College Football's All-Week 1 First Team: Top Performers at Every Position

Week 1 of the 2016 college football season showcased a handful of top players putting up massive numbers, but several unknown talents opened with brilliant stat lines, too.

Bleacher Report is here to highlight the best of them all, broken down by position or unit—no matter the conference, result or brand power.

While the players included aren't necessarily always the top statistical producers, gaudy numbers were heavily considered. Competition level and efficiency also factored into the choices.

Quarterback

First Team: Lamar Jackson, Louisville

Heralded as a potential breakout player throughout the offseason, Lamar Jackson matched the hype in Louisville's opener.

During the first half alone, he completed 17 of 23 passes for 286 yards and six touchdowns to six different receivers. Jackson also racked up 119 yards and two scores on just 11 carries, totaling 405 yards and accounting for a school-record eight touchdowns.

"Last year, I didn't know the plays," Jackson said, per ESPN's Brian Bennett. "So I'd sit back, and if I didn't like what I saw, I'd take off. It's not like that now. I'm mature now. I know what I'm doing."

Louisville hosts Florida State after a trip to Syracuse. The Seminoles will test Jackson's knowledge that afternoon.

Second Team: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

With nods to Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes II, Western Kentucky's Mike White and Akron's Thomas Woodson, J.T. Barrett earned the spotlight. Playing behind a revamped offensive line and with a host of new skill-position players, Barrett tallied 349 yards and six touchdowns through the air, adding 30 yards and a score with his legs. Ohio State thrashed Bowling Green 77-10.

Running Backs

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First Team: Nick Chubb, Georgia

What a return. After his sophomore campaign ended in gruesome fashion due to a knee injury, Nick Chubb reminded the country why he's considered one of the best running backs.

Chubb powered through North Carolina in a 33-24 win. The junior racked up 222 yards and two scores on 32 carries—the last of which was a 55-yard, game-sealing touchdown.

Sony Michel's eventual return from a broken forearm will ease the pressure on Chubb, but he's once again a workhorse for Georgia's offense.

First Team: Aaron Jones, UTEP

Aaron Jones missed most of the 2015 season due to a broken ankle. The UTEP standout made up for lost time against New Mexico State.

The redshirt junior handled 31 carries, amassing 249 yards and two touchdowns. Jones had three receptions for 43 yards.

"It was an unbelievable performance," UTEP head coach Sean Kugler said after the 38-22 triumph, according to the school. "He was just so happy to be back out there and I was so happy for him."

Second Team: Ito Smith, Southern Miss

Southern Miss fought back from a 25-point deficit on the road to stun Kentucky, and Ito Smith played a significant role in the upset. He gained 173 yards and scored once on 36 rushing attempts. Smith added five receptions for 40 yards.

Second Team: Curtis Samuel, Ohio State

Curtis Samuel was a primary beneficiary of J.T. Barrett's performance. The H-back carried the ball 13 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also snagged nine passes for 177 yards and two scores.

Wide Receivers

Associated Press

First Team: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington

Cooper Kupp is eligible because he took on a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, but he is perhaps the best receiver you've never heard of. He led Eastern Washington past Washington State.

Kupp caught 12 passes for 206 yards and three scores, completed a 22-yard pass and took two carries for 29 yards. Meanwhile, his quarterback, Gage Gubrud, totaled 551 yards and six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) during the 45-42 victory.

In four career road games against Pac-12 Conference programs, Kupp has averaged 10 receptions, 179 yards and 2.75 touchdowns. Remember his name when the 2017 NFL draft rolls around.

First Team: Jerome Lane, Akron

The second-leading receiver in the country after Week 1, Jerome Lane helped Akron defeat the Virginia Military Institute 47-24.

"We felt like our skill in the deep passing game would be the difference," Zips coach Terry Bowden said, according to Elton Alexander of the Plain Dealer.

Lane snagged 10 catches, piling up 196 yards and two touchdowns. Four of his receptions gained 20 or more yards.

