NCAA Football

Top 10 College Football Breakout Players of 2014

Top 10 College Football Breakout Players of 2014

Ohio State v Michigan State
Getty Images

Most of the time, the stars of college football are predicted correctly in the preseason as people speculate about who will win the Heisman and other awards. However, there are some players that go unnoticed initially but end up becoming breakout stars. These 10 players have taken college football by storm despite not being highly touted coming into the season.

10. HB Devontae Booker

Utah v Stanford
Getty Images

10. HB Devontae Booker

Utah v Stanford
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 1,255 rushing yards, eight touchdowns

Booker has been the major reason for the emergence of Utah this season. They've made a name for themselves in the Pac-12, and the impressive running from Booker is one of the biggest reasons why. He's just a junior, so look for him to be a star in 2015.

9. WR DaeSean Hamilton

Penn State v Rutgers
Getty Images

9. WR DaeSean Hamilton

Penn State v Rutgers
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 69 receptions, 793 yards and one touchdown

Even though Hamilton hasn't found the end zone much this season, he's been the go-to target for Penn State. If he can become more of a red zone target in the future, he could be a real difference-maker.

8. QB Jared Goff

Stanford v California
Getty Images

8. QB Jared Goff

Stanford v California
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 3,580 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, six interceptions

Goff has come out of nowhere to become one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country. He's extremely efficient and doesn't turn the ball over much. As long as he keeps progressing, he could achieve similar success to another Cal quarterback who is now working in Green Bay.

7. WR Speedy Noil

Missouri v Texas A&M
Getty Images

7. WR Speedy Noil

Missouri v Texas A&M
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 40 receptions, 514 yards and four touchdowns

Noil has become one of the premier receivers in all of college football and is trying to be the next great receiver to come out of Texas A&M. He's a small guy, but his elusiveness has made him one of the biggest playmakers in the game.

6. QB Jacoby Brissett

North Carolina State v Clemson
Getty Images

6. QB Jacoby Brissett

North Carolina State v Clemson
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 2,278 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, five interceptions

Brissett was even more impressive early on in the season, but he's continued to be one of the better quarterbacks in all of college football. His size and athleticism make him a potential option at the next level if he can improve his throwing accuracy.

5. HB Samaje Perine

Kansas v Oklahoma
Getty Images

5. HB Samaje Perine

Kansas v Oklahoma
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 1,428 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns

Perine just broke the single-game rushing yards record against Kansas with 427 yards on the ground, which put the rest of the country on notice. The craziest thing is that this kid is only a freshman; he definitely projects as a great professional player in the future.

4. DE Myles Garrett

Mississippi v Texas A&M
Getty Images

4. DE Myles Garrett

Mississippi v Texas A&M
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 45 tackles, 11 sacks

Garrett was one of the best pass rushers in college football before going down with an injury. However, his ability to get to the quarterback and take him down is going to make him a rich man in the NFL sooner rather than later.

3. DE Shane Ray

Tennessee v Missouri
Getty Images

3. DE Shane Ray

Tennessee v Missouri
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 56 tackles, 13.5 sacks

Ray has emerged as possibly the best defensive player in the entire country this season. He's just 1.5 sacks away from tying the SEC single-season record and should be a top five pick in the NFL next season. Not only can he get to quarterback with regularity, but he is also a great run-stopper.

2. QB Trevone Boykin

Kansas State v TCU
Getty Images

2. QB Trevone Boykin

Kansas State v TCU
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 3,021 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 5 interceptions

Boykin came out of nowhere this year for TCU as he's led his team to a potential College Football Playoff berth if they win the Big 12. By being efficient, he's ensured that the Horned Frogs are one of the best teams in college football.

1. QB J.T. Barrett

Ohio State v Minnesota
Getty Images

1. QB J.T. Barrett

Ohio State v Minnesota
Getty Images

2014 Stats: 2,658 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions

After Braxton Miller went down in the preseason, everyone at Ohio State thought they were doomed. However, his replacement has been even better than him, giving the Buckeyes a sense of optimism about their future. Since he's only a freshman, Ohio State could be in good hands for quite some time.

Share Tweet