Arkansas defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. is one of the most notable examples of a quality player suiting up for a team that is expected to struggle this season. Rhodes collected eight sacks and 15 ½ tackles for loss to earn second-team Associated Press all-SEC honors last season, but his team went 2-10 and failed to win a single conference game.

Other Notable Players

Rutgers was picked to finish 17th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten according to a Cleveland.com media survey. Yet the Scarlet Knights boast two of the league’s most productive offensive skill-position players. Duff had 60 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a second-team AP all-Big Ten selection. Raymond ran for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Jones had 11 pass breakups and two interceptions last season for a Mississippi State team that went 5-8 for its third straight losing season. The Bulldogs have gone 2-22 in SEC play over the last three years. Any turnaround this year would require another big season from Jones.

Price has totaled 179 tackles over the last two seasons. He made 94 tackles last season and showcased his versatility by starting three games at linebacker rather than his usual safety position. Rose closed the 2025 season with 106 tackles, nearly twice as many as any of his teammates.

Scudero caught 88 passes last season for an FBS-leading 1,297 yards. He had 10 touchdown receptions and earned second-team AP All-America honors. Washington showed promise as a freshman by throwing for 2,963 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions while rushing for 303 yards and four more scores last year.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.