Get to Know Them

With college football season coming quickly, a lot of the talk has been about the top players around the college football world. But, it always seems that the people that are talked about are from the well known universities – the Alabama’s, Florida’s, Ohio State’s. I feel that if you really want to gain knowledge about the upcoming season, then you need to know some of the off the radar players that you will without a doubt hear from during the 2010 season.

 That’s why I’ve put together a list of my 10 favorite off the radar prospects in college football. These players may not be playing in a BCS bowl game come January or on anybody’s Hesiman watch list, but they are certainly players that make big impacts for their teams and they are guys you should really get to know.

 10. Dontay Moch (DE/Nevada)

 You probably haven’t heard of this guy, but he’s the best defensive player in the WAC. He’s the reigning WAC Defensive Player of the year and returns for his senior season in Reno. He is the best pass rusher in the conference and lead the WAC with 20 tackles for loss in 2010.

 Nevada isn’t know for their defense as they finished 96^th in the nation last year in total defense, but they boast the best defensive player in the conference. Moch was a big reason that Nevada finished in the top 25 nationally in rushing defense.

 The lack of marquee games played by WAC teams is probably the reason you haven’t heard his name and I really think only the most loyal college football enthusiasts know who this guys is, but if you get the chance to watch him play, I urge you to do so.

 9. Jerrel Jernigan (WR/Troy)

 The Sun Belt isn’t a glamorous conference and you won’t be flipping channels and find one on your television either unless you live close to one of the teams. But, don’t let that fool you; the conference boasts some pretty good talent.

 Jerrel Jernigan is a very talented athlete and is all around good guy. He was an All-Sun Belt first team selection with 2,264 all-purpose yards, which led Troy. He had 1,101 receiving yards, 266 rushing yards, and 897 kick-return yards.

Jernigan had over 2,000 all purpose yards last season

 Jernigan isn’t a guy you will get the pleasure of watching other than in a bowl game. Even then, most ordinary college football fans wouldn’t be too excited about the GMAC Bowl with Troy and Central Michigan playing.

 8. Ryan Lindley (QB/San Diego State)

 When most people think of quarterbacks in the Mountain West, the first name that pops into your mind, (If any at all), is probably Andy Dalton from TCU. Last year, that name was probably former BYU QB Max Hall.

 But, what if I told you that only one QB in the Mountain West threw more TD passes than San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley? (Max Hall).

 As a sophomore in 2009, Lindley threw for over 3,000 yards with 23 TD’s, but could only lead the Aztecs to a 4-8 record. Much better things are expected from San Diego State this season and their hopes rest on Lindley’s shoulders.

 The only problem with him is that he led the Mountain West with 16 interceptions and that is a number that will have to decrease if the Aztecs want to make their first bowl game in twelve years.

 7. TY Hilton (WR/Florida International)

 There are a few obvious reasons why you haven’t heard of Florida International’s TY Hilton. For one, it’s the Sun Belt, and any player in the conference no matter how good they are, will not receive as much recognition. Also, it’s Florida International and they are the perennial doormat across college football every season.

 A knee injury in 2009 dropped his production down from 2008. 2008 saw him go over 1,000 receiving yards and he fell down to 632 last season. The Golden Panthers will play some top competition in the non conference schedule with games against Rutgers, Texas A&M, Maryland, and Pittsburgh.

 So, you may get the opportunity to see Hilton play this year and he is definitely worth watching.

 6. Bruce Miller (DE/Central Florida)

 Pop quiz: Who has the most sacks among current players in college football? If you were seriously being asked that, I highly doubt the name Bruce Miller would pop up in your mind, but his 27 sacks puts him atop the list nationally.

 He was the Conference-USA’s defensive player of the year in 2009 with 56 tackles and 13 sacks. He had four multi-sack games in 2009 and returns for his senior season with the Knights.

 Miller helped lead Central Florida to a top 5 rushing defense last year and he will look to bring a C-USA Title to Orlando.

