College football 2018: Top 30 breakout players to watch

The Horned Frogs spread the ball over with Kenny Hill at quarterback in 2017. Four different players rushed for 300 or more yards and five different players caught 30 or more passes for 300 yards (or very close). As a true freshman, Reagor managed to lead the team in both receiving yards (576) and touchdown catches (eight) while starting only two games. In his second career start against Stanford in the Alamo Bowl, Reagor torched the Cardinal defense for 169 yards and a touchdown.

With Kenny Hill gone, sophomore Shawn Robinson is expected to take over at quarterback in 2018. Robinson appeared in four games last season, throwing for 184 yards and three touchdowns, picking up another 159 yards on the ground.

But he’s never been a starter, never been asked to run an offense and TCU will essentially be breaking in a new quarterback. For a rookie quarterback, next to a good running game, a rookie quarterback’s best friend is a guy like Jalen Reagor.

At 5’11”, Reagor isn’t a huge target but he has a mix of blazing speed that can beat defenses over the top and shiftiness in the open field that makes him extremely dangerous after catching passes on short, simple throws like slants and screens. He has great hands, holding on in traffic and even though he’s under six feet, does a really good job of going up and meeting the ball at its highest point.

He will likely be the go-to receiver on TCU’s offense and a security blanket for his young quarterback. He’ll be somewhat hostage to Robinson but if Robinson develops into a solid passer, Reagor could have a huge season.