Second Team: Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse

Dino Babers' first game at Syracuse brought an unsuspecting target to the top of the nation's leaderboard. Amba Etta-Tawo had 12 receptions for 210 yards and one touchdown in a 33-7 win over Colgate. Like Babers, the graduate transfer from Maryland made a wonderful impression in his debut.

Second Team: Kenny Golladay, Northern Illinois

Although the Huskies lost to Wyoming in overtime, 40-34, Kenny Golladay provided a large portion of Northern Illinois' offense. He caught 10 passes for 144 yards and two scores, adding 82 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Tight End

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First Team: Jaylen Samuels, North Carolina State

Jaylen Samuels has basically created a new position, but North Carolina State labels him a tight end. However, the junior isn't limited to the ordinary duties.

During a 48-14 smackdown of William & Mary, Samuels caught five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. He also carried the ball five times for 24 yards, crossing the plane twice more.

Second Team: Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin

Wisconsin earned a surprising victory over fifth-ranked LSU, and Troy Fumagalli was the most valuable offensive player. He tallied 100 yards on seven receptions—six of which resulted in a first down. Fumagalli's final catch moved the Badgers into position for their game-winning field goal.

Offensive Line

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First Team: Ohio State

J.T. Barrett and Curtis Samuel headlined the Buckeyes' explosion, which ended with a school-record 776 yards. It's only fair the offensive line receives some deserved time in the spotlight.

Ohio State did not allow a single tackle for loss. The running game averaged 6.5 yards per carry and the quarterbacks registered 10.7 yards per attempt.

Just one other FBS team, Troy—in a 57-17 victory over Austin Peay—had at least 300 yards rushing and 300 yards passing.

Second Team: Michigan

Jim Harbaugh's team dismantled Hawaii 63-3, and the offensive line was nearly perfect. In fact, on third down, it was. Michigan converted all seven money-down snaps. Despite missing returning starter Ben Braden, the Wolverines totaled 306 yards on the ground and 206 through the air. The quarterbacks finished a combined 17-of-20.

Defensive Ends

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First Team: DeMarcus Walker, Florida State

Ole Miss controlled the Labor Day showdown through 27 minutes. Then, Florida State's defense tightened up, and DeMarcus Walker led the charge.

Walker sacked Chad Kelly a stunning 4.5 times in the second half, also forcing a fumble that led to the Seminoles' go-ahead touchdown. Florida State never relinquished the lead.

Most importantly, he provided a timely impact. Two of Walker's sacks came on third down, resulting in Ole Miss punts. His final one essentially set up the game-sealing interception.

First Team: Anthony Nelson, Iowa

Playing his first career college game, Anthony Nelson wasted no time making an impact. He logged six tackles with 2.5 sacks in a 45-21 win over Miami (Ohio).

Nelson forced a fumble when the defense faced a late goal-to-go situation, and he jarred the ball loose earlier in the game. Both turnovers led to Iowa scores.

Second Team: A.J. Jefferson, Mississippi State

Dan Mullen and company will try to forget Week 1 as quickly as possible, but A.J. Jefferson was a bright spot in the 21-20 loss to South Alabama. Jefferson recorded seven tackles, including a career-best four for a loss with two sacks.

Second Team: Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan

Jeremiah Harris packed the box score—something that's rarely said about a defensive end. The redshirt sophomore accumulated five tackles with 2.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks. Harris forced a fumble, recovered one and had two hurries.

Defensive Tackles

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First Team: A.J. Wolf, Duke

All of 14 players recorded a sack for Duke in 2015. However, no individual had more than 2.5 sacks. A.J. Wolf has already bested the number in 2016.

Wolf had three sacks Saturday in a 49-6 win over NC Central, adding a quarterback hurry. He finished with four total tackles but deflected praise to his Blue Devils teammates.

"It's cool to have three sacks but credit the whole defense," Wolf said, according to Sid Bhaskara of the Chronicle. "I just ended up getting the credit on those plays."

First Team: Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins, Clemson

Picking one would be unfair, so both Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins get a nod. The duo combined for 13 tackles with 3.5 for loss, two sacks and two pass breakups in a 19-13 win over Auburn.

