Ty Detmer - You win the Heisman or NPOY, you get an exemption (this is the "exception that proves the rule" category). And people were angsty he wouldn't return for his senior season. He did.

Jim McMahon - You get 70 individual records and win the team's first ever bowl game, you get an exemption.

Zach Wilson - There was plenty of criticism of Wilson prior to the beginning of last season. A substantial percentage felt he shouldn't start. Another substantial percentage, which included me, trusted the coaches but didn't see Wilson as having separated himself from the competition.

Jimmer - See Ty Detmer.

KVN - Generational talent on defense.

Jamal Williams - Very likeable guy personally. He wasn't a hyped recruit as I recall. That helped. Probably the hardest one on this list to explain.

Taysom - Generational athleticism.

Lavell - There were plenty of people grousing loudly during LaVell's last several years.

Another issue is a number of these guys were pre internet. That exacerbated what I'm talking about. Most of the time in the internet era, you either succeed at the highest level or the knives come out at some point (from at least a substantial minority).