This article outlines the top-performing college players each week. There is a table for each position organized by draft eligibility and, below each table, I’ll note things I find interesting.
QUARTERBACKS
The best metrics for year-over-year correlation at the QB position are QBR, EPA/Play, AYA, and Completion %.
Stetson Bennett – Finally hit the minimum QBR threshold and look out! We have a new leader. His usage is a little low but he’s been performing very well all season.
Aidan O’Connell – Showing up strong against good teams like Michigan State, Ohio State, and Iowa is a good way to get noticed. His AYA and RY Share are not good though.
Hendon Hooker – Has had a string of hard games against top 20 opponents but has posted a QBR above 70 in every one of them.
C.J. Stroud – Is back to his old self after his down game against Nebraska. He posted a fantastic 97.1 QBR against Purdue.
Bryce Young – Still looking like the top QB in this class. Stroud is making a real case, though.
Tyler Van Dyke – His only downside as of now looks to be his lack of rushing. I really like how his game is shaping up this year.
Small sample size galore.
Caleb Williams – had his first down game of the season this week only posting a QBR of 40.5 against Baylor. He still looks elite, though.
RUNNING BACKS
The best metrics for RB’s are Yards per Team Play which is a measure of volume and efficiency, Backfield Dominator Rating which is the share of the backfield production, rushing and receiving, that an RB earns, Dominator Rating which is the share of the total team rushing and receiving production, and Reception Share which tells you how big of the reception pie the RB earned.
Kenneth Walker III – Good day on the ground against Maryland going 30-143-2. He’s looking like one of the best rushers in the class.
Ellis Merriweather – Looking like an under-the-radar player. His PPR points are low but he’s earning a good share of the backfield and his rushing efficiency looks pretty good!
Ty Chandler – He’s looking overrated to me. His high opportunity (BDR) coupled with his low efficiency (YPTPA, RYOE/Att) are red flags.
Deuce Vaughn – This guy is excelling in all aspects other than RYOE/Att. He looks like he is the offense for Kansas State.
Bijan Robinson – Out for the season 🙁
Jahmyr Gibbs – His low RYOE/Att is a little concerning, but his receiving ability is just soooo good.
Rasheen Ali – I’ll be targeting him as much as I can this offseason. He’s a cheap producer who will kill it in college leagues next year.
DeWayne McBride – Isn’t a big pass catcher but he’s efficient on the ground. His YPTP is good despite only getting 41.9% of the backfield work. Also, his 1.08 RYOE/Att is great.
Jevyon Ducker – He doesn’t get a lot of opportunities, but when he does, he looks good.
TreVeyon Henderson – What more is there to say? RB2.
Braelon Allen – Had his 6th 100-yard rushing game in a row! His 2.18 RYOE/Att is straight-up Jonathan Taylor-like. No one with at least 175 PPR points has ever finished this high.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The most important stats for a WR are their Reception Yards per Team Pass Attempt and their Weighted Dominator Rating. Generally, over 2 is good and 3 is great for RYPTPA, and over 20% is good and 30% is great for Weighted Dominator.
Now that MACtion has started these MAC receivers are shooting up the board.
Treylon Burks – LSU stifled Arkansas and Burks only had 16 receiving yards.
Wan’Dale Robinson – Catching up to Burks! He went 6-75-1, mostly in the first half against Vanderbilt.
Jahan Dotson – Has a good Weighted Dominator Rating this season. I’d like to see him be more efficient with it, though. His RYPTPA is uninspiring.
Josh Downs – Is back on track. He had 8-95-0 receiving last week.
Trayvon Rudolph – His raw numbers aren’t amazing but this kid is killing it in WDom and RYPTPA for year 2! Keep an eye on him for your campus side.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Is JSN the #1 on this team? There’s definitely an argument to be made that it’s the case.
Xavier Worthy – Whew what a day! 14-152-3. This kid is so good.
TIGHT ENDS
Trey McBride – Dominates week in and week out.
Brock Bowers – Nothing more to add other than he’s so good.
