Apex Performance of the Week: Smith, Cooper, Anderson & Diggs

In this week's Apex Performance of the Week, we highlight Texas A&M's Ainias Smith, Edgerrin Cooper, Bryce Anderson and Fadil Diggs following their standout performances in the Aggies' 30-17 throttling of the South Carolina Gamecocks last Saturday at Kyle Field.

David Nuño’s Performance of the Week: Ainias Smith & Fadil Diggs

• Anias Smith was fantastic. Why would you not take him? The touchdown catch was the turning point. I, 100 percent, think he was the man.
   
• I think there were other candidates, though. How about the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, Edgerin Cooper? Seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and four quarterback hurries. He is an All-American, and the thing is, do we win the Tennessee game if he doesn't get hurt? Think about it. Two of their three best defensive players missed half or all of that game. I'm just saying. You never know with the plays leading up to those plays.
   
• Another guy on defense, Bryce Anderson. He was great. Seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a pass broken up. He also had an interception this season. He is such an integral part of what they do.
   
• How about one more for you: Fadil Diggs. Four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass broken up and one quarterback hurry. He is great, and he is a quiet great. We don't say his name enough, but he is great.
   
• I am going to throw in one, which I think is not fair that I have not brought up yet. Well, we could put Max Wright on there. He did play really well. A couple of catches.
   
• The one I was going to say, I have mentioned the Astros twice in 31 minutes, but I haven't mentioned the Rangers, who won Game 3 of the World Series. Corey Seager. There are certain games where I don't know if I can deal with the stress right now, so I understand.

Olin Buchanan’s Performance of the Week: Edgerrin Cooper & Bryce Anderson

• I'll take my favorite player — Ainias Smith. He was fantastic. Why not? That 42-yard touchdown catch right before the half was highlight-reel stuff. He got open with a great route. He made the catch. He walks the tightrope, cuts back, makes a guy miss and dives into the endzone.
   
• I can't believe there is a "co" on Edgerrin Cooper's SEC Defensive Player of the Week honor. If he doesn't decline in the last four games, I think it'll be the grossest college football injustice since Jim Brown not winning the Heisman if Cooper is not named an All-American.
   
• Bryce Anderson took over for a guy that was drafted in the NFL, and I think the production at that position has increased with Anderson. He is going to leave here as one of the best safeties ever. He's so good. The biggest challenge for Anderson is going to be finding the position that he's best at.
   
• Fadil Diggs is just consistently good. He's going to go out and get tackles and pressure the quarterback. He'll drop into pass coverage, and he might get an interception.
   
• It's not Max Wright's fault that SEC officials are not incompetent.
   
• Corey Seager. That guy. I check the scores all the time. It's too stressful for me to watch the entire game. They've won so many games when I wasn't watching that I'm doing them a favor by not watching.