Kirk Herbstreit reveals top performing players from Week 5
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit is back at it with his weekly lists, revealing his top performing players from Week 5 of college football. Kentucky running back Ray Davis led off the list after a massive game against Florida, and he was followed by several other big names.
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers was right behind him at No. 2 on the list, while Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Missouri quarterback Brady Cook were also among the seven players Herbstreit chose. That gives the SEC four players who made the list, leading all conferences.
The Big 12 was next with two players, and you can view Herbstreit’s full list from Week 5 below.
1. RB Ray Davis, Kentucky
Davis was unstoppable in a 33-14 victory against Florida, rushing for a career-high 280 yards and three touchdowns. It was just the second 100-yard performance this season for the senior, who leads the SEC with 594 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.
He’s been a part of a 5-0 start for Kentucky, which recently rose up to No. 20 in the AP poll following its win against the Gators. The Wildcats face a massive test this weekend, though, against No. 1 Georgia on the road.
2. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Georgia fans should certainly be thankful they had Bowers to lean on this past weekend. The Bulldogs allowed Auburn to hang on for far too long in an eventual 27-20 win, using a big performance from the junior to pull away late.
Bowers hauled in the go-ahead touchdown on a 40-yard connection with Carson Beck, dodging a pair of defenders to give Georgia the lead for good with 2:52 remaining. The All-American finished the game with eight catches for 157 yards and a touchdown, including four catches for 121 yards in the fourth quarter alone.
3. RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Brooks reeled off a couple of long runs, including a 54-yard touchdown, on his way to rushing for 218 yards and two scores in a 40-14 win against Kansas. His 597 yards for the season leads the Big 12, while his 7.0 yards per carry rank second in the conference.
Many wondered how the Longhorns rushing attack would far after losing Bijan Robinson this offseason, but it’s clear they’re in good hands with Brooks. He’ll aim to carry over that momentum into a big rivalry game against Oklahoma on Saturday.
4. QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Dart scored touchdowns on the final two offensive drives for Ole Miss in a 55-49 win against LSU on Saturday. After running one in to cut the deficit to 49-47, Dart found Tre Harris for a 13-yard touchdown with 39 seconds, allowing the defense to come up with a stop and win the game.
The Rebels quarterback finished his day 26-of-39 passing for 389 yards and four touchdowns, all of which went to a different receiver. Not only that,, but he had 50 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground. Dart currently ranks third in the SEC with 1,485 yards passing, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions along with 269 yards rushing and four more TDs.
5. WR Sean Atkins, South Florida
Atkins caught two touchdowns, including an 88-yarder, in Saturday’s 44-30 victory against Navy. The junior finished with four catches for 116 yards.
He is the latest South Florida receiver to have a breakout game after Naiem Simmons led the way last week against Rice. The Bulls are currently on a two-game winning streak and undefeated in AAC play as they head into a matchup against UAB.
6. CB Caden Jenkins, Baylor
Baylor entered the fourth quarter against UCF trailing 35-10, but outscored the Knights 26-0 in the final 15 minutes to come away with the win. Jenkins delivered one of the biggest playing during that run, scooping up a fumbled snap and returning it 72 yards to make it a 35-33 advantage for UCF with 6:02 remaining.
That set up the stage for Isaiah Hankins to kick the go-ahead field goal with 1:21 left. Other than the recovered fumbled, Jenkins had two tackles, but he came through when the Bears needed him to earn his way on these rankings.
7. QB Brady Cook, Missouri
Cook round out Herbstreit’s list of the top performing players from Week 5. The Mizzou QB was impressive this weekend to go 33-of-41 passing for 395 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-31 victory against Vanderbilt.
So far the Tigers are off to a 5-0 start as Cook has thrown for 1,468 yards, 11 touchdowns and is the only SEC quarterback who has yet to throw for an interception. He’ll aim to keep up that impressive start in a matchup against No. 23 LSU on Saturday.