Hidden Heroes: Clemson Safety DeAndre McDaniel

As college football fans, it's easy to lock on to the big stories, our favorite teams, and the latest conspiracy theories in our favorite sport.

These are three really big reasons why I love the game.

With that said, as fans of the sport, we do ourselves a great disservice by not widening our veiwership to soak up some these great performances that are just slightly off the radar.

This weeks Hidden Hero is doing nothing less than leading the NCAA in interceptions!

I realize he plays at a bigger school than our past Hidden Heroes, but this linebacker to safety convert isn't even a Thorpe semifinalist! I would say thats flying a little under the radar.

Here's the stats:

                                Tkls      Solo      Ast       Sacks       FF       Ints     Yds     Tds

DeAndre McDaniel       61          37          24             1              1           7         155       1

The numbers alone solidify him as one of the best safeties in the game. I bet Dabo and the boys are kicking themselves for not moving him there earlier.

Not only are his total numbers outstanding, he also comes to play in the big games. His two multi pick games were in the two biggest matchups so far, Georgia Tech in a close loss, and Miami in the upset. Worth noting is the fact he returned one of his two interceptions against Miami for a score. A big time play in a big time game.

Also, being a Tallahassee native, you know he'll bring his A game in Clemson's next tilt with FSU at 7:45 est. on ESPN.

I'm sure as fans we won't miss this one as it has ACC title implications, and who can miss the Heisman worthy C.J. Spiller show? With that said take time to focus on the other side of the ball and enjoy one of the best in the game at his position.