College Football 2011: 18 Sophomores Ready To Explode

As freshmen, these guys were good.

As sophomores, they will be better.

This is a list of the sophomores who you may not have heard about, who are ready for a breakout season.

You won't find guys that were hyped all over the place on this list, so no Michael Dyer, Marcus Lattimore, James White, Edwin Baker or Robert Woods will be found here.

A certain Nebraska quarterback is the exception to that rule.

The players on the list didn't get all the press that those guys did but are poised for great seasons nonetheless.

They may not receive the same amount of hype or mention in preseason publications, but they are worth checking out...

18. Demonte McAllister, DT: Florida State

One might think Xavier Rhodes would get the nod here, but he seems to have already come into his own.

McAllister, a 6'2" beast from Tampa, played in just seven games last season, registering 16 tackles and three sacks.

While those numbers are not overwhelming, the raw potential was obviously there, and with all the talent the 'Noles have along the defensive line, he will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself against one-on-one blocking throughout the season.

His ability to clog the interior should free up Nigel Bradham and the rest of the FSU linebackers to wreak havoc.

17. Nathan Scheelhaase, QB: Illinois

What a name...Scheelhaase.

He managed to score 22 total touchdowns in 2010, and teams in the Big Ten need to start game planning for this kid.

In Paul Petrino's offense, he is an extremely dangerous weapon, with the ability to hurt you with his legs as well as his arm.

He continued to improve his passing in spring practice and should he progress further heading into the season, he will have the Illini in the thick of the Big Ten race.

16. Josh Boyce, WR: TCU

Casey Pachall has a big job cut out for him replacing Andy Dalton's production for the Frogs.

Weapons like Josh Boyce will make it easier for him.

Boyce, while not exactly the tallest guy on the field, has huge deep play ability and sure hands.

Just ask Utah.

Boyce scored from 26 and 93 yards out in the first quarter to start the route against the Utes that ended in a 47-7 drubbing.

With Jeremy Kerley gone, expect Boyce to pick up much of the slack.

15. Ricardo Allen, CB: Purdue

Allen plays a tough, physical style that fits perfectly in the Big Ten.

He showed great playmaking ability last season, returning two of his three interceptions for touchdowns.

He finished with 73 tackles last season, and that number may go up this season.

His nose for the ball and speed help him be a factor in every play, and in tandem with fellow CB Josh Johnson, he forms one of the most talented duos in the country.

If you enjoy seeing wide receivers frustrated by a physical style of play, watch Allen this fall.

14. Jackson Jeffcoat, DE: Texas

Jeffcoat, son of former NFL sack artist, Jim Jeffcoat, is going to get a shot to step up in place of one of  departed ends Sam Acho or Eddie Jones.

His speed and athleticism are scary off the edge, but he could improve his footwork.

Jeffcoat and his mates on the line must bring pressure, or the inexperienced secondary will struggle more than last season.

13. Jordan Kohout, DT: Wisconsin

The Badgers have had a history of guys stepping up on the defensive line over the past decade or so.

O'Brien Schofield and J.J. Watt were just the two most recent.

With both of those guys in the NFL now that Watt has graduated, Kohout appears to be the next in line to break through.

At 6'3", 300 pounds, he has the size and strength to plug the gap up the middle and make the pocket collapse on passing downs.

With the experience and depth of the Badger linebackers and secondary, Kohout and his fellow linemen should be extremely effective up front.

12. Prince Shembo, LB: Notre Dame

Shembo is unique among this group, in that he will not play the majority of downs the defense is on the field.

In obvious passing situations, however, he will be a nightmare from the "drop" linebacker position.

He posted nine tackles in 2010, but 4.5 of them were behind the line of scrimmage.

He will take the field mostly in obvious passing situations, but will be a huge impact player for the Irish in '11.

11. Cam Gordon, LB: Michigan

Gordon was a force in a weak Michigan defense last season, amassing 73 tackles and three interceptions.

The switch from safety, linebacker hybrid to the Sam position plays to his strengths.

Expect him to be a disruptive force in the run defense, and to produce big plays in the passing game.

10. C.J. Mosley, LB: Alabama

Mosley is going to be a huge impact player at his position.

