Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, Washington quarterback Jake Browning and Ohio State defensive end Sam Hubbard were among the breakout stars in college football last season. They weren’t complete unknowns entering the season but you might not have recognized them as household names before their breakthrough years. We took a look at some of the top names from the incoming class of talent in order to project who will be among next year’s class of breakout stars will be. Here is a look at nine names you need to know by next season.
QB: Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The debate for who should start at quarterback at Notre Dame no longer exists with DeShone Kizer off to the NFL and Malik Zaire set to play elsewhere this season. The Fighting Irish will turn to the redshirt sophomore Wimbush with the knowledge that his success or failure will play a huge role in Brian Kelly’s future with the program. Wimbush is a talented passer that has all of the tools to succeed and if Kelly and his staff could maximize his potential then he could be in for a breakout season in 2017.
QB: Jarrett Stidham, Auburn Tigers
Stidham flashed his potential at Baylor before suffering an injury that would lead to his transfer to Auburn but next season could mark the year he finally breaks out. Stidham has a monster arm and the talent to make all of the throws so he should be an excellent fit in the Auburn offense. The Tigers need him to perform to his potential and provide them with some star power at the position next season. All signs point towards a big year from Stidham so he should be among the top candidates for a breakout 2017 season.
It seems like will be a make or break season for the Tigers and head coach Gus Malzahn. At this point, there is a lot of hype as the feeling is that Stidham can finally give the Malzahn what he’s been so desperately missing: a quality quarterback. If that’s the case and the Tigers offense can be prolific again, they could compete for the SEC crown. If Stidham isn’t the answer, though, the Tigers could again disappoint and could be searching for a new head coach at this time next year.
WR: Devin Duvernay, Texas Longhorns
Duvernay isn’t the tallest wide receiver but he has absolutely blazing speed and he could be one of the most explosive playmakers in college football next season. Duvernay had only 412 receiving yards a year ago but he established a strong rapport with quarterback Shane Buechele by season’s end and those two should build on their progress in 2016 with a breakout season together in 2017.
RB: Justice Hill, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Hill ran for more than 1,100 yards as a true freshman for Oklahoma State last season and the feeling is that he has only started to tap in to his immense potential. Hill was part of a three-man rotation along with Chris Carson and Rennie Childs but he will be the lead back for the Cowboys in 2017 and that means even more reason to expect him to emerge as a star. Oklahoma State has some quality playmakers on offense including quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington and Hill should join them as a star of the offense this coming season.
RB: Bryce Love, Stanford Cardinal
Christian McCaffrey’s graduation to the NFL will give Love every opportunity to emerge as a star in the lead back role at Stanford next season. The junior running back will be used in a feature role by the Cardinal and it will be very interesting to see if he can build off his success as a backup after averaging more than seven yards per carry the last two years. Love has the potential to put up big numbers as the focus of the Stanford offense so remember him as another of the five names you need to know about heading in to college football next season.
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