The 2024 college football bowl season is officially upon us, and the numerous games over the next few weeks are always a lot of fun to watch.

Bowl games give teams one extra week to get meaningful reps as they prepare for next season. But these games also are important for players, who get to suit up for their teams one final time.

Although there are plenty of big-name stars to watch this bowl season, like Miami's Cam Ward, Florida's DJ Lagway, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, there are also plenty of underrated guys to watch for.

Let's take a look at the underrated stars to watch during bowl season for 2024-25. We'll exclude the CFP games for this one.

San Jose State WR Nick Nash

When: Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. ET vs. USF, Hawai'i Bowl

Do yourself a favor and put on the Hawai'i Bowl during your Christmas Eve celebrations. And if you don't celebrate Christmas or have no plans this evening, that gives you even more of a reason to watch this one.

That's because you get to watch one of the best receivers in the country in San Jose State senior wideout Nick Nash. Nash leads the nation in virtually every receiving statistic—receiving yards (1,382), touchdowns (16), and receptions (104).

He averages 13.3 yards per reception, too. Unsurprisingly, he was a well-deserved Biletnikoff Award finalist, losing out to Colorado's Travis Hunter for the award.

The coolest part about Nash's breakout season in 2024? He almost transferred from SJSU last offseason after the Spartans hired Ken Niumatalolo as their head coach, and Nash didn't know what to expect offensively. But Spartans offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann assured him the offense would throw the ball, so he didn't need to worry. His decision to stay paid off, as he's having his most productive season ever.

Nash initially wanted to play quarterback for SJSU, but switching to receiver has turned out pretty well for him, I'd say. Don't miss one last chance to watch Nash play, as 2024 is his final season of eligibility.

Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr.

When: Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. ET vs. Arkansas State, 68 Ventures Bowl

Right behind Nick Nash in receiving statistics nationally is Bowling Green receiver Harold Fannin Jr. On the season, he has 1,342 yards with nine touchdowns, averaging 111 yards per game.

He needs just 10 more yards to beat Texas Tech's Jace Amaro's FBS single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end (1,352), a record Amaro set in 2013. Fannin was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award—rare for a tight end—and has the Falcons on the cusp of their best finish since 2015.

"He's phenomenal. Phenomenal athlete, really good guy, too," BGSU senior linebacker Brock Horne said of Nash earlier this month. "So super happy for him.

"Obviously, he helped out the team a ton, and just looking forward to him putting the orange and brown on one more time and having a good bowl game."

Although Fannin did not win the John Mackey Award, give annually to the nation's best tight end, his season has been impressive. Fannin and his teammates will be looking to snap a two-year bowl losing streak against Arkansas State. ESPN's FPI gives the Falcons a 68.2 percent chance of winning.

While Fannin could return to college football for one more season as a junior, he is expected to declare for the 2025 NFL draft. He'll be a big name to keep an eye on come April for sure.

North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton

When: Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. ET vs. UConn, Fenway Bowl

North Carolina hasn't exactly had the best year. The Tar Heels just managed to reach bowl eligibility, finishing 6-6 on the season, and lost to rival NC State at the end of the year. UNC also decided to move on from head Mack Brown after six seasons and has since hired Bill Belichick.

As a result, you likely haven't heard much about UNC running back Omarion Hampton, but he is having his best season yet at Chapel Hill. So far this season, he's rushed for 1,660 yards with 15 touchdowns, and he's averaging 138.3 yards per game. That's second behind Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty from Boise State. He was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's best running back.

In fact, this is the second season in a row that Hampton has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing—he had 1,504 with 15 scores last season. He also had a big hand in helping the Tar Heels reach a bowl game. During UNC's 31-24 win over Wake Forest to reach a sixth win, Hampton finished with a career-high 244 yards with a touchdown.

He could have another huge day against UConn. The Huskies' rush defense ranks 41st nationally, giving up 135 yards on the ground per game.

UNLV WR Ricky White III

When: Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET vs. Cal, LA Bowl

UNLV receiver Ricky White III was on this list last year, and we're including him again for 2024.

Although there is a chance White opts out of UNLV's bowl game against Cal, hopefully we can see him suit up against the Bears. White had 1,041 yards so far this season and is tied for fifth in the nation with 11 touchdowns on the year.

He helped the Rebels make it to the Mountain West title game against Boise State this season. But White isn't just an impressive player on offense—he is a star on special teams for the Rebels, too. White leads the nation with a whopping four blocked punts for UNLV this season, and he has all but one of the Rebels' blocked punts on the year. Unsurprisingly, he was named the Mountain West special teams player of the year.

White was severely limited against Boise State in the MWC title game, getting just four receptions for 21 yards. Perhaps he'll be looking to play against the Bears to make up for that poor performance. White should be a big name in the 2025 NFL draft.

Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks

When: Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. ET vs. Arkansas, Liberty Bowl

Texas Tech is hopeful that Tahj Brooks won't opt out for this one. He has led the Red Raiders' offense all year long, getting 1,505 yards rushing with 17 touchdowns. Over his Tech career, dating back to 2020, Brooks had a total of 4,560 yards and 60 touchdowns. He's had back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 yards on the ground, finishing with 1,541 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.

