10 College Football Players Returning from Injury Poised for Big 2015 Seasons
Injuries are an unfortunate part of football. For as violent as the game is, it's surprising there aren't more serious injuries.
Some of them—like the leg injuries to Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell—remain vivid and horrifying memories. But the body's ability to heal is a miraculous thing. For many players, injuries may be season-ending, but not career-ending.
These are players coming back from season-ending injuries in 2014, missing either all or part of that year in the process, who are primed for big things in '15. Whether it's duplicating previous stats or going on to earn postseason honors, injuries aren't derailing these careers.
Were there any players we missed? Feel free to add them in the comment section below.
Ole Miss Wide Receiver Laquon Treadwell
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We mentioned Treadwell in the intro slide. His leg injury last November against Auburn was gruesome—sickening, really. On a would-be, go-ahead touchdown, Treadwell sustained a fractured tibia and dislocated left ankle. Needless to say, he was done for the rest of the season.
However, Treadwell has been making a spectacular recovery this offseason. He's been posting Vines of himself running routes and doing flips on trampolines. He should be ready to go for the 2015 season.
If that's the case, there's no reason to believe he won't pick up where he left off. Last year, Treadwell had 48 catches for 632 yards and five touchdowns in nine games. At 6'2" and 229 pounds, Treadwell is a huge target who is also extremely athletic and can get chunk yards after the catch.
Clemson Quarterback Deshaun Watson
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We saw what Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was able to do last year as a true freshman. In eight games, Watson threw for 14 touchdowns—six of which came in a win over North Carolina—and just two interceptions. He also added another 200 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The problem was Watson couldn't quite stay healthy. He missed three games with a broken bone in his hand and another two with a knee injury. However, he's been ahead of schedule in his recovery and is expected to play in the season opener against Wofford.
Watson possesses a lot of natural gifts, including a big arm and mobility. He moved the offense in a way Cole Stoudt couldn't, at least consistently, last year. When he's healthy, he's the ACC's best quarterback. To put it another way, former Tigers offensive coordinator Chad Morris told Dan Wolken of USA Today that he almost didn't take the head coaching job at SMU because of Watson.
With so many offensive weapons back in 2015, Clemson could have one of the most exciting teams in the country. A season of more than 4,000 total yards and 30 touchdowns is within reach.
Michigan Defensive Back Jabrill Peppers
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Jabrill Peppers came to Michigan last season with a lot of hype as a 5-star prospect, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. The excitement was justified at first when Peppers appeared in three games early on in the season.
However, a nagging leg injury plagued him for the remainder of the year and he was eventually shut down to preserve redshirt status. He returns in 2015 at a new position, safety, with a new head coach, Jim Harbaugh.
The buzz surrounding Peppers hasn't gone away, though. Harbaugh gave Peppers an "A-plus" grade for the spring, and the coaching staff has raved about Peppers' leadership. Josh Moyer of ESPN.com listed Peppers as one of his five breakout players in the Big Ten for '15. It wouldn't be surprising to see Peppers be at or near the top of the team in tackles next season. He's constantly around the ball.
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Oregon Wide Receiver Devon Allen
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Oregon didn't have many household names at wide receiver last year, but redshirt freshman Devon Allen emerged as a star. Allen became a big contributor in the passing game with 41 receptions and a team-leading seven touchdowns, but he also served in the return game. Though he only had eight returns, he had a team-high 26.13-yard average.
But it was on the opening kickoff of the Rose Bowl in which Allen tore his ACL. That injury has sidelined him throughout the spring. Once he's healthy, though, Allen is an electric runner who knows how to get into the end zone. His return, coupled with the return of Bralon Addison, who also had a season-ending ACL injury, should rejuvenate the Ducks passing game. Addison finished second on the team in 2013 with 61 receptions for 890 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ole Miss Offensive Lineman Laremy Tunsil
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Like his teammate, Treadwell, Ole Miss offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil saw his season come to an end because of a leg injury. However, Tunsil's fractured fibula came in the season-ending Peach Bowl against TCU.
As such, his recovery process has been about a month behind Treadwell's. Tunsil spent the spring on crutches and in a walking boot. Still, Ole Miss is optimistic in his recovery process.
"He looked good. We're very optimistic," head coach Hugh Freeze said last month, via Riley Blevins of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger. "Doctors feel like everything is healing nicely."
Tunsil was easily one of Ole Miss' best players last season, and could be one of a few Rebels to go in the first round of next year's NFL draft.
