One Hidden Gem on Each Top 10 College Football Team in 2025

Within a college football universe that includes well over 10,000 players, it's inevitable to have standouts slip through the publicity cracks.

Even on the best teams in the country, you won't know everyone.

In this quiet moment of the offseason, though, that's going to change. We've highlighted some underrated key pieces on the nation's top 10 teams, focusing on lesser-known players who deserve more awareness.

The order is based on B/R's early Top 25.

10. LSU Tigers: Davhon Keys, LB

LSU is reworking the middle of the defense after Greg Penn III's departure and moving Harold Perkins Jr. to the Star position. That latter is only possible thanks to the comfort the Tigers have in the Weeks brothers and Davhon Keys.

As a freshman last season, Keys played sparingly on defense until mid-November. But in four starts, he racked up 25 of his 31 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown during the Texas Bowl.

He has the potential to quickly become a familiar name outside of LSU.

9. South Carolina Gamecocks: Bryan Thomas Jr., Edge

As with Keys and several other players on the list, "hidden gem" really applies more to a national perspective than within a fanbase.

Because, my friends, Bryan Thomas Jr. is no mystery around Columbia.

Last year, he impressed in a backup role behind All-SEC standout Kyle Kennard and elite freshman Dylan Stewart. Thomas, who notched 23 tackles with 6.5 for loss (4.5 sacks) in 2024, is expected to start opposite Stewart this fall.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide: James Smith, DT

Alabama fans are ready for the breakout year.

During a pretty brutal ReliaQuest Bowl performance from the team, James Smith emerged as a bright spot. He gathered four tackles with two in the backfield, including one sack, in the loss to Michigan.

Smith is tracking for a starting slot on the interior of Bama's front next to longtime contributor Tim Keenan III.

7. Clemson Tigers: Olsen Patt-Henry, TE

Clemson's pass-catching group is loaded. Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore and Tyler Brown all have a season with 500-plus receiving yards, and they're back to catch passes from Cade Klubnik.

That's the long version of saying Olsen Patt-Henry can get overlooked.

Set to replace two-year starter Jake Briningstool at tight end, Patt-Henry has proved his blocking ability. And after making nine receptions with three touchdowns in 2024, his receiving upside is clear.

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Junior Tuihalamaka, Vyper

Remember the game-changing fumble right before halftime in Notre Dame's win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Junior Tuihalamaka jumped on that loose ball.

That was the highlight of a solid campaign for a rotational rusher who collected 33 tackles with 5.5 for loss (3.0 sacks). His value to ND, especially given the injuries to Boubacar Traore and Jordan Botelho, is immense.

5. Oregon Ducks: Kenyon Sadiq, TE

Is it because we share a name? I'll let you be the judge of that.

In seriousness, though, Kenyon Sadiq has carved out an impactful role by doing the dirty work. While he's well-known to Oregon fans, being a terrific blocker as a low-volume tight end doesn't normally get national attention.

Louisville transfer Jamari Johnson will cut into Sadiq's receiving numbers, sure. He snagged 24 passes for 308 yards and two scores last season, however, and should be a more regular target in 2025.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions: Elliot Washington II, CB

Amid the excitement of Penn State's veteran core, the cornerback room is retooling. Jalen Kimber is off to the NFL, and Cam Miller transferred to Rutgers.

There will be a new starter opposite A.J. Harris, and Elliot Washington II looks primed to command the role.

As part of the Nittany Lions' rotation last year, Washington tallied 26 tackles with six pass breakups and an interception. Most impressively, per Pro Football Focus data, he yielded just 5.4 yards per target.

3. Georgia Bulldogs: Cash Jones, RB

Cash Jones has a very specific function for Georgia's offense.

Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier took a majority of carries last season, and that split will likely include Frazier and Roderick Robinson in 2025. But once in a while, UGA adds to its passing threat with Jones.

Last year, he made 24 valuable catches for 275 yards and four touchdowns—including the Dawgs' lone score in the Sugar Bowl.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes: Arvell Reese, LB

Ohio State's run to a national championship was largely a product of veteran defenders delaying their exit to the NFL. Those guys—Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau and Denzel Burke, among others—are now gone.

But the Buckeyes also need to replace top tackler Cody Simon.

Fortunately for them, Arvell Reese has already staked a strong claim to the vacant job at middle linebacker. He notched 43 stops with 3.5 for loss, which is particularly impressive given his scattered snaps.

1. Texas Longhorns: Jelani McDonald, DB

Last season, the Texas secondary had a pair of AP All-American selections with cornerback Jahdae Barron and safety Michael Taaffe. Additionally, safety Andrew Mukuba was a third-team All-SEC choice.

Because of that excellence, there's not much reason for non-UT fans to know a whole lot about Jelani McDonald.

However, he held a regular spot in the rotation at safety and showed versatility to align at nickelback. McDonald, who posted 33 tackles and an interception in 2024, should be a key piece for the Longhorns in 2025.