
Each week of the college football season, Yardbarker will spotlight standout performers, some of whom will be playing on Sundays. With that in mind, here are five from Week 1.
Reminder: Smith is still the best player in college football.
In a 56-3 home win over the Ball State Cardinals, Smith logged eight receptions for 151 yards and two touchdown catches, including a 48-yarder from junior QB Julian Sayin. Along with generating explosive plays, he does the little things right, which NFL scouts will love.
On his second TD catch late in the second quarter, Smith ensured he kept both feet in the end zone instead of one. In college, pass-catchers only need to get one foot down in bounds, but in the NFL, they must keep both feet in.
JEREMIAH SMITH SCORES HIS FIRST TD OF THE SEASON
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 5, 2026
48-yard BOMB from Julian Sayin
(via @FOXSports) pic.twitter.com/YrZtQlhwIJ
"Jeremiah gets two feet in for the NFL scouts." @OhioStateFB star Jeremiah Smith hauls in his second TD of the first half.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 5, 2026
Watch on BTN pic.twitter.com/1DZQzAzAPP
The TD shows that Smith, who turns 21 on Nov. 29, has a football IQ well beyond his years, which makes him one of the best WR prospects in recent memory.
"This is who your 99-overall Create-A-Player creates HIS player after," A to Z Sports' Kyle Crabbs wrote of Smith in his preseason scouting report.
Fellow junior Cam Coleman was billed as the team's best WR after he transferred from the Auburn Tigers this offseason. Wingo, however, was the No. 1 option for Texas' passing attack in a 59-7 home win over the Texas State Bobcats, with seven receptions for a team-leading 121 yards and one TD catch.
"People forget this guy was a second-team All-SEC receiver last year," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a postgame news conference. "Take nothing away from Cam. Cam's a fantastic player too. But Ryan Wingo's pretty good. I think he probably reminded a few people of that today."
Steve Sarkisian on Texas' WR duo of Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman:
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 6, 2026
"People forget this guy was a 2nd team all-SEC receiver last year. Take nothing away from Cam. Cam's a fantastic player too. But Ryan Wingo's pretty good and I think he probably reminded a few people of that today." pic.twitter.com/V2vKNlXmaL
Wingo is becoming a sure-handed receiver, making him even more impactful. He said he's been catching at least 500 footballs on a jugs machine daily to avoid drops. It's clearly working. Pro Football Focus credited him with one drop on Saturday after logging seven last season.
Ryan Wingo catches 500 footballs every day on the jug machine. Something he started this year. pic.twitter.com/Mn7i6kBpD9
— Hank South (@HankSouthOTF) September 5, 2026
Scouts will be keeping a close eye on Wingo and Smith when the No. 5 Longhorns (1-0) host the No. 1 Buckeyes (1-0) in Week 2 (ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET). The Texas star's draft stock would skyrocket with another big showing in prime time.
No. 2 Oregon (1-0) may get grilled in the film room after struggling in a 34-27 home win over the Boise State Broncos (0-1) on Saturday. Moore's performance remains one positive.
Moore finished 28-of-37 passing for 378 yards and three touchdowns, including a 62-yarder to sophomore WR Dakorien Moore in the fourth quarter. The QB's ability to respond to early obstacles impressed talent evaluators. The Ducks trailed the Broncos 17-7 with 2:48 remaining in the second quarter.
DAKORIEN MOORE JUST MADE TWO MEN MISS ON HIS WAY TO A 62-YARD TD
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2026
He puts @oregonfootball back in front in the fourth quarter!
: CBS pic.twitter.com/HzbLf6X4vi
"My biggest concern [regarding Moore] was what happened when pressure started bearing down and things got messy," wrote The Ringer's Todd McShay on Sunday. "Week 1 gave us some adversity, and I liked the response."
Oregon, which faces the Oklahoma State Cowboys (0-1) on the road in Week 2, doesn't want Moore to keep carrying the squad. But it's nice knowing he can.
Longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. tabbed Baugh as his RB1 in the draft before the Gators hosted the Florida Atlantic Owls on Saturday. He showed why, rushing for 160 yards and three TDs on 14 carries in a 66-21 home blowout.
Listed at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Baugh is a power back, but he can make defenders miss as well as run through them. He made a sweet cutback on a 12-yard TD run in the second quarter.
That was crazy
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 6, 2026
Jadan Baugh. RB1. pic.twitter.com/qp82RsLOIF
Expect him to put more defenders on skates when the Gators (1-0) host the Campbell Fighting Camels (1-0) in Week 2.
Moulton looks like he will break out after rushing for 183 yards and two TDs on 11 carries in a 40-0 Hawkeyes win over the Northern Illinois Huskies (0-1). He ran for a 50-yard TD and a 37-yarder.
From the 50
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 5, 2026
Kamari Moulton took this one to the house for No. 22 @HawkeyeFootball's second score of the day.
Watch on BTN pic.twitter.com/WSvlJYL14h
Kamari Moulton scores his second TD of today @HawkeyeFootball
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) September 5, 2026
Watch on BTN pic.twitter.com/uPw5GwGQoX
"Moulton is a fourth-year Iowa back—not a transfer—and he led the Hawkeyes in rushing [878 rushing yards] last season," wrote McShay. "But 183 yards on 11 carries, an absurd 16.6 yards per attempt, demands attention."
Moulton will continue getting more attention if he makes Iowa's offense, which is typically boring, entertaining. See if he can when the No. 22 Hawkeyes (1-0) battle the Iowa State Cyclones (1-0) for the Cy-Hawk Trophy (NBC, 7:30 p.m. ET) in Week 2.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!