Dan Mullen reveals his top players of Week 1

Week 1 of the college football season is in the books, and Dan Mullen is highlighting the top performers from the action-packed slate.

The former Florida and Mississippi State head coach and current ESPN analyst revealed five players in particular who caught his eye.

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Mullen’s top-five players from Week 1:

1. WR Tetairoa McMillin (Arizona)

New Mexico had no answer for Tetairoa McMillin, the junior wideout from Waimanalo, Hawaii, who set the Arizona single-game record with 304 receiving yards in a 61-39 victory. McMillin scored four touchdowns: two in the first quarter, one in the second quarter and one in the third quarter.

McMillin’s touchdowns spanned 69 yards, 17 yards, 78 yards and 40 yards — in that order. He averaged 30.4 yards per reception, starring for quarterback Noah Fifita, who finished with 422 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and one interception.

2. RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty etched his name into the program record book with 267 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in a 56-45 win over Georgia Southern.

The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Jeanty was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 with 1,916 scrimmage yards and 19 total touchdowns. Talk about an encore performance: He’s off to a great start to 2024.

3. EDGE Tyler Baron (Miami)

Miami crushed Florida, 41-17, over the weekend — that result has been well documented the last few days, especially in terms of what it means for Gators head coach Billy Napier.

But Mullen shed light on Hurricanes defensive lineman Tyler Baron for his effort in the domination. He recorded a sack, plus another tackle for loss, and rounded out the day with three total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. One of those pressures preceded a Graham Mertz interception, and the subsequent hit forced the Florida quarterback to exit the game.

4. WR Nick Nash (San Jose State)

Mullen appears to have appreciated the versatility Nick Nash showcased this weekend. Nash caught 10 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-24 win over Sacramento State, the first game of the Ken Niumatalolo era at San Jose State.

Also, Nash, who began his now-six-year career with the Spartans as a quarterback, tossed a 26-yard score in the season-opening victory.

5. WR Damon Ward Jr. (North Texas)

North Texas quarterback Chandler Morris accounted for five touchdowns in a 52-38 triumph against South Alabama — of those five scores, two went to wide receiver Damon Ward Jr., Mullen’s fifth and final player pick this week.

Ward, now in his sixth year with the Mean Green, reeled in 12 passes for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 54-yarder in the third quarter.