College Football Predictions: 10 Rising Stars You Will Get to Know In September
National Signing Day has come and gone. It is now time to start looking ahead at the 2011 college football season.
Every year there are a few players that surprise people and end up carrying their team. In 2010 we saw guys like Cam Newton, Denard Robinson, Alshon Jeffery, and Justin Blackmon come out of no where and dominate their team.
These guys had a great impact on their team and those still in college will continue to do the same in 2011. Who will be some of the players to step up big time for their squad next season?
Here are 10 guys you should pay attention to now so they won't surprise you come September.
10. Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
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Mettenberger used to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was kicked off the team so he transferred to Butler Community College in Kansas. Les Miles and LSU liked what they saw from the 6'5" quarterback and offered him a scholarship.
Mettenberger will enter the Tigers team looking to take over the starting role. There's a very strong chance he could earn that spot. Jordan Jefferson had a terrible Junior season passing wise. He only threw seven touchdowns and just over 1,400 yards. Jefferson managed to throw for over 100 yards in only six games.
Mettenberger is the ideal candidate to run the offense for LSU. If Jefferson slips up at all this summer look for Mettenberger to take over the starting role.
9. Roy Roundtree, WR, Michigan
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Roundtree led the Wolverines with 72 receptions for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. 246 of those yards came in one game against Illinois. Next season will be even better for Roundtree.
Roundtree will greatly benefit from the hire of Brady Hoke. Denard Robinson won't be running the ball next season as much as he did in 2010, and he will improve on his passing game during the offseason. Therefore Roundtree's numbers will improve.
The speedy Roundtree was very clutch for Michigan in 2010. Expect the same thing in 2011 from this talented receiver.
8. Roy Finch, RB, Oklahoma
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With the departure of DeMarco Murray, Finch is now the starting tailback for the Oklahoma Sooners. Finch rushed 85 times for a total of 398 yards and two touchdowns.
The Sooners offense thrives on running the ball. DeMarco Murray ran the ball 282 times. Expect Finch to get the bulk of the carries in 2011. He's listed at 5'8" 180 pounds but has the entire offseason to gain some much needed weight.
This speedy back will split carries with Brennan Clay who was an ESPNU Top 150 recruit a year ago. Clay was injured in the game against Florida State which allowed Finch to earn the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. I believe Finch controls his own destiny here. Do well in the offseason and the starting role should be his.
The Sooners will definitely let both guys have a chance at the job. The one that steps up and makes the big play will be the main back in 2011.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
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Wilson earned some valuable playing time in 2010 when Ryan Mallett left the Auburn game with an injury. Wilson threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns and he didn't play the full game.
It was clear Wilson still needed work, Bobby Petrino was able to sleep well at night knowing that in 2011 he was going to have a good quarterback.
Wilson is surrounded by talent. He has Knile Davis to hand the ball off to. Wilson also has Greg Childs, Joe Adams, and Jarius Wright to throw the ball too. All Wilson has to do is make smart decisions, pray his defense gets better, and the Razorbacks will have a good season in 2011.
6. Silas Redd, RB, Penn State
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The Nittany Lions like to run the ball. With Evan Royster gone it's up to Silas Redd to lead the way for Penn State.
Redd carried the ball 77 times last season and ran for 437 yards and two touchdowns. Royster carried the ball over 200 times. Redd will be seeing most of the work in 2011.
The 5'10" 200 pound running back average 5.7 yards a carry his freshman year.
5. Jeffrey Godfrey, QB, UCF
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Godfrey had an outstanding freshman season. He threw for over 2,100 yards and had a total of 22 touchdowns.
He lead the UCF Knights to a Conference USA Championship win over Southern Methodist. Then a few weeks later he helped the Knights beat the Georgia Bulldogs in the Auto-Zone Liberty Bowl.
Godfrey's top two running backs will both be back. Ronnie Weaver and Latavius Murray accounted for a total of 23 touchdowns. They will help Godfrey and the Knights try to repeat as Conference USA champs in 2011.
4. Onterio McCalebb, RB, Auburn
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McCalebb split time with freshman sensation Michael Dyer in 2010. Dyer got the bulk of the carries as he emerged as true force at running back. The two will be splitting carries once again in 2011.
However this time around McCalebb won't have to split carries with Cam Newton as well. McCalebb and Dyer are the next great duo of backs in Auburn history. McCalebb carried the ball 95 times for 810 yards and nine touchdowns.
2011 will be a great year for McCalebb. Auburn faces a big question mark at quarterback and they will need McCalebb and Dyer to carry the team.
3. Marcus Coker, RB, Iowa
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Coker split time with Adam Robinson in 2010. Robinson was the starter and lead the team in rushing.
However, Robinson was suspended before the Hawkeyes bowl game and Coker took over. A few days later Iowa dismissed Robinson from the team after he was arrested for marijuana.
Coker dominated the bowl game running for two touchdowns and over 200 yards. Robinson is pleading for a second chance to rejoin the team. Even if it's granted Coker will still be the starter.
The six foot 230 pound tailback will blow up in 2011. Look out for Coker because he's going to have a stellar year. Those Big 10 teams love to run the ball, and Coker excels at that.
2. E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
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E.J. Manuel benefited a great deal from the Christian Ponder injuries. He earned valuable playing time, and his experience will help him in 2011.
Manuel's best game came in the 2010 ACC Championship game against Virginia Tech. He threw for 288 yards and one touchdown. Manuel still has much learn, and he must protect the ball a lot better in 2011.
He has great size and athletic ability that will come in handy this fall. His quickness and mobility make him very dangerous at his position. Many believe Florida State will be in contention for the title in 2011. That all depends on how well Manuel plays.
We'll know what he's made of after Week three when the Seminoles host Oklahoma.
1. Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia
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Crowell was the No. 1 running back in the 2011 recruit class. He was the key member in the Georgia Bulldogs "Dream Team" pitch. They got their man and Crowell made headlines with his announcement, he brought out a live bulldog puppy after he chose Georgia.
Mark Richt knows Crowell is a special player. He promised the kid early playing time and with the suspension of Washaun Ealey Crowell will definitely see the field in week one.
The Bulldog Nation is hoping Crowell can save their team. Georgia finished at 6-7 last season. It was their first losing season since 1996. Crowell will step in right away and contribute for the Bulldogs. Georgia is hoping this kid can do what Marcus Lattimore did for South Carolina in 2010.
Crowell is built very well to play the tailback position in the SEC. He'll get the ball in the season opener against Boise State, and if he doesn't do much the Bulldogs could be in for a long season. But that won't happen because this kid is the real deal.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
