Kirk Herbstreit ranks top 7 players of college football Week 4

It’s hard to believe we’re already a month through college football with Week 4 wrapping up over the weekend. As such, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit has revealed his top performing players from the week.

Michigan running back Kalel Mullings leads off the list at No. 1 after his performance in a win against USC. He is one of two Big Ten players on the list, joining Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who came in at No. 7.

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The ACC was the only other league with two players listed as Miami quarterback Cam Ward (No. 3) and Florida State defensive lineman Patrick Payton (No. 6) made it. Payton was a massive part in helping the Seminoles snap a three-game losing streak to earn their first victory of the season.

You can view the full list of Kirk Herbstreit’s top players from Week 4 of college football below.

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1. RB Kalel Mullings, Michigan

Mullings paced the Wolverines for a 27-24 victory against USC on Saturday to open Big Ten play 1-0. He rushed 17 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns, including punching in the go-ahead score with 37 seconds remaining.

The fifth-year senior also broke free for a 53-yard scamper into the end zone in the opening quarter that was one of two runs he had of 50-plus yards. It was a career-best performance that he’ll look to carry over next week into a matchup against Minnesota.

2. QB Alonza Barnett III, James Madison

Barnett was blistering hot Saturday as James Madison’s hung 70 points on North Carolina in an upset win. The quarterback scored seven total touchdowns — five passing and two rushing — and also led the Dukes with 99 yards on the ground.

Barnett was 22-of-34 passing in what was the performance of his career thus far. James Madison is off to a 3-0 start in just its third season as an FBS member and will next face Ball State at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

3. QB Cam Ward, Miami

Ward continues to build his Heisman Trophy resume as he led the Hurricanes to a 50-15 victory against USF. He is currently leading the country with 14 passing touchdowns and ranks second with 1,439 yards through the air.

The transfer QB tossed for 404 yards and three touchdowns to one interception while also rushing for 43 yards in the victory against the Bulls. He has Miami looking like the favorite to win the ACC as it opens conference play next week.

4. Tennessee Defensive Line

The No. 4 spot on Kirk Herbstreit’s list of top players goes not to an individual, but a position group. The Tennessee defensive line terrorized the Oklahoma quarterbacks in a 25-15 win on Saturday to earn the nod.

The Vols forced three turnovers from starting quarterback Jackson Arnold, whom the Sooners eventually benched in the second half. They also had three sacks and 11 tackles for loss to hold OU to only 22 yards rushing on the day.

5. QB Blake Horvath, Navy

Horvath is the beneficiary of the triple-option offense run by the Midshipmen, and that was on display Saturday in a 56-44 win against Memphis. He scored six total touchdowns — including four on the ground — as he led the team with 211 yards rushing.

The quarterback also had his best passing performance of the season to finish 9-of-12 for 192 yards and two more scores through the air. Navy is off to a 3-0 start on the year as Horvath has ran for 366 yards and seven scores.

6. DE Patrick Payton, Florida State

Payton was all over the backfield this weekend as Florida State defeated California by a score of 14-9 for their first win of the season. He recorded three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss as the Seminoles defense did not give up a touchdown.

Florida State still had a long way to go to make up for its 0-3 start, but if Payton can continue that level of play, perhaps it’s possible. Payton has four sacks and six tackles for loss on the season.

7. RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Johnson rounds out Herbstreit’s list of the top players from Week 4 after helping the Hawkeyes to a 31-14 victory against Minnesota. He rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.

The running back has totaled at least 100 yards rushing in all four games this season and leads the country with 685 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned the Big Ten Player of the Week and looks to be an early candidate for Player of the Year as well.