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College Football: Top 25 breakout players for 2016

By Garrett Kroeger

Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) carries the ball during the annual A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) carries the ball during the annual A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and LSU Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal (92) celebrate sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and LSU Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal (92) celebrate sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /

LSU is welcoming a new defensive coordinator this season in former Wisconsin coordinator, Dave Aranda. And Aranda is inheriting an athletic outside linebacker in Arden Key.

Key will be a long and athletic weapon for Aranda to utilize in his first season in Baton Rogue. Although Key has a thin frame, he weighs 230 pounds while standing 6-foot-6, he has the ability to become a dominant pass rusher.

A former four-star recruit, Key started most of his freshman year at LSU. In his first season in a Tiger uniform, Key tallied 36 tackles, five sacks, and nine quarterback hurries.

At Wisconsin, Aranda had outside linebackers Joe Schobert and Vince Biegel who combined for 33.5 tackles for loss last season. So Key should benefit from Aranda’s defensive scheme.

Also to add onto Key’s talent, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Key is comparable to first round draft pick Leonard Floyd.

Next: Lamar Jackson

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