 5. Donald Buckram (RB/UTEP)

 Donald Buckram was an absolute workhorse for the Miners last season carrying the ball 259 times for a school record 1,594 yards. He also had 453 receiving yards with 21 total touchdowns, 18 rushing, and 3 receiving.

Buckram set the UTEP school rushing record as a freshman in 2009

 You probably haven’t heard of him probably because of the Miners winning just four games last season, despite his strong rushing numbers. With three starters returning on the offensive line, you will hear Buckram’s name again this season and he’s somebody you want to get to know.

 4. Austyn Carta-Samuels (QB/Wyoming)

 Another good Mountain West QB not named Andy Dalton that many of you probably haven’t heard of. Carta-Samuels took Laramie by storm as a freshman QB last season. He lead the Cowboys to a bowl game for the first time since 2004 in Dave Christensen’s first year as the he head coach.

 Not a whole lot was expected from Carta-Samuels last season as he started as a freshman in 2009. Wyoming went 7-6 and beat Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. He’s back for his sophomore season and will only get better.

 He was a game manager last season, throwing for close to 2,000 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions, completing 58% of his passes.

 Christensen will likely open up the playbook more for his sophomore QB with a year of experience under his belt. He’s the kind of QB that I have always liked and even though this season might not yield the same results for Wyoming as it did for them last season with the schedule, Carta-Samuels is someone who is fun to watch.

 3. Bernard Pierce (RB/Temple)

 Bernard Pierce is probably the best RB you haven’t heard of. Pierce was a big reason Temple had a nine win season under Al Golden last year. As a freshman in 2009, Pierce rushed 1,361 yards and 16 TD’s. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry. The 1,361 yards came without him playing in the final two games of the regular season.

 Pierce had four games last season where he rushed for over 178 yards. His shining moment of the 2009 season was his 267 yard effort in a 27-24 upset victory over Navy.

 Pierce was the difference maker last year for the Owls. He wasn’t the featured back until the third week of the season and that was with Temple 0-2 coming off losses to Villanova and Penn State. After that, Temple went 9-2 down the stretch, 8-1 in games Pierce played.

 He’s definitely a player you want to get to know.

 2. Ricky Dobbs (QB/Navy)

 If I asked you to name the quarterback with the most rushing touchdowns in a season in college football history, could you get it right? I’m assuming a lot of you thought it was Tim Tebow.

 Actually, Ricky Dobbs, the quarterback at the Naval Academy, set the record last season with 27 rushing touchdowns. Dobbs has perfected the triple option offense and he’s the big reason why Navy won ten games last year, including an impressive Texas Bowl win over Missouri.

 In a lot of triple option offenses, the QB is mainly just a runner, but Dobbs is also a pretty accurate passer. He not only ran for over 1,000 yards, but he threw for over 1,000 as well. Dobbs was incredible last season as a junior and he returns for his senior season looking to replicate that success.

 Navy is not the whipping boy of college football anymore and they will give you a fight each Saturday. If your team has Navy on the schedule this season, then don’t look past them. You will also get the shot to see Ricky Dobbs run the triple option offense to perfection.

Dasher is one of the top dual-threat QB's in the nation.

 1. Dwight Dasher (QB/Middle Tennessee State)

 My personal favorite of the players you probably don’t know is one of the best dual-threat QB’s in the nation. Dasher is a fun player to watch with his passing and running ability and he lead the lowly Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee to a 10-win season and a New Orleans Bowl win over Southern Miss.

 Dasher finished the 2009 season with 2,789 passing yards, 1,154 rushing yards, and 40 total touchdowns.

 If you got a chance to watch the New Orleans Bowl last season, then you saw Dasher at his finest running the no-huddle offense for the Blue Raiders. He passed for 162 yards and two touchdowns, adding 201 rushing yards and 2 more touchdowns to his resume to lift MTSU to a 42-32 win over Southern Miss.

 So, what do you think of the list? Did I forget anyone? Let me know. Leave some feedback and tell me who your personal favorite player is from the smaller conferences.

 With college football season right around the corner, these were ten guys that you really need to get to know.