College Football season is upon us. We are a few short weeks away from the first kickoff of the college football season. Now is the perfect time to begin looking at who some of the breakout players for the 2021 season could be. Remember, this is only one player from each conference. There are numerous other candidates who could be chosen but only one was selected.
ACC – Phil Jurkovec (QB, Boston College): If you follow the Walk-On Redshirts on Twitter, you know we are some of the biggest fans of Jurkovec. Last season he completed 61% of his passes for over 2,500 yards. Jurkovec also posted a 17:5 touchdown to interception ratio. The Boston College quarterback also had four games where he posted 300 yards or more in a game. Jurkovec finished the seaosn only throwing one interception in his final five games. He did all of this after having a limited off season following a transfer from Notre Dame. Jurkovec will benefit from spring practice and a normal off season to help improve and build chemistry with his receivers. Watch for Jurkovec to be one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC this fall.
Big 12 – Zach Evans (RB, TCU) – The former five start running back out of Houston Texas averaged 7.7 yards per carry in his freshman season. Evans carried the ball 54 times for 415 yards and four touchdowns. Heading into his sophomore season, exceptions will be higher. Many are looking at TCU to be a dark horse in the Big 12 this season and Evans will play a major role in TCU’s success. He was the first five star player to ever sign with the Horned Frogs. Evans best game of the season came against Louisiana Tech in the bowl game where he had seven rushes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Look for Zach Evans to make a major impact in the Big 12 this fall.
Big Ten – Rakim Jarrett (WR, Maryland) – Rakim Jarrett is another former five star recruit heading into his sophmore season. Maryland only played four games last fall but Jarrett maximized his time on the field. He finished the season with 17 catches for 252 yards and two touchdowns. He had a stellar performance in a win over Penn State where he totaled 144 yards and two scores. His quarterback, Taulia Tagovailoa, should make Jarrett his number one target. Maryland opens the season against West Virginia where Jarrett will have the opportunity to put on a show. After the season, Rakim Jarrett should be listed as one of the best receivers in the Big Ten, if not the entire country.
Pac 12 – Bru McCoy (WR, USC) – Bru McCoy is currently remembered for being the five star athlete to transfer from USC to Texas back to USC. McCoy was then forced to sit out his freshman season. In 2020, McCoy had an overall good season with 21 catches for 236 yards in only five games. One of the main reasons he is looked to be a breakout star this fall is because of the talent at the quarterback position. Kedon Slovis is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. With the departure of Amon-Ra St. Brown, there is a spot available at the top of the depth chart. USC’s offense will be one of the top scoring offenses in the country this year, and McCoy should be one who sees the endzone often.
SEC – Emory Jones (QB, Florida) – Over the last few seasons, Emory Jones has seen sporadic playing time behind Kyle Trask and Felipe Franks. In Jones career, he has thrown for 613 yards last season with a touchdown to interception ration of 7:1. On top of the passing yards, he has also rushed for 514 yards. Jones is a true duel threat quarterback who will need to find playmakers on the outside. After the loss of Kyle Pitts, Trevon Grimes, and Kadarious Toney, the Gators will be looking for players to step up at the tight end and wide receiver position. Florida has talent such as Jacob Copeland and Justin Shorter so Jones will have options. As long as the receivers step up, Emory Jones should elevate himself to one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.
The Walk-On Redshirts 