Fresno State’s football season was defined by a stout defense and a punishing run game. Not to mention the speed and swagger that my season’s MVPs give off.
The two players that stood out, both in performance and pure electricity, were Rayshon Luke and Al’zillion Hamilton.
The Fresno State running game was the engine of the offense. When it stalled, so did the points. While the entire running back room produced at times, Luke’s style just stood out in the red and white jerseys.
Luke had 30% of the carries among the five running backs who played this season. He led the team with 688 yards rushing, six rushing touchdowns and the longest touchdown of the season with a 69-yard sprint to the endzone.
There’s a reason he’s the second-fastest running back in College Football 26.
He’s the most electric runner of the football I’ve seen in person. Speed kills, and he has gashed defenses all season. He torched Georgia Southern early in the season with three touchdowns and 96 yards. Granted, everyone and their mother ran through that defense, but Luke had the ability to score anytime he touched the ball.
That is special.
If all that wasn’t convincing enough for you, I haven’t even mentioned his receiving game.
Luke was second in receptions and third in yards among all pass catchers on the team. He wasn’t an emergency dump-off or checkdown. He was a crucial part of the passing offense, which, albeit, wasn’t prolific.
Nevertheless, Luke is a dual-threat speedster who isn’t afraid to run between the tackles. He absorbs contact well and has a really mean stiff-arm.
So offensively, it is safe to say that he is my most valuable and favorite player.
Now let’s move on to where the DAWGS play.
Defense is football at its best, but the most unforgiving. No position carries that weight more than a defensive back, which is the most difficult position on the field, in my opinion.
The cards are stacked against them in so many ways. The receiver knows the route, and the defender seemingly can’t touch them until the ball touches a glove. A defensive back can play perfectly for 99% of the game, but will be remembered for one mistake.
Hamilton takes all those factors and lines up on an island with the other team’s best receiver.
He is him.
He was second-team All-Mountain West and finished second on the team with four interceptions.
Watching him cover receivers was special. His 42-yard pick against Hawaii set up a crucial field goal to take the lead late in the game. He also had a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch against San Diego State in a loss that was mostly due to a poor offensive performance.
Bulldogs’ defensive back Al’zillion Hamilton (3) drops back into coverage on Nevada Wolf Pack wide receiver Dakota Thomas (5) on Oct. 4 at Valley Children’s Stadium. (Isaac Marquez/The Collegian)
He was an anchor to a very strong defense and has earned attention as a serious NFL prospect.
NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper listed Hamilton just outside his top 10 cornerbacks. The NFL Combine is still months away, so we’ll see if he gets an invite and a chance to raise his stock.
So defensively, it is safe to say that he is my most valuable and favorite player.
It was a fun final season in the Mountain West. Hopefully, next season the ‘Dogs keep some of that spark and take it up a notch.