Pok’s Football Week in Review: College Football Unleashed

Week 2 of college football provided some wild games, including a gigantic upset of Florida at the hands of the USF Bulls. Add in another edition of the Standout Seven, a fun quote of the week, and a new update on some recruiting news, and this week’s edition of the column is set to be a fun one.

Without further ado, let us dive into another Pok’s Football Week in Review!

USF Shocks in the Swamp

The Bulls are off to an excellent start in college football in 2025. After their victory over Boise State in Week 1, USF had one of the biggest challenges in college football in Week 2. Walking into the sold-out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, playing in front of 90,000 people, and having to deal with a supremely talented Gators roster, it was very reasonable to expect USF to move to 1-1 on the season. Yet the Bulls walked into The Swamp, and they came out alive.

In a gritty, grimy, and hard-nosed game, the USF Bulls beat the Florida Gators by a score of 18-16 to move to 2-0 on the season. It was a bigger statement win than the Boise State game, and arguably one of the biggest wins in the history of USF.

Several factors contributed to the Bulls’ victory on the road. On offense, quarterback Byrum Brown powered the offense through the air and on the ground. He had 23 completions on 36 attempts for 263 yards and a 66-yard touchdown through the air. He also added 66 rushing yards on 17 attempts. Brown did a very good job avoiding pressure, playing on time, and hitting his weapons all over the field. The quarterback faced down pressure from the likes of Tyreak Sapp, had full command of the offense, and made sure that the Bulls’ offense was in a position to make plays all day.

For his efforts, Brown was named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Week and the Week 2 Davey O’Brien Great 8 List.

As much as Brown was the centerpiece behind USF’s offensive success, a handful of other players stood out as key contributors.

Running back Alvon Isaac had an argument for being the most explosive player on the field and looked like one of the best overall players in the game. Isaac notched 36 yards on only five carries. That included a 22-yard gain where he looked shifty and explosive. As a pass-catcher, Isaac was even better, with four receptions for 49 yards. The running back was smooth and churned out key yardage all night for the Bulls.

At wideout, freshman Christian Neptune impressed with his performance. The numbers were not outrageous, as he had five receptions for 39 yards. However, Neptune ran impressive routes and was able to get open consistently against some of the better defensive backs in the country. Fellow wideout Keshaun Singleton had the play of the day, leaping over multiple defenders and racing for his second touchdown in two weeks. Additionally, Mudia Reuben provided strength and toughness on his catches, while Chas Nimrod continued to show his prowess as a downfield route runner for the Bulls.

On the offensive line, Cole Best showed that he is one of the best pass-blocking centers around. On 41 pass-blocking opportunities, Best was only credited with a single pressure. Tackle Connor McLaughlin and guard Thomas Shrader were impressive, too, as they shut down pressure from Florida on a consistent basis.

But for as key as the offense was to the victory, the USF defense was just as vital, if not even more so.

Despite not generating a lot of pressure against Florida, the defensive line made some plays. Ira Singleton gave the Bulls some good pass-rushing snaps, while Josh Celiscar had an impact on multiple plays in both the run game and passing game. Jacob Merrifield, an FAU transfer, also had one of the biggest tackles of the game in the fourth quarter.

However, the true production from the defense came from the linebackers and the secondary.

Just like last week, linebacker Jhalyn Shuler was everywhere for the Bulls. Notching seven tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup, the veteran player did everything necessary for the unit to have success.

Taking his crown for the best linebacker, albeit in a close race this week, was Mac Harris. He notched 10 total tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack. Like Shuler, Harris made plays on a constant basis for the Bulls. Without his presence, USF may not pull off the upset against Florida.

In the secondary, De’Shawn Rucker provided stiff coverage and tackling whenever run plays came at him. Tavin Ward, Fred Gaskin, and Jarvis Lee Jr. looked impressive in coverage all night. Jonas Duclona looked solid in limited reps, while James Chenault continued his great season with more tight coverage and an interception.

Entering Week 3, the Miami Hurricanes is a huge test for the Bulls. The No. 5-ranked team in the country is loaded on offense and has a fierce defense that loves to attack opposing offenses. USF will have its work cut out for them again on both sides of the ball. However, if Weeks 1 and 2 are any indication, the Bulls will have a great opportunity to move to 3-0 on the season.

FIU Shows Great Flashes in Happy Valley

In football, final scores can tell lies. Even when scores look lopsided in one direction, things may be closer than anyone truly realizes. And for the FIU Panthers, that was the case in their game against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Despite a final score of 34-0, the Panthers held Penn State to 10 points at halftime and 20 points at the end of the third quarter. FIU battled on both sides of the ball; and with a few different breaks, they may have had an outside chance to win the game.

The main key to the Panthers’ success on Saturday was the defense. Linebacker Josiah Taylor, in his first start of 2025, notched a 70.6 PFF run defense grade and a 81.0 tackling grade. He had five total tackles and a defensive stop, flying all around the field for FIU.

