Athlons: The Big Ten's 10 Most Underrated Players for 2015 (De’Vondre Campbell, MN)

[BleedGopher]

per Athlons:

De’Vondre Campbell, LB, Minnesota

Minnesota’s defense held opponents to 24.2 points per game last season, and with seven starters back, the Golden Gophers could be even better on that side of the ball in 2015. Campbell was a key find for coordinator Tracy Claeys in the junior college ranks, as the Florida native has played in 26 games in his two years in Minneapolis. Campbell started all 13 games in 2014 and finished the year with 75 tackles and 2.5 sacks. With Damien Wilson departing, Campbell is now the leader of Minnesota’s linebacker corps.

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-tens-10-most-underrated-players-2015

Go Gophers!!

 

[upnorthkid]

Feel like this is just a plug piece again. Don't see Campbell being the defense's leader. But hopefully he's gotten good tackling improved and can give an edge rush off the blitz.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Not sure if he is underrated but I feel he is a prime candidate for a break out season. He certainly has the talent, just a matter of putting it all together.

 

[Spoofin]

Not sure if he is underrated but I feel he is a prime candidate for a break out season. He certainly has the talent, just a matter of putting it all together.

This I agree with. He has all the talent and potential in the world - just needs to limit the number of 'out of position' errors he had last year.

 

[die hard gopher]

Feel like this is just a plug piece again. Don't see Campbell being the defense's leader. But hopefully he's gotten good tackling improved and can give an edge rush off the blitz.

It just said leader of the LBs, not of the whole D.

 

[oleboy41]

Last year was basically Campbell's 3rd year playing LB after basically just being a speed rusher in HS. Kid came in raw and was the 3rd leading tackler on a good D in a major conference already. These kids aren't finished products when they come in and he keeps getting better

 

[upnorthkid]

It just said leader of the LBs, not of the whole D.

Still. Don't see it. And usually your leading lb is the guy setting the whole d but I digress.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Not sure if he is underrated but I feel he is a prime candidate for a break out season. He certainly has the talent, just a matter of putting it all together.

Yeah I don't know that he should be on an underrated list, key player, potential breakout sure but not underrated.

 

[TheBulldog]

Feel like this is just a plug piece again. Don't see Campbell being the defense's leader. But hopefully he's gotten good tackling improved and can give an edge rush off the blitz.

I don't get it. A plug piece? What benefit does the writer receive from calling Campbell underrated, if he doesn't actually believe that he is? Why wouldn't he say Travis, or Ekpe, or Jack Lynn? Why would he single out Campbell for a plug piece. On top of that, since when does any team from Minnesota get "plug pieces?"

Also, isn't that the definition of underrated? People like you don't think he's a good player, when he actually isn't that bad. He's not calling him the best player on the team, he's calling him underrated. Which he clearly is, by you. So, in effect, he's spot on.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

The title could be Most Underachieving Players and many of us would be on board. He has the size and speed to be a monster and I'm really looking forward to seeing him turn that corner this season. We need him to turn the corner from being an ok player to what he could be: a dominant player. There is a lot of money at stake for him, which could be a nice motivator.

 

[die hard gopher]

I think Travis is the most underrated in terms of NFL recognition outside of Minnesota. I've seen the 4 other defenders mentioned at least some from non Minnesota media outlets or scouts but never once Travis.

 

[TheBulldog]

Couldn't agree more on Travis. How about his counterpart Antonio as well? I don't think most Gophers fans know who he is, and he may wind up in a good spot on some draft boards.

We are really analyzing the minutiae, here. It's the Gophers. Every freaking player on the team is underrated. They're slated to win 5.5 games in Vegas coming off the Orange Bowl.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Couldn't agree more on Travis. How about his counterpart Antonio as well? I don't think most Gophers fans know who he is, and he may wind up in a good spot on some draft boards.

We are really analyzing the minutiae, here. It's the Gophers. Every freaking player on the team is underrated. They're slated to win 5.5 games in Vegas coming off the Orange Bowl.

I love Antonio, he is a hitter with a mean streak.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

The title could be Most Underachieving Players and many of us would be on board. He has the size and speed to be a monster and I'm really looking forward to seeing him turn that corner this season. We need him to turn the corner from being an ok player to what he could be: a dominant player. There is a lot of money at stake for him, which could be a nice motivator.

I remain skeptical as well, as much as I hate to say it. Just too many "lost" moments out there. Doesn't seem to have a feel for the position, at least not naturally and instinctively. If Jack Lynn hadn't come in last year and exceeded most expectations, the defense (particularly the LB corp) would have struggled quite a bit.

It could happen, and I've got my fingers crossed so we'll see what happens.

 

[upnorthkid]

I don't get it. A plug piece? What benefit does the writer receive from calling Campbell underrated, if he doesn't actually believe that he is? Why wouldn't he say Travis, or Ekpe, or Jack Lynn? Why would he single out Campbell for a plug piece. On top of that, since when does any team from Minnesota get "plug pieces?"

Also, isn't that the definition of underrated? People like you don't think he's a good player, when he actually isn't that bad. He's not calling him the best player on the team, he's calling him underrated. Which he clearly is, by you. So, in effect, he's spot on.

A plug piece in that very little research was done and that he just looked at the list of who's coming back and picked Campbell. Where exactly did I say Campbell is a good or a bad player? Just said I don't see him as being the leader of the d our or lbs. Just doesn't strike me as that type which is in no way a comment on his football skills