By: Brandon Carr
Every single college football season, there are guys that get the opportunity for more playing time when their teammates head to the NFL. These are guys who are considered potential breakout players. Guys who burst onto the scene and put themselves on the map. Today I will be looking at 5 players that I believe will have breakout seasons this upcoming season.
Spencer Rattler (QB-Oklahoma)
Spencer Rattler has a real opportunity to be a Heisman candidate next season. Rattler was a freshman last season and was the third string quarterback for the Sooners behind Jalen Hurts and Tanner Mordecai. Rattler was rated as the number one quarterback from the 2019 recruiting class due to his MVP performance at the Elite 11 tournament when he led his team to a victory at the opening. Rattler was featured in the popular Netflix series, “QB1” which showcases some of the best quarterback recruits in the country. Throughout watching the show, you can see how Rattler brings a confidence and swagger to his game. Sooners teammate Trejan Bridges had this to say about Rattler, “He definitely ain’t compared to any other quarterback, he just carries himself different. He thinks he’s the best, and he is the best.”
Head coach Lincoln Riley has made a living off of making his quarterbacks shine with his offensive system he runs at Oklahoma. Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray have won the Heisman trophy under Riley’s coaching and Jalen Hurts last season had the best statistical season of his college career under Riley. Spencer Rattler has all of the tools to succeed at the collegiate level. Rattler will have to compete with Tanner Mordecai, but Rattler’s talent will win him this job. The sophomore’s arm talent is nothing to scoff at. Rattler has been seen throwing a ball 75 yards down the field which showcases his arm talent. Rattler will be a fan favorite with his elite arm talent at the position and the confidence that he exerts is something that college fans will gravitate towards. Look for Rattler to thrive in the Oklahoma offense next season.
Zamir White (RB-Georgia)
Zamir White aka “Zeus” was a five star recruit coming out of North Carolina. White was the number one running back from the 2018 class and before he could get his freshman season started, White had torn his ACL for the second time of his career during a scrimmage which led to him redshirting his first season.
White finally got his opportunity this past season in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor. White had replaced an injured D’andre Swift and White carried the ball 18 times for 92 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Bulldogs to a 26-14 victory that day. It was the first time that we had seen White really have an opportunity to showcase his talents since his high school days. White was a monster for Scotland High School where in his four years he ran for a total of 7,169 yards along with 119 touchdowns.
White now has an opportunity to be the lead dog in the Georgia backfield with the departure of D’andre Swift. Georgia has always been a school that has produced some great running backs with the likes of Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and Todd Gurley. White has the opportunity to be next in line for the line of dominant running backs who played for Georgia. Look for White if he can remain healthy, to have a breakout season for the Bulldogs.
Zach Harrison (DE-Ohio State)
Zach Harrison has some big shoes to fill this upcoming season for the Buckeyes. Harrison was a five star recruit for the Buckeyes back in 2019. Harrison had his opportunity this past season for the Buckeyes when he stepped up for the then suspended Chase Young. Harrison had finished the season with 24 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. These numbers are eerily similar to Chase Young’s numbers his freshman season when he put up 18 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks along with a forced fumble.
Harrison now has an opportunity to build from his freshman season with more of an opportunity with Chase Young departing for the NFL. His 6 foot 6 265 pound frame along with his quickness and speed that he showcases on the football field makes him an athletic freak. Buckeyes co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison had this to say about Harrison, “You’ve got a young man that’s got great height, great range. He’s as fast as some running backs at places. He’s got great character, he works extremely hard, he’s tough, and the technique coach Johnson is working with him gets him better and better….he’s just what you thought he would be.”
Harrison is a guy who has a real opportunity to become that next great defensive lineman from Ohio State following the likes of the Bosa brothers and Chase Young. Look for him this upcoming season to make his mark and build off of his freshman season with the opportunity he has been given.
Joe Ngata (WR-Clemson)
With wide receiver Tee Higgins heading for the NFL, there leaves an open spot for that other outside receiver spot in Clemson with Justyn Ross being the team’s number one. Enter Joe Ngata. Ngata was a four star recruit out of California and was the 9th best wide receiver out of the 2019 class. Ngata was buried in the depth chart his freshman year. Ngata, with the opportunity he got, finished his freshman season with 17 catches for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
Ngata has a similar build to Tee Higgins as Ngata is a 6 foot 3 215 pound receiver who possesses the ability to be another red zone target and run after catch guy for the Tigers. Ngata will have the opportunity to take Higgins’ spot in the Tigers offense. He will have to compete with fellow soon to be sophomore Frank Ladson. I expect Ngata to win that job in camp as he is more of a physical wide receiver that fits the profile of a typical Clemson wide receiver, although both guys possess great ability.
Ngata now with the opportunity to be an everyday starter for the Tigers will now get the chance to prove that he has the capability of filling some big shoes for the Tigers. Look for Ngata to have a breakout season this year with this opportunity along with Trevor Lawrence being his quarterback to maximize his skill set.
Jerrion Ealy (RB-Ole Miss)
Jerrion Ealy was a five star recruit and the third best running back from the 2019 class coming out of Mississippi. He was immediately thrusted into a huge role for the Rebels this past season. Ealy with that opportunity ran for 722 yards along with 6 rushing touchdowns. Ole Miss had made a big change after their abysmal 4-8 season when they fired head coach Matt Luke. They replaced him with the widely respected Lane Kiffin. Kiffin I believe will change the fortunes for the Rebels offense, which means big things for Ealy.
Ealy’s talent is something to take note of. Ealy was a monster in the 2019 Under Armour All American game. He was named the game’s MVP when he rushed for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 116 yards is a record for the UAAA game. Ealy also is a two sport athlete as he was a MLB draft selectee when he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 31st pick in the 2019 draft out of high school. Ealy decided to play football and baseball at Ole Miss forgoing the draft. There is obvious talent that this kid possesses being a two sport athlete and him dominating in a game with some of the best recruits in the country. He has an opportunity with an improved offensive system to take that next step forward and be a dominant player in the backfield for the Rebels next season. Ealy next season will be able to prove that he has the ability to be one of the best running backs in the SEC. I suspect that he will and will be a breakout player this upcoming season for the Rebels.
Brandon's Breakdowns 