Picking under-the-radar non-quarterbacks who could be dark horse difference makers

Every college football season is full of surprise breakout stars who enter the season as under-the-radar players and then capture the nation’s attention with a standout performance. Sometimes it’s a quarterback like Joe Burrow putting it all together during a memorable run to the title. Sometimes it’s a dynamic playmaker like Kenneth Walker III. Other times it’s a standout freshman like Harold Perkins.

This year is going to be no different. The only question now is who will step into the spotlight.

On3’s Andy Staples and Jesse Simonton discuss some potential dark horse non-quarterback impact stars on Monday’s episode of Staples’ podcast.

Simonton started the discussion with Penn State wide receiver Dante Cephas, who transferred in from Kent State in the offseason.

“Dante Cephas could be one of the X-factors for Penn State,” Simonton said. “This is a receiver room that needs help. We know they have Drew Allar at quarterback. They got Singleton at running back. But if they can have this X-factor perimeter weapon, this could be one of their avenues to potentially winning at Ohio State or beating Michigan. And suddenly, you’re looking at a potential Big Ten Championship berth for the first time since 2016. He is an extremely intriguing player for me in 2023.”

Staples then took the dark horse discussion in a different direction by going with Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks.

Banks was the No. 22 overall recruit and No. 2 offensive tackle in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranked him as the sixth-best player in the country.

“This is the best offensive lineman Texas has had really in over a decade,” Staples said. “This is a guy who could potentially be a first-round pick when he’s eligible for the draft. He came in, started right away as a true freshman. I’m really excited to see what he can be going forward because we’ve not seen this level of talent on Texas’ offensive line. Here’s the thing, his class that he came in with, that group of offensive linemen, there’s a chance that they could be the core of Texas’ offensive line for the next two years or maybe the next three years depending on how many of them are seniors. I think he is critical to their success this season and in their first season in the SEC.”

Simonton then looked at the other side of the defensive line with a player that has made headlines off the field this offseason in new USC defensive lineman Bear Alexander.

Alexander transferred from Georgia.

“This is a guy that could absolutely transform USC’s defense,” Simonton said. “They need defensive linemen. They need interior pass-rushing help. He could provide both of those this season in their final season and quest to win the Pac-12 Championship for the first time since 2017 and next season, Year 1 — when he’s trying to put on the tape to go to the NFL — when they’re playing in the Big Ten.”

Staples rounded out the dark horse discussion with another sophomore defensive lineman with Alabama’s Jaheim Oatis.

“He came in at 400 pounds,” Staples said. “He slimmed down to about 330. I think he’s even lighter now. But he’s gotten great grades. He’s played well. He seems to be everything they were hoping he would be. He is just that dominant force in the middle. Remember, just because Will Anderson’s gone doesn’t mean Alabama’s not going to have a pass rush. They’ve still got Dallas Turner and Chris Brazwell and now you have this monster in the middle. I’m very excited to see how he can make the leap from Year 1 to Year 2 because I think I think he’s gonna be really good.”