NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- A slew of players and coaches have been paraded in front of the media in Southern California this week from both Auburn and Florida State.
There's been Famous Jameis and Lamarcus Joyner for the Seminoles. Nick Marshall and Jermaine Whitehead for the Tigers. Those are the names that almost any fan knows.
But with football being the ultimate team game, there are players that many college football fans are unfamiliar with on both sides who have not only helped their teams get to the BCS national championship, but will help them win it Monday night at the Rose Bowl.Some of these guys are a little more well-known than others. Snappers and holders don't get a lot written about them, except when things go awry and they don't want to be the focus at that point.
See, when these guys do their job, you don't notice them. When they perform well, it allows the stars to thrive.
Of course on an undefeated team like Florida State, a backup running back counts as unsung with a team full of names.
Here are six names you may not know or you may not even hear on Monday night -- but could be national champions:
Jake Lembke | Snapper | Senior | New Lenox, Ill.
Lembke earned a scholarship during preseason camp before the 2012 season and has served as the long snapper on field goals and PATs for the past two seasons. He's helped the Auburn kicking game go 14-of-19 on field goal attempts and 68 of 69 on PATs. Lembke is one of 11 Tigers to have already graduated, getting his degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management.
Prosch transferred from Illinois and has been one of the main reasons why Auburn's rushing attack is as good as it is. And it's not because he gets touches. Prosch hasn't carried the ball once all season, but he does have five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. His role? Blocking. Prosch hasn't graded lower than 92-percent as a blocker in any game this season. And he's also a starter on three special teams units.
How often have you seen a safety come in as the holder on field goals and PATs? Guys in the secondary aren't supposed to have good hands, right? Well Auburn's Ryan White has been doing it for the last three years, and has even moved into a prominent role in the Tigers' secondary. He started two games and made 49 tackles while picking off one pass and forcing a fumble and recovering another. White is one of three Auburn players who will take on his hometown school Monday night.
He may be one of the best ball hawks in a secondary full of them for the Seminoles. Yeah, Darby only has two interceptions this season. but one of the main reasons why? Quarterbacks avoid him at all costs. As a freshman in 2012, Darby tied for the team lead with eigh pass break-ups -- and teams have caught on. Darby got his hands on three this season.
Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo was the best in the nation in most people's eyes in 2013 going 19-of-20 as a freshman. He doesn't come close to accomplishing that without Doumar. Not only was Aguayo new in 2013 for the Seminoles, so was Doumar as he replaced four-year starter Dax Dellenbach as the long snapper.
Moved from the secondary during the Boston College game this season, Williams has become the third head in a potent rushing attack monster for the Seminoles. But he's anything but a third option. His first touch in college was a 65-yard touchdown run against the Eagles -- and it's been nothing but brilliance since. Many think he doesn't touch the ball enough. Williams has 11 touchdowns on his 86 carries. Not a bad percentage.
