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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Justin Flowe, Oregon Ducks (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

4. Justin Flowe, LB, Oregon

Kayvon Thibodeaux and Noah Sewell are going to steal a lot of headlines for the Oregon defense coming into the 2021 college season and for good reason. However, those two players are overshadowing another player — another linebacker, for what it’s worth — who might have as high of a ceiling as either player, if not possibly higher. That guy is Justin Flowe.

A former 5-star prospect, Flowe was limited to just one game last year as he suffered a meniscus tear. From everything we’ve heard, though, the young linebacker is an absolute bullet in the middle of the defense. With elite speed and developing instincts, he’s not only going to rack up a ton of tackles on an exquisitely talented defense but he’s going to provide a number of jaw-dropping plays throughout his first full season on the field.

3. D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson

This one was pretty easy to pick up. D.J. Uiagalelei, also known as your newest Dr. Pepper spokesperson, arrived at Clemson as a 5-star recruit who was obviously going to have to wait in the wings until Trevor Lawrence made his transition to the NFL. Yet, we got a two-game window into the DJ-U era last season when Lawrence was out with COVID and Uiagalelei looked quite special.

With a big-bodied frame at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Uiagalelei has a ton of juice in his arm and can use his legs simply because his size makes him hard to bring down. On top of that, Clemson is loaded at the skill positions to help him maximize his talent and get comfortable right away. In the simplest terms, this is when the Uiagalelei 2023 first-round draft pick hype begins.