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On3 Impact Rankings: The Top Risers from Week11

wam1Wl2j_400x400by: Clark Brooks11/11/25ClarkBrooks_On3

Perhaps you have heard: November can be cold and grey; even surly. Playoff hopes can wilt and die with that stinging bitter rain that brings winter early.

Behind that frigid mist, the days are getting shorter and colder. But as we approach the finish of the 2025 season, the takes will continue to get getting hotter and bolder.

Though some de facto elimination games are weeding out the pack, plenty of teams are still in the playoff hunt. And, scores of players are still vying for glory, accolades, or a fleeting moment of relevance.

As far as our On3 College Football Impact Rankings are concerned, let’s shoutout some of the standouts that improved their stock the most over the weekend!

Impact Riser of the Week: DL Bear Alexander, Oregon

Previous Rank: INT 22, Outside Top300
Current Rank: INT 11, Player No. 147

Bear Alexander has made serious noise disrupting fronts and wrestling down rushers this season. The former blue chip and experienced portaler has snatched 20 stops since Week 5. Despite missing a game in that span, only one other player at the position has recorded more. And in the Ducks’ dumpster fight Big Ten battle against Iowa, Alexander tallied 4 bit time takedowns.

On the year, his 8.0% Stop Rate is tied for best among interior defensive linemen with Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald. Constantly clogging run lanes has also helped the IMG Academy product boast a top10 Impact Rate (11.5%) among major conference DTs.

No. 2: LB Reid Carrico, West Virginia

Previous Rank: LB 48, Outside Top300
Current Rank: LB 31, Outside Top300

Reid Carrico apparently had the green light facing struggling Colorado team trotting out a true freshman QB. The Ohio State-transfer had his most pass rush snaps in 7 games. And, he didn’t disappoint, logging 2 sacks and 2 hurries. Though he allowed an explosive completion, he wound up with 4 stops; he’s had at least 3 in all but one game the last month.

Carrico is far from a perfect linebacker, but he plays hard and is busy on the statsheet. Ahead of Week 12, he’s among a select number of players at the position to rank inside the top40 in both impact plays by volume (48) as well as rate (11.8%). And when it comes to getting after opposing passers, his 22 pressures are tied with Arvell Reese for the most in the Power4.

No. 3: WR Omarion Miller, Colorado

Previous Rank: WR 85, Outside Top300
Current Rank: WR 55, Outside Top300

Let’s stay in that Colorado/West Virginia tilt for an extra beat. Omarion Miller was clearly Julian Lewis go-to securing 6-of-8 targets for 128 yards and a score in the Buffs’ tough 29-22 road loss. Saturday was Miller’s first 100-yard performance of the year and third of his career. Over the last two weeks among P4 receivers, only Duce Robinson and Jeremiah Smith have outproduced him; and only Amare Thomas has more tuddys.

Strong and able to hold his own outside the numbers, he’s 1/15 WRs with an average depth of target over 14.0 to rock a yards after catch average of at least 6.8. And despite a wonky QB situation in Bolder, his 2.73 yards per route run is inside the P4’s top10; and his 11.8 Yards/Target just misses top12.

No. 4: WR Jacob De Jesus, California

Previous Rank: WR 86, Outside Top300
Current Rank: WR 56, Outside Top300

Touchdown (De) Jesus. California style. Spry and a total pain-the-ass to cover, the 5’7 Jacob De Jesus routinely whipped the Cardinals all night and ultimately drew 22 targets. The Golden Bear was the nation’s most voluminous pass catcher this weekend with 15 receptions. And his final one of the contest, a 4th-and-Goal touchdown catch in overtime, proved to be the most impactful upending a top15 Louisville team. Clutch stuff. He’s now up to 71 catches on the year — the 2nd-most in the P4 and 4th-most outright.

No. 5: EDGE Isaiah Smith, SMU

Previous Rank: EDGE 70, Outside Top300
Current Rank: EDGE 52, Outside Top300

Though missing Cam Robertson could have created massive issues for SMU’s defensive front, Isaiah Smith ascension as a well-rounded edge has kept SMU on course. Saturday, he had another strong showing. Against Boston College, the Mustang galloped into the backfield on a number of occasions and finished with 3 sacks and 5 stops — his 4th-straight game with at least 4. And over that stretch, his 17 stops are the most at the position.

Smith is quickly becoming one of the ACC’s most productive defenders. His 70 impact plays (havocs plus stops) are the 4th-most among P4 edges. Plus, his 9 tackles for a loss are tied for 3rd-most in college football, regardless of position.

No. 6: LB Robert Woodyard Jr, Auburn

Previous Rank: LB 52, Outside Top300
Current Rank: LB 32, Outside Top300

Auburn’s defense generally didn’t have a good debut under interim head coach (and former defensive coordinator) D.J. Durkin. Diego Pavia did his thing. And, the Commodores came out on top after rallying in the 2nd half and closing it out in overtime. But the Tigers’ linebackers keep looking like one of the best groups in the country. Xavier Atkins is comfortably a top5 Impact LB. And now, Robert Woodyard Jr has had his own meteoric rise the last month or so. Fresh off a 3 pressure, 4 stop, 1 pass breakup game, his 11.9% Impact Rate is now top5-worthy among P4-ers. And if you care about such things, his 82.4 PFF defensive grade cracks the top10.

No. 7: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Previous Rank: DL 41, Outside Top300
Current Rank: DL 29, Outside Top300

Though Texas Tech’s ends get most of the shine, Lee Hunter is a menace, too. The On3 Top20 Impact Transfer recorded 6 hurries and a sack in the Red Raiders 29-7 stifling of BYU. This fall, his 19.0% Pass Rush Win Rate against true sets is the 10th-best among interiors with at least 200 opportunities. Plus, his 10.0% Impact Rate is inside the P4’s top25.

Texas Tech has accumulated 128 pressures without blitzing — the most in the nation by a dozen. That’s a winning defensive formula, of which Hunter is a key ingredient.

No. 8: RB Caleb Komolafe, Northwestern

Previous Rank: RB 66, Outside Top300
Current Rank: RB 53, Outside Top300

Caleb Komolafe has rushed for the 7th-most yards over the last two weeks, behind back-to-back triple-digit efforts. Up to 726 this fall, he owns the 18th-most among major conference ball carriers. Keen on nabbing conversions, his 43 first down+touchdowns inside the P4’s top12. Thanks to Komolafe’s consistency toting the rock all year, Northwestern dons a top35 EPA/rush exiting this weekend.

Blue Chip Shoutout: WR Makai Lemon, USC

Previous Rank: WR 2, Player No. 7
Current Rank: WR 2, Player No. 7

Makai Lemon remains among the sweetest targets in college football. This week, he caught 12-of-16 chances for 161 yards and a TD. His legs also chipped in an additional 6 points on a 4-yard scamper. Though it was Lemon’s first 100-yard showing since Week 5, he sports the P4’s most yards with 937. He’s an undeniable dynamo. His 3.47 yards per route run dons the bronze medal among major conference receivers. The same is true for his 19 missed tackles forced after the catch. Though he didn’t move a lick within our Impact Rankings, his well-rounded resume hints he’s destined to be a top15 pick come April’s NFL Draft.