Five Little-Known College Football Players Ready To Breakout in 2010

Every year, college football has those guys not too many people know about.

For one reason or another, they are not exactly household names whether they are young, not very well exposed, or just have been hurt.

But the calendar means it is almost time for college football camps to kick off and we find out about who will be the next superstars in college football.

Here are five of the next generation of explosive players in college football:


1. Andre Debose - WR, Florida

Last season, it seemed as if Florida was missing the type of offensive threat that Percy Harvin was before he moved on to the NFL.

Gators fans thought that then-freshman Andre Debose would fill in that role as a true freshman, but suffered a torn hamstring and was forced to redshirt his freshman season.

When he does step on the field in 2010 to help out John Brantley in his first full year as a starting QB, Debose will be counted upon to flash the same skills that earned him the Harvin comparisons during the recruiting process.

His speed is definitely a major weapon in helping to free up space and give Brantley a go-to weapon that can turn a simple screen pass into a 30-40 yard play at any time.

While he could not display his skills in 2009, Debose certainly gave Gators fans a taste of what to expect in 2010 in the spring game.

Having a year in the program and practicing against a tough defense for months can give him an edge to see playing time in Urban Meyer's offense.


2. Jewel Hampton - RB, Iowa

Iowa was only one game away from a Big Ten title and came away with an Orange Bowl victory to wrap up an amazing 2009 season.

And the guy many thought would lead the running attack, like Debose, spent 2009 on the sidelines with an injury.

Jewel Hampton was originally the starting RB for the Hawkeyes before he suffered a knee injury, knocking him out for the season.

Hampton had drawn major hype in Iowa City after being a very good No. 2 back for Shonn Greene in 2008, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and scoring seven TDs.

Even though Iowa has Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson who played very well in a rotation in 2009, expect Hampton to get most of the carries and to be explosive.

And he will need to be that feature guy to help carry Iowa back to the BCS.


3. Greg Reid - DB/KR, Florida State

Sometimes, freshmen looking to find playing time start out on special teams, and either get lost in the shuffle, or in the case of Greg Reid, set the turf on fire.

After decommitting from Florida and signing with the rival Seminoles, Reid found his stride right away as a high-octane punt returner.

Reid averaged 18.4 yards per punt return with a touchdown and returned one of his two INTs as a nickel corner for a touchdown as well.

Reid is a very electrifying athlete, with great speed and moves in the open field which makes him such a great returner. He also is a powerful hitter as FSU fans saw last year.

In Jimbo Fisher's first year as head coach, he expects Reid to be a major contributor in the secondary because he is the type of player where he doesn't need the ball in his hands to make plays.

But it is never a bad idea for Reid to get the ball either.


4. Kenjon Barner - RB/KR, Oregon

When you think of Oregon, the first thing you think about for 2010 is breakout RB LaMichael James, who was spectacular in 2009.

But one guy you will need to keep an eye on is the guy who spelled James for most of the season, burner Kenjon Barner.

Like Reid, Barner was an explosive returnman in 2009, with a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at UCLA, and an 80-yard return against USC.

But he is more than a one-trick pony, as he averaged over six yards a carry, including running for 64 yards in only seven carries in a strong effort against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

With no Jeremiah Masoli, James and Barner will be counted on heavily in Chip Kelly's offense this season. And after a strong start to his collegiate career, teams should not only be aware of James, but also the deceptive Barner.


5. Marquise Goodwin - WR, Texas

Many fans already have a good idea of who Marquise Goodwin is after watching his Texas Longhorns reach the BCS National Championship Game last season.

But Goodwin was mostly a situational target, catching 30 passes in 2009 for 279 yards, and one touchdown which was the difference in the Horns win over Oklahoma.

An aspiring Olympian, Goodwin will be counted upon more in 2010 with the graduation of Jordan Shipley and the departure of WR Dan Buckner.

But he has shown that he can make big plays in the receiving game as well as the return game, with a kick return for a touchdown last season.

Whether or not Texas can get back to the Big 12 Championship Game in 2010, Goodwin will be a guy to watch in Austin.

This article can be found on Storm the Field.