College football Week 1 players of the week: Quarterbacks put on a show

Jonathan Taylor, Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields delivered eye-popping performances to make our list of the Top 10 Players of the Week.

In a week with few upsets and a lot of blowouts, some of the top players in college football took advantage of some lackluster opponents, while others stepped up in some big Week 1 games. Running backs Jonathan Taylor and Travis Etienne flashed their acceleration while Justin Fields, Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa were carving up defenses from the pocket.

So many phenomenal performances make cutting the list down to 10 a tall order but these are the performances that made our list of the Top 10 Players of the Week.

Honorable Mentions:

• Anthony Russo, QB: Temple – 32/41 att, 409 yds, 4 TD, 1 Int
• Jace Whittaker, CB: Arizona – 2 interceptions, 5 tackles
• James Blackman, QB: Florida State – 23/33 att, 327 yds, 3 TD
• Isaih Pacheco, RB: Rutgers – 20 car, 156 yards, 4 TD

10. Sam Ehlinger, QB: Texas

• 28/38 att, 276 yds, 4 TD
• 8 car, 34 yds

Sam Ehlinger began his junior season in style with a balanced passing performance against Louisiana Tech. The Longhorns quarterback looked to have the same confidence in the pocket as a season ago, looking to give Texas its first Big-12 championship since 2009.

9. Jamie Newman, QB: Wake Forest

• 34/47 att, 401 yds, 3 TD
• 21 car, 36 yds, TD

In a shootout game against Utah State, Wake Forest relied heavily on a fantastic performance from junior Jamie Newman. The quarterback was efficient all game and put the team on his shoulders with a game-winning throw late in the contest.

8. Brandon Talton, K: Nevada

• 2/2 Field goals, Long 56 yards

A surprise on the list, true freshman kicker Brandon Talton gave the Nevada Wolfpack a week one win against the Purdue Boilermakers with a walk-off 56-yard field goal. Talton impressed the staff so much, he was gifted a scholarship after the game.

7. Travis Etienne, RB: Clemson

• 12 car, 205 yds, 3 TD

Clemson running back Travis Etienne ripped through the Georgia Tech defense in week one for a boatload of rushing yards leading the Tigers to a week one win.

6. David Woodward, LB: Utah State

• 24 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles

David Woodward put on a defensive clinic against Wake Forest dismantling the Deacons’ rushing attack and single-handedly causing headaches for the opposition. Woodward, a future NFL Draft selection, was all over the field.

5. Tua Tagovailoa, QB: Alabama

• 26/31 att, 336 yds, 4 TD

With all the pressure on the young Alabama quarterback entering the season, many expected a similar opening game to Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and instead, Tua went ballistic. Only five incompletions and an incredibly efficient week one.

4. Joe Burrow, QB: LSU

• 23/27 att, 278 yds, 5 TD

LSU opened the season with Georgia Southern in Death Valley and Joe Burrow delivered with a tremendous passing performance. Five touchdowns before being taken out, Burrow could have had a historic game if he stayed in for all four quarters.

3. Justin Fields, QB: Ohio State

• 18/25 att, 234 yds, 4 TD
• 12 car, 61 yds, 1 TD

Georgia fans might want to skip No. 2 on this list as Justin Fields had quite a debut for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Hitting receivers in stride and showing incredible speed, Fields and Ohio State look ready for Michigan already.

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB: Wisconsin

• 16 car, 135 yds, 2 TD
• 2 rec, 48 yds, 2 TD

What an impressive game from Jonathan Taylor who showed some fantastic improvements to his pass-catching ability for the Wisconsin Badgers. Taylor ended week one as a clear Heisman Trophy contender.

1. Jalen Hurts, QB: Oklahoma

• 20/23 att, 332 yds, 3 TD
• 16 car, 176 yds, 3 TD

You want to talk about an eye-popping opening showcase? Well, Jalen Hurts has you covered with his incredible debut performance for the Oklahoma Sooners. Hurts destroyed the Houston Cougars with both his legs and his strong arm with ease. Hurts looked both faster and stronger than his days at Alabama, leaving the rest of the Big-12 shuddering with fear.