| Part Two |
| Part Three |
| Part Four |
Jake Fromm | Junior QB | Georgia
| Highlights |
Look I'm fully aware that Jake Fromm being a top quarterback in college football is not necessarily breaking news; he's been phenomenal since his freshman season in 2016. Fromm is both poised and accurate, and has led Georgia to two straight SEC Championships. His pass completion percentage of 67.4 was the ninth best in the country, and he had the 10th most passing touchdowns with 30 (2nd most in the SEC behind Tua). Fromm's passer efficiency rating of 171.3 was the fifth best nationwide in 2018, as he tossed for a total of 2,761 yards, averaging 9 yards per attempt. Again, no surprise that Fromm will do well, obviously making him fun to watch. But what intrigue's me more about Fromm's success is the current situations of the guys who were left in the wake of Fromm taking Georgia's spot as QB1.
Fromm did not begin his freshman season as Georgia's starting quarterback; he took the job over after Jacob Eason hurt his knee in the 2017 season opener, his sophomore season. Eason has since transferred to Washington.
Before Eason's change of fate in 2017, he was Georgia's starting QB during the previous season, as he led the Dogs to a record of 8-5. As a true freshman he completed 55.1% of his throws, passing for 2,430 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those stats won't turn a ton of heads, but the kid had zero collegiate experience, and it was Kirby Smart's first year as Georgia's head coach. Eason redshirted last season, so there's definitely a chance that that has made him slightly rusty. But I'm choosing to look at it in the opposite manner: I think the year off really benefited Eason, as he had a whole year to settle into a new program after unexpected change. And him being back in his home state, I just feel that adds a whole layer of comfort for him. I think Eason has a really high ceiling, and he truly is capable of being a top quarterback in the Pac 12, especially with an ideal frame of 6 foot 6, 228 pounds.
So while Fromm's predecessor headed back home to Washington, there was potential for more QB competition in Athens heading into last season after the Bulldogs got a highly touted recruit by the name of Justin Fields. Fromm beat out Fields, and Fields has since transferred to Ohio State.
As effective as Jake Fromm had been at Georgia, people thought there was no way his relatively conservative style of play would outbid Justin Field's athleticism and dual-threat ability. The coaching staff even tried to work Fields into the offense to get reps, but it became pretty clear that they had their guy, and there was no need to fight it. Can't blame him one bit for transferring, and now he has a hell of an opportunity in Columbus. I'll be honest, I didn't love what I saw from Fields in Ohio State's spring game. He seemed to be really inconsistent and just didn't really show any flashes of excellence. Look, I understand it's a spring game. It's in no way a totally accurate reflection of gameplay. Even the lack of contact on the QB can really throw everything off, especially with a guy like fields not being able to truly put his legs to the test. I'm not writing this kid off yet at all, just had to point out that his spring game film looked....questionable at best. But I'm undoubtedly fascinated with how things turn out for the Bulldog-turned-Buckeye, because this is (once again) allegedly the year that Michigan beats Ohio State, that the Harbaugh hiring was worth it. Which, whether you want to admit it or not, would wildly alter the current college football landscape. Ohio State's dominance is extremely prevalent in that landscape, thus leading me to believe that the play of Justin Field's is heavily influential on the overall state of the college football universe. If he were playing under Urban Meyer, people may be more confident in him. But I am a firm believer in the fact that Urban Meyer laid too sturdy of a foundation in Columbus for there to be a collapse within such a short amount of time since departing.
Okay, so does the aftermath of Jake Fromm's talent end now? Almost, but not quite. Since Justin Fields joined Eason in ditching Fromm and Georgia for other perennial programs, former five-star recruit/Buckeye Tate Martell bounced from Ohio State to Miami.
