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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Reese White, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Reese White, RB, Coastal Carolina

For the most part, there should be a lot of excited fans in Conway, SC as Coastal Carolina figures to be among the Group of 5 contenders again in 2021. After their magical run a year ago, they return the majority of their key components. One of the only ones not coming back, though, is running back C.J. Marable. But that only opens the door for rising junior Reese White to now make a name for himself.

As a sophomore last season, White showed his ability a bit as he took 88 carries for 478 yards and six touchdowns. In limited work, there’s no denying he was effective. Now he figures to be the lead back in a wildly effective option-based offense, which should mean a ton of touches along with quarterback Grayson McCall as both a runner and pass-catcher in the dangerous Chanticleers offense.

17. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

Due to some departures, Andrew Booth Jr. was asked to step into a bigger role with Clemson last season, a tall task considering the abbreviated offseason. But after a rough season-opener for the cornerback, he was a lockdown corner for the Tigers throughout the year as he racked up two interceptions and four pass defenses. However, he was a more effective coverage player than that would indicate.

Booth has everything anyone could want in a top-tier corner with a nice 6-foot, 195-pound frame to got with elite athleticism and a serious nose for the football. Not only is Booth capable of producing some of the most jaw-dropping interceptions we’ll see in the 2021 season but he can put the clamps on any wide receiver in the country. And with Derion Kendrick now gone, Booth will be CB1 for Clemson and step into the spotlight as a future NFL star suiting up for the Tigers.