Build The Team: CFB Standouts Week 2

Offense

Lamar Jackson, QB
School: Louisville | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 211 lbs

A lot of people will write off Lamar Jackson, they will say he is a gimmick, and he won't fit in an NFL offense, and that he can't play in the pocket but I’m willing to bet by seasons end he will have changed a few minds. Just in the first two games of the season, you can see how he has improved his play. He still runs yes, it would be foolish if he didn't use that talent but now you can see how he moves in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield looking to deliver a strike. It’s a very important improvement in his development, one I will enjoy seeing him improve upon throughout the season.

Baker Mayfield, QB
School: Oklahoma | Conference: BIG 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 220 lbs

I’m no real fan of Baker Mayfield personally but I can respect his ability to deliver in tough situations and I can see his value as a dynamic player. He put Oklahoma on his back this week as they upset Ohio State in Columbus. He was sensational in fact and made play after play in the second half. I think though he has a ways to go technically as a passer he has some obvious skills. Picking apart the Ohio State defense is nothing to turn your nose up at as that team has several NFL prospects across the defensive line in particular. Mayfield’s draft stock is up.

Ronald Jones, RB
School: USC | Conference: PAC 12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 200lbs

Jones is quickly gaining attention for his stellar play through the first two weeks of the season. All eyes are on players like Saquan Barkley, Derrius Guice, Royce Freeman and the like and for good reason. However, Jones looks just as good as any of them right now. Coaches say his most notable improvement has been his footwork from last season to the present. Jones has 275 yards on 47 carries with 5 touchdowns through two weeks.

Bryce Love, RB
School: Stanford | Conference: PAC 12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 196 lbs

There is no doubt that Stanford will have a hard time replacing such an explosive and dynamic player as Christian McCaffery was for them but Bryce Love has some talent running the ball with Jets to boot. He is a very elusive player capable (as you'll see) of running for chunk yardage. Watch him against UCLA’s defense in a couple weeks. Love has 340 rushing yards through two games and has an impressive 11.3 yard per carry average.

Defense

Jermaine Carter, LB
School: Maryland | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 238 lbs

Cliche alert. Jermaine Carter is the heart and soul of Maryland's defense. The Terps are off to a good start having upset Texas week one and mowing over Towson this week. A large part of their success is due to the defense and there is no more of an impressive player on it than Carter. He has been praised by coaches for being smart on the field and being a leader on defense. Carter has 204 tackles, 23 for loss, 6 sacks and 1 int over two years. Through two games this year he has 15 tackles, 4 for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pass defended, and a forced fumble.

Jalen Davis, CB
School: Utah State | Conference: Mountain West
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 185 lbs

Davis got off to a slow start week one after he was ejected for a bogus targeting call against Wisconsin. It’s a shame since he was off to a good start with a sack in that game. He got a chance to redeem himself this week against Idaho State and did so by recorded two interceptions (one for a pick six) and a pass defended. Davis is an underrated player but he has some good ball skills and instincts. If he keeps up the production he can play himself into an early day 3 selection in the next draft.

Kyzir White, S
School: West Virginia | Conference: BIG 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 218 lbs

My hot take prediction for White is that he is this year’s Karl Joseph. West Virginia and their coaches don't get enough credit for their development of defensive backs over the past 3 seasons. They are really honing in on developing the “Seattle” mold of defensive back with what they prefer in size and are also developing real talent at the hybrid S/LB position which they call the “Spur”. Enter White who can hit anything that moves and drop back and play in space. He’s a player to keep an eye on and may play his way into the conversation when discussing top SS prospects this year if he improves his coverage.

Christian Wilkins, DL
School: Clemson | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 310 lbs

Wilkins is considered one of the top defensive line prospects in the country which is why it was so surprising when he didn't wreck a lowly Kent State team week one. He made up for that slow start in a big way this past week as he went up against an Auburn OL that has a couple potential NFL prospects on it. He disrupted plays the whole night from the edge and as in interior rusher. He ended the day with 10 tackles, 2.5 for loss and 2 sacks. Next week he’ll play a tough competitor in Lamar Jackson. I’ll be watching to see if he can keep up the production.