After the last couple of weeks of writing this article, I'm making a real effort to keep this from being a Brock Bowers fan blog. I really should not spend too much time noting that he scored two more rushing touchdowns, including a 75-yard jet sweep that he took around the edge and outran the entire defense - again. We simply cannot devote this column to position-redefining tight end Brock Bowers each week.
Instead, let's take another look at Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss. I've also discussed him in the two previous iterations of this article, but he keeps raising the bar for himself. It's worth revisiting that he's a 3-star true freshman that continues to outperform his former 5-star teammate and TCU transfer Zach Evans. On Saturday, he was handed the ball 27 times for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns. Through four games, he's up to 429 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. He won't be eligible for the NFL until the 2025 draft, but he's showing early on why you should be paying attention to him right away.
Top Week 4 Performances
RB Jadyn Ott, Cal, Freshman - 19 carries for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns
What an unbelievable game for the true freshman from Chino, CA. PFF graded him at an incredible 99.1 (the second highest grade they've given a running back since 2014). He averaged more than 14 yards per carry and had touchdown runs of 73, 72, and 18. He's a sneaky long-strider for someone that only stands 6 feet tall but also has incredible leg drive, as evidenced on his shortest touchdown where it seemed the play was over around the 10-yard line, but he never stopped churning his feet. I was impressed with his field vision as he had no trouble identifying where the running lanes were and hitting them full speed. Following in the footsteps of Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett, and Jahvid Best, he could be the next great back out of Cal.
WR Troy Franklin, Oregon, Sophomore - 5 receptions for 137 and a touchdown
Franklin was a consensus top 75 overall player and top 10 wide receiver in the 2021 class. After a quiet freshman season, he seems to have emerged as new Oregon quarterback Bo Nix's favorite target. At 6-foot-3 with great speed and after-the-catch ability, he's a big play waiting to happen. On Saturday, with Oregon in a back-and-forth brawl with Washington St., he stepped up when it mattered. Down by five points with a minute left, Nix found Franklin across the middle of the field. Franklin broke out of the initial tackle and sprinted in for the go-ahead touchdown. On the year, he has 20 catches for 339 yards and 2 touchdowns. Expect those numbers to grow at a faster pace as the chemistry with his quarterback increases.
WR JaCorey Brooks, Alabama, Sophomore - 6 receptions for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns
Rated as a five-star receiver by 247Sports in 2021, it's taken Brooks until the fourth game of his sophomore season to have his breakout game. Most of that can be attributed to Alabama's wide receiver room being absolutely packed with elite talent. While I don't expect that he will continue to see the full workload he received against Vanderbilt, he's certainly shown that he can capitalize on his opportunities. He doesn't jump off the screen with his athleticism, but he plays the position at a high level and is solid after the catch. His NFL Draft stock should continue to rise as he earns more opportunity in Alabama's high-powered passing game.
Who to Watch in Week 5
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RB Raheim Sanders, Arkansas, Sophomore
Sanders is on pace for more than 1500 rushing yards this season as he's serving as the Razorbacks' workhorse. This week he takes on the tenacious Alabama defense that has yet to allow a team to run for more than 79 yards in a game this season. Last year against Alabama, Sanders was still running behind upperclassmen and only carried the ball six times. He's been averaging 21 attempts per game this year. He has an opportunity to make everyone pay attention to the Arkansas backfield with a big game against the Crimson Tide this weekend.
RB C.J. Donaldson, West Virginia, Freshman
What a find C.J. Donaldson has been for the staff at West Virginia. He was listed as a three-star tight end by major recruiting services. ESPN had him ranked as the 160th-best tight end in his class. Yet, according to a recent article from The Athletic, he's never played tight end a day in his life. The WVU staff was at his high school to see another recruit when his coaches mentioned Donaldson as someone they might also be interested in. After seeing his 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame, they agreed. Fortunately, they had the foresight to know his football future was at running back, and once on campus, he was impressive enough to earn carries early and often. Through four games, he has 380 yards and 6 touchdowns with a 7.3 yards per carry average. He goes up against the Texas Longhorns this weekend.
QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, Sophomore
A consensus four-star quarterback in the class of 2021, McCarthy has been part of a rotation at Michigan as Coach Harbaugh continually marches to his own drum beat, but he's been the best performer thus far and seems to be running away with the starting role. He boasts an 80% completion percentage and five touchdown passes through four games. At 6-foot-3, he has playmaking ability with his feet and enough speed to keep a defense honest. I've made a point to check out his results after every game this year to see how he's progressing and wanted to make sure he got some attention here. Michigan takes on Iowa this weekend.