College Football Offensive Players Who Will Break Out in 2025
Every college football roster has to replace talent in the offseason, but the departure of a top offensive performer often hits the hardest.
After all, those players tend to score the most touchdowns and generate the most highlight-reel moments. Skill-position guys get the glory—and a box score largely can measure their impact.
As they leave, however, a wave of breakout stars is arriving.
The following choices are subjective, but they're based on a player's expected role in 2025. None of these players have had a significant final stat line in any season.
Our list of defensive breakouts is available here.
First, Some Familiar QBs
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Do these guys actually count? I wrestled with that question for DJ Lagway (Florida) and Arch Manning (Texas).
In my estimation, yes. However, they're also very familiar names.
Lagway started seven games of the 2024 season at UF. Meanwhile, Manning made his much-anticipated starting debut for the Horns when an injury briefly sidelined Quinn Ewers.
Lagway finished just shy of 2,000 passing yards with 12 touchdowns, so it's fair to say doubling those totals would qualify as a breakout year for him.
Meanwhile, Manning is incredibly popular yet only has a pair of starts at Texas. He's both a breakout candidate and happens to be the early Heisman Trophy favorite.
Dante Moore (Oregon) fits in this category as well, given his shared time as UCLA's signal-caller in 2023.
Second, More QBs
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Consider this a rapid-fire situation, because we could probably spend a full day on these quarterbacks.
The marquee names are likely familiar, though they are limited in college experience.
Gunner Stockton (Georgia) played in the SEC Championship Game and started the Sugar Bowl but otherwise served as a seldom-used backup. Julian Sayin (Ohio State) attempted only 12 passes in four appearances for the national champions.
Additionally, there a bunch of new potential starters to watch. That group of non-true freshmen includes, among others: Ty Simpson (Alabama), Beau Pribula (Missouri), Austin Simmons (Ole Miss), Rickie Collins (Syracuse), Tayven Jackson (UCF) and Nicco Marchiol (West Virginia).
The winner of Notre Dame's competition between CJ Carr and Steve Angeli can be included, too.
Sire Gaines, RB, Boise State
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You want a bold prediction? How about Boise State featuring a pair of 1,000-yard rushers next season.
Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod is a versatile back who racked up 1,226 yards from scrimmage. He should be a critical piece for the Broncos' Ashton Jeanty-less offense in 2025.
Sire Gaines must not be overlooked, though.
As a true freshman, he piled up 200 yards from scrimmage on only 23 touches in three games. An ankle injury ended his season—and certainly played a role in Boise's reliance on Jeanty, who assembled a stellar year as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Given the program's recent success with Jeanty and George Holani both handling key roles, Gaines has immense potential even in a split-rep situation with Sherrod.
Jordan Marshall, RB, Michigan
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Jordan Marshall similarly,has a talented new teammate via transfer but remains an intriguing player.
Michigan landed Justice Haynes from Alabama, where he scampered for 448 yards and seven scores on 79 carries last season. However, there will be plenty of carries on this run-first offense because Michigan is replacing both Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards.
Marshall headed into the offseason on a high note after landing his first significant action in the ReliaQuest Bowl. He notched 100 yards on 23 attempts in that upset of Alabama. The freshman otherwise made a splash with a 63-yard kickoff return when the Wolverines routed Northwestern in November.
As the Maize and Blue aim to build on late marquee wins over Ohio State and Bama, Marshall should be an integral piece.
Luke Reynolds, TE, Penn State
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Who's next at the Penn State Tight End Factory?
The early expectation is Luke Reynolds, a top signing in the class of 2024. He spent his first year on the Nittany Lions as a third-stringer behind All-American star Tyler Warren and Khalil Dinkins, managing nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Dinkins is back, but Penn State mostly used him in blocking situations. There's an evident path to a major role.
In addition, the Nittany Lions are relatively thin at receiver after Harrison Wallace III transferred to Ole Miss. Reynolds could rapidly become a main target for Drew Allar next season.
LJ Johnson Jr., RB, SMU
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Back in the 2021 cycle, LJ Johnson Jr. earned a top-50 national ranking and enrolled at Texas A&M with a dream of becoming the next standout runner for the Aggies.
That vision didn't come to fruition in College Station, but perhaps he'll make it happen in Dallas.
SMU, the breakout ACC runner-up in 2024, needs to replace Brashard Smith, a converted wide receiver who rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Johnson, meanwhile, posted 303 yards and five scores in his backup role.
Since the Mustangs return QB Kevin Jennings and an experienced offensive line, expectations remain high for the backfield.
Pending the health of Jaylan Knighton and Camar Wheaton after their 2024 injuries, Johnson may have a prime opportunity to command a featured role in his final college season.
Mike Matthews, WR, Tennessee
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Nico Iamaleava is set to return, but a new cast of receivers will surround Tennessee's young quarterback.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Bry McCoy exhausted their eligibility, as did tight end Miles Kitselman. Squirrel White transferred to Florida State, making Chris Brazzell II the only 300-yard target to remain on the Vols' roster in 2025.
This should be Mike Matthews' time to shine.
A 5-star signing in the 2024 cycle, he made seven catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns last season. Matthews had indicated he would transfer but instead chose to stick with UT.
Matthews is likely to earn a starting role in the revamped unit and could become the No. 1 option for Iamaleava.
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