Bowl Season's 35 Most Exciting Players

Bowl Season's 35 Most Exciting Players

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Bell dominated in his first season as Michigan State's feature back, averaging 137.3 rushing yards per game, third best in the FBS. Bell wowed well beyond the box score, hurdling his way into the early Heisman conversation and stiff-arming his way to the most rushing yards in the Big Ten.

Dave Einsel/AP

An integral part of Florida's resurgence, the junior tallied 10 tackles for loss and four interceptions. The ferocious hitter always finds a way to make his presence felt -- even among his own teammates.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Manti Te'o gets the lion's share of the credit on Notre Dame's defense, but Tuitt deserves some recognition of his own. The massive sophomore bulldozed his way to a team-high 12 sacks and was also a scoring threat: Tuitt returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown in the Irish's season-opening win over Navy.

Bill Frakes/SI

Jones may not be conventionally exciting, but he's a treat for those who like to watch a pulverizing brand of football on the offensive line. He won the Rimington Award as the nation's top center one year after winning the Outland Trophy while playing at left tackle.

Chris Williams/Icon SMI

The senior running back finished his college career with a bang, racing for 1,700 rushing yards. He was especially unstoppable down the stretch, running for 160-plus yards in four of his final six games.

Bob Stanton/Icon SMI

The leader of Stanford's relentless linebacking corps, Thomas imposed his will in 2012. He recorded 71 tackles and 7.5 sacks as the Cardinal locked up a third consecutive BCS bowl berth.

Fred Brooks/Icon SMI

Quarterbacks throw the ball in Banks' direction at their own peril. Banks was named a Thorpe Award finalist after notching four interceptions and seven passes defended for the Bulldogs' dangerous secondary.

Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Klein's style of play isn't as flashy as others on this list, but it's hard to argue with his results. K-State's quarterback finished with 2,490 passing yards, 890 rushing yards and 49 total touchdowns for the Fiesta Bowl-bound Wildcats.

Will Schneekloth/Icon SMI

Arguably the most unsung defensive playmaker in the nation, Greene was the driving force behind Rutgers' 7-0 start. He punished opponents with 125 tackles, second among players on AQ-conference bowl-eligible teams, and forced six fumbles. Three of the latter came in a win against Syracuse on Oct. 13.

David Banks/Getty Images

If Northwestern finally captures its first bowl victory since 1948, it will likely be due in large part to its elusive junior running back. Mark recorded 2,048 all-purpose yards, seventh in the nation, and returned punts for touchdowns against both Syracuse and Penn State.

Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images

A projected first-round prospect who has scouts drooling, Werner is big, strong and dominant. He tallied 13 sacks, including 3.5 in a Nov. 24 loss to Florida.

Gerry Broome/AP

Overshadowed by Sammy Watkins at the start of the year, Hopkins came into his own as Clemson's most explosive wideout by December. He made 69 receptions this season, 18 of which went for 25 yards or longer.

AP

The Sun Devils' defensive tackle wreaked havoc from the line this year. He rebounded from a midseason knee injury to finish with 20 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, fourth and 16th in the FBS, respectively.

Al Tielemans/SI

Though his Heisman hopes tailed off in the second half of the season, Smith remains one of the sport's most undeniable talents. He passed for 4,004 yards in 2012, which takes into account the performance of the season. Against Baylor on Sept. 29, he threw for 656 yards and eight touchdowns.

Chris Coduto/Icon SMI

Arizona's sophomore star led the nation in rushing yards per game this season. The explosive Carey averaged 146.4 yards per game, and perhaps more impressively, 6.4 yards per carry.

Boyd Ivey/Icon SMI

Teammate Ezekiel Ansah may generate more draft hype, but Van Noy was BYU's most game-changing defensive force this season. He paced the Cougars with 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss and tied for fourth nationally with five forced fumbles.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

After losing Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron, Alabama's secondary was supposed to undergo a rebuilding year in 2012. Someone forgot to tell Milliner. The junior cornerback shut down top targets all season for the FBS' top-ranked total defense.

Dave Martin/AP

The best offensive player you've never heard of, Andrews was unstoppable for Western Kentucky this year. The do-everything junior compiled 2,977 all-purpose yards -- third in NCAA history -- to lead the Hilltoppers to their first bowl berth as an FBS member.

