College Football 2011: The Top 25 Breakout Players for the 2011 Season
Although Jim Tressel and Ohio State are on the tip of everybody’s tongue at the moment, it’s time to shed some positive light on college football.
With many of college football’s elite heading to the NFL, it’s time we take a look ahead to the next crop of elite talent in our great nation.
It’s tough to pinpoint just 25 breakout players when it seems like 100 players could make the list.
Some of the already proven stars like Andrew Luck, Michael Floyd, Justin Blackmon, LaMichael James, Kellen Moore and Ryan Broyles could actually dazzle us more in 2011. Right now, we’re looking for the players on the verge of standing next to them at the top.
These 25 supreme athletes could be the next big names to become staples in 2011 college football discussions and highlights.
Honorable Mention: Silas Redd, Penn State Nittany Lions RB
1 of 26
Evan Royster graduated so the backfield is now open for Redd to dominate.
The Penn State offense has major issues, but the offensive line is still solid. They’ll make room for Redd to do damage. Now that he’ll be the featured back, he’s ready to make a name for himself.
In 2010, Redd averaged 5.7 yards per carry as he ran for 437 yards and two touchdowns on just 77 attempts.
25. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas Razorbacks QB
2 of 26
Ryan Mallett will be on an NFL sideline in 2011 while Tyler Wilson will fill the void he left at Arkansas.
Wilson showed poise in limited action thus far in his career, but he has the tools necessary to succeed in the spotlight.
He played big minutes in the big game against Auburn last season and threw four touchdowns, two interceptions and 332 yards. He’ll be expected to excel after that type of performance.
The Razorbacks return an experienced offense, which will prove instrumental in his rapid rise to the top of college football.
24. Tank Carder, TCU Horned Frogs LB
3 of 26
Tank Carder is an animal, and people will hear even more of him in 2011.
Carder leads one of the better defenses in college football and will help the Horned Frogs to a third straight undefeated season.
Carder will prove to be one of the best linebackers in the nation and a sure-fire first-round draft pick in 2012.
In the past two seasons, he recorded 150 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and a touchdown.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
23. Jeff Demps, Florida Gators RB
4 of 26
As the Gators look to rebound and prevent themselves from falling out of the top 25, potential superstar Jeff Demps is going to be relied upon to spark the team.
He is easily one of the fastest and most dynamic playmakers in the entire nation. His speed is uncanny and not a single defender will want to see him in the open field. Actually, they just might, because they'll know in advance to just take a breather since there's no way they'll catch him.
On 99 carries, he scored seven touchdowns and ran for 745 yards. Expect him to receive more carries as he continues to progress as a man and is more experienced in 2011.
22. Janoris Jenkins, Florida Gators CB
5 of 26
Jenkins surprised many by staying in college instead of going to the NFL, where he was projected as a sure-thing first rounder.
It won’t surprise many after he dominates college football and proves to be the best corner back hands down in the nation.
This time next year, we’re going to be talking about how complete of a corner he is and how he’s going to be the No. 1 corner selected in the 2012 NFL draft.
21. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M Aggies RB
6 of 26
Cyrus Gray is ready to prove to the nation that he is a complete running back. He is an experienced player returning for his senior season. He has very good speed and even better power with his bruising frame.
He will be a focal point of the offense after receiving 200 carries last season, which he took for 1,133 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His most impressive performance was against Texas last year when he ran for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Expect to see him running over quite a few wannabe tacklers next year.
20. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State Spartans QB
7 of 26
I’m a firm believer in Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State Spartans not just maintaining their 2010 success but improving on it.
The one man who will lead the team is not running back Edwin Baker but quarterback Kirk Cousins. He will attempt to prove that he is one of the best signal-callers in the nation and a potential first-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Last year, he threw for 2,825 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Now that he is more comfortable, he will be let loose next season and will improve in all three statistical categories as the Spartans find even more success in 2011.
19. Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears QB
8 of 26
Griffin III is one of the finest athletes in all of college football and one of the least talked about for that matter.
I fully expect him to make a ton of headlines. He could very well be next year’s Cam Newton and give anybody in the nation a run for their money for the Heisman trophy. He’s that gifted with his size, strength, speed and now experience.
He bounced back from injury in a big way last season. He threw for 3,501 yards, 22 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Those are already fantastic numbers. Have fun picking your jaw up off the floor next season.
18. Chris Polk, Washington Huskies RB
9 of 26
Star quarterback Jake Locker will be in the NFL, probably on a team’s bench if I had to guess, in 2011.
That means the entire offense is all for Chris Polk. He’s going to show that he didn’t succeed because of Locker’s presence but because of his great talent. Polk has fantastic ability and will be on full display in 2011.
