donyai Taylor, UTSA
- DB: Jaylen McCollough, Tennessee
- FLEX: Xavier Benson, Oklahoma State
Special Teams
- K: Chase Allen, UTSA
- P: Carson King, Fresno State
- KR: Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
Week 10 College Football Team of the Week | Third Team
Offense
- QB: Byrum Brown, USF | Bo Nix, Oregon
- RB: Phil Mafah, Clemson
- RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
- WR: Joey Hobart, Texas State
- WR: Isaiah Williams, Illinois
- WR: Ricky White, UNLV
- TE: Anthony Torres, Toledo
- FLEX: AD Mitchell, Texas
- OT: Micah Pettus, Ole Miss
- G: Tanner Miller, Oregon State
- C: Mike Novitsy, Kansas
- G: Luke Jones, UAB
- OT: Dominick Puni, Kansas
Defense
- EDGE: Malachi Lawrence, UCF
- DL: Elijah Roberts, SMU
- DL: Casey Rogers, Oregon
- EDGE: Ethan Burke, Texas
- LB: Cedric Gray, North Carolina
- LB: Aaron Beasley, Tennessee
- LB: Bryce Cowan, Vanderbilt
- DB: Reddy Steward, Troy
- DB: Evan Williams, Oregon
- DB: Brandon Bishop, Liberty
- DB: Jordan Vincent, New Mexico State
- DB: Peter Manuma, Hawaii
- FLEX: Tyren Dupree, Liberty
Special Teams
- K: Alex Felkins, Penn State
- P: Austin McNamara, Texas Tech
- KR: DeAndre Buchannon, Georgia Southern
Week 10 College Football Team of the Week | Honorable Mention
Offense
- QB: TJ Finley, Texas State | Seth Henigan, Memphis
- RB: Greg Desrosiers Jr., UMass
- RB: Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
- WR: Roc Taylor, Memphis
- WR: Tejhaun Palmer, UAB
- WR: Drake Stoops, Oklahoma
- TE: McCallan Castles, Tennessee
- FLEX: Quinton Cooley, Liberty
- OT: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
- G: Quez Yates, UAB
- C: Nofoafia Tulafono, Wyoming
- G: Michael Ford Jr., Kansas
- OT: Joshua Gray, Oregon State
Defense
- EDGE: Elijah Robinson, Hawaii
- DL: Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
- DL: Elijah Chatman, SMU
- EDGE: Keyron Crawford, Arkansas State
- LB: Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
- LB: MJ Tafisi Jr., Utah State
- LB: Rich Miller, Kansas
- DB: Devin Grant, Buffalo
- DB: Tra Fluellen, Middle Tennessee
- DB: Caleb Downs, Alabama
- DB: Terrion Arnold, Alabama
- DB: Devan Boykin, NC State
- FLEX: D’Eryk Jackson, Kentucky
Special Teams
- K: Michael Hayes, West Virginia
- P: Robert Cole, Troy