Faculty soccer’s greatest gamers: Trevor and Tua prepared the ground
There is not a lot debate on which two groups challenge as one of the best in faculty soccer for the 2019 season — they’re the identical two groups which have dominated the game for the previous 4 seasons — Alabama and Clemson. So, not surprisingly, our rating of one of the best gamers in faculty soccer for the 2019 season additionally has a really distinct Alabama and Clemson taste to it.
In reality, seven of the highest 11 gamers on our listing performed for both the Crimson Tide or Tigers a 12 months in the past, and that is together with Jalen Hurts, who transferred from Alabama to Oklahoma and can change Kyler Murray because the Sooners’ quarterback this season.
Understand that it is a projection of what gamers will do in 2019 and never essentially a profession achievement award of what they’ve completed so far. In different phrases, all people will certainly agree with our picks, and there will not be any cries of favoritism for this convention or cries of bias in opposition to that convention. That stated, 11 of the highest 25 gamers are from the SEC, and just one participant from a Group of 5 convention made the minimize — Houston quarterback D’Eriq King.
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To get the ultimate rating, we had our panel of CFB writers vote on pairs of gamers. Jonathan Taylor vs. Derrick Brown. Justin Herbert vs. Chase Younger. We requested, “Which participant will likely be higher in 2019?” To determine, voters needed to think about each the standard and the amount of every participant’s contributions to his workforce’s capability to win video games. Then, we had them debate the listing.
Listed below are the ultimate rankings:
QB, Clemson
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 30-Four TD-INT ratio
Lawrence did not win the beginning job till Week 5, however as soon as he was atop the Clemson depth chart, the one remaining query was — what took so lengthy? Lawrence completed with 30 landing passes, simply 4 picks and three,280 yards passing to go together with a nationwide championship trophy. Not unhealthy for a real freshman. Now the most important query is how he can presumably high such a powerful debut marketing campaign.
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Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa headline a stacked QB class that additionally contains Jake Fromm, Justin Herbert, Sam Ehlinger and Jalen Hurts.
QB, Alabama
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 11
Key 2018 stat: No. 2 in Heisman Trophy voting
The lefty from Hawaii performed quarterback like nobody at Alabama ever had final season, throwing for 43 touchdowns and three,966 yards and ending No. 2 within the Heisman Trophy voting. Now he is again, wholesome and motivated, having misplaced 15 kilos over the summer season.
WR, Alabama
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: Biletnikoff Award winner
He is No. 1 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s Large Board for a cause. Final season, regardless of competing with a crowded receiver room at Alabama, he hauled in 68 catches for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns, and gained the Biletnikoff Award for the highest receiver within the nation.
S, LSU
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: Led SEC with 5 interceptions
It’s laborious to consider Delpit was only a sophomore final season when he emerged as among the finest defensive gamers within the nation, incomes unanimous All-America honors whereas changing into a finalist for the Nagurski Award. His versatility permits him to take action many issues so properly, and that exhibits on his stat line. Final season, he had 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, led the SEC with 5 interceptions, and added 9 move breakups, 4 quarterback hurries, a pressured fumble and fumble restoration.
QB, Georgia
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 30
Key 2018 stat: 171.2 passer score
Fromm has already performed in 29 video games, beginning in 28 of these, together with two SEC championship video games and a Faculty Soccer Playoff nationwide championship sport. So he is clearly used to the large stage and ranks second solely to Tagovailoa nationally amongst returning quarterbacks in passer score. Fromm completed with a 171.2 score final season whereas throwing 30 landing passes and solely six interceptions.
RB, Wisconsin
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 7
Key 2018 stat: Second straight 12 months with 1,950 yards or extra
No FBS participant has ever had extra dashing yards in two years than Taylor’s Four,171. He is solely the third rusher (LaDainian Tomlinson, Troy Davis) to document consecutive seasons of 1,950 yards or extra. Fumbles have been a problem, however Taylor is sturdy, constant and explosive (6.9 YPC profession common).
QB, Oregon
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: 14
Key 2018 stat: Three,151 yards passing
The 6-foot-6, 237-pound Herbert may need been one of many first QBs drafted this 12 months if he had opted to go away college early. He is again after his first full season as Oregon’s starter wherein he threw for Three,151 yards and 29 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
RB, Clemson
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: eight.1 yards per rush
There might not be a greater big-play risk in faculty soccer than Etienne, who averaged eight.1 yards per rush final season, together with 23 carries that went for 20 yards or extra. General, Etienne completed with 1,658 yards on the bottom, a quantity made much more spectacular contemplating he had greater than 16 carries in a sport simply twice final 12 months.
