With the Sun Belt continuously growing, the talent pool in the conference improves. As such, many of the players may be flying under the radar nationally, but not here. These underrated Sun Belt players should showcase their talents in 2023 and beyond.
Top Five Under the Radar Sun Belt Players
The five players chosen for this list showed improvement throughout the seasons, with their teams or with another team, and are now ready to take a bigger role. These are guys who should be able to step in this season and help make their teams contenders for a conference title or at least get in bowl contention.
Davis Brin, QB, Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern has a new quarterback in town, Davis Brin, and he is a guy who could come in and help the Eagles compete for a Sun Belt title.
Brin has played the last four seasons with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, where he was the starter for the last two seasons. In 2021, he struggled with turnovers, throwing 16 interceptions against 18 touchdowns, despite having a career-high 3,254 yards passing.
However, 2022 was a massive improvement, throwing for 2,138 yards with 17 touchdowns against just eight interceptions.
MORE: Top Sun Belt Transfers in 2023
The sixth-year senior is poised to have an even better season as his decision-making was something he needed to work on and was able to improve. Where he has struggled over the last two seasons is completing passes at a high rate, as he has been under 60% in each of the last two years.
With top receivers Khaleb Hood and Derwin Burgess Jr. returning, Brin should fit well into head coach Clay Helton’s offense and put up big numbers.
DeAndre Dingle-Prince, DE, Appalachian State
Appalachian State is going to be seeking leadership on the defensive side for 2023, and they’ll be turning to junior defensive end DeAndre Dingle-Price to be that guy.
After playing the first two seasons at defensive tackle, Dingle-Prince made the transition to defensive end, starting all 12 games for the team in 2022. He finished with a career-high in tackles with 32, while also adding three tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Dingle-Prince showed improvement throughout the season for Appalachian State, making the transition smooth. Being more of a run-stopper, the team will be looking at him to add the pass rushing to his belt to help craft him as a complete defensive lineman.
The Mountaineers only have three returning starters to the defense, so it is total rebuild mode for the team. Dingle-Prince has the potential to take huge strides in 2023 to be the impactful player App State needs not only for this season but next season as well.
Cole Cavallo, TE, Southern Miss
Southern Miss’ passing game has not been able to reach the level it needs to be, which has resulted in redshirt senior tight end Cole Cavallo not breaking out as much as he could.
In the last four seasons with the team, Cavallo has recorded 37 catches for 355 yards and one touchdown in 47 games played. He had a career season last year, recording 20 receptions for 174 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.
The Golden Eagles ranked 96th last season in passing yards, averaging 207 yards per game, so there weren’t many chances for Cavallo to get involved. There is a new quarterback in place, with Clemson transfer Billy Wiles projected to battle it out with Zach Wilcke as the starting quarterback.
This should help the offense improve in the passing game, with the running game already in place with Frank Gore Jr.
Cavallo has strong hands and has proven to be a good blocker. He has a chance to open things up for a breakthrough season. The floodgates should open for a breakout season for Cavallo.
Kaelon Black, RB, James Madison
James Madison must fill big shoes in the backfield after their leading rusher last season, Percy Agyei-Obese, graduated. The focus is now shifted to Kaelon Black to be one of the focal points of the running game.
The redshirt sophomore has played three seasons with the team, participating in 14 total games. Black recorded 69 carries for 333 yards and three touchdowns last season for the team.
He also contributed 17 catches for 177 yards and two receiving touchdowns in nine games played in 2022.
Black is the quick, shifty running back on the team, and he should receive more touches this season. He could also feature heavily in the passing game, as he showed last season his ability to not only catch the ball but make tacklers miss in the open field as well.
MORE: History of James Madison
Being a smaller back, the element of his game he could add is some power and the ability to run over players.
Stony Brook transfer running back Ty Son Lawton could challenge Black early for touches but they’ll both get playing time among the stable of backs in Harrisonburg. Black has experience in this offense, and that should factor heavily as an advantage for him.
Sonny Hazard, DT, Louisiana
The Ragin’ Cajuns are heading into the season with only three returning starters on defense. One of them who should make an impact this season is defensive tackle Sonny Hazard.
Last season was Hazard’s first season as a starter, as he played in 13 games, starting in nine of them. He recorded 26 tackles and was third on the team in sacks with four.
The 310-pound junior nose tackle showed great potential last season, being able to be a dominant force on the defensive line. His ability to get to the quarterback was impressive, showing great strength to fight off the interior offensive linemen to finish off sacks.
There are a lot of changes with players to the Louisiana defense, and it could lead to some up-and-down performances to start the season. The team will lean on Hazard to be an impactful player from the start.
He doesn’t need to be a 10-sack performer, but if he can get to the quarterback as well as stop the run, that will help alleviate the growing pains the Ragin’ Cajuns defense might experience.
