Clemson Football: 5 Players Poised to Break out in 2015

A breakout star is someone the rest of the country won’t see coming. The fans who follow the Clemson Tigers may not be surprised if these five guys break out next season, but these players have the potential to garner national attention and shock the rest of the college football world.

You won’t find Deshaun Watson, Wayne Gallman or Artavis Scott on this list. Those guys helped carry the load as freshmen this season, and the rest of the country learned about them.

We are more concerned with the guys who could creep up the depth chart this season, or maybe the senior who was once a promising 4-star looking to make it happen in his final year of eligibility. Here are five guys that could be poised to break out for Clemson in 2015.

5. RB Tyshon Dye

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Tyshon Dye was once a promising 4-star, but injuries have hurt him early in his Clemson career. We didn’t see much of the redshirt freshman this year, but he made the most of his opportunity. Against Georgia State, Dye totaled 124 yards and two touchdowns, helping lead the Tigers to a 28-0 victory.

The Tigers’ backfield will be loaded next season with a lot of young talent, but Dye has an opportunity to shine despite the heavy competition. Wayne Gallman is the early favorite to win the starting job, but Dye and Adam Choice will offer a nice change of pace off the bench. The big-bodied back has a chance to win that starting job, though, as he will enter this offseason fully healthy.

4. WR Charone Peake

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Mike Williams and Artavis Scott will likely both have productive seasons again, but it’s Charone Peake who could surprise the nation. The former 4-star has also been plagued by the injury bug during his time at Clemson, but he has the potential to be among the best wide receivers in the conference in 2015.

Peake caught two touchdowns, both from Deshaun Watson, in the first two games of 2014, but he found it tough to stay healthy for the entirety of the season. If he is able to avoid injuries next season, expect Peake to really break out.

3. DE Shaq Lawson

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As a backup defensive end, Shaq Lawson has totaled 7.5 sacks in his two seasons. With the graduation of the entire defensive line, the Tigers will need new guys to step up on the front line next season.

Lawson will be the guy who enters with the most potential. He totaled 3.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss this year, but those numbers could drastically increase next year with a chance to be one of the starting defensive ends.

2. LB Ben Boulware

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Ben Boulware will likely take over the middle linebacker position, and he will be replacing a great one. Stephone Anthony is off to the NFL, so it’s up to the rising junior to fill that leadership role in the middle.

Boulware quietly had a very productive season, with 40 tackles and five tackles for loss, but he could be the center of that defense next season as he steps out of the shadow of Anthony and Tony Steward.

1. CB Mackensie Alexander

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I know, 2014 was supposed to be the breakout year for Mackensie Alexander. He didn’t have a bad year by any means, but he didn’t climb into the national discussion like we thought he may.

Garry Peters stole the limelight at cornerback with an All-ACC type of year, but all eyes will be on the highly recruited Alexander in 2015. This guy has the chance to be really special, and I think we could see him become one of the best in the nation next year.