NCAAF · 1 year ago

Ready to Shine! 35 College Football Breakout Candidates for 2024

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

35. Justin Joly - North Carolina State Wolfpack
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have a veteran quarterback in Grayson McCall, a talented running back room, and star wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion. They needed another playmaker in the passing game to take some of the defensive attention off of Concepcion, and they found tight end Justin Joly from UConn as the solution. The 6’3” tight end had 56 catches for 578 yards as one of the few options for the Huskies in 2023. He’s not much of a blocker but should excel as a safety valve and seam player that causes mismatches in Robert Anae’s offense.

NC State 2024 Win Total: 8.5
1. Nico Iamaleava - Tennessee Volunteers
No college football breakout list would be complete without redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The blue-chip prospect came to Tennessee as a five-star recruit, and there was a ton of hype surrounding his recruitment and alleged NIL market. Volunteer fans are frothing at the mouth to see Iamaleava take the reigns and lead Tennessee’s offense. The framework is in place for Iamaleava to have a monster season in 2024 and establish himself as a star in college football. UT’s offense stumbled in 2023 under Hendon Hooker, as he wasn't consistent. We know what Josh Heupel’s offense is capable of with an excellent quarterback because we saw it in 2022. Heupel has not had a quarterback as talented as Iamaleava to run his attack. The expectation in Knoxville is Tennessee will revert to its 2022 form quickly, with a blue-chip quarterback slinging the ball to the Volunteers' playmakers. A spot in New York as a Heisman finalist is a possibility.

2024 Heisman Odds for Nico Iamaleava: +1400
2. Jeremiah Smith Jr. - Ohio State Buckeyes
Fans who do not follow recruiting will have no idea who Jeremiah Smith is. That will change as we get into the season, as the true freshman phenom might be one of the best wide receivers in the country by the time the calendar hits November. Ohio State lost Marvin Harrison Jr., and it does not seem fair that they would replace him with another generational talent. Smith is a 6’3” physical specimen from Opa Locka, Florida. He was the consensus top-ranked prospect in the country, regardless of position. Expert talent evaluators say he has a rare combination of size, speed, and outstanding hands. He can make jaw-dropping highlight catches and all of the routine grabs consistently. Ohio State churns out stars at wide receiver, and they already have Carnell Tate (another potential breakout candidate) and Emeka Egbuka. Still, no one is keeping Smith off of the field.

Ohio State Odds to Win 2024 National Title: +400
3. Jackson Arnold - Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma's Jackson Arnold is the other redshirt freshman quarterback on this list who is ready to quickly become a household name. The former five-star recruit sat behind Dillon Gabriel in Norman in 2023. However, Gabriel transferred out (potentially to avoid losing out to Arnold this offseason) to Oregon, and the time is now for Arnold. Oklahoma fans got a small taste of what he could do when he threw for 361 yards with a pair of touchdowns in OU’s bowl game. The only slight concern from that performance was the three interceptions he added to his stat line. Arnold has a cannon for an arm, and Oklahoma’s offense will take full advantage of his ability to stretch the field with weapons like transfer wide receiver Deion Burks and the returning Nic Anderson. He’s also a good athlete that can beat opponents with his legs. Oklahoma is now in the SEC, and the Sooners have a brutal schedule. An early-season matchup against Tennessee will be a great clash of two young stars.

Oklahoma 2024 Playoff Odds: +490
4. Oscar Delp - Georgia Bulldogs
A star Georgia tight end capable of becoming a first-round draft pick and creating mismatches all over the field. I’m not referring to the departed Brock Bowers. No, the Georgia Bulldogs have another stud in tight end Oscar Delp. The sophomore had 24 catches for 284 yards in 2023, with half of that yardage coming from yards after the catch. Delp is another big, long tight end who can be an effective blocker but stands out as a big target for quarterback Carson Beck. The Bulldogs have a bunch of potential difference-makers at wide receiver. Still, Delp plays a position the UGA offense knows how to utilize, and he has the skill set to maximize his opportunities as Georgia pushes for another national title.

