College Football 2011: Illlinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase and 7 Other Unknown Stars

Some guys get all the hype. 

Everybody knows who Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson are, but who's heard of Nathan Scheelhaase, Ronnie Hillman and Bryant Moniz?

Here are seven star players who've flown under-the-radar but deserve your attention, starting with the Illinois quarterback. 

The Illini are off to their best start in over 60 years, so Scheelhaase must be doing something right. 

In six games, Illinois' sophomore quarterback has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 10 TD's while rushing for 347 yards and four more scores. 

It's a down year in the Big Ten, so don't be surprised to see Scheelhaase lead the Illini to double-digit wins and a January bowl game. 

Quick—who's third in the nation in rushing?

It’s not Trent Richardson, Marcus Lattimore or Michael Dyer.  It’s San Diego State sophomore Ronnie Hillman.

Hillman has run for 800 yards and 10 scores, and he's led the Aztecs to a 4-1 record. 

You've heard of Colt Brennan and Timmy Change, but do you know Bryant Moniz?

The former walk is fourth in the nation in passing yards (1,881), and he's thrown for 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions. 

Texas Tech's Air Raid offense hasn't missed a beat in the absence of architect Mike Leach.

Quarterback Seth Doege is second in the nation in passing TD's with 17 (trailing only Griffin III), and he's thrown just one interception. 

You've probably heard of Montee Ball, but Wisconsin's star running back has gotten a bit lost in the Russell Wilson shuffle. 

Entering play this weekend, Ball was averaging 5.4 yards per-carry, and he was second in the nation with 13 rushing TD's.

At halftime in Madison, he's added 86 more yards, two more scores and a passing touchdown. 

Western Michigan's Jordan White leads the nation in catches with 67, and he trails Cal's Keenan Allen by just four yards for the lead in receiving yards (824). 

On top of all that, he's tied for second in the nation in touchdown catches with seven. 

The only player with less catches than Jordan White this season is USC wide receiver Robert Woods. 

Woods' 17 catch performance against Minnesota to start the season is a big reason why. 

In addition, Woods is fourth in the nation in receiving yards with 783, and he's caught six scores.