Top 10 Underrated College Football Players

The college football season is at hand, and it's time you got to know the players who will be making waves this year. Sure there are the top guys—Ingram, Mallett, Pryor, etc.—but let's look a little deeper. Who are the ones that are going to burst on the scene this fall? The following list is composed of the top ten most underrated players that you should be keeping in mind.

I've also included each player's ranking on Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Michael Pinto's Top 100 list for college football this year for reference.

So read the list, make your judgments, and let me know what you think in the comments!

10. Robert Sands, Safety, West Virginia

See the guy about to unload on his helpless target for a highlight reel hit in the photo there? That's West Virginia's Robert Sands. He's a 6'5" roaming tackle machine who makes receivers' knees buckle (both before and after hits). He's entering his junior year, meaning he'll have a little more free reign this year. As long as he avoids the Taylor Mays trap (big-time hits over smart plays) Sands will put up monster numbers this year. Either way, you'll see him on SportsCenter.

Bleacher Report's Top 100 Ranking: 85

Awards to His Name: WVU Gridiron Gladiator Award, Big East's Hardest Hitter (Sporting News)

9. Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Michigan State

Cousins is a guy you've probably heard of, but should definitely be talking about. Did you know he had a 142.6 passer rating last year? As a sophomore? Well now you do! He has a solid offense around him, has a year of experience under his belt, and is poised for an amazing season.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 81

Awards to His Name: Second sophomore to ever be named a captain in MSU's 113 year history, Big Ten's Most Accurate Passer (Lindy)

8. Dayne Crist, Quarterback, Notre Dame

OK, so his name is Crist and he's playing for Notre Dame. The joke writes itself. And yes, by the end of the season I expect he'll be vastly overrated as swarms of Irish fans tell us how amazing their quarterback is all over national television. But for now, he's an unproven junior trying to fill in Jimmy Clausen's shoes. He is also, allegedly, the real deal.

The Domers are gushing about Crist, and he had the high school pedigree when he was recruited. He won't have Weis' "decided schematic advantage," but I doubt he'll have any trouble with Brian Kelly's new system.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 84

Awards to His Name: U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection in high school, as well as other pre-college awards.

7. Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, Florida

Florida's a good team. That's fair to say, right? So someone who starts at cornerback in his freshman year for the Gators, as Janoris Jenkins did, has got to be pretty good. Jenkins now has two years of experience and will take command of the Florida secondary in his junior season. If his numbers don't impress you, it's because quarterbacks don't like to throw it his way. Urban Meyer has said he's been impressed with Jenkins's form in the preseason after a somewhat disappointing sophomore campaign, so expect great things from the Gator corner this year.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 66

Awards to His Name: All-Freshman first team (College Football News)

6. Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Boston College

I think the picture pretty accurately describes what Luke Kuechly does to quarterbacks, running backs, or anybody else who tries to get by him. He's fairly highly regarded, but by the end of the season he should be a superstar. He broke an NCAA record in tackles per game for a freshman last year. Now he's a sophomore and the sky is the limit. You may not have heard of him yet, but it won't last. Kuechly will be a household name come awards time.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 49

Awards to His Name: ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, First-Team All-ACC

5. James Rodgers, Wide Receiver, Oregon State

The "other" Rodgers brother often plays second fiddle to Jacquizz in the eyes of the public, but he should be a star on his own merit. One of the best receivers in the country, Rodgers can absolutely shred an opposing defense. And he's not exactly built like your typical receiver, either, at a mere 5'7". This is his senior season, and he will end up being a major contender for the Biletnikoff Award, above many better-known players, if all goes according to plan. The Pac-10 will be pass-happy this year, and Rodgers figures to be one of its flashiest representatives.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 59

Awards to His Name: All Pac-10 First Team, School Record Receptions with 91

4. Darvin Adams, Wide Receiver, Auburn

Darvin Adams gets no respect. Normally when you are within in a first down of the 1,000 yard mark (997 receiving yards last year) as a sophomore and snag double-digit touchdowns, people start talking. But not for Adams. Other SEC ball-catchers keep stealing his thunder, and that ought to change this year. He already has the Auburn record for single-season catches with 60, and now it's time to improve on his own mark.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 65

Awards to His Name: Outback Bowl MVP, Auburn All-Time Season Single Receptions Record-Holder

3. Roy Helu, Runningback, Nebraska

Here are Helu's numbers from last year: 1,147 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, averaging over 5 yards per carry. So why is nobody talking about him? Now that's a mystery. Helu has over 2,000 career rushing yards, and there are no signs his production will slow down this year. Maybe eventually people will start taking notice when he reaches his 3,000th yard, maybe not. But whatever you do, don't sleep on him.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: Not Ranked

Awards to His Name: 2009 Nebraska Offensive MVP, 2009 Second-Team All-Big 12

2. Mike Mohamed, Linebacker, Cal

If you're a Pac-10 fan, you might scoff at Mike Mohamed being underrated. After all, he's a pretty big deal out west, leading his conference in tackles last year and probably being one of the only people to tackle Toby Gerhart {{citation needed}}. But he is hardly a household name around the rest of the country, and that's a darn shame. Mohamed will hit hard, but he'll also make the play consistently (something not all big-hitting linebackers will do), and that's earned him a myriad of preseason honors. Those who are paying attention know how good this guy is, now it's just a matter of time before the rest of the country sees it too.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 73

Awards to His Name: 2009 First-Team All-Pac 10, Bear Backers Team Defensive MVP

1. Daniel Thomas, Runningback, Kansas State

I can't understand why Daniel Thomas doesn't get more hype. Last season he WAS K-State's offense, and still he rushed for fantastic numbers. 1,265 yards rushing. 257 yards receiving. 11 touchdowns. The Big 12 leader in total yards and yards per game rushing. So why no love? This is only his second year at K-State (he's a JUCO-transfer senior), which makes last year's performance all the more impressive. You better believe Thomas will have a big year this year, and he's undoubtedly going to be one of the Doak Walker finalists. So take note of the name Daniel Thomas—you'll be seeing him in the end zone plenty this season.

Bleacher Report Top 100 Ranking: 48

Awards to His Name: Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, First-Team All-Big 12