Georgia 2024 National Title Odds: +300
5. Jamal Haynes - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
There are a lot of potential stars at running back, but the one that is perhaps as exciting as any other is Georgia Tech’s Jamal Haynes. As a sophomore, the speedster had 1059 yards and averaged 6.09 yards per carry. Haynes is electric with the ball and added 151 yards receiving as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Quarterback Haynes King vultures some touchdowns (he had ten to Haynes’ 7), and if the Yellow Jackets cut back on some of the designed runs for King and give the ball to Haynes more than 200 times (he had 174 carries in 2023), a 1,500-yard season is very much a possibility for the junior running back. His potential to flash as a star is increased by a schedule that features a week zero game against Florida State that will give him a lot of visibility and later games against Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Miami, NC State, and Georgia that should get national attention.

Georgia Tech 2024 Win Total: 5.5
6. Cam Coleman - Auburn Tigers
In most years, wide receiver Cam Coleman would have easily been the number one wide receiver in the country in his recruiting class. But this was not a normal year. Jeremiah Smith grabbed the number one spot with Cam Coleman right behind him. He is a fantastic talent that the Auburn Tigers isrelying on to up their passing game production. Coleman stood out during spring practice for Auburn as he earned MVP honors. Hugh Freeze and the Tigers are probably one year and one quarterback away from really being able to compete in the SEC but Coleman is ready to go right away. He should lead Auburn in receiving yards and receptions in his true freshman season.

Auburn 2024 Win Total: 7.5
7. Marvin Jones Jr. - Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles' defensive line needed major reinforcements after the 2023 season and they landed a major one in Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr. The 250-pound edge rusher was a top-ranked portal prospect but he played sparingly for the Georgia Bulldogs. FSU is counting on a breakout season in 2024 for Jones Jr. and he was listed as a standout during spring practices. He has terrific length and can be very disruptive if he can translate his potential into production. His play this season will be a key factor as Florida State makes a push for another ACC title.

Florida State 2024 Win Total: 9.5
8. Sonny Styles - Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes have so many returning stars, particularly on defense. It is difficult to locate anyone capable of breaking through and becoming a household name. Sonny Styles is unique though. The former five-star prospect went to Columbus as a safety but he was very much a tweener. Styles has yet to make an impact, but he’s no moved to linebacker and there is a real chance he can be a versatile heat-seeking missile for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Styles has height, length and incredible agility for a linebacker. His safety experience provides him with some coverage skills and if he can be unleashed as a pass rusher, his production could skyrocket.

Ohio State 2024 Win Total: 10.5
9. Kyren Lacy - LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers offense is incredibly friendly to wide receivers, as evidenced by the first round selections of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. With both of those players gone, there are a ton of targets available for Tigers pass catchers. The primary candidate to elevate his game is Kyren Lacy. Despite the presence of those two stars, Lacy had 558 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. He’s now in his final season of eligibility and is in line to be the primary target for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. It is reasonable to expect Lacy to put together an All-SEC campaign and to challenge the numbers put up by Brian Thomas in 2023 (68 receptions, 1177 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns).

LSU 2024 Win Total: 9.5
10. Justice Haynes - Alabama Crimson Tide
New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is known nationally for the work he did with Michael Penix Jr. and the prolific passing attack of the Washington Huskies. However, DeBoer has a long history of having very productive rushing attacks in his offenses as well. Quarterback Jalen Milroe is going to be used as a runner and that will be quite the weapon but the best running back on this roster is going to be Justice Haynes. As a true freshman in 2023, the former five-star prospect had 25 rushes for 168 yards with two touchdowns. His work was limited as he sat behind Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams but he flashed what he was capable of with four runs for 31 yards in the Rose Bowl against Michigan. Haynes is in line to be RB1 behind a dominant offensive line.

Alabama 2024 Win Total: 9.5
11. Miller Moss - USC Trojans
Quarterbacks that are orchestrating Lincoln Riley offenses typically have great success. That was true at Oklahoma and it has continued at USC. The Trojans appeared destined for a portal quarterback after the 2023 season but the bowl game performance of Miller Moss changed their plans and Moss is now poised for a huge year. The redshirt junior played sparingly in 2021 and 2022 before getting the start in the Holiday Bowl as Caleb Williams opted out. He went 23-33 for 372 yards with six touchdowns as USC waxed Louisville 42-28 in the Holiday Bowl. Moss earned Offensive MVP honors in the game and set the record for most touchdown passes thrown in the Holiday Bowl. He is expected to win the starting job over transfer Jayden Maiava and he’ll all the tools he needs for a big year.

