First-Team Defense
Which defensive players made the first-team Team of the Week for Week 1?
EDGE: George Karlaftis, Purdue
Oregon State offensive tackles will be well-seasoned when they play Kayvon Thibodeaux later this season after the beating George Karlaftis put them through. Karlaftis is often overlooked thanks in part to playing the same position as Thibodeaux, but he made it known early on in 2021 that he’s every bit as talented. Recording just 4 total tackles and a 0.5 tackle for loss, it was the way Karlaftis routinely disputed the offensive game plan for the Beavers that lands him on our Team of the Week.
DI: Jalen Carter, Georgia
Jalen Carter was dominant against Clemson, much like the entire Georgia defense. He brought down a tackle for loss, beat multiple double-teams, and was an absolute menace with his pass-rushing skills. Carter’s late-game quarterback pressures were ultimately what kept Georgia ahead and kept the Clemson offense out of the end zone for the entire game.
DI: Zachary Carter, Florida
Another Carter dominant on the defensive line for an SEC program, Zachary made the most of his snaps against FAU on Saturday. He recorded a whopping 3 sacks against the Owls as well as multiple other pressures and 4 total tackles. Carter was all over the place for the Gators.
EDGE: Mitchell Agude, UCLA
Consistently pressuring Max Johnson off the edge, Mitchell Agude got home with a sack as well as a handful of other pressures. He was also solid against the run for the UCLA defense that allowed just 49 yards on 25 carries to the Tigers. Agude was dominant, much like the entire defensive line for the Bruins.
LB: Riko Jeffers, Texas Tech
Riko Jeffers returned an interception for a touchdown against Houston, proving to be the tipping point in an otherwise highly contested game. Jeffers added a sack on a blitz and multiple other plays in coverage, proving he’s every bit of a three-down linebacker.
LB: Devin Lloyd, Utah
The rightful winner of the 2019 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year got started on the right foot in 2021. Devin Lloyd snatched an impressive interception against Weber State off a deflected pass while he was impressive in all facets. His sideline-to-sideline ability is second to none in the Pac-12 this season.
LB: Darien Butler, Arizona State
Dominating in coverage, Darien Butler recorded 2 interceptions for the Sun Devils on Thursday night. He was all over in coverage but also chipped in with multiple stops in the run game to round out an impressive performance.
CB: Riley Moss, Iowa
Not even a question for Riley Moss to make the Team of the Week after nabbing a pair of pick-sixes against Indiana QB Michael Penix. Moss showed incredible breaking speed and sharp instincts for the Hawkeyes, setting the tone for an incredible defensive performance against the Hoosiers.
CB: Tyric LeBeauf, Boise State
It was Tyric LeBeauf who started the scoring onslaught in the Boise State-UCF game on Thursday night. He recorded what happened to be the easiest interception of his career when Dillon Gabriel gifted him a pick but still showcased impressive ball skills with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. He made another interception later in the game that almost put it away for the Broncos.
CB: Jadon Canady, Tulane
A true freshman cornerback making his collegiate debut against a Heisman Trophy favorite. That doesn’t seem like a great recipe for the defensive back, but Jadon Canady was not fazed. He intercepted Spencer Rattler on a deep pass and kept his Oklahoma receivers at bay for the game’s entirety. Going up against Jadon Haselwood and Marvin Mims, Canady proved he belongs on the field at all times for the Green Wave. Get to know the name.
S: Jalen Catalon, Arkansas
The preseason hype that followed Jalen Catalon was vindicated in Week 1 as he recorded 2 interceptions for the Razorbacks. He was a few yards short of a pick-six in this one as well but still more than deserving of a spot on the Team of the Week. Catalon, just a redshirt sophomore, is absolutely one of the nation’s top safeties this season.
S: Lewis Cine, Georgia
Lewis Cine and the Bulldogs’ defense came to play in a big way on Saturday night. Cine led all Georgia tacklers with 9 total stops and was dominant in the passing game. He disguised coverages well and helped confuse DJ Uiagalelei when he attempted to move from one read to the next. With Cine playing at this level, the sky is the limit for Georgia in 2021.
Flex: Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
Amare Barno was absolutely everywhere for the Hokies on defense. He recorded multiple stops in the run game, pressured off the edge with ease, and even dropped back in coverage with terrific athletic ability. Barno wasn’t the only reason Virginia Tech defeated North Carolina, but he certainly was a big influence in the win.
Punter: Jordan Stout, Penn State
For a game with a combined 13 punts, you’d expect one of the punters to land on our Team of the Week. It was Jordan Stout who was the most impressive in the Penn State vs. Wisconsin slobberknocker. He booted 7 punts for 377 yards, with one landing inside the Wisconsin 20-yard line. Stout averaged 53.9 yards per punt, thanks in part to a long of 76 yards in the win.
Second-Team Defense
EDGE: Taylor Riggins, Buffalo
DI: Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
DI: Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
EDGE: Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
LB: Payton Wilgar, BYU
LB: Nakobe Dean, Georgia
LB: DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
CB: Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
CB: Zion Williams, Troy
CB: Elvin Hines, Kent State
S: Leon O’Neal Jr., Texas A&M
S: Deontai Williams, Nebraska
Flex: Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech
P: Blake Hayes, Illinois
Honorable Mention Defense
EDGE: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
DI: PJ Mustipher, Penn St.
DI: Bryan Bresee, Clemson
EDGE: T.D. Moultry & Colby Wooden, Auburn
LB: Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
LB: Jake Hummel, Iowa State
LB: Bumper Pool, Arkansas
CB: Malachi Moore, Alabama
CB: Eli Ricks, LSU
CB: Devin Taylor, Bowling Green
S: Jalen Graham, Purdue
S: Quentin Lake, UCLA
Flex: Keenan Pili, BYU
P: Tom Snee, Oregon