DL, Ohio State
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 10 sacks
He already has a professional physique (6-foot-5, 265 kilos) and led Ohio State in each sacks (10) and tackles for loss (15.5) as a real sophomore. A possible top-five draft choose subsequent spring, Younger goals to turn out to be simply the second Buckeye (Mike Vrabel) to document 10 or extra sacks in a number of seasons.
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Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy is a star, however he isn’t the one stud WR in faculty soccer. Look out for Laviska Shenault, Justyn Ross, CeeDee Lamb and extra.
WR, Clemson
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 1,000 receiving yards
Getting into October, Ross had simply 9 catches on the 12 months, which appeared about proper for a real freshman in a crowded receiving corps. After that although? He did a bit of higher. Ross completed the 12 months with 1,000 receiving yards on the nostril, together with 12 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. The one factor holding him again this season is that there is just one soccer to go round on Clemson’s offense.
QB, Oklahoma
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 72.9 CMP%
After amassing 7,602 yards of complete offense and accounting for 71 complete touchdowns, Hurts has traded Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for Norman, Oklahoma. With Lincoln Riley in cost, Hurts will likely be working an offense that has produced the previous two Heisman winners and is best suited to his uber-athletic ability set.
WR, Purdue
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 114 receptions, 2,215 all-purpose yards
The Large Ten’s first-ever freshman to earn consensus All-America honors broke Purdue’s all-purpose yards document (313) in his Boilermakers debut. He set the workforce single-season all-purpose yards mark (2,215), whereas tying the document for many 100-yard receiving performances (7). Moore’s 114 receptions in 2018 ranked second in league historical past.
QB, Texas
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 25-5 TD-INT ratio
After a decade of looking, the Longhorns have lastly discovered their quarterback. The junior has introduced much-needed productiveness and stability to the place, and he embodies the qualities coach Tom Herman wishes: toughness, aggressive fireplace and management. Whether or not it is throwing the ball or working it, Ehlinger performs profitable soccer.
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Jonathan Taylor, Travis Etienne, JK Dobbins and others will lead highly effective dashing assaults all throughout the nation this season.
RB, Georgia
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 33
Key 2018 stat: 1,049 dashing yards
Swift is the newest in an extended line of explosive Georgia working backs. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior rushed for a team-high 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns final season whereas averaging 6.Four yards per carry. Swift had 15 performs from scrimmage of 20 yards or longer and is great in relation to catching the ball out of the backfield. He additionally caught 35 passes a 12 months in the past, together with three that went for touchdowns.
OT, Georgia
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: First workforce All-American
Georgia ought to have among the finest offensive strains within the nation in 2019, and an enormous cause why is Thomas, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior who shifted over to left deal with a 12 months in the past to guard Jake Fromm’s blind aspect. Thomas began each sport at proper deal with as a real freshman and has the mix of dimension and footwork that would make him a top-10 choose within the 2020 NFL draft.
WR, Oklahoma
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 1,158 yards, 11 TDs
The junior has completed nothing however produce since donning a Sooners jersey, compiling almost 2,000 receiving yards and 18 landing catches in his first two seasons in Norman. He has the velocity to run away from defenders and the leaping capability to make the highlight-reel catch. No lively Large 12 receiver has extra profession receiving yards (1,965) or touchdowns than Lamb.
DT, Auburn
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: 41
Key 2018 stat: 25 solo tackles
This time a 12 months in the past, Brown was being touted as one of many high inside defensive linemen within the nation. In a little bit of a shock, he determined to return for his senior season and can anchor an Auburn defensive position that may once more be loaded. The 6-foot-5, 318-pound Brown has 21 profession tackles for loss and makes a speciality of collapsing pockets. His size, dimension and athleticism make him just about unblockable at occasions.
WR, Colorado
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 112.Three receiving YPG (led Pac-12)
A foot harm restricted him to 9 video games final 12 months, however he was nonetheless in a position to lead the Pac-12 in receptions (86) and receiving YPG (112.Three). He added on 1,Zero11 receiving yards and set 12 college data — 9 outright and three tied in 2018, together with essentially the most 10-reception video games in a season (5).
