College Football 2011: 10 Breakout Stars You Need to Know About
In 2010, Cam Newton went from "the guy who stole the computer" to the most dominant player in college football, the Heisman Trophy winner, and "the guy who held up the Big Shiny Football" at the end of the season.
One of the glories of college football is that, every year, players will burst onto the national scene and make a name for themselves and their schools.
So who will it be in 2011? Get your college fantasy cheat sheets ready, because here are some breakout candidates you should be keeping an eye on.
10. Eric Page (WR/KR, Toledo)
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Page was ranked 22nd overall in receiving last year, gaining 1,105 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. He was also Phil Steele's 2010 first-team All-American kick returner. His speed and elusiveness, particularly with the number of touches he should get and the competition level he will face, should set Page up for a monster season.
Photo originally located here.
9. Luke Kuechly (LB, Boston College)
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Prior to the unfortunately named Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, Kuechly racked up 171 tackles for the Eagles, the second-highest tally in ACC history. With a strong team returning and another year of experience, Kuechly will be in the mix for best defensive player of the year.
Photo original can be found here.
8. Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State)
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It might be hard to think of a guy that made Mel Kiper's "Big Board" as a breakout candidate, but remember that Blackmon missed a game in 2010 due to an arrest and still led the nation in receiving.
His quarterback, Brandon Weeden, is returning to Stillwater as well, and he's still playing in Mike Gundy's high-octane offense. There's every reason to believe that Blackmon's stellar season in 2010 could be bettered in 2011.
Photo originally found here.
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7. Jamal Turner (WR/KR, Nebraska)
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Bo Pelini was brought to Lincoln to fix Nebraska's Blackshirts defense. In three seasons, he's definitely accomplished that goal. Now, with a new offensive coordinator, his goal is to improve Nebraska's anemic offense.
Freshman phenom Jamal Turner, originally recruited as a quarterback, has been moved to wide receiver and kick returner. With his skills, and Nebraska's lack of speed returning from last year, expect to see a lot of Turner.
Photo originally located here.
6. Lance Dunbar (RB, North Texas)
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Last year, Dunbar logged 1,553 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Mean Green, good enough for sixth overall nationwide in rushing. With another year of experience under his belt, expect bigger numbers from Dunbar in 2011.
Photo originally located here.
5. Robert Griffin III (QB, Baylor)
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If Griffin were playing in Gainesville, or Ann Arbor, or Austin, his face would be on the cover of magazines nationwide. As it is, he's plying his trade in Waco, but has electric footspeed and made dramatic improvements in his throwing and decision-making from 2009 to 2010.
With improved weapons around him and another year of maturity, Griffin could lead one of the shock performances of 2011.
4. Marcus Coker (RB, Iowa)
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The Hawkeyes were hit hard by graduation going into 2011, but Coker gave the faithful in Iowa City something to be excited about in Iowa's Insight Bowl win over Missouri. Coker ran for 219 yards, and almost single-handedly won Iowa the game.
With few returning starters at skill positions on offense, and given Kirk Ferentz's run-first preference, look for Coker to lead the Hawkeyes to a bounce-back season in 2011.
3. Nathan Sheelhaase (QB, Illinois)
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Scheelhaase came on towards the end of 2010 as a dual-threat option for the Illini, and still ended up with 1,825 yards passing and 17 touchdowns through the air.
With running back Mikel Leshoure entering the NFL draft, the Illinois offense will now run through Scheelhaase, giving him an opportunity to put up much bigger numbers than 2010.
2. Rodney Stewart (RB, Colorado)
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Even for a Colorado squad that faded in 2010 under Dan Hawkins, Stewart was 12th in the country in rushing, putting up 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.
With a new coach, in a new conference (and without the head coach's son under center), look for Stewart to lead the Buffaloes to a resurgence in the Pac-12.
1. Matt Barkley (QB, USC)
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Hey, remember that team from Los Angeles? You know, the one swimming in talent and contending for national titles year after year? Well, the Trojans had a tough fall last year, breaking in a new coach and dealing with the effects of the NCAA's probation.
But Barkley returns as the incumbent starter, and the new USC staff had now had a year to get their systems and plans into place. The talent level is still there and, even if USC's probation remains in place, look for Barkley to pick up the slack and lead USC to challenge for the first Pac-12 title.
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