25 College Football Players Set to Shock the College Football World in 2015
Spring is a time of renewal and opportunity in college football. With starting roles left open across the land due to graduation and NFL draft departures, this is a time for young players and reserves to make their impression on coaches and fight for a more prominent role.
As spring practice ramps up, that’s exactly what players will be thinking about: How can I make my mark, now that I have the chance? This fall, new stars will emerge on college football’s landscape. You might not know them, but you will soon. Here are 25 players who’ll shock college football fans this fall.
LSU S Jamal Adams
1 of 25
When he signed with LSU last February, Jamal Adams was regarded as one of the nation’s top safety prospects. But the Tigers defense is one of the nation’s best, so Adams had to exercise some patience, playing behind talented veterans and contributing on special teams.
He still made an impact, earning a starting role by season’s end, making 66 tackles, five tackles for loss and five pass breakups. With Ronald Martin gone, there’s an opening at safety, and Adams has seized it in spring practice.
He has the coverage ability to make a difference on the field and the leadership ability to make a difference off it. Expect Adams, a freshman All-SEC selection in 2014, to make an even bigger impact this fall.
Oregon QB Vernon Adams
2 of 25
The biggest question facing Oregon in 2015 is clear: Who will replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, the biggest factor in the Ducks’ run to a national runner-up finish in 2014?
Only one quarterback other than Mariota threw a pass for Oregon last fall. That was junior Jeff Lockie, who completed 21 of 28 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown in mop-up duty. Redshirt freshman Morgan Mahalak and Georgia Tech transfer Ty Griffin will also compete. Incoming freshman Travis Waller is the nation’s No. 4 dual-threat quarterback prospect, possessing excellent intangibles, pocket presence, quickness and accuracy.
But the biggest wild card is graduate transfer Vernon Adams, who surprised many by announcing that he’d transfer from FCS Eastern Washington and finish his career at Oregon. As Ralph Russo of The Associated Press notes, the graduate transfer rule is under scrutiny.
He won’t arrive until summer classes begin, but Adams has experience and athleticism. There’s no clear favorite in place, and Adams has a real shot at coming in and emerging as Oregon’s starter in 2015. With a talented group of players around him, he could put up big numbers for his collegiate finale and win plenty of games too.
Ohio State CB Eli Apple
3 of 25
Following 2014’s surprising national title run, there are few worries for Ohio State on either side of the ball. But with star cornerback Doran Grant graduating, the secondary is one of them. Never fear, though. Young cornerback Eli Apple is ready to bear fruit for the Buckeyes defense.
Last fall, Apple was an immediate contributor for Ohio State, starting 14 games while making 53 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions. He’s ready to take on an even bigger role. With Grant gone, he’ll be expected to cover the opposition’s top receiver on a consistent basis.
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Washington S Budda Baker
4 of 25
When Budda Baker signed with Washington, it was a major score for the Huskies program. The in-state recruit made an immediate impact as a freshman last fall, earning a starting role at free safety and making 80 tackles with six pass breakups and an interception.
With a season’s worth of experience under his belt, Baker should be even better this fall. He excelled as a safety and tailback in high school and has excellent athleticism. He’ll be expected to be a leader for the Huskies defense in 2015, and expect Budda to grow nicely into that role.
Arizona State QB Mike Bercovici
5 of 25
Last fall, Arizona State won 10 games for the second consecutive season despite playing for an extended period without senior quarterback Taylor Kelly, who missed three games with a foot injury. You can thank Mike Bercovici for that.
Kelly’s backup stepped in and played exceptionally well, leading the Sun Devils to a 2-1 record. He threw for 488 yards in a loss to UCLA and went for 510 the following week at Southern California, throwing a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown on the game’s final play. On the season, he threw for 1,445 yards with 12 touchdowns against four interceptions.
With Kelly graduated, Bercovici is the man in the Sun Devils offense. While he’ll be without leading wideout Jaelen Strong, who declared for the NFL draft, leading rusher and No. 2 receiver D.J. Foster returns. Expect Bercovici to put up big numbers and excel in a front-line role.
Missouri WR Nate Brown
6 of 25
If you’re a receiver who wants to catch passes, Missouri is the place for you this fall. The Tigers lost their top four pass-catchers from a year ago, led by 1,000-yard receiver Bud Sasser. Mizzou’s leading returning receiver is tight end Sean Culkin, who caught 20 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown last fall.
The leading returning wide receiver? Sophomore Nate Brown, who caught five passes for 45 yards as a freshman. Brown stands 6’3”, 205 pounds, and most importantly, he has all kinds of opportunity before him. Someone has to catch the passes that up-and-down quarterback Maty Mauk throws in Missouri’s offense, and odds are that Brown will catch many of them in 2015.
