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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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FORT WORTH, TX – SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Arkansas Razorbacks during play against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Arkansas Razorbacks during play against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Austin Allen is entering his senior season at quarterback and he’s going to need to develop all new favorite targets with Keon Hatcher, Jeremy Sprinkle and Drew Morgan gone. Why not develop a new favorite tight end in Austin Cantrell, a sophomore, with Sprinkle gone?

Sprinkle had a solid season in 2016, catching 33 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns from the tight end position, showing that the Razorbacks aren’t afraid to utilize the big pass-catchers.

Related Story: Arkansas Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Cantrell could be a force in the pass game and may just break out as a star on the offensive side of the ball. He had a strong freshman season, though, catching 13 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Still, many believe he has yet to truly scratch the surface with his potential.

Cantrell was ninth on the team in receiving last season and six of the eight players who were ahead of him a year ago have moved on. He will be looked at as a major option for Allen and he could even surpass Sprinkle’s numbers from 2016.

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