
<p>Now past the midpoint of the 2025 season, the grind is starting to take its toll. </p>



<p>For teams, coaches, and fans alike, motivation can fade, desire can overtake discipline, comfort zones offer refuge from growing pains.</p>



<p>As the days get shorter and darker, the ones that are able to separate themselves — step by step and rep by rep, embrace the adversity that comes from the day in, day out grind. </p>



<p>As far as our <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/rankings/player/football/2025/">On3 Impact Rankings</a> are concerned, let’s celebrate some of the players from Week 8 that stood out and are riding high entering the back half of the schedule! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-riser-of-the-week-ot-monroe-freeling-georgia">Impact Riser of the Week: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> OT 28, Player No. 245<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> OT 10, Player No. 74</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/monroe-freeling-90172/">Monroe Freeling</a></strong> has been on a tear the last month of SEC play. In one of the marquee matchups from this weekend, all 39 of his pass sets were clean against Lane Kiffin’s No. 5 Ole Miss squad. Though <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/gunner-stockton-47246/">Gunner Stockton</a></strong> deserves love for his flawless second half, having a well-protected blindside helped a lot. Plus, Freeling chipped in helping the Dawgs total over 200 yards on the ground. </p>



<p>Since Week 5, he’s the only conference tackle to not surrender a single pressure. And on the year, his 98.2% Clean Set Rate is a top5 mark among P4 bookends. The former On3 five star has been a clear stabilizing force for a Georgia offensive line that’s had to deal with dings and derailments; hence his ascension into the top10 spot in our <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/rankings/player/football/2025/">Impact Rankings</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-2-rb-mike-washington-arkansas">No. 2: RB Mike Washington, Arkansas</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> RB 44, Outside Top300<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> RB 23, Player No. 277</p>



<p>Despite an 0-2 record under <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/bobby-petrino-132670/">Bobby Petrino</a></strong>, the Hogs offense is humming. <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/taylen-green-110684/">Taylen “the Alien” Green</a></strong> is undisputed driver, but <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/mike-washington-88522/">Mike Washington’s</a></strong> hard rushing style has given an already dangerous unit even more teeth with which to threaten opponents. In the two October games, Washington has put up 300 total yards. While averaging nearly 8 yards/carry, over two-thirds of his production have come after contact. Roughly 23% of his attempts have gained at least 10 yards. And, he’s ripped off a +30 yarder in each of those games, too.  No doubt, the former two-star is making the most of being the Razorbacks’ RB1. </p>



<p>Clearly having a career year, the 6’2 230 pounder has the build pro scouts crave. And while he’s an “old man” as a fifth-year senior, this fall is setting up to be his first season with over 160 attempts. If he can continue to shed defenders and offer home runs down the stretch, he’s certainly worthy of draft board deliberation, considering the lack of wear and tear. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Run 4⃣! Run! <a href="https://t.co/oa1ASDUxGl">pic.twitter.com/oa1ASDUxGl</a></p>— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbackFB/status/1979685471073526003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-3-edge-nyjalik-nbsp-kelly-ucf">No. 3: EDGE Nyjalik Kelly, UCF</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> EDGE 52, Outside Top300<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> EDGE 26, Player No. 210</p>



<p>Boy, was Nyjalik Kelly impactful against West Virginia! He racked up 7 hurries, 2 sacks, 3 stops, and forced a fumble en route to UCF’s 45-13 thumping of the Mountaineers. Play like that has seen him make a steady rise up the Impact Rankings, as he continues to live up to his blue chip pedigree. Frankly, he’s emerged as one of the most well-rounded edges in the major conferences. His 49 combined havoc plays and defensive stops are the 5th-most in the P4 at the position. Plus, the 6’5, 250 pounder’s 84.7 PFF Defensive Grade is top15-worthy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-4-edge-yhonzae-pierre-alabama">No. 4: EDGE Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> EDGE 85, Outside Top300<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> EDGE 58, Outside Top300</p>



<p>Usually when a player is named SEC co-Defender of the Week, great stats ensue. And, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/yhonzae-pierre-122360/">Yhonzae Pierre</a></strong> was no exception. While helping the Tide capture their fourth-straight top25 victory, his three sacks were the most by an Alabama defender in a game the last four seasons. Coming into the Third Saturday of October, Tennessee had only surrendered four sacks all season. Additionally, Pierre logged 3 pressures and 3 defensive stops against the Vols. And while this week boosted his bottomline, his cumulative 16.5% Impact Rate ranks 12th among P4 edges ahead of Week 9. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏈 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: WK 8<br><br>🐘 Yhonzae Pierre<a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaFTBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlabamaFTBL</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SECFB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SECFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/KVs5yJyjVF">pic.twitter.com/KVs5yJyjVF</a></p>— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEC/status/1980307058432913597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-5-wr-braylon-staley-tennessee">No. 5: WR Braylon Staley, Tennessee</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> WR 73, Outside Top300<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> WR 49, Outside Top300</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/braylon-staley-173920/">Braylon Staley</a></strong> is another player having an objectively good October. Part of Tennessee’s Cerberus of pass catchers, he was the most productive receiver for either team in Saturday’s 37-20 slip up against Alabama. And over the last two games, Staley’s 16 catches have yielded 200 yards. Exiting the weekend, his 529 yards are now 5th-most in the league and 20th-most in the P4. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A dart for 6. <br><br>📺 ABC<br>📲 <a href="https://t.co/r0fHKVF1bX">https://t.co/r0fHKVF1bX</a> <a href="https://t.co/eiKR7u15y9">pic.twitter.com/eiKR7u15y9</a></p>— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Football/status/1979708852112085187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-6-rb-dylan-riley-boise-state">No. 6: RB Dylan Riley, Boise State</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> RB 66, Outside Top300<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> RB 50, Outside Top300</p>



