Forecasting breakout chances for 20 college football players on the clock (2024)

2023 snaps: 0

I always thought Keon Keeley, the No. 3 player in the 2023 class, was best-suited as a 4-3 edge defender and not a 3-4 edge defender. Keeley gets a clean slate with a new defensive staff after not getting any reps as a freshman. Keeley will likely start camp as a No. 2 or 3 on the depth chart. I would think if he doesn't get on the field this year, he's in the portal. And I'm not sure he's going to see the field much.

Breakout potential this year: No chance

Snaps: 177

Jordan Hall got in the rotation for 177 reps as a freshman and showed flashes of potential and out of all the guys the Bulldogs have, I think he has the best chance to break through on the interior. UGA kind of lacked that difference-maker in the middle they had in 2021 and Hall could be that guy even as he enters camp as the No. 2, but Georgia rotates as much as anyone in the country on defense.

Breakout potential this year: Solid chance

Snaps: 4

Malachi Nelson transferred from USC after getting only four reps as a freshman and will get a prime opportunity to put up huge numbers at Boise and they get Oregon in Week 2. Nelson has one of the nation's elite running backs in Ashton Jeanty, who will take the pressure off and open up the play-action passing game. OC Dick Koetter has had a lot of success developing quarterbacks in effective offenses in his career. I would like to see Nelson add more weight to his 6-foot-3, 194-pound frame and I'm sure the Broncos would, too.

Breakout potential this year:Solid chance.

Snaps: 0

JaJuan Dickey has been dealing with injuries, but Oregon is adding tons of talent via the high school ranks and transfer portal like no one else. Dickey has an uphill climb on a talented defensive line and will need to show some signs of life this fall or could be on the move again after the season.

Breakout potential this year: Very low chance

Snaps: 30

Another guy who has been hurt, Samson Okunlola got 30 reps as a freshman at left tackle. I do not project him to play tackle but could see him competing for one of the guard spots. He was one of two 5-star tackles Miami signed in 2023, along with Francis Mauigoa, who enjoyed a freshman All-America season and should be three-and-out. Okunlola, on the other hand, has kind of been the forgotten man. Can Mario Christobal and Alex Mirabal get him right, or is he a miss? This season will be critical to his future at Miami.

Breakout potential this year: Moderate chance

Snaps: 94

FSU loses stud wideouts Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.Hykeem Williams has had some bright spots during fall camp as he battles for a starting job.He was in position to start in 2023, but got hurt and saw less than 100 snaps last season. The Seminoles need playmakers. Williams has the clay to be an all-ACC talent.

Breakout potential this year:Solid chance.

Class of 2022 signees

Gabe Brownlow-Dindy, DT, Texas A&M

Snaps: 63

Brownlow-Dindy has battled injuries since his senior season of high school and arrived in a crowded defensive line room, but has been a major disappointment thus far. GBD got 63 reps last season for the Aggies but surprisingly his film is not that bad. This will be a big year with a clean slate under defensive guru Mike Elko.

Breakout potential this year: Moderate chance

Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE, FSU

Snaps: 237

Jones got hurt at UGA apparently started off slow in Tallahassee, but has come on strong the last few months. The 'Noles have churned out plenty of pass rushers as of late via the portal (Jared Verse, Jermaine Johnson II, Braden Fiske). It's hard to not compare Jones to Johnson, and you can't blame a guy for getting lost in the wash in Athens. The former 5-star will get plenty of one/one opportunities opposite of Patrick Payton and has the length and athleticism to make an impact.

Breakout potential this year: Moderate chance

Quency Wiggins, Edge, Colorado

Snaps: 16

Washed out at LSU, but he was the story of the All-American Bowl two years ago. Colorado needs all the help it can get on the defensive line and maybe new coach Warren Sapp can maximize his ability. Wiggins only got 16 snaps last year but can he make the jump and be an impactful player in the Big 12? Little faith.

Breakout potential this year: Very low chance

Kyion Grayes, WR, Ohio State

Snaps: 0

Unless you're Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State is not a great place to go and not make an immediate impact in a wide receiver room that is always loaded with talent. Grayes has an uphill battle to get much playing time and is a likely portal candidate after the season. He has one career catch.

Breakout potential this year: No chance

Class of 2021 signees

Brock Vandagriff, QB, Kentucky

Snaps: 55

Vandergriff was a top-10 QB prospect in a class that included Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy. He finally gets his turn after transferring from Georgia to Kentucky. It would not surprise me if he has a solid season. Vandagriff was once committed to Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, and if Riley liked him, then I do, too.

Breakout potential this year: Moderate chance

Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska

Snaps: 478

Fidone looks like a late-blooming player after some tough breaks with injuries marring the start of his career. Fidone has an excellent catch radius (and 25 career catches). He plays in a tight end-friendly offense. A new quarterback, freshman Dylan Raiola, will be looking for a security blanket. Does it come together? I say yes and expect a big season.

Breakout potential this year: Very high chance

Adepoju Adebawore, EDGE, Oklahoma

Snaps: 184

Adebawore racked up 184 snaps as a freshman in a crowded and talented edge room. He will enter camp on the two-deep with two seniors expected to start. I like his tape and he shows a ton of traits to be an impactful player in due time.

Breakout potential this year: Very high chance

Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina

Snaps: 375

Harbor is one of the biggest freaks in the country but what is his best position? I am told his best position could be on the edge but could see him having a breakout year at wide receiver after watching his freshman film. The 2024 season will be a huge year for Harbor as he will be given every opportunity for success.

Breakout potential this year: Moderate chance

Lance Heard, OT, Tennessee

Snaps: 195

Heard is one of my favorite portal pickups and will start at left tackle for the Vols. Heard has first-round talent and the size and athleticism to be a star this season. Tennessee's tempo offense is an offensive lineman's dream and expect him to have a monster season. Sure thing.

Noah Rogers, WR, NC State

Snaps: 14

Rogers received 14 snaps last year at Ohio State but is expected to start at NC State. Having stud wideout Kevin Concepcion on the field should open up some opportunities for Rogers to make an impact in 2024.

Breakout potential this year: Moderate chance

Kelby Collins, EDGE, Florida

Snaps: 274

Collins racked up 274 snaps last season and showed a lot of upside to be a key contributor in the defensive line rotation as a disruptive pressice in 2024. Strong at the point and the ability to slant and pursue with great effort.

Breakout potential this year: Very high chance

Aidan Chiles, QB, Michigan State

Snaps: 100

New coachJonathan Smith got a key transfer to get the ball rolling as the triggerman in his first year in East Lansing. Chiles is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who got 100 snaps last season in Corvallis. Chiles has a quick release and knows Smith's offense and is expected to be impactful in 2024.

Breakout potential this year: Sure thing

Kaleb Jackson, RB LSU

Snaps: 70

Jackson got 70 snaps as a freshman and looked the part in his limited opportunities as a physical runner that could have a special season in a talented LSU offense. Buy stock now.

Breakout potential this year: Sure thing

Justice Haynes, RB, Alabama

Snaps: 48

Haynes waited his turn last year and expected to enter the season as Alabama's starter in 2024. Haynes is a slashing runner with excellent vision and patience and the ability to be a home run hitter not only as a runner but as a receiver as well. He will share the load with Jam Miller which will be a nice one-two punch behind the two best offensive guards in the country.

Breakout potential this year: Sure thing