| DB | ||
Peppers has missed four games this season with an unspecified injury. He started one of the three games he has played in and totaled six tackles from the nickel cornerback position. Peppers was also being used as a punt returner and has one return for six yards. Grade: B- |
| RB | | ||
Although Fournette only got his first credited start this past weekend, he has been the lead back in the Tigers' rotation all season and leads them with 504 yards and six touchdowns on 93 carries. He also has added five receptions for 86 yards. Grade: A- |
| DB | ||
The starter from Day 1 at free safety, Blanding currently leads the ACC in tackles with 61. He also has an interception and four pass break-ups, but statistics only tell part of the story. Blanding's dependability frees up his front seven and is one of the main reasons the Cavaliers are among the nation's leaders in takeaways. Grade: A+ |
| ATH | ||
True to his scouting report, Jackson has played multiple positions for USC. He started the last two weeks at cornerback, though, and appears to be settling in there. His stat line includes 16 tackles (two for loss), two pass break-ups, 229 kick return yards and a receiving touchdown. Grade: A- |
| QB | ||
Allen is the second-string quarterback behind starter Kenny Hill, so he has seen mostly mop-up time thus far. In three games, he has completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Grade: C |
| RB | ||
Mixon was suspended from all football activities for the season by Oklahoma after being charged with misdemeanor assault for an incident in August. He reportedly has remained in Norman and is attending classes. His future with the Sooners is unclear. Grade: Incomplete |
| DB | ||
Humphrey is listed as a fourth-string cornerback on the depth chart, but he has yet to see the field this season and is likely to take a redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| DB | ||
Tabor has played in every game this season and recently overtook Brian Poole for the starting cornerback job. He has totaled 16 tackles, Incompleteluding four for loss and two sacks, to go along with a forced fumble, fumble recovery and three pass break-ups. Grade: A- |
| WR | ||
Rudolph earned his first official start in the Syracuse game, but he has been in the two-deep all season and in on three-receiver sets. He scored his first touchdown vs. Wake Forest and has 11 receptions for 152 yards. Grade: B+ |
| RB | ||
Thomas started the season playing a lot on special teams. He has a pair of senior running backs ahead of him but still has been able to make some noise at the position, carrying 19 times for 111 yards. His first carry of the season was a 10-yard touchdown. Grade: B- |
| RB | ||
Michel was having a breakout freshman campaign before hurting his shoulder against Tennessee. Through the first four games, he averaged 9.7 yards on 23 carries and added six receptions for 74 yards, with four total touchdowns. Grade: A- |
| LB | ||
Evans was the top-ranked outside linebacker in the 2014 class, but he's had his hand on the ground and is being used as a pass rusher early in his college career. Evans is likely to see more time at outside linebacker as his career progresses, and he has six tackles and a sack. Grade: B- |
| WR | ||
Dupre was injured in fall camp, which delayed his development early in the season. The nation's No. 2 wide receiver in the 2014 class has started two of the last three games, though, and is getting better every week. He is third on the team with 11 receptions for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Grade: B+ |
| ATH | ||
Scarbrough did not qualify out of high school because he still had one more class to take. That class requirement has been fulfilled and Scarbrough has already been cleared to join the team in January. Grade: Incomplete |
| OT | ||
Alabama had a need at the all-important left tackle position and Robinson stepped up as a freshman and has started all six games. Enrolling early helped the nation's top-ranked offensive tackle in the 2014 class take advantage of the opportunity. Grade: A |
| RB | ||
Cook has been in the Seminoles' three-back rotation all season and has proven to be the most explosive of the three. Like most freshmen, he needs to develop picking up blitzes and blocking, but he is second on the team with 47 carries for 250 yards and he has scored three touchdowns. Grade: B |
| LB | ||
McMillan has been splitting time at middle linebacker with another former five-star, Curtis Grant, but as the season has gone on, McMillan has been getting a larger share of the snaps. Through five games, he has 15 total tackles, including 3.5 for loss and two sacks. He also returned an interception for a touchdown. Grade: B+ |
| OT | ||
Word is Prince did not arrive to College Park in the best of shape, and he has yet to see game action in 2014. A redshirt looks likely for the nation's No. 2 offensive tackle prospect from the 2014 class. Grade: Incomplete |
| WR | ||
Noil was the starter from Day 1 for the Aggies and missed just one game due to a meniscus tear. He is currently third on the team in receptions and yards, and he has a 27-360-3 line on the season. He is also the primary return man, averaging 24.3 yards per kickoff return and 16.3 yards per punt return. Grade: A- |
