After gathering input from every Power 5 head coach in the past month, Insider is ready to project the top 50 breakout players in college football for the 2016 season.
The countdown continues today with Nos. 30-21, a group that includes two emerging Pac-12 running backs, J.T. Barrett’s go-to receiver at Ohio State and Florida State's new starting quarterback.
30. Soso Jamabo, RB, UCLA
2015 stats: 404 rushing yards, four touchdowns
It’s a potential carry share between Jamabo, Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi, but those close to the program sense that Jamabo -- who was Paul Perkins’ primary backup last season, averaging 6.1 yards per carry as a freshman -- will eventually get the bulk of the work.
The No. 28 overall prospect in the 2015 class blends above-average size for a back (6-3, 216 pounds) with elite-level speed, though Jim Mora hinted during Jamabo’s initial season that he needed to play with more physicality. Presuming he establishes that in his second season, he’ll flourish and provide balance for Josh Rosen and the team’s passing game.
29. Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
2015 stats: 318 receiving yards, seven touchdowns
When Insider asked how Oklahoma plans to fill the sizable void left behind by the steady Sterling Shepard, who is now excelling in New York Giants camp, Sooners coach Bob Stoops said it would be a collective effort. But he started by mentioning the 6-5, 250-pound Andrews.
He had just 19 receptions as a freshman, but seven went for touchdowns. Oklahoma wants to see Andrews become more than a red zone threat.
“We’ve got to get him more involved,” Stoops said.
28. Mark Thompson, RB, Florida
The JUCO back made his presence known during spring ball. Coach Jim McElwain likes Thompson’s size (6-2, 242 pounds) and speed, but he also appreciates his versatility.
“You know, before he grew into his body, he was a wide receiver,” McElwain said. “He’s got great hands for his size; he’s a big target with soft hands.”
McElwain also identified 6-4 tight end DeAndre Goolsby as a player to watch on offense.
“He can be special,” McElwain said. “He really creates matchup problems.”
26 & 27. Melquise Stovall and Demetris Robertson, WRs, California
The Bears lost their top six receivers, so there will be ample opportunity for Stovall and Robertson, both freshmen, to immediately shape Sonny Dykes and OC Jake Spavital’s offense.
Stovall has a natural leg up since he was an early enrollee. Dykes complimented his work in the spring and indicated that, at 5-9 and 190 pounds, he represents a different type of receiver than he has had at Cal.
“We haven’t had a lot of catch-and-run guys, guys that can catch a screen pass and turn it into a big play,” Dykes said. “I think this group will be a little bit more inclined to do that.”
That’s good news for transfer quarterback Davis Webb, who could leverage this season into a first-round ticket.
25. Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
2015 stats: 987 rushing yards, eight touchdowns; 39 receiving yards, one touchdown
This might be entirely too low for Jones on the countdown, but senior Justin Davis -- whom coach Clay Helton has called a “very, very complete back” during camp -- remains a threat to take away carries from the talented sophomore.
As colleague Kyle Bonagura recently wrote, what stands between Jones becoming a true breakout is his ability to pass protect. Despite a 6.5 yards-per-carry average last season, including 11 20-plus-yard rushes, the coaching staff didn’t feel comfortable putting Jones on the field as a blocker. If he develops in that area he’ll be an All-American in 2016, Davis or no Davis.
24. Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State
An injury to veteran Sean Maguire has ended the competition for the starting job. Francois will be behind center for the Ole Miss opener, and those close to the program do not anticipate he’ll relinquish the role.
More than coach Jimbo Fisher complimenting Francois’ arm and mobility, it caught our attention this summer when Fisher called him a “grinder” and a “student of the game.” Those QBs typically excel, even ones with less talent than the 6-2, 205-pound redshirt freshman.
“He’s one of those guys you can’t even drag him out of the film room. He’s in there studying, working to get better,” Fisher told us. “He’s his own unique guy. He’s prepared and working at it.”
There isn’t Jameis-level buzz for Francois’ first start, but there’s plenty of excitement for a player who could settle the position for two or three seasons, especially given Fisher’s work developing first-rounders.
23. Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State
If not for a broken leg last summer, Brown would’ve assuredly helped an Ohio State offense that slipped from sixth to 29th in yards per play. Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer acknowledged this summer that Brown and Michael Thomas, who led the team in receiving, were fairly close at the time of Brown’s injury. Thomas left for the NFL, opening the door for the again-healthy Brown to become a star.
At 6-2, 218 pounds, Brown will be a difficult matchup for smaller corners. Quarterback J.T. Barrett hinted at Big Ten media days that Brown will be his favorite downfield target.
21 & 22. D'Onta Foreman and Chris Warren III, RBs, Texas
2015 stats: 754 yards, five touchdowns (Foreman); 470 yards, four touchdowns (Warren)
All eyes will be on freshman quarterback Shane Buechele's progression, and understandably so. He’ll be vital if the offense, No. 58 in yards per play a year ago, is going to turn a corner.
But you’d better believe that first-year coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, smartly, will ride his two big backs -- Foreman is listed at 6-1, 250 pounds and Warren at 6-2, 252 pounds -- to take pressure off his young QB, allowing him to get more comfortable.
Despite their size, both have already shown to be big-play, home-run backs: Foreman had runs of 93 and 81 yards in 2015. And Warren had a 91-yarder in a 276-yard, four-TD day against Texas Tech.