Breakout players emerge every season for college football teams. Keep an eye on these three from West Virginia football for the upcoming 2020 season.
First-year head coach Neal Brown received production from all over his Mountaineer roster during the 2019 season, from true freshmen and transfers to experienced juniors and seniors. And while the roster’s seen obvious turnover due to graduation and the transfer portal, plenty of talent remains in Morgantown — including players who’ve yet to break out.
MORE WVU Football: Studs & Duds from West Virginia’s 2019 season
West Virginia will once again deploy Dante and Darius Stills along the defensive line, with a handful of others who’ll earn reps in the rotation. But there are some serious question marks at linebacker and in the secondary, although the team’s top two tacklers from a season ago do return — Sean Mahone (77) and Josh Chandler (69).
The offense will be paced by sophomore Sam James, the team’s leading receiver a season ago. And while he wasn’t the lone freshman to see the field, he was head-and-shoulders above his peers when it came to production. Jarret Doege is expected to be the Week 1 starter at quarterback, with an offensive line in front of him that can only improve from last year’s efforts. Running back is an experienced position group with Leddie Brown and Alec Sinkfield back, but a third player could emerge and steal some carries.
What do you consider a breakout player, though? One who steps into a starting role? Leads their team in a statistical category? Earns an all-conference nod? For me, it’s simple: improve upon their previous role while contributing on the field.
Who will be those breakout players for West Virginia football in 2020?