College Week 0 Players that Impressed
College Football is Back! I have been waiting since February, just as many of you have, for some football to be back on the television. I even watched some preseason NFL games, and it wasn’t the same. Now to me, week 0 is just a taste of college football, it isn’t the start of the main course. There were some competitive games on, but not games that may be as enticing as rivalry games or games that dictate the College Football Playoffs. Nonetheless, it is exciting to have football back, and although I believe this is just an appetizer of what’s to come, I am also one who thinks the appetizer is the best part sometimes, (cough cough) like Applebees.
With this article, I want to highlight some players who I thought shined on perhaps their teams limited spotlight in primetime. Keep in mind, it is week 0, we can’t put too much into this, just as USC played San Jose St, some players are supposed to do well against their competition. For that example, Jayden Maiva played well and had 3 touchdowns, BUT! it was against San Jose St, and for USC, that’s not competition. So let’s look to who caught my eye on this wondrous occasion of college football being back.
Billy Edwards Jr (QB)-North Carolina
Last season, North Carolina didn’t have good quarterback play. Max Johnson suffered another injury, and Gio Lopez just isn’t a starting caliber quarterback for a power 5 school. And yes, I say that as Lopez will be starting for Wake Forest this season, but guess what, Wake ain’t going to win nothing. Back to Edwards though, Edwards came in from the portal from Wisconsin, and I thought he played exceptionally well in Ireland against a TCU team that many thought would compete for the Big12 title. Edwards made solid throws downfield and although he didn’t go crazy statistically, he showed that he could manage the game and limit mistakes. He finished 16/28 232 yards in rainy weather and a usually consistent TCU defense. Now, do I think Edwards is looking at a promising college season, probably not, but do I think UNC can win 6–8 games this season? I do. Jelani Thurman and Jordan Shipp are good weapons for him, and their run game wasn’t the worst. They were projected to be 15th in the ACC, after this performance, I have them up to 12th.
Virginia Cavaliers Defense
Football is of course a team effort. The Virginia Cavaliers played a great team defense. Going into this game against NC State, all I heard was CJ Bailey and CJ Bailey could be a potential 1–2 day draft pick, not many people were discussing Virginia coming off their historically good season last year with 11 wins. Now I know people on social media were raving about the transfer quarterback for Virginia in Beau Pribula, but to me, the defense was more amazing than his performance. NC State was 2nd in the ACC in points per game with 30.2. CJ Bailey finished top 5 in most passing categories in the ACC last season as well. In week 0, Virginia held the Wolfpack to just 8 points, and CJ Bailey finished the game with 117 total yards and 2 turnovers. As an offense, NC State only had 168 total yards. Now the question is this, is Virginia a legitimate contender for the ACC? Right now, my answer is no. Although the defense showed amazing promise, I do question the offense. They ran the ball exceptionally well, had big plays, no turnovers, but it seems like they are going down the road Georgia Tech went with Haynes King at quarterback, and not that it didn’t go well for Georgia Tech, I just think Virginia should be wary about Pribula running that much.
Micah Alejado (QB)-Hawaii
When I first watched this guy play last year in his first ever college football game versus Stanford last season, I thought he was another guy who just scrambles around and throws jump balls. He proved me wrong. And watching him play today, he still proves me wrong. If you ever get a chance to watch this man play, I hope you give him the chance. He plays with poise and confidence with all of his 5'10 180 lb stature. Hawaii went 9–4 last season with Alejado as a starter. He missed time so he only won 7 of those as the starter. He finished last season with 3,100 yards, 25 total touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Nine wins is the third most wins in a season for Hawaii since Colt Brennan’s amazing season at Hawaii in 2007, and you have to think, Alejado was just a true freshman. Now, Alejado is a true sophomore, and in week 0 he faces Stanford again. Stanford has improved from last season where they finally have a full time coach and not an interim. Hawaii struggled at first, only scoring 7 points until the 4th quarter. Down 23–7 into the 4th, Hawaii scored 20 unanswered points to take a 27–23 lead. Stanford drove and then returned a fumble for a score, but for me, Alejado giving them a chance to win really caught my attention. Stanford had them stopped cold until the 4th and then Hawaii caught fire. His size is what will stop him from being a pro at quarterback, but he’ll keep Hawaii on the right track. My words really can’t describe how surprised and impressed I am with this guy, Hawaii fans really do have something to be excited about in him. He finished 30/50 269 yards, 2 TD’s, and 1 fumble.
Trent Mosley (WR)-USC
Earlier I mentioned that I wouldn’t put somebody like Jayden Maiava on here because he is expected to play well against a team like San Jose St, and I do stand by that. He is a senior playing for a big time program in college sports and this isn’t his first year starting. However, there is a player on USC that I was impressed with, and it was him being a true freshman that caught my attention. Before I start though, I will say that this does not change my mind that USC will not finish in the top 15, and that Lincoln Riley will be on the hot seat, but with that said, USC seems to have found another young talented receiver in Mosley. He showed quick bursts in acceleration and speed to separate from the corners and elusiveness. He finished with 7 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. He even had a good punt return for 41 yards on special teams. Of course he has many things to work on, him being a freshman shows that in itself, but he seemed to be the guy who got open and to be where Maiva looked, and for a freshman I thought that showed promise on a young player.
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Author — Jesse Robertson(Benchwarmer Broadcasting Co-host)