The junior is all set to explode next season. He received a whopping 260 carries last season for 1,415 yards and nine touchdowns.
I fully expect all of these totals to increase as he proves to be one of the best running backs for the class of 2012.
17. Bruce Irvin, West Virginia Mountaineers DE
10 of 26
Irvin is ready to prove to the world that he is an absolute beast.
Already one of the least talked about defensive ends in the nation, he has the physical abilities to become one of the top ends in all of college football.
He recorded 14 sacks last year for a very good West Virginia defense. He’s will be the cornerstone of the defense and will certainly match last year’s sack total.
He has immense talent, and it will be on full display for everybody to see next season.
16. Geno Smith, West Virginia Mountaineers QB
11 of 26
Smith had a great season last year and will now be the focal point for the offense in his junior season with star running back Noel Devine in the NFL.
Now that he is comfortable with more experience in the offense, Smith could put up monster numbers.
He already showed excellent promise to do so last year as he threw for 2,763 yards, 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
He recently had offseason surgery on his foot but will be fully healthy and prepared for opening kickoff.
15. Brandon Jenkins, Florida State Seminoles DE
12 of 26
Jenkins is one of the leaders for this Seminoles defense and will look to make sure everyone knows he’s not just one of the top defensive ends in the nation but one of the best players in the nation. Period.
Last year, he had 56 tackles, one forced fumble and a whopping 14 sacks. He had five two-sack performances last season. He also closed out the season recording a sack in the Chick-fil-A Bowl victory over South Carolina.
Returning for his junior season, watch him explode on the opposition and simply dominate in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
14. E.J. Manuel, Florida State Seminoles QB
13 of 26
It’s okay if you haven’t heard the name yet because you’ll be hearing it aplenty in 2011.
Christian Ponder is off to the NFL, leaving the reigns for the Seminoles offense in the hands of E.J. Manuel.
Manuel did a great job relieving Ponder in the last two games of the 2010 season.
Although the team lost against Virginia Tech in the regular season finale, he completed 23-of-31 attempted passes (74.2 completion percentage) for 288 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
In the Chick-fil-A Bowl victory over South Carolina, he completed 11-of-18 attempted passes (73.3 complete percentage) with one touchdown and 49 yards rushing.
Expect him to remain an efficient and effective passer and runner in 2011 and the remainder of his college career.
13. Roy Finch, Oklahoma Sooners RB
14 of 26
Watch out for Roy Finch next season.
Now that DeMarco Murray is in the NFL as an effective third down back, he is ready to prove that he has the talents to take over for the Sooners.
The sophomore had an effective debut season in 2010. On just 85 attempts, he ran for 398 yards and two touchdowns.
I expect Oklahoma to be the No. 2 team next season. Defenses will focus on Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles, allowing Finch to do a ton of damage as he receives less defensive attention.
12. Matt Barkley, USC Trojans QB
15 of 26
Barkley is set to emerge as one of the more prolific passers in the nation and restore respectability back to USC.
In each of the past two seasons, he threw for over 2,700 yards. He showed vast improvement though in 2010 from 2009, throwing 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a sophomore compared to 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as a freshman.
He had seven multi-touchdown performances last year, including two five-touchdown games.
I fully expect Barkley to dominate, throw for at least 3,000 yards, 30 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions.
11. Robert Woods, USC Trojans WR
16 of 26
Matt Barkley is expected to emerge as a top quarterback in 2011.
That means somebody has to catch a majority of his passes.
That man will be none other than Robert Woods.
He was excellent as a freshman in 2010 and should emerge as one of the best receivers in the nation as a sophomore.
He has incredible foot work, vision, ball skills and soft hands. He caught 65 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns. Remember, he’s only going to be a sophomore…
10. Chris Owusu, Stanford Cardinal WR
17 of 26
Andrew Luck stayed at Stanford in hopes of winning a BCS National Championship and Heisman trophy. He may just be the best player in college football and would have been the consensus No. 1 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft.
If Luck is that good, then somebody needs to help him accumulate the statistics. His primary receiver will be Chris Owusu.
Owusu is returning for his senior campaign with Luck, and the potential Heisman honoree quarterback will take him on a great journey in 2011.
9. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State Aztecs RB
18 of 26
Hillman was one of the best running backs in the nation last year yet was rarely talked about. He proved in 2010 that he is truly a complete running back and will do so once again and finally receive the recognition he deserves.
He uses his size to get lost behind the offensive line before dashing forward with blazing speed. He was a pure workhorse for the Aztecs and will carry the entire load once again.
