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Author: Chad Tedder

  • 2025 SIS Big 12 All-Conference Team

    2025 SIS Big 12 All-Conference Team

    It’s finally time to release our SIS All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our team of selections for 2025, plus some honorable mentions.

    You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced within this article here.

    These picks are meant to honor this season’s best-of-the-best in the Big 12.

    1st Team Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Brendan Sorsby Cincinnati
    RB LJ Martin BYU
    WR Amare Thomas Houston
    WR Eric McAlister TCU
    TE Dallen Bentley Utah
    FLEX Wayshawn Parker Utah
    OT Spencer Fano Utah
    OT Caleb Lomu Utah
    OG Tanoa Togiai Utah
    OG Kobe Baynes Kansas
    OC Ka’ena Decambra Arizona

    In a very competitive Big 12, Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby led the way in Total Points in the conference with 124 Total Points, which also ranks him 3rd nationally among all players. He finished his campaign 3rd in the conference for passing TDs with 27, while also rushing for another 9 TDs. 

    LJ Martin led the way in the backfield for BYU where finished the season as the conference’s top rusher with 1,228 yards rushing, while accruing the 2nd-most Total Points for all running backs in the conference (44).

    Utah’s offensive line boasted the 3 of the top 6 Total Points earners among all offensive lineman in the country in Spencer Fano, Calem Lomu,  and Tanoa Togiai. Fano was tied for most among all offensive lineman with 40 Total Points and Togiai led all offensive guards with 36 Total Points. 

    1st Team Defense

    Position Name School
    DT AJ Holmes Jr. Texas Tech
    DT Blake Herold Kansas
    EDGE John Henry Daley Utah
    EDGE David Bailey Texas Tech
    LB Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech
    LB Jordan Crook Arizona State
    CB Keith Abney II Arizona State
    CB Evan Johnson BYU
    S Dalton Johnson Arizona
    S Marcus Neal Jr. Iowa State
    FLEX Faletau Satuala BYU

    Texas Tech had a great defense in 2025, especially in its front 7 where it had the top Total Point Earners at DT with AJ Holmes (36 Total Points), EDGE with David Bailey (59 Total Points), and LB with Jacob Rodriguez (52 Total Points). Bailey made his presence felt in the backfield throughout the season where he led all of FBS in sacks with 12.5 and finished 2nd in the country with 66 QB pressures. Rodriguez also made a habit of forcing turnovers as he led all LBs in FBS in interceptions with 4, and led all LBs in forced fumbles with 7 and had 2 fumble recoveries to go with it.

    Arizona State’s Keith Abney II put together a great 2025 campaign where he led the conference and was top 3 nationally in Total Points among all CBs with 51. He did so while being one of the most targeted CBs in the country.

    1st Team Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Noe Ruelas UCF
    P Wes Pahl Oklahoma State
    Returner Bryce Noernberg Kansas State

    Noe Ruelas earned our top kicker spot as he finished 2nd in Total Points with 15. He also showed off the power in his legs where he tied at the top of the conference with the most 50+ yard FGs made with 3.

    Oklahoma State’s Wes Pahl led the conference in Total Points by a punter with 15 Total Points and he also led the conference in punt yards with 2975 yards, total punts inside the 20 with 21, and 2nd in the conference in punt net average with 44 yards.

    Bryce Noernberg earned the top spot as a returner where he boasted the top average kick return yards in the conference with 29 yards per return. 

    2nd Team Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Noa Fifita Arizona
    RB Raleek Brown Arizona State
    WR Josh Cameron Baylor
    WR Cyrus Allen Cincinnati
    TE Michael Trigg Baylor
    FLEX Cameron Dickey Texas Tech
    OT Howard Sampson Texas Tech
    OT Tyler Miller Iowa State
    OG Michael Mokofisi Utah
    OG Davion Carter Texas Tech
    OC Coleton Price Baylor

    Noa Fifita made great strides from his 2024 campaign to his 2025 campaign. In 2024 he finished the season with 59 Total Points, but in just a year he beat that record by nearly double by finishing with 112 this past season. Fifita also finished the season 2nd in the conference in IQR with a 114.3 rating and 4th in conference in passing TDs with 26.

