CFP National Championship 2016: Under-the-Radar Players to Watch

No. 1 Clemson meets No. 2 Alabama on Monday in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. Those who even casually follow college footballare likely already well-acquainted with the key figures in this game.

There"s talk of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and his heroic dual-threat abilities. Some are wondering how Alabama running back and 2015 Heisman winner Derrick Henry will fare against the Tigers"stout defensive line. Will Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson be fully fit for the game? Who are the poor saps that have to block Alabama defensive lineman A"Shawn Robinson or lock horns with ultratough linebacker Reggie Ragland?

The star players drive the narratives leading up to and even during the championship tilt, but they aren"t going to define this game alone.

There are 39 other guys who will trot out onto the field at University of Phoenix Stadium as starters for a national-championship contender. There are key backups who will spell their betters and play a part in this grand battle. All will play a role in determining the outcome. A few are in a special position to do just that.Here"s a look at a four less-heralded players who could have an outsized impact on this game.

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Clemson

Against a punishing Alabama defense, Clemson will need its multifaceted attack operating at peak capability. Watson is going to have to make plays with both his arm and his legs to be successful, and time will be of the essence when he drops back to pass. If top threat Artavis Scott isn"t open, Watson will need somewhere else to go with the football, and we already know Deon Cainwon"t be an option.

Enter Hunter Renfrow, the walk-on freshman who broke through with four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma. Check out his speed out of the break on his 35-yard touchdown score, per ESPN College Football:

Renfrow showed excellent burst after the catch in that contest, and it"s a strong possibility Watson will look his way several times Monday. Renfrow is averaging a robust 15.5 yards per catch this season. His knack for the big play could come in handy against an aggressive Alabama defense that is more than capable of forcing Clemson into a few 2nd- or 3rd-and-long situations.

A slick, sneaky wideout like Renfrow can break a long play if Alabama defenders overpursue and give him an angle to the open field.

Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama

Alabama will have no qualms about sending Henry into the breach over and over against Clemson. However, Kenyan Drake will be needed to keep Henry fresh, and could serve as a useful change-of-pace option against a Clemson defensive line that hasn"t bent to the will of opposing rushers very often this season.

Henry got the lion"s share of carries against Oklahoma, but it was Drake who had the run of the night, a 58-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

It should also be noted that Henry is a nonfactor as a receiver, while Drake has at least proved to be somewhat useful in this area in 2015 (27 receptions, 255 yards, one touchdown). Alabama signal-caller Jake Coker might be limited in how often he can throw downfield, what with Clemson"s coterie of pass-rushers and pair of excellent cornerbacks in Mackensie Alexander and Cordrea Tankersley.

If Alabama needs a breakout play from someone other than Henry or wide receiver Calvin Ridley, Drake just might be the guy. After all, he is a senior who will be playing in his final game for the Crimson Tide on the biggest stage possible.

But hey, if Drake doesn"t come through with a big play, perhapshe"ll at least win an Emmy.

Jay Guillermo, C, Clemson

It"s not easy to stand out when you play in the middle of the offensive line, but if Clemson can get a good push up the middle against Alabama on Monday, it"s going to make quite the hero out of Tigers center Jay Guillermo.

The junior lineman has performed extremely well this season as part of a unit that"s done quite the job protecting Watson when drops back to pass or opening huge holes in the running game.

As talented as he his, this successful season was by no means a certainty for Guillermo. After the 2014 season, he had to step away from football for a time to battle depression. Per ESPN.com"s David M. Hale, Guillermo returned to the team in June, and his infectious personality has made him a source of much-needed relief for his team during a pressure-packed season:

As this season has progressed and the stakes for Clemson have grown, Guillermo"s impersonations and jokes have been a calming influence. The guys love them. On Fridays, before the team movie, he has a regular stand-up routine that"s must-see entertainment.

The jokes, the laughter -- this is the real Jay Guillermo. It had just been a long time since he"d felt like that person. That"s the thing about depression. It"s a fun-house mirror, but it feels like reality. It"s easy to lose track of what"s real and what"s not.

Guillermo has the unenviable task of blocking Robinson, Reed and any of the other members of Alabama"s terrifying defense looking to crash through the A- and B-gaps. The Tigers are doomed if they lose too many battles at the point of attack. It"s up to Guillermo and the rest of Clemson"s excellent offensive line to come through.

Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Everyone knowsor should knowRagland, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. You may have heard about thewhirling dervishthat is pass-rusher Tim Williams (10.5 sacks on the season).

However, there is another, less-heralded linebacker rounding out Alabama"s fearsome defense, and that is Reuben Foster, second on the team with 64 tackles this year.The junior backer has proved himself to be a force in run stoppage with seven tackles for loss this season. He"s also a pest in the passing game, with seven passes defensed and one sack.

Foster has a knack for making bone-rattling hits, which dates back to his days as a special teamer.He"s a clear-cut starter these days, and has cited his increased maturity as a key reason for his success.

"I was immature," Foster said prior to the national semifinal against Michigan State, per Duane Rankin of the Montgomery Advertiser. "Wasn"t thinking well. I"m more focused. More mature and got my head on right. Really, I didn"t know where I wanted to be, but now I know where I want to be and who I am and where I got to go and what I got to get."

Every member of the Crimson Tide defense is going to be on high alert in this game, scanning for signs that Watson is going to take off with the football. If the defensive line can"t catch him or is busy eating space, it"s up to the likes of Ragland and Foster to chase Watson down.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2605723-cfp-national-championship-2016-under-the-radar-players-to-watch