By: JC Nevils
In today’s new age with the likes of the transfer portal and NIL, you can now change your team in an instant. No longer do
teams have to wait for freshmen to develop and contribute.
Recruiting is still and always will be the backbone of building your
team, but when you have the chance to add an impact player, you do
so. Here are some X-factors who have stood out over the first couple
of weeks.
1. DL Tyler Baron, Miami
The Knoxville native spent his first four years playing for
the home state Volunteers, but for his final season, he decided to go
elsewhere, something he had been considering for the last couple of seasons. Before choosing Miami, Tyler Baron initially committed to Ole Miss, then Louisville, before ultimately settling on the Canes. That decision seems to have paid off, as he has been a nuisance for offenses all season. Through two games, he has already recorded four sacks and been a force in the run game. If this keeps up, his draft stock is sure to rise.
2. WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
Coming out of Buford HS in the talent-rich hotbed of
Georgia, Isaiah Bond was one of the many blue-chips you see out of that
area every year. He would ultimately sign with Alabama, but after a
couple of seasons along with Nick Saban retiring, he chose to
transfer to Texas. In just two weeks, the explosive playmaker has lived up to his reputation—he’s averaging over 14 yards per catch and seems to haul in every pass thrown his way. With Quinn Ewers slinging it all over the field, expect to see even more big plays from Bond.
3. TE Miles Kitselman, Tennessee
Heading into the season, Tennessee had a glaring hole at the tight end position that needed to be filled. While they had depth, they lacked experience. Enter unheralded Miles Kitselman and Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes. Before the season, many touted Staes as the main guy, but Kitselman keeps emerging as a playmaker. On a national stage against NC State, he recorded three catches and a touchdown—for context, he only had two catches in his entire career at Alabama. The Crimson Tide transfer not only holds his own in the run game but always seems to find himself open. Along with the other tight ends, this group might be the biggest surprise of the team.
Highest Graded Week 2 Tight Ends🔥 pic.twitter.com/GtF32KZVv3
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 10, 2024
4. RB Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
Coming out of high school, Dylan Edwards was easily one of the top athletes, if not the best, to enter college football last year. He initially chose to sign with his former little league coach, Deion Sanders, and the Colorado Buffs, but the season didn’t go as planned for anyone involved. While he had an outstanding debut, the rest of the season became a bit of a blur. Now back home in Kansas playing for the Wildcats, everything seems to be clicking again. Through three games, including a recent win over Arizona, he’s averaging nearly 11 yards per carry and has racked up four touchdowns. Those scores have come from every angle—rushing, receiving, and the return game. If that’s not an X-factor, I don’t know what is.
🚨 PUNT RETURN TD!!! 🚨
DYLAN EDWARDS TO THE HOUSE FOR @KStateFB 🙌🏡 pic.twitter.com/27um9TKcAF
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 14, 2024
5. QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Last season, as usual, Ohio State was a top-tier team contending for a College Football Playoff spot. But with that success came the scrutiny over why they couldn’t get over the hump. Unfortunately, fans and media outlets directed much of that criticism toward quarterback Kyle McCord. Sure, he was good, but for the Ohio State faithful, the question was whether he was ‘good enough,’ and many didn’t think so. Personally, I always felt he got more criticism than he deserved. Enter Syracuse. From day one, McCord has been the starter, and he hasn’t disappointed. Through two games, he’s thrown for over 700 yards with four touchdowns and a 70% completion rate. I’d say he’s pretty happy where he is now.
No one in college football has more TD passes than @CuseFootball's Kyle McCord 🎯🔥 pic.twitter.com/ydnIlQ3x1V
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 10, 2024