The other linebacker, Johnny Chaney, was tied for the lead in tackles at six and had five defensive stops. He provided great coverage on a consistent basis, only allowing one reception for four yards. Chaney also had one of the Panthers’ two sacks, flying through the middle of the offensive line and bringing Drew Allar to the ground. The Colorado transfer has been vital for the unit through two games and is set to be one of the best players on the Panthers in 2025.

In the secondary, multiple players displayed great tackling, sticky coverage, or even both. Mister Clark led the Panthers with two pass breakups and allowed one reception on four targets. As a result, he had the team’s highest coverage grade at 82.2.

Websley Etienne and Brian Blades II had sticky coverage all day, allowing three total receptions between them. Blades was also a superb tackler, racking up four tackles and registering an elite 81.6 PFF grade. That does not include Jessiah McGrew, Antonio Patterson, and Victor Evans III, who all flashed in a good way.

On offense, things were a bit harder for the Panthers against Penn State. FIU had to contend with a ferocious and talented defense all day, which forced the Panthers into many tough situations that they had to struggle to convert. However, that does not mean there were not successes in this area for the Panthers.

The rushing attack, for example, was actually very impressive. As a whole, the Panthers averaged 4.4 yards per carry and totaled 157 yards. Running back Kejon Owens had 15 carries for 78 yards with 47 yards after contact, and five missed tackles forced. He looked smooth and explosive as a player on every touch, while also showing great vision too.

Devonte Lyons and Anthony Carrie had solid touches, too. Lyons continued to show upper-level explosiveness, notching 39 yards rushing on eight attempts. Carrie, despite not having the best day, showcased all of the traits that make him a key contributor for the offense. Along with Owens, the duo showed that they can produce in the biggest of matchups.

 

In the air, there were flashes of what could be an explosive passing attack for the Panthers.

Kyle McNeal was inches away from a long touchdown on Saturday and consistently showed upper-level speed and run blocking. Eric Nelson did much of the same. Jojo Stone and Dallas Payne showed some nice route running and hands.

On the line, Zaire Flournoy did not allow any registered pressures all game, while Julius Pierce only allowed one. Even Keyone Jenkins, who had his struggles, showed upper-tier escapability and made some nice throws on the move against Penn State.

Florida Atlantic presents a brand new challenge in Week 3, both on offense and defense. But based on how they have looked throughout two weeks, the Panthers are in a great spot to play a great game in the latest edition of the Shula Bowl.

FAU Gets Back on Track

In a bit of an inverse from in-state rival FIU, FAU got back on track with a 56-14 throttling of FAMU after their Week 1 loss.

On offense, Caden Veltkamp found his stride early and often. Throwing for 309 and five touchdowns, the Western Kentucky transfer matched his career high in passing touchdowns against the Rattlers. Unlike Week 1, he was on-time, accurate, and made plays all over the field. Most impressively, Veltkamp made plays out of structure and showed that he can avoid pressure, something that he struggled to do in Week 1.

The Owls had plenty of other standouts on offense, too.

Running back Gemari Sands found his form once again, looking explosive and powerful on his touches. He had 83 yards rushing on 10 touches while also adding 28 yards as a receiver. Fellow running back Kaden Shields-Dutton looked powerful and impressive as a downhill runner, while also throwing a two-point conversion early in the game.

At wideout, Easton Messer was solid as usual, notching four receptions for 62 yards. More impressive, though, were the seocndary wideouts in the offense. Jayshon Platt, Asaad Wasseem, and Dom Henry looked explosive, had nice route running, and showed the ability to make catches through contact. Combined with the overall dynamism of Messer, the Owls have a group of players that could eventually be very difficult to contain.

On defense, the Owls put together the full performance they did not complete against Maryland.

Defensive lineman Deshuan Batiste was a force as a pass rusher, notching four pressures and a sack on 14 pass rushing opportunities. He also had a forced fumble. Linebacker Zyere Horton was a force in the run game, having four defensive stops by himself over the course of the game. Fellow linebacker Tyler Stolsky and defensive lineman Wilky Denaud were very helpful in that area, too.

In coverage, Terez Reid continued to play at a high level, allowing one reception on three targets for -3 yards. Fellow defensive backs Chris Keys Jr. and Wendol Philord also had impressive games, with Philord having two pass breakups.

To put it bluntly, Florida Atlantic did what it was supposed to do against FAMU. They needed a “get-right” game in the worst way, and they were able to capitalize on that opportunity.

Now, with FIU and a tough American Conference slate approaching, the Owls need to show that their success was not a one-off. They have a lot of work to do and plenty of improvements to make, but the foundation was shown on Saturday. FAU is a college football team to watch over the rest of 2025. If they can put things together, they could start to roll and push some teams on their schedule over the course of the season.

