Build The Team: CFB Standouts Week 4

Offense

Saquon Barkley, RB
School: Penn State | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 228 lbs

This was hands down the best game of the week. I was curious to see just how Iowa would try and defend against Barkley. The Iowa front 7 did an admirable job but with all due respect, Saquon Barkley is on another level. McSorley threw the game winner but it was Barkley who carried the team all game long when there were few options. Barkley pulled out all the stops showing his running style, his elite cutting ability, balance etc. in tandem with the threat of him being a receiver out of the backfield. He had nearly 100 yards receiving in this one and over 200 yards on the ground. He’s the best player in college football right now.

Cody Thompson, WR
School: Toledo | Conference: Mid-American
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21?
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 200 lbs

Thompson has been a consistently productive WR for the Rockets the last three years. So far this year he has over 100 yards receiving in every contest he’s played. Through four games he already has 505 yards (nearly 40% of the 1269 yards he put up last year) on 27 receptions and 4 touchdowns. The Rockets had their toughest test of the year facing a ranked Miami team this past Saturday. Though he didn't record a touchdown Thompson was a big part of Toledo sticking around for a bit as he put up five catches for 114 yards. Thompson doesn't seem to possess any elite traits but he’s really consistent, reliable, and really good at his job. He primarily works the boundary but will work over the middle sometimes and with his speed and frame, he can make some impressive contested catches. As the season progresses and eventually winds down I’d love to see him get a Senior Bowl invite to see him up against upper-level competition.

Nick Chubb, RB
School: Georgia | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 225 lbs

Nick Chubb burst onto the CFB scene his freshman year at Georgia and ran for over 1,500 yards. Injury slowed him down but I think a legit argument could be made that he will be the second-best running back in this draft class. Chubb is a tough player, and I think he’s just as effective running in between the tackles as he is in space plus he blocks. He helped remind a lot of people just how versatile/dominant he could be Saturday when he went up against Miss St. Chubb currently splits time with Sony Michel but it's clear he makes the most out of things when he’s on the field.

Chubb (5'10/235) did what he did best; punish defender between the tackles and make people miss in the open field. His first touchdown was a perfect example of that when he shook off an ankle tackle and gave UGA a `14-0 lead. His second touchdown was a 28 yard blast to make it 21-3 Georgia and put the game out of reach from the ineffective Mississippi State offense. The bulldogs are limiting Chubbs touches, but he's still showing that he can make the most of them. - Rotoworld

Frank Ragnow, C
School: Arkansas | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 317 lbs

Ragnow was already regarded by many to be the best center prospect in the upcoming draft. He displayed why that is the case in a tough loss. Ragnow was burying people, he’s nasty, he plays to the whistle, but don't take my word for it there is video evidence below. He's the most technically sound center prospect and can pass protect just as well as the can run block. He also projects very well to a power scheme. I know the Skins don't have an immediate need (or do they?) at center with how far Spencer Long has come but Ragnow is the type of lineman I want on the Skins.

Defense

Bradley Chubb, DE
School: NC State | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 20?
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 275 lbs

Chubb had his best game of the season thus far. Chubb took advantage of a porous Florida State offensive line that also has a true freshman playing QB. Nonetheless, Chubb was absolutely dominant in this showing recording two sacks, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and recovery and seven tackles. Chubb still has several quality tests left this season including matchups against Louisville, Notre Dame, and Clemson. Chubb is a player with all the tools to be a dominant pass rushing DE highlighted by a great motor but he needs to play with more consistency.

Roquan Smith, ILB
School: Georgia | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 225 lbs

Roquan Smith is one of the best linebackers in college football, particularly when it comes to playing in space and likely is Georgia’s best defender. Smith is also one of the most athletic linebacker prospects in the country and can fly to the ball like no other prospect in this upcoming draft class. In the offseason, he was compared to Ravens LB C.J. Mosley by his head coach. I’d like to see how Smith develops his technique regarding getting off blocks in a scrum but he certainly has an impressive skill set already. He is a true sideline to sideline linebacker and going forward I’ll be watching to see if he consistently takes good angles in pursuit consistently.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE
School: Oklahoma | Conference: BIG 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 240 lbs

Okoronkwo is likely going to be a pure rush end at the next level but the senior edge prospect has put together an impressive resume over the past two seasons. I still see a bit of rawness regarding his technique off the edge and a bit of inconsistency to finish a play but when he is on he can be a one-man wrecking crew. Some of his best plays came against Ohio State last week but he did not let up this week against Baylor. He makes his living using his speed, athleticism, and bend to get off the edge and make plays for loss. One thing I noticed he’s improved upon is targeting the ball as well as the player when going in a making a tackle. I’m going to predict some impressive FF totals by the end of this season.