Everyone knows Arizona State's Terrell Suggs leads the nation with 29 tackles for loss, but can you name the player at No. 2? Here's what opposing coaches are saying about him:

"He looked like everyone said he would. Nobody has blocked him all year and that's still true. We couldn't block him and he is an All-American."
-- Texas coach Mack Brown

"You better figure out where No. 92 is and try to contain him. He is a great player."
-- Alabama coach Dennis Franchione

"We've played Nebraska, Mississippi State and other great defenses, but this guy is special."
-- Troy State offensive line coach Greg Adkins

Small schools, big talents

Not many people have noticed, but there are plenty of good players and coaches at lesser-known schools all over the country. Here's a quick look at some of the biggest talents from small schools: Curt Anes, QB, Grand Valley State Adrian Awasom, DE, North Texas Marquel Blackwell, QB, S. Florida Josh Blankenship, QB, E. Washington Paul Dombrowski, QB, New Mexico St. Dwone Hicks, RB, Middle Tennessee Garry Johnson, OL, Arkansas St. Tony Romo, QB, Eastern Illinois Tony Samuels, New Mexico St. coach Juston Wood, QB, Portland St.

They're talking about North Texas defensive tackle Brandon Kennedy, who I had a chance to watch last weekend while broadcasting the Mean Green's 10-0 shutout of Idaho.

Because his 315 pounds are packed into a 5'10" frame Kennedy was not highly-recruited and his choice came down to North Texas and Tulsa. But his brother Kenoy is currently a safety with the Denver Broncos and another brother, Rodrick, played for Austin College, so Brandon certainly has a quality football pedigree.

I get to see players from all over the country during my weekends in Bristol and Kennedy is one of the most special players I have watched this year. He has amazing quickness for a player his size and his strength at the point of attack and a motor that is always running make him a devastating player.

Brandon had six tackles for loss against the Vandals to give him 21 on the year, including eight sacks, and he is one of the main reasons North Texas has not given up a touchdown in 12 quarters. He was a unanimous choice for the Sun Belt all-conference team last year and should be the same this year.

Immediately after the Idaho game I saw Vandals coach Tom Cable go directly to Kennedy to congratulate him, even before he shook the hand of Mean Green coach Darrell Dickey.

I have seen some players in my years as a coach who were disruptive at the point of attack and Brandon ranks right up there with the best. Dickey tells it the way it is: "You either double-team him or you hold him."

And if any schools are looking for a bright, hard-nosed young coach, Dickey is the man. His team plays the big boys tough and has a chance this week to win its second straight Sun Belt championship.

The point is, not every great player or coach ends up in the SEC, Big 12 or Big Ten. All around the country there are great players in small conferences that fans never get to see. I encourage fans to check out Brandon Kennedy because he is the real deal.

ESPN.com college football analyst Jim Donnan takes part in chats and makes observations on Saturdays as part of College GameDay Online.