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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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Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end Matt Nelson (96) sacks Stanford Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan (8) during the third quarter in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end Matt Nelson (96) sacks Stanford Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan (8) during the third quarter in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Iowa Hawkeyes experienced a massive turn around after going 7-6 in 2014 to going 12-2 in 2015. And that turnaround can be largely credited to a dominant run defense. However, entering the 2016 season the Hawkeyes lose two big time contributors to that run defense, talented defensive ends Nate Meier and Drew Ott, due to graduation.

So how can Iowa replace Meier and Ott’s production this year? Well, look no further than the imposing specimen that is 6-foot-9, 270-pound sophomore Matt Nelson.

In his first year at Iowa City, Nelson got his feet wet. He made 14 tackles as a freshman, but the thing that might signal him breaking out in 2016 was his Rose Bowl performance against the Stanford Cardinal.

Against Stanford, Nelson tallied his first ever collegiate sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Nelson has power, speed, and intensity to become an absolute force off the edge for Iowa and should thrive as a starter this upcoming season.

Next: Wilton Speight

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