Receiving Attention: 5 Non-BCS Wide Receivers Who Deserve More Glory

Often times, it can be tough for a player to make a national name for himself playing outside the spotlight of one of the six BCS conferences.

With limited TV exposure and publicity, every year dozens of big time talents at smaller schools go overlooked and underappreciated.

Sometimes the college football world may treat it's lower conferences as step children but that doesn't mean there aren't high caliber players competing.

Let's take a look at five smaller conference wide receivers who could become national names during the 2010 season.

Dwayne Harris: East Carolina

When speaking about East Carolina wide receiver Dwayne Harris, the first word that comes to mind is "versatile."

There may be no player in the country who displayed as much versatility as Harris did during 2009. It was a season which saw number 17 become a jack of all trades for the Pirates.

From receiver, to returner, to quarterback, Harris seemingly did it all.

More importantly, he made a substantial impact no matter where he lined up.

Dwayne was a game changer on both offense and special teams and looks to keep on flying by opposing defenses as a senior.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Pirate pass catcher break the 1,000 yard mark that he fell just short of as a junior.

DeAndre Brown: Southern Miss

In 2008, DeAndre Brown became infamous for all the wrong reasons.

The Southern Miss standout broke two major things in a matter of minutes during the New Orleans Bowl. First he broke the school's single season reception record, and soon after, he broke his leg.

The injury was so gruesome that some thought DeAndre's career was over before it even had a chance to really get started.

Luckily, he was able to rehab and return to action, but it was obvious the injury had its lasting effects as Brown's performance dipped during his sophomore campaign.

Now, Coach Larry Fedora expects his top receiver to be 100 percent and ready to unleash his full array of talents on Conference USA defenses this season.

There's no doubt that the 6'6 receiver has as much ability as any receiver in college football.

Brown could play at any school in the country, and surprised many when he spurned scholarship offers from the likes of LSU, Florida, and Auburn to play for his home state Golden Eagles.

If DeAndre can perform at the same level he did as a freshman, Southern Miss fans may not have too much longer to watch him play.

Austin Pettis: Boise State

Austin Pettis might not be just the best senior wide receiver in the WAC, he could very well be the best senior wide receiver in all of college football.

Since so many of the top juniors decided to declare for the 2010 NFL Draft, that leaves the title of top senior wide receiver up for grabs.

Pettis has as good of a case as any to claim the honor.

The 6'3 receiver found the end zone 14 times during his junior year before a late season leg fracture hindered him for the Fiesta Bowl.

Now that he's back to full health, Austin teams with Titus Young to present Bronco quarterback Kellen Moore a formidable duo to challenge secondaries.

If both can keep stretching the field, Boise has a strong shot at a repeat undefeated season.

Damaris Johnson: Tulsa

In 2009, Damaris Johnson hit the football equivalent of a double-double as he accumulated over 1,000 yards receiving and 1,000 yards in the return game.

His efforts won him the crown of top all purpose player in the nation as just a sophomore, beating out the likes of C.J. Spiller and Mardy Gilyard.

Johnson stands at just 5'8 but he has yet to let his size hold him back from success.

Even though the Golden Hurricane may have struggled down the stretch, Damaris was one of the lone bright spots with 100 yard receiving games in four out of the team's last five contests.

That bodes well as Johnson and Tulsa ready for a run at a conference title in 2010.

It starts when Tulsa opens the season against East Carolina September 5th on ESPN2.

Do yourself a favor and watch two of the best receiving/return threats in the country, Dwayne Harris and Damaris Johnson, duel it out in the showdown.

Eric Page: Toledo

It's hard for any MAC player to garner All American honors, so for a player to do it as a freshman is something special.

Eric Page is that special kind of player. Special enough, in fact, to lead all freshman with 82 receptions in 2009.

While many of the nations high profile wide receiver recruits failed to make an impression throughout the year, Page burst onto the scene right away as he lit up Purdue in a 12 catch 100 plus yard effort in his first collegiate game.

He put in a repeat performance one week later during a Friday night match up against Colorado. His big play spark helped his Toledo squad embarrass the Buffaloes 54-38.

Page has already shown a knack for showing up against Toledo's toughest opponents.

Arizona, Purdue, and Boise State, should all be wary.