College Football Players of the Week: Week 1, 2026
One winner at quarterback, running back, receiver and tight end, from every game between two FBS teams. Each pick is weighted by what the plays were worth (EPA), touchdowns, yards and how much of the offense ran through him. Every card names the two who came closest.
Quarterback of the week
Pittsburgh408pass yds
30 comp, 40 att, 6 TD, 0 INT
Also in the running: Darian Mensah (
Miami) 401 pass yds · week grade 96 · Julian Sayin (
Ohio State) 320 pass yds · week grade 94
Season leaders, every stat →Miami) 401 pass yds · week grade 96 · Julian Sayin (Ohio State) 320 pass yds · week grade 94Running back of the week
JR
Nebraska
Jamal Rule
Nebraskavs Ohio · week grade 99
169scrimmage yds
15 car, 122 rush yds, 2 rush TD, 2 rec, 47 rec yds
Also in the running: Jaylin Carter (
Memphis) 201 scrimmage yds · week grade 96 · Kenyon Clay (
Arkansas State) 135 scrimmage yds · week grade 94
Season leaders, every stat →Memphis) 201 scrimmage yds · week grade 96 · Kenyon Clay (Arkansas State) 135 scrimmage yds · week grade 94Wide receiver of the week
Rutgers196rec yds
9 rec, 16 tgt, 3 TD, 78 long
Also in the running: Malachi Toney (Miami) 234 rec yds · week grade 96 · Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) 151 rec yds · week grade 94
Season leaders, every stat →Miami) 234 rec yds · week grade 96 · Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) 151 rec yds · week grade 94Tight end of the week
Randy Pittman
SMUvs Florida State · week grade 99
75rec yds
5 rec, 5 tgt, 1 TD, 30 long
Also in the running: Jamari Johnson (
Oregon) 57 rec yds · week grade 96 · Mason Mini (
California) 58 rec yds · week grade 94
Season leaders, every stat →Oregon) 57 rec yds · week grade 96 · Mason Mini (California) 58 rec yds · week grade 94Offense only for now: the college box scores we keep for defenders are season totals, not game by game, so there is no honest defensive pick for a single week yet. Season totals for defenders are on the college leaderboards.
More weeks
Season to date: the college leaderboards and every player's Model Score. The NFL version: NFL Players of the Week.