Wisconsin RB Corey Clement
7 of 25
This spring, one of the storylines surrounding Wisconsin football will be the huge shadow Melvin Gordon leaves behind. With good reason: Gordon, who declared for the NFL draft following the 2014 season, put together one of the best ground campaigns in college football history. Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards (the second-best single-season total in the FBS ranks) with 29 touchdowns, averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
Fortunately, new coach Paul Chryst has a highly capable replacement in Corey Clement. Last fall, Clement rushed for 949 yards and nine touchdowns as Gordon’s backup, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Clement has speed and some power, and with a starting tailback load, his numbers and profile should only improve. He could be one of the Big Ten’s best backs this fall.
Kentucky DT Matt Elam
8 of 25
“Big” is an excellent term for Matt Elam. Kentucky’s sophomore defensive tackle was a big recruit for Mark Stoops’ staff at UK. And he’s a big guy overall. Elam ended last season at 6’7”, 360 pounds, a mountain of a man on the interior defensive line.
This fall, the Wildcats hope his progression pays off in a big way in his sophomore season. Elam made a handful of tackles as a true freshman but had room to grow with technique. He also lost nearly 40 pounds as the season wore on. Elam is lean, and he was already mean, which will mean trouble for SEC offensive linemen in 2015.
Tulsa QB Dane Evans
9 of 25
Last fall was a year to forget for Tulsa’s football program. The Golden Hurricane struggled to stop anyone defensively, allowing 39.3 points per game, No. 122 nationally. Tulsa went 2-10, and coach Bill Blankenship was fired.
But a new year means new hope. Baylor offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery was hired as the new head coach, and he brings a high-powered offensive style with him from Waco, Texas. It should benefit junior quarterback Dane Evans. Evans threw for 3,102 yards with 23 touchdowns and 17 interceptions last fall.
Tulsa doesn’t have the offensive weapons Baylor has, but if Evans can operate more efficiently, he should take a huge step forward in the new system and make a name for himself in the American Athletic Conference.
Washington State QB Luke Falk
10 of 25
Mike Leach’s Washington State tenure has been a bit rocky thus far, but one thing hasn’t changed. Leach’s quarterbacks put up video game numbers. In 2013, Connor Halliday threw for 4,597 yards.
Last fall, Halliday’s career ended prematurely due to a broken leg, but he still threw for 3,873 yards with 32 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in nine games.
That opened the door for backup Luke Falk, who took to the position immediately. In his third start, Falk threw 74 times, piling up 601 yards in a loss to Arizona State. With a full season to throw in Leach’s offense, who knows how big Falk’s numbers could be in 2015? The sky is the limit.
Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey
11 of 25
When Marlon Humphrey signed with Alabama in February 2014, he was one of the prizes of the Crimson Tide’s 2014 recruiting class. So it was something of a surprise that Humphrey, the son of former Alabama and NFL standout tailback Bobby Humphrey, redshirted while fellow front-line signee Tony Brown played as an Alabama freshman cornerback.
Now, Humphrey will have a chance to compete for a starting role in Alabama’s secondary during spring practice, a year older, stronger and wiser. He has excellent size at 6’1”, 186 pounds, and great speed. Alabama has plenty of competition in the secondary, but it’d be a shock if Humphrey didn’t make big contributions this fall.
Southern California CB Adoree' Jackson
12 of 25
What did Adoree’ Jackson do last fall in his freshman season of college football? The real question is what didn’t Jackson do?
Jackson emerged as a starting cornerback for Southern California by midseason, making 10 pass breakups. He also excelled as a kick returner, averaging 29.7 yards per return and scoring a pair of long touchdowns.
And for good measure, he contributed as a receiver, making 10 catches for 138 yards and three touchdowns, including a 71-yard catch-and-run score in the Holiday Bowl.
What will Jackson do for an encore? Become a true two-way player. He is working on both sides of the ball in spring practice and could become college football’s best two-way player in recent memory. He told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times that he has only scratched the surface of his talents.
"I don't think they've seen everything," he said. "Just a glimpse."
His unique skill set is only limited by his stamina, and he’ll make huge contributions for a Southern California team that has potential to be one of the nation’s best this fall.
Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson
13 of 25
One of the biggest factors in Auburn’s quick return to national prominence under Gus Malzahn was quarterback Nick Marshall. The Georgia transfer quickly adapted to Malzahn’s hurry-up, no-huddle system, leading the Tigers to the 2013 BCS national title game.
He passed for 2,532 yards with 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions and added another 798 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores. But there’s no real reason for concern following his graduation, given Jeremy Johnson’s presence.
Last fall, Johnson excelled as Marshall’s backup, with 436 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions. He has a big frame (6'5", 230 pounds) and a big arm and should make a major impact in the SEC this fall in his first full season as a starter.
