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College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the first half against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the first half against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Members of the Georgia Bulldogs warm up before the game against the Lousiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Members of the Georgia Bulldogs warm up before the game against the Lousiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Not being an early enrollee might hurt five-star tackle Isaiah Wilson, but the fact that he has dropped weight might help his case. He committed to the Bulldogs as a 350-pound tackle from Brooklyn, N.Y., but head coach Kirby Smart has said that he’s been slimming down.

By losing weight, he’s making himself more of a threat to crack the rotation and prove that he can take over one of the tackle positions in the fall. Georgia will be forced to replace three-fifths of its offensive line in 2017, including the right tackle spot. While left tackle is filled by returning starter Isaiah Wynn, a senior, Wilson could start on the right side and move over in 2018.

One of the most physically-imposing forces in the recruiting class, Wilson looks to live up to the immense hype and if he does get the nod to start on the right side this season, he could become one of the best offensive linemen in the SEC. Pretty soon, it’ll be tough to justify Smart playing Wilson on the left side as opposed to the right.

The 6-foot-7 tackle was ranked the No. 16 player in the country in the 2017 class as well as the fifth-best offensive tackle, according to 247Sports. It’ll be tough to keep a player of his size on the bench when he can be punishing SEC defenders.

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