Now, I'll be the first to admit I'm not the biggest Tate Martell guy, and had he transferred to any Group of Five school, I probably wouldn't have included him. But come on, Tate Martell heading to the U, when (supposedly) one of their few needs is a QB to stabilize the program? Just wraps it all up perfectly. Honestly, this kid might not even start. But if he does start, the U will most certainly not be back. I think Martell is on the verge of becoming a prime example of a five-star flaring out over time.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming
Jaylen Waddle | Sophomore WR | Alabama
| Highlights |
Just another absolutely lethal weapon in this Crimson Tide offense, Jaylen Waddle looks to continue his phenomenal play into his sophomore season. As a freshman, Waddle produced 848 total receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns, and 18.8 yards per reception (19th most in the nation). Waddle is ridiculously fast with an innate ability to quickly change direction. He has shown time and time again that he can make huge plays, gaining major yards after the catch. Waddle only stands at 5 foot 10, but can really get up there and also has displayed on multiple occasions his ability to stay in bounds on throws near the sideline. 30 of Waddles 45 receptions went for either a first down or a touchdown. Talk about efficiency. The Texas native registered over 100 receiving yards in three different games last year, each time on four catches or less: three catches for 138 yards vs UL Lafayette, four catches for 117 yards at Tennessee, four catches for 113 yards in SEC Championship vs Georgia. Waddle's speed was put to use on the punt return, as he averaged 14.6 yards on 16 total returns, highlighted by a 63 yarder brought to the end zone against UL Lafayette. Waddle had the second most return yards (233) in the SEC.
Alohi Gilman | Senior S | Notre Dame
| Highlights |
With Julian Love now playing in the NFL (drafted in the 4th round by the New York Football Giants), the Notre Dame defensive backfield will need a leader, and Alohi Gilman seems to be that guy. Gilman transferred to South Bend for his sophomore season, after playing his freshman season at the Naval Academy. Entering his final season, he has been named a first-team preseason All-American by Athlon, and deemed a second-teamer by the Sporting News. The 5 foot 11, 201 pound safety tallied 94 total tackles in 2018, with 58 solo and 36 assisted. In the Playoff game against Clemson, this kid racked up 18 total tackles. Absolutely insane. Throughout last year he also defended five passes, had three tackles for loss, and had two interceptions (both against Syracuse at Yankee Stadium). He also had one forced fumble that you might remember, that bizarre and awesome goal line stuff/forced fumble/jump ball turnover against Vanderbilt early in the season. Alohi and the fighting Irish open up on Labor Day against Louisville.
Tee Higgins | Junior WR | Clemson
| Highlights |
The reigning national champs are absolutely loaded with offensive weapons and Tee Higgins is obviously no exception. Honestly I think Higgins' numbers will see an increase this season, now that opposing defenses will have to direct a lot of focus on both Tee and Justyn Ross. Last year, defenses would really only single out Higgins, before it was known how ridiculously good Ross also is. What also can't go without mention is the fact that the Clemson receivers' will have even more chemistry with Trevor Lawrence; let's remember it wasn't even a full season of him as QB1. Higgins stands at 6 foot 4, weighing in a 205 pounds, and is from the beautiful town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Quick history lesson, because you never know when you'll need random knowledge: Oak Ridge was created as one of the three sites for the Manhattan project to make the first atomic bomb. No wonder Tee Higgins can make such explosive plays am I right guys? In his sophomore season, Higgins led Clemson in receptions with 59, totaling 936 yards and 12 touchdowns (tied for 8th most in the country). He had the 4th most touchdowns from scrimmage in the ACC last year, which is pretty impressive for the Tigers' offense overall because Travis Etienne had the most in the conference with 26. In last year's narrow win at Texas A&M, Higgins reeled it in three times for 123 yards and a touchdown. He had over 100 receiving yards two other times: 119 vs NC State and 142 vs in-state rival South Carolina. Higgins also had an extremely clutch fourth down reception in the game winning drive of last year's Syracuse game. Phil Steele has Higgins as a second-team preseason All-American.
Bradlee Anae | Senior DE | Utah
| Highlights |
I'll say it right off the bat, I like Utah as this year's Pac 12 Champs, and a big reason is their strong defensive line unit highlighted by Bradlee Anae and Leki Fotu. Anae was actually high school teammates with the aforementioned Alohi Gilman at Kahuku High School in Hawaii. Last season, Anae led the Pac 12 in sacks with eight, and his 14 tackles for loss were the 6th most in the conference. He tallied up 47 total tackles (24 solo, 23 assisted), forced three fumbles, and had three passes defended. He notched three sacks in both the Colorado game and the Stanford game of last year. The first-team All-Pac 12 edge rusher could have been drafted last season (along with Fotu), but wanted to stay for senior year after losing the Pac 12 Championship to Washington.
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