College Football Players Poised for Bounce-Back Years in 2023

Throughout the spring and summer, we look ahead to the next college football season and highlight any number of players expected to be among the nation's most prominent names.

For most of them, it's because that player had a terrific year—or closed the previous season on a hot streak, at least.

Those expectations are never perfect, though.

Whether due to injuries or underperformance—and sometimes both—a few projected stars don't match that billing. Such was life for quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and Quinn Ewers in 2022, for instance.

But a season of setbacks might ultimately be the precursor to a standout 2023 campaign for these well-known players.

Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 05: Tyler Van Dyke #9 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a pass during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal's debut season at his alma mater turned into a disaster for many reasons. A revolving door at quarterback didn't help.

Tyler Van Dyke opened the 2022 campaign as a notable NFL draft prospect. Within a month, though, his stock had taken in a massive hit. Van Dyke tossed two interceptions and was benched in a stunning loss to Middle Tennessee State.

In the latter half of the year, injuries limited Van Dyke to 16 passing attempts in only two appearances. Miami stumbled to a 5-7 finish.

Right now, Miami doesn't have a definite No. 1 receiver, although there is optimism around Colbie Young. Xavier Restrepo returning from a half-season injury will also help, while Cristobal and the 'Canes are likely scouring the transfer portal, too.

Add in what should be an improved offensive line, and Van Dyke has a vastly improved outlook for 2023.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 15: Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass during the Texas Football Orange-White Spring Football Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

What if Quinn Ewers hadn't hurt his shoulder against Alabama?

Considering how well he played in the opening quarter, perhaps the Longhorns would have won that game. But he presumably wouldn't have missed the next three outings, either. He probably would have looked much better over the final two months of a disappointing 8-5 year for Texas, too.

The good news for Ewers is that he's already made it "pretty clear" that he deserves the starting job over freshman Arch Manning, according to Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian.

Not only does Texas return key receiver Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, but wideout Isaiah Neyor will be back from an ACL injury as well. Jordan Whittington and Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell—who caught the winning score in the 2021 season's national championship—are there, too.

Ewers is positioned for a superb year that could propel him into the NFL draft next offseason.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 19: TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rushes the ball in the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on November 19, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

As a freshman, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson showed why he was a 5-star prospect coming into college. He rushed for 1,255 yards, caught 27 passes for 312 yards and totaled 19 touchdowns.

Next stop: All-American honors. Right?

Well, his train to superstardom hit a delay.

Henderson played in only eight games last season because of a foot injury. After racking up 1,567 scrimmage yards in 2021, he had only 599 last year. Henderson also missed Ohio State's two biggest games of the campaign, the losses to Michigan and Georgia.

Miyan Williams took advantage of his opportunity in Henderson's absence and should be in line for regular snaps in 2023. However, Henderson should reclaim his spot as the Buckeyes' featured back thanks to his versatility.

Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 18: Rasheen Ali #22 of the Marshall Thundering Herd avoids a tackle by Bralen Trahan #24 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome on December 18, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Few players in the country were as productive as Marshall running back Rasheen Ali in 2021. He scampered for 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 45 receptions for 334 yards and another score.

But in 2022, he needed to step back.

Ali took a leave of absence to focus on improving his mental health while recovering from a knee injury. He returned in November, totaling 283 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in only three appearances.

In Ali's absence, Marshall tailback Khalan Laborn amassed 1,629 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns last year. Marshall is returning four of the starters from that offensive line, so Ali should have a chance to quickly regain his 2021 form.

Bryce Foster, C, Texas A&M

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COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 09: Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Bryce Foster (61) calls out blocking assignments before the snap during a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on October 9, 2021 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Texas A&M is desperate for a resurgent year. Not only did the Aggies plummet from their No. 6 preseason ranking, they missed a bowl altogether after finishing 5-7.

Part of that turnaround will be centered on Bryce Foster, who missed eight games last season because of a knee injury.

Foster's return will help stabilize an offense that ranked 93rd in yards and 101st in points per game last season. The linchpin of A&M's blocking unit earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2021.

While the Aggies won't bounce back solely because of a center, Foster can be a major part of their progress.

Xavier Thomas, Edge, Clemson

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CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 22: Clemson Tigers defensive end Xavier Thomas (3) rushes on defense during a college football game against the Syracuse Orange on October 22, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

I cannot quit Xavier Thomas.

Back in 2018, Thomas notched 10.5 tackles for loss and helped Clemson win a national title. He followed up that campaign with a third-team All-ACC selection in 2019 before stepping onto a roller coaster.

Thomas missed much of the 2020 season because of complications from COVID-19 and a strep infection. He recovered with another third-team All-ACC selection in 2021, but he managed only three appearances in 2022 because of a broken foot that he suffered during the preseason and a setback after he returned.

The sixth-year senior has a mountain of talent. If he stays healthy, Thomas can both be a key contributor for the ACC front-runner and rebuild his once-substantial draft stock.

Maason Smith, DT, LSU

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HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 04: LSU Tigers defensive lineman Maason Smith (0) warms up before the Texas Bowl game between the Kansas State Wildcats and LSU Tigers at NRG Stadium on January 4, 2022 in Houston, TX. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Football is cruel sometimes. Maason Smith learned that lesson in 2022, playing only a few snaps in LSU's opening game before he celebrated a defensive stop and tore his left ACL.

LSU is excited to have the 6'6", 310-pounder back in the middle.

"When you start to move the center to him or use a (running) back inside, now you're going to leave our edge players one-on-one and we'll have a really good, balanced pass rush," head coach Brian Kelly said, per Wilson Alexander of NOLA.com. "He brings that presence, which we didn't have last year."

Smith impressed as a freshman, notching 19 tackles with five takedowns for loss and four sacks. LSU anticipated that strong debut would lead to a breakout, All-SEC type of season in 2022.

As it turns out, the Tigers might have just needed to wait another year.