No-Star Checkup: Unrated players break through with big games

Every Friday during the football season, we take a look back at some players who are performing well in either college football or the NFL despite the fact that they were unrated as high school prospects. Here’s our rundown from this past weekend, which features a pair of under-the-radar recruits who are making waves at Power Five programs.

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As a recruit: Saunders was a multi-sport athlete at powerhouse Coffman High School in Ohio who didn’t start playing football until his junior year. He saw more recruiting interest as a baseball prospect and initially planned to walk on with the Buckeyes baseball program. He ended up trying football instead and after two seasons as a scout team defensive back he was moved to wide receiver for the 2017 season.

What he did last weekend: Ohio State’s game with UNLV was never really in doubt, but that doesn’t make Saunders showing on Saturday any less impressive. He finished the game with 102 yards and one touchdown, both career highs. Ohio State’s roster is loaded with former elite recruits at the wide receiver position, but Saunders has worked his way into a position to earn playing time and after Saturday’s showing he might have more opportunities coming his way.

As a recruit: King saw little recruiting interest as a high school player but did pop up on the radar of some schools, including Kansas State. However, after not receiving a scholarship offer from any programs, he elected to attend Hutchinson Community College, where he played two injury-shortened seasons. King was a late addition to Texas Tech’s 2017 class and didn’t officially sign with the Red Raiders until June and he never received a ranking by Rivals.com.

What he did this weekend: A finally healthy King has started to show his prowess as the 2017 moves along and on Saturday he had his biggest game of the season in Texas Tech’s win over Houston. King finished with 98 yards on nine carries, including a 73-yard scamper. He’s still the backup to starter Justin Stockton and the Red Raiders don’t run the ball much, but the fact that King in contributing on an undefeated Power Five program is quite an accomplishment.