Tag: breakout player

Why Devonte Wyatt is Packers Wire’s pick for breakout player of 2023

First-round talent plus starting opportunity equals big-time breakout potential for Packers DL Devonte Wyatt in 2023.

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Christian Watson broke out as a burgeoning star for the Green Bay Packers in 2022. What were the main ingredients of his breakout? Incredible physical talent, and a big opportunity at his position.

Using the same pathway, second-year defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt was Packers Wire’s pick for breakout player of the 2023 season.

Wyatt, a first-round pick in 2022, played sparingly as a rookie but did flash disruptive abilities to finish the year, especially during the Packers’ season finale against the Detroit Lions.

The talent is there. Wyatt is an elite athlete with terrific burst, high energy levels and a long history of disruptive production from an interior defensive line position. Not many 300-pounders can move the way he moves, especially in terms of change-of-direction ability. Plus, he was a terrific run defender and a top interior pass-rusher at Georgia, so there’s reason to believe the same traits and abilities will eventually translate into production at the NFL level.

“With anybody up front, you want playmakers,” defensive coordinator Joe Barry said in May. “But specifically for defensive linemen, a three-technique, you want disruption…Just to be an all-around disruptive player. He has that ability, he has that quickness, he has that athleticism. Just be a disruptive force in the passing game and the run game as well.”

And Wyatt’s opportunity on the field as a second-year player in 2023 will be huge.

Gone are Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed, who combined to play over 1,000 total snaps along the defensive line last season. Wyatt, an expected starter next to Kenny Clark, will assume many of the available snaps. The Packers need him to be a consistent run defender on early downs and a go-to pass-rusher from the inside for Barry’s defense, which is under huge pressure to improve.

The breakout addition is easy for Wyatt: First-round talent plus starting opportunity. The Packers will hope the variables add up to a big season from an important player.

Raiders 2022 season awards: MVP, Rookie of the Year, Breakout player, more

Here are the #Raiders 2022 season awards including MVP, Rookie of the Year, Breakout player, and more.

There wasn’t a lot to crow about for the Raiders this season, but the awards must be given out, so that’s what I’m going to do. 

Wisconsin S Hunter Wohler named breakout candidate in 2022 by Athlon Sports

Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler named as a top breakout candidate for 2022 by Athlon Sports:

After a true freshman season where he contributed on both defense and special teams, Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler was named by Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports as one of the top 50 breakout candidates for this season.

Related: Ranking the Big Ten’s best home uniforms

Wohler recorded 17 total tackles, a sack and a pass deflection in his true freshman season while serving as a rotational player on defense and constant on special teams. Lassan believes that Wohler’s intangibles, alongside defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s experience, will help him take the next step this season.

The Muskego, Wis., native will likely slot into the role of either starting safeties Scott Nelson or Collin Wilder, who both graduated at the end of last.

In a new defensive scheme, Jalen Redmond on track for breakout season

After losing three key figures from last year’s defensive front, Sooners DT Jalen Redmond is projected to be one of college football’s breakout stars.

After losing three players from their defensive line to the NFL, the Oklahoma Sooners will turn over 75% of its front four from a year ago. With that much turnover, the Oklahoma Sooners will need to find new stars to rely on upfront.

One such player is returning defensive tackle Jalen Redmond. Redmond played just 309 snaps last season but was an important piece for the Sooners down the stretch. Redmond enters 2022 as a key piece to Brent Venables’ defense.

Steve Lassan of Athlon Sports expects Jalen Redmond to be one of the breakout players in college football in 2022.

Considering the track record of new Oklahoma coach Brent Venables in producing standouts along the defensive line, it’s safe to assume the Sooners will have a couple of all-conference candidates at the end of 2022. Redmond is our pick to shine, as he has accumulated 21.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks over 24 games since ’18. – Lassan, Athlon Sports

Redmond has the explosiveness and the first step to be a terror for the Oklahoma Sooners. His ability to create penetration will make life difficult on opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks in 2022. The talent’s always been there, but the good fortune of health hasn’t.

After sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID concerns, Redmond was limited to eight games in 2021. And in those eight games, he was still incredibly productive. He had eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Had he played the full 13-game season, that would translate to six sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

Redmond came through in the most important games of the season. Against Baylor, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Oregon, Redmond came up with eight total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. And, of course, there was the fumble return for a touchdown against Iowa State.

In 10 games as a redshirt freshman, Redmond led the Oklahoma Sooners with 6.5 sacks. He had more sacks as a redshirt freshman than Ronnie Perkins. Let that sink in.

With Perrion Winfrey off to the NFL, the onus is on Redmond to be the wrecking ball on the interior for the Oklahoma Sooners. In a Venables defense that has produced the most sacks and the most tackles for loss over the last decade, Redmond could fit right in.

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247Sports predicts one breakout player for each Big 12 football team in 2022

This list is loaded with wide receivers.

It’s no secret that the Big 12 conference is flooded with offensive playmakers. Continue reading “247Sports predicts one breakout player for each Big 12 football team in 2022”

247Sports views Texas DL Moro Ojomo as a player set to make a jump in 2021

Moro Ojomo could take a significant leap in 2021.

There are interchanging parts all over the Longhorns roster, which means that there will be fresh faces who have an opportunity to be a key contributor for the first time.