Miller Moss Heisman Trophy Odds: +4000
12. Deion Burks - Oklahoma Sooners
One of the biggest difference-making additions in the transfer portal might end up being Oklahoma’s Deion Burks. Burks, a speedy receiver transferring to Norman from Purdue, was given rave reviews by everyone reporting on Oklahoma’s spring practices and he is expected to be the lead receiver on an explosive offense led by Jackson Arnold. The Sooners throw it often and they’ll let Arnold bomb the ball deep, something that Burks should be able to take full advantage of. The Boilermakers struggled on offense in 2023 but Burks led the team as a sophomore with 629 receiving yards (the next player had 381) and seven receiving touchdowns (the next player had two). The Sooners are now in the SEC and have a number of marquee games that will give Deion Burks an opportunity to be thrust into the spotlight.

Oklahoma 2024 Win Total: 7.5
13. Kyron Drones - Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech began the season with Grant Wells as their starting quarterback and Kyron Drones mixing in with special packages designed for his running ability. It did not take long to see the offense was much more dynamic with Drones in the game and once the Hokies gave him the reigns as the starting quarterback, they became a much more dangerous team. The sophomore needs to improve on his accuracy and consistency as a passer but he put up big numbers last season and is poised for a monster campaign in 2024. Drones threw for 2,085 yards and ran for 818 yards. Now the full-time starter and with a very favorable schedule, a campaign of 1,000 yards rushing plus 2,500 yards passing and 30 total touchdowns is very possible.

Kyron Drones Heisman Trophy Odds: +10000
14. Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish typically have a strong offensive line and a robust rushing attack. While the offensive line does need to be rebuilt after losing a couple of players to the NFL, that unit gets the benefit of the doubt and will be assumed good until proven otherwise. Audric Estime is now a Denver Broncos player and that leaves a major opportunity for Jeremiyah Love. A former top prospect that had 71 carries for 385 yards a season ago, Love will now be the lead back for the Fighting Irish. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and chipped in as a pass catcher with eight receptions for 77 yards. Jadarian Price is in the backfield as well but this will be Love’s show and he should quickly become a household name.

Notre Dame 2024 Win Total: 10.5
15. Hykeem Williams - Florida State Seminoles
Florida State fulfilled their potential in 2023 as Jordan Travis combined with receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson to help the Seminoles go unbeaten in the regular season. Of course, the injury to Jordan Travis cost the Noles a chance to make the College Football Playoff but it was a fantastic season for Mike Norvell’s crew. They now have to replace Travis, Wilson and Coleman and the passing attack will look very different. The best option for a big outside receiver might be rising sophomore Hykeem Williams. The 6’2” prospect from Fort Lauderdale was a five-star high school player and he appeared in eight games in 2023, catching five passes for 80 yards. Williams has the speed and frame to turn into a real weapon for new quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.

Florida State 2024 Win Total: 9.5
16. Peter Woods - Clemson Tigers
Defensive lineman Peter Woods was a five-star recruit that chose Clemson over offers from nearly every high-major school. He played a bunch as a true freshman and performed well: 26 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss. There is a lot of talk around Clemson’s fall camp that suggests Woods is ready to have a dominant sophomore season. He has bulked up to 320 pounds but he has not lost any of his speed or explosiveness and the Tigers have moved him from the interior of the line to the edge. Clemson has a new defensive line coach (Chris Rumph) that has a reputation as one of the best in the industry and Woods, along with fellow sophomore T.J. Parker are ready for a star turn as leaders on the Clemson defensive line.

Clemson 2024 Win Total: 8.5
17. Squirrel White - Tennessee Volunteers
Squirrel White was unable to make the expected jump forward in 2023 but the Tennessee receiver now has Nico Iamaleava throwing him the ball and White is in line to reap the rewards of having an elite quarterback in a high-powered system. For comparisons sake, turn back the clock to 2022 when the Volunteers had a very good quarterback and one of the country’s top offenses. The leading receiver was Jalin Hyatt with 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. Now, Squirrel White is not the deep threat Hyatt was but he can certainly threaten 850 to 1,000 yards as the Vols get back to running Josh Heupel’s offense the way he envisions. An All-SEC campaign is on the horizon.

