CFB: EVERY FBS TEAMS "PLAYER TO WATCH" IN 2021 (PART 4)

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

TCU - Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Defensive Back

The Horned Frogs boasted one of the elite secondary units in the country last year. Tre’von Moehrig was selected in the 2nd round of last year’s draft, and Ar’Darius Washington has stuck on the Ravens main roster despite being a UDFA (He had no business going undrafted.) TCU has one more highly coveted secondary member in Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson. Hodges-Tomlinson is one of the highest-graded returning corners in the country.

Temple - Jordan Magee, Linebacker

The Owls lost a lot of top-tier talent on defense. Top defensive end Arnold Ebeketie is off to Happy Valley, top linebacker Ifeanyi Maijeh off to Rutgers. Jordan Magee is a new face who could be the face of the Temple defense. The Dover native has good size and already made an impact in week one of 2021, leading the Owls in tackles.

Tennessee - Cade Mays, Offensive Lineman

Cade Mays was one of the top recruits in his class. He was the 22nd overall recruit in the 2018 class, the fourth highest-rated lineman in the class. Extremely versatile, the Tennessee native has played virtually every position on the line for the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers. On a Tennessee team experiencing a lot of change, look for Mays to be a steady force.

Texas - Bijan Robinson, Running Back

There is a lot of hype behind second-year running back Bijan Robinson and for good reason. There was a collective groan amongst draft followers when they found out Robinson was only a freshman, unable to declare for another two seasons. He’s really good. Averaging over eight yards a carry in 2020, Bijan possesses game-changing speed. You need to always be on alert whenever Robinson is on the field.

Texas A&M - Haynes King, Quarterback

Texas A&M has pound for pound one of the best rosters in all of college football. They are really good pretty much anywhere. This shouldn’t surprise anyone, the Aggies with a 9-1 record last season and returning a ton of starters. The one position experiencing turnover is the most important though at quarterback. Kellen Mond was a player criticized too much because of his status as a real NFL prospect. He was always judged as a prospect and seemingly never as a college quarterback, and Mond was a good college quarterback, better than most. Redshirt Freshman Haynes King is leading the charge for the Aggies and will be the biggest influencing factor on how far Texas A&M goes. Play well enough and the Aggies might even break into the College Football Playoffs.

Texas State - Nico Ezidore, Defensive Line

Nico Ezidore terrorized the Sun Belt last season. The junior defensive lineman racked up 66 tackles, 12.5 of which were for a loss. Despite being on the line, Ezidore finished second on his team in total tackles… pretty crazy. Can the Texas native take an even bigger step in his senior year?

Texas Tech - Tyler Shough, Quarterback

Once upon a time, Tyler Shough was the future at Oregon. He was selected as the successor to longtime quarterback Justin Herbert after he went to the NFL. Things didn’t really work out that well in his first season with the Ducks, Shough showing his inexperience a bit. Nobody really saw him transferring though. Can he get it back on track at Texas Tech? 

Toledo - Bryce Mitchell, Wide Receiver

Over the past two years, Mitchell has been a consistent deep threat for the Rockets. Last year was the senior’s best year yet, Mitchell averaging over 23 yards per catch. Toledo will once again look to be big players in the MAC this year and will look to experienced playmakers such as Bryce Mitchell to make an impact.

Troy - Carlton Martial, Linebacker

Carlton Martial might be the best player in the nation that you haven’t heard of. Over the past three seasons, Martial has racked up 321 tackles, 38.5 of which were for a loss. He lacks ideal size but makes up for it with incredible football IQ and instincts. He has a great feel around the box and sees rushing lanes before they even develop. Look for Martial to have yet another great season for the Trojans.

Tulane - Dorian Williams, Linebacker

Though only a sophomore, Dorian Williams was one of the best linebackers in the American Conference last year. He led the Green Wave in tackles with 97, including 15.5 tackles for loss. He plays with a fire under him every play, always around the ball as a result. He’s a monster in the run game and could rise up draft boards with some improvements to his all-around game.