He ran for almost six yards per carry, gaining 1,532 yards on 262 and also scored 17 touchdowns.
8. Dont’a Hightower, Alabama Crimson Tide LB
19 of 26
Hightower will show everyone that he is the consensus top linebacker in the nation and possibly even the best defender in all of college football.
He will lead the Alabama defense to a possible BCS Championship but will surely have the Crimson Tide one of the top defenses in college football.
I mean, would you want to be hit by this man? Look at him. He’s a 6’4", 260-pound man beast. The defensive leader for Alabama is one of the surest players in the nation.
7. Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide RB
20 of 26
The top offensive talent in for the Crimson Tide bolted to the NFL. That means the entire offense will run through Trent Richardson, who will blow up in 2011 running behind a great offensive line.
He will finally be able to step out of Mark Ingram’s shadow and attempt to win Alabama another Heisman. He has excellent vision but even better speed and agility to evade would be tacklers.
In 2010, he ran for 700 yards and six touchdowns on just 112 carries behind star Ingram. His 6.3 yards per carry was tied for No. 13 in the entire country.
He’ll carry Alabama to the top as a possible No. 2 or No. 3 team in the nation.
6. Marcus Coker, Iowa Hawkeyes RB
21 of 26
It’s going to be really exciting watching Marcus Coker impose his will on defenders in 2011. Adam Robinson is gone, which means the entire backfield is all for Coker.
He is a perfect fit for this tough-nosed Hawkeyes team. They will rely on him to shoulder the load and carry Iowa through the Big Ten Conference. The rest of the Big Ten will not be happy trying to contend with this superstar in the making.
Coker dominated Missouri at the Insight Bowl in 2010. He ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He has every tool necessary to be one of the best backs in the nation.
5. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina Gamecocks WR
22 of 26
Jeffery was remarkable last season for South Carolina. Now as a junior, he may just emerge as the very best wide receiver in the nation, rivaling Justin Blackmon, Ryan Broyles and Michael Flloyd.
The entire South Carolina offense is set to explode and Jeffery is one-third of the reasons why.
Last year, he posted eight games with at least 100 receiving yards. He caught at least five passes in 12 games. He caught nine passes in two games, including the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
As a sophomore, Jeffery totaled 88 passes for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns. He is going to be mighty dangerous as a junior in 2011.
4. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Gamecocks RB
23 of 26
The freshman exploded onto the scene, but I still don’t think people are giving him enough credit. After next season, they’ll be forced to.
Marcus Lattimore will prove that he is the very best running back in the entire nation. He is a potential Heisman candidate heading into 2011.
He will be the focal point for this South Carolina offense and open everything up for the rest of the team.
He ran for just shy of 1,200 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on the ground last year. He has amazing vision, speed, balance and foot work and could very well be the most talked about player in 2011.
3. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina Gamecocks QB
24 of 26
We just ran down the two best skill players on the South Carolina offense. It’s now time for the signal-caller.
Stephen Garcia will be the one making sure everything runs smoothly, and with Lattimore and Jeffery as his supporting cast, what could possibly go wrong in 2011!?
He will finally become the consistently great quarterback Steve Spurrier envisioned for him all along.
He has improved steadily each of the past two seasons. He threw for 3,059 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2010 compared to 2,862 yards, 17 touchdowns 10 interceptions in 2009. Even more impressive was the jump from 55.3 to 64.2 completion percentage.
Expect him to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the as the quarterback for one of the most prolific offenses in college football this year.
2. Michael Dyer, Auburn Tigers RB
25 of 26
You saw him dominate at times last year, but he was on full display in the BCS National Championship game. His balance act was the highlight of the game in which he ran for 143 yards.
Now that superstar Heisman winning quarterback Cam Newton is in the NFL, Michael Dyer will be expected to carry not just the load, but the entire team on his shoulders, as they look to repeat as National Champions.
Dyer has unbelievable talent as he ran for 1,093 yards on 182 attempts (six yards per carry) and five touchdowns during the season.
1. Aaron Murray, Georgia Bulldogs QB
26 of 26
Take away the AutoZone Liberty Bowl performance and Aaron Murray put together a magnificent freshman season.
It’s hard to even imagine such an incredible season for a first-year quarterback in the best conference in all of college football.
In six games last year, he threw for three touchdowns. He threw three touchdowns in each of the last four regular season games. He threw zero interceptions in the final three games.
He threw for 3,049 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He will once again dominate and emerge as arguably the best quarterback in the nation as a sophomore.
It’s scary to think how much he will improve after gaining a full season of experience as the Georgia starting signal-caller.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
