First-Team Defense for Week 9 in College Football
Which defensive players made the first-team Team of the Week for Week 9?
EDGE: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
For the second week in a row, a Wildcats victory can be attributed to Felix Anudike-Uzomah. After sparking KSU against Texas Tech with his safety a week ago, Anudike-Uzomah matched the Division I record with 6 sacks against TCU. However, after the game, Anudike-Uzomah’s sack record was taken away when the NCAA ruled that 2 of his sacks resulted in fumbles that went past the line of scrimmage and thus wouldn’t count as sacks.
For our purposes here, though, we’re counting those as sacks and giving Anundike-Uzomah his due. He was relentless and unstoppable in every sense of the words. He won quick, strong, and often rushing the passer. Anundike-Uzomah single-handedly changed the game more than any other defensive player did on Saturday.
DI: Jalen Carter, Georgia
It’s getting to the point that Georgia defenders could make our Team of the Week without even playing. Jalen Carter was just one of many players worthy of their spot, but the sophomore flashed brilliance against Florida. He was dominant on the interior against the Gators, routinely pushing the pocket and forcing Anthony Richardson to scramble or make errant throws. Carter had a sack and 4 tackles while constantly pressing the pocket or changing the intended path of the Gators’ runners.
DI: Dom Peterson, Nevada
Dom Peterson returns to our Team of the Week in dominant fashion. It feels like anytime Nevada plays, it’s Peterson who steals the headlines with his play. Despite his QB throwing 417 yards and 4 touchdowns, it was Peterson who powered the way, helping the Wolfpack return 2 interceptions for touchdowns and sack UNLV QB Cameron Friel 5 times. Peterson only had 1 sack, but he was more than responsible for a couple more with his pocket-pushing ability.
EDGE: Kingsley Jonathan, Syracuse
Syracuse and Kingsley Jonathan limited Boston College to just 251 total yards of offense and 5.6 yards per pass attempt on Saturday. The Orange’s top pass rusher was responsible for 3 sacks and 4 solo tackles on the afternoon. Jonathan proved too much for a talented BC offensive line and is on his way to posting a career-high in sacks.
LB: Jalen Graham, Purdue
Jalen Graham got Purdue on the board first after he intercepted Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez in the second quarter, returning the pick 45 yards for the Boilermakers’ first touchdown of the game. He eventually picked off Martinez again, recording 2 of the team’s 4 INTs in the game. Graham also generated pass breakup and 5 solo tackles, providing value in all facets for Purdue.
LB: Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Nakobe Dean is making himself a lot of money this season — and so are a ton of other Georgia defenders. As the Bulldogs continue to set new benchmarks on defense, Dean continues to elevate to new heights. While he had a great game overall against the run, his football IQ and instincts were on full display as a blitzer and in coverage.
With time winding down in the first half, Dean played perfect situational football, jumping a route to the sidelines with impressive speed and quickness. He nabbed an interception, returning it 50 yards for a touchdown that pushed Georgia’s lead to 24-0 at the break. It was over from the start, but Dean’s play really pushed Florida out of the contest.
LB: Trey Cobb, Appalachian State
Recording his first career interception, Trey Cobb was all over the field for the Mountaineers. In reaching their sixth victory of the season, App State was treated to a dominant performance from their longtime linebacker. Cobb totaled 12 tackles — including 6 solos — as well as an interception and a fumble recovery. He was all over the field in an impressive outing.
CB: Darrell Luter Jr., South Alabama
The Jaguars clearly have Arkansas State’s number over the past few seasons, and Saturday was no different. Darrell Luter Jr. recorded 2 interceptions off Arkansas State QB Layne Hatcher while also posting 2 solo tackles, 1 of which was for a loss. Luter Jr. was all over the field for South Alabama, limiting receptions in his coverage area to a minimum. It was a dominant, impressive outing.
CB: Romain Mungin, FAU
Handing UTEP just their second loss on the season, Romain Mungin and the Owls’ secondary played terrific football. They limited the Miners to just 7 yards per pass and kept them out of the end zone for the majority of the game until the fourth quarter. Mungin had a handful of forced incompletions and an interception in coverage as he locked down his side of the field.
CB: Charles Brantley, Michigan State
While Kenneth Walker rightfully grabbed headlines, Michigan State also had an emergent performance from their true freshman corner. Charles Brantley made the game-winning INT while showing great ability to stick with his receiver in coverage late in the game. The entire outing was more of the same for Brantley, as he stuck to his receivers on passes and limited anything big in his coverage.
S: Elijah Hicks, Cal
Showcasing terrific range against Oregon State, Elijah Hicks once again proved why he’s so valuable to the Cal defense. He recorded a pass breakup while leading the team in tackles. Yet, it was the closing speed and range showcased on his interception that led to his place on our Team of the Week. Hicks closed space in coverage to the outside, making a dramatic, leaping interception of Chance Nolan that thwarted a Beavers scoring opportunity and helped seal the deal for the Bears.
S: James Williams, Miami (FL)
A Kam Chancellor clone, James Williams made his presence known on the national stage against Pitt. Sure, he dropped an interception, but he was more than impressive enough to warrant a spot on our Team of the Week. All told, Williams recorded a team-high 9 tackles, a pass breakup, and an interception, shaking off his dropped attempt earlier in the game. Williams is a name to watch going forward as the Hurricanes look to the future with him patrolling the back end.
Flex: David Ojabo, Michigan
His fellow edge rusher dominated the offseason headlines, but David Ojabo has now surpassed Aidan Hutchinson for the team lead in sacks with 7 on the season. Michigan didn’t get the win, but that was certainly not because of Ojabo. Against Michigan State, Ojabo recorded 2 sacks and almost had a forced fumble recovered for a touchdown. The review went the other way for him, but Ojabo has done more than enough to throw his name into the first-round discussion in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Punter: Will Hart, San Jose State
Utilizing his leg to flip the field and keep Wyoming off balance all game, Will Hart was integral in the Spartans’ victory on Saturday. Hart knocked 5 of his 6 punts inside the Cowboys’ 20-yard line, averaging 46.2 yards per punt. His long of 62 yards flipped the field from his own 30 to the opposite end and ultimately set up a three-and-out that led to SJSU’s first points. Hart was terrific in this one.
Second-Team Defense
EDGE: Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
DI: Simeon Barrow, Michigan State
DI: Akheem Mesidor, West Virginia
EDGE: Nate Herbig, Wisconsin
LB: Cash Gilliam, Utah State
LB: Payton Wilgar, BYU
LB: Nephi Sewell, Utah
CB: Devin Taylor, Bowling Green
CB: Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (FL)
CB: Devin Rockette, South Alabama
S: Rashad Torrence II, Florida
S: Cam Allen, Purdue
FLEX: Roger Cray, Old Dominion
Punter: Adam Korsak, Rutgers
Honorable Mention Defense
EDGE: Charles Coleman III, South Alabama
DI: Dante Stills, West Virginia
DI: Jacob Slade, Michigan State
EDGE: Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
LB: Darren Anders, Bowling Green
LB: Quavaris Crouch, Michigan State
LB: Quay Walker, Georgia
CB: Eric Garror, Louisiana
CB: Duron Lowe, Liberty
CB: Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
S: JT Woods, Baylor
S: Kolby Harvell-Peel, Oklahoma State
FLEX: Evan Williams, Fresno State
Punter: Michael Hayes, Georgia State