WR, Clemson
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 40
Key 2018 stat: 12 TDs
If Ross is the rising star on Clemson’s receiver depth chart, Higgins is the grizzled vet. By no means thoughts that he is only a junior. Higgins’ 12 landing grabs made him some of the prolific pink zone targets within the nation final season, whereas he led Clemson with 59 grabs. Higgins had at the least one TD catch in eight of Clemson’s closing 10 video games, together with 4 mixed within the ACC title sport and Faculty Soccer Playoff.
CB, Florida
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 38 tackles, 5 for loss
Florida has a historical past of manufacturing gifted cornerbacks, so it comes as no shock that expectations are excessive for Henderson to have an All-America kind season. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham stated Henderson is one of the best participant he is ever coached on the place. There is no such thing as a doubt Florida will depend on Henderson to set the tone and construct on his 2018 season, when he completed with 38 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and 7 move breakups.
DE, Clemson
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 10.5 tackles for loss
What occurs when a workforce’s whole beginning defensive position will get drafted? If that workforce is Clemson, it is on to the following stud. Thomas was a five-star recruit who confirmed his immense expertise in reserve responsibility final 12 months, together with a highlight-reel sack of Syracuse’s Eric Dungey to seal a Tigers win within the season’s closest name. Now he’ll be in a beginning position and figures to construct on his Three.5 sacks, Four QB hurries and 10.5 tackles for loss.
LB, Alabama
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 45 solo tackles
Being a Butkus Award finalist final 12 months wasn’t sufficient for Moses, who may be essentially the most athletic linebacker within the nation. The previous phenom who garnered Alabama and LSU affords within the eighth grade is now a junior and moving into the center linebacker position, the place he’ll be the tip of the spear of Nick Saban’s protection.
LB, Clemson
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 89 tackles, three pressured fumbles
No participant is extra essential to what Clemson does on protection than Simmons, who thrives in protection but in addition brings the physicality wanted to stuff the run. Simmons led the Tigers in tackles final season with 89 whereas including six move breakups, an interception, three pressured fumbles and 9.5 tackles for loss.
WR, Alabama
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 848 receiving yards
He could have began out because the fourth of Alabama’s receivers final 12 months, behind sophomores Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith. However neglect depth charts. Waddle broke out as a real freshman and was electrical with the ball in his palms, gaining 848 yards receiving and 233 yards and a landing on punt returns.
DT, Alabama
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: 17
Key 2018 stat: 55 tackles
With star defensive deal with Quinnen Williams off to the NFL, it is Davis’ flip to step into the highlight. And he actually seems to be the half as an athletic 6-foot-7, 316-pound senior. Final season he had 55 tackles, together with 5.5 behind the road of scrimmage. This 12 months he is anticipated to be much more disruptive.
QB, Michigan
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 25
Key 2018 stat: 22 TDs
Patterson had success in 2018 and can now be main an offense that higher fits his capability and magnificence of play in 2019. Having a system that matches will assist, however having extra time in this system and a better stage of consolation and information than final season ought to all equate to a profitable season for Patterson.
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Tylan Wallace stretches out with one hand and makes a powerful catch for a 39-yard Oklahoma State achieve.
WR, Oklahoma State
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 1,491 yards
His breakout sophomore season had jaws dropping throughout the nation as Wallace made quite a few gasp-worthy performs. The 2018 Biletnikoff Award finalist hauled in 86 passes for 1,491 yards final season (each tops amongst returning Large 12 receivers) and saved his greatest work for the most important video games, averaging 168 yards and two touchdowns in three video games in opposition to top-10 groups.
LB, Miami
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: 48
Key 2018 stat: 82 tackles
Quarterman has been the anchor of the Miami protection since he arrived on campus, beginning each sport for the Hurricanes over the previous three seasons. Quarterman might have left college early for the NFL draft however determined to come back again, hoping to get Miami again on monitor below new coach Manny Diaz — the coordinator who groomed him. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior is named a positive tackler however added one other dimension to his sport a 12 months in the past as he made extra performs behind the road.
RB, Boston Faculty
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 36
Key 2018 stat: 1,108 yards dashing
When Dillon was wholesome to begin final season, he was just about unstoppable, utilizing his uncommon present of each dimension (6 ft, 245 kilos) and velocity to both bulldoze or run previous opponents. However a excessive ankle sprain suffered in Week 5 hampered him the remainder of the season, as he simply could not get himself fully pain-free. He nonetheless rushed for over 1,000 yards and earned All-ACC first-team honors, so think about what a full, injury-free season might imply in 2019 — not only for Dillon however the Eagles.