Tulsa - Jaxon Player, Defensive Tackle

There were a lot of eyes on Tulsa football last year, more than usual in fact. Zaven Collins was an absolutely special player who quickly shot up draft boards and stunned all who watched with his combination of size and athleticism. Zaven Collins wasn’t the only real player on that defense though. Jaxon Player is a defensive tackle who can make some noise in 2021. He is a double-team magnet and a disruptive run defender.

UAB - Sidney Wells/Colby Ragland, Offensive Lineman

The first and only double entry on this list! It seemed extremely unfair to include one Alabama Birmingham lineman and not the other. Both Sidney Wells and Colby Ragland are premier offensive linemen in the C-USA. Both were named All-Conference first team last year next to Cowboys draft pick Josh Ball and future draft pick Cain Madden.

UCF - Jaylon Robinson, Wide Receiver

There is an opportunity for Jaylon Robinson to be a star in the American, and he’s already shown signs of it early on. The main man for the Knights Marlon Williams is off to the NFL, leaving a huge workload open. Robinson impressed as a secondary option in 2020, finishing just under 1,000 yards. Both Williams and third option Jacob Harris is onto the next level, leaving all the opportunity for Robinson to be one of the biggest star receivers in college football. Look for quarterback Dillon Gabriel to frequent Robinson’s number often.

UCLA - Sean Rhyan, Offensive Tackle

If you don’t know about Sean Rhyan, get familiar with him. Rhyan is one of the top offensive tackles in the country, soon to be in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has wonderful technique and rarely gives up any pressure. He is a mauler in the run game and should continue to lead a very good UCLA offense.

UConn - Kevin Mensah, Running Back

Kevin Mensah is the one consistent option in the UConn football program. There is not a ton of good going UConn’s way this season, the Huskies already losing to the FCS program Holy Cross in 2021. Mensah has been a solid running back for the Huskies over the past four seasons.

UMASS - Willie Allen, Offensive Tackle

Yeah… there’s not much to say about UMASS other than you hope they are a lot better than they were in 2020. You can’t really get any worse than scoring 12 points in four games, two of those points coming from a safety. One player who could do well for the Minutemen is Louisiana Tech grad transfer, Willie Allen. Allen has big size and experience.

UNLV - Charles Williams, Running Back

It always seems that no matter the state of the program at UNLV, the Rebels always have a good back. Lexington Thomas was one of the more underrated backs when he played, and it seems that Charles Williams has taken the mantle from his predecessor. Many forget this but Williams was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2019 and is looking to get back to that in 2021. If his 172-yard week one performance against Eastern Washington is anything to go by, Williams is primed for a big year.

USC - Keaontay Ingram, Running Back

Keaontay Ingram has all the makings of a breakout star in the PAC-12. Ingram was impressive for the Longhorns in his first two years, but an injury derailed his career in Austin. With Bijan Robinson handling the reigns at Texas now, Ingram has found his own home in Southern California. Ingram has the skills to pay the bills and could be the next Trey Sermon-like player who explodes as a transfer.

UTEP - Bobby Deharo, Offensive Guard

Bobby Deharo enters 2021 as one of the more established guards in the Mountain West. Deharo has started three seasons for the Miners and brings a boatload of experience. An All-Conference honorable mention three years in a row, Deharo looks to have a big year for the miners.

UTSA - Sincere McCormick, Running Back

Sincere McCormick might be the most underrated running back in the nation. Last year as a sophomore McCormick rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. McCormick hits his second gear in a hurry and performs well through contact. Look for his name come draft time.

Utah - Devin Lloyd, Linebacker

Devin Lloyd is a linebacker to watch out for, especially when it’s time for the draft. In a shortened five-game season last year, Lloyd averaged nearly ten tackles per game. Lloyd had an incredible ten tackles for loss… in only ten games. He’s one of the premier linebackers in the nation and should put up some absurd stats in a full season.

Utah State - Justin Rice, Linebacker

Speaking of absurd stats, Justin Rice is the king of the big season. Last year Rice led the nation in tackles for loss with 18.5. He really found his groove after transferring to Arkansas State last year, pretty much residing in the backfield. Now with Utah State, hopefully, Rice can get a little more recognition at a bigger school.