| DE | ||
Thomas has battled back spasms for a majority of this season, but he is likely to see more action as the season progresses. The No. 2 weakside defensive end in the class of 2014, Thomas has totaled five tackles. Grade: C |
| LB | ||
Williams has played in every game for the Tigers and earned a start in the LSU game with both starting linebackers dealing with injuries. He has played both outside and inside linebacker and totaled 11 tackles. Grade: B |
| S | ||
The No. 2 safety prospect in the 2014 class, Smith has fully transitioned to offense and started since the opener at wide receiver. He has caught 22 passes for 246 yards and is also contributing on special teams where he has five returns for 39 yards. Grade: B |
| CB | ||
Brown has started two games at cornerback and played in all six, registering eight tackles and a pass break-up. Brown was another early enrollee for Alabama. He has been beaten at times but also has shown playmaking ability. Grade: B+ |
| DE | ||
The last prospect in the 2014 Rivals100 to sign his letter of intent, McDowell has quickly jumped into the mix for a Michigan State team that redshirts most freshmen. He has tallied seven tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss playing defensive tackle. Grade: B- |
| WR | ||
Malone had a rough start to fall camp, but injuries at wide receiver have increased his role and he has come on recently, starting the Volunteers' last three games. His 14 receptions are fourth-best on the team and he has 134 receiving yards. Grade: B |
| WR | ||
Lane has seen action in every game and has five receptions for 107 yards. Where he has really excelled is as a downfield blocker, but he also has shown good speed after the catch and reliable hands. Lane could see an increasing role as the season progresses. Grade: C+ |
| OT | ||
There was some discussion of Nelson seeing the field as a freshman during summer camp, and he even took some reps with the first team in the pre-season. However, true freshman offensive linemen playing at Notre Dame are rare, and he has yet to see the field. A redshirt is likely. Grade: Incomplete |
| RB | ||
Although Hood is listed as third string on the depth chart, he leads the Tar Heels backs in carries (56), yards (199) and touchdowns (4). Quarterback Marquise Williams is the overall rushing leader on the team. Hood is averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Grade: B |
| QB | ||
Watson showed his potential in the opener against Georgia, then put his stamp on the starting job early in the Florida State game. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 147 yards and three more scores before breaking a bone in his finger that will keep him out five weeks. Grade: A |
| DT | ||
Brown enrolled early and suffered a turf toe injury in spring that required surgery. His progress was further delayed by a shoulder injury in fall camp. Despite the injuries, Brown has seen action in two games, registering two tackles and a tackle for loss. Grade: C |
| RB | ||
Hurd has officially been the starter in each of the last two games, and his 119 yards against Georgia was the most from a Tennessee freshman running back since Jamal Lewis in 1997. He has rushed for 394 yards, added another 62 in receptions and has three total touchdowns. Grade: A |
| WR | ||
Several of Baylor's starting wide receivers were hurt in non-conference play, giving Cannon ample opportunities right from the start. And he has responded, leading the Bears in catches (30), yards (651) and touchdowns (6). Grade: A |
| RB | ||
Chubb got the first start of his career against Missouri with Todd Gurley suspended and went for 143 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries, giving him a total of 367 yards and three touchdowns. He did all that while playing with a soft cast after breaking his thumb early in the season. Grade: A- |
| DE | ||
Carter is technically second string, but he is in the regular rotation has played in all six games. He has made freshman mistakes, but also is showing the talent that made him a Rivals100 prospect. He has a sack among 13 total stops and one fumble recovery. Grade: B- |
| DE | ||
With three fifth-year seniors starting along Stanford's defensive line, there was little need for Thomas to contribute in his first season. He has received praise from head coach David Shaw at different points since the summer but is expected to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| S | ||
Adams has played in all seven games, seeing more playing time as the season has progressed. It may be just a matter of time before he moves into a full-time starting role at strong safety. Adams is fifth on the team in tackles with 29, including 13 unassisted. Grade: B |
| OG | ||
Mama started the first two games at right guard but has been banged up the last few weeks and dropped down the depth chart. His performance so far has shown both the promise his four-star rating suggested and mistakes that are common for freshmen. Grade: B- |
| CB | ||
