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Most Underused Offensive Players in Recent CFB History

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) scores during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Alvin Kamara– 2017-2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara was probably someone you didn’t know about until last season. That’s because in his last two years of college playing at Tennessee, he was the second string running back. That’s right, the electrifying playmaker was sitting behind Jalen Hurd, who isn’t even a running back anymore…he’s a tight end for the Baylor Bears. Before Tennessee, Kamara sat behind TJ Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake at Bama, before going JuCo.

At Hutchinson Community College, Kamara ran for 1253 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games against premier junior college talent, before transferring to Tennessee to play for Butch Jones. His sophomore year, he only got 107 carries but managed to get almost 700 yards rushing. He finished with 989 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. His second and final year at Tennessee? He got 4 less carries but still managed 596 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Overall, he finished with 988 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns.

Compare that to the 212 total touches, 1554 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns he had his rookie year? Butch Jones inability to utilize Kamara was one of his worst mistakes.

 

Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry- One’s a top five, maybe even top three receiver in the league, depending on who you ask, and the other had back to back 1000 yard seasons in 2015 and 2016 before a “drop-off year” in 2017 with 987 yards. Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry are prime examples of LSU’s struggles at quarterback. What the hell were those two going to do with Zach Mettenberger throwing to them? Literally, the only reason Mettenberger was even drafted was because of his ability to find a #3 or #80 jersey and throw it in their general directions.

Beckham and Landry’s career college receiving yards COMBINED are less than Beckham’s NFL receiving yards in the last four years alone, and he only played four games this past season.

In three years at LSU, Beckham and Landry had 12 and 15 career receiving touchdowns, respectively. Through their four years in the NFL so far, Beckham and Landry had 38 and 22 receiving touchdowns, respectively. That’s right, through 47 games, Beckham has more than tripled the amount of touchdowns he scored in 40 college games.

De’anthony Thomas

Thomas is a little different than the other examples because he hasn’t really panned out in the NFL. That’s just because Andy Reid has yet to find a way to utilize him in the offense, even though him and Tyreek Hill are clones. (Editor’s Note: Not true)

Anyways, De’Anthony Thomas was one of the most electrifying players in college football history, and we were robbed of truly witnessing what he could do as a feature back. Now, to be fair, his quarterback was Marcus Mariota, and Thomas was only 5’9 and 170lbs, battling against bigger backs who could take hits like LaMichael James and Byron Marshall.

Thomas only had 356 career touches in three years, which is absurd considering he averaged 7.8 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per reception over his career.

Think back to the 2012 Rose Bowl against Wisconsin. He only had two carries…. AND BOTH WENT FOR TOUCHDOWNS. It wasn’t any dinky-dunk goal line rush either. He averaged 77.5 yards per carry. Now, this didn’t happen in garbage time either, these carries happened in the first and third quarter, so what happened? Did Oregon not like touchdowns? Wisconsin obviously had no answer for him, but Chip Kelly and Scott Frost just figured they were better off putting the game in the hands of Darron Thomas. Now, to be fair, DAT also had four receptions for 34 yards, but still, if the “hand it to De’Anthony Thomas” play was obviously working, why did they try anything else?

Now, one year later, Oregon’s back in a NY6 Bowl Game, and you’d think they’d have learned their lesson right? NOPE! Thomas returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, scored a 23 yard receiving touchdown and then only touched the ball SIX more times the rest of the game.

Now imagine the previous two scenarios every single game for three years. That was De’Anthony Thomas’ entire college career.

Ryan Switzer

Ryan Switzer, the former Tar Heel, was one of the most underused players in recent history. He didn’t even cross 1000 receiving yards until his senior season. He never had over 100 catches, and it wasn’t like his averages were bad either. Over his career he averaged 11.9 yards per catch. That means he was averaging a first down every catch, so why didn’t he get the ball more? Switzer shined in the punt return game with seven career punt return touchdowns. His elusiveness and separation could have been utilized in so many ways but nope, before his senior year, the most all-purpose yards he had in one year 786 yards in his sophomore year.

The most yards he ever had in a single game was 208 receiving yards vs Pitt his senior year. The most touchdowns he had in a game was three vs Old Dominion his freshman year, and one of those touchdowns was a punt return. Switzer should have been utilized and it’s a shame because he’s now in Oakland and Jon Gruden won’t play him until he’s at least 30.

 

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