This season, he broke running back Byron Hanspard's career rushing record he set at Lubbock from 1994-1996. He's also ranked third in the country with 286 rushing attempts on the season.

Brooks could have his work cut out for him against the Razorbacks, assuming he will play. But if Brooks can have a big day, he can help the Red Raiders get a fourth straight bowl victory dating back to 2021.

Pitt TE Gavin Bartholomew

When: Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. ET vs. Toledo, GameAbove Sports Bowl

Although Pittsburgh hasn't had the greatest season in 2024, finishing 7-5 on the year, a bright spot has been tight end Gavin Bartholomew. The senior tight end will suit up for his 50th career game for the Panthers, which is the most for any tight end in school history.

He had a strong finish to the year in 2024. In his last four games, he had a combined 115 yards with four touchdowns. Over his Pitt career, he amassed 1,238 yards with 11 touchdowns, and he needs just one more score to tie Dorin Dickerson's third-most touchdowns by a tight end in school history.

Toledo's pass defense ranks 42nd in the country, allowing 246 yards in the air per game. Bartholomew could have a huge day as he tries to get himself in Pitt's record books against the Rockets.

Defensive Guys to Watch

Kansas State defensive end Brendan Mott

When: Dec. 26 at 5:30 p.m. ET vs. Rutgers, Rate Bowl

Brendan Mott led the Wildcats defense all year long with 48 total tackles and 8.5 sacks, which led the Big 12. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery.

North Carolina State defensive end David Vann

When: Dec. 28 at 5:30 p.m. ET vs. ECU, Military Bowl

NC State's David Vann finished the regular season with six forced fumbles, a number that both leads the FBS and ties an NC State single-season record. He has 6.5 sacks this season and two passes defended, as well.

Nebraska defensive end Ty Robinson

When: Dec. 28 at Noon ET vs. Boston College, Pinstripe Bowl

Although Nebraska had an underwhelming season, finishing 6-6, Ty Robinson and the Cornhuskers defense were bright spots. He's had 20 solo tackles on the season, including 11 stops for loss and six sacks.

Miami Hurricanes cornerback OJ Frederique Jr.

When: Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET vs. Iowa State, Pop-Tarts Bowl

Miami's secondary struggled significantly this season, and the Canes are currently ranked 53rd in passing defense, allowing 209.8 yards passing per game. But true freshman cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. has played great all season, getting 27 total tackles with seven passes defended and an interception. He's only allowed a 38 percent completion rate and one touchdown all season, as well.

Georgia Southern linebacker Marques Watson-Trent

When: Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. ET vs. Sam Houston State, New Orleans Bowl

Watson-Trent finished 2024 leading the Sun Belt with 110 total tackles, earning him first-team All-Sun Belt honors for a second consecutive season. He forced four fumbles on the season, as well.

Quarterbacks, Part 1

Army QB Bryson Daily

When: Dec. 28 at 9:15 p.m. ET vs. Louisiana Tech, Independence Bowl

Bryson Daily is one of the toughest signal-callers in the nation, and he'll be looking to bounce back from a three-interception performance against Navy. He finished fifth in Heisman voting this year, accounting for 2,474 total yards of offense, 38 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Syracuse QB Kyle McCord

When: Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. ET vs. Washington State, Holiday Bowl

What a season Kyle McCord is having at Syracuse, just one season removed from his lone season at Ohio State in 2023. McCord leads the FBS in passing yards with 4,326 yards and 29 touchdowns, including 12 touchdowns.

Memphis QB Seth Henigan

When: Dec. 17 at 9 p.m. ET vs. West Virginia, Frisco Bowl

Seth Henigan has had one heck of a career at Memphis. In 2024, he's thrown for 3,208 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. But he's also Memphis' all-time leading passer with 13,972 career passing yards and is the school's winningest signal-caller in history. He'll suit up against WVU close to where he played high school football in the nearby Dallas area.

Quarterbacks, Part 2

Georgia Tech QB Haynes King and Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia

When: Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET, Birmingham Bowl

We've got ourselves one heck of a quarterback battle in the Birmingham Bowl, so this game should be a lot of fun.

We'll start with Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes Kings, who is a huge reason for the Yellow Jackets' 7-5 record this season. Although he's been a bit limited by injury this season, he's indicated that he is 100 percent ready for Tech's bowl game. On the year, he's completed 72.5 percent of his passes for 1,910 yards with 11 touchdowns and just one interception. He's added another 578 yards on the ground with 11 touchdowns.

And then, of course, there's Vanderbilt star Diego Pavia. Known for his big personality, his on-field play is just as electric. He has 2,849 yards of total offense with 23 total touchdowns. If Vandy gets a win, it'll be the best finish for the Commodores since James Franklin's last season in 2013.

South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers

When: Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. ET vs. Illinois, Citrus Bowl

If you have yet to see the Gamecocks' 6-foot-3, 242-pound, glasses-wearing quarterback, he's a blast to watch play. He's thrown for 2,274 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 655 yards and seven scores on the ground.

Washington State QB John Mateer

When: Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. ET vs. Syracuse, Holiday Bowl

John Mateer, in his first season as the Cougars' starter, is having himself a huge year. He's thrown for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.