By Adrian Beecher
Three weeks into the season, a handful of playmakers have grabbed the national spotlight. Quarterbacks are piling up yards, backs are chewing clock and receivers are stretching fields from coast to coast. Here’s where the stat race stands right now, with offensive fireworks first and a quick look at the early defensive disruptors.
Passing leaders
Syracuse’s Steve Angeli has thrown for 1,072 yards, edging Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson at 1,070. Darian Mensah at Duke sits third at 1,036, followed by Boston College’s Dylan Lonergan (991) and USC’s Jayden Maiava (989). These five have been volume engines for their offenses and are driving early wins with efficient first-read throws and steady pocket work.
Touchdown makers
Two arms share the national lead with 11 TD passes: Behren Morton (Texas Tech) and Taylen Green (Arkansas). Both have topped 800 passing yards and are pushing the ball vertically with confidence.
Accuracy watch 🎯
Among prominent starters, Julian Sayin (Ohio State) is dealing at 78.9%, Carson Beck (Miami) is close behind at 78.3%, Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) checks in at 76.6%, and Beau Pribula (Missouri) is at 76.4%. Their offenses are thriving on rhythm throws and smart distribution.
Tough lesson column
FAU’s Caden Veltkamp leads the country with 7 interceptions. Ball security is the next step for the Owls if they want drives to finish with points instead of turnovers.
Rushing leaders
UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. headlines the ground game with 480 rushing yards. Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy is right there at 462, followed by Rashod Dubinion of App State (400), Cam Cook of Jacksonville State (390) and Justice Haynes of Michigan (388). Henry runs behind his pads and rarely takes a clean shot, while Hardy is stacking explosives behind a surging Tigers line.
Rushing TDs
Jonah Coleman has been a short-yardage hammer and a home-run threat for Washington. He leads the nation with 7 rushing touchdowns through three games after a record night that included five scores.
Receiving leaders
Texas A&M burner Mario Craver tops the board with 443 receiving yards on 20 catches at 22.1 per grab. Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II is second at 364, followed by Harrison Wallace III of Ole Miss (339), Jaden Barnes of App State (337) and Skyler Bell of UConn (332). Craver’s speed has tilted coverage every week, while Brazzell II is winning with size and body control down the boundary.
Volume kings 👑
Early target magnets include Lewis Bond (Boston College) with 29 receptions and Pofele Ashlock (Hawaiʻi) with 26. Both have been chain-movers on third down and red-zone safety valves.
Defensive snapshot
Tackle machines set a tone every Saturday. Isaiah Chisom (UCLA) and Austin Romaine (Kansas State) share the national lead with 37 total tackles apiece. Both are reading clean and finishing in space.
Ballhawks are already changing games. Five defenders share the national lead with 3 interceptions: Aamaris Brown (UNLV), Bishop Fitzgerald (USC), Elijah Green (Tulsa), Hezekiah Masses (Cal) and Javion White (Tulane). Pick-six threats like Brown have flipped momentum in tight finishes.
What it means
The early leaderboard says plenty about system fits and off-season transfers. Angeli and Syracuse have found a rhythm, UTSA is leaning on Henry’s reliability, and Craver’s vertical juice is unlocking the Aggies’ passing game. On defense, sure tackling and opportunistic secondaries are separating contenders from pretenders.
Numbers will move as conference play heats up, but through three weeks these are the names everyone is chasing.
Stats reflect results through Week 3.
