• Jackson Dart retains top spot despite Ole Miss loss: he Still leads the nation in passing yards (1,815) and PFF passing grade (92.7) while ranking second in completion percentage (76.9%).
• Iowa’s Jay Higgins shines in coverage: his The 91.2 PFF coverage grade ranks first among all linebackers. He now prepares for his toughest test yet, a Week 6 battle with Ohio State.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full access to all of our in-season fantasy tools, including Weekly ranking, WR/CB Matchup Chart, Weekly estimatesthe Start-seat optimizer and more Sign up now!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
quarterback
Power Four: Jackson DartOle Miss Rebels — 92.6
Although the Darts suffered their first loss of the season in Week 5, the reasons were few. Dart was pressured on 14 of his 36 dropbacks and experienced two drop passes. Despite that, he still leads the nation in passing yards (1,815) and PFF passing grade (92.7) and ranks second in completion percentage (76.9%).
Group of Five: Blake HorvathNavy Midshipmen — 94.1
Horvath threw for a career-high 225 passing yards last week while gaining another 84 yards on the ground. That puts his per-attempt stat at an astounding 14.5 — the highest in the FBS by nearly two yards.
running back
Power Four: Brashard SmithSMU Mustangs — 95.1
Smith added another 100-yard rushing game to his 2024 resume, his third such outing this year. He also remains perfect from a receiving standpoint, earning a 92.4 PFF receiving grade with 123 receiving yards on 12 of his targets this season.
Group of Five: Ashton GentyBoise State Broncos — 95.5
Jeanty is starting to enter the realm of “greatest college running back of all time.” His 98.5 PFF rushing grade is one of the highest PFF has ever recorded. Ginty leads the nation in rushing yards (845), rushing touchdowns (13) and missed tackles forced (43).
Wide receiver
Power Four: or FeltonMaryland Terrapins — 90.9
Felton was held to fewer than 100 receiving yards for the first time this season in Week 5 but still caught five of his targets. He may be the most reliable receiver in college football, as he has yet to drop a pass and is posting an outstanding 132.8 passer rating when targeted.
So Felton is nothing short of spectacular. That 61-yard catch-and-run brought his streak to 14 catches, 157 yards and a TD. pic.twitter.com/vd2vrV9cre
— Testudo Times (@testudotimes) September 21, 2024
Group of Five: Nick NashSan Jose State Spartans — 90.1
Draft scouts will want to keep Nick Nash’s name in mind. Even a week later, he still ranks first in the FBS in receptions (50) and receiving touchdowns (eight).
tight ends
Power Four: Colston LovelandMichigan Wolverines — 81.8
While Loveland may not put up the gaudy numbers he put up last year with JJ McCarthy as his quarterback, he’ll be arguably the best tight end in college football and likely one of the first to be drafted in April. Michigan’s run-heavy approach left Loveland with nearly 200 more receiving yards than the team’s next-best pass-catcher.
Group of Five: Harold Fannin JrBowling Green Falcons — 95.3
Fannin is holding 2021 Trey McBride’s number and drawing heavy buzz from NFL draft circles. He also ranks first among all tight ends in receiving yards (540), broken tackles (16) and first downs (25).
Offensive tackle
Strength fOur: Hollin PierceRutgers Scarlet Knights — 90.0
Rutgers offensive linemen continue to dominate the PFF grading scale. Pierce gave up just three pressures and no sacks to earn a 98.4 pass-blocking efficiency rating.
Group of Five: Lucas ScottArmy Black Knights — 86.6
Scott’s 82.4 PFF run-blocking grade helped Army continue its run-game dominance, leading the nation in rushing yards per game as a team. He allowed no pressure on 25 pass-blocking snaps.
offensive guard
Strength fOur: Willie LampkinNorth Carolina — 85.9
Despite surrendering five pressures and three quarterback hits, Lampkin has yet to give up a sack this year. That puts his pass-blocking efficiency rating at 98.6. He leads all guards in run-blocking grade, as well (89.7).
