How underrated is UCLA running back Paul Perkins?

Published Sep. 22, 2015 5:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

When UCLA defeated BYU over the weekend, it was not behind the effort of quarterback Josh Rosen -- though Rosen was the expected star before the game.

Instead, it was running back Paul Perking leading the way. The redshirt junior rushed for a career-high 219 yards on 26 carries. Mora has applauded the UCLA star for "toughness" and for carrying people on his back.

In Perkins' 2012 scouting report on ESPN: "He may be falling a bit under the radar at this point. With continued production and added bulk he could slip through the cracks to a BCS contender as an athlete."

From former teammate and UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley: "[Perkins'] under the radar a lot. ... But I promise everybody that he’s going to be a monster."

Perkins has a chance to outshine running back Nick Wilson and the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday. If he wins, perhaps he'll finally get the national attention many believe that he deserves.

(h/t ESPN)