Minnesota TB Jeff Jones
14 of 25
Last fall, Minnesota had an excellent season, going 8-5 and making the Citrus Bowl as Jerry Kill took another step forward in the rebuilding process. One of the most important cogs in the Gophers offense was senior tailback David Cobb, who rushed for 1,626 yards and 13 touchdowns.
With Cobb graduated, there is a gaping hole in Minnesota’s backfield. While reserves like Rodrick Williams, Berkley Edwards and Rodney Smith will compete for the role, an optimal situation would involve freshman Jeff Jones taking the job for himself.
Jones, Minnesota’s 2013 Mr. Football, stands 6’0”, 207 pounds, but missed last season to concentrate on his grades and was not eligible to practice with the team. He is now and is ready to make an impact.
Jones has size and speed but can also catch passes out of the backfield and work in the slot. If he proves he’s ready, there’s opportunity in Minnesota’s offense. After all, Cobb carried 314 times last fall.
Clemson DE Shaq Lawson
15 of 25
Last fall, Clemson’s vaunted hurry-up, no-huddle offense was inconsistent, but the Tigers defense stepped forward in a huge way. Clemson had the nation’s No. 1 total defense, led by defensive end and likely first-round NFL draft pick Vic Beasley, who finished as the Tigers’ career sack leader. Beasley and virtually the entire defensive line two-deep is gone, leading to some major rebuilding.
Junior defensive end Shaq Lawson and senior defensive tackle D.J. Reader are the only returnees from 2014’s two-deep, and while there are talented recruits like Christian Wilkins and Albert Huggins who’ll contribute this fall, the holdovers must step forward. Lawson is ready to do so.
If Beasley had bolted for the NFL last January, Lawson would’ve been a starter. He has excellent pass-rushing skills and piled up 34 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last fall. He’s set for a breakout junior season with a starting role.
Michigan State TB Madre London
16 of 25
While Michigan State earned a major victory when quarterback Connor Cook returned for his senior season, the Spartans have some glaring issues in the backfield. Leading rusher Jeremy Langford, who went for 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns last fall, is gone. So is No. 2 rusher Nick Hill, who rushed for 622 yards and nine scores.
And the top returning rusher, Delton Williams, has been suspended from the team following misdemeanor charges of brandishing a handgun in a road rage incident, per Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press. That leaves major opportunity for those left on the roster, including redshirt freshman Madre London.
London, a redshirt freshman, has a powerful frame at 6’1”, 213 pounds, and has the size needed to thrive in the Spartans ground game. Expect him to take control in the backfield as spring wears on and make a major impact this fall.
Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
17 of 25
Right place, right time. Two years ago, Baker Mayfield looked like Texas Tech’s next great quarterback. Mayfield won the starting role as a freshman in Kliff Kingsbury’s first season, throwing for 2,315 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions while playing in eight games.
But he had a falling-out with Kingsbury’s staff at season’s end, leaving the team before its bowl game, which was started and won by Davis Webb. He went through an ugly breakup with the Red Raiders, telling ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter that Kingsbury “wasn’t behind” him.
Although Tech initially blocked his transfer to Oklahoma, Mayfield landed there and was on scholarship in 2014. Last fall, incumbent quarterback Trevor Knight struggled, throwing 14 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
OU coach Bob Stoops revamped the offense, hiring East Carolina offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley to install the Air Raid passing system, which just happens to be the system that Mayfield worked in at Texas Tech. He’ll have a clear opportunity to compete with Knight in spring drills and perhaps win the role outright before summer.
Clemson WR Charone Peake
18 of 25
Four years ago, Clemson signed what might have been the best wide receiver recruiting class in its history. It more than lived up to its hype. Signees Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant both excelled as Tigers, and both made waves as NFL rookies last fall.
One member of that talented class remains: senior wide receiver Charone Peake. While Bryant and Watkins are cashing professional checks, Peake is still trying to cash in on his potential. He suffered a torn ACL that forced a redshirt season in 2013 and was still hampered by it last fall. He caught 12 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns, missing seven games with residual injuries.
Entering his senior season, Peake, who stands 6’2”, 205 pounds, is finally healthy. With standouts like Mike Williams and Artavis Scott on board, Peake doesn’t have to carry a full load, but he’ll make a big impact in 2015.
Michigan DB Jabrill Peppers
19 of 25
By now, we thought Jabrill Peppers would be going into his sophomore season at Michigan as a star under Brady Hoke.
Instead, the Wolverines’ standout secondary recruit is impressing new coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff as a redshirt freshman. A pair of leg injuries limited Peppers to appearing in parts of three games last fall and ultimately led to a redshirt season. But Hoke’s misfortune will be Harbaugh’s delight.
Peppers could play at corner, safety or nickel corner this fall. He has excellent athleticism, speed and attitude, and has great versatility and football IQ. Expect the Wolverines to use him where he fits in best, and expect him to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks across the Big Ten.
