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College Football: 25 breakout players to watch in 2016

By John Buhler

Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) enters the field before the game at Memorial Stadium for the contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. King has been suspended from the first quarter of play due to a team violation. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) enters the field before the game at Memorial Stadium for the contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. King has been suspended from the first quarter of play due to a team violation. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Florida Gators should be one of the better teams in the SEC East this year. They will likely battle with rivals Georgia and Tennessee for the division crown and the right to play some behemoth coming out of the SEC West in the 2016 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

Florida won the SEC East last year under first-year head coach Jim McElwain due in large part to his team’s stellar defensive play. Again, Florida will have to rely on its defensive acumen to have another 10+ win season in 2016, but the Gators do have themselves one of the most talented wideouts they’ve had in years in sophomore Antonio Callaway.

Callaway was an impact player for McElwain as a true freshman in 2015. He had 35 receptions for 678 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver. Callaway might actually be better in the return game, as his 29 punt returns for 435 yards and two touchdowns have him as a preseason All-American return specialist by CBS Sports.

There is a chance that Callaway might end up being the best wide receiver to play at Florida since Riley Cooper, a former Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles who was part of Urban Meyer’s teams in the late 2000s.

If Callaway has a reliable quarterback in 2016, either presumed starter Luke Del Rio or true freshman Feleipe Franks, one could argue that Callaway could have a 1,000-yard receiving season for the 2016 Gators as the focal point of their improving offense.

Next: 24. Dalton Schultz.

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