College Football 2011: 10 Players Set For Breakout Seasons
With the 2010 draft class set, it's time to look ahead to next year's stars in college football.
While big names like Andrew Luck and LaMichael James will return, some less-heralded players will also step into the spotlight next season.
Here are 10 players in a position to make a name for themselves in 2011.
10. Greg Reid, CB, Florida State
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Last year’s FSU team rose and fell with the fortunes of a young defense. With a year of experience (nine starters return) and a strong showing in the Outback Bowl against South Carolina, the Seminoles’ D should be a strength next year, and rising junior Reid will be one of the leaders.
Reid forced two fumbles against the Gamecocks, showing the kind of nose for the football that could make him a standout in the 2011 ACC.
9. Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
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After earning Big 10 Freshman of the Year honors in 2009, Borland lost his 2010 season to a shoulder injury.
As the Badgers’ defense looks for a leader to replace NFL-bound J.J. Watt, Borland is a likely candidate to fill the void. Expect plenty of big plays from a linebacker who had five sacks and three forced fumbles as a freshman.
8. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
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The graduation of star running back Noel Devine leaves the West Virginia offense entirely in Smith’s hands.
With seven other starters returning, Smith will have some weapons around him. Perhaps most importantly, the Mountaineers bring in Dana Holgorsen, formerly offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, to spark their own offense. Given the numbers Brandon Weeden put up in Holgorsen’s system, that addition can only be good news for Smith.
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7. Silas Redd, RB, Penn State
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With the Nittany Lions’ all-time leading rusher, Evan Royster, having graduated, Redd will be handed the keys to Joe Paterno’s perennially run-oriented offense.
Serious uncertainty at the QB spot means Redd will be even more critical to PSU’s success, while the return of as many as seven offensive starters will help ease his transition to being the main man in Happy Valley. Expect Redd to join the long line of standout Nittany Lion runners this season.
6. Ryan Katz, QB, Oregon State
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With Jacquizz Rodgers having declared for the NFL draft, the Beavers offense will rest squarely on the shoulders of their rising junior QB next season.
The strong-armed Katz will have something even better than a year of starting experience on his side, as standout WR James Rodgers will be back for an additional year after the NCAA extended his eligibility due to his season-ending knee injury last October.
With the potential Katz showed in his first year as starter, don’t be surprised to see big offensive numbers coming out of Corvallis again next season.
5. Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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With five starters leaving from last year’s defense, the Gators will lean on Jenkins, who will be a four-year starter, to provide leadership for their 2011 squad.
Jenkins, one of the few returning Gators with a championship ring, earned all-SEC honors last season, and he’s a good bet to be one of the top defensive backs in the country for 2011.
4. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
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Not many outside College Station would’ve predicted the strong showing Texas A&M put up last season, going 9-4 with wins over Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
And all of that with Tannehill, a converted WR, playing his first season as the starting QB.
Now that Tannehill has a year of experience in his current job, he’s only going to get better, and with all-conference halfback Cyrus Gray behind him, he won’t be under pressure to win games by himself. Expect Tannehill to put up major improvements on his 1638 yards and 13 TDs from a season ago.
3. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
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With Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram and Julio Jones all moving on, the Crimson Tide offense needs an identity as it begins the 2011 season.
Granted that Richardson already had some star buzz of his own last season, but he racked up “only” 700 rushing yards a year ago while splitting carries with the reigning Heisman winner. Now that he’s the focal point of a perennially-strong running game with four returning starters on the O-line, expect Richardson to really come into his own in 2011.
2. Chris Owusu, WR, Stanford
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With the mass graduation of most of Stanford’s high-powered offense, Owusu will be the leading receiver coming back for next year.
Of course, one player not leaving is presumptive Heisman favorite Andrew Luck, who will need someone to throw the ball to next season. With much of the offense in flux, expect the veteran Owusu to put up big numbers as a key contributor to Luck’s Heisman campaign.
1. Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
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Wilson showed tremendous poise in replacing Ryan Mallett when the Razorbacks’ star went down with a concussion against Auburn.
Now that Mallett is NFL-bound, rising junior Wilson is the heir apparent in Fayetteville, and it’s never a good idea to bet against a Bobby Petrino offense.
Even better for Wilson, he has every one of Mallett’s wide receivers coming back, and that experience should provide a serious safety net for a first-time starter.
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