Vanderbilt - Cam Johnson, Wide Receiver

Vanderbilt’s a hard team to choose from. The Commodores just lost to non-FBS East Tennessee State 23-3 last week… not good. Cam Johnson was the leading receiver last year with 545 receiving yards.

Virginia - Billy Kemp, Wide Receiver

Billy Kemp is an extremely interesting player to look at. The gadget player does a ton for the Cavaliers offense, leading Virginia in receiving yards with 644. The object is simple, get the ball in Kemp’s hands and watch him create magic.

Virginia Tech - Braxton Burmeister, Quarterback

Braxton Burmeister has talent. He is a former four-star recruit and was thought to be the future guy at Oregon. That did not happen and Burmeister has found himself a home in Virginia Tech. The Hokies obviously see talent, choosing Braxton over former starter Hendon Hooker. If Burmeister can show why he was such a highly-touted recruit, we may see the Hookies return to being a top team.

Wake Forest - Jaquarii Roberson, Wide Receiver

Jaquarii Roberson was a breakout star for the Demon Deacons last season. As the leading receiver for Wake Forest, the speedster nearly broke the 1,000-yard mark in only nine games. Roberson also reached the end zone eight times. He has good body control with the ball in the air and can perform well with the ball in his hands. Can Roberson possibly finish at the top receiver in the ACC?

Washington - Edefaun Olufoshio, Linebacker

Edefuan Ulofoshio is one of the best linebackers in the country. He is very adept at taking on blockers and getting into the backfield. This is such a refreshing thing to see, with most modern linebackers opting to try and avoid blockers. The former walk-on could be one of the top linebackers selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Washington State - Max Borghi, Running Back

It feels as though we’ve been waiting for years for Max Borghi to declare. There were few who fit exactly what their team’s philosophy was than Borghi. In an offense that loved to pass a lot, Borghi was the pass-catching back the Cougars needed. Maybe the obvious Christian McCaffrey comparisons were a bit too lofty, but Borghi is still one of the more exciting college backs.

West Virginia - Dante Stills, Defensive Tackle

Yes, another Stills at West Virginia. Just like his brother Darius, Dante is a force to be reckoned with at West Virginia. Stills does a good job using his length and quickness to get into the backfield. It may not always show up on the stat sheet, but Stills is constantly getting into the backfield making life hectic for opposing offensive coordinators.

Western Kentucky - DeAngelo Malone, Defensive Lineman

DeAngelo Malone brings a ton to the Hilltoppers. A fifth-year player, Malone brings a ton of experience. Just two years ago, Malone was one of the top defensive linemen in the country, registering 20.5 tackles for loss and ten sacks. While his numbers took a bit of a step back in 2020, Malone still has a ton of talent and can be a force for Western Kentucky.

Western Michigan - Kaleb Eleby, Quarterback

Whenever watching Dwayne Eskridge last year for Western Michigan, quarterback Kaleb Eleby almost always impressed. The Broncos put up a ton of points in a hurry with their vertical offense last year, and Eleby impressed with his arm as a sophomore. Can Eleby be the next breakout small school quarterback?

Wisconsin - Chez Mellusi, Running Back

This entry was originally going to go to Jalen Berger, the freshman who impressed greatly with Wisconsin last season. However, Jalen Berger didn’t see the field in the Badgers opening week contest against Penn State. Nobody is quite sure why yet, but in his stead the former Clemson recruit Chez Mellusi impressed with a 121-yard debut. Could Mellusi be the guy for the Badgers moving forward?

Wyoming - Xazavian Valladay, Running Back

Xazavian Valladay is a back who was hurt by the covid shortened season last year. When you look at his numbers through last year, they were good but the lack of game time makes them less spectacular. He still did average over five yards a carry though. If you look back at 2019 though, Valladay rushed for over 1,200 yards for the Cowboys. He has a ton of talent and can put himself back on the radar with a good full season.

All Recruiting Information Via 24/7

All Stats Via Sports-Reference/CollegeFootball

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen