Joel Klatt, Fox Sports’ lead college football analyst, recently reflected on some of the best individual performances he’s called during games. Prompted by a fan named Roy L., who asked about the most outstanding player he’s seen, Klatt found it challenging to pick just one. Instead, he plans to share a countdown of his top five performances throughout the week.
He started by mentioning honorable mentions like Kyler Murray’s exceptional game in the 2018 Red River Showdown, despite Texas winning, and Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett’s comeback against Pennsylvania in 2017. However, none of these made his top five list.
Opening his top five with a game featuring Ohio State, he highlighted Marvin Harrison Jr.’s remarkable performance against Pennsylvania. Harrison Jr. caught 10 passes for 185 yards, including crucial receptions on third and fourth downs, proving he could dominate tough defenses. On defense, JT Tuimoloau was equally impressive, forcing four turnovers with two interceptions and sacks, effectively sealing the game for Ohio State in their 44-31 victory over a ranked Pennsylvania team.
Klatt emphasized how Tuimoloau was a constant threat on defense, something rarely seen at the defensive end position, and noted the significance of the win in helping Ohio State secure a spot in the College Football Playoff that year.
Fan Take: For NFL enthusiasts, these college football performances highlight the emergence of game-changing talent destined for the professional level. Watching players like Harrison Jr. and Tuimoloau excel not only excites fans about future draft prospects but also underscores the increasing athleticism and impact players bring to football at every level.