One of the most unique aspects of college football is how an elite talent can fly under the radar when he arrives at a program only to break out on the scene anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years later. There are plenty of highly regarded players that have only just started to scratch the surface of their potential. Once they get their opportunity they will have the potential to shine. Here is a look at four college football players that are on the cusp of breaking out this coming season.
QB: Max Browne, USC Trojans
Browne has been patiently waiting for the opportunity to start for USC since he signed with the team back in 2013. He will finally have the chance to prove what he can do this season. Cody Kessler graduated in the offseason and that opened the door for Browne to compete with redshirt freshman Sam Darnold and junior Jalen Greene for the starting job. Browne is the heavy favorite and Trojans’ fans are looking forward to seeing what the No. 1 rated pro-style passer from the 2013 recruiting class can do for USC this season.
DE: Sam Hubbard, Ohio State Buckeyes
Hubbard is an absolute beast and the Buckeyes have finally figured out how they want to maximize his abilities on their defense next season. Hubbard will line up at the defensive end position vacated by Joey Bosa and his potential is extremely high. The former all-state safety in high school arrived at Columbus at 6’5’’ and 230 pounds, and put on an additional 35 pounds of muscle to bulk up for the position. He registered 6.5 sacks last season as mostly a backup behind Bosa and Tyquan Lewis and there is a lot of talk about his immense potential as the next breakout star at Ohio State.
RB: Bo Scarbrough, Alabama Crimson Tide
Heisman trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry has moved on to the NFL and that leaves a major hole in the Crimson Tide offense for somebody to step up and fill. The favorite to take on that role is Scarbrough, who waited patiently in the wings as Henry’s backup last season. Scarbrough is almost the same size as Henry at 6’2’’ and 230 pounds. He has also worked hard to regain his explosiveness and athleticism after a torn ACL last spring slowed down his progress. Scarbrough has the potential to hold down the No. 1 running back role next season and Alabama will need him to shine as they look to repeat as both SEC and national champions next season.
RB: Soso Jamabo, UCLA Bruins
Paul Perkins opted to skip his senior season and move on to the NFL so the door is wide open for Jamabo to step in and prove he can be an elite running back at the college football level. Jamabo ran 66 times for 403 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman last fall and there is plenty of reason to be intrigued about his potential as the full-time starter at UCLA. The 6’3’’, 210-pound Jamabo should benefit from the switch to a more pro-style offense and he has the ability to step right in for Perkins and perform at a very high level.
CB: Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles lost the best cornerback in the country in Jalen Ramsey to the NFL, but they are high on the potential of McFadden as the next big thing in their vaunted secondary. Ramsey and Marquez White held down the cornerback positions last year but Ramsey’s jump to the NFL has opened the door for McFadden to step right in and showcase his skill set. The 6’2’’, 201-pound McFadden is bigger than most other corners and he has an elite blend of strength, speed, athleticism and instincts. McFadden flashed his ability when he played limited snaps in seven games for Florida State a year ago but another full year of experience and development combined with a bigger role as a starter will make him a breakout player in 2016.
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