247Sports recently released a list of players that they believe will make a leap in production for this 2021 season, and Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo was included.

Ojomo has seen a gradual increase in numbers every year, as during his redshirt freshman season he accounted for 13 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in eight games played. Last season, where he had a larger role, Ojomo compiled 21 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in nine games.

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Ojomo has been one of the standouts during offseason workouts under the new coaching staff, and especially during the spring game where he registered three sacks. He has made a little bit of a position switch as last season he was used as an edge rusher, but in new defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s scheme, Ojomo is being utilized on the interior defensive line. A role that feels much more comfortable for him in comparison to the edge position.

Texas’ defensive line is expected to be one of the strongest position groups no the roster this season, as it is one of the most experienced groups. The Longhorns will have two juniors and two seniors across the line, who will likely be in much better position to be constant disruptions in the backfield.

Athlon Sports lists Texas’ Bijan Robinson as the top breakout running back for 2021

Athlon Sports ranked the top 25 breakout running backs for the 2021 college football season.

First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian has several question marks to sort out on the offensive side of the ball this season, but running back Bijan Robinson is not one of them.

Sarkisian won’t hesitate to give Robinson 20+ touches per game on a consistent basis, something that Longhorn fans were unable to witness last season under Tom Herman.

Although he was used sparingly as a true freshman, Robinson showcased every ounce of his five-star rating. His freshman campaign ended with 703 rushing yards, including 183 in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado. The more impressive part is he accomplished that on 86 carries over nine games.

Robinson set the school record for yards per carry in a game (19.1) at Kansas State and yards per carry in a season (8.2). His rare athleticism coupled with offensive guru Steve Sarkisian is a primary reason Athlon Sports listed Robinson as the top breakout running back in college football for the 2021 season.

The nation’s top running back prospect in the 2020 cycle landed at No. 1. TCU’s Zach Evans and Oklahoma’s Eric Gray landed within the top five.

The combination of the arrival of new coach Steve Sarkisian, along with a heftier workload from Robinson, should turn the sophomore into one of the top running backs in college football. Robinson showcased what’s to come in 2021 by gashing Kansas State for 172 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries and a 183-yard effort versus Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

It’s a solid bet that Robinson will soon become a household name across the country.

The Atheltic deems Texas ex Poona Ford a breakout player for the Seahawks

Poona Ford wasn’t much of a sought-after player in the 2018 NFL Draft, but his performance in the league has teams wishing they had him.

Former Texas defensive tackle Poona Ford entered the league with a major chip on his shoulder. He was undersized and went undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft.

The Seattle Seahawks took a chance on the former Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and it has paid dividends for both parties involved.

Ford’s playing time has increased every year with Seattle. The former Longhorn appeared in all 16 games last season and recorded career highs in tackles (39), sacks (2), and tackles for a loss (8). His consistent play and improvement garnered a two-year contract extension with Seattle.

It also gained the notion of being most likely breakout player for the Seahawks throughout the 2021 season.

The Athletic’s staff writers each picked a player from every NFL team that they feel is poised to breakout this upcoming season. Michael-Shawn Dugar selected Ford and took it a step further by mentioning how Ford has the potential to become one of the league’s best at his position. “Ford, 25, has the potential to be one of the game’s top defensive tackles,” Dugar said.

It’s certainly high praise for a young undrafted player, but Ford has taken his opportunity and ran with it.

The Athletic selects Texas TE Jared Wiley as a player poised for breakout season

The Athletic recently named 35 college football players that are poised for a breakout season in 2021.

When a new coaching staff comes to town, it provides more opportunities for players to prove themselves. Texas tight end Jared Wiley is hoping to do just that in 2021.

Wiley questionably received limited action last season, likely due to Tom Herman’s favoritism towards upperclassman, but he took advantage of every time he touched the field. Wiley has great size and athleticism at 6-foot-7, 255-pounds and has showcased his big-play ability on numerous occasions.

He very well could serve as the big safety blanket for whoever is selected as the starting quarterback and will likely see a much larger quantity of catches and yards in the new offensive system.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic recently identified 35 players from all over the country that he believes will have a break out season in 2021 and Wiley was included.

Texas coaches are excited about Wiley’s combination of blocking skills, an enormous catch radius and his vertical speed. He caught nine passes in 2020 but that should jump considerably this fall.

Wiley showed more flashes in the passing game when he got the ball in comparison to super senior Cade Brewer, but with Steve Sarkisian’s offense, both tight ends will likely see their numbers inflate.

In comparison with the top two Alabama tight ends Miller Forristall and Jahleel Billingsley who combined for 41 catches last season, the Longhorns tight end duo only combined for 24 catches. Alabama’s tight ends also accounted for 205 more receiving yards than Wiley and Brewer.

Considering Wiley is more explosive and a better pass catcher, Sarkisian’s offensive system will put him in position to showcase that he can be one of the nation’s best players at the tight end position.

Roundtable: Breakout player to watch for Texas football

Longhorns Wire staff members each made their selection for a breakout player to watch for 2021.

It’s no secret that Steve Sarkisian is inheriting a talented roster at Texas. Continue reading “Roundtable: Breakout player to watch for Texas football”

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