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Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith is the best college player you’ve never heard of

Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith is a former high school running back who wears the same number as his team's quarterback. No wonder opposing offensive coordinators figure they can just line up bigger blockers and run the ball right at him.

The strategy may be logical, but not necessarily effective. Even with schemes designed to account for him, No. 15 for the Huskies is one of the most productive players in all of college football. Athlon Sports ranked him the No. 3 player among Group of Five schools, and the two players ahead of him are quite famous: Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver, the likely No.