CFB: EVERY FBS Teams "Player to Watch" in 2021 (Part 3)

This is the third part in a four-part series, here are parts one and two.

Ohio - De’Montre Tuggle, Running Back

Senior running back De’Montre Tuggle built off a really good junior season in 2021. In only three games, the JUCO product racked up 403 yards and six touchdowns. Look for Tuggle to be one of the premier backs in the MAC.

Ohio State - CJ Stroud, Quarterback

Everything for Ohio State relies on the quarterback. There is talent all over the field for the Buckeyes, it’s been the same story for years now. C.J. Stroud has the tall task of replacing first-round quarterback Justin Fields and will be the X-Factor in just how far Ohio State goes this season. With multiple other programs also experiencing change at quarterback, Stroud could do something special in his first season.

Oklahoma - Eric Gray, Running Back

Eric Gray is going to be a back who potentially gains a good amount of hype for the NFL draft this season. Though never truly given the keys to the Tennessee offense, Gray showed a lot of exciting things for the Volunteers. He will be going to a much better team in the Sooners and could be this year’s breakout star at running back. 

Oklahoma State - Tyler Lacy, Defensive End

Tyler Lacy can be a breakout defensive end in the Big 12. An All-Conference Honorable Mention, Lacy led the Cowboys front four in tackles for loss with eight. Steadily progressing every year as a starter, look for the redshirt junior to take his game to another level in 2021.

Old Dominion - Jordan Young, Linebacker

It’s hard to figure out Old Dominion. This is a team that hasn’t played since 2019, a year in which the Monarchs went 1-11. With Keion White off to Georgia Tech, linebacker Jordan Young is the best returning defender. The senior has recorded 242 total tackles in three years as a starter.

Ole Miss - Matt Corral, Quarterback

For better or worse when Matt Corral plays it’s must-see football. He is one of the best playmakers in football, able to make big throws down the field for the Rebels. At his best, Corral is a quarterback who can hear his name called in the first round of the NFL draft, and one who can possibly compete for the Heisman. He’s just so inconsistent though. He threw 14 interceptions last year, and if he wants to truly take that next step he has to take better care of the football.

Oregon - Noah Sewell, Linebacker

“Sewell is the player to watch at Oregon”, where have we seen this one before? The younger brother of Lions first-round pick and former Oregon Duck Penei Sewell, Noah impressed early at linebacker. Sewell finished second for the Ducks in total tackles, tackles of loss, and sacks. Sewell has the potential to play across from his brother in the NFL in the coming years.

Oregon State - B.J. Baylor, Running Back

B.J. Baylor has the tall task of trying to replace one of the most dynamic running backs in the Pac-12. Though small, Jermar Jefferson was one of the best players on the pacific coast over the past three years. Baylor has been a serviceable backup and has the chance to take over the offense in 2021.

Penn State - Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver

Jahan Dotson was a breakout receiver in 2020. Always a big-play threat, Dotson was the featured receiver for the Nittany Lions offense. He might be smaller, but Dotson’s speed makes him one of the hardest in the nation to cover. He put the nation on notice last year, look for Dotson to become a household name in 2021.

Pittsburgh - Sirvocea Dennis, Linebacker

The Panthers lost a lot of players on their defense. Patrick Jones, Rashad Weaver, Damar Hamlin, and Paris Ford all moved on to the league at the end of the 2020 season (add in opt-out Jaylen Twyman too.) The Panthers defense is in search of a standout player, and Sirvocea Dennis fits the bill. Dennis led the Panthers in tackles for loss with 14 in 2020.

Purdue - George Karlaftis, Edge Rusher

Watching George Karlaftis, the easy comparison is former Boilermaker Ryan Kerrigan. Though he didn’t play much last season, Karlaftis was one of the top edge rushers in his freshman 2019 season, sacking the quarterback 7.5 times and recording 17.5 tackles for loss. Karlaftis will look to be one of the top players in the 2022 NFL Draft Class.

Rice - Luke McCaffrey, Quarterback

In the new edition of “Oh that’s where he is now!” We have former Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey. The brother of Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, Luke struggled to find a permanent home in Nebraska with Adrian Martinez running the show. Now the dual-threat QB is looking to make an impact for Rice. While not a complete passer, McCaffrey can do some special things with his legs.

Rutgers - Bo Melton, Wide Receiver

It took him a few years to really come into his own, but Melton really started to figure it out in his senior season. With the best quarterback play seen in a while at Rutgers, Melton reached the end zone eight times in nine games. He’s athletic and a threat with the ball in his hands, watch for Melton in his super senior season.

San Diego State - Caden McDonald, Linebacker

The Aztecs have one of the elite defenses in the country, and Caden McDonald is one of the leading faces of the unit. McDonald lived in the backfield last year, gaining 10.5 TFLs and sacking the quarterback 4.5 times. Look for McDonald and the Aztecs defense to continue to make quarterback lives hectic in 2021.

San Jose State - Cade Hall, Edge Rusher

Who saw the Spartans going 7-1 last year? This was the same team who went 1-11 just two seasons prior. One of the biggest underdog stories of 2020, San Jose State was one of the toughest defenses to play against in the country. At the center of it was edge rusher Cade Hall, a man who lived in the backfield without paying any rent. Hall sacked the quarterback ten times last year and is back for his fourth season.

SMU - Ulysses Bentley IV, Running Back

Ulysses Bentley IV has one of the best names in college football, and he’s pretty good on the field as well. As a freshman last season Bentley nearly broke 1,000 rushing yards, reaching the end zone a total of twelve times. SMU might have another star running back on their hands.

South Alabama - Jalen Tolbert, Wide Receiver

Time to revisit some previous trivia again. We’ve already mentioned two of the three returning 1,000 yard FBS receivers in Calvin Austin III and Romeo Doubs, here’s the third. Jalen Tolbert was the star of South Alabama last year, scoring eight times while reaching the 1,000 yard mark. Look for Tolbert to try repeating once again.

South Carolina - Kevin Harris, Running Back 

South Carolina’s offense is an extreme unknown. This is the team that is starting a former grad assistant as their quarterback. Kevin Harris is the one consistent for the Gamecocks. A breakout sophomore, Harris reached the end zone 15 times on his way to a 1,000-yard season. Harris might not be around too long with the NFL calling, but look for the Georgia native to have a big year.

South Florida - Tony Grier Jr, Linebacker

Tony Grier Jr stepped into a leadership position for the Bulls last year, standing out as the top defender on USF’s defense. Grier was the Bulls top tackler and looks to lead a hopefully improved USF defense into 2021.

Southern Mississippi - Frank Gore Jr, Running Back

Yes, you read that right, Frank Gore JUNIOR. Get out your reading glasses, you the reader are officially old. The son of legendary NFL running back Frank Gore (who started 14 games last season for the Jets) Gore Jr looked extremely comfortable in his freshman season. Averaging six yards a carry, Gore looked like a potential super star for the Golden Eagles.

Stanford - Thomas Booker, Defensive End

Thomas Booker has been a very solid defensive lineman for the Cardinal over the past few years. Through three years, Booker has racked up 100 total tackles, 15.5 for a loss, as well as 8.5 sacks. He’s as experienced as they come and will be a reliable overall threat off the edge for Stanford in 2021.

Syracuse - Geoff Cantin-Arku, Linebacker

It was a rough year for Dino Babers’ boys, the Orange’s 1-10 finish their worst record since joining the ACC. One of the standouts on defense was former three-star linebacker Geoff Cantin-Arku. Cantin-Arku did it all for ‘Cuse, registering 7.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen