Thus, what follows is not a dissertation on players that are "better" than common perception. Rather, the essay merely proposes a number of student-athletes that may have been overshadowed by superior players or, due to external circumstances, may not have been noticed by the college football community.
| 1. Owen Schmitt, Bad Ass -- West F'n Virginia |
 Owen Schmitt is the kind of guy that sits down for a dinner of nails and anvils, then washes down the meal with a gallon of pure testosterone.He is, for all intents and purposes, a real life Bill Brasky. The great thing about Schmitt -- other than the fact that he makes John Wayne look like a playful schoolgirl -- is that he relishes his role with the Mountaineers. If Rodriguez needs Schmitt to decapitate a defensive end in passing scenarios, Schmitt does it with atomic force. Need Schmitt to immobilize a linebacker in order to open the edge for Steve Slaton? No problem; Schmitt will tear out his heart and eat it as desert for his all-iron meal. It may be a stretch to say that Schmitt makes the West Virginia offense go. But his prowess on the goal line is unquestioned, as is his blocking outside of the red zone. He holds and indispensable role in the Mountaineer offense and carries out his duties in a remarkably unremarkable way. |
| 2. Danny Lansanah, LB -- Connecticut |
The career stat line is impressive:
Lansanah, however, is a guy that stands above the fold. At middle linebacker, Lansanah has shown an ability to move from sideline-to-sideline. His presence in the middle has allowed his outside compatriots -- namely Ryan Henegan, who in 2006 finished third in the conference in tackles per game -- to play above their potential. Lansanah needs to improve his run recognition and execution, but despite this flaw, still bolsters a Huskies defense that would be atrocious without him. His play will result in great dividends for Connecticut in 2006. Whether he will receive proper kudos for his efforts will ultimately be determined by his teammates' play. |
| 3. Taj Smith, WR -- Syracuse |
| It seems almost absurd that a wide receiver can be the primary cog in an offense's success. In 2006, however, Taj Smith seemed to break the mold. In the three games in which Smith registered performance in the statistics log, Syracuse went 2-1 with the lone loss coming at the hands of Iowa in double overtime. In those contests Smith hauled in 12 receptions, scored three touchdowns, and averaged 76 yards receiving per game (19 yards per reception). Defenses could not stop Smith, but a broken collarbone did. Smith, though, is now back at full strength. 2007 proves to become the breakthrough year that 2006 was meant to be. Nearly forgotten by all but Orange Nation -- sitting out the final eight games of Syracuse's forgettable 2006 campaign tends to result in such ambivalence -- Smith's contributions may ultimately dictate whether the Orange returns to glory or remains entrenched in its current quagmire of failure. In a league highlighted by a host of terrific pass receivers, Smith still remains overshadowed. When all is said and done, however, if Smith can make former Syracuse signal caller Perry Patterson look competent, there is no question that has the goods to delivery each and every Saturday. |
| Honorable Mentions |
| Dominick Goodman, WR -- Cincinnati Led the Bearcats in total receptions last year with 40. Was named International Bowl MVP after hauling in seven catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. George Bussey, OT -- Louisville Someone needs to protect Brian Brohm, and that man is Bussey. Ben Moffitt, LB -- South Florida The anchor on a pretty solid Bulls defensive side. |
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
