From J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones at Ohio State to Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine, it seems like every year we are introduced to breakout stars that become household names in college football. Sometimes fans and media see it coming and other times, these stars emerge out of nowhere. We’ll do our best to project the future, so here are the five guys we foresee becoming household names by the end of the season.
Jeremy Johnson, Auburn Tigers
Quarterback
The junior quarterback has made only one start and played minimally in his two years at Auburn, but he is poised for a breakout season as the team’s starting quarterback in 2015. Johnson has all of the tools to put up big numbers this year and while he is considered an above-average athlete, it’s his arm strength and accuracy that his coaches and fans are most excited about.
When you combine his skillset with Gus Malzahn’s offensive genius, it makes sense to have Johnson on our list. In the team’s latest scrimmage, Johnson was lighting it up with big plays and we’re likely to see plenty of that this season. As one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC, he’s going to be a name everyone knows if he plays to his potential.
Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Running Back
Fournette ran for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns in his freshman season at LSU but he is poised for even better numbers this year as he won’t have to share touches with three other backs. Fournette is a bruising back with excellent speed and vision and he should break through as the feature back at LSU where some feel he has the potential to be a Heisman trophy candidate in his sophomore season. He finished the season strong with back-to-back games where he ran for more than 140 yards, so the Tigers will be expecting him to carry that over. With the quarterback position still in flux at LSU, they’ll lean on Fournette heavily to get the job done.
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State Buckeyes
Linebacker
McMillan showed flashes of his star potential as a backup on Ohio State’s national championship-winning team last season and he will have every opportunity to shine as a full-time starter in 2015. The Buckeyes defense is loaded with experienced players who should form the best defense in the Big Ten. In terms of quality, it’s still Ohio State leading the way in the conference with everyone else significantly behind. McMillan will have the opportunity to shine as a potential All-American linebacker this season.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Quarterback
Rudolph played well enough as a freshman to convince the Oklahoma State staff that he has the potential to be the next great college quarterback. At 6’4’’, 220 pounds and with a rocket arm, there is no doubt that Rudolph has all of the physical tools to put up big numbers. Typically, that’s what the Pokes’ quarterback does.
While they’ve been off the scene for a couple of years, the Cowboys will surround Rudolph with a strong supporting cast that will help his development. There are eight starters back on offense, including what might be the deepest receiving corps in the Big 12 with David Glidden, Brandon Sheperd and James Washington. The Cowboys have the potential to make some noise in the Big 12 this season and Rudolph will be key to their overall success.
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Myles Garrett, Texas A&M Aggies
Defensive End
There is no doubt about Garrett’s potential to be an absolute beast coming off the edge for the Aggies’ defense this season. He’s one of the best pure athletes in the game regardless of position or experience. Garrett is a monster as a 6’4’’, 260 pound-rusher than posted a 4.5 40-time that had coaches and scouts raving about his potential. Many already consider Garrett to already be the favorite to go first overall in the 2017 NFL Draft and while a lot can change over the next two seasons, he should become a household name as a breakout star out of Texas A&M in 2015.
