College Football Preview 2011: 10 Best Players You Don't Know Yet But Will
Heading into the 2011 college football season, we should know most of the big names still on campus.
Stanford's Andrew Luck, Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, just to name a few.
However, every season there are plenty of players we overlooked who established themselves into that elite group.
Here are the 10 best players (one from each of the major positions and two wildcards) you maybe haven't heard of but will definitely know come next season.
Quarterback: Dan Persa, Northwestern
1 of 10
2010 stats: 2,581 yards passing, 15 TD's, four INT's; 519 yards rushing, nine TD's
Persa may never be an elite NFL draft prospect at quarterback, but he's got a chance to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten next season.
Yes, even over Terrelle Pryor.
Persa, who missed the last three games of the year after rupturing his achilles, was the ninth highest rated passer in NCAA Division 1-A.
That put him ahead of Pryor and trailed only Scott Tolzein for the Big Ten lead, and Persa's 73.5 completion percentage led the nation.
He's still an unknown for the most part, but he'll make a splash in the Big Ten next season for Northwestern.
Running Back: Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State
2 of 10
2010 stats: 1,532 rushing yards, 17 TD's, 68 receiving yards, one TD
San Diego State won 9 games in 2010 and took both Utah and TCU to the wire in back-to-back weeks, but Hillman is still completely unknown to most of the national football audience.
That might change next season.
The soon to be sophomore (yes, he was just a freshman last year) is coming off a 228-yard, four touchdown performance in the Poinsettia Bowl and will look to build off his surprise opening campaign.
With the Mountain West Conference in limbo, Hillman and the Aztecs might have exactly what it takes to burst onto the scene.
Receiver: Juron Criner, Arizona
3 of 10
2010 stats: 82 receptions, 1,233 yards, 11 TD's
Criner dabbled with the draft after a solid junior season, but ultimately decided to come back for his last year of eligibility.
For Criner, that might mean becoming one of the top receivers in college football.
Yet following a season in which Criner had five games over 100 yards receiving and five games with at least eight catches, his name is still unknown to many who follow college football.
With the return of Nick Foles as well, the two Wildcats could form one of the most productive duos in the nation.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Offensive Line: Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
4 of 10
2010 awards: Honorable mention All-Big Ten, Academic All-Big Ten, Badger Power Award (weight room dedication)
While seniors Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt stole much of the headlines for Wisconsin's offensive line, the next great Badger lineman—Zeitler—was fighting right along side them.
Zeitler played in all 13 games and started nine at right guard for UW, and he'll anchor a Badgers offensive line that will once again pave the way for talented backs Montee Ball and James White next season.
UW might not be the flashiest program in the nation, but they certainly know how to scout and develop interior lineman. Expect Zeitler to be the next good one from Wisconsin.
Defensive Line: Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
5 of 10
2010 stats: 13.5 sacks
Even though Jenkins put up the third most sacks in college football a season ago, the soon-to-junior has yet to develop the following that many sack artists typically gain at the collegiate ranks.
However, that will change next season.
Jenkins is unbelievably quick and powerful for a 250 pound defensive end, and with another productive season like 2010, he could see himself as a premier draft prospect next season.
He's learned from both Kamerion Wimbley and Everette Brown, but the pupil might turn out to be better than both his teachers.
Linebacker: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
6 of 10
2010 stats: 88 tackles, seven sacks
Upshaw is probably well known among the SEC and draft followers, but he's still mostly unknown to the rest of college football.
Heading into next season, however, many scouts believe that Upshaw is the best linebacker coming back in the nation.
Alabama will have another solid season on defense, and it will be Upshaw leading the Crimson Tide against opposing offenses.
Cornerback: Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
7 of 10
2010 stats: 48 tackles, nine INT's
It might seem tough to lead the nation in interceptions and still be under the radar, but that's exactly what Hosley did last season.
As a junior next year, however, teams will be well-aware of Hosley.
Without the services of Rashard Carmichael opposite him at cornerback, Hosley will get a chance to shine as Virginia Tech's defensive star.
He might not intercept nine passes again this coming season, but Jayron Hosley will be a name that college football fans and NFL draft experts will know well.
Safety: Rashard Hall, Clemson
8 of 10
2010 stats: 62 tackles, two INT's, one TD
Hall burst onto the scene his freshman season with six interceptions, but his sophomore season he was outshone by fellow Clemson safety Deandre McDaniel.
With McDaniel on his way to play on Sundays, however, it's Hall's turn to recast himself in the spotlight.
Safeties rarely get the chance to make much of an impression to college football fans, but if any safety could do it next season, it's Rashard Hall.
Honorable Mentions: Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
9 of 10
2010 stats: 89 tackles, two forced fumbles
Burfict might not be completely off the radar (he was a five star recruit out of high school), but he's simply the most physically imposing linebacker in college football.
While some were a bit surprised when Burfict picked Arizona State over the likes of USC and UCLA coming out of high school, no one has been shocked over the product on the field.
If Burfict can stay on the field, you'll hear about him plenty next season. And even if you don't, you'll certainly be hearing his name come April 2012 at the NFL draft.
Honorable Mention: Cliff Harris, Oregon
10 of 10
2010 stats: six INT's, four punt returns for TD's
Lost in the shuffle of Oregon's surprising run to the National Championship game was the exciting play of Harris at cornerback and punt returner for the Ducks.
Darron Thomas, LaMichael James and Casey Matthews received most of the publicity throughout their run, but Harris was equally as important and explosive as the three I just mentioned.
Both Thomas and James return to Oregon, but Harris should be the star of the defense and will once again have a Devin Hester like impact in the return game.
There are few plays in football as exciting as a punt return for a touchdown, so remember Harris' name when he's taking your school's punt back for six points next season.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
