There was a lot happening in Week 5. Big wins, high-scoring shows, and plenty of really good performances from players. It was a tough week to choose just one guy to write about. But we move and it’s time to talk about…

Jaelen Gill.

Once upon a time, I was stoked to see a true freshman showcase his game at Ohio State in 2018. Gill had just enrolled, and I knew he was a flashy back with innate receiving skills. How can I not be intrigued? He quickly made a full-time move to wide receiver but caught just seven passes in Columbus. He transferred to Boston College, and my excitement grew due to the expectation of more touches and the chance to play alongside Zay Flowers. He fared well in three seasons at BC despite dealing with injuries and playing in a crummy scheme. Gill caught 80 balls for 1,092 receiving yards and just two touchdowns. I still really liked what I saw from Gill. He was just underused in a really bad offense. When he hit the transfer portal, my excitement was reignited. Now imagine that palpable buzz I felt when Gill announced he’d be headed to Fresno State. I was all in.

As you can see, I suspected a path similar to Nikko Remigio here. A kid who had a solid career at Cal then blew up at Fresno State and found an opportunity as a UDFA in the NFL. Fresno State is unlocking Gill’s full potential in a very similar way to Nikko’s, and it’s paying off in a massive way. Gill has already caught five touchdowns this season; that’s more than the three he caught in his previous five seasons. He has added 331 receiving yards on 28 catches and is just a few catches away from eclipsing his career highs in catches and receiving yards. We’re seeing a resurgence here, a career revitalization, and a kid who can still see his NFL dreams come true.

On Saturday night, Gill went to work again and carved Nevada for 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns on eight catches. Like I said, Jeff Tedford and his staff find ways to maximize their players’ talents, and they do that plenty with Gill. He lines up in the backfield here and is able to take a simple swing pass to the crib. The captivating burst is so explosive. His pure speed triumphs over any defender on the field. A play designed to get one of your best players out in space to pick up a yard or more turns into a 65-yard touchdown in the blink of an eye.

And put him up against better comp… different play, same result. Gill loses the defensive back with a filthy sluggo that made a man on the grass look like he was sliding on ice.

There’s a talent worth investing in here. A high level player who has just been underutilized throughout his career. But Fresno State is a good place. It’s a place where kids go to thrive and make their NFL dreams come true when everyone else tells them it’s over. Now you’re seeing what us Jaelen Gill believers have preached for years. Get the kid on the field and let him cook. You know he will. He’s versatile and can be utilized as a matchup nightmare. Everything about his speed is real frightening. That burst and explosiveness is worthy of your ticket to the game. Gill adds some serious shiftiness to the mix. Sharp and savvy route-running skills, and the kid has great footwork.

Jaelen Gill is a dawg. It’s simple. I can’t guarantee draft capital but I can guarantee that he’ll make an NFL roster as a rookie. Here’s to hoping Gill crushes it the rest of this season and gets a chance to boost his stock with a strong pre-draft process. Bet on this guy. You won’t regret it.