Tennessee 2024 Win Total: 8.5
18. Jaishawn Barham - Michigan Wolverines
Jaishawn Barham played well for the Maryland Terrapins but the linebacker is expected to be unleashed at Michigan and he could put up monster havoc numbers for the Wolverines. Michigan will have a very good defensive line and that will free up Jaishawn Barham to knife into the opposing backfield and rack up tackles for loss and sacks. The Maryland transfer is expected to be a starting linebacker on the one of the country’s best defenses and Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb wrote that Barham added 15 pounds since joining the Wolverines and one practice observer called him a taller Devin Bush. His speed and athleticism put into Michigan’s blitz-heavy defensive scheme under Wink Martindale could make him a dark horse to lead the Big Ten in sacks.

Michigan 2024 Win Total: 8.5
19. Anthony Hill Jr. - Texas Longhorns
As a true freshman, Anthony Hill Jr. was second on the Texas Longhorns in tackles and he was named co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. He had 66 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks. He did this while playing in a limited role for the Texas defense. The 2024 season will have him as a starter and with a real chance to become a household name as one of the best linebackers in the country. Hill Jr. is an explosive tackler and he plays with terrific speed and athleticism for a linebacker. Texas will rely on a strong pass rush to help a rebuilt secondary they hope can improve quite a bit and Hill is going to play a huge role.

Texas 2024 Win Total: 10.5
20. Ryan Wingo - Texas Longhorns
There are several extremely talented true freshman wide receivers entering college football in 2024. Texas freshman Ryan Wingo takes a backseat to very few of those receivers and there is buzz from Texas’ fall camp that he is going to threaten for a starting role. Wingo introduced himself to Texas fans with an 81-yard and two touchdown performance in the Texas Spring Game and he has put in stellar performances thus far in fall camp. Horns247’s Jeff Howe wrote, “an argument can be made that he’s the most gifted true freshman wide receiver Texas has landed since reeling in Roy Williams from Odessa Permian 24 years ago”. That is incredibly high praise and there are now expectations that Wingo will battle Johntay Cook and a trio of transfers for a starting position. Texas lost running back CJ Baxter to a season-ending injury, making the emergence of wide receiver talent even more crucial.

Texas 2024 Win Total: 10.5
21. Ashton Jeanty - Boise State Broncos
If he played at a power conference school, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty would be the favorite to win the Doak Walker Award and a shoo-in as an All-American. The fact is, Jeanty plays at Boise State and toils in relative anonymity in the Mountain West. Diehard college football fans know who this guy is and he’ll have a chance early in the season to go against Oregon and show the country exactly what he is capable of. Jeanty is a rare combination of vision, power, and speed as a runner with excellent hands as a pass-catcher. He had 220 carries for 1,347 yards with 14 touchdowns plus 43 catches for 569 yards and five more touchdowns. Jeanty will be looked to lead the Broncos offense this season as they hope to challenge for the G5 automatic qualifier spot in the College Football Playoff. If he can perform well against Oregon early in the season and put up his expected huge numbers, Jeanty could get in the talk to be a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Boise State 2024 Win Total: 9.5
22. Caden Prieskorn - Ole Miss Rebels
Oscar Delp is, understandably, getting a lot of buzz but the best tight end in the SEC in 2024 is likely to be Caden Prieskorn of Ole Miss. Despite playing in only ten games a season ago, the senior had 30 catches for a very impressive 14.97 yards per catch and four touchdowns. Prieskorn is a handful for opposing defenses as he consistently finds space in the middle of the field and exploits the seam for big gains. Prieskorn is an adequate blocker but his biggest strength is undoubtedly stretching defenses and presenting mismatches against linebackers. Jaxson Dart is back, and the Ole Miss offense is loaded, but Prieskorn will remain a vital part of the attack. Proven weapons like this at the tight end position are hard to come by and Ole Miss hopes to stay in the national spotlight all season as a playoff contender.

Ole Miss 2024 Win Total: 9.5
23. Nic Scourton - Texas A&M Aggies
Purdue’s 2023 season was a disappointment as the team struggled in year one under Ryan Walters but the Boilermakers had a strong pass rush led by edge rusher Nic Scourton. Scourton surprised with a ten-sack campaign and entered the transfer portal as the best pass rusher on the market. Mike Elko convinced him to go to College Station and play for the Texas A&M Aggies and Scourton is ready for a star turn as one of the country’s premier sack artists. Scourton had two sacks at number one Michigan and two against rival Indiana, plus one against Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Illinois, and Minnesota. He’s a proven pass rusher who should jump another notch with more talented players around him at A&M.

