The architects of a win over 70 years in the making. A wide receiver turned running back with a career game. One of the greatest after-the-catch displays you’ll ever see, and a returner rewriting program records. Introducing the Week 4 PFSN College Football Team of the Week, powered by our suite of College Impact metrics.
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. Â 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.
Running Back of the Week: Adam Randall, Clemson
Week 4 PFSN College RBi Grade: 91.8 (A-)
The Clemson Tigers’ season might have taken another turn from expectations in Week 4, but wide receiver-turned running back Adam Randall continues to excel. The fourth-year Tiger ran for a career-high 130 yards, averaging 8.1 per carry, while showcasing his pass-catching skills with 44 receiving yards and a score. His 25.0% boom vs. bust rate ranked fourth in the country, and his 68.8% elusive rate was a top 10 marker among eligible backs.
Running Back of the Week: Kenny Tracy, Miami (OH)
Week 4 PFSN College RBi Grade: 85.6 (B)
The Miami RedHawks and UNLV Rebels played out a belter on Saturday afternoon, and while the MAC team came out on the losing side, Kenny Tracy was dominant. Running the rock 16 times for 104 yards with six receptions for 84 yards and two scores, his contributions also included 18 pass block snaps with zero pressure allowed. All-round performances don’t get much better.
Wide Receiver of the Week: Jordan Napier, San Diego State
Week 4 PFSN College WRi 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 on our college football team 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 2017.
Wide Receiver of the Week: Eric McAlister, TCU
Week 4 PFSN College WRi Grade: 89.5 (B+)
Eric McAlister might be one of the most underrated wide receivers in college football. Still, after his performance in Week 4, he definitely won’t be underestimated by any other opponent this fall. 254 receiving yards and three scores are impressive. Yet, McAlister’s real mastery lies in his after-the-catch ability, adding 109.9 yards after the catch over expectation, comfortably the most in the country.
Tight End of the Week: Eli Finley, Louisiana Tech
Week 4 PFSN College TEi Grade: 92.5 (A-)
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs tight end Eli Finley’s career-high heading into college football Week 4 was 91 receiving yards against Tulsa a year ago. On Saturday, he was the catalyst for the program’s win over Southern Miss, tallying 154 receiving yards and catching everything thrown at him.
Finley’s 12.8 yards per route run was almost double any other tight end in the country, while he was sensational with the ball in his hands, averaging 18.8 yards after the catch per reception.
Offensive Tackle of the Week: McKale Boley, Virginia
Week 4 PFSN College Individual OLi Grade: 92.4 (A-)
The Virginia Cavaliers got their ACC campaign off to a winning start in Week 4, beating up on the Stanford Cardinal to move to 3-1 on the year. Quarterback Chandler Morris threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns, largely thanks to offensive tackle McKale Boley being an immovable object. No sacks. No pressure. No penalties. Boley was perfect as a protector and vicious as a run blocker.
Offensive Guard of the Week: Anez Cooper, Miami (FL)
Week 4 PFSN College Individual OLi Grade: 90.8 (A-)
One of the most significant knocks on Carson Beck while at the Georgia Bulldogs was his inability to perform under pressure. So far with the Miami Hurricanes, he hasn’t had to worry about that. Anez Cooper was as solid as a rock in the win over the Florida Gators, earning a spot on our college football team of the week by allowing zero sacks or pressures on 76 snaps.
Center of the Week: Aitor Urionabarrenechea, Colorado State
Week 4 PFSN College Individual OLi Grade: 88.5 (B+)
The UTSA Roadrunners had the 52nd-ranked defense in the nation in Week 4, with Nnanna Anyanwu wreaking havoc with three sacks and four tackles for loss. However, center Aitor Urionabarrenechea kept a combination of quarterbacks as clean as a whistle at the heart of the Colorado State Rams’ offensive line. Although he drew two penalties, he didn’t allow a sack or any pressure in a narrow loss.
Offensive Guard of the Week: Owen Snively, Eastern Michigan
Week 4 PFSN College Individual OLi Grade: 89.6 (B+)
An Eastern Michigan Eagle makes our college football team of the week for the second successive weekend, with Owen Snively paving the way for a ground game that found the end zone three times against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in Week 4. The former Colorado State guard prised open rushing lanes for Dontae McMillan to put up 126 rushing yards at 6.6 yards per carry.
Offensive Tackle of the Week: Emerson Mandell, Wisconsin
Week 4 PFSN College Individual OLi Grade: 88.4 (B+)
Talk about a bounce back. Not for the Wisconsin Badgers, who lost at home to the Maryland Terrapins, but for their redshirt freshman offensive tackle Emerson Mandell. The youngster had his struggles against Alabama in Week 3, but this weekend, he was imperious, allowing zero sacks or pressure. He still needs to make some gains in the ground game, but this was the sort of outing that fans were desperate to see in Week 4.
Edge Defender of the Week: Dylan Labarbera, Nevada
Week 4 PFSN College EDGEi Grade: 92.2 (A-)
The Nevada Wolf Pack offense ultimately couldn’t keep pace with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, but pass rusher Dylan Labarbera at least tried to make it a fair fight. Our highest-graded edge player had a tackle for loss and a sack, but that doesn’t tell even half the story. He comfortably led the nation in quick pressure rate (29.2%) as a lightning-quick force off the edge.
Defensive Tackle of the Week: Isaac Terrell, Washington State
Week 4 PFSN College DTi Grade: 86.7 (B)
If you aren’t familiar with Washington State Cougars defensive tackle Isaac Terrell, flip on the 2025 Apple Cup and look for the player in the Washington Huskies backfield not wearing white.
