Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm definitely thankful for all of you that take the time to look at NFL stars of tomorrow with me each week. The final week of the regular season is upon us and the season's biggest games are just ahead. With that, let's take a quick look back at Week 12 and which underclassmen put their stamp on their respective games.
Top Week 12 Performances
Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas, Sophomore - 24 carries for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns, 5 receptions for 29 yards
Sanders was magnificent in the Razorbacks' 42-27 win over divisional foe Ole Miss. The final score is much closer than how the game actually played out as Sanders's 68-yard touchdown scamper to begin the second half gave Arkansas a commanding 42-6 lead. He has great vision and patience while displaying the shiftiness he needs to make defenders miss in the open field. What stands out the most to me is that there is no wasted motion when he runs the ball. He's going north no matter what.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ole Miss, Freshman - 24 carries for 214 rushing yards and 1 touchdown
On the other side of the field, stud freshman Quinshon Judkins was the second of THREE 200-yard rushers in this game (Ole Miss junior Zack Evans was the other). Despite a poor team performance overall, Judkins continued to be the picture of reliability. He's up to 1,385 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns on the season. He'll take on a Mississippi State defense that has allowed 150 rushing yards per game this season in the Egg Bowl on Saturday.
Caleb Williams, QB, USC, Sophomore - 32/43 for 470 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, 33 rushing yards and 1 touchdown
Notch another big game for Williams in a shootout win over rival UCLA. The Trojans don't get a break to end the regular season. Notre Dame is coming to town looking to derail any hopes of USC making the College Football Playoffs.
Dallan Hayden, RB, Ohio State, Freshman - 27 carries for 146 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns
True freshman Dallan Hayden came up big for the Buckeyes against Maryland after last week's starter - sophomore TreVeyon Henderson - left the game with an injury in the first half. Hayden was rated a low four star in the Class of 2022. His team leaned on him heavily down the stretch with all three of his touchdowns coming in the second half. With lead running backs Henderson and Miyan Williams in question for this weekend's game against Michigan, Hayden could have the chance to come up big again.
Other Standouts:
- Tucker Gleason, QB, Toledo, Sophomore - 22/40 for 329 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, 17 carries for 106 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns
- Jordan Moore, WR, Duke, Sophomore - 14 receptions for 199 receiving yards and 1 touchdown
- Dorian Singer, WR, Arizona, Sophomore - 9 receptions for 176 receiving yards and 1 touchdown
- Daejon Reynolds, WR, Florida, Redshirt Freshman - 8 receptions for 165 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns
What to Watch in Week 13
The Game. Ohio State at Michigan. There is so much at stake, but each team has injury questions in the backfield. Does Michigan running back Blake Corum suit up after sustaining a knee injury last week? In his stead, sophomore Donovan Edwards would get the bulk of the work. As mentioned above, the Buckeyes' top two runnings backs both have question marks, but no definitive announcement has been made as to their availability. With all of the playoff implications at hand, don't miss out on this one come Saturday at noon.
You can find me on Twitter @craiglakins or by email at lakins@footballguys.com.
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