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Michigan, Ohio State receivers mentioned among 10 most underrated players in college football
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A lot of the preseason is dedicated to predicting which college football stars have the best chance to win the Heisman Trophy, or who could be the highest selections in next year’s NFL Draft. But 247Sports recently released a list of the 10 most underrated players entering the 2019 season.
That list included two B1G receivers.
Michigan’s Nico Collins and Ohio State’s K.J. Hill were mentioned as two of the most underrated players taking the field this fall. Both players made serious impacts for their respective teams a year ago, but don’t get quite as much national attention as you might expect.
Here’s what 247Sports’ Brad Crawford had to say about Collins:
Ask anyone to preview the Michigan offense this season and the first two names to surface are Shea Patterson and Donovan Peoples-Jones, two all-Big Ten candidates at quarterback and wide receiver. Collins deserves the same level of respect after averaging 16.6 yards per reception last fall with six touchdowns. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and can be a 1,000-yard, double-digit touchdown guy with more targets. The arrival of first-year OC Josh Gattis — the former wideout coach at Alabama — means Michigan’s talent on the outside will be a full display and a major part of the game plan. Expect Collins to flourish as the No. 2, perhaps even top option, for the Wolverines.
And on Hill:
Based on Ohio State’s proven production at the wideout spot under Ryan Day’s tutelage, why aren’t we focusing on the Buckeyes’ wealth of talent returning in the passing game this season? Hill might be the most underrated receiver in program history, let alone the Big Ten this season. In three seasons, he has tallied 144 catches (sixth all-time at Ohio State) for 1,696 yards (currently 18th on the program’s career list) and 10 touchdowns. With a big year as a senior, Hill is within striking distance of becoming Ohio State’s career leader in both individual categories. Per longtime Bucknuts analyst Steve Helwagen, David Boston set the receptions record with 191 catches between 1996-98 while Michael Jenkins is the career receiving yards record holder with 2,898 yards between the 2000-03 seasons.
There’s a strong possibility that Collins and Hill are the top targets for the Wolverines and Buckeyes next season. Don’t be surprised if they start earning national attention at some time next fall.
Here’s the full top 10 from 247Sports.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB