A quarterback on the redemption arc of all time. An edge player running havoc. A game-winning kicker. A true freshman ripping the soul out of a conference opponent in his first career start. Week 6 was packed with storylines, and our college football players of the week, powered by the PFSN suite of impact metrics, highlight greatness.
Quarterback of the Week: Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Week 6 PFSN College QBi Grade: 88.2 (B+)
Before getting into the numbers of his inclusion in our college football players of the week, let’s reserve a second to understand the level of mental fortitude it takes to pull off the kind of performance we saw from Nico Iamaleava this weekend as the Penn State Nittany Lions fell 42-37 in Pasadena.
Constantly criticized for the manner of his departure from Tennessee, ruthlessly evaluated and scapegoated for the UCLA Bruins’ dismal start to the season, the third-year passer rose from the canvas to knock out one of the preseason College Football Playoff contenders in a duel for the ages. It’s fairytale stuff, a made-for-TV movie about overcoming the odds.
Then there’s the numbers. Two passing touchdowns. 128 rushing yards. Three rushing touchdowns. 8.0 yards per carry. 70.8% pass completion. 3.25 scramble EPA. 0.25 pressured EPA. 61.5% “money down” conversion. 1.36 clutch sum. Every stat tells an individual story, but together, they paint a picture of one of the most mesmerizing performances we’ll see this season.
Honorable mentions: CJ Bailey, NC State; Preston Stone, Northwestern; Jayden Denegal, San Diego State; Julian Sayin, Ohio State; Caden Veltkamp, Florida Atlantic.
Offensive Player of the Week: Hank Beatty, Illinois
Week 6 PFSN College WRi Grade: 92.9 (A-)
Primarily a special teams star in the early part of his college football career, Hank Beatty is emerging as one of the most dangerous receiving weapons in the country. His ability to win on release with eye-popping agility, smoke defenses downfield with speed, and contest catches like a 6’7″ tight end despite measuring 5’11” and 185 pounds is awe-inspiring.
He earns his spot on our college football players of the week after shredding the Purdue Boilermakers to the tune of 186 yards and a touchdown in Week 6. He caught everything thrown his way (100% catch rate), averaged 20.6 yards after the catch per reception, 10.3 yards per route run, and his 3.03 EPA per target led all pass catchers in Week 6. A truly dominant performance.
Honorable mentions: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska; Jam Miller, RB, Alabama; Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia; Jordan Napier, WR, San Diego State; Bruin Fleischmann, Air Force; Sam Yoon, OL, UCLA.
Defensive Player of the Week: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Week 6 PFSN College EDGEi Grade: 93.5 (A)
It has been well-documented that the Texas Tech Red Raiders bankrolled an impressive transfer portal haul this offseason, ploughing money into the trenches. Pass rusher David Bailey is the epitome of return on investment, a ready-to-roll defensive juggernaut who consistently puts offensive tackles into a mental and physical quandary.
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Bailey was at it again in the Week 6 win over the Houston Cougars, earning his place among the college football players of the week as the highest-graded edge player. He’s credited with creating pressure on 40.0% of Houston’s dropbacks, with a 26.1% quick pressure rate. He has speed. He has power. He has pass-rush moves. He’s an unstoppable force with bad intentions.
Honorable mentions: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL); Adam Trick, DT, Miami (OH); Payton Zdroik, DT, Air Force; Daniel Wingate, LB, Maryland; Timmy Hinspeter, LB, UMass; Ja’Son Prevard, CB, Virginia; Jakobe Thomas, SAF, Miami (FL).
Special Teams Player of the Week: Connor Hawkins, K, Baylor
Kansas State vs. Baylor was one of the most entertaining games of college football Week 6, with the Bears coming back from a 14-point deficit heading into the fourth to emerge victorious. The hero on Saturday afternoon was kicker Connor Hawkins, who contributed nine points, didn’t miss a single kick, and nailed the 53-yard field goal that secured the 35-34 win for Baylor.
Honorable mentions: Patrick Rea, P, James Madison; Isaiah Bryant, KR, Navy; Isaiah Sategna, KR, Oklahoma; Kadarius Calloway, New Mexico State.
Freshman Player of the Week: Mason Heintschel, QB, Pittsburgh
Better get ready to learn the name Mason Heintschel, buddy, because if college football Week 6 is anything to go by, the Pittsburgh Panthers have got the next great quarterback on their hands. Sure, the Boston College Eagles’ defense isn’t the toughest unit he’ll face this season, but the true freshman was absolutely imperious as he went about his business on Saturday.
Heintschel earned an 85.7 PFSN College QBi score from his debut, ranking seventh among all quarterbacks in Week 6 and posting the 40th-best score of the season so far. He was composed (top 30 QB for pressured EPA), accurate, showcased great arm strength, and threw some NFL-esque passes while adding a threat with his legs. He’ll be hard to ignore all year.
