West Coast NFL Stars Shine in Week Four: Top Performances and Rising Rookies
Week Four of the NFL season delivered a wealth of standout performances from players who honed their skills at West Coast colleges. Despite a challenging week for narrowing down the top contenders, several athletes distinguished themselves wiht career-defining plays and contributions to their teams’ success. This report highlights the twelve best performers, along with notable rookie performances and other impactful plays from this past week.
Dominating Defensive Force: Tuli Tuipulotu
Tuli Tuipulotu, linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers and a USC alumnus, had a breakout game despite his team’s loss. As one analyst noted, Tuipulotu “made life difficult” for opposing quarterback Jaxson Dart. The third-year player achieved career highs in nearly every statistical category, recording 10 tackles – seven solo – four sacks, and five tackles for loss. This performance marks a significant step forward in his NFL career.
Puka Nacua Continues historic Pace
Puka Nacua, wide receiver for the Los angeles Rams and former BYU star, is quickly becoming a household name.He secured 13 receptions for a career-high 170 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ 27-20 victory over Indianapolis. Nacua is now the second player in NFL history to record at least 10 catches and 100 receiving yards in three of his team’s first four games of a season,and is also among the league’s leaders in receptions through the early part of the year.
Rookie Sensation: Ashton Jeanty
Rookie running back Ashton jeanty of the las Vegas Raiders, formerly of Boise State, made an immediate impact in Week Four. Jeanty totaled 155 scrimmage yards – 138 rushing and 17 receiving – and an extraordinary three touchdowns, solidifying his place as one of the league’s most promising young players. He became only the third rookie running back ever to achieve 100 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and two touchdown receptions in a single game.
Uchenna Nwosu’s Disruptive Force
Uchenna Nwosu, a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks and a USC product, delivered a dominant performance in Thursday Night Football. He registered two sacks and five total tackles in just 38 snaps, marking his most productive outing since Week Four of 2023. Nwosu’s ability to pressure the quarterback proved crucial in Seattle’s win over Arizona.
Jordan Love’s Consistent Performance
Jordan Love, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and Utah State alumnus, showcased his continued growth in a tie game against Dallas. He threw for 337 yards – the second-highest total of his career – completing over 72% of his passes for the second consecutive week. Love also threw three touchdown passes, demonstrating his increasing command of the Packers’ offence.
Woody Marks Steps Up
Woody Marks, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and a University of Nevada alumnus, had a strong performance. He had 45 career games with both a passing and rushing touchdown,tying him with Cam Newton for the most in NFL history.
Notable Rookies and Other Performances
beyond the top twelve, several other players made significant contributions. tetairoa mcmillian (Panthers/Arizona) had four receptions for 62 yards, while Cam Skattebo (Giants/Arizona State) totaled 90 yards on a career-high 27 touches. Frankie luvu (commanders/Washington State) recorded eight tackles, a sack, and a QB pressure. Veteran players like Amon-Ra st. Brown (Lions/USC) with 7 receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns, Drake London (Falcons/USC) with 8 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown, and Alex singleton (Broncos/Montana State) with 11 tackles also had notable performances.
The continued success of players from West Coast colleges underscores the region’s talent pipeline and its growing influence on the NFL. .
