ESPN lists 3 SEC players among 15 most exciting players in CFB
By Keith Farner
Published:
As lists go in college football, it’s difficult to find a list without Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. He’s typically at or near the top of NFL mock drafts, and prospect rankings, along with Heisman Trophy discussions.
But in a rundown of “most exciting” players in college football, Edward Aschoff of ESPN made a list of 15 players, and didn’t include Tagovailoa, Georgia QB Jake Fromm, or even Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. Though former Alabama QB Jalen Hurts checked in at No. 7 as he is poised to start at Oklahoma.
It appears this list is based on the potential of highlight-reel plays that may have shelf life into Sunday morning on a given week, or leave the crowd gasping in astonishment.
Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy was second on the list behind Purdue’s Rondale Moore, and Aschoff calls Jeudy, an electric jitterbug.
“Once the reigning Biletnikoff winner gets a step on you, you’re toast,” he wrote.
Georgia RB D’Andre Swift was listed at No. 10. Aschoff noted that Swift averaged 6.4 yards-per-carry and tied for second in the SEC with 29 touches that were either 12-plus-yard rushes or 20-plus-yard receptions. In two seasons, Swift has registered 899 yards after contact and 40.6 percent of his 244 rush attempts have gone 5-plus yards.
LSU S Grant Delpit, at No. 13, is a “little Honey Badger” and even wearing No. 7, a nod to Tyrann Mathieu. “The ultimate ballhawk who can cover an entire defensive backfield or move sideline to sideline, Delpit is a quarterback’s nightmare,” Aschoff wrote.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
