SEC
Alabama, WR, Jaylen Waddle
Over in Tuscaloosa it can be pretty easy to get lost in the mix of extreme talent on that roster, and when you have such a loaded wide receiving core as they do currently it is even easier. While most of the spotlight has shined on Jerry Jeudy, and for good reason, the Crimson Tide might have the best #2 receiver in the nation in Jaylen Waddle.
Last year as a true freshman, Waddle recorded 45 catches for 848 yards (2nd on the team) and 7 touchdowns, while maintaining to be a threat on punt returns for the Tide. His ability to not only be effective on offense, but also flip fields and give the Crimson Tide an advantage through special teams is why I believe Jaylen Waddle is the most underrated player in the SEC.
Big Ten
Maryland, QB, Josh Jackson
Josh Jackson was one of the brightest freshmen in the ACC just a season ago before suffering a fractured fibula forcing him to miss basically his entire 2018 season. That would turn out to be his last game as a Hokie, after deciding to transfer to Maryland with former wide out Sean Savoy. Jackson said he felt disrespected by Virginia Tech for having to earn his starting job for a third year in a row, and was concerned about the number of other players leaving the program.
At Virginia Tech Jackson was 11-5 as a starter and threw for over 3,560 yards and had a 25-10 touchdown to interception ratio. The Maryland coaching staff fell in love with Jackson’s play and poise during practice, and is someone head coach Michael Locksley is already was fond of being friends with Jackson’s father. Coming off a 5-7 season last year, Josh Jackson looks to solve some of the Terps offensive troubles within the Big Ten.
Big-12
Oklahoma State, Running Back, Chuba Hubbard
With the loss of Justice Hill, Oklahoma State must find a way to replace those 3,843 career scrimmage yards but luckily offense isn’t too hard to come by in the Big 12. He might not look like Hill, coming in at 6’1, 207 Lbs, but Mike Gundy believes he will be just as lethal for the Cowboys. During the last four games of the season, Cowboys fans got a sneak preview of what was in store for them for the upcoming season due to Justice Hill missing time with an injury.
Chuba Hubbard remained has rather concealed from the public eye mainly in part of him being born and raised in Alberta, Canada and nearly was a track star due to the lack of attention he received from football. In the games he replaced Hill, he had three 100 yard rushing games, and six total touchdowns. He reminds me a lot of Rodney Anderson from the rival Oklahoma school, and will bring a nice balance to a Cowboys air raid offense.
Pac-12
Washington, Wide Receiver, Aaron Fuller
Last season was a roller coaster ride for the Huskies, filled with plenty of highs and lows for the team. One of the highs was the play of Aaron Fuller, doubling his receptions (58), and tripling his receiving yards from his season prior (874).
Fuller will look to become the #1 option for the Huskies passing attack, which should see an increase in volume with quarterback Jacob Eason stepping into the fold. Similarly to John Ross and Dante Pettis, I would expect Aaron Fuller to be not only an under looked prospect, but one of the better wide receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft class.
ACC
Wake Forest, Quarterback, Jamie Newman
The ACC has plenty of talent hidden behind the power house names like Clemson, Florida State and Miami. While last season wasn’t the prettiest, redshirt junior Jamie Newman took plenty of strides as the signal caller, ultimately winning upsetting Memphis 37-34 to win the Birmingham Bowl.
Newman took over as the starting quarterback after Sam Hartman went down for the rest of their season with a leg injury. During his 6 games as the starting quarterback he threw for 1,083 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions and also managed another 247 yards and four scores on the ground. If Wake Forest can maintain their momentum heading into the 2019 season, the Deacons could be the team Clemson should mark on their schedule.