Top 25 breakout players who will be household names in 2021

College football: Top 25 breakout players who will be household names in 2021

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Bijan Robinson #5 of the Texas Longhorns runs the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

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Much more so than the NFL, there is an opportunity for a ton of players to have breakout seasons every year in college football. Part of that is from the mere fact that there are four times as many teams in the FBS ranks than there are at the professional level. However, it’s also due to the roster turnover of players staying four years maximum in college before their careers are done. That creates opportunities for guys to step up.

There isn’t just one definition for a breakout player, though. In some cases, you’re talking about a player like Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall last year who came seemingly out of nowhere to be one of the most exciting players in the sport. On the flipside, guys like Alabama quarterback Mac Jones last season are players fans are aware of but both deliver unprecedented individual success for themselves and become a household name.

Subsequently, as we look towards the 2021 college football season, there is no shortage of players who have the opportunity to break out this year and become a household name for fans. That means, while we’re about to name 25 breakout candidates, it doesn’t mean there aren’t others who can do the same. So don’t get upset if “your guy” didn’t make this list.

With that out of the way, we start with an SEC quarterback stepping into a big role as we run down 25 breakout candidates for the 2021 college football season.

25. Emory Jones, QB, Florida

Now that Kyle Trask (along with Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney) are in the NFL, the Florida Gators offense is going to have to turn the page. And that means head coach Dan Mullen is going to hand the reins of the offense to Emory Jones at quarterback. Jones has seen time in 24 games over three seasons but has never been the unquestioned starter like he will be this year.

Jones actually has more rushing attempts (92) than passing attempts (86) to his credit over three seasons in Gainesville, so there’s a lot for him to prove as a passer. That being said, Dan Mullen has thrived in his coaching career at catering his offenses to dual-threat quarterbacks and putting them in spots to succeed. With talent around him in bunches on the Gators offense, Jones has the opportunity to finally take over as QB1 and keep Florida atop the SEC East.