Athletes Bound for a Big Leap in 2015

We seem to see it every single year.

An athlete who, for whatever reason, puts it all together and busts out in a big way, showing that he or she has the potential to be a star in their sport.

With 2015 just getting started, it got me thinking about which players might make the leap this year, showing that they have the talent and staying power to become the next star in the league.

Kenny Stills

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There sure are some incredible young wide receivers in the NFC South, aren't there?

With names like Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons), Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Kelvin Benjamin (Carolina Panthers), there's a wideout for the New Orleans Saints who is stating a case to be mentioned in the same conversation as those guys: Kenny Stills.

A former fifth-rounder out of Oklahoma in 2013, Stills had a big impact on the Saints' passing game in 2014, hauling in 63 catches for 931 yards and three touchdowns, showing that he has the skills to be a No. 1 receiver.

Nearly doubling his catch total from his rookie campaign and almost hitting the 1,000-yard mark made Stills a guy worth keeping an eye on as the top wideout that quarterback Drew Brees will be looking toward next season.

Tyler Seguin

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Like a few other athletes on this list, Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin is pretty well known by now. But that's not to say he has made the leap to superstardom like other players around his age in the NHL have.

Still just 22 years old, Seguin has flourished since being acquired by Dallas prior to the 2013-14 season from the Boston Bruins, overcoming immaturity and inconsistency to become one of the best front-line players in the league.

Thus far in the 2014-15 season, Seguin has produced the second-most points in the NHL, is bound for his second All-Star appearance and is considered a dark-horse contender for the league MVP.

Putting it all together on and off the ice, the kid is beginning to look like the next great superstar in the league.

C.J. Anderson

His Denver Broncos may have struggled down the stretch during the 2014 season and lost in the divisional round at home, but running back C.J. Anderson showed that the team should be stoked for the future of the backfield—with or without Peyton Manning at quarterback.

After injuries and inconsistency hit the guys ahead of him on the depth chart, Anderson took full advantage of his opportunity, rushing for over 165 yards in back-to-back games at one point during the year and finishing his second season with 849 yards and eight touchdowns.

Assuming the starting gig is his to lose heading into next season—and he stays healthy—Anderson has the talents to become a 1,200-plus-yard rusher and one of the best breakout players in 2015 and beyond thanks to his downhill running style.

Willie Cauley-Stein

A 4-star recruit who was in the top 40 in the nation when he first committed to the Kentucky Wildcats in 2011, Willie Cauley-Stein hadn't begun to show his true potential until this season, his junior campaign.

Always a shot-blocker who had insane athleticism for a guy his size, Cauley-Stein has, almost improbably, become a National Player of the Year candidate overnight, showing a full repertoire of skills that has him climbing up draft boards—should he declare after the season.

Playing for the current No. 1-ranked and undefeated Wildcats, WCS can etch his name among other greats by leading his Cats to a national title.

Stephen Strasburg

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A case could be made that Washington Nationals apparent ace Stephen Strasburg's teammate Anthony Rendon should be mentioned here, but it's Stras I give the nod to instead.

Sure, Strasburg is a former top overall pick and All-Star (2012), but for various reasons, he has yet to develop into the pitcher many had hoped he would be when coming out of San Diego State in 2009.

While he has earned a respectable 43 wins in his first five seasons, the righty is bound to make a serious leap in 2015, especially with his Nats a trendy pick to make a World Series run.

Strasburg has won 14 and 15 games in a season before, but, at 26 years old, his ascension toward a 20-game winner is one that could be starting this upcoming season.

Alex Galchenyuk

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There are plenty of people who know about his teammate, P.K. Subban, but the Montreal Canadiens' Alex Galchenyuk is quickly becoming a star in his own right, too.

Playing for a team with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, Galchenyuk has shown the promise the Habs had hoped for when they selected him third overall a couple of years ago, nearly matching the amount of points he had in each of his first two seasons in just half of the time.

With an increase in playmaking ability from the 20-year-old, it's no wonder many attribute the team's success to Galchenyuk's improvement—and he still has plenty of time to improve from here.

Anthony Davis

There's no denying that former No. 1 overall pick and 2013 Rookie of the Year candidate Anthony Davis is already a star in the NBA.

But in 2015, look for Davis to elevate his game to another level—as in, the league MVP conversation and a potential postseason berth.

I know, the news about the New Orleans Pelicans center isn't new, as people have predicted The Eyebrow to be among the top scorers, rebounders and defenders in the league since last summer.

Still, seeing the development of Davis from a skinny, tall guy who could block shots into a full-fledged superstar is one that has been a joy to watch as he becomes the next great big man in the league.

Derek Carr

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Yes, Oakland Raiders fans, you might just finally have yourself a promising young quarterback.

While Derek Carr didn't light up the stat sheet or lead the Raiders to an impressive record—they finished with just three wins in 2014—he proved that he was worthy of the 36th overall selection and, more than anything, the title as the best rookie passer in the NFL season, and not just because of the team records he broke.

Starting all 16 games and passing for 3,270 yards with a touchdown-interception ratio of 21-12, Carr has solidified the most important position on the field heading into the 2015 season, and he is in prime position to evolve into a more confident passer next year.

While he still needs help at other skill positions, showing that he could handle his own as a rookie is a sure sign that there's plenty of good to come.

Kyle Seager

Is including Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager on this list a year too late? Possibly.

But seeing how the guy has evolved in the past three seasons, not only earning his first ever All-Star trip in 2014 but also signing a fat new contract, I still think there's room for him to grow.