    Baylor TE Michael Trigg racked up receiving yards in his 2025 campaign where he finished best in the conference and 2nd in the country in receiving yards for all TEs with 694 yards and tied top of the conference and tied for 5th nationally in touchdown receptions for TEs with 6.

    2nd Team Defense

    Position Name School
    DT Carlos Allen Jr. Houston
    DT Lee Hunter Texas Tech
    EDGE Nyjalik Kelly UCF
    EDGE Eddie Walls III Houston
    LB Keyshaun Elliott Arizona State
    LB Namdi Obiazor TCU
    CB Elijah Davis Utah
    CB Brice Pollock Texas Tech
    S Tawfiq Byard Colorado
    S Tanner Wall BYU
    FLEX Treydan Stukes Arizona

    Carlos Allen made his presence felt in the middle of Houston’s run defense. He ranked 1st in the nation for total run tackles with 66 and helped keep opposing offenses short of the sticks with 38 of his tackles keeping the offense short of a 1st down. 

    Texas Tech CB Brice Pollock contributed significantly on the back end of its defense where he ended the year tied for most INTs on the season with 5 and had the lowest passer rating against in the conference (11.2). 

    Colorado Safety Tawfiq Byard finished 1st in the conference among all safeties in Total Points with 50, which also ranked 6th nationally.

    Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Stone Harrington Texas Tech
    P Max Fletcher Cincinnati
    Returner Emmanuel Henderson Jr. Kansas

    Stone Harrington earned our 2nd team kicker as he finished 3rd in Total Points in the conference with 14 and was also tied top of the conference in 50+ yard field goals made with 3. 

    Cincinnati’s punter Max Fletcher gets the nod for our 2nd team here where he finished 3rd in the conference in average punt yards with 45.8 yards per punt. He also managed to have half of his 35 punts be inside the 20.

    Honorable Mentions

    Position Name School
    QB Sawyer Robertson Baylor
    QB Bear Bachmeier BYU
    LB Keaton Thomas Baylor

    Baylor’s Sawyer Robinson put up some big numbers throughout his 2025 campaign as he ranked 2nd in all of FBS in total passing yards with 3,686 yards and 2nd in passing touchdowns with 31. In his true freshman season, Bear Bachmeier finished third among all Big 12 quarterbacks in Total Points with 97 points. 

    Total Points, stats, and ranks as of 12/04/2025

  • 2023 SIS ACC All-Conference Team

    2023 SIS ACC All-Conference Team

    Photo: Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire

    It’s finally time to release our SIS All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our team of selections for 2023, plus some honorable mentions.

    You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

    These picks are meant to honor this season’s best-of-the-best in the ACC.

    Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Drake Maye North Carolina
    RB Omarion Hampton North Carolina
    WR Malik Washington Virginia
    WR Xavier Restrepo Miami FL
    TE Jake Briningstool Clemson
    FLEX Kevin Concepcion NC State
    OT Anthony Belton NC State
    OT Jalen Rivers Miami FL
    OG Kyle Hergel Boston College
    OG Christian Mahogany Boston College
    OC Drew Kendall Boston College

    North Carolina leads off our offense with QB Drake Maye and RB Omarion Hampton. Maye finished 2023 with 154 Total Points, ranking 1st in the conference among all players and 6th nationally. Hampton was 1 of only 5 rushers to break 1,500 rushing yards.

    Boston College’s interior offensive line was dominant in 2023, producing 3 players on our team with OG Kyle Hergel, OG Christian Mahogany, OC Drew Kendall. All 3 finished in the top 20 nationally in Total Points for all OL. Hergel tied for first among all linemen with 45 Total Points and Kendall tied for first among OC with 41 Total Points. 

    Virginia WR Malik Washington was a standout performer in 2023, where he finished 6th nationally in Total Points for WR (45 Total Points), 4th in receiving yards (1,426 receiving yards), and 2nd in yards per game (119 Y/G minimum 50 targets).

