ESPN

At this point in the season most of the year's emerging stars have had their breakout games, and there just aren't many up-and-coming players still under the radar. In the constant search for new talent, it's important not to forget the old talent -- proven players who haven't posted big performances due to injury. Here are three former top producers who may not be roster-worthy just yet but could be getting healthy just in time to put up monster November numbers:

Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State: Hunter has been medically cleared to play against Texas, but probably won't as he's not ready to trust his injured foot and ankle enough to make cuts. The 2008 first-team All-American has been a forgotten man this year, but if he makes it back healthy in November he could feast on a soft slate of opposing rush defenses.

Jake Sharp, RB, Kansas: A year ago Sharp was the Jayhawks' leading rusher. This season he's managed just 291 yards on 62 carries while battling a leg injury. Freshman Toben Opurum has filled in nicely, but Sharp is getting a little better each week. If he can get healthy his fresh legs will pay off for the Jayhawks -- and his owners -- down the stretch.

DeAndre Brown, WR, Southern Miss: One of the most highly touted prospects to ever sign at USM, Brown broke his leg in last year's New Orleans Bowl and hasn't been the same since. He's coming on strong lately, though, capped by a two-touchdown performance against Tulane last week. Brown is getting healthier, and could be the single best receiver in Conference USA during the final month of the season.

Cream of the Crop

John Clay, RB, Wisconsin: The only Big Ten back averaging more than 100 yards per game, Clay is also the league's touchdown leader. This week the bruising sophomore and his rested Badgers face a Purdue team that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns in the Big Ten, and ranks just ninth in the league in yards allowed per game and per carry.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: Moore leads the nation in passing efficiency, while the opposing San Jose State Spartans rank just 96th in pass efficiency defense. TCU passed Boise State in the BCS standings last week, and the Broncos know they'll have to keep their foot on the throttle against the Spartans to score points with voters.

Marshwan Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati: Injured triggerman Tony Pike likely won't be back under center, but Zach Collaros has been an able stand-in. He'll get the ball to the Bearcats' top playmaker against a Syracuse team that's proven solid against the run but has been torched by opposing wideouts.

Team Kicking, UCLA: The Bruins' offense has struggled all year and ranks dead last in red zone touchdown percentage. That has meant plenty of chances for place-kicker Kai Forbath. The decorated junior was honorable mention All-Pac-10 as a freshman and first team all-conference last year. He's put together a great season so far in 2009, hitting 19 of 21 attempts, with his only misses from beyond 50 yards.

Levi Brown, QB, Troy: Brown threw for 469 yards last week as the Troy juggernaut continued to roll with its fifth straight convincing win. He's one of just six active quarterbacks averaging more than 300 passing yards per game, and will continue to feast on weak Sun Belt defenses the rest of the way.

Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State: The Bulldogs senior is the third-leading rusher in the SEC, and this week faces the league's softest run defense. Kentucky's stop unit ranks just 90th in the nation against the run.

Team Defense, Ohio State: The Buckeyes' defense was outstanding against struggling Minnesota and isn't likely to give much ground this week. New Mexico State ranks dead last nationally in yards per game and yards per play. The Aggies have lost 16 straight to BCS opponents, and were outscored by an average of 44-12 in those games.

Opportunity Knocks

Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M: Johnson accounted for more than 300 total yards and two scores in the Aggies' upset win at Texas Tech. His receiving corps is getting deeper and healthier each week, and Johnson could be in line for an even bigger day at home against Iowa State's 100th-ranked pass defense.

Michael Smith, RB, Arkansas: The leading returning rusher in the SEC, Smith hasn't met expectations in 2009 due to early season injuries. Still, his 6.4 yards-per-carry average ranks third in the league among backs with as many touches. Eastern Michigan's rush defense is the worst in the NCAA, so expect a healthier Smith to lead the way as Arkansas posts its best rushing day under Bobby Petrino.

Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State: The Aztecs' offense is starting to come around, and DeMarco Sampson has emerged as a second threat alongside all-MWC wideout Vincent Brown. The woeful New Mexico pass defense is among the worst in the NCAA and won't be able to slow the Aztecs' pass-happy attack.

Donald Buckram, RB, UTEP: The UTEP offense broke out against Houston and continues to play well. Expect Mike Price's club to keep riding Buckram and the improved running game against a much smaller UAB defensive front. The Blazers are making a long trip to play their third straight road game, and will be worn down quickly by Buckram and the Miners' line.

Lance Dunbar, RB, North Texas: Dunbar's emergence has diversified coach Todd Dodge's normally pass-happy offense. The Sun Belt's second-leading rusher is averaging a whopping 7.1 yards per carry and this week faces a Western Kentucky defense that's allowing a ghastly 266 yards per game.

Team Defense, Clemson: The Tigers are the only FBS team facing an FCS opponent this week, as they meet middle-of-the-pack Big South entrant Coastal Carolina at home in Death Valley on Saturday. The Chanticleers are averaging right around 300 yards per game in FCS play. That won't be enough to do much damage against Clemson's 17th-ranked defense.

On the Shelf

Austen Arnaud, QB, Iowa State: Both Arnaud and backfield mate Alexander Robinson, who is the Cyclones' leading rusher, missed last week's upset of Nebraska and are questionable to play at Texas A&M. Robinson is a better bet to suit up than Arnaud, but neither will be 100 percent yet.

Adam Robinson, RB, Iowa: The Hawkeyes' leading rusher will likely miss the rest of the season with an ankle sprain suffered late in Saturday's 15-13 comeback win at Michigan State. Brandon Wegher is now the team's go-to tailback.

Ricky Dobbs, QB, Navy: Dobbs is still suffering from the knee injury that caused him to miss last week's win over Wake Forest. He'll miss the Temple game as well, with Kriss Proctor making his second start.

Aaron Opelt, QB, Toledo: A date with Miami is a juicy matchup, but Opelt needs to sit another week. The Rockets' senior star is a game-time decision again this week as he continues to battle the shoulder injury that has cost him the past two games.

Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, SMU: Mitchell has a small tear in the labrum of his non-throwing shoulder and has not practiced this week. He's questionable at best for the Mustangs' road trip to Tulsa.

Eddie Wide, RB, Utah: Wide has been outstanding since taking over for injured starter Matt Asiata, but he's nursing a sprained ankle suffered last week against Air Force. Wide will likely play Saturday, but the injury and a solid Wyoming rush defense make a big performance unlikely this week.

Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota: The top wideout in the Big Ten and the focal point of the struggling Gophers offense, Decker has been declared out for the remainder of the regular season with a foot injury.

Will Harris is a fantasy college football analyst for ESPN.com.