College Football: Top 5 early breakout candidates for 2020 season

Oregon running back C.J. Verdell having a breakout season is simple logic. Head coach Mario Cristobal has handed play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead. Before heading to Starkville to coach the Bulldogs, he was offensive coordinator of the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Who did Moorhead coach at Penn State? Current New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

Verdell is not the athlete Barkley is, but he is a tough runner who can catch the ball out of the backfield. Even Kylin Hill of Mississippi State had a big year under Moorhead.

There is a lot of turnover in Eugene this season. The offensive line replaces four of five staters — though they are talented up front. Justin Herbert is now a San Diego Charger. Either Tyler Shough or Anthony Brown will take the helm of the offense next season.

There is no better way to get an offensive line to come together than to run block. It is comforting for a quarterback to have a running back that can be a safety valve and blocker in the passing game and can get you a first down in short-yardage situations.

Verdell is going to get the ball a lot and will have a big year for the Ducks.