"That was fun. I enjoyed every play out there, giving me my all nonstop," Lawrence said of his college debut, per Aaron Brenner of the Post and Courier.

They also bulldozed a running lane for Wayne Gallman's 1-yard touchdown on 4th-and-goal during the first half.

Second Team: Courtel Jenkins and R.J. McIntosh, Miami

Miami dealt with Sam Bruce's suspension in the season opener, which depleted the depth at defensive tackle. Courtel Jenkins had three tackles for loss, and R.J. McIntosh racked up a team-high eight stops—including two behind the line of scrimmage in a 70-3 win over Florida A&M.

Second Team: Tony Porter, Ohio

Tony Porter took advantage of Ohio's triple-overtime thriller against Texas State. The 6'1", 293-pound junior posted seven total tackles with 2.5 for loss and two sacks.

Outside Linebackers

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First Team: Peter Kalambayi, Stanford

Stanford struggled to put away Kansas State during the second half, but the defense held strong in a 26-13 win. Peter Kalambayi made sure of it, posting six tackles with three for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Kalambayi recorded his final sack on the Wildcats' final offensive snap of the night, a fourth down in Stanford territory.

First Team: Troy Dye, Oregon

Not only did the true freshman earn a starting spot, he dominated in a 53-28 win over UC Davis. Troy Dye piled up 11 total tackles with an impressive 4.5 for loss and one sack. Dye also blocked a field goal in his Oregon debut.

"Everything he does in drills, he just competes his face off and he'll hit you," head coach Mark Helfrich said, according to Tyson Alger of the Oregonian. "He's a guy that we've been very excited about since the day he got here."

Second Team: Jaylen Prater, Northwestern

Jaylen Prater was a bright spot in a disappointing loss to Western Michigan. The outside linebacker consistently helped clean up the defensive line's mess, ending the 22-21 loss with nine solo tackles and nine assisted stops.

Second Team: Kevin Davis, Colorado State

Colorado embarrassed its in-state rival, 44-7, but Kevin Davis put together a massive game despite the loss. He finished with 17 solo tackles, chipping in two assisted stops. Davis also forced a fumble Colorado State should've recovered in the end zone.

Inside Linebacker

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First Team: Dakota Cox, New Mexico

New Mexico opened its season with a 48-21 victory over South Dakota, and Dakota Cox began his senior campaign on a high note. He had 14 total tackles, one sack and one interception.

"We got those first-game jitters out, so we can build off this game and look forward to the biggest game of the season next week," Cox said while looking ahead to rival New Mexico State, according to Jared Chester of KQRE.

Second Team: Micah Kiser, Virginia

FCS power Richmond stunned Virginia 37-20 during head coach Bronco Mendenhall's debut, but Micah Kiser was all over the field. A first-team All-ACC linebacker last season, he registered 14 total tackles with one sack and forced a pair of fumbles in his 2016 debut.

Cornerbacks

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First Team: Greg Stroman, Virginia Tech

Greg Stroman contributed on both sides of the football in 2014 and 2015, but Virginia Tech had the cornerback focus on defense this year. Well, that seems like a good choice.

In a 36-13 win over Liberty, he snatched two interceptions in opposing territory. Stroman's second pick was a highlight-reel one-handed grab.

Stroman also managed two tackles and a pass breakup, as well as a 30.5-yard kick-return average.

First Team: Brandon Wilson, Houston

Houston lost a first-round NFL draft pick at cornerback (William Jackson III) and a pair of all-conference safeties (Trevon Stewart, Adrian McDonald) during the offseason. Brandon Wilson, the lone returning starter, made sure the Cougars would overcome the attrition.

In addition to recording a team-best 10 tackles, he returned a missed field goal (unofficially) 109 yards to help give Houston a critical nine-point edge in an eventual 33-23 win over Oklahoma. Wilson also had one tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

Second Team: Jerome Smith, Georgia State

Georgia State needed just one minute to take a lead on Ball State, and the touchdown came on Jerome Smith's 48-yard interception return. He picked off a second pass later, though the Panthers lost, 31-21.