He only started three games last season but posted 66 tackles, good enough for third on the team.

He also had two interceptions, both of them returned for touchdowns.

The depth and experience 'Bama boasts at linebacker will be bolstered by the presence of Mosley, who's size and speed allow him to drop back in coverage or fill the gap effectively.

9. Gavin Escobar, TE: San Diego State

Escobar snagged 29 passes for four touchdowns and 323 yards last season.

With SDSU's two leading receivers gone and projected starting WR, Dominique Sandifer, out for the season with injury, he is provided with an opportunity to put up big numbers.

The Aztecs are going to challenge for the MWC crown, and Escobar will be a key.

Not only is a he a solid pair of hands, but his blocking skills improved over spring practice, and he should pave the way for many long runs from star RB, Ronnie Hillman.

8. Jelani Jenkins, LB: Florida

Jenkins saw limited time before redshirting in 2009 and took advantage of his plying time last season in a big way.

He finished the season with 77 tackles and was a bright spot in the midst of a rather dismal Florida squad.

The Gators will be improved this season, and Jenkins will step up into a leadership role.

His physicality and speed are a huge plus, and he should improve in coverage this season.

Expect him to have close to the same number of tackles but more big plays such as interceptions or forced fumbles.

This guy is special.

7. Taylor Martinez, QB: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Yeah, everyone knows about Martinez.

He got a ton of hype last season after scoring eight rushing touchdowns and one through the air in the first three games of last season.

But the rest of the season was not even close to good, much less great.

He rushed for four more touchdowns against Kansas State, and those were his only rushing scores for the rest of the year.

He passsed for less than 1,700 yards and only 10 touchdowns.

A renewed focus and dedication in spring practice seemed to help his game, and if he can stay healthy, Martinez is going to make a huge leap this season, from serviceable, to All-American.

6. Kenny Stills, WR: Oklahoma

Ryan Broyles and Landry Jones get all the press, but Stills is going to break out in a big way this season.

His 2010 campaign was not that bad, as he hauled in 61 passes and scored five times.

With another year of experience, and defenses zeroed in on stopping Broyles, Stills is going to do some major damage, especially on deep routes where his speed can be used to his advantage.

5. Barkevious Mingo, DE: LSU

Mingo posted 35 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2010, and you can expect those numbers to go up in '11 as he starts to meet his potential.

His size (6'5") allowed him to be a force disrupting the passing game, with five passes batted down.

Once this guy gets his technique honed and fine tunes his pass-rushing skills, he is going to be a nightmare off the edge.

4. Jake Heaps, QB: BYU

Heaps had a solid season in his first season, throwing for over 2,300 yards and 15 touchdowns.

In his sophomore season, expect Heaps to make big strides under offensive coordinator Brandon Doman.

With practices under his belt and another offseason to gel with his playmakers, Heaps should be able to improve on his 57.2 percent completion rate.

The Cougs return almost everyone to their offense, and in their first season as an independent, with heaps back at the helm, should be expecting big things from this offense.

3. Marquess Wilson, WR: Washington State

Wilson caught 55 balls for 1,006 yards last season.

That's an average of over 18 yards per catch.

While that might seem like he already had his breakout season, there is more to come from this speedy receiver.

Quarterback Jeff Tuel should be even better than he was last season, and while the Cougs won't challenge for the Pac-12 title anytime soon, that combination will be dangerous.

2. Marcus Coker, RB: Iowa

Coker burst onto the scene in last season's Insight Bowl, rushing 33 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

With another season in the Hawkeye's strength program and a new starter at quarterback, expect Coker to get plenty of opportunities in '11.

While he does not necessarily have breakaway speed, his strength and foowork help him churn out the tough extra yards.

When he hits 1,200 yards rushing this season, don't be surprised.

1. Danny O'Brien, QB: Maryland

Randy Edsall has to be happy with the talent he inherited at Maryland, and he should be particularly excited about the opportunity to have O'Brien lead his offense this season.

O'Brien finished 2010 with four games in which he totalled three or more passing touchdowns.

He accumulated 23 total touchdowns and completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,438 yards.

With three returning starters on the offensive line and a solid run game, O'Brien is on the verge of a big year.

Watch out for the Terps in the ACC.