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After every weekend of games, you always hear about the performances of stars like Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett. But there are also the performances you don’t hear as much about, coming from some under-the-radar SEC players — the sleepers.
Who were the best of the Saturday Sleepers from Week 4? Take a look.
JACOB AUGUST, SOUTH CAROLINA
A tight end can be a young quarterbacks best friend. That proved to be the case for the Gamecocks, who were starting freshman quarterback Lorenzo Nunez in Week 4 against Central Florida. Nunez connected with August for a 13-yard touchdown in the third quarter that blew open the game for South Carolina.
DEION JONES, LSU
The Tigers ended up being in a much closer game with Syracuse than they expected and Jones came up with the play that sealed the 34-24 victory for LSU. The game did not have a turnover until Jones intercepted Orange quarterback Zack Mahoney midway through the fourth quarter. Jones is a hard-hitting, senior that took over the starting Will linebacker spot for the Tigers this season.
ANTONIO CALLAWAY, FLORIDA
He’s only a freshman but Callaway is the big man on campus this week in Gainesville. In a Week 4 showdown against their bitter rival Tennessee, Callaway scored the game-winning touchdown for the Gators on a 63-yard touchdown reception with 1:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. Callaway finished the game with 5 receptions, 112 yards and his clutch touchdown.
DENZEL NKEMDICHE, OLE MISS
Nkemdiche’s younger brother Robert gets most of the attention on the Rebels defense. But against Vanderbilt, the senior had a game-changing performance for Ole Miss. Nkemdiche finished with a career-high 14 tackles in the Rebels 27-16 win over the Commodores.
FRED ROSS, MISSISSIPPI STATE
Last year, Mississippi State was a very run-heavy team. But with this year’s personnel, the Bulldogs have asked Heisman-caliber quarterback Dak Prescott to air it out much more often. Prescott threw the ball 41 times in Week 4 against Auburn and connected with Ross on seven of those throws. Both Ross’ 7 receptions and 66 yards led all Mississippi State receivers against the Tigers.
C.J. CONRAD, KENTUCKY
The freshman tight end scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Wildcats in the third quarter of their 21-13 upset over Missouri. Conrad finished the game with 3 catches for 55 yards and that 24-yard touchdown. At 6-foot-5, he is a huge red zone target for Kentucky.
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