Webb is on the travel squad and has seen action in two games, mostly on special teams, registering one tackle. He is buried on the depth chart, though, with plenty of seasoned veterans ahead of him and is not expected to see a ton more playing time. Grade: C |
| LB | ||
Bates did see action in the non-conference for the Volunteers and registered six tackles, but he tore the labrum in his shoulder. He recently had surgery and due to the injury being early in the season, is expected to be able to redshirt. Grade: C |
| S | ||
Jones enrolled early and has endeared himself to the coaching staff, but with pre-season All-American Landon Collins at the same position, there is not much need for him this season. Jones has played sparingly on special teams and mop-up duty, accounting for one tackle. Grade: C |
| DE | ||
Street is third or fourth in N.C. State's defensive end rotation. He has not made a big impact yet but is playing meaningful snaps and has high expectations from his coaching staff. He has one tackle for loss among 13 total stops. Grade: B- |
| RB | ||
Jones is enrolled and taking classes but is not cleared by the NCAA and is unable to participate with the team this fall. He is expected to be cleared to participate in spring ball. Grade: Incomplete |
| OG | ||
Knox is listed at third string on the depth chart at offensive guard, but he has not played and is expected to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| QB | ||
Reports out of summer camp were positive on Grier, but he played at under 180 pounds for much of his high school career and came in needing to bulk up. He is listed either third or fourth on the depth chart, but he has not taken any snaps, and is likely to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| WR | ||
Lazard's opportunity came early in his career when big-play receiver Quenton Bundrage got hurt in the opening game. Lazard is now the big-play weapon in the Cyclones' passing game and leads the team with 304 receiving yards on 21 receptions with two touchdowns. Grade: B+ |
| ATH | ||
Alabama has worked Clark, an athlete prospect coming out of high school, at both safety and linebacker in camp. He has yet to see the field, though, and is likely to take a redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| WR | ||
Samuel had moved to No. 2 on the depth chart at one point, but injuries have limited his touches the last couple of games. He is currently the team's third leading rusher with 192 yards and two touchdowns. He has also caught six passes for 32 yards and is seeing some time at H-back. Grade: B |
| OT | ||
Auburn burned Smith's redshirt early and he has seen mostly late-game action in five games. He has worked at both guard and tackle since arriving at Auburn but is expected to be the Tigers' left tackle of the future. Grade: C |
| S | ||
Smith has seen the field in three games, mostly on special teams and mop-up duty. He is working at safety and has recorded one tackle, one pass break-up as well as an interception. Grade: C |
| RB | ||
Oregon is not hurting for talent at running back, yet Freeman has been able to carve out a big role. He was the starter in two games and, at 235 pounds, is proving to be a physical runner. He now leads the team with 85 carries for 477 yards and seven touchdowns. Grade: A- |
| S | ||
Parker has seen action in every game, getting about 20-25 snaps a game, and has looked pretty comfortable at both safety and nickel back. His season stats include six total tackles and a pass break-up. Grade: C+ |
| S | ||
Sumner-Gardner has played in each of the last five games and could see more time because Boise State's secondary has been devastated with injuries. He has the ability to help the Broncos out at cornerback or safety and has totaled eight tackles and a pass break-up. Grade: C+ |
| DE | ||
Holmes has gotten a few meaningful minutes, but is seeing most of his action in mop-up duty. He has looked good when he does see the field and has a tackle for loss among seven total tackles. Grade: C+ |
| DT | ||
Holley came in this summer to Gainesville and it was revealed he had a sports hernia that required surgery. He is expected to redshirt this season. Grade: Incomplete |
| S | ||
Paris was an early enrollee and is playing at both the cornerback and nickel back positions. Most of his action has been late in the game, though. He has accounted for three assisted tackles. Grade: C |
| S | ||
The No. 9 safety prospect in the 2014 class, Harvey has moved to cornerback for the Aggies and is currently second string but is starting to see his role increase. Harvey has seven tackles and is also returning punts, where he has two returns for 44 yards. Grade: B- |
| DT | ||
Valentine is on campus and practicing, but he has not been cleared to play by the NCAA. He played around 300 pounds in high school but reported to LSU at 390 pounds. He has since been able to drop some of that weight and is now closer to 370 pounds. Grade: Incomplete |
| LB | ||
Garrett has seen action in just two games, seeing a few snaps at linebacker but mostly on special teams. He has not registered a tackle. LSU needs him to step up and assert himself as the man in the middle of their defense for 2015. Grade: C- |
| S | ||
