LSU running back Leonard Fournette (7) signals to fans during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo: Mike Groll/Associated Press)
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU. The sophomore leads the nation with an average of 210.3 yards a game. He’s also rushed for eight touchdowns through three games. The 2013 ALL-USA Offensive Player of the Year from St. Augustine (New Orleans) has set career highs in yardage in each of his games this season.
Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M. The freshman from Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), a 2014 Second-Team ALL-USA selection, was named the Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the week after he had 174 receiving yards and two touchdown catches and 77 return yards in a 28-20 defeat of Arkansas last week. He’s among the nation’s leaders with 442 receiving yards in four games.
Vernon Hargreaves III, DB, Florida. The 2012 ALL-USA First-Team selection from Wharton (Tampa) has blossomed into a potential first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Despite a leg and a back injury, the junior already has two interceptions through three games.
Su’a Cravens, LB, Southern Cal. The 2012 ALL-USA Defensive Player of the Year from Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) is another potential first-round NFL pick. Against Arizona State last week, he had a team-high six tackles, including two for a loss and forced a fumble. Through four games, he’s averaging just under seven tackles a game.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State. The 2013 ALL-USA First Team player from Miami Central is fourth in the country in rushing yards per game with a 158.7 average, including a 266-yard, three-touchdown game in a 34-14 defeat of South Florida on Sept. 12. He’s run for five touchdowns this season.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi. The 2011 second-team ALL-USA selection from Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) was the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week after having six tackles, including 2.5 for loss, in his team’s 43-37 defeat of Alabama on Saturday. The 6-4, 296-pound junior was the SEC Player of the Week after had three tackles, a 32-yard touchdown reception and blocked a field goal in a 76-3 defeat of Tennessee-Martin on Sept. 5. He’s also run for a touchdown.