No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year
Young and Jefferson made the Pro Bowl, and surely more rookies would have joined them as alternates at the league’s now-canceled all-star game. “It’s crazy unusual for a rookie, I think, to have the type of leadership that Chase has, genuine leadership,” Washington quarterback Alex Smith said. “I think a lot of young guys, especially high picks, I think you feel pressure to do it some way or somehow. “Talk about a rookie coming in, starting every game and just being focused,” Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said of Wills. “We’re growing and we’re starting to get a hang of the game,” said Dolphins right tackle Robert Hunt, a second-round pick and one of six Miami rookies starting on offense.
Coach O: National champ LSU ready to win more titles
LSU fans celebrate at Varsity Theatre, in Baton Rouge, La., after LSU defeated Clemson 42-25 in the NCAA College Football Playoff championship game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)NEW ORLEANS, LA – LSU coach Ed Orgeron is already thinking about what comes next for his national champions. Biltenikoff Award winner Ja'Marr Chase, who finished with a College Football Playoff record eight receptions for 218 yards and two touchdowns, is just a sophomore. For now, Orgeron wants his coaches, players and fans to celebrate LSU's first national championship in 12 years. “But it's a recruiting weekend this weekend, we'll start recruiting and get on to next year.”___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/APTop25CollegeFootballPoll and https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
STAT WATCH: FBS record for TD passes among feats by Burrow
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy, the national championship and set the Football Bowl Subdivision record for touchdown passes in a season. The caveat: Gordon threw 160 more passes than Burrow, who averaged 378.1 yards per game. Burrow, the ninth quarterback and 16th player to win the Heisman and national title in the same season, ended the season with 60 TD passes against just six interceptions. Burrow went into the championship game against Clemson on track to set the FBS season completion record. CHOO CHOO CHUBAChuba Hubbard won the national rushing title, and he announced Monday he'll return to Oklahoma State to defend it.