Group of Five: Michael McAninchAir Force Falcons — 86.3
Like Army, Air Force runs the triple-option, which forces their guards to make way in the run game. McAninch is dominant in that aspect with an 88.9 run-blocking grade. He recorded just two penalties in 225 snaps.
the center
Strength fOur: Connor TollisonMissouri Tigers — 82.8
Missouri had a much-needed bye week to hopefully get its offense clicking again. One thing that clicked for the Tigers all year, though, was their offensive line, led by senior leader Connor Tollison. Tollison has yet to let anyone touch Brady Cook and boasts a near-perfect 99.7 pass-blocking efficiency rating.
Group of Five: Brady SmallArmy Black Knights — 86.2
Another Army lineman enters the fold after a terrific game against Temple. Small recorded a 78.8 PFF overall grade in that outing and has only been beaten by his defender once this season.
Interior Defensive Lineman
Power Four: Jane DurantPenn State Nittany Lions — 87.7
Durant and the entire Penn State defense showed last weekend, holding Illinois to seven points. In that contest, Durant tallied four tackles, one sack and three run stops. The effort brought his run-defense grade to 84.5 on the season.
#PSU DT Zane Durant has a sawed-off body type (6-1, 288) but has a really explosive first step and faces double teams as an interior presence.
Destroyed Illinois last Saturday with 2 TFLs and a sack, and is on track to surpass his stats from last season. pic.twitter.com/RnEyw22c6p
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 3, 2024
Group of Five: Peyton JedroicAir Force Falcons – 91.4
To no one’s surprise, Jedroic maintained his status as the highest-rated defensive tackle in the country. Through four games, he has 11 tackles, eight run stops and one forced fumble.
Edge defender
Strength fOur: Josiah StewartMichigan Wolverines — 93.1
Stewart did not play in Week 5 but had a career-best game the previous week, recording eight pressures, two tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. His 93.2 PFF pass-rushing grade is the highest among all college football edge defenders.
Group of Five: Marcel Walker-BurgessOhio Bobcats — 88.0
Although Walker-Burgess didn’t get to the quarterback often (just two sacks from 14 pressures), he dominated the ground game (13 tackles with nine stops). He has already forced two turnovers in 157 snaps.
linebacker
Strength fOur: Jay HigginsIowa Hawkeyes — 90.9
Higgins has been elite in return coverage this season, with two interceptions and another pass breakup. This earned him a 91.2 PFF coverage grade, which ranks first among all linebackers. He now prepares for his toughest test yet, a Week 6 battle with Ohio State.
Group of Five: Sean DalakBuffalo Bulls — 88.0
Dolak leads all defensive players in tackles this season (56), missing just three. His 88.5 PFF tackling grade ranks third among linebackers. His 36 defensive stops are also the most in the nation.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the top tackler in the country…
Buffalo LB Sean Dalak pic.twitter.com/RudRacTeek
— Brad Powers (@BradPowers7) September 26, 2024
cornerback
Strength fOur: Jeremy HarrisIowa Hawkeyes — 90.3
Iowa’s secondary will certainly have its hands full against Ohio State in Week 6. But if there’s a secondary built to stop such a team, it’s the Hawkeyes unit. Good luck targeting coverage on Harris, as opposing quarterbacks are posting a horrendous 5.4 passer rating when throwing the ball his way.
Group of Five: Jeven WilliamsKennesaw State Owls — 90.6
In 71 coverage snaps, Williams allowed two catches for 10 yards. He picked up one of six balls thrown this year. That puts opposing quarterbacks’ passer rating at 2.8 when they target Williams.
security
Strength fOur: Robert Spears-JenningsOklahoma Sooners — 87.2
Oklahoma’s secondary was key to the team’s Week 5 win over Auburn. Spears-Jennings walked away from that game with three tackles, two pressures, a game-sealing sack and no receptions allowed.
I still remember that Robert Spears-Jennings sack. Jack Alley is that hot! ⭕️🙌🧬 #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/xmnhjSyJPC
— Jay☝️ (@unfairsports) September 29, 2024
Group of Five: Lane’s Appeal IIINavy Midshipman — 87.3
Lane has allowed catches on just 35.7% of the passes he’s thrown this season, giving up barely any yards after the catch. He has one interception with two pass breakups. His 89.4 PFF coverage grade ranks in the top 10 among all defensive players in college football.
Leave a comment