Gary Kazanjian/AP

If Antonio Andrews is the best offensive player you've never heard of, Thomas is his defensive counterpart. Fresno State's senior defensive back returned from an injury that forced him to miss all of 2011 and corralled an FBS-leading eight interceptions -- three of which he brought back for touchdowns.

AP

The record-setting Badgers running back has a nose for the end zone. He rushed for three touchdowns in four games this year, and he saved his best performance for last. Ball rolled over Nebraska for 202 yards and three scores in the Big Ten title game

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

He throws one of the prettiest balls in college football, and he's a threat to go off even when hobbled by injury. Despite having a broken wrist and sore ankle, Bridgewater completed 20-of-28 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns in Louisville's BCS-clinching victory at Rutgers.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Perhaps the most overlooked dual-threat standout in the country, Boyd overwhelmed defenses while piloting Clemson's high-flying attack. He piled up 4,042 total yards and 43 touchdowns, and he scored a whopping eight times in the Tigers' victory against NC State on Nov. 17.

AP

There are fast players, and then there's Kent State's junior dynamo. Archer led the Golden Flashes to a 10-2 record by racking up 2,460 all-purpose yards. He blazed past opponents for more than 220 yards in two different games this season.

Bill Frakes/SI

LSU's star linebacker can blanket the field like few others. He anchored the Tigers' eighth-ranked total defense by collecting 111 tackles -- 20 of which came in a 14-6 loss to Florida on Oct. 6.

AP

Overlooked in the epic 70-63 showdown between Baylor and West Virginia on Sept. 29: Williams hauled in an astounding 17 catches for 314 yards and two scores. It was only the start for the prolific senior wideout, who finished the regular season with 1,764 receiving yards, tops in the nation.

John W. McDonough/SI

The Ducks' speedy all-purpose threat didn't have the Heisman-worthy season many had anticipated, but he's still capable of doing more with one touch than almost any other player in the nation. Case in point: Thomas only rushed twice in last year's Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin, but for a total of 155 yards and two touchdowns.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Yeldon isn't as decorated as many running backs on this list, and he's not even the starter on his own team, backing up Eddie Lacy. Still, when the ball is in Yeldon's hands, amazing things happen. To wit: Yeldon's dramatic 28-yard touchdown reception helped the Tide top LSU, and his 25-carry, 153-yard effort gave 'Bama a boost in the SEC title game.

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

On an offense loaded with playmakers, Mariota is arguably Oregon's most dynamic talent. The Honolulu native paced Chip Kelly's attack with 34 total touchdowns, including four touchdown passes in a shootout win over USC.

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

MACtion reached new heights in 2012, and Lynch was one of the driving factors. The quarterback led the nation in total yards (4,733) and rushing yards (1,771) to fuel the Huskies' surprising surge into the BCS.

Robin Alam/Icon SMI

Not only was the Heisman runner-up the face of Notre Dame's unbeaten season, he was also one of college football's most electrifying linebackers. Te'o amassed 103 tackles and seven interceptions, one of which helped clinch the Irish's hard-fought victory at Oklahoma.

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Though Mountaineers counterpart Stedman Bailey finished with more receiving touchdowns, Austin showcased his skills as a do-it-all playmaker. He ranked second nationally in all-purpose yards, and he torched Oklahoma on Nov. 17, blowing past the Sooners for 344 rushing yards, 82 receiving yards and 146 kick return yards.

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Few defensive players can take over a game like Georgia's Jones. He led the nation in tackles for loss and forced fumbles, and he simply dominated this year's game against Florida. Jones tallied 13 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles in Georgia's ugly 17-9 win.

Ric Tapia/Icon SMI

Though USC failed to live up to its billing this year, Lee emerged as the game's most electrifying wideout. He won the Biletnikoff Award after piling up 1,680 receiving yards, and he was equally deadly on special teams, averaging 28.6 yards per kick return, 10th in the FBS.

Jim Dedmon/Icon SMI

Te'o and Jones may boast better numbers in 2012, but Clowney can do things on the field that other defenders simply can't. The 6-foot-6, 256-pounder terrorized quarterbacks for 13 sacks, including 4.5 in South Carolina's regular-season finale against Clemson.

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Johnny Football is the man of the moment. This year's Heisman winner broke the SEC record by racking up 4,600 yards of total offense, and he's dazzled fans all season -- with his arm, legs and Halloween costume.