Texas A&M 2024 Win Total: 8.5
24. Mykel Williams - Georgia Bulldogs
There are plenty of potential stars on the Georgia Bulldogs' defense. After all, UGA is, by most opinions, battling Ohio State for the most talented roster in the country as we enter the 2024 season. This list could point out great defensive back Malaki Starks or defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse as breakout stars. Instead, the pick is linebacker Mykel Williams. The former blue-chip recruit started to make good on his potential in 2023 and he is poised to be one of the nation’s top defenders in 2024 while playing for a team that figures to be in the thick of the national title hunt all season. Williams is a versatile defender who can excel in pass coverage against tight ends, but his real value for Georgia is terror off the edge for opposing offenses. Williams had 4.5 sacks as well as 6.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore. There is a feeling from Athens that he is just scratching the surface of his capabilities.

Georgia 2024 Win Total: 10.5
25. Seth Henigan - Memphis Tigers
More Group of Five love as Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan returns to lead a terrific offense for a team that will try to contend for the G5 12-team playoff berth. Henigan was sixth in the country in pass completions in 2023 with 318. He was fourth in passing yards with 3,883 and sixth with passing touchdowns (32). The Tigers bring back their top two receivers and have a schedule conducive to putting up huge numbers. It is very possible that Henigan leads the country in passing yards and if the Tigers can go 11-1 and then win the American Athletic Conference, Seth Henigan could be in New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Memphis 2024 Win Total: 9.5
26. Tyler Morris - Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines are a difficult team to evaluate, and no position on the roster is more difficult to assess than that of a wide receiver. There is no disputing that the room has a lot of talent. Still, there is no front-line experience, and the offensive system the Wolverines deploy makes it incredibly hard to know what to expect from the passing game. Two players have reportedly stood out at fall camp, with one individual drawing the consistent praise of head coach Sherrone Moore: Tyler Morris. The Wolverines' new headman compared him to former UM star Ronnie Bell and praised his movement skills, in and out of the breaks. Regarding his potential, Moore called him a complete receiver with no limitations. It’s probably a bit ambitious to expect a Bell-type impact immediately. Still, the UM coaches have confidence that fellow standout Semaj Morgan and Morris can solve their WR position this season.

Michigan 2024 Win Total: 8.5
27. Jaydon Blue - Texas Longhorns
Versatile running back Jaydon Blue’s importance was ratcheted up for the Texas Longhorns as CJ Baxter injured his knee and is out for the 2024 season. As a sophomore, Blue ran for 398 yards on an impressive 6.12 yards per carry in 2023. He also added 14 receptions for 135 yards with one receiving touchdown. With Jonathan Brooks now in the NFL and Baxter out injured, Blue is RB1 on a terrific offense, so he has a real opportunity for a breakout campaign.

Texas 2024 Win Total: 10.5
28. Tyler Warren - Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State has a rich history of tight-end play, and Tyler Warren is in line to be the next good player at State College. In 2023, Warren was second on the team with 422 receiving yards, and he tied for the team lead with seven touchdowns. New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is expected to utilize the position, and Warren is an excellent receiving option. It would not be realistic to expect a doubling of production, but a season of 700 yards and ten touchdowns is possible for the senior, and he could ride that to an early-round draft selection next spring.

Penn State 2024 Win Total: 9.5
29. Kaleb Jackson - LSU Tigers
LSU running back Kaleb Jackson has transformed his physique since his arrival on campus, and after adding significant size ahead of his sophomore campaign, he's poised for a breakout season. He's currently listed at 6-foot, 235 pounds after adding 35 pounds to his frame since arriving on campus before the 2023 season. Jackson has been fantastic during camp, with the one-two punch of Jackson and Josh Williams on full display. According to observers, he's been impressive with his strength, but his growth in the screen pass game has been evident. As he continues growing as a pass protector, he'll become the clear-cut No. 1 back sooner rather than later. Jackson gained viral fame for a bulldozing stiff arm of a Mississippi State defender, and former teammate Malik Nabers described his style as reminiscent of former Tiger Leonard Fournette.

LSU 2024 Win Total: 9.5
30. Trey Moore - Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns have to replace a lot of production on the defensive line. To fill the void, they have young players ready to step up, new blue-chip recruits who are now freshmen that could make an impact, and one proven transfer stepping up a level to introduce himself to the college football world: senior edge rusher Trey Moore looks like he was made in a lab for pass rushers. He has outstanding length and quickness off the line, and he utilized that to amass 14 sacks a season ago at the University of Texas-San Antonio. Now a junior, Moore is stepping up a level and looking to make himself a household name in Austin. He will fill a vital role as Texas looks to ramp up the pass rush and provide some aid to a secondary that has to be much better in 2024 than it was a season ago.