    Defense

    Position Name School
    DT Braden Fiske Florida State
    DT Aeneas Peebles Duke
    EDGE Ashton Gillotte Louisville
    EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
    LB Payton Wilson NC State
    LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Clemson
    CB Quincy Riley Louisville
    CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
    S Jonas Sanker Virginia
    S Devan Boykin NC State
    FLEX Elijah Jones Boston College

    NC State LB Payton Wilson was the top Total Point earner defensively in the conference with 73 Total Points, which ranks first nationally among LBs. He also ended the year T-3rd nationally in tackles for loss with 18.

    Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte led the way in the conferences’ DL with 41 Total Points (also ranked T-9th nationally). Florida State put forth 2 defensive linemen in DT Braden Fiske and EDGE Jared Verse who accumulated 33 and 38 Total Points respectively. 

    In the secondary, Louisville CB Quincy Riley led the conference with 66 Total Points, and finished 3rd in the conference in Yards per Coverage Snap with 0.5 yards and QB Rating Against with 15.5 (minimum 30 targets and 300 coverage snaps).

    Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Andres Borregales Miami FL
    P Alex Mastromanno Florida State
    Returner Bhayshul Tuten Virginia Tech

    Florida State punter Alex Mastromano finished the year T-1st in the conference in Total Points with 18 among specialists. He also finished T-11th in net punting average in the nation with 44.1 yards (min 20 punts) and 6th nationally with punts inside 20 with 26 (minimum 20 punts)

    Miami kicker Andres Borregales also finished T-1st in the conference with 18 Total Points. He also finished T-11th in field goals nationally with 22, T-5th nationally in field goals over 50 yards with 6.

    Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten earns the spot as a returner. He returned 2 kickoffs this year for TDs which is T-2nd nationally. He also finished 2nd in the conference in kick return average (10th nationally) in return average nationally at 29 yards per kick. 

    Honorable Mentions

    Name School
    QB Jordan Travis Florida State
    RB Isaac Guerendo Louisville
    TE Dan Villari Syracuse
    OL Ozzy Trapilo Boston College
    OL Willie Tyler III Louisville
    ED Kaimon Rucker North Carolina
    ED Antwuan Powell-Ryland Jr. Virginia Tech
    LB Cedric Gray North Carolina
    LB Francisco Mauigoa Miami FL
    CB Dorian Strong Virginia Tech
    CB Renardo Green Florida State
    K Ryan Fitzgerald Florida State

    Florida State QB Jordan Travis finished 2nd in the conference in Total Points with 97, and 1st in the conference in QBR with 108.6. Virginia Tech EDGE Antwuan Powell-Ryland Jr. had a knack for forcing turnovers in 2023 He finished T-2nd among DL (T-3rd nationally) with 3 fumbles forced, also recovering 2.

    Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong had a strong year in coverage where he led all DBs nationally in yards per coverage snap (0.3 yards), yards per game (7.7 yards), and QB Rating against (14.1 rating) (minimum 30 targets and 300 coverage snaps).

    Check out this year’s NFL Draft site to see how we feel some of these players project to the NFL.

    Total Points, stats, and ranks as of 3/4/2023

  • 2023 SIS Preseason C-USA All-Conference Team

    2023 SIS Preseason C-USA All-Conference Team

    As we approach the beginning of the 2023 college football season, we want to highlight some of the top players in each conference by announcing our SIS Preseason All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our selections.

    You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

    Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Austin Reed Western Kentucky
    RB Frank Peasant Middle Tennessee
    WR Malachi Corley Western Kentucky
    WR Michael Mathison Western Kentucky
    TE Jacob Jenkins Liberty
    FLEX Anwar Lewis Jacksonville State
    OT X’Zauvea Gadlin Liberty
    OT Steven Hubbard UTEP
    OG Quantavious Leslie Western Kentucky
    OG Vincent Murphy Western Kentucky
    OC Andrew Meyer UTEP

    The nation’s leader in passing yards in 2022 (4,743 yards) Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed returns to the new look C-USA and is ready to dominate the air once again with his returning receivers Malachi Corley and Michael Mathison. 