Texas DT Hassan Ridgeway
20 of 25
Charlie Strong’s teams are built around strong defenses, and he needs that to be the case at Texas. The Longhorns muddled through his debut season with a 6-7 record, and significant improvement will be expected by an impatient fanbase this fall.
One of the highlights last fall was a strong run defense anchored by defensive tackle Malcom Brown. Brown, a consensus All-American, declared for the NFL draft, and someone will have to pick up the slack on the Longhorns defensive line. That someone is Hassan Ridgeway. Ridgeway had 43 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks last fall, and he’ll be expected to make an even bigger impact in 2015.
Ridgeway is capable of stopping the run and getting after opposing passers, and there’ll be plenty of snaps for him this fall. Strong and the Longhorns defense will lean on him more heavily in 2015.
Auburn TB Jovon Robinson
21 of 25
Jovon Robinson’s real welcome as an Auburn tailback was delayed, but it was certainly welcome for all parties involved. Auburn needs backfield power, and Robinson can definitely provide it.
Robinson had originally signed with Auburn in 2012 and practiced with the Tigers before it was revealed that one of his high school grades was changed by his high school counselor, allowing him to become eligible. He was declared ineligible by the NCAA and headed to Georgia Military College for two seasons.
In 2013, he rushed for 2,387 yards and 34 touchdowns. Robinson is a physical, bruising back, and he arrives at Auburn at a perfect time. The Tigers are trying to replace the SEC’s leading rusher, Cameron Artis-Payne, who rushed for 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns last fall. The No. 2 tailback, Corey Grant, also graduated, leaving plenty of opportunity in the backfield.
Robinson is far from the only tailback on the roster but he appears the best bet to step in and carry a heavy load in Gus Malzahn’s offense. Welcome back, indeed.
Florida State WR Travis Rudolph
22 of 25
If there’s another high-level offense with more opportunity than Florida State’s, it would be hard to find. The Seminoles have major openings in their passing game, no matter which quarterback replaces Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston under center.
The program’s all-time leading receiver, Rashad Greene (who had 99 receptions for 1,635 yards and seven touchdowns last fall), has graduated, as did rugged pass-catching tight end Nick O’Leary.
Travis Rudolph, who stands 6’2”, 184 pounds, is poised for a breakout season. Last fall, he was the Seminoles’ third-leading receiver, making 38 catches for 555 yards and four touchdowns. And he did so despite not making a catch for the first three games and combining for one catch for minus-2 yards in two other games. If Rudolph can find some consistency, he’ll make a huge impact on the ACC and national scenes in 2015.
Baylor QB Seth Russell
23 of 25
Last fall, Baylor fell just short of the College Football Playoff with a high-powered offense. The Bears return much of their offensive talent this fall, including tailback Shock Linwood and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Corey Coleman and KD Cannon. But quarterback Bryce Petty has graduated, raising major questions about who’ll pilot the offense.
However, Baylor fans shouldn’t be that concerned about how the system will run this fall. Junior Seth Russell appears perfectly capable of stepping into Petty’s shoes and working very capably. He excelled as Petty’s understudy in 2014, throwing for 804 yards with eight touchdowns against only one interception.
When Petty missed a game with a back injury, Russell stepped in and threw for 438 yards and five touchdowns against no interceptions in a rout of FCS Northwestern State. He’ll have to hold off standout freshman enrollee Jarrett Stidham, but Russell is a favorite to earn the starting role and put up huge numbers this fall.
Miami TB Joseph Yearby
24 of 25
This spring, one of Miami’s biggest holes is in the backfield. The Hurricanes need a replacement for Duke Johnson, who left early for the NFL following a standout junior season that saw him rush for 1,652 yards. Luckily, Al Golden’s staff already has a very capable lead back on hand in rising sophomore Joseph Yearby.
Yearby showed major promise as Johnson’s understudy last fall, rushing for 509 yards and a touchdown while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. At 5’9”, 192 pounds, Yearby is not a huge back, but he has solid speed and flashed potential last fall, putting up 100-yard rushing efforts against Cincinnati and North Carolina.
Golden loves to establish his offense with the run, and Yearby will get every chance to be the lead horse in the backfield and put up big numbers on the ground.
Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire
25 of 25
2014 was not easy for Notre Dame or its fans. The Fighting Irish were extremely streaky, starting 6-0 before losing five of its final games to close the regular season. In the process, incumbent starter Everett Golson lost his job following a hail of turnovers, giving sophomore Malik Zaire a shot at the job.
He struggled in relief in a blowout loss at Southern California and completed 12 of 15 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Music City Bowl win over LSU.
This spring, Zaire and Golson are competing for the starting role. Zaire, who stands 6’1”, 210 pounds, can move the ball through the air but can also excel with his feet when necessary. If he can edge out Golson, look for him to thrive in the Fighting Irish offense.
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