Texas 2024 Win Total: 10.5
31. Rueben Owens - Texas A&M Aggies
The top running back from the 2023 class was a freshman at Texas A&M last season, and he flashed his potential with 385 rushing yards. Rueben Owens is a super-talent, and he now has a new offensive system with coordinator Collin Klein taking over the offense under new head coach Mike Elko. Klein had Kansas State in the top 15 in back-to-back seasons in rushing offense, and he will feed Owens a lot. He can immediately enter the limelight with a Week 1 home game against Notre Dame in primetime.

Texas A&M 2024 Win Total: 8.5
32. Peyton Bowen - Oklahoma Sooners
Another former five-star recruit from the 2023 class, safety Peyton Bowen, could be ready for a blast-off in Norman, Oklahoma. Bowen is a playmaking safety who will likely be deployed all over the field by new defensive coordinator Zac Alley and head coach Brent Venables. Alley was at Jacksonville State last season and helped that defense give up just 2.8 yards per carry and forced 25 turnovers. Bowen flashed his potential in 2023 with two blocked punts, five passes broken up, and 36 tackles. He could easily eclipse 70 tackles and add in four or five sacks, along with a couple of forced turnovers, as a versatile weapon on the defense.

Oklahoma 2024 Win Total: 7.5
33. Marquis Johnson - Missouri Tigers
Luther Burden III is the unquestioned star of the Missouri offense, but the Tigers return quarterback Brady Cook and have room for multiple weapons to have great seasons. Theo Wease returns, but we know what to expect from the veteran receiver. The wildcard for Mizzou is sophomore Marquis Johnson. The speedster is electric with the ball in his hands, and he should see increased opportunities after catching just 13 passes in 2023. The reason for the optimism is what Johnson did with those 13 catches. He had 383 receiving yards for a remarkable 29.46 yards per reception and three touchdowns! That is ridiculous production, and with increased opportunity will come increased numbers. Johnson should be the second WR for a top-15 team.

Missouri 2024 Win Total: 9.5
34. Dani Dennis-Sutton - Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions are known for producing athletic and high-end pass rushers. Chop Robinson left for the NFL Draft, and Abdul Carter is expected to be one of the best edge defenders in the country this season. There is a hole on the other side of the line, and Dani Dennis-Sutton is projected to fill it. Dennis-Sutton looks like another lengthy and twitchy pass rusher, and the position opposite Carter is a great spot to be in. He has played in 26 games as a backup and had 3.5 sacks with two forced fumbles in 2023. A double-digit sack season would not be a shocker from the junior.

Penn State 2024 Win Total: 9.5
35. Justin Joly - North Carolina State Wolfpack
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have a veteran quarterback in Grayson McCall, a talented running back room, and star wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion. They needed another playmaker in the passing game to take some of the defensive attention off of Concepcion, and they found tight end Justin Joly from UConn as the solution. The 6’3” tight end had 56 catches for 578 yards as one of the few options for the Huskies in 2023. He’s not much of a blocker but should excel as a safety valve and seam player that causes mismatches in Robert Anae’s offense.

NC State 2024 Win Total: 8.5
1. Nico Iamaleava - Tennessee Volunteers
No college football breakout list would be complete without redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The blue-chip prospect came to Tennessee as a five-star recruit, and there was a ton of hype surrounding his recruitment and alleged NIL market. Volunteer fans are frothing at the mouth to see Iamaleava take the reigns and lead Tennessee’s offense. The framework is in place for Iamaleava to have a monster season in 2024 and establish himself as a star in college football. UT’s offense stumbled in 2023 under Hendon Hooker, as he wasn't consistent. We know what Josh Heupel’s offense is capable of with an excellent quarterback because we saw it in 2022. Heupel has not had a quarterback as talented as Iamaleava to run his attack. The expectation in Knoxville is Tennessee will revert to its 2022 form quickly, with a blue-chip quarterback slinging the ball to the Volunteers' playmakers. A spot in New York as a Heisman finalist is a possibility.

2024 Heisman Odds for Nico Iamaleava: +1400

Ready to Shine! 35 College Football Breakout Candidates for 2024

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