Auburn Defensive End Carl Lawson
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Auburn's pass rush was among the worst in the SEC last year at just 1.62 sacks per game. One reason for that was the season-ending ACL injury to defensive end Carl Lawson in the spring of 2014, which sidelined him for the entire year.
Lawson is back and apparently better (and faster) than ever. "I tested in my 10-yard split faster than I ever have," Lawson told Brandon Marcello of AL.com in March. Combine Lawson's return with the arrival of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, and the Tigers pass rush should improve, perhaps dramatically, next season.
Muschamp has already gone on record stating that Lawson's return is a huge boost for the defense. Now it's about finding pass-rushers outside of Lawson.
BYU Quarterback Taysom Hill
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BYU quarterback Taysom Hill has had some awful luck with injuries in his career. Last year, Hill sustained a season-ending leg fracture and ligament tear against Utah State. In 2012, Hill also had his season cut short because of a knee injury.
That's a shame; when he's healthy, Hill is one of the more productive quarterbacks outside the Power Five conferences. In 2013, when he played in all 13 games, Hill accounted for nearly 4,300 total yards and 29 touchdowns.
Hill is out of his leg brace and should be ready to go for the start of the 2015 season. He's been a one-man show in the past. His game, a blend of power and speed, makes it difficult for him to avoid the kind of hits that can end a season. If he can somehow get through relatively unscathed, though, he can lead BYU to a lot of wins.
USC Running Back Tre Madden
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Buck Allen was USC's bell cow running back last season. Now that he's gone, though, the Trojans are looking for someone to emerge.
Tre Madden can be that guy after missing all of last season with a turf toe injury. Madden was actually the team's leading rusher in terms of carries in 2013 (138) and had 703 yards rushing. The main difference that year was that Allen was the touchdown machine with 14 scores. Madden only had three rushing touchdowns.
Madden has a history of injury problems. He missed the '12 season with an ACL tear after converting over from linebacker. Still, Madden has shown before that he can be a reliable running weapon. That will be important to provide balance for the Trojans' offensive attack this year. Everyone knows what quarterback Cody Kessler and the talented crop of receivers can do. Madden can complement that.
Utah State Quarterback Chuckie Keeton
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If you haven't had a chance to watch Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton yet, you're running out of time. Along with Hill at BYU, Keeton is one of the most exciting signal-callers outside of the power conferences. His accuracy is impressive and he's an electrifying scrambler. Recruiting-wise, he was definitely an under-the-radar player who has shined as a starter.
Keeton has been injury-prone throughout his career, missing time in three of his last four seasons. He was able to receive a medical redshirt after injuring his knee in a win over Wake Forest in Week 3 of last year. That gives fans one more chance to see Keeton do his thing. In 2012, the lone season Keeton was fully healthy, he accounted for nearly 4,000 yards of total offense and 35 touchdowns.
Hopefully he's able to stay healthy and replicate those types of numbers. If he can, the Aggies have a good shot at a divisional or conference title.
Alabama Running Back Kenyan Drake
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No more T.J. Yeldon? No problem for Alabama. Derrick Henry was actually the team's leading rusher in 2014 in terms of total yards (990), and he'll step right into a leading role this year. Of course, the Tide have always been known under head coach Nick Saban for having a 1A-1B (and sometimes 1C) option in the backfield.
That should be the case with Henry and the return of Kenyan Drake. Drake sustained a gruesome season-ending leg injury against Ole Miss last season, but his recovery has been going well. In March, Drake ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash.
Drake is lighter than Henry by about 30 pounds and has shown to be the flashier back as a versatile receiving threat out of the backfield. Running and catching, Drake should put up good numbers in '15 as a steady co-starter, if you will, alongside Henry.
Bonus: Ohio State Quarterbacks JT Barrett and Braxton Miller
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Ohio State quarterbacks JT Barrett and Braxton Miller deserve their category since, well, their situation is unlike anything else in college football. Both are accomplished players who have won postseason accolades and led the Buckeyes to a lot of wins
Yet, it's possible neither player starts in 2015 if Cardale Jones picks up where he left off at the end of last season.
Barrett is coming back from a season-ending ankle injury he sustained against Michigan last November. He's believed to be further along in his recovery than Miller, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. Of the two, Miller has been the subject of myriad transfer rumors. However, head coach Urban Meyer has been persistent that Miller will "[play] for Ohio State this fall."
In what capacity—as a quarterback or otherwise—remains to be seen. Ohio State's quarterback battle will pick up steam in preseason camp. At that point, we should get a better idea of how the depth chart will shake out.
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
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