    Middle Tennessee’s RB Frank Peasant leads all returning C-USA backs in 2022 Total Points (24 Total Points) and is T-1st in TDs with 9. Peasant was also 2nd in C-USA in Broken + Missed Tackles on rushing attempts (43) last season and gained 78% of his yards after contact. We also wanted to highlight a newcomer to the conference in Jacksonville State’s RB Anwar Lewis, who brings in a 2022 campaign of 814 passing yards and 8 TD. Liberty TE Jacob Jenkins gets our nod to round out the skill position players.

    UTEP is well represented on the offensive line with OT Steven Hubbard and OC Andrew Meyer joining with Liberty OT X’Zauvea Galin. The two highest returning offensive linemen from 2022 are the two Western Kentucky Guards Quantavious Leslie and Vincent Murphy (40 and 37 Total points respectively) who look to continue their dominant performance and anchor down the interior of the Hilltoppers’ line.

    Defense

    Position Name School
    DT Kendy Charles Liberty
    DT Marley Cook Middle Tennessee
    EDGE Praise Amaewhule UTEP
    EDGE JaQues Evans Western Kentucky
    LB Aakil Washington Liberty
    LB Tyrice Knight UTEP
    CB Teldrick Ross Middle Tennessee
    CB Kobe Singleton Liberty
    CB AJ Odums UTEP
    S JoJo Evans Jr. FIU
    S Tra Fluellen Middle Tennessee

    The secondary looks quite different than our 2022 postseason all-conference team due to graduating players, transfers, and a new-look conference. Middle Tennessee is bringing back Teldrick Ross who led the FBS in Passes Defensed last season with 19, and Tra Fluellen who showed his value as a run defender, collecting 16 Run Defense Total Points. Kobe Singleton, AJ Odums, and JoJo Evans Jr. round out the group, all poised for big seasons.

    The top two returning players in Total Points on defense are the UTEP ED Praise Amaewhule and Western Kentucky ED JaQues Evans. Evans finished 2022 T-2nd in the conference in total sacks with 9 and outright 2nd in total pressures with 42. Our other defensive lineman include Liberty’s Kendy Charles and Middle Tennessee’s Marley Cook. Cook led C-USA with an Average Tackle Depth of -1.8 Yards (minimum 10 tackles).

    To round out our defensive team we have the Liberty LB Aakil Washington and UTEP LB Tyrice Knight.

    Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Zeke Rankin Middle Tennessee
    P Tom Ellard Western Kentucky
    Returner Smoke Harris Louisiana Tech

    Louisiana Tech’s returner Smoke Harris gets the nod here after he finished the 2022 season with 784 total return yards for his contributions on kickoffs and punts. He ranked 3rd in FBS in total yards.

    Middle Tennessee’s kicker Zeke Rankin finished 3rd in the conference in FG% (minimum 15 attempts) with an 84.2% rate on 19 total attempts. Western Kentucky’s punter Tom Ellard finished his 2022 campaign with 10 Total Points.

  • NFL Draft AnalySIS: Houston Texans

    NFL Draft AnalySIS: Houston Texans

    Leading up to the NFL Draft, SIS will be publishing team previews for those with Top 10 picks in the draft. Each preview will look at the players who most make sense for that team at that selection based on stats and scouting factors and will include quotes from that player’s scouting report.

    You can find more than 300 scouting reports and much more team analysis at our NFL Draft website.

    The State of the Texans:

    The Texans enter 2023 with their third head coach in three years with DeMeco Ryans returning to the franchise. The Texans are looking to have similar success in rookie production to last season when they got top performances by Jalen Pitre, Derek Stingley Jr. and Dameon Pierce. They are well underway in revamping and rebuilding their offense in hope of landing one of the top QBs in the 2023 draft. 

    However, if the Texans do not believe their starting QB is there, they will have a plethora of options in the class that will be able to provide instant impact on the field.

    #2 Overall

    Bryce Young – QB – Alabama

    Young’s accuracy, awareness, and steadily poised demeanor make him a good starting-level QB, and don’t allow his size concerns to affect his ability to be a true playmaker on the field.

    The Texans have spent the offseason loading up and building for a young QB to come in. If the Panthers take any other player at No. 1, the Texans pick up someone whose poise, leadership, and accuracy will be a constant for their offense. 

    C.J. Stroud – QB – Ohio State

    Stroud has the makings of a high-level NFL starter due to his spot-on accuracy, pocket management, and ability to perform in clutch situations assuming he develops his decision making under pressure.

