Unrated Checkup: Former sleepers that stood out in Week 3

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.

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As a recruit: A virtual unknown as a wide receiver in the 2013 class, Miller’s name wasn’t on the radar of many schools and outside of a solid camp showing at Vanderbilt in the summer of 2012, he wasn’t on the Rivals.com radar either. With no scholarship offers he chose to walk on at Memphis, his hometown school.

What he did this week: Miller billed Saturday’s matchup against UCLA as the “walk-ons vs. the five-stars” and after a game that saw him catch nine passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns, it safe to say the walk-ons got the best of the Bruins. After not seeing the field during his first two years as a Tiger, Miller has developed into one of college football’s most exciting players and should continue to put up big numbers in the high-powered Memphis offense.

As a recruit: Apelu played in just two games during his final two years in high school due to injuries and had no recruiting interest from any major college programs. Oregon offered him a spot as a preferred walk-on, thanks partially in part to a Ducks assistant remembering him impressing during the spring evaluation period.

What he did this week: Apelu switched positions to linebacker at Oregon and saw playing time as a true freshman in 2015 and again in 2016 when injuries depleted the Ducks' defense. Last month he was awarded a scholarship by the Ducks' coaches and hasn’t disappointed through three games this year. On Saturday in Oregon’s victory over Wyoming, he led the team in tackles with seven, five of which were solo. Finally healthy, Apelu is making the most of his chance in Eugene.