Under the Radar: Six Big Ten Football Players You Should Fear

When people talk about the Big Ten there are several names that get thrown around quite frequently. Names like Juice Williams, Daryll Clark, Evan Royster, Arrelious Benn, and Terrelle Pryor resonate in the minds of Midwest football lovers.

There are a ton of other players that have big play potential that are flying under the radar though, players who fans should fear more than they do. So, let's take a look at six offensive players who probably should get more acclamation:

Stephfon Green/ Running Back/ Penn State

After a 1,266 yard campaign, Evan Royster obviously deserves most of the hype when talking about Penn State's rushing attack. The Nittany Lions have another scary weapon though in Stephfon Green, who rushed for 588 yards and four touchdowns and had 268 yards receiving with a touchdown in his freshman season.

The thing that should strike the most fear in Big Ten opponents is Green's 4.29 40-dash time. He may not be that big at 5'10'' 192 pounds, but he could break a long one at any moment as a change of pace back. Just as a defense gets tired of Clark and Royster pounding the ball, watch for Green to take one to the house!

Hayo Carpenter/ Wide Receiver/ Minnesota

Much like the previous situation, Golden Gopher fans are incredibly excited about the return of wideout Eric Decker. His insane 84 receptions for 1,074 yards and seven touchdowns put him on the map as one of the Big Ten's premier receivers.

Watch out though, Brewster adds JUCO transfer Hayo Carpenter to the mix in 2009. He was one of the top JUCO recruits in the country, and had 173 catches for 3,079 yards and 28 touchdowns in his junior college career. Carpenter can boast 4.37 40-dash speed, and is someone Big Ten defenses need to game plan for.

Jewel Hampton/ Running Back/ Iowa

Shonn Greene is no longer a Hawkeye, but his understudy should pick up right where he left off. Last season as a freshman Jewel Hampton rushed for 478 yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging 5.1 yards a carry. Add that to his 23 kick returns for a 23.3 average, and you have a dangerous player.

It's doubtful that Hampton can come anywhere close to Greene's 1,889 yards a season ago, but this "under the radar" player should strike a lot more than people think.

Jerred Fayson/ Wide Receiver/ Illinois

The Illinois offense is scary enough as it is. With QB Juice Williams, WR Arrelious Benn, WR Jeff Cumberland, and TE Mike Hoomanawanui, their passing attack will be high octane.

Zook throws in another talented player into the mix with Florida transfer Jerrad Fayson. He came in as a five-star prospect and was a huge pickup for the Illini. With a big frame at 6'0'' 215 pounds and with his 4.4 40-yard speed, Fayson should strike fear in Big Ten fans. 

David Gilreath/ Wide Receiver/ Wisconsin

Of this list, Gilreath is probably one of the better known players. Part of this is because the Badgers use him in a variety of different roles (rushing, receiving, kick returns, and punt returns). Last year, in his second season with the Badgers, he had 520 yards receiving for an impressive 16.8 average and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 309 yards with two touchdowns, and had 40 kick returns with an average of 19.6. In many ways, he is a poor man's Percy Harvin.

Gilreath's role isn't going to diminish in 2009 either. Instead, his opportunities will increase. With his speed and play-making ability, opposing teams need to watch out.   

Martavious Odoms/ Wide Receiver/ Michigan

Odoms comes out of the same mold as David Gilreath in terms of his role, but he looks much different in pads. At 5'9'' 171 pounds, he isn't the largest of guys, but he is a burner. He actually led the Wolverines in receiving last year with 443 yards on 49 catches, which was surprising considering Greg Mathews was on the team. On top of that he averaged 23 yards per kick return and averaged 12.6 yards per punt with a touchdown.

The Wolverines offense is going to be much improved in 2009 with better quarterback play, which means Odoms becomes even more dangerous. He should see the ball in his hands even more this season, which means there will be lots of chances for him to take one to the house.

Dave and Drew Thurman (7:41 pm)