We are over halfway through the season and conference play is in full-swing. It's time to take a look at how our preseason Top 5 picks at each position have fared and discuss some risers and fallers.
We start in the defensive backfield and work our way to the offense.
Preseason Top 5
1) DeAndre McDaniel, SS, Clemson - Three interceptions and 37 tackles through seven games. McDaniel has been as expected so far this season.
2) Deunta Williams, FS, North Carolina - One of several Tar Heels to miss time due to the NCAA investigation into sports agents and extra benefits. He gets an incomplete after missing the first four games of the season
3) Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA - 13 solo tackles in the last two losses tells us he's not getting much support up front. Moore is going to have to do more than one interception and two pass breakups if he wants to make the jump after this season.
4) Mark Barron, SS, Alabama - Leads the team in tackles with 52. He also has six pass breakups and two interceptions. The odds of the junior sticking around for another year look slimmer and slimmer.
5) Tyler Sash, SS, Iowa - Sash is second on the team behind LB Jeremiha Hunter in tackles with 45, and he's been getting better in Big Ten play. Sash had a season-high 13 tackles against Wisconsin in Week Eight. He's been active in run support but only has one interception and two pass breakups.
Risers and Fallers
Will Hill, FS, Florida - Hill was suspended for the first two games and since he returned has zero interceptions and a whooping one pass breakup.
Ahmad Black, SS, Florida - Size will be an issue at only 5'9", but Black has picked up the slack for Hill. He leads the team in tackles with 60 and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.
Jaiquawn Jarrett, FS, Temple - Jarrett was a tackling machine against Penn State (11) and Northern Illinois (13). He currently leads the Owls in tackles with 63. He's earning a reputation as a hard hitter.
Domonic Cook, FS, Buffalo / Donovan Fletcher, FS, Ohio - Not on the radar preseason radar, but five interceptions each is hard to ignore.