A versatile piece, Terrell spent 26.7% of his snaps playing off the edge, while 73.3% of his alignments came between the tackles. He tallied a sack and three tackles for loss, but most impressively, his average tackle depth was three yards behind the Huskies’ line of scrimmage.
Defensive Tackle of the Week: Cam Rice, Maryland
Week 4 PFSN College DTi Grade: 86.4 (B)
While quarterback Malik Washington was named the PFSN Freshman of the Week for the Maryland Terrapins, they had a defensive standout, too. Cam Rice led the team in tackles for loss (two) and sacks (one) in the win over Wisconsin, turning 25.0% of his pressure into production. The 6’3″, 289-pound former Ohio lineman flashed his athletic ability, pursuing Billy Edwards to make a big play in the backfield.
Edge Defender of the Week: Dion Crawford, Buffalo
Week 4 PFSN College EDGEi Grade: 88.6 (B+)
They must put something in the water in Buffalo because year-on-year, the program produces some of the most impactful defensive playmakers in the country. Dion Crawford had two sacks in the Bulls’ loss to the Troy Trojans, converting 28.6% of his pressure into box score statistics. As a run defender, he only allowed 2.1 yards per tackle in a stellar Week 4 outing.
Linebacker of the Week: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Week 4 PFSN College LBi 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.
Linebacker of the Week: Karson Sharar, Iowa
Week 4 PFSN College LBi Grade: 89.4 (B+)
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a rich recent history of producing exceptional linebackers, and Karson Sharar showcased his place among them with a stellar outing against Rutgers on Friday night. Sharar led the team with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack, while pressuring Athan Kaliakmanis on 27.3% of his pass rush reps. Missed tackles? The Iowa backer hasn’t heard of them.
Linebacker of the Week: Ray Coney, Tulsa
Week 4 PFSN College LBi Grade: 89.3 (B+)
For the second successive week, Ray Coney finds himself on our college football team of the week. A legitimate NFL Draft prospect who leads the nation in tackles through Week 4, he was a constant thorn in the side of the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Friday night. He got pressure on 33.3% of his pass rush reps, tallying a sack and a tackle for loss with his explosive backfield penetration.
Cornerback of the Week: Traveon Wright, Purdue
Week 4 PFSN College CBi Grade: 93.7 (A)
Being on a defense that gave up 56 points in Week 4 might not scream “college football team of the week,” but Traveon Wright is the perfect example of why conventional stats don’t always reveal the true story of a player’s impact. The Purdue Boilermaker was tested just once by CJ Carr, giving up zero yards with a 100% pass breakup rate and allowing a 39.6 passer rating. He also had three tackles with zero missed tackles.
Cornerback of the Week: Ephesians Prysock, Washington
Week 4 PFSN College CBi Grade: 91.4 (A-)
A word of caution: Don’t target Ephesians Prysock. The Washington cornerback frustrated Washington State receivers all day long in the Huskies’ Apple Cup victory. He was targeted four times, allowed just one reception for four yards, forced two incompletions, and allowed a 39.6 passer rating. Like his cornerback partner in our college football team of the week, Prysock had three tackles without a single whiff.
Safety of the Week: Lento Smith Jr., Tulsa
Week 4 PFSN College SAFi Grade: 97.6 (A+)
While teammate Coney did the damage in the backfield, safety Lento Smith Jr. was the heart and soul of the secondary as the Golden Hurricane beat the Cowboys in Stillwater for the first time since 1951. He was targeted nine times but allowed just 23 yards and zero touchdowns, forcing an incompletion on 44.4% of the attempts thrown his way while logging 10 tackles.
Safety of the Week: D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, Louisiana-Monroe
Week 4 PFSN College SAFi Grade: 97.6 (A+)
The UTEP Miners provided the blueprint of how not to play against D’Arco Perkins-McAllister on Saturday, as the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawk dominated in the secondary. No eligible safety was targeted more in Week 4 (13 targets), and he forced five incompletions with three pass breakups. Although he did give up a score, DPM allowed just a 30.8% catch rate in the win.
Kicker 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.
Punter of the Week: Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse
It’s easy to focus on a Syracuse offense that riddled Clemson’s vaunted defense like Swiss cheese, but punter Jack Stonehouse was equally impressive in the Week 4 win. He landed 66.6% of his six punts inside the 20, repeatedly giving the Orange a field position advantage. He also averaged 44.6 yards per punt, including a 56-yard long in a stellar display of punting prowess.
Kick Returner of the Week: Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Kansas
The fact that Emmanuel Henderson Jr. took two kick returns for 137 yards, including a 94-yard touchdown return, would be good enough to earn consideration for our college football team of the week. However, when you add in the fact that he was meant to fair catch the first, but used it as a test for the second-half opening return, he begins to become the most intriguing option.
Yet, it’s the fact that Henderson is the first Jayhawk to take a kickoff back to the house since 2020, which helps seal the deal.
Punt Returner of the Week: Caullin Lacy, Louisville
Caullin Lacy had a standout afternoon for the Louisville Cardinals, leading the team with eight receptions for 97 yards. However, his work as one of the nation’s most dangerous punt returners caught the eye. One of his three punts for 106 yards was a 75-yard touchdown that buried Bowling Green’s hopes of a comeback in the game. Only Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen has a higher punt return average than Lacy (33.0) after Week 4.