QB, Nebraska
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 2,617 passing yards
Martinez and Nebraska took their lumps early within the 12 months because the Scott Frost period started, however the true freshman — and his workforce — steadily improved to generate loads of hype headed into 2019. He’ll be some of the dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks within the nation.
LB, Alabama
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 11 move breakups
As a junior final season, Jennings led the workforce in move breakups (11) and completed second in tackles for loss (14). However what’s scary is that he may not have been wholesome the entire time as he was recovering from a severe knee harm. A disruptive pass-rusher, he is additionally the alpha canine of Nick Saban’s protection.
CB, LSU
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: Allowed simply six first downs or TDs in protection
There is a cause LSU has branded itself as Defensive Again U. The Tigers simply preserve churning out nice secondary gamers, and Fulton is the type of lockdown cornerback any workforce would like to have. The 6-foot, 192-pound senior has large velocity and instincts and allowed simply six first downs or touchdowns in protection for the entire 2018 season. Fulton missed the 2017 season whereas serving an NCAA-mandated suspension, however rapidly reasserted himself as one of many SEC’s high corners a 12 months in the past.
QB, Notre Dame
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 19 TD passes, Four dashing TDs
After Ebook took over because the beginning quarterback within the fourth sport of the season, Notre Dame’s offense took off and the Irish went on to complete the common season 12-Zero earlier than dropping to Clemson within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Ebook accomplished 70.Four% of his passes, threw 19 landing passes and rushed for 4 extra.
OL, Stanford
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: All-Pac-12
A primary-team All-Pac-12 choice as a sophomore in 2018, Little is a powerful All-American candidate and has the power to be an early NFL draft choose following the season. At 6-foot-7, 313 kilos, his mixture of dimension and athleticism makes him some of the dominant offensive linemen within the nation.
RB, Ohio State
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: 23
Key 2018 stat: 1,053 dashing yards
Over the previous two years, Dobbins has rushed for two,456 yards, together with 1,053 final 12 months to turn out to be the primary Ohio State again ever to have 1,000-yard seasons as a freshman and a sophomore. One other 1,000-yard 12 months would match him with Archie Griffin as the one Buckeyes with three 1,000-yard dashing seasons.
OLB, LSU
RS Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2017 stat (sat out most of 2018 with torn ACL): 27 tackles
After struggling a torn ACL within the season opener a 12 months in the past in opposition to Miami, Chaisson is again and able to show he is among the finest edge pass-rushers within the faculty sport. The 6-foot-Four, 238-pound redshirt sophomore confirmed all types of promise as a real freshman earlier than taking place within the opener final season. If he stays wholesome, Chaisson will likely be a power in Dave Aranda’s Three-Four protection.
LB, Michigan State
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 102 tackles
The Michigan State protection was the brilliant spot final season for this program and Bachie is among the leaders. He returns after beginning all 13 video games for Michigan State and main the workforce in tackles for his second 12 months. Bachie is primed for an additional excellent season and needs to be even higher than he was in 2018.
WR, Alabama
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 747 yards, 11 TDs
This 6-footer oozes athleticism. He reportedly runs a sub-Four.Zero 40-yard sprint and may bounce out of the fitness center. And all it is advisable learn about his palms is the one-handed seize he had in opposition to LSU. He is no second fiddle to Jerry Jeudy; Ruggs hauled in 741 yards and 11 touchdowns final season.
DE, Penn State
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 12 nationally in tackles per loss
His inventory is surging after an enormous sophomore season the place he completed second within the Large Ten and 12th nationally in tackles per loss (20 complete, 1.5 per sport). At 6-foot-5 and 264 kilos, Matos has preferrred NFL edge-rusher dimension after recording eight sacks and two pressured fumbles in 2018.
QB, Houston
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 219 completions in 11 video games
The most recent in an extended line of nice Cougars quarterbacks, King is especially astute at discovering the top zone. He was liable for extra touchdowns final season (50) than any returning participant within the nation regardless of enjoying solely 11 video games. Along with his sturdy arm and superior instincts, his elusiveness on the bottom make him a tough participant to cease.