That's one reason why the M's invested over $100 million in the 27-year-old, because he has just now scratched the surface on his potential.

Increasing his batting average, home runs and OPS in each of his four seasons in the bigs, Seager has stat potential that could take his team to new heights.

After just missing out on the playoffs in 2014, with another big year from their Gold Glove-winning third baseman, the Mariners could find themselves atop the AL West standings and making a serious run toward a pennant.

Andrew Wiggins

Remember when, just months ago, there were pundits who believed that 2014 top pick Andrew Wiggins was struggling in adjusting to the NBA game, wondering if he had the goods to become an All-Star?

Yeah, Wiggins has seemed to silence those whispers a little bit thanks to his recent performances.

Although his Minnesota Timberwolves continue to struggle to get wins, Wiggins has shown superstar glimpses, averaging 21 points on 49 percent shooting in his past 10 games, upping his season average to 14.5 points per game and earning him NBA Rookie of the Month for December in the Western Conference.

Wiggins' play is something many have raved about for years, so it shouldn't be all that shocking. But should he keep the steady incline going, Wiggins could become a top-15 scorer and All-Star by next season—something we should all keep an eye on.

Ryan Tannehill

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As a converted quarterback from wide receiver during his days in college at Texas A&M, many were surprised when the Miami Dolphins took signal-caller Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

He sure has seemed to quiet those doubters, hasn't he?

Throwing for 27 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and over 4,000 yards in 2014, Tannehill led his team into playoff contention by winning eight games for the second straight year, becoming a more polished passer in the process.

That type of improvement should have Dolphins fans excited for the future, as the team has seemingly identified its franchise player.

With an increase in his numbers and the continued improvement of his team since his rookie campaign, Tannehill is a quarterback who could become a top-10 passer in 2015.

Xander Bogaerts

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It might be now or never for Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts—and he knows it.

Ranked as the top prospect in MLB heading into 2014, the abundance of talent the Sox have put around Bogaerts in 2015 with their upgrades will ease the pressure on the 22-year-old to perform, allowing him to both play loose and reach the heights many have projected for him.

After playing in all but 18 games last season, Bogaerts got his first full season out of the way as Boston struggled to a last-place finish in the AL East, with a renewed outlook for 2015.

And I think he'll flourish.

Playing in front of some of the best fans in all of sports, it's time for the kid to make a name for himself with his electric play.

Ezekiel Elliott

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For all of my fellow Ohio State Buckeyes fans out there, after watching the past three games the Bucks played, I hope you're salivating as much as I am at the thought of what running back Ezekiel Elliott can do next season.

After a hand injury slowed him down early in the season, Elliott showed why he was considered one of the top players in the 2013 recruiting class, rushing for 220 yards against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game, then 230 yards against the vaunted Alabama defense, and he capped it with a 246-yard, four touchdown performance in the CFP National Championship versus Oregon—setting a record in the process.

Finishing his season with the second-most rushing yards in a single season by a Buckeyes player—1,878 yards—Zeke has set himself up nicely to, at the very least, make a run toward next year's Heisman Trophy, while proving he has the strength to help guide Ohio State to another national title.

Jimmy Butler

From the final pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft to an apparent All-Star, Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler's career has been on an upward slope since breaking into the league.

After starting just 20 games in his first two seasons combined, Butler has broken out in a big way thus far in the 2014-15 season, filling in for his oft-injured teammate Derrick Rose and becoming a serious MVP candidate.

With restricted free agency pending following the season, Butler will have a critical decision to make about his future. One thing is for sure, though: Whichever team he plays for will be getting a guy who has the skills to be an All-Star for years to come.

Trevone Boykin

After a 2014 season that saw TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin combine for a total of 4,600 yards and 41 touchdowns and lead his team to a 12-1 record, it's safe to assume he has already established himself.

In my opinion, though, Boykin has another level to reach—and it's one that could end up with a certain bronze statue come December.

With the ideal size and speed of a franchise quarterback in the NFL, look for Boykin to parlay a superb season in 2015 to a top-10 selection in the following draft, as he will become a star like a similar player, Cam Newton, did before him.

Starling Marte

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After breaking a 20-year-old streak of missing out on the postseason back in 2013—yet, unable to make much noise when there—it's time for the Pittsburgh Pirates to build off of that success.

And it all starts with the maturation of outfielder Starling Marte.

While the Bucs have already established a homegrown star in Andrew McCutchen, should Marte break out in 2015—as I believe he will—it will only provide more headaches for opposing pitchers, struggling with which guy should get pitches to hit.

Once healthy in the second half of 2014, Marte recorded a .975 OPS while hitting eight of his 13 homers on the season as the Pirates made a push to the playoffs that ended with a wild-card berth.

Showing he is a tremendous offensive talent, it isn't out of the question to see Marte go for 25 homers, 75-plus RBI and 30-plus steals.

Andre Drummond

Sitting in the top five of Eastern Conference centers in PER, the Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond has continued to show he might be the best big man in the conference.

Continuing his growth since breaking into the league as the ninth overall selection in the 2012 draft, Drummond is a double-double machine, scoring and rebounding at a clip that has him developing into a superstar.

With the Pistons recently waiving former forward Josh Smith, Drummond has helped guide the team to an 8-1 record since, playing a more integral role on both ends of the floor.

Still just 21 years old, expect Drummond to continue to develop his offensive game, putting up numbers that will lead to numerous All-Star appearances for years.

Yes, by putting him first on this list, I truly believe The Big Penguin has the most upside of any NBA player right now.