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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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COLUMBIA, SC – NOVEMBER 05: Drew Lock reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – NOVEMBER 05: Drew Lock reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Lecka/Getty Images) /

Yet another U.S. Army All-American quarterback to make the list, Missouri’s Drew Lock had a big 2016 season, but no one is giving him the respect he deserves. Why wasn’t he a breakout player from the 2016 season? Because his Tigers went just 4-8, essentially sweeping his stats under the rug for the rest of the country to overlook.

Lock had a poor freshman season with the Tigers, passing for just 1,332 yards and four touchdowns to go along with eight interceptions and a 49 percent completion rate. Fortunately, the staff remained patient with him and he stepped up in 2016.

As a sophomore, he passed for 3,399 yards, 23 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. His completion rate rose about five percent and he looked like a much better quarterback. He even added 123 rushing yards and another score, showing he’s not one-dimensional.

Missouri should have a much better season with Lock entering his junior season and for him to truly break out as one of the SEC’s best quarterbacks, he will need to get that completion rate up and lead the Tigers to a bowl game. Both could very well happen in 2017.

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