Baker has started every game, kicking off his career by tallying seven unassisted tackles against Hawaii in Week 1. Of his 35 tackles in six games this season, 26 have been unassisted and he also has three pass break-ups. Grade: B+ |
| RB | ||
Yearby is seeing spot carries in a back-up role to starter Duke Johnson. He is second on the team in rushing with 43 carries for 317 yards. He scored his first touchdown on a pass reception and has six catches for 85 yards. Grade: B |
| LB | ||
Booker suffered an injury at the end of fall camp that set him back. He has played a little at outside linebacker, but mostly special teams, registering one assisted tackle and a quarterback hurry. Grade: C |
| QB | ||
Stanford's Kevin Hogan is in his third season as a starter for the Cardinal, so Chryst was not expected to be needed as a freshman. By all accounts he has done well since arriving on campus but is expected to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| LB | ||
Miller arrived around 215 pounds and needed to add weight. He is working at outside linebacker, but has not seen the field and is likely to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| S | ||
Kelly has made two starts and is in the regular rotation. Mentally, he is well ahead of the curve for a freshman and that has resulted in big plays. He has 17 total tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Grade: B+ |
| LB | ||
The Clemson linebacker corps has a number of veteran guys and there was not a need for Rogers. He will redshirt and compete for playing time at inside linebacker starting next spring. Grade: Incomplete |
| WR | ||
Scott is the receiver who can make plays in space and that has led to a number of shovel pass/jet sweeps. Due to those opportunities, he leads the Tigers in receptions with 28 and also has 371 yards and three touchdowns. Grade: B |
| QB |
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Harris' season has been one of the most noteworthy in the 2014 class. He appeared to have won the starting job when he took over the offense against Tennessee and led them to 10 points and a win, but an issue arose when he was accused of sexual assault later that night. Charges were eventually dropped and Harris was reinstated to the team last Friday. Grade: B |
| OT | ||
Barton was in the two-deep for most of fall camp and came very close to being on the travel squad, but with an entrenched starter at left tackle and several experienced right tackles, Utah did not need him and he is expected to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| CB | ||
Parrish has not played much, mostly seeing late-game action. He is getting a few more minutes as the season has progressed, though, and has seen the field in each of the last five games, tallying four tackles on the year. Grade: C |
| LB | ||
Morgan is playing a back-up role to starting middle linebacker Joe Schmidt and has seen action in five of six games, recording four total tackles. Reports on Morgan thus far are positive and learning the defensive system is the only real hurdle. Grade: C |
| WR | ||
The quarterback play at LSU has not helped the receiving corps, but Quinn has stepped up and made several nice catches. He has started the majority of the games and is second on the team in receptions with 14 for 148 yards. Grade: B |
| OT | ||
Tucker is technically the back-up at left tackle on Stanford's depth chart, but the Cardinal will switch their tackles and he's fourth in rotation for that group. He has seen some action in jumbo packages, but gotten most of his snaps in late-game action. Grade: C |
| LB | ||
Hamilton has seen action in five of six games at inside linebacker. He has been a key performer on special teams as well and is credited with one tackle. Grade: B- |
| ATH | ||
Quick has seen the field in all six games, but he has yet to log a catch. The Sooners are working him at both outside receiver and slot receiver depending on situation, but he has been mostly focusing on slot. Grade: C |
| RB | ||
McCaffrey's unique skill set and versatility have gotten him on the field. He is on multiple special teams, is the No. 2 punt and kickoff returner and sees a few touches each game in the backfield. His season stats include eight rushes for 67 yards and six catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Grade: B- |
| DE | ||
Hendrix has seen action in three games, all in late-game situations, and he has two total tackles to his credit. He is listed second on the depth chart, but starter Derek Barnett rarely leaves the field. Grade: C |
| TE | ||
The nation's No. 1 tight end in 2014 is now the starting tight end at Georgia. He has lined up both on the line and split out, and his coaches have been very pleased with his play. He is fourth on the team with nine receptions for 157 yards. Grade: A- |
| CB | ||
Wadood took over as the starter in Week 3 when the original starter, Randall Goforth, injured his shoulder. Since then, Wadood has not looked back. He is the leading tackler in the Bruins' secondary with 34, and he also has a sack. Grade: A- |
| DT | ||
An early-season injury to starter Nile Lawrence-Stample has created an opportunity for Nnadi and he has seen his playing time increase at nose tackle. He has tallied eight tackles, Including two for loss, with most of his stats coming in the last three games. Grade: B- |