Second Team: Tre'Davious White, LSU

LSU's season opener didn't go as planned, but Les Miles' team wouldn't have had a fighting chance without Tre'Davious White. He registered a 21-yard pick six and recovered a fumble that set up the Tigers' only other touchdown.

Safeties

First Team: Malik Hooker, Ohio State

"Malik Hooker will win the Thorpe [Award] before he leaves Ohio State," former Buckeyes receiver Michael Thomas tweeted. That's a bold claim, but the safety has the hands.

For his first of two interceptions, Hooker high-pointed a deep pass, deflected the ball and grabbed it on the way down. The sophomore contributed four solo tackles and set up a touchdown with a 44-yard return on his second pick.

First Team: Justin Evans, Texas A&M

Justin Evans played an integral role in sending UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen home unhappy. The strong safety picked off the star sophomore early in the fourth quarter, but Evans wasn't done.

His second interception stalled UCLA's potential game-winning drive and forced overtime. Evans—who had eight total tackles—also broke up Rosen's desperation pass on 4th-and-goal to seal the win.

Second Team: Kylan Nelson and Toran Davis, Ohio

The safety duo complemented each other nicely despite the triple-overtime loss to Texas State. Kylan Nelson intercepted two passes, and Toran Davis amassed 17 total tackles—the fourth-most nationally in Week 1.

Second Team: Delano Hill, Michigan

Delano Hill broke open the Wolverines' beatdown of Hawaii with a 27-yard pick-six. The touchdown helped give the Wolverines a 28-0 lead. Hill added a pass breakup and tackle for loss.

Kicker

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First Team: Ty Cummings, Houston

Houston's coaching staff is receiving the most national attention following the 33-23 win over third-ranked Oklahoma. But placekicker Ty Cummings played a valuable role in the upset.

After going a perfect 8-for-8 last season, Cummings hit four field goals on Saturday. He connected from 35, 26, 33 and 47 yards—all before halftime, and the last of which as the second quarter expired to give the Cougars a 19-17 lead at the break.

Cummings—who bested his previous-career long field goal by two yards—also kicked three extra points.

Second Team: Rafael Gaglianone, Wisconsin

Best known for a quick salsa during his 2014 debut against LSU, Rafael Gaglianone helped Wisconsin dance past the Tigers. Gaglianone hit 30- and 48-yard field goals during the first quarter and nailed a go-ahead 47-yarder with 3:47 remaining in the game.

Punter

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First Team: Blake Gillikin, Penn State

While distance is one important aspect of punting, denying returns is also imperative. Blake Gillikin averaged an even 47 yards over six kicks, and Penn State surrendered just two yards on two returns.

Gillikin, a true freshman, had four punts inside the 20-yard line. His other two kicks were a 59-yard touchback and a 44-yarder that made Kent State start at its own 26.

Second Team: Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah

No Tom Hackett? No problem. Mitch Wishnowsky replaced the two-time Ray Guy Award winner quite well. He blasted six punts at an average of 55.5 yards—more than five yards better than the next-closest specialist. Wishnowsky did have two touchbacks, though both traveled at least 59 yards.

Returner

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First Team: John Ross III and Dante Pettis, Washington

Washington's pair of special teamers share the honors in Week 1. During a 48-13 dismantling of Rutgers, both John Ross III (kick) and Dante Pettis (punt) each notched a return touchdown.

"Everyone else was scoring. I was feeling a little left out," Pettis said, per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. "I couldn't let Ross be the only one to get a return on special teams. I had to get one too."

Additionally, Ross scored twice as a receiver. He caught five passes for 90 yards, while Pettis added two receptions and 24 yards.

Second Team: Charles Nelson, Oregon

Four other players took a kick or punt to the house, but Charles Nelson finished with the second-most yards in kickoff returns and the most yards in punt returns. He returned five kickoffs for 153 yards and four punts for 100 yards.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.