College Football Championship 2016: Top Breakout Stars from Alabama vs. Clemson

There are three aspects to a football game: offense, defense and special teams. For as much attention as the first two receive, it can often be special teams that turns the outcome of a game one way or another.

Despite there being so many superstars and so much talent on the field in Glendale, Arizona, Monday, it was the special teams that made the difference for Alabama, as the Crimson Tide claimed yet another title and extended their dynasty another season.

It wasn’t all about the specialists, though, with the superstars carrying both teams throughout the game and setting up the thrilling finale. Alabama running back Derrick Henry was a beast on the ground throughout, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson put on his best Vince Young impression in the first half and even injured Tigers defender Shaq Lawson stepped up in a big way.

But while the headliners will, well, dominate the headlines in the morning, they weren’t the only players who stepped up, with both teams getting performances from a few less heralded players that kept them in the game.

The casual fan likely didn’t know who some of these players were before the game, but afterward, it is hard to ignore the presence of some of the breakout stars from last night's title game.

Top Breakout Stars

Clemson WR Hunter Renfrow

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

For everything Watson did to carry Clemson in the first half when seemingly nothing else was working, he had to have someone to throw the ball to, or else all of his scrambling would have been for naught. That's where Hunter Renfrow comes in.

Heading into the game, Renfrow, a redshirt freshman wide receiver, was fifth on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, but Monday night fans would have been excused for thinking he was the team’s No. 1 target.

Despite only recording three touchdowns in the first 13 games of the year, Renfrow was on the receiving end of two scores in the opening quarter Monday that saw Clemson take an early lead against Alabama.

Even when Deon Cain returns to the team next season and forces Renfrow back down the depth chart, it is hard to imagine the young receiver disappearing completely. With Charone Peake gone, Renfrow should still have a big role for the Tigers next season even if it is as a second or third receiver.

Clemson DE Kevin Dodd

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Perhaps it is a little unfair to call Kevin Dodd a breakout star after the regular season he had, but if fans didn’t know who he was before Monday night, they absolutely do now.

Overshadowed throughout his career by the likes of Vic Beasley and Shaq Lawson, Dodd continued to grow until he jumped into the starting lineup this season and established himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the country.

Recording nine sacks this season—good for second-best on the team behind Lawson—Dodd was a force for most of the year, but showed off his abilities to the fullest against Alabama. Finishing the game with three sacks, Dodd outplayed Lawson and was the most dominate defensive player on the field for either team.

If he elects to return for the 2016 season, Dodd will be looked at to continue the legacy of great defensive ends at Clemson after Lawson departs for the NFL.

Alabama TE O.J. Howard

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Here’s the thing, if you have watched Alabama at any point over the last couple of seasons, you know exactly who O.J. Howard is. Since his freshman year, the tight end has been touted as one of the most talented players in the country at his position, but he has never quite reached that potential—that is until Monday.

As Alabama looked for offensive balance—only offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin knows why you would when Derrick Henry is capable of running the ball 40 times—the typical course of action would be to call on No. 1 wideout Calvin Ridley. But in the title game it was Howard who stepped up, and he did so in a huge way.

Finishing the game with 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns that both gave Alabama the lead, Howard showed why Crimson Tide fans have been so excited for him to break out over the past few seasons.

Whether or not Alabama was the right fit for him to put up big numbers at tight end, Howard has established himself as one of the best in the country and provides an interesting prospect for NFL scouts.