| OG | ||
Reports out of summer camp were that Farmer was the strongest offensive linemen from the day he arrived on campus, but with two seniors at offensive guard, the Cornhuskers had the luxury of redshirting him. Grade: Incomplete |
| DE | ||
Willis has been second string most of the season and recorded one tackle, but had seen increased time in recent weeks leading up to the LSU game. He made headlines when it came to light last week that he had been in a fight with a teammate and did not play against the Tigers. Grade: C |
| WR | ||
Notre Dame is not overly deep at wide receiver, but even though Brent enrolled early and participated in spring ball, he has not seen a lot of meaningful action. He has not recorded a catch and there may still be a chance he redshirts. Grade: C- |
| QB | ||
With David Ash's career over due to concussions and Tyrone Swoopes' struggles, Longhorn's fans have been calling for Heard to see the field. The Texas staff appears to have no intention of playing the true freshman, though, and he is expected to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| DT | ||
Frazier has been in the defensive line rotation at nose tackle. He has appeared in three contests, mostly in late-game situations. The coaching staff is excited about Frazier's potential, but he has not made a major impact. Grade: C |
| DE | ||
Sawyer decided to leave high school early, get his G.E.D. and enroll at East Mississippi Community College. The EMCC roster lists him at 285 pounds, up from 235 in high school, and through six games he had totaled 13 tackles and three sacks for the Lions. Sawyer is expected to be eligible to enroll at South Carolina next May. Grade: Incomplete |
| LB | ||
Whitley was an early enrollee and had a good spring, but a concussion in fall camp set him back and he is primarily playing special teams. UCLA actually moved him to strong safety for depth purposes, but he is expected to be back at linebacker next year. Grade: C |
| WR | ||
Brown was an early enrollee, but he came into a depth chart that had a lot of experience at the position. Still, his play during the off-season turned heads and Brown was one of the last guys the staff decided to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| OG | ||
Talamaivao has taken over the starting job at right guard after injuries slowed his classmate Mama. The freshman struggled early but has picked up his play recently. He also got work at center during the summer and provides some versatility for the future. Grade: B- |
| DE | ||
Brown was ranked as the No. 5 weakside defensive end, but he has moved back to the outside linebacker, which is a very deep position on the team. He has not seen significant action and is expected to redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| OT | ||
Cole was an early enrollee and has been an immediate contributor on an offensive line that has really struggled. He is probably playing before he is ready and has had his struggles, but he has started every game at the all-important left tackle position. Grade: B |
| DE | ||
Texas has good depth at defensive end, and Roberson is not needed this season. Plus, after playing his high school career around 225 pounds, the freshman needed to add weight and will take a redshirt. Grade: Incomplete |
| OT | ||
Ohio State burned Jones' redshirt in the Kent State game, and he was officially listed as second string at left tackle heading into Week 5. Jones has only seen action in mop-up duty late in games. Grade: C |
| LB | ||
Young had a lot of buzz coming out of fall camp and had worked his way into starting lineup. So far this season, though, the freshman has not played to the level he was at over the summer and has totaled 19 tackles in six games. Grade: B- |
| OT | ||
Wallace is traveling and is technically the back-up at right tackle, but the plan is not to use him unless absolutely needed and allow him to redshirt. With senior right tackle Brey Cook set to graduate, Wallace will have a strong shot to start in 2015. Grade: Incomplete |
| DE | ||
Cunningham is currently in the two-deep at defensive end, which is surprising because he was very undersized coming out of high school. Although still small for the position, Cunningham has put on a lot of good weight and has totaled 1.5 sacks among seven total tackles. Grade: B- |
| OT | ||
Bars arrived with a wrist/hand injury, which essentially nixed his chances of playing as a true freshman. He will redshirt and should be ready to compete for a position starting next spring. Grade: Incomplete |
| QB | ||
Harris made his first career start in Week 6 against Auburn, but after completing just three of 14 passes, Anthony Jennings re-assumed the starting job. Harris has thrown for 452 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. Grade: B- |
| WR | ||
Roberts arrived this summer and tore his ACL in less than two weeks of individual workouts. The injury will force him to miss the 2014 season and he may not be ready to compete fully until next summer's camp. Grade: Incomplete |
Josh Helmholdt Midwest Recruiting Analyst |