A sophomore quarterback establishing himself as one of the best playmakers in the country. A true freshman strapping the team on his back to record a win in hostile territory. A game-winning kicker, and much more. College football Week 4 provided some truly incredible performances, but who were the best of the best?
Our college football players of the week, powered by the PFSN suite of impact metrics, highlight individual greatness.
Quarterback of the Week: Demond Williams Jr., Washington
Week 4 PFSN College QBi Grade: 92.9 (A-)
Not only was Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. the highest-graded passer of Week 4, but he remains the season leader for PFSN College QBi. The second-year stud has consistently proven that he’s one of the top playmakers in the nation, and he tore up the Washington State Cougars with his blend of top-tier athleticism, alluring arm talent, and composure.
The Washington quarterback threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, adding 88 yards and a score on the ground. He was clutch on third down, completing 100% of his passes for 124 yards, while flashing his deep ball prowess with 75% completion on passes over 15 yards. With his ability to hit the deep third, pocket presence and manoeuvrability, plus the athletic ability to add chunk plays on the move, Williams is the complete package.
Honorable mentions: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana; Jayden Maiava, USC; Josh Hoover, TCU; Bear Bachmeier, BYU; Tommy Castellanos, Florida State
Offensive Player of the Week: Jordan Napier, San Diego State
Week 3 PFSN College RRi Grade: 94.2 (A)
The San Diego State Aztecs quietly pulled off one of the shocks of college football Week 4, beating the undefeated California Golden Bears into the ground in a shutout. While the defense held Cal’s talented true freshman quarterback at bay, the performance of wide receiver Jordan Napier made him the highest-graded pass catcher in the nation, earning a spot among our college football players of the week.
Opening the scoring with a six-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, Napier went on to a 154-receiving-yard night, becoming the first Aztec pass catcher to surpass 100 yards since Nov. 23, 2024.
The San Diego State receiver reeled in 90% of his targets, added 10.6 yards after the catch per reception, and finished third in the country with 9.1 yards per route run in Week 4. His 80-yard reception early in the second-quarter was the longest by a San Diego State player since 2017l
Honorable mentions: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson; Kenny Tracy, RB, Miami (OH); Eric McAlister, WR, TCU; Cade Harris, WR, Air Force; Eli Finley, TE, Louisiana Tech; McKale Boley, OL, Virginia; Anez Cooper, OL, Miami (FL)
Defensive Player of the Week: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Week 3 PFSN College CBi Grade: 92.1 (A-)
The Texas Tech Red Raiders rolled into Salt Lake City on Saturday morning and casually curb-stomped the previously electric Utah Utes offense with a display of defensive dominance that had to be seen to be believed. Jacob Rodriguez was at the heart of the lockdown unit, elevating himself into the national consciousness with a performance equal parts beauty and violence.
Rodriguez was the architect of Utah’s downfall. A magnificent one-handed interception and a ferocious forced fumble helped limit a previously unstoppable offense to 263 total yards as the Red Raiders secured a 34-10 win. A force against the run and defending Devon Dampier’s aerial advances, his 25.0 passer rating when targeted ranked third among linebackers with multiple targets in this Week 4 slate.
Honorable mentions: Dylan Labarbera, EDGE, Nevada; Isaac Terrell, DT, Washington State; Cam Rice, DT, Maryland; Dion Crawford, EDGE, Buffalo; Ray Coney, LB, Tulsa; Ephesians Prycock, CB, Washington; D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, SAF, Louisiana-Monroe
Special Teams Player of the Week: Jesus Gomez, Arizona State
Forget Notre Dame’s Touchdown Jesus, the Arizona State Sun Devils wheeled out Field Goal Jesus to take a crucial overtime win over the Baylor Bears in Week 4. Eastern Michigan transfer Jesus Gomez nailed a 43-yard field goal to take a win out of Waco, but that wasn’t his only contribution for Kenny Dillingham’s team. The talented kicker was perfect on four field goal attempts while housing his only extra point of the night for a 13-point outing.
Honorable mentions: Emmanuel Henderson Jr., KR, Kansas; Kaden Wetjen, KR, Iowa; Caullin Lacy, PR, Louisville; Jack Stonehouse, P, Syracyse
Freshman Player of the Week: Malik Washington, QB, Maryland
When he committed to the Maryland Terrapins as a highly sought-after four-star recruit in the 2025 class, Malik Washington said he wanted to help build the program. Less than half a season in, and he’s standing on business. The Terps’ QB was mesmerizing in the win over the Wisconsin Badgers, reducing a once stellar defense to rubble in their own backyard.
He threw for 265 yards in Week 4, taking his season tally to 1,038 passing yards, the most of any freshman this year, and putting him among elite talent with the most passing yards by a power conference quarterback since Jayden Daniels in 2019. Washington can effortlessly launch a downfield rocket with a flick of his wrist, and is a legitimate dual-threat in the red zone.