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15 Athletes Who Will Return To the Spotlight In 2015

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Athletes Who Will Return To the Spotlight In 2015

Chicago Bulls v Washington Wizards
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Throughout their careers, many athletes fall in and out of the spotlight depending on their performance. Once they fall out, some never get back into the spotlight. However, that won't be the case in 2015 when these 15 athletes put themselves back on the map.

15. Josh Hamilton

Texas Rangers v Baltimore Orioles - Game One
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15. Josh Hamilton

Texas Rangers v Baltimore Orioles - Game One
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Hamilton has been very injury prone recently and that's starting to derail his career. In a loaded Angels lineup, he should get back on track if he can stay healthy. That's a big if, but he's talented enough to become an impact player in major league baseball again.

14. Sam Bradford

St Louis Rams v Carolina Panthers
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14. Sam Bradford

St Louis Rams v Carolina Panthers
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The soon-to-be ex-quarterback of the St. Louis Rams has had his fair share of bad luck over the course of his career. He's suffered two torn ACLs in the past couple seasons and people are starting to forget about him. However, he's a very talented quarterback who can still be a quarterback for a competitive team if he can stay on the field.

13. Jadeveon Clowney

Capital One Bowl - Wisconsin v South Carolina
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13. Jadeveon Clowney

Capital One Bowl - Wisconsin v South Carolina
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Just one year into his professional career, Clowney is already starting to look like a bust. He may not even be ready for the start of next season after sustaining a serious leg injury, but once he's back, he's going to want to prove he's the real deal.

12. Matt Harvey

Detroit Tigers v New York Mets
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12. Matt Harvey

Detroit Tigers v New York Mets
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The Mets' pitching rotation might end up being stacked next season, especially if Harvey comes back from his Tommy John surgery strong. He was a revelation in his first year in the pros and 2015 could really be his coming out party.

11. Vince Carter

Toronto Raptors v Dallas Mavericks
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11. Vince Carter

Toronto Raptors v Dallas Mavericks
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He doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank, but Carter has turned out to be a great addition for the Grizzlies this season. He's not going to be a star again or anything, but he's starting to look like a key contributor on a very good team. Who knows, perhaps he will be the key to a Memphis championship run.

10. Jay Cutler

New Orleans Saints v Chicago Bears
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10. Jay Cutler

New Orleans Saints v Chicago Bears
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Cutler couldn't go much further down than he did in 2014. Whether he's in Chicago or elsewhere, he should get back to being a top 15 quarterback in 2015. He's too talented to waste all of it for his entire career, so next season should be his most motivated yet.

9. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson Hearing
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9. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson Hearing
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Peterson may not be back with the Vikings next year, but wherever he is, he's going to succeed in 2015. He may never regain his popularity in the court of public opinion, but on the football field, he will be elite once again. After missing almost the entire 2014 season, he's going to want to prove he still has it.

8. Dwyane Wade

Wade's World Foundation Dinner Hosted By Dwyane Wade
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8. Dwyane Wade

Wade's World Foundation Dinner Hosted By Dwyane Wade
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After playing LeBron's sidekick for four years in Miami while winning two championships, Wade is ready to show that this is truly his team. He's not what he once was, but he can still get the job done. If Miami makes any noise in the playoffs, it will be because Wade's killer instinct kicks in.

7. Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints v Pittsburgh Steelers
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7. Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints v Pittsburgh Steelers
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Even though he still put up decent stats in 2014, Brees took a step back this season. The Saints were relatively dreadful as well, so they're going to have to majorly improve in 2015. He and the Saints will get back on track with a renewed focus next season.

6. Prince Fielder

Texas Rangers v Houston Astros
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6. Prince Fielder

Texas Rangers v Houston Astros
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A lot of people probably don't even remember the fact that Fielder is now on the Rangers since he missed almost all of last season due to injury. However, he's going to be back with a vengeance in 2015 and will be back to his home-run-hitting ways.

5. LeSean McCoy

Philadelphia Eagles v Indianapolis Colts
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5. LeSean McCoy

Philadelphia Eagles v Indianapolis Colts
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Shady McCoy set the bar pretty high for himself with his insane 2013 campaign and he didn't live up to it this past season. He may never quite reach the level of success he had during the 2013 season, but in 2015 he will be closer to that production than 2014's.

4. Marian Gaborik

San Jose Sharks v Los Angeles Kings
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4. Marian Gaborik

San Jose Sharks v Los Angeles Kings
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Gaborik was once one of the best players in the entire NHL, but he dropped off considerably. After being acquired by the Kings last season, he was phenomenal and helped them win a Stanley Cup. This season, continued into the new year, will be one where he continues to reassert himself as an elite NHL player.

3. Jose Fernandez

Los Angeles Dodgers v Miami Marlins
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3. Jose Fernandez

Los Angeles Dodgers v Miami Marlins
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The new-look Marlins will be looking for a familiar face to lead them to the playoffs in 2015. Fernandez missed most of last season after looking like one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. Tommy John surgery has been more and more effective recently and he should be back and better than ever next season.

2. Justin Verlander

Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers
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2. Justin Verlander

Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers
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One of the most disappointing players in baseball last season was Justin Verlander. He was a shell of himself and was anything but dominant. Assuming they're without Max Scherzer in the rotation in 2015, Verlander will really have to step up. Someone with as much talent as Verlander is going to hit the ground running with that kind of responsibility.

1. Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls v Dallas Mavericks
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1. Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls v Dallas Mavericks
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After two years essentially away from the game, Rose is finally returning to form. He's gotten over the mental aspect of his recovery and he's starting to show his killer instinct again. As long as he can stay healthy this season, the Bulls might just be the favorites to win the NBA title.

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