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Arkansas Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER15: Devwah Whaley #21 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Razorback Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 34-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER15: Devwah Whaley #21 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Razorback Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 34-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Arkansas football is heading into the 2017 season looking to finally compete for the SEC crown, but it needs breakout stars.

Is this the year we finally see Bret Bielema’s Arkansas football team break out and become a serious SEC contender? It’s possible, but the Razorbacks are going to need a handful of guys to step up and exceed expectations following a 7-6 campaign in 2016 and losing their top running back, Rawleigh Williams III, to retirement.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but the 1,000-yard rusher decided that he needed to pay close attention to his health, which was the right choice. He gives way to a potential breakout star in the backfield, which we will talk about more later.

Arkansas is just 25-26 in four years under Bielema and the program needs to make a major turnaround soon if he’s going to keep his job in Fayetteville.

With underrated starting quarterback Austin Allen returning, anything is possible. As long as there is leadership at the most important position on the team, the Razorbacks have hope.

Let’s take a look at five guys who could break out in 2017.

As a freshman in 2016, De’Jon Harris had most of his impact felt on special teams. In fact, he recorded 11 of his 37 tackles on special teams. He finished the season 11th on the team in total tackles along with two tackles for loss and a sack.

Moreover, he was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team, as voted on by the coaches. Still, he’s far from a household name in the conference, but that could all change as he enters the 2017 season as the projected starting middle linebacker.

The former three-star recruit from Marrera, La., has the potential to be something special on the defensive side of the ball and he’s shown aggression and willingness to put his body on the line to make a play in special teams. This kid could make one of the three All-SEC teams this season as a sophomore.

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