    Stroud has accuracy and clutch ability to be a long term leader on the offensive side of the ball. We have Young ahead of Stroud in our QB rankings (click here to see them) but both are graded at 6.9, as solid starting quarterbacks within two seasons, just a little bit away from being high-end performers.

    Will Anderson Jr. – ED – Alabama

    Anderson has impressed from his first game at Alabama to his last as a deadly pass rusher and strong run defender, and he has everything it takes to be a top-end EDGE at the next level.

    If neither QB is at the top of the Texans draft board, Will Anderson is the best overall prospect and has proven himself as a consistent and dominant edge defender. His top-end skill set could make him a mainstay on the defensive line.

    Tyree Wilson – ED – Texas Tech

    Wilson is a long, strong power rusher who can rush the quarterback and defend the run, but a lack of speed and agility may be traits that hold him back early in his career.

    Wilson would certainly be a shock to the draft landscape here, but he has all of the skills necessary to be a disruptive and productive rusher for the Texans. His length and power will certainly make him a Day 1 starter.

    To learn more about the Texans and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

  • 2023 NFL Draft AnalySIS: Las Vegas Raiders

    2023 NFL Draft AnalySIS: Las Vegas Raiders

    Leading up to the NFL Draft, SIS will be publishing team previews for those with Top 10 picks in the draft. Each preview will look at the players who most make sense for that team at that selection based on stats and scouting factors and will include quotes from that player’s scouting report.

    You can find more than 300 scouting reports and much more team analysis at our NFL Draft website.

    The State of the Raiders:

    The Raiders and 2nd year head coach Josh McDaniels move into the 2023 season without their long-time QB Derek Carr. They have, for the time being, filled that hole with the signing of Jimmy Garoppolo. However a long term answer at the position is still looming and could be addressed here in the draft. 

    The Raiders are also looking to rebuild defensively in a highly-challenging division with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russel Wilson. The free agent signings of Marcus Epps, Robert Spillane, Duke Shelley, and Brandon Facyson will help but they may not be done bolstering their defense with their plethora of 2023 draft picks.

    #7 Overall

    Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois

    Witherspoon has the press-man coverage and ball skills to be a solid starter in any NFL defense, but he will need to improve his open-field tackling and off-man ability to hit his ceiling as a true No. 1 shutdown corner.

    The Raiders need plenty of help on the defensive side of the ball and Witherspoon, with his high-end ball skills, can provide immediate help to their secondary. 

    Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon

    Gonzalez is a versatile corner with the reactive athleticism, speed, and ball skills to make a huge impact in the NFL, but he may struggle with bigger targets at times.

    Gonzalez’s speed and versatility can be of great value to the Raiders’ secondary and position him to be a Day 1 starter. 

    Tyree Wilson – ED – Texas Tech

    Wilson is a long, strong power rusher who can rush the quarterback and defend the run, but a lack of speed and agility may be traits that hold him back early in his career.

    Wilson’s power and proven production at the college level allows him to be a good complement opposite Maxx Crosby to get after the QB.

    Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida

    Richardson is the full package talent wise with the dual-threat ability and arm strength coveted at the next level, but he will need to refine his mechanics and simplify his decision-making to be a more consistent player.

    If Richardson is still available, the Raiders can take a shot at a very talented QB that can learn and develop in an NFL system. 

    Will Levis – QB – Kentucky

    Levis is a boom-or-bust prospect who has high-end physical traits and upside to be an All-Pro, but he needs massive improvements to his decision making and accuracy in order to achieve his potential.

    Levis has plenty of high-end traits to make him a quality pickup who can grow as a part of the Raiders future plans at QB.

    To learn more about the Raiders and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here. 

     

  • 2022 SIS Big 12 All-Conference Teams

    2022 SIS Big 12 All-Conference Teams

    It’s finally time to release our SIS All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our team of selections for 2022, plus a few honorable mentions.

    You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

    These picks are meant to honor this season’s best-of-the-best in the Big 12.

    Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Max Duggan TCU
    RB Bijan Robinson Texas
    WR Quentin Johnston TCU
    WR Malik Knowles Kansas State
    TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Texas
    FLEX Kendre Miller TCU
    OT Christian Duffie Kansas State
    OT Caleb Rogers Texas Tech
    OG Hadley Panzer Kansas State
    OG Steve Avila TCU
    OC Hayden Gillum Kansas State

    TCU’s Max Duggan burst onto the scene after not initially being named the starting QB. He led the Horned Frogs to their first CFP appearance and ultimately to the National Championship game. Duggan not only led the conference with 145 Total Points, but he also led in yards (3,698) and TDs (32).

    Bijan Robinson was a consistent force in the conference. He accumulated 74 Total Points, which not only led the conference, but led all FBS running backs by a significant margin. He also finished 5th nationally in yards (1,578) and rushing TDs (18), and he created the 2nd-highest Broken+Missed Tackle rate (33.3%) among players with at least 150 rushes.

    Kansas State boasted one of the top offensive lines in the conference with three players, Christian Duffie, Hadley Panzer, and Hayden Gillum, leading the Big 12 at each of their positions in TP with 39, 39, and 41, respectively. 

    Defense

    Position Name School
    DT Jaylon Hutchings Texas Tech
    DT Moro Ojomo Texas
    EDGE Tyree Wilson Texas Tech
    EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah Kansas State
    LB Jaylan Ford Texas
    LB O’Rien Vance Iowa State
    CB Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson TCU
    CB Julius Brents Kansas State
    S Jason Taylor II Oklahoma State
    S Kendal Daniels Oklahoma State
    FLEX Josh Newton TCU

    TCU’s Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson was one of the league’s best defenders this season and earned a spot on our All-America squad. He led all FBS CBs in Total Points by a wide margin with 110 and allowed a FBS low 26.1% completion rate,  which led to a 23.0 Passer Rating Against (ranking 4th nationally).

    Texas’s Jaylan Ford had a career year in which he finished atop the conference in Total Points (57), interceptions (4), and tied forced fumbles (3) for linebackers. Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson put together another great season, accumulating 43 Total Points, 7 sacks, and 45 pressures (tied 8th nationally).

    Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Tanner Brown Oklahoma State
    P Ty Zentner Kansas State
    Returner Derius Davis TCU

    Tanner Brown’s 21 FG made were tied for 11th-most in FBS, going 21-of-22 which is 3rd in the FBS for FG% with a minimum of 15 attempts. Ty Zentner’s 13 punts inside the 10 ranks tied for 5th in the FBS. Derius Davis was one of 4 players with 2 kick/punt returns this season, where he was 1 of 2 players to have both of his return TDs on punts.

    Honorable Mentions

    Name School
    Deuce Vaughn Kansas State
    Xavier Hutchinson Iowa State
    Ben Sinnott Kansas State
    Mason Fairchild Kansas
    Cooper Beebe Kansas State
    Will McDonald IV Iowa State
    Dylan Horton TCU

    Dylan Horton finished atop the conference in sacks with 10.5 which puts him tied at 7th in all FBS. Another member of the Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe just missed the first team honors, but he was 1 of only 2 OL in all of FBS to allow the fewest blown blocks (4) with at least 500 snaps. 

    Total Points, stats, and ranks as of 2/6/2023

  • Preseason All-American Team: Edge

    Preseason All-American Team: Edge

    As we approach the start of the college football season, we will be releasing our 2022 Preseason All-American team. Today, we’re adding a pair of Edge rushers, along with some honorable mentions.

    You can check out the previous articles below:

    QB RB Entire series

    The Edge players selected are…

    ED Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama

    ED Will McDonald IV – Iowa State

    The 6-foot-3 Anderson was arguably the best player in college football in 2021, leading all defenders in sacks as well as total pressures, where he was 11 better than the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, Aidan Hutchinson, who finished second.

    Anderson won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defender) and will look to repeat his success in order to solidify himself as the nation’s best player before presumably entering the NFL Draft as a likely Top 5 pick.

    McDonald finally got his chance to start in Iowa State’s 3-3-5 defense and starred throughout the 2021 season, primarily lining up as a 5-technique. Among defensive ends, McDonald led the BIG 12 in total pressures and was third in sack percentage. McDonald did lead all FBS defenders in Points Above Average in 2021, just edging out Anderson, and will look to continue his ascension as one of the best defensive players in the country.

    Honorable Mentions

    ED Myles Murphy – Clemson

    ED BJ Ojulari – LSU

    ED Nolan Smith – Georgia

    ED Nick Hampton – Appalachian State

    ED Isaiah Foskey – Notre Dame

    Myles Murphy was a wrecking ball on Clemson’s defensive line in 2021. He had a team best 14 TFLs and 7 sacks. He is also 2nd among returning ACC Edges in Total Points. His wonderful blend of speed and power, and his nose for the ball, makes him a dangerous threat off the edge in both the pass and run game. 

    BJ Ojulari from LSU is 4th among returning SEC Edge rushers for Total Points behind only Anderson, Nolan Smith, and Brenton Cox Jr. He’s also 2nd among returning SEC rushers in Pressures and Pass Rush Total Points. 

    After the dominant defensive performance of Georgia’s defense during their title-winning 2021 season, Nolan Smith will look to maintain the excellence. He is 2nd among returning SEC Edge rushers in Total Points  

    Nick Hampton of Appalachian State set the Mountaineers FBS-era record for sacks in a season with 11. He was among 7 other rushers with at least 11 sacks in the 2021 season and will be a player to keep an eye on in 2022.

    Isaiah Foskey of Notre Dame led the Irish in sacks with 10 in 2021, and ranked 3rd  in Points Above Average among returning FBS players with a minimum of 30 pressures. He plays with leverage and a good mix of speed and power to work into the backfield and will need to use these traits to be a leader again along the Irish’s line.

  • Preseason All-American Team: Running Backs

    Preseason All-American Team: Running Backs

    The votes are in and we’ve picked our 2022 Preseason All-American team. We’ll announce a couple of positions per week right up to the beginning of the season. You can find all of our selections here.

    We move to running backs today and make two sections, along with five honorable mentions listed below that were discussed in- depth

    Our running back All-Americans are…

    RB Bijan Robinson – Texas

    RB Zach Charbonnet – UCLA

    Bijan Robinson and Zach Charbonnet not only led their respective conferences in Rushing Total Points, but led all FBS running backs returning in Total Points, each accounting for at least 60.

    Robinson had a breakout year in Texas’ offense last season, rushing for over 1,100 yards despite missing the last two games due to injury. He was near the top of the FBS in Broken + Missed Tackle % for all players, and tops among running backs in 2021. He should return healthy, and is primed to have another stellar season. His mix of power, elusiveness, and acceleration make him an all-around threat in the run game. 

    Charbonnet is a bruising back from UCLA and had over 1,100 yards with the Bruins last season. In 2021, he was an SIS FBS leader in Total Points Per Play when facing an overloaded defensive box. He also had a low Bust % which allows him to be a positive force in the Bruins offense. His ability to bounce off tackles and accelerate downfield minimizes the potential for negative plays, when hit behind the line of scrimmage. He is poised to continue his dominant running this season.

    Honorable Mentions

    RB Sean Tucker – Syracuse

    RB TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State

    RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama

    RB Lew Nichols III – Central Michigan

    RB Rasheen Ali – Marshall

    Sean Tucker will be one of the ACC’s top returning rushers in Rushing Total Points after rushing for nearly 1,500 yards last season.

    Henderson was a Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Semi-Finalist as a freshman last year. He contributed 42 Total Points during his freshman campaign. He will look to take on a greater role in the Ohio State offense and improve upon his freshman mark with the loss of their top two offensive threats. 

    Alabama transfer Jahmyr Gibbs spent last season at Georgia Tech. Although he was not a 1,000-yard rusher at Georgia Tech, he was a versatile weapon for the Yellowjackets. He will battle for the starting spot at Alabama and is poised for a big year. 

    We also want to highlight Lew Nicholls III from Central Michigan. Last year, he led all FBS rushers in yards and yards per game. He ended the year with over 1,800 rushing yards and 2,100 all-purpose yards. He was a vital part to the Chippewas offense, and his ability to lower his shoulder to fight for extra yards will be vital to maintaining that high mark for the 2022 season.

