ESPN ranks Top 10 second year breakout candidates ahead of 2025 college football season

For every superstar freshman like Ohio State‘s Jeremiah Smith, Florida‘s DJ Lagway or Alabama‘s Ryan Williams, there are five- and four-star signees that don’t quite live up to the hype as big-time recruits in their first season in college.

Now, that’s often not any fault of their own making, with many having to play behind more entrenched veteran starters, especially when it comes to the quarterback position. Even Lagway, the 2024 No. 1 overall recruit, didn’t start his first game until senior Graham Mertz went down with an injury in the 2024 season-opener vs. Miami.

Still, for every Lagway or Smith, there are dozens of college football rookies that require a little more time in the oven before their ready to step up as primetime players. With that in mind, ESPN unveiled its list of the 2024 signees that are primed to breakout as second-year players ahead of the upcoming season, including a trio of quarterbacks that could find themselves starting in 2025.

Check out ESPN’s Top 10 list of second-year breakout candidates in 2025 college football season:

1. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

The former Five-Star Plus+ recruit who signed with Alabama but transferred to Columbus after Nick Saban‘s retirement is still entrenched in a QB1 competition with Lincoln Kienholz, and coach Ryan Day indicated it’s closer than many think. On3 insider Pete Nakos reported Wednesday that a decision could come next week after the Buckeyes’ second preseason scrimmage this weekend. But ESPN is betting on Sayin being the guy at Ohio State for the forseeable future.

ESPN: “Sayin, who was the No. 2 QB behind DJ Lagway in the 2024 rankings, possesses outstanding arm talent, both in strength and accuracy, and he can move the chains with his legs. He is seasoned and polished, with arguably the best receiving corps in the country.”

2. Jordan Marshall, RB, Michigan

The four-star recruit was a Top 90 player in the 2024 cycle and the No. 4 running back in the class, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. Marshall tallied 100 of his 123 rushing yards last season in Michigan’s ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama, and is now set to pair with Crimson Tide transfer Justice Haynes as the Wolverines’ new “thunder and lightning” backfield pairing in 2025.

ESPN: “Marshall is elusive in tight quarters, fast in the open field and powerful on contact with a low center of gravity. He boasted the top verified shuttle (5-10-5) out of high school with 4.1 seconds, which would have been second among running backs at this year’s NFL combine.”

3. Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia

The Five-Star Plus+ and No. 2 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, Robinson didn’t contribute much as a freshman, appearing in just four games last year. But after Georgia lost several starters in its defensive backfield this offseason, the 6-foot Robinson will be counted on to elevate his game in Year 2 in Athens, with the expectation he’ll see more time at nickle in 2025.

ESPN: “Word from Athens is that the light has come on. Robinson is seeing the game more clearly, allowing him to play faster. Reminder: Robinson possesses a rare blend of length, speed and ball skills. He just happens to be part of a defense where that’s the norm.”

4. Joshisa Trader, WR, Miami

A four-star Top 50 recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to Rivals Industry Ranking, Trader more than doubled his prior production with three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s bowl game vvs. Iowa State last season. That provides ‘Canes fans with plenty of hope for even more in 2025, especially as Miami looks to open things up with prototypical passer Carson Beck at quarterback.

ESPN: “Trader is 6-foot-1 with smooth, fluid movements and quick hands to pluck the ball on the run for big gainers. He’s a legitimate three-level threat. Trader will team up with tight end Elija Lofton to give Miami two breakout stars on offense for Carson Beck to work with.”

5. Mike Matthews or Braylon Staley, WRs, Tennessee

The Vols offense will look a lot different in 2025 after losing QB Nico Iamaleava to UCLA via the transfer portal. But with former Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar in Knoxville now, Tennessee will rely on its playmakers to make his transition as smooth as possible. That puts the onus on Matthews, a 2024 five-star recruit, and Staley, a four-star product, to elevate their games after battling injuries last season.

ESPN: “Yes, we are hedging our bet with this pick. We expect Matthews or Staley to break out this year as a top SEC receiver. Who that will be depends on who stays healthy, as both have been injury prone. … This WR room needs to produce for the Vols to return to the College Football Playoff.”

6. Kingston Lopa, S, Oregon

A big, physical specimen at safety, Lopa redshirted after appearing in just four regular season games last season but made his presence felt when he was in the game. The backend of the Ducks defense will now need even more from the former four-star recruit, who played both ways in high school with four interceptions and 16 touchdowns in 2023 as a Top 200 prospect per Rivals Industry Ranking.

ESPN: “Lopa is 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds but covers ground fast with his long stride. He will come up inside the box and tackles soundly as well. … Lopa will need to develop as the season progresses with his reads and recognition, but we project he will begin to reach his potential this fall.”

7. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

The grandson of Michigan coaching legend Lloyd Carr was a four-star recruit, the No. 6 overall qurterback and a Top 70 prospect in the 2024 cycle, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. Now he’s battling fellow redshirt freshman Kenny Minchey to be the Irish’s No. 1 QB after sitting out last year. On3’s Pete Nakos‘ sources indicated a decision could come Sunday or Monday after the second of two upcoming scrimmages.

ESPN: “With running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price returning and an experienced offensive line, the Irish might not need Carr to break out with huge production. But he will need to anticipate, get the ball out and push it downfield to his targets.”

8. Dilin Jones, RB, Wisconsin

The Badgers’ is known as RBU for good reason, and Jones has the making of being Wisconsin’s next great ‘back after signing as a four-star prospect and the No. 12 RB in the 2024 cycle, per Rivals Industry Ranking. After averaging 5.5 ypc on just 16 carries last season, the 6-foot and 208-pound Jones could be primed to emerge out of a loaded backfield that includes Darrion Dupree and Cade Yacamelli.

ESPN: “He’s got an impressive size-to-speed ratio and good change-of-direction skills. Jones isn’t just a classic bruising back that Badgers fans are accustomed to. He can also hit the home run and make tackles miss in the open field.”

9. Brandon Baker, OT, Texas

The top-ranked Longhorns enter 2025 with plenty of hype, much of which centers around 2023 No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning taking over as QB1. But there are concerns at offensive line, especially after losing Andre Cojoe to a season-ending injury. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Baker is expected to start this season after landing in Austin as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the 2024 class, per Rivals Industry Ranking.

ESPN: “He has improved his strength this offseason and has worked hard at the technical points of the position. He will be tasked with protecting the most anticipated player in all of college football in Arch Manning.”

10. Elijah Brown, QB, Stanford

New Stanford coach Frank Reich named veteran transfer Ben Gulbranson his QB1, but Brown has the pedigree to emerge in 2025 should he be needed. A four-star recruit, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Brown was a Top 300 prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking after winning two state titles with powerhouse Mater Dei High out of Santa Ana, Calif., and has the physical tools to step up when called upon.

ESPN: “While young, he will have one of the better quarterback tutors in Frank Reich and a GM, Andrew Luck, who knows a thing or two about winning in Palo Alto. Brown has pro-style skills that fit well in Reich’s scheme.”