There were several must-watch games on the Week 5 schedule, but this is college football — every game is must-watch TV. Kentucky upset Ole Miss. Virginia Tech nearly Hail Mary-ed Miami its first loss of the season. And naturally, there was no shortage of eye-popping performances.
Without further ado, the Week 5 College Football Players of the Week.
College Football Players of the Week | Week 5
Quarterback of the Week: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Jalen Milroe has clearly taken to head coach Kalen DeBoer’s QB whispers, and it came to a head in arguably the biggest regular-season game of the year.
The junior signal-caller completed 18 of 20 passes for 186 yards, one TD, and one INT — bounced off his pass catcher’s hands and into the defense’s — while rushing for 106 yards and two more scores in the first half against Georgia.
The Crimson Tide took their foot off the gas in the second, allowing the Bulldogs to mount a comeback and take their first lead of the game, 34-33. But the moment wasn’t too big for Milroe, who calmly uncorked a 75-yard bomb to freshman WR Ryan Williams for the game-winning score. Speaking of…
Honorable mentions: Alonza Barnett III, James Madison; Blake Horvath, Navy; Bryson Daily, Army; Darian Menshah, Tulane; Cam Ward, Miami; Ben Woolridge, Louisiana; Hajj-Malik Williams, UNLV; Chandler Morris, North Texas; Miller Moss, USC; Avery Johnson, Kansas State; John Mateer, Washington State; Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati.
Offensive Player of the Week: Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Typically, freshmen are related to the “Freshman of the Week” section. Williams is anything but typical, and he proved as much against Georgia.
The 17-year-old finished the night with a 6-177-1 receiving line, with his yardage ranking third in the nation in Week 5. But it was his final reception that earned him Offensive Player of the Week.
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Down 34-33 with 2:31 left in the game, Milroe launched it downfield to Williams in one-on-one coverage. Not only did he time his jump perfectly, contort his body to stay in bounds, and accelerate upfield, but he juked the corner into the safety and found another gear to complete the 75-yard TD.
The lights obviously weren’t too bright for Williams, as he stepped up in the biggest moment of the game. With his poise and playmaking ability on full display, the freshman delivered a signature performance that showed he’s already playing well beyond his years.
ABSOLUTE SCENES IN TUSCALOOSA!!!
RYAN WILLIAMS WITH A 75-YARD TD TO RETAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/pvc9ML7E7G
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024
Honorable mentions: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss; Jackson Meeks, WR, Syracuse; Skyler Bell, WR, UConn; Bhayshul Tuten, RB, VA Tech; Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington; Denzel Boston, WR, Washington; Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor; De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, OK State; Ricky White III, WR, UNLV; Star Thomas, RB, Duke; Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green; Delbert Mims III, RB, EMU; Chrishon McCray, WR, Kent State; Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State; Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech; NaQuari Rogers, RB, New Mexico.
Defensive Player of the Week: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
The term “generational” gets thrown around too often, but when it comes to Colorado CB Travis Hunter, it’s absolutely accurate.
A star on both sides of the ball, Hunter is up for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week every game he plays, and Week 5 was no different. As 11.5-point road underdogs to UCF, the Buffaloes needed their two-way future NFLer to deliver, and boy, did he.
Not only did Hunter catch all nine of his targets for 89 yards and a score, but he snatched one of the most impressive INTs you’ll see all season. He gained depth in his drop, read QB KJ Jefferson’s eyes, and exploded on the football.
But what most fans will remember the play for is what Hunter did after: strike the Heisman pose.
TRAVIS HUNTER HITS THE HEISMAN POSE AFTER THE INTERCEPTION 🏆👀@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/Qc9W0pzJbM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024
Honorable mentions: Trey White, EDGE, SDSU; Evan Jackson, S, North Texas; Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson; Kip Lewis, LB, Oklahoma; Justin Reed, DL, Navy; Jyaire Hill, CB, Michigan; Mason Graham, DT, Michigan; Jayden Bellamy, DB, Syracuse; Luke Murphy, LB, Eastern Michigan; Jackson Woodard, LB, UNLV; John Bullock, DB, Nebraska; Jalen Catalon, DB, UNLV; Eric O’Neill, DL, James Madison; Kobe Wilson, LB, SMU.
Special Teams Player of the Week: JP Richardson, PR, TCU
Toward the end of the third quarter, TCU trailed Kansas 24-21. The offense threw a pick and missed a field goal on its last two possessions; the momentum was clearly on the Jayhawks’ side.
After a quick four-and-out, Kansas punted the ball — only for Horned Frogs WR JP Richardson to return it 89 yards for the go-ahead score. Was there a potential block-in-the-back penalty? Possibly (yes), but it wasn’t called, and just like that, the momentum swung back in TCU’s favor, leading to a 38-27 victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
Honorable mentions: Koi Perich, PR, Minnesota; TJ Sheffield, PR, UConn; Rashod Tanner, DB, UNLV; Andrew Stokes, P, USF; Chris Freeman, K, UConn; John Love, K, Virginia Tech; Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan; Atticus Bertrams, P, Wisconsin; Sam Vander Haar, P, BYU; Tristan Mattson, K, Central Michigan.
Freshman Player of the Week: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Arch Manning has somehow lived up to the immense hype from his No. 1 overall recruit billing and then some. After flashing in relief of Quinn Ewers against UTSA and winning his first career start against ULM, Peyton and Eli’s nephew exploded against Mississippi State.
Manning completed 26 of 31 passes for 324 yards and two TDs, adding another 33 yards and a score on the ground. He was simply methodical under center, only letting punter Michael Kern on the field twice in his first full-time action against an SEC defense.
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Even if Ewers were to miss more time, Manning has proved he will not only keep the program’s playoff hopes alive but also elevate them. His poise under pressure and ability to extend plays have given the Longhorns a dynamic threat under center, ensuring Texas is, in fact, back.
Honorable mentions: Michael Hawkins Jr., QB, Oklahoma; Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M; CJ Bailey, QB, NC State; Daniel Evert, TE, Temple; Micah Welch, Colorado; Caden Durham, RB, LSU; Wyatt Young, WR, North Texas; Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State; Colin Simmons, DL, Texas; Dezz Ricks, DB, Texas A&M; Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson; Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama.
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