DE, Iowa
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 10.5 sacks
He did not even begin final season however nonetheless earned All-Large Ten honors after main Iowa in each sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (16.5), whereas forcing 4 fumbles, breaking apart 4 passes and blocking a punt. A pure playmaker, the 6-foot-6 Epenesa could be very a lot on the NFL radar in 2019.
CB, Alabama
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: Broke up a team-high six passes earlier than foot harm
A wholesome Diggs may need modified Alabama’s defensive outlook late final season. Earlier than he broke his foot, he regarded like one of many SEC’s greatest corners, breaking apart a team-high six passes. Tall (6-foot-2), athletic and wholesome as soon as once more, he’ll be counted on to return Nick Saban’s secondary to its former customary.
RB, Alabama
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 812 yards dashing
He was technically Damien Harris’ backup final season, however Najee bought his too, dashing for 812 yards. And now that Damien and Josh Jacobs are gone, count on much more. Whereas Najee has to work on the little issues (blocking, particularly), there is no doubt he can run the soccer, having averaged 6.48 yards per carry in his profession.
OL, Oklahoma
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: Performed 14 video games and began 12 as a freshman
He is bought the power to dominate on the line of scrimmage and the athleticism to get out into the secondary for game-changing blocks downfield. Humphrey, the Sooners’ middle, was a significant piece to a bunch that gained the 2018 Joe Moore Award for the nation’s greatest offensive line. And he is a very powerful piece to this 12 months’s line, which is with out 4 starters who at the moment are within the NFL.
DE, Michigan State
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 78 tackles
Willekes had an impressive efficiency in 2018 and really properly might have entered this previous NFL draft. He elected to remain at Michigan State, although, and is now primed to be among the finest defensive ends within the nation. He was a staple of the Spartans’ protection final season and will likely be as soon as once more in 2019.
WR, TCU
Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 1,061 yards receiving
The Horned Frogs’ Swiss Military knife is a risk in a number of aspects. He is a top-flight receiver (he caught 72 passes for 1,061 yards and 9 touchdowns final season), a floor risk (he rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns) and a return ace (he averaged 12 yards per punt return and 30 yards per kick return in ’18). Nonetheless it could possibly, TCU will get him the ball.
OL, Washington
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2016 stat (missed first 10 video games of 2018 and a part of 2017): First-team All-Pac-12
Adams missed the Huskies’ first 10 video games in 2018 because of an harm suffered late in 2017 earlier than easing his method again to begin at left deal with within the Pac-12 title sport and Rose Bowl. He has been one of many Pac-12’s greatest offensive linemen since his true freshman season, when he began 9 regular-season video games.
LB, Alabama
RS Junior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2017 stat (missed all of 2018, a part of 2017): 16 tackles
Alabama’s protection is completely different when Lewis is on the sector. Lengthy, lean and exceptionally fast, his capability to hurry off the sting is able to altering the complexion of video games. So why do not extra individuals know him? Properly, as a result of there have solely been flashes of his brilliance, as he has missed 25 video games the previous two years, together with all of final season.
1:04
Jordan Rodgers contends that if Ohio State needs to go far this season, switch quarterback Justin Fields must show he can play on the large stage.
QB, Ohio State
Sophomore
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: No. 1-ranked prospect
Fields was the No. 1-ranked prospect within the 2018 class and confirmed an unbelievable quantity of expertise in highschool. He was used sparingly as a passer in his first season at Georgia, however is now enjoying in a passer-friendly Ohio State offense. He has the expertise to achieve success as a Buckeye — it is simply now a matter of displaying it.
RB, Vanderbilt
Senior
Final 12 months’s rating: NR
Key 2018 stat: 1,244 yards dashing
Title the highest returning rusher within the SEC for 2019 … It is this man. Vaughn had a breakout season a 12 months in the past after transferring to Vanderbilt from Illinois, dashing for 1,244 yards — the second-highest single-season complete in class historical past. His 7.9 yards per carry led the SEC, and so did his 10 rushes for 40 or extra yards. Oh, and he set a Texas Bowl document with 243 yards in opposition to Baylor (averaging a jaw-dropping 18.7 yards per carry). So to say larger expectations are in retailer could be an understatement.
ESPN’s Andrea Adelson, Edward Aschoff, Kyle Bonagura, David Hale, Sam Khan, Chris Low, Adam Rittenberg, Alex Scarborough and Tom VanHaaren contributed to this story.