There are nearly 1,000 scholarship FBS football players in the state of Texas. Not all of them get the attention that they rightfully deserve. That ends today, as we name our five most underrated college football players in the state of Texas.
To be clear, we have to set guidelines for underrated. If a player is an all-conference pick – especially first team – they’re off the list. Additionally, quarterbacks are ineligible. There are only 12 starting quarterbacks playing FBS football in Texas, and we know all of their names.
This also is not a list of players who are about to break out in 2019. If you don’t yet have a proven track record, you’re not on the list.
Here’s our list of the 10 most underrated college football players in Texas.
Texas A&M WR Quartney Davis
2018 stats: 45 catches for 585 yards, 7 TDs
On a roster filled with blue-chip wide receivers, Davis turned himself into arguably the most important. Jhamon Ausbon got the hype coming into 2018, and Kendrick Rogers made the biggest plays, but Davis led all Texas A&M receivers in receiving yards and touchdowns by just making himself available. With Jace Sternberger gone to the NFL, Davis will have to play an even bigger role in 2019.
Texas Tech DE Eli Howard
2018 stats: 37 tackles, 9 QB hurries, 4 TFLs, 3.5 sacks,
Howard’s 3.5 sacks and 37 tackles are a respectable number, but neither does much to show just how impactful he is in the Texas Tech front seven. He was credited with a quarterback hurry in seven games, but made his presence felt in all 12. It’s fitting that the walk-on – who started graduate work at Tech with three years of eligibility remaining – continues to change games in ways that don’t appear in the box score.
Houston S Gleson Sprewell
2018 stats: 81 tackles, 6 PBUs, 3 INTs, 2.5 TFLs
Sprewell only stepped into a starting role because of injuries at Houston, but quickly proved he deserves to be mentioned among the best defenders on Houston’s roster. He enters 2019 as the leading returning tackler and pass defender on the roster. Houston’s defense could take a step forward now that Sprewell and safety Deontay Anderson have experience playing together.