Top 3 CFB Breakout Candidates 2014

In the wake of Jameis Winston’s meteoritic rise from anonymity to Heisman winner, here are three players who lurk in obscurity now, but will be household names by the end of the season.

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3) Myles Jack: (Sophomore) UCLA Linebacker/Running Back

Jack was perhaps the most intriguing player to watch in the Pac-12 last year. The true freshman had 75 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a team high 11 pass break ups. He’s a dynamic athelete on the other side of the fence two. He rushed for 267 yards, finding the end zone 6 times, in three games. As a linebacker. Let that sink in. His knack for tying up opponent rushers’ legs and his superb nose for the endzone makes Jack the most versatile playmaker in the nation. With another year under his belt and the departure of Anthony Barr to the pros, Myles Jack is primed for a major role at UCLA.

2) Everett Golson: (Redshirt Junior) Notre Dame Quarterback

Remember this guy? Golson led the Fighting Irish to the BCS championship game in 2012 before an academic suspension sidelined him last fall. All reports out of South Bend have raved over his spring practices, so it’s not unreasonable to expect similar on-field performance in 2014. Character and off-field issues are the only things holding the shifty junior from leading Notre Dame to the newly christened college football playoffs. He seems to be willing to learn from his mistakes.

“I knew I messed up, so for me I had to come back and complete what I started."

The Irish are hoping Golson can combine good behavior and his electric running ability with improved passing mechanics. If Golson puts it all together, he will be in the Heisman conversation throughout the year.

1) Derrick Henry: (Sophomore) Alabama Running Back

For those who did not know Henry before last year’s Sugar Bowl versus Arkansas, you received a warm introduction. However, the 161 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns were less surprising given the enormity of his success at all levels. He is the all-time leading rusher in High School football history, and a personal favorite of the CSR gang. At 6’3” 238 lbs, the mammoth back runs a 4.3 40 yard dash and cuts with the nimbleness of spring rabbit.

2014 will be his first year with a major role at Alabama, and while he is splitting time with T.J. Yeldon, I see him overtaking the majority of carries by the end of the season. He is the most explosive and physical back Nick Saban has had to work with in his tenure at Alabama, which includes 3 All-Americans, 4 NFL players, and a pair of Heisman winners (Glenn Coffee, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, Mark Ingram). He is a beast when running inside or out, and, barring injury, he is my favorite to win the 2015 Heisman trophy as a junior.

Chris Venzon