By: JC Nevils
Well folks, the first full slate of games for this season has given us nothing short of exciting finishes, mind-blowing numbers, and, as
always, plenty of overreactions. Here I give my top performers from
the opening weekend of the 2024 college football season.
1. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Stats: 20 Car, 267 Yds, 6 TDs
The preseason All-American and 2023 Mountain West
Offensive Player of the Year certainly showed why he earned those
accolades. In a 56-45 win over Georgia Southern, Jeanty ran over,
around, and through their defense the entire game. The speedster from Jacksonville, FL, would end up
breaking the school record for rushing yards in a game with 267.
People should definitely know his name now if they didn’t
already.
RB1 doing RB1 things.
Ashton Jeanty in 1st half today: 12/146/4 pic.twitter.com/H6H1RK1ECX
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) August 31, 2024
2. QB Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
Stats: 22-28 (78.6 Comp%), 314 Yds, 3 TDs (One Half)
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When Nico Iamaleava first signed with the Vols everyone
around the country knew it was a big get. He was arguably
the No. 1 recruit in the country, but not many knew he was
THIS good – other than maybe Tennessee fans. He has been raved
about ever since he stepped foot on campus, and for good reason.
He got his first ever start back in January in the Cheez-It Bowl
against Iowa, in which he earned MVP honors. That would only be
the beginning. In just one half of football he threw for more than 300
yards along with three scores. All he does is throw darts with ultimate poise, and I think
many are finally starting to catch on. If not, good luck.
And in only two quarters 🤧 pic.twitter.com/VwlxMRiSEd
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 31, 2024
3. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Stats: 10 Rec, 304 Yds, 4 TDs
Another preseason All-American choice showed off his
prowess as well. The 6’5″ target – whom I expect to go in the first
round – did nothing but up his stock. In a blowout win over New
Mexico, McMillan went off for more than 300 yards along with four scores.
The kicker is that wasn’t even his career high. It’s going to be a long
year for defensive backs going up against McMillan.
https://twitter.com/luckismadeff/status/1830095023263678737
4. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Stats: 26-34 (76.5 Comp%), 445 Yds, 4 TDs (1 Int)
If you have ever seen Shedeur Sanders play at all then
you should know this is a pretty normal day for him, whether he was
at Jackson State or Colorado. He has an innate ability to process the
defense and seemingly make the right throw on the money time after
time. Having maybe the best overall player in the country at WR in Travis Hunter doesn’t hurt, but he’s pretty darn good himself. In a
tight win over North Dakota State he put everything on display. I
fully expect him to be one of the first two QBs off the board, if not
the first two picks overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
SHEDEUR SANDERS TO TRAVIS HUNTER FOR SIX 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Kbl5F95luX
— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2024
5. QB Cam Ward, Miami
Stats: 26-35 (74.3 Comp%), 385 Yds, 3 TDs (1 Int)
I have been raving about Cam Ward’s ability since last
offseason. Even when he was at Washington State you could see the
talent oozing out of him. All he needed was the players around him
along with the right opportunity to fully show his talents and
succeed. After another great season last year for the Cougars, he
decided to transfer to Miami.
The Hurricanes couldn’t be happier, as it seems like he was the
missing piece. In a route over hated rival Florida, all he did was
break the record for most passing yards in his first start with
385. He has the unique ability to improvise and throw from
various arm angles that land right on the money every time it seems.
He is certainly a Heisman contender now if he already wasn’t.
Cam Ward vs Florida
🟠 26/35 | 74%
🟢 385 Yards
🟠 3 Pass TDs
🟢 33 rushing yards
🟠 418 yards of offense pic.twitter.com/Q9iXHfEUCE— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) August 31, 2024