Every college football season is full of surprises, from teams (hello, Vols and Horned Frogs) to coaches to individual players who seemingly come out of nowhere and become stars. The things and people we don't see coming often become the best stories.
When the 2021 season kicked off, how many saw Stetson Bennett quarterbacking Georgia to its first national title since 1980? Kenneth Walker III had been a solid running back at Wake Forest, but he became the best ball-carrier in the country for Michigan State. Kansas State's Felix Anudike-Uzomah had three tackles and a sack as a true freshman in 2020, but then emerged as one of the nation's best pass-rushers, piling up sacks and forced fumbles to earn first-team All-Big 12 recognition.