After four weeks of college football in 2021, the cream of the crop is beginning to separate from the pack.
Virginia's Brennan Armstrong is again the highest-graded signal-caller after another slate of games. He was quietly very good last year and has improved leaps and bounds already in 2021. Let’s take a look at the leaders at every position halfway through September.
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Quarterback
Power Five: Brennan Armstrong, Virginia Cavaliers | 93.4
The Virginia lefty retains his top spot despite Virginia's loss to North Carolina because of a 554-yard passing day with four touchdowns. Even with three turnover-worthy plays to his name, he made six big-time throws to bring his season total to 13 — tied for first in the country. He also ranks second in the country in passing yards.
Group of Five: Taylor Powell, Troy Trojans | 91.4
Powell takes over as the highest-graded Group of Five quarterback after Arkansas State's Layne Hatcher tumbled down the rankings following an abysmal two turnover-worthy play performance on only 16 dropbacks against Washington. Powell possesses a minuscule 1.8% turnover-worthy play rate. Among all Group of Five quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks this young season, he ranks first in big-time throw rate (8.3%).
Running Back
Power Five: Blake Corum, Michigan Wolverines | 90.9
Corum has been ripping off big run after big run for the resurgent Wolverines. His 8.5 yards per carry mark is tied for fourth in the country, and he ranks seventh with 11 explosive rushes. We also have to give credit to the Michigan offensive line, which is helping Corum to the eighth-highest yards before contact per rush figure in college football (4.1). He has also forced 19 missed tackles, the sixth-most in the country.