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) /

4 of 13

Connor Bazelak, Missouri Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Connor Bazelak, QB, Missouri

When you look at what Connor Bazelak did as a redshirt freshman starter for Missouri last season, it might seem a bit odd to call him a potential breakout candidate. Yes, he completed an impressive 67.3 percent of his passes but he threw for only 2,366 yards with just seven touchdowns and six interceptions. None of that is going to knock the socks off of fans. But if you watch the film, it’s clear that this is a talented player.

A former 4-star recruit, Bazelak showed a ton of promise in spurts in the 2020 season but was clearly inexperienced and gaining trust of the coaching staff. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz came to the Tigers as an enticing offensive mind and that should help a still-young quarterback to maximize his talent, especially with a full offseason now under his belt. Don’t sleep on Bazelak taking a big leap forward and, as such, Missouri being a tough opponent for everyone in the SEC.

19. Liam Dobson, OL, Texas State

I’d be willing to bet that Liam Dobson is the player on this list that the smallest number of people are aware of. He started his college football career at FCS Maine where he was an All-American at that level before transferring to Texas State. But the traits that the young man displays have the potential to make him a cult hero and, perhaps, an NFL Draft prospect.

At 6-foot-3, Dobson tips the scale at 350+ pounds but, if you saw what he’s capable of from an athleticism perspective, you wouldn’t believe he’s that big. According to Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List on The Athletic (subscription required), Dobson notched a 31.5-inch vertical jump and a 4.8-second short shuttle with that frame.

For a guy that can move like that at that size playing in the Group of 5, expect to hear his name start to pop up more as the year goes on, especially in draft circles.