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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Kayshon Boutte, LSU Tigers (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

10. Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU

Make no mistake, the LSU offense took quite a while to get off the ground last season as the Tigers were tasked with replacing virtually every starter on that side of the ball from their 2019 championship team. By the end of the year, though, it seemed as if they’d found some things to build on, one of which was then-freshman wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.

A former 5-star recruit, Boutte finished his freshman season with 45 catches for 735 yards and five touchdowns. But it was his performance against Ole Miss that should have fans excited about what’s in store for his 2021 campaign. Against the Rebs, Boutte put up an unreal 14 receptions for 308 yards and three touchdowns to cap off a season-ending stretch of three consecutive 100-yard games.

After flashing that type of talent, Boutte could potentially put up some monster numbers as the focal point of the LSU passing offense this season.

9. Tony Grimes, CB, North Carolina

The fact that Tony Grimes reclassified and played for the Tar Heels in 2020 as a true freshman who should’ve been a senior in high school is a testament to the 5-star recruit’s talent. He wasn’t a full-time starter but he saw valuable reps at cornerback during his first season under Mack Brown in Chapel Hill and performed well, especially for someone with his background and given his situation.

Now set to be a starter on the outside in the North Carolina secondary and with a year of experience already under his belt, Grimes could be a legitimate star and one of the best defensive backs in college football. His talent has never been remotely in question and now the opportunity and situation are lining up for him to emerge at a national level in the 2021 season.