College Football Week 1: Team of the Week, Player Awards

Cal's Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele produces a memorable debut: Sagapolutele thrived from a clean pocket, completing 18-of-21 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns and a 10.8 yards-per-attempt average. Even more impressively, he stayed composed under duress, earning a 93.6 passing grade on his pressured dropbacks despite facing pressure on nearly a third of his dropbacks.

A perfect night for Wisconsin's Preston Zachmann: Zachmann entered the season as one of the top returning safeties in college football, and he backed up the hype on Thursday night. The Wisconsin standout was targeted three times in primary coverage; he allowed zero receptions and came down with two interceptions, earning a stellar 92.8 coverage grade.

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National Team of the Week & Player Awards

Offense

QB: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
RB: Robert Henry Jr, UTSA
WR: Germie Bernard, Alabama
WR: Kole Wilson, Baylor
TE: Peter Clarke, Temple
Flex: Skyler Bell, UConn
LT: Austin Barber, Florida
LG: Beau Stevens, Iowa
C: Jake Slaughter, Florida
RG: Jay Mickle, Louisiana-Monroe
RT: Spencer Fano, Utah

Defense

EDGE: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
EDGE: Gabe Jacas, Illinois
DI: Grady Kelly, Michigan State
DI: Will Whitson, Mississippi State
LB: Vincent Shavers Jr, Nebraska
LB: Mac Harris, USF
CB: Mansoor Delane, LSU Tigers
CB: Jermaine Matthews Jr, Ohio State
S: Preston Zachman, Wisconsin
S: Bishop Fitzgerald, USC
Flex: Earl Little Jr, Florida State

Offensive Player of the Week: Robert Henry Jr, UTSA

UTSA gave Texas A&M more of a scare than expected on Saturday, thanks largely to Robert Henry Jr.’s dominance on the ground. The Aggies had no answer for the Roadrunners’ back, who racked up 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries. Henry forced four missed tackles, broke off five runs of 10-plus yards and generated 106 of his yards after contact — good for an impressive 6.63 yards after contact per attempt.

He finished the game with a 77.6 rushing grade, keeping UTSA within striking distance well into the second half.

Defensive Player of the Week: Preston Zachmann, Wisconsin

Zachmann entered the season as one of the top returning safeties in college football, and he backed up the hype on Thursday night. The Wisconsin standout was targeted three times in primary coverage; he allowed zero receptions and came down with two interceptions, earning a stellar 92.8 coverage grade.

Zachmann played 36 total snaps — 24 in coverage — and allowed a 0.0 passer rating when targeted, the definition of a perfect night in coverage.

Offensive Line of the Week: Iowa Hawkeyes

Year after year, Iowa fields one of the nation’s most reliable offensive lines—and Saturday was no exception. The Hawkeyes' front five combined for a dominant 97.5 unit grade, with every starter earning a grade in the 80s. They allowed just three quarterback hurries all game.

QB of the Week: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California

You won’t find a better true freshman debut—especially on the road—than what Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele delivered for Cal last night. The freshman posted a 95.5 passing grade, the highest among qualified quarterbacks in college football this weekend, thanks in part to his five big-time throws. He finished with 234 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Sagapolutele thrived from a clean pocket, completing 18-of-21 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns and a 10.8 yards-per-attempt average. Even more impressively, he stayed composed under duress, earning a 93.6 passing grade on his pressured dropbacks despite facing pressure on nearly a third of his dropbacks.

Run defender of the week: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

With Abdul Carter now in the NFL, Dani Dennis-Sutton has stepped into the spotlight—and while he’s expected to be Penn State’s dominant pass rusher, it was his run defense that stole the show in Week 1. Dennis-Sutton earned an elite 97.3 run-defense grade, anchoring a Nittany Lions unit that looks like one of the best in the country.

On just 14 run-defense snaps, he tallied two tackles, both of which resulted in a loss of yardage for the offense. He didn’t receive a single negative grade in the run game, and his average depth of tackle was an impressive 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Pass rusher of the Week: Gabe Jacas, Illinois

Illinois is poised for a strong 2025 campaign and got off to an ideal start Friday night—thanks in large part to defensive end Gabe Jacas. The junior made a major impact in just 33 snaps, recording four total pressures, including two sacks and a forced fumble. He finished with a 93.2 overall PFF grade, leading the Illini defense in a dominant opener.

Coverage defender of the week: Mansoor Delane, LSU Tigers

Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane made the most of his LSU debut on Saturday, earning an 81.4 PFF grade in a statement win over Clemson. He was a difference-maker on the back end, intercepting Cade Klubnik and breaking up two more passes. It’s not a stretch to say LSU may not have pulled off the upset without Delane’s impact in coverage.

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Defense

EDGE: Harper Holloman, Western Kentucky
EDGE: Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
DI: Damonte Smith, Middle Tennessee
DI: Kevin Abrams-Verwayne, Appalachian State
LB: Ethan Wesloski, North Texas
LB: Johnny Chaney Jr., FIU
CB: Jaquez White, Troy
CB: Noah Flores, Utah State
S: Ja'Qurious Conley, Charlotte
S: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Flex: Demarko Williams, Western Kentucky

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