Every year in college football, we see players who burst onto the scene. Typically, these players are either true freshmen or players who have shown flashes of greatness in limited playing time. Now, with the transfer portal, players can transfer to find better systems or improved supporting casts. Let’s take a look at some of college football’s potential breakout stars in the upcoming 2025 season.
1. Ryan Wingo, WR, Texas
Wingo is the presumed favorite to be WR1 for the Texas Longhorns in 2025. Last season, Wingo totaled 29 receptions, 472 yards, and 2 TDs. At 6’2 215 pounds with a 10.55 100-meter time, Wingo is a physical specimen at the receiver position.
Wingo has the size, speed, route tree, and hands to be an elite receiver for the Longhorns. Considering he’ll be catching passes from Arch Manning, the deep ball connection between Manning and Wingo should be on a weekly display. Steve Sarkisian is known for calling a plethora of screen plays, and Wingo’s strength and speed are the ideal skill set for running after the catch.
2. Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
Haynes is entering the 2025 season with the Wolverines after spending two seasons at Alabama. In his two seasons with the Tide, Haynes totaled 616 yards and 9 TDs on 5.9 yards per carry. He will be featured in an offense that ran the ball 486 times in 2024 and 563 times in 2023.
Haynes is 5’10 210 pounds of pure athleticism. He possesses breakaway speed, short-area quickness, strong leg drive, and between-the-tackle vision. He was a 5-star RB in the 2023 recruiting class and the #1-ranked RB transfer during the offseason. Michigan has had a 1,000-yard rusher in 3 of the last 4 seasons, and we should expect Haynes to be another one.
3. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Throughout his coaching career, Kalen DeBoer has been known for producing 3,000-4,000-yard passers. Marcus McMaryion passed for 3,629 yards. Jake Haener passed for 4,096 yards. Michael Penix Jr passed for 4,000+ yards in back-to-back seasons. Given Simpson’s skill set and the addition of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, Simpson is poised for a breakout season.
Simpson was a 5-star QB in the 2022 recruiting class. He has spent his three seasons at Alabama sitting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. His weapons at wide receiver will include a big three of Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Isaiah Horton. Considering his supporting cast of Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, PFF’s #1 preseason offensive line, and an elite trio of wide receivers, Simpson is stepping into arguably the best QB situation in college football.
4. David Sanders Jr, OT, Tennessee
Sanders is the first true freshman on this list. He is stepping into the starting RT position for the Volunteers after earning the starting job almost instantly. He was rated as the #6 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class and spent a good amount of time as the #1 overall prospect. Sanders projects to be an elite athlete at offensive tackle, hence his appearance on the 247 Sports’ 2025 Freaks List. At 6’6 305 pounds, he also possesses the length necessary to thrive at RT.
Sanders will be starting in an offense that plays a ton of snaps throughout the season. Tennessee ranked 9th in college football in snaps per game, running 74.6 plays per game. Sanders will have ample opportunity to showcase his skills. In an offense that ran the ball 584 times last season, Sanders’ length and power should be on display quite frequently.
5. KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Bolden could easily become the best player on this list by the end of the 2025 season. The young star appeared in 14 games last season while starting in a couple of those games. Bolden totaled 59 tackles, 1 INT, and 1 pass deflection. He made the Freshman All-American team in 2024, but his goal for this season is to earn 1st Team All-American honors. At the safety position, Bolden was second fiddle to 1st round NFL Draft pick Malaki Starks; however, Bolden will be the leader of the Bulldogs’ secondary in 2025.
Bolden was ranked as the #1 safety in the 2024 recruiting class. At 6′ 195 pounds, Bolden possesses elite speed. He was a member of the 2022 Buford High School men’s 400-meter relay team that owns the fastest time in Georgia state history. He has unique skills with the ball in the air thanks to his time spent playing wide receiver at Buford. Bolden’s floor in 2025 is likely a Jim Thorpe Award finalist.
6. Dakorien Moore, WR, Oregon
Moore was rated as the #1 wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class and held that ranking starting in his sophomore year. In his junior and senior years of high school, Moore had 2,763 yards and 34 TDs at Duncanville High School. He is an explosive athlete with a verified 10.4 100-meter time and a 5th-place finish in the Texas 6A long jump. He possesses elite short-area quickness and top-end speed, along with sticky hands and a solid route tