New Mexico State's Tyler Rogers sits inconspicuously among a star-laden group of quarterbacks who are averaging the most passing yards per game in the FBS this season. Above him are Josh Rosen, Shea Patterson, Nic Shimonek and Mason Rudolph, and below are Lamar Jackson, Luke Falk and Will Grier.
It's a perfect spot for an overlooked quarterback at a program quietly rising from the depths of decades-long obscurity.
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Rogers was an unranked, unrated recruit in the 2014 JUCO class. New Mexico State was his only offer. Three years later, he ranks among the nation's best passers in almost every category, including yards per game (353) and touchdown passes (12). And more importantly, at 2-2, he's leading the Aggies' quest for their first-ever bowl game.
"I think he has the ability to make some throws that other people can't do in this conference," head coach Doug Martin said of Rogers over the summer. "It's the level of playing consistently and playing inside the offense."
Tyler Rogers could throw for 50 touchdowns and 5,000 yards and still not become a household name. That's simply the reality of playing at an isolated Sun Belt program that went 31-116 the previous 12 years. But maybe his stat-stuffing exploits and a bowl berth will turn a few heads.
Here are five other players that aren't not getting enough attention despite racking up huge numbers.
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Johnny Townsend — P, Florida
Punting Average: 50.8 yards
It takes A LOT for a punter to get noticed, so it's not surprising that no one outside of Gainesville knows who Johnny Townsend is. Nonetheless, the Gators' senior punter should get love for his weekly obliteration of the football.
The 2016 All-SEC selection led the FBS in punting average last year (47.9), has improved his average by more than two yards in each of his four seasons and is the only player in the FBS averaging more than 50 yards per punt in 2017.
He's on pace to break the all-time punting average mark of 50.3 yards, set in 1997 by LSU's Chad Kessler.
FLORIDA: Schedule & Results | Roster | Stats
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Anthony Winbush — DE, Ball State
Tackles for Loss: 10.5
Pick your poison with Anthony Winbush.
The Ball State defensive end leads the FBS in tackles for loss, sacks (7.5) and forced fumbles (three). He is spearheading a much-improved defense that has trimmed five points and more than 100 yards off their per-game averages from 2016.
“He plays every snap like his hair is on fire,” Western Kentucky coach Mike Sanford said before the Hilltoppers' Week 4 victory, during which Winbush had one sack and one tackle for loss.
BALL STATE: Schedule & Results | Roster | Stats
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David Sills V — WR, West Virginia
Receiving TDs: 7
David Sills is still getting more attention for his six-year recruitment than his on-field play.
Sills was the seventh-grade quarterback recruit who committed to Lane Kiffin and USC back in 2010. While he did not attend USC and is no longer playing quarterback, he is tearing up defenses.
Now in his second year as a Mountaineers' receiver (he played receiver at WVU in 2015 and quarterback at a JUCO in 2016), Sills is tied with UCLA's Darren Andrews for the most receiving touchdowns in the FBS. He already has three multi-touchdown games.
WEST VIRGINIA: Schedule & Results | Roster | Stats
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Uchenna Nwosu — LB, USC
Total Pressures: 22
Don't let Uchenna Nwosu's pedestrian pressure numbers fool you (two tackles for loss, one sacks, zero forced fumbles); he's one of the nation's most disruptive players.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound outside linebacker leads all edge defenders with 22 total pressures. He also had five pass breakups against Stanford.
"Not every time did he hit the quarterback,” USC coach Clay Helton said of Uchenna's game vs. the Cardinal. “But you always felt his presence.”
USC: Schedule & Results | Roster | Stats
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Rashaad Penny — RB, San Diego State
Rushing Yards: 716
Rashaad Penny joins David Sills in the getting-some-attention-but-not-enough club.
He ranks second in the FBS in both rushing and total touchdowns and is one of just two players with at least one touchdown via rushing, receiving and return (Deebo Samuels, South Carolina). And his 7.9 yards-per-carry average ranks first among players with at least 75 carries.
“I thought [Donnel Pumphrey] was the best running back in the country last year,” San Diego State head coach Rocky Long said in late August. “I think Penny, in our mind, is as good as any running back in the country this year. Completely different styles.”
SAN DIEGO STATE: Schedule & Results | Roster | Stats