The Standout Seven: My Favorite Players of the Week

Mac Harris, LB, USF

A centerpiece of the USF defense, I love the speed and aggressiveness in which Harris plays the position. He is always in a position to make a play, and more times than not, he does just that. If the Bulls win or heavily compete in this game, Harris will be a key reason why.

Keshaun Singleton, WR, USF

While he has popped with the big plays, Singleton has been impressive with his route running and ability to change speeds, too. The junior has shown the ability to do everything needed from a No. 1 wideout at the college level. As the 2025 season marches on, it’ll be interesting to see how Singleton continues to improve as a player. If he continues to get comfortable, the wideout will be one of the breakout players for college football in 2025.

Johnny Chaney Jr., LB, FIU

Johnny Chaney is legit, no matter who he plays. Chaney was a major reason why Penn State had offensive struggles for most of its game against the Panthers. He was great against the run, shut down passing lanes, and even got pressure on quarterback Drew Allar.

Asaad Wasseem, WR, FAU

Easton Messer is great, but do not overlook a player who may be just as good as him. Asaad Wasseem, a Colorado transfer, looked great against FAMU after playing great against Maryland in Week 1. The wideout displayed nice route running, contested catch ability, and a nice understanding of the offense as a whole. Facing a tough 2025 slate, the Owls will need players to step up, and it seems that Wasseem will be a major one to do so.

Aidan Chiles, QB, Michigan State

A sleeper in the 2026 NFL draft, Chiles put on a show in Week 2. Between his running and carving up Boston College for 231 yards and four touchdowns, it was impressive to see how Chiles operated the field and as an overall player.

Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida

The vision, burst, speed, and contact balance that Jadan Baugh has is phenomenal. He will only keep getting better at UF.

Vernell Brown III, WR, Florida

A true freshman, Brown III is an explosive player. He is an easy mover that can get open, and has solid hands that allow him to make most catches. Add in his special teams ability as a punt returner, and Florida has a real game-changer if used correctly.

College Football Recruiting Roundup

Yes, there is recruiting news mid-season!

FAU, FIU, and USF all had players commit to them in the past week, all on the offensive side of the ball.

FIU Panthers

The Panthers landed 2027 quarterback in Zachary Katz. Katz, who plays for True North Classical Academy in Miami, Florida, already has 508 yards and a 4:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio through three 2025 games. He has an easy throwing motion, great pocket presence, and the athleticism to make plays in the open field.

A two-time All-Dade and All-State 1st-Team selection, Katz had offers from Miami, Ole Miss, Louisville, Arkansas, and many others. Currently ranked the 51st quarterback in the 2027 class, Katz is a great opening salvo for the Panthers’ 2027 class.

USF Bulls

Sticking with the quarterbacks, USF landed a talented player in Miami Southridge product James Perrone. Ranked as the 47th overall quarterback in the 2027 class, Perrone chose the Bulls over UCF, Maryland, West Virginia, and more.

According to his 24/7 page, Perrone was the Miami-Dade 7A-4A Co-Offensive Player of the Year for the Miami Herald. He completed 212 of 364 passes for 2,966 yards and 30 touchdowns, while also having 11 interceptions. He also, according to his MaxPreps page, started the 2025 season with 403 yards passing, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

Perrone has an easy throwing motion, upper-level athleticism, and an impressive ability to hit any throw on the field from different arm angles. His highlight film is very fun to watch. With quick feet and upper-level pocket presence, Perrone consistently puts himself in a position to make plays. If USF gets him on campus, he has the skill and potential to be set up as a key contributor.

Florida Atlantic

FAU landed Elijah West, the 132nd-ranked wideout in the country and the 941st nationally ranked player, according to 24/7 Sports’ Composite Rankings. West chose the Owls over Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, and many others.

West has everything to not only be a perfect fit in Zach Kittley’s offense, but also to thrive at the college level.

The wideout has impressive deep speed, great short area burst, nice contested catch ability, and good route running. He can even block, too, which was shown on his Hudl tape. So far this season, West has nine receptions for 273 yards and five touchdowns in three games played.

FAU landed a true difference maker at wideout. If he makes it on campus, he could form a fun duo with fellow 2026 recruit Nicsaint Joseph Jr. in the near future.

Quote of the Week

“I’m coming down with it every time. It does not matter. No matter if there are two people or three people on me, I am always going to get it.”- USF WR Keshaun Singleton on his mindset on “50-50” balls.

A Look Ahead

Entering Week 3 of the college football season, here’s what to watch for in Florida:

• Can USF get its offense rolling against Miami? If the Bulls start running and gunning, the Hurricanes might be in some trouble.
• Who will prevail in the Shula Bowl? Expect a dogfight between FIU and FAU. It’s a game to monitor closely.
• Player to Watch: QB DJ Lagway. Against LSU, Lagway will have the first of many brutal tests, at least in terms of defenses. It’ll be interesting to see how the Gators respond after a crushing defeat to USF.