College football sleeper star: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers RB Antonio Andrews
By Jason Marcum
One of best players in college football this year will come from a school that won’t have nearly as much talent as you’ll find in most BCS conference teams, but nevertheless, Western Kentucky will have one of the most exciting players in all of college football.
The six foot, 211-pound All-American Antonio Andrews has proven to be one of the most versatile players in the country, as he led the FBS in all-purpose yards per game last season, and his 3,161 all-purpose yards was the second-highest total in FBS history, behind only Barry Sanders in 1988. Andrews had over 300 all-purpose yards in each of the last four games of the regular season, and will certainly be among the best playmakers in college football in 2013.
Andrews also led the Hilltoppers in rushing yards (1,728), touchdowns (15), scoring (90), kick return yards (726), punt return yards (234) and carries (304).
After the Hilltoppers hired Bobby Petrino to become their head coach this offseason, the thought of playing in his high-pace, high scoring offense had Andrews licking his chops:
"“They say he’s the offensive guru,” Andrews said at WKU’s media day. “I’m excited about this offense and seeing what kind of numbers we can put up. He’s a real disciplined coach, and we’ve come together as a team. I like it.”"
In his final three seasons at Arkansas, Petrino orchestrated offenses that averaged at least 36 points per game. At Louisville, Petrino’s ’04 team averaged a ridiculous 49.8 points per game.
While backs like Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley will garner more headlines, none of them may have as much on-field productions as Andrews will.