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Writer's pictureKelly Anozie

Week 5 2022 College Football Top Defensive Performers

Updated: Oct 4, 2022




Football in the last decade has evolved in such a way that offensive players have taken center stage. Even with this change, defense remains the common denominator for championship teams in college football.


Since Week 0, we have seen a plethora of incredible individual offensive performances. Many of these players may someday be playing on Sundays in the NFL. What has not received enough attention has been the defensive standouts we have seen from week to week.


For this occasion, we will be focusing our Week 5 top performers solely on defensive players. We can safely say that the talent pool on defense is as deep as it has ever been.

 

Missouri Defensive Back Jaylon Carlies


Stats vs. Georgia: 13 tackles (11 solo), 2 tackles for loss


The Missouri Tigers came a quarter away from pulling off one of the biggest upsets in college football history, narrowly losing to the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Though this did not come to fruition, the Tigers' defense held the fort down as well as any team has done so this season. Junior defensive back Jaylon Carlies was the most impactful player on the Tigers' defense, as he led all defenders in total tackles and tackles for loss. Despite the loss, the Carlies' performance should bode well for the future, as they gained a lot of respect from college football fans.

 

Utah Cornerback Clark Phillips III


Stats vs. Oregon State: 3 tackles, 3 interceptions, touchdown


In a pivotal Pac-12 contest against Oregon State, Clark Phillips III was virtually a one-man no-fly zone. Every time he was tested, Phillips III came up with a big play, which made one wonder why they were going to his side, especially after he turned his second interception for a 57-yard touchdown. This sophomore sensation has the potential to become the top cornerback in the nation, as he continues to get better with each game he plays. If you didn't know about him before, he would be worth following this season.

 

TCU Linebacker Dee Winters


Stats vs. Oklahoma: 8 total tackles, 5 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumbles


Let us get this out of the way: TCU's win over Oklahoma was no fluke; they were flat out better than them. This was certainly the case with Horned Frog senior linebacker, Dee Winters. He was a general on the field and gave the Sooner offense very little to work with. There is a reason why Winters was added to the preseason Butkus Award Watchlist. He is the type of player that can be depended on to produce at a high level as the Horned Frogs look to make waves in the Big 12 Conference this season.

 

Best Of The Rest

  • CB Emmanuel Forbes - Mississippi State

  • EDGE Barryn Sorrell - Texas

  • LB Max Tooley - LB BYU

  • DT Zaylin Wood - Middle Tennessee

  • LB Mohamoud Diabate - Utah

  • LB Dion Hunter - New Mexico

  • DE Felix Anudike - Kansas State

  • NT Keeanu Benton - Wisconsin

  • CB Joey Porter Jr. - Penn State

  • DT PJ Mustipher - Penn State

  • DE Colby Wooden - Auburn

  • DT Daymond Williams - Buffalo

  • S Christian Morgan - Baylor

  • EDGE Mike Morris - Michigan






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