<p>In a battle between the Mountain West’s two best teams, Boise State’s bell cow was the game’s best player. <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/dylan-riley-177878/">Dylan Riley</a></strong> only needed 15 touches to top 200 yards. UNLV simply couldn’t contain him. Nearly 86% of his production came on breakaway runs. </p>



<p>Since the Broncos’ loss to Notre Dame three weeks ago, Riley has amassed over 300 yards and has broken 11 tackles across his 33 carries. On the year, his 695 yards are the 10th-most in the country. But no ball carrier can challenge his 8.7 yards/touch, which is a half-yard better than any one else. Moreover, Riley is the only RB to sit inside the nation’s top3 in both yards/carry (8.1) and YAC average (5.64). The second-year scamperer is bound to have a big pay day come portal season with those kinds of metrics. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dylan. Riley.<br><br>📺 FS1<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BleedBlue?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BleedBlue</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuiltDifferent?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuiltDifferent</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Stor_It_SS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stor_It_SS</a> <a href="https://t.co/WBqPvWyy6r">pic.twitter.com/WBqPvWyy6r</a></p>— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/BroncoSportsFB/status/1979653190204403972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-7-lb-mani-powell-purdue">No. 7: LB Mani Powell, Purdue</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> LB 38, Outside Top300<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> LB 24, Player No. 269</p>



<p>Purdue’s football team might not have much to write about. Fresh off getting shutout vs Northwestern, the Boilermakers have suffered five-straight losses behind its anemic offense and leaky defense. Resolutely, this is one of the worst teams in the P4. But, linebacker <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/mani-powell-82151/">Mani Powell</a></strong> has shown promise, resolve, and value and developed into a clear bright spot. </p>



<p>The <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/barry-odom-133371/">Barry Odom</a></strong> pupil — who has followed his coach from Arkansas to UNLV to Purdue — has shown a knack for finding the football and securing defensive wins. Over the last three games, Powell has recorded 26 tackles — 21 of which qualified as stops. </p>



<p>Since Week 6, no one in college football has more. And including all games, his 38 stops– in addition to his 52 total impact plays — are the most of any P4 player at the position. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-8-te-rohan-jones-arkansas">No. 8: TE Rohan Jones, Arkansas</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> TE 48, Outside Top300<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> TE 31, Outside Top300</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/rohan-jones-248195/">Rohan Jones</a></strong> is one of the top bang-for-buck TEs around. On his largest workload of the season, he came through hauling both of his opportunities in Arkansas’ high-octane loss to Texas A&M. Despite only playing a little more than 100 snaps this year and totaling 9 catches, the Montana State-transfer has 281 yards and 3 scores. </p>



<p>Small sample sizes be damned, no Y-man dons a preferable yards per route run (5.8), yards/target (28.1), RAC average (15.6), or First Down+TD Rate (90%). Plus, PFF grades him with a top35 run block grade at the position. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blue-chip-shoutout-qb-fernando-mendoza-indiana">Blue Chip Shoutout: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana</h2>



<p><strong>Previous Rank:</strong> QB 6, Player No. 49<br><strong>Current Rank:</strong> QB 1, Player No. 28</p>



<p>Fernando Mendoza keeps taking care of business. And through the first 8 weeks of 2025, he’s been the most consistent and bankable passer in college football. So, he’s been bestowed the QB1 moniker in our <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/rankings/player/football/2025/">Impact Rankings</a>. </p>



<p>Though he still has plenty to prove, the Hoosier is coming off a showing where he completed 24-of-28 of his passes for 332 yards in a 38-15 victory against a conference foe. Saturday was his fourth game this fall of tossing at least 4 tuddies. </p>



<p>Mendoza has generated a conversion or a score on 46.2% of his dropbacks so far this year, which is the top mark in the P4. But, his efficiency doesn’t stop there. He also sports the silver medal in Expected Points Added/dropback (0.40) and bronze medal in Passing Success Rate (60.4%). Subsequently, his draft stock and Heisman odds have never been better. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Still not over this play. <a href="https://t.co/WT6mYsxiNv">pic.twitter.com/WT6mYsxiNv</a></p>— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianaFootball/status/1980070530574409853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>


Monroe Freeling Georgia

On3 Football

On3 Impact Rankings: The Top Risers from Week8

team image

The Main Board

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Teams

Fan Sites

Forums

Shows

team-link

College Football News

College Football Player Rankings

College Football Rankings

College Football Playoff

College Basketball News

Women's Sports

College

NIL News

NIL Valuation

NIL Deals

NIL Deal Tracker

Sports Business

Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal

Transfer Portal Rankings

Transfer Portal Team Rankings

Transfer Portal

NCAA Transfer Portal Home

Football Recruiting

Basketball Recruiting

Database

Team Rankings

Player Rankings

Industry Comparison

Commitments

Recruiting Prediction Machine

Recruiting

High School News

Schools

High School Search

Rankings

High School Rankings

Scores

High School Scores

High School

NFL Draft

NFL Draft News

Draft By Stars

College Draft History

College Draft Totals

NBA Draft

NBA Draft News

Draft

NASCAR

Culture

Sports Betting

About

On3 App

Advertise

Press

Contact

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

On3 Impact Rankings: The Top Risers from Week8

Dabo Swinney

Jordan Seaton

Bediako ruling

College Football Playoff

Arch Manning health