HELMET STICKERS
WEEK 7 | OCTOBER 18, 202
GREATNESS ISN’T ALWAYS MEASURED BY THE FINAL SCORE
Every week, I hand out Helmet Stickers to the college football players who impress me the most.
I’m not simply looking for the biggest statistics or the most touchdowns.
I’m looking for players who make a difference.
Players who demonstrate leadership, toughness, football intelligence, and the ability to perform when their teams need them most.
And sometimes, those performances come in losing efforts.
This week’s recipients include two quarterbacks who particularly caught my attention.
One came off the bench and changed the complexion of a football game.
The other threw for 365 yards in a heartbreaking loss.
Let’s hand out some Helmet Stickers.
🏈 HELMET STICKER NO. 1
TOMMY CARR | QB | MICHIGAN
Michigan 21, Penn State 18
Sometimes the statistics don’t tell the entire story.
Michigan was trailing Penn State 3-0 at halftime, and the Wolverines’ offense was going absolutely nowhere.
Bryce Underwood, one of the most celebrated quarterback recruits in recent memory, had struggled throughout the first half.
Michigan needed a spark.
Enter freshman Tommy Carr.
Carr completed five of seven passes for 47 yards, rushed for 36 yards, and scored a touchdown.
Those aren’t eye-popping numbers.
But what impressed me was the way he took command of the offense.
Michigan suddenly looked like a different football team.
The Wolverines scored three second-half touchdowns and came away with a 21-18 victory.
I’ve spent a considerable portion of my career evaluating quarterbacks, and one thing I’ve learned is that leadership and command of an offense don’t always show up on a stat sheet.
Carr demonstrated poise, confidence, and an understanding of what the offense needed.
And perhaps most importantly, his teammates responded to him.
JB’S TAKE: Michigan may have discovered something Saturday. Carr didn’t need to throw for 300 yards to demonstrate that he could lead this football team. He simply needed an opportunity.
HELMET STICKER EARNED!
🏈 HELMET STICKER NO. 2
DREW MESTEMAKER | QB | OKLAHOMA STATE
Houston 35, Oklahoma State 32
22 of 34 passing | 365 yards | 3 TD | 1 INT
I’ve been talking about Drew Mestemaker as one of my top quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Saturday did nothing to change my opinion.
Oklahoma State lost a heartbreaker to Houston, but Mestemaker was outstanding.
He completed 22 of 34 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
What continues to impress me about Mestemaker is his ability to distribute the football and generate explosive plays.
He has a natural feel for the passing game.
I particularly like his anticipation, ball placement, and willingness to challenge defenses downfield.
There are still areas of his game that need refinement, particularly when it comes to decision-making under pressure.
But I see a quarterback with legitimate NFL potential.
And remember, this is a young man who began his college career as a walk-on before developing into one of the nation’s most productive passers.
That’s a remarkable story in itself.
JB’S TAKE: I’ve already identified Mestemaker as one of my potential first-round quarterbacks. Performances like Saturday’s continue strengthening that evaluation. He didn’t win the game, but he certainly earned his Helmet Sticker.
HELMET STICKER EARNED!
🏈 HELMET STICKER NO. 3
BYRUM BROWN | QB | AUBURN
Auburn 27, Georgia 24
There aren’t many quarterbacks who can say they walked into Athens and beat the No. 1 team in America.
Byrum Brown can.
Brown’s ability to extend plays and create opportunities with his legs was a major factor in Auburn’s stunning upset of Georgia.
But what impressed me most was his composure.
Auburn didn’t panic when Georgia fought back.
The Tigers continued competing, and Brown helped put his team in position to win.
JB’S TAKE: Brown demonstrated the kind of toughness and competitive spirit I want to see from a quarterback in a hostile environment.
HELMET STICKER EARNED!
🏈 HELMET STICKER NO. 4
TRAMELL JONES JR. | QB | FLORIDA
Florida 27, Texas 24
Imagine making your first collegiate start at quarterback against a nationally ranked Texas team in Austin.
That’s a difficult assignment for any quarterback.
For a freshman, it’s an enormous challenge.
But Tramell Jones Jr. responded.
He helped lead Florida to one of the biggest upsets of the weekend.
What impressed me was his ability to handle the moment.
He didn’t appear overwhelmed by the environment or the expectations.
JB’S TAKE: There’s something special about a young quarterback who can step into that situation and deliver a victory. Jones deserves recognition for his composure and execution.
HELMET STICKER EARNED!
🏈 HELMET STICKER NO. 5
DESEAN BISHOP | RB | TENNESSEE
Tennessee 26, Alabama 10
Tennessee needed somebody to step up offensively against Alabama.
DeSean Bishop answered the call.
Bishop’s second-half performance helped the Volunteers take control of the football game.
I love running backs who get stronger as the game progresses.
And I particularly appreciate backs who demonstrate patience, vision, and the ability to finish runs.
Bishop helped Tennessee deliver one of the biggest victories of the weekend.
JB’S TAKE: Tennessee’s defense deserves considerable credit, but Bishop helped provide the offensive production necessary to put Alabama away.
HELMET STICKER EARNED!
🏈 HELMET STICKER NO. 6
CONNER WEIGMAN | QB | HOUSTON
Houston 35, Oklahoma State 32
24 of 33 passing | 343 yards | 5 TD | 1 INT
How do you leave a quarterback off this list when he throws five touchdown passes against a nationally ranked opponent?
You don’t.
Conner Weigman was outstanding against Oklahoma State.
He completed 24 of 33 passes for 343 yards and five touchdowns.
And unlike Mestemaker, Weigman came away with the victory.
This was an outstanding quarterback duel between two talented passers.
JB’S TAKE: Weigman delivered when Houston needed him most. Five touchdown passes against a ranked opponent will earn you a Helmet Sticker every time.
HELMET STICKER EARNED!
🏆 JB’S GOLD HELMET STICKER
TOMMY CARR | MICHIGAN
I’m giving this week’s Gold Helmet Sticker to Tommy Carr.
Not because he had the biggest statistical performance.
He didn’t.
Not because he was the most talented quarterback on the field.
That’s a debate for another day.
I’m giving it to Carr because he demonstrated something that I believe is critically important at the quarterback position.
He changed the attitude and performance of his entire football team.
Michigan looked lifeless offensively in the first half.
Carr entered the game, and suddenly the Wolverines had energy, confidence, and purpose.
That’s leadership.
That’s quarterbacking.
And that’s why Tommy Carr receives my Gold Helmet Sticker this week.
JB’S FINAL TAKE
I want to finish with something about quarterback evaluation.
For years, I’ve watched recruiting services become obsessed with physical measurements, arm strength, recruiting rankings, and highlight videos.
Those things have value.
But they don’t tell you everything about a quarterback.
Sometimes you learn more about a young man by watching how he responds when he’s thrown into a difficult situation.
Tommy Carr demonstrated that Saturday.
And sometimes you learn something about a quarterback by watching how he competes when the scoreboard isn’t going his way.
Drew Mestemaker demonstrated that against Houston.
Two different performances.
Two different circumstances.
Both deserving of recognition.
And that’s what Helmet Stickers are all about.
JB TALKING SPORTS
Beyond the Rankings. Inside the Game.
