If you still think that light moves the fastest, you might have missed the ever-evolving competitive dynamism of college football. Amidst a whirlwind mid-season, the Heisman race on one hand and the NFL draft contention on the other, the reality of football is rapidly changing. Just a few weeks ago, it was impossible to imagine anyone other than Travis Hunter sitting atop the Heisman ladder or the 2025 NFL Draft. But time has its own magic, it seems.

Considered the best player in the college football circuit currently, Hunter’s descend from the top spot is unlike anything anyone imagined. Despite Hunter stating he wants to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller and Steve Muench didn’t think so. Both picked Michigan Wolverines’ Will Johnson instead. “I love Hunter — he would be my pick for the Heisman Trophy — but I can’t put him at No. 1 over Johnson. The Michigan junior is a bigger (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), better cornerback than Hunter…Johnson is also equally as dynamic with the ball in his hands, as he has returned both of his interceptions this season for touchdowns. And he now has nine career interceptions,” Miller opined on September 30, which was just the beginning of more bad news to come.

Notably, not just Hunter, but this also doesn’t bode well for Shedeur Sanders either, who was confident he would be at the top. “I’m biased, but I don’t see a quarterback that’s better than me…I don’t see a quarterback that went through as much adversity as me, that had four [offensive coordinators] in four years. Coming from an HBCU, coming to a Power Five [program], having real pressure on me. A lot of people don’t understand, that’s a lot more adversity than you think just even being the son of Deion Sanders,” he had told Sports Illustrated in February this year.

Added fuel to that fire and more heartbreak to the Buffaloes teammates was a mock draft dated October 7, that steered clear of both at the pinnacle. And the reason is not, as you think, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, who has currently been injury-stricken—he suffered an oblique strain during the Longhorns’ 56-7 win over the University of Texas on September 14. Instead, the blame goes to the unreal momentum showcased by another Longhorns player: Kelvin Banks Jr.

The offensive tackle is stealing all the spotlight as the new frontrunner of the latest mock draft. The Longhorn offense reached a trademark stat of 522 total yards, with 324 in the air and 198 on the ground. Kelvin’s grit and constant strive to deliver the best earned him the highest-rated player in the offensive line. Coming to the current breakout season of the Longhorns, the Texas offense didn’t let the score go down below 30 in each game, coupled with a perfect 5-0 record.

The young prodigy also resisted any pressure or any defender to get better off of his position. The strength of the O-line is reflected in two simple stats—in their passing game, the Longhorns are currently averaging 8.4 yards per play. The rushing numbers aren’t bad either at 6.4 yards per rush.

In a fiery SEC debut over Mississippi State, Kelvin Banks Jr brought out his best to be named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. While he earned the weekly honor for the first time, Banks is aiming for bigger things, especially the First-Team All-American honor. The top spot in the mock NFL draft was just another mesmerising addition to his cap, but never a surprise. Earlier this month, in another draft, Banks was chosen as a Top 5 pick and projected to go to the Cleveland Browns. But what makes Banks special?

Updated Mock Draft (10/7/24) pic.twitter.com/uatbiN7bGe

Well, as per PFF analyst Trevor Sikkema, “Banks is a smooth mover for his size and one of the highest-graded offensive tackles in the nation (83.2). His 90.2 pass-blocking grade is tied for the second-best mark in the nation through five weeks.” With players like Banks Jr and Ewers, the Longhorns should have a blistering season, like they currenly are…

Texas Longhorns sail over their first SEC hurdle

The Longhorns triumphed over MS State by 35-13 in their first SEC game after their much-talked-about move from the Big 12. Longhorns’ rising star, Arch Manning, had another great day in the field in his second consecutive start. He completed 26-of-31 passing for 325 yards. Add to that 33 rushing yards and a TD.

While the game against MS State wasn’t as smooth as Head Coach Steve Sarkisian would have liked, he was still pleased in his post-game comments for facing adversity after smooth sailing in their first four games.

“Our guys showed composure. They found a way to fight back and pull away in a tough game and that’s what the SEC is all about,” Sarkisian said. The Longhorns’ HC was particularly impressed by Manning’s performance. He added, ″What a luxury to have a player of his caliber as our backup quarterback.”

Having said that, Sarkisian again reiterated that starting QB Quinn Ewers remains their leader. “(Ewers) is our quarterback and he’s our leader …What we’ve learned, and what Arch has earned, is that this team can count on him, too,” he said.

Following their impressive SEC victory when other conference teams struggled, the Longhorns reclaimed their No. 1 position in the Associated Press college football poll. Sarkisian’s team received 52/61 first-place votes. Next up, they are going to travel away to face No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1) on October 12, and Sarkisian may have the services of his starting QB.