[2024] SB+ Spring Rumblings - Break Out Players pt 2

[SageBow]

A continuation of the first article, here are some other players to keep an eye on for a breakout season!

TE Eric Braverman, (JR), Michigan

This guy is a total sicko. @subsequent has an incredible player on his hands. The 6-5, 233 lbs TE Eric Braverman is a force to be reckoned with at the tight end position. After a 2023 campaign that was disappointing statistically (19 receptions for 196 yards, 1 TD), Braverman has greatly improved over this past offseason. A full 17 point gain in our system, Braverman climbed from his previous rank of 483 all the way to being our #26 player in the nation. If Michigan's quarterbacks can get him the ball, Braverman is poised to have a monumental breakout season as one of the best tight ends in the nation.

OLB Seantrel Garate, JR, Western Michigan

From Culpepper, Virginia to Kalamazoo, Michigan, OLB Seantrel Garate is another top player poised for a breakout season. @Jieret's defensive leader, Garate is one of the best stand up pass rushers in the nation, and his record proves it. 43 tackles, 14 TFLs, 6 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR, Garate was a one man wrecking crew in his sophomore season. The scary thing is that he's even better now. With long arms and an uncanny power and technique for a guy this young, Garate is a dynamite player that pulled his way up 17 points in the individual player rankings.

WR Ro'Derrick Billings, JR, Nebraska

@alexfall862's own WR Ro'Derrick Billings is our next potential breakout candidate. The 5-10, 176 lbs receiver may be slight, but he's a technician on the field. Great acceleration and short motion speed is the name of his game. Billings led the Huskers last year in receiving, pulling in 61 receptions for 892 yards and 2 touchdowns from QB Poona Edwards. With RB Richaun Alsadek being the face of the team, look for Billings to exploit defenses honing in to stop the run. Billings went up about 16.5 points in the individual ratings, a comfortable 1300+ player ranks in this past offseason.

OG Taylor Mortensen, (JR), Utah

A big guy from Laredo, OG Taylor Mortensen is the pride and joy of @SageBow's offensive line. A phenomenal run blocker, the 6-6, 295 lbs guard ended last season with 9 pancakes and 0 sacks allowed in 784 snaps. One of the best road graders in the country, Mortensen leads the way for a Utah rushing attack that is far deadlier than it's passing attack. Another year bigger and wiser, the former 3* went up 15+ points individually to be a top 250 player in the nation.

CB Josh Ellenson, SR, San Jose State

We travel all the way to San Jose for this electrifying cornerback. @Dr_Novella's senior DB played an insane 1400+ snaps last season in coverage, and through that molded himself into one of the best zone corners in the nation. 45 tackles, 6 PDs, 1 FR, a whopping 5 INTs and one touchdown scored, Ellensen led this team in interceptions even with the highly touted CB Amir Tankersley on the other side of the field. Now, he's doing it as a one man show for the Spartan's defense and he's more than capable of it. The former 3 star went from the mid 700s to being a top 200 player in the country, and it'll be must see TV anytime he takes on a top wide receiver this season.

DE Eli Reyes, SR, Kansas

A former 4* recruit, @Bundy's DE Eli Reyes is a long, 6-5, 237 lbs edge rusher out of Banks, Oregon. He's one of the Big 12's top pass rushers, having contributed 34 tackles, 7 TFLs, 6 Sacks, 1 FF, and 1 INT in his junior campaign along side now NFL players DT Dante Gates and DE Randal Holmes. With the departure of Gates and Holmes, Reyes is now the alpha in the Jayhawk's defensive line room. If he lives up to his contributions last season, Reyes will become a household name nationally. The 21 year old had a 14 point jump, going from the 700s to being player #151 nationally.

WR Georges Garcia, SR, Georgia

Georgia's Georges Garcia. Say that 10 times fast. Double G is @Sarge's star receiver in a huge upcoming season for the Bulldogs. They have a top QB in Will Outman. They have a top defensive lineman in Jon Gore. And with the departure of all-SEC TE Deonte Canaan to the pro game, they're now relying on Garcia to be the star weapon for this team. There's no reason he can't be either; Garcia's coming off a monster junior campaign where he had 68 receptions, 1083 yards, and 8 touchdowns, a whopping 15.9 yards per reception. If the Bulldogs reach their aspirations this season, Garcia will be a huge part of that, coming off the offseason with 14 points of improvement to climb into the top 300 players nationally.

RB Chad Dolis, (SR), West Virginia

@smackemz's gadget weapon RB Chad Dolis comes onto our list as potentially the most dangerous man in the Mountaineer's offense. They lined the 5-9, 192 lbs offensive weapon all over the field last year, to the tune of 244 rushing yards and 2 TDs, but also 881 receiving yards and 6 end zone grabs. Dolis is simply dynamite, especially for a Mountaineer's team that is poised to have their best season yet. The former 3* has made a great connection with sophomore signal caller QB Dzanan Reid, so look for even more production in 2024 out of the 5th year senior. Dolis gained 13 points this offseason, ascending to being a top #300 player.

FS Matt Richardson, (JR), Tennessee

Yet another touted player out of @tsweezy's model Tennessee program, FS Matt Richardson is one of the top defensive backs in the nation. 46 tackles, 1 FF, and 3 INT, the Volunteers will need all Richardson's got as they try to replace the production of CB Eric Harlow, CB Zach Cabinda, and FS David Johnson. The 5-11, 190 lbs safety is perhaps best suited in tight man coverage, but has the speed and agility to keep up with the best slot receivers as well as the strength to power through tight ends. Richardson comes in as one of the most versatile defenders in the nation, and his jump up to being a top #300 player has him on the verge of a huge junior campaign.

C Timothy Doak, SO, Indiana

Now here is one big hefty guy. @Piercewise1's 6-6, 295 lbs C Timothy Doak was an outstanding offensive lineman his freshman season, and heading into his Sophomore campaign Doak may solidify himself as one of the best centers in the nation. A pass blocker with technique beyond what his young years may suggest, Doak only allowed a single sack in 771 snaps of play. Paired up with Senior OG Seantrel Tom, the Hoosiers have a pair of offensive linemen to be envious about, opening holes for talented RB Mike Bradley and keeping QB Jusuf Ebner upright. Doak saw his stock climb significantly this offseason, gaining over 1600 places in the individual player rankings.

QB Scott Romero, (JR), Ball State

One of the top quarterbacks in the nation finishes off our list. @npklemm's junior QB Scott Romero hailing from Jenks, Oklahoma, is already one of the best passers in the nation. Coming off a sophomore campaign where he threw for over 3700 yards to the likes of WR Dario Lindsay and RB Garett Cordier, Romero looks poised to add to his tally with top target Lindsay on his side of the field once again in 2024. Romero's big arm is little known around the country, but he looks poised to put together some monster highlights this season. Scouts love how safe he is with the ball, posting a 25/8 TD/INT ratio in 2023. The 6-5, 232 lbs quarterback is destined to be a star in 2024.