Week Four Player Spotlight – Fresno State WR Jalen Cropper

Liam Blutman

Week four of this crazy college football season is in the books and as always, I’ll be showing love to one stud that deserves the spotlight. Last week, I wrote about a Mountain West receiver in Deven Thompkins at Utah State. This week, we stay in the same conference and give a Fresno State wideout his flowers. The floor is yours, Jalen Cropper.

The 6’0” junior wide receiver has done nothing but wow me this season. Cropper has caught 39 passes for 455 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Sheesh. He also ran for a touchdown and threw a pass for six. Cropper has done all this in just five games thus far.

What Cropper accomplished these last two games is nothing short of spectacular. When Fresno State shocked college football fans by taking down UCLA, it was Jalen Cropper who caught the game-winning touchdown with 14 seconds left. He snagged 14 catches in that game for 141 yards as well, a prolific performance from the star receiver. On Friday night, the Bulldogs were in an unexpected battle with UNLV and needed big-time players to step up and lead the charge to save this incredible team from a massive letdown loss. So who stepped up? Jalen Cropper. Once again.

They trailed UNLV 21-9 with eight minutes left in the third quarter when Cropper took this game over soon after. At the 7:35 mark, he scored from four yards out. 3:47 left and it’s another TD for Cropper. Jake Haener found him for a 23-yard strike, and Fresno State took a 22-21 lead. A few minutes later, that man named Jalen Cropper found himself in the end zone yet again as he caught a 25-yard pass at the 12:21 mark. UNLV managed to take a 30-29 lead, and Fresno State was desperate for a superhero to emerge. Haener connected with Cropper the superhero, who scored his fourth touchdown of the night with 4:53 remaining and iced the game. This one was a 26-yard reception where he simply beat his man and may I add, it was just too easy.

Cropper scored four touchdowns on Friday night on his 10 catches for 108 yards, and he helped save Fresno State’s season. A heroic effort from the star receiver. Also I just need to show Jake Haener his love as that dude is a lethal weapon. Haener and Cropper are the nastiest duo in Fresno since Derek Carr and Davante Adams. Special times at Fresno State.

Do I view Cropper as an NFL player? Is that a serious question!? OF COURSE I DO. He does so many things well, and he’s shown to be a QB’s best friend. Jalen is literally always open as he just has a knack for finding the soft spots in coverage. He’s a smooth route-runner that is able to separate from DBs rep after rep. I really like the way he paces himself during his routes. Cropper showcases his ball tracking skills and footwork. He’s made multiple catches where I am left speechless as to how he got his feet in bounds. Jalen is a very productive player with a strong profile.

Jalen Cropper will play in the NFL one day, but for now he is dominating the college scene and helping lead Fresno State to a dream season. Keep an eye on this star and give him his flowers.

About the author

Liam Blutman
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I am a diehard UCLA fan that has enjoyed (?) mediocrity year after year. My favorite CFB moment was witnessing UCLA comeback from 34 down against Texas A&M. Being at the Rose Bowl for that historic moment is something I’ll never forget. I have written about CFB since I was 14 and my favorite thing to do is give under-the-radar athletes the recognition they deserve. You might know me from @NoContextCFB !

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