What a weekend of college football. A number of top teams were upset. Georgia Tech used a walk-off field goal to hand Clemson it’s second loss of the season. A missed extra point by Notre Dame left the door open for Texas A&M to score a late touchdown - and extra point - to take down the Irish. Maybe most surprisingly, Vanderbilt went on the road and resoundingly beat the Gamecocks. And I haven’t even talked about the featured matchups. Georgia vs. Tennessee lived up to the hype with overtime needed for the Bulldogs to prevail. LSU’s offense continued to struggle, but the defense fired on all cylinders against Florida. Five interceptions made sure the Tigers took down the Gators. After taking down two ranked teams, USF could not overcome a more talented Miami team.
Let’s see if Week 4 will be as impactful as Week 3. An early ranked-on-ranked matchup of Big 12 foes will feature Utah and Texas Tech. Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold will lead his new team, Auburn, into Norman to John Mateer and the Sooners. The Big Ten will have two ranked teams face each other when Illinois visits Indiana.
Here are a few players who had a good week and might be able to help out the Commanders. Let me know what you think about these prospects and feel free to post players that stood out to you.
****Trinidad Chambliss| QB | Senior |****Ole Miss
Is a quarterback controversy brewing in Oxford? Starting quarterback Austin Simmons had to leave the Rebels’ game against Arkansas with a lower body injury after four snaps. Backup Trinidad Chambliss, a 2024 Division II National Champion who transferred from Ferris State, filled in more than admirably. Chambliss saw the field well and made accurate throws intermediately and deep. To top it off, he also led the Rebels in rushing yards. At only 6’0”, 200 lbs, Chambliss doesn’t have ideal NFL measurables. Chambliss went 21 of 29 for 353 yards with a touchdown through the air along with 62 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
****Bryson Washington | RB | RS Sophomore |****Baylor
With the season-ending injury to Austin Ekeler, Bill Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez will have to shoulder more of the workload. If the Commanders are interested in a downhill runner, Bryson Washington could pique their interest. He’s a big back, 6’, 215 lbs, and he doesn’t waste time getting upfield. While he can burst through the line and into the open field, he’s a bit of an upright runner that doesn’t display a lot of lateral agility. Nonetheless, he is productive. He followed a 100-yard performance in an upset of SMU with 135 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in a win over Samford.
Chris Brazzell II | WR | RS Junior | Tennessee
Tennessee lost a close game in OT to Georgia, but don’t blame Chris Brazzell II. The wideout is a huge target at 6’5”, 200 lbs. You would think that would limit his ability to get open deep downfield, but that seemed to be all he did against the Bulldogs. If he didn’t get open, he won the jump ball opportunities. The route tree is limited to predominately go routes, comebacks, but he has run some in breaking routes effectively. If he can consistently create separation, a large target like Brazzell II could add some size to the Commanders’ receiving corps. Brazzell II had six catches for 177 yards and three touchdowns.
Justin Joly | TE | Senior | NC State
Although Zach Ertz has found the endzone each week of the NFL season, the team needs to be looking for his eventual replacement. This draft is shaping up to be a good one for tight ends. Justin Joly is a 6’3”, 235 lb tight end that plays like a big receiver. They line him up inline and in the slot where he can use his speed and athleticism to get open against linebackers. He runs routes well with the ability to get separation from defenders. When he can’t get open, he is comfortable making contested catches. With the ball in his hands, he can get you yards after the catch. Joly only had four catches for 22 yards but found the endzone twice in a win over Wake Forest.
Caleb Tiernan | OT | Senior | Northwestern
If the Commanders want experience for the offensive line, Caleb Tiernan is a name to watch. The 6’7”, 325 lbs left tackle is in his third season as a starter at that position. He has good feet for that size which helps him cover ground in pass protection and get out in space to lead block. He plays through the whistle and has a nasty demeanor when he engages defenders. He may have to move inside at the next level largely because he has shorter arms, but he is also fairly stiff. Is 6’7” too tall to play interior offensive line? Check out #72 below.
Vincent Anthony, Jr. | DE | Senior | Duke
The pass rush did not do enough to disrupt Jordan Love. While there is talent at the position, the team needs to get younger at the position. The current sack leader in college football is Vincent Anthony, Jr. The Blue Devil is 6’6”, 260 lbs, and has been a terror no matter who he’s up against. He bursts off the line, uses his length to keep linemen off him, and showcases impressive bend at his size. His motor runs hot as he will hustle after the ball to make a play. Hand usage and pass rush moves are an area I’d like to see him improve. After a three-sack performance against Illinois, Anthony, Jr. had three tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in a loss to Tulane.
Jerry Mixon | LB | Junior | Oregon
The Commanders’ linebacker play hasn’t been as impactful as fans hoped. Wagner is still making tackles, but it’s been a quiet start to the season for Frankie Luvu. Jerry Mixon is a 6’2”, 240 lb linebacker for the Ducks that is having a breakout season. In Week 2, Mixon had a pick-six against Oklahoma State. He followed it up with another interception and five total tackles including one for a loss. Mixon triggers downhill quickly in the run game, drops effectively into zone coverage, and covers a lot of ground to make plays. He’s a little tight in his hips, making quick change of direction a little difficult.
Colin Wright | CB | Senior | Stanford
Colin Wright didn’t fill up the stat sheet against Boston College, but he was a difference maker. Wright had a tackle, a PBU, and an interception returned for a touchdown. The 6’, 195 lb cornerback plays very well in zone where he can follow the eyes of the quarterback to the ball. Stanford also has lined him up in the slot and at safety, so he could offer the team versatility on the backend.
Bray Hubbard****| Safety | Junior |****Alabama
The Commanders could have used a player like Bray Hubbard against Green Bay. While Washington’s linebackers and safeties struggled to cover players, Hubbard made plays all over the field as the Crimson Tide rolled over Wisconsin. At 6’2”, 213 lbs, he’s got the ideal size to play safety. Hubbard trusts his instincts and it allows him to run the alley and take down the ball carrier. In coverage, he did a good job of dropping in zone and sticking with assignment in man. He finished the day against the Badgers with five tackles and two interceptions.
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