With 130 major college football teams across the country and countless incoming freshman every year, it isn’t easy to track every star across the country. While highlight reel plays, important games and updated draft rankings will thrust players in to the national spotlight there will always be a number of potential stars that remain under the radar for one reason or another. Here is a look at five underrated college football players worth watching in 2017.
QB: Riley Ferguson, Memphis Tigers
Ferguson thrived under the pressure of having to replace Paxton Lynch at Memphis last season with some pretty impressive numbers. Ferguson threw for more yards and more touchdown passes than Lynch did the previous season while guiding the Tigers to an impressive 8-5 record. The fact that he was so successful despite playing for a new head coach in Mike Norvell following Justin Fuente’s decision to take the Virginia Tech job made his numbers even more impressive. Ferguson has now played a full year under Norvell and he had the entire offseason to develop and prepare for 2017. He won’t get the same level of attention as some of the other top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class. However, Ferguson could really impress as an underrated star at Memphis this season. We’ll see if he can lead the Tigers to the top of the AAC this coming season.
RB: Akrum Wadley, Iowa Hawkeyes
Wadley made the most of his opportunity while sharing touches in the Iowa backfield last season when he ran for 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wadley has electric speed and incredible moves in the open field. That skill set translated to an average of 6.4 yards per carry last season. At 5’11’’ and 185 pounds, Wadley isn’t the biggest back and he won’t get the same number of touches as a workhorse back. However, Wadley still has the potential to make big plays every time he is handed the football and he should thrive as an underrated talent in Iowa once again this season.
RB: Ryan Nail, Oregon State Beavers
The former H-back has transformed in to a star at Oregon State where he is coming off a breakout season. Nail rushed for 951 yards and 13 touchdowns on only 147 carries last year. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and topped 120 yards rushing in six different games. The 6’2’’, 237-pound junior is an exciting play maker that can run and catch the ball out of the backfield. Another year of experience and development at the running back position could lead to Nail putting up even better numbers for the Beavers this season. The Beavers aren’t expected to be a very good team this season but Nail is one of the bright spots on this roster.
WR: Jester Weah, Pittsburgh Panthers
Running back James Conner, quarterback Nathan Peterman and wide receiver Quadree Henderson received the most attention in Pittsburgh’s revamped offense last season. However, Weah was another star performer that managed to fly under the radar for the most part. That might not happen this year if he can build on his 2016 numbers. Weah had 870 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 36 catches last year. What will happen if he doubles his number of receptions in 2017? The 6’3’’ speedster emerged as a major playmaker at Pittsburgh last season. After flying under the radar to an extent, it will be very interesting to see what Weah has in store for an encore performance this season.
TE: Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan Chippewas
Conklin was one of the most productive tight ends in the nation last season when he finished with 42 catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns. However, he somehow didn’t appear on any of the three All-MAC teams. He definitely won’t be overlooked this year if he can duplicate his numbers from last season. The 6’4’’, 240-pound tight end is coming off a strong year in which he seemed to perform his best against the top opponents. After he flew under the radar for most of last season, make sure to keep an eye on Conklin as one of college football’s potential underrated breakout stars for 2017.
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