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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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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – SEPTEMBER 17: Brandon Lewis #99 of the Arkansas Razorbacks sacks Tyler Jones #2 of the Texas State Bobcats at Razorback Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Bobcats 42-3. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – SEPTEMBER 17: Brandon Lewis #99 of the Arkansas Razorbacks sacks Tyler Jones #2 of the Texas State Bobcats at Razorback Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Bobcats 42-3. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

One of the highest-rated recruits Bielema has reeled in while in Fayetteville is McTelvin Agim, now a sophomore defensive end who is entering 2017 as a projected starter. He’s getting his first shot as the full-time starter on a defensive line that desperately needs an upgrade from last season.

In fact, the Razorbacks ranked just 94th in the country and 10th in the SEC against the run, allowing 205.5 yards per game on the ground. That’s not going to cut it in the SEC with so many solid running backs. If the Razorbacks are going to contend in 2017, they will need players like Agim to break out and clog the running lanes.

Not only will Agim be looked at to be a brick wall up front, but he’s going to need that 6-foot-3, 289-pound frame to rush opposing quarterbacks and wreak havoc in the backfield. He had a solid freshman campaign, recording 20 tackles, five for loss and 2.5 sacks.

The former five-star end from nearby Hope, Ark., has the potential to be an All-SEC defender, but he needs to put it all together in 2017.

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