“No matter what happens to you, always have an acute awareness about yourself and your identity. Know who you are, no matter what others choose to call you.”- Mike Leach

Confidence is certainly evident in the following young men at least from a football perspective. Self-awareness and self-confidence are required components to be successful on the football field. “There can be no doubt. For doubt causes chaos in one’s own demise.“- Guy Ritchie

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This is a far from complete list of impressive players, but these are the twenty I’ve chosen to spotlight for one reason or another.

So, here are 10 Offensive and 10 Defensive College Football players who not only have the confidence in their play but have impressed me at least once and have continued to produce throughout the season.

DEFENSE:

• Memphis LB Demarco Ward 6’1/ 227
  • 2 INT for TD (tied for 1st in Nation)
• Tulsa CB Elijah Green 6’2/ 183
  • 5 INT, 33 Tackles
• Memphis DB Omarion Cooper 6’0/ 192
  • 6 Pass Defended (tied 3rd in Nation), 15 Tackles
• Southern Miss CB Southern Miss 6’1/ 164
  • 28 Tackles, 6 Pass Defended (tied 3rd), 1 INT
• Southern Miss CB Ian Foster 6’0/ 185
  • 34 Tackles, 4 Pass defended, 2 INT, 2 DEF TD (tied 1st), 1 Sack, 1 Tackle for loss, 1 Fumble Recovery
• Southern Cal SS Bishop Fitzgerald 5’11/ 198
  • 25 Tackles, 3 INT, 1 TD, 1 Pass Defended
• Buffalo LB Khalil “Red” Murdock 6’3/ 235
  • 70 Tackles (1st), 4 Fumble Forced (1st), 1 Fumble Recovery
• Utah EDGE John Henry Daley 6’4/ 260
  • 25 Tackles, 9 Tackles for Loss (2nd), 6.5 Sacks (5th)
• Maryland EDGE Sidney Stewart 6’2/ 255
  • 15 Tackles, 7 Tackles for Loss, 4.5 Sacks
• Mississippi St FS Jahron Manning 5’10/ 195
  • 40 Tackles, 4 Pass Defended, 1 INT

OFFENSE:

• Oregon QB Dante Moore
  • 1210 Passing Yards, 14 Passing TD’s, 1 INT
• USC QB Jayden Maiava
  • 15 Total TD’s, 1644 Yards (5th in Nation), 1 INT
• Memphis RB Sutton Smith 5’9/ 185
  • 600 Total yards, 6 TD’s
• Washington RB Jonah Coleman 5’9/ 225
  • 754 Total Yards, 11 TD’s
• Memphis QB Brenden Lewis
  • 1694 Total yards, 15 TD’s, 4 INT
• Tulane QB Jake Retzlaff
  • 1188 Total Yards, 9 TD, 0 INT
• Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy 5’10/ 205
  • 730 Rushing Yards (1st in Nation), 9 TD’s
• Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson
  • 2058 Passing Yards (1st), 19 Passing TD’s (1st), 4 INT
• USC WR Makai Lemon
  • 769 Total Yards, 6 TD’s
• ASU WR Jordyn Tyson
  • 483 Rec Yards, 7 TD’s (1st)

As I said, this is a far from complete list. Let’s see who can stay on the list and who will be added.

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The sun is creeping over the Wasatch and dripping through the cracked front window blinds bringing a natural warmth to the front room in the otherwise cool house. It’ll be warm and sunny this afternoon. A great day to be alive.

One thing I wanted to update–since I called myself out back in July about leaving a fresh made cup of coffee on the counter at least 2-3 times a week, I’ve yet to do it once. Just remember, there’s always room to improve in at least one area in your life. I’ve got an infinite list for myself, but at least I’ve improved in at least one way. It’s a win/ win since I prefer my coffee searing the mucus wall of my esophagus and giving me jolt behind my eyes in the morning–not harmlessly chilling on the granite countertop.

Freedom Roast, Espresso Roast, Just Black, Maple Pecan, and High-Altitude Peruvian Blend. These are a few of my favorite things. People may call me this or that but I know who I am–I’m a man who loves the mountains, football, and coffee and the one that enjoys all three as much as me. ‘Eyes never shown so bright as the ones looking back at me.’

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.