    Finally, we wanted to give an honorable mention to Rasheen Ali from Marshall. Ali is the returning Total Points leader for running backs in Conference USA. He is a downhill runner that amassed around 1,400 yards last season 

  • NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:Dallas Cowboys

    NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
    Dallas Cowboys

    The State of the Cowboys:

    After a first round exit of the 2021 playoffs, the Cowboys have also lost several starters at multiple positions from the season, including Amari Cooper, La’el Collins, and Randy Gregory. With this being a deep draft at those positions, the Cowboys will look to fill some of the holes left by the departures.

    Dallas has made its offensive line a staple of their offense over several seasons, and it should look to retool the line if it wants to get back to their dominant running style that proved successful. Their 67% zone run scheme ranked 21st in efficiency. Here are a few players Dallas may be considering for their first 3 picks. 

    #24 Overall

    Zion Johnson – G – Boston College

    Johnson is a plug-and-play left guard at the next level with the anchor and hand usage to pass protect at a high level and the scheme versatility to excel in the run game.

    One of the top guards in the draft, Johnson could be a starter on Day 1 to help reload the left side of the offensive line. His scheme versatility would help the Cowboys rejuvenate their run offense.

    Kenyon Green – G – Texas A&M

    Green can have inconsistent hand placement and needs more refined technique against finesse rushers, but he is a physical and athletic guard with the footwork, sheer strength, and awareness to be a difference maker on the inside.

    Green has shown to be amongst the top guards in the draft with his physicality and strength. He would again be a Day 1 starter on the left side of the line.

    Chris Olave – WR – Ohio State 

    Olave has the catch radius, catch skills, and tracking ability to be a threat at all levels of the field, but needs to become a cleaner route runner and get quicker out of breaks to take advantage of his full potential.

    Needing to help replace the gap left by Amari Cooper, Olave has the hands and vertical threat ability to be a solid receiver in the Cowboys offense if he is available here. 

    #56 Overall

    DeMarvin Leal – DL – Texas A&M 

    Leal is an athletic and agile defensive lineman at his size, who offers great versatility as a pass rusher but needs to work on his interior run defense to keep that flexibility on all three downs.

    Leal has the high pass rush ability to be a versatile piece along the line in Dan Quinn’s defense. He shows the ability to play out on the edge as well as reduce down inside on sub packages.

    Kingsley Enagbare – EDGE – South Carolina 

    Enagbare has the hand usage, pass-rush technique, and motor to be an effective pass rusher early on, but must get stronger in his lower half and get a little more athletic to be an impact player against the run.

    As a high-motor edge rusher against the pass, Enegbare could be a sparkplug off the edge to get after opposing quarterbacks.

    Christian Harris – LB – Alabama 

    Harris is a fast, smart, and versatile linebacker who has many of the requisite physical traits of a quality starter, but he needs to improve his downhill playmaking and zone instincts to reach his full potential.

    Harris adds immediate versatility and depth into a relatively shallow LB room and could be useful in rotation with Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, and Jabril Cox. 

    #88 Overall

     

    Khalil Shakir – WR – Boise State

    Shakir has the route running, short-area quickness, and versatility to become a slot receiver at the next level, but he will need to work on his hands and his ability to attack the ball to maximize his playing time.

    Shakir’s quickness and precise route running could find space and work underneath and through the middle to provide a nice compliment to Ceedee Lamb and Michael Gallup. 

    Greg Dulcich – TE – UCLA

    Dulcich isn’t the shiftiest route runner or most technically refined run blocker, but he’s a converted wide receiver with good competitive toughness and the strong all-around skill set of a potential starter.

    With the loss of Blake Jarwin, Dulcich provides a solid all-around skill set to fill the void and provide a solid target for Dak. 

    Max Mitchell – OT – Louisiana 

    Mitchell has the frame and athleticism to become a valuable swing tackle and potentially more if he can continue to work on the technical aspects of his game.

    With Tyron Smith in the later years of his career and some questionmarks at right tackle, Mitchell has the tools needed to play on either side of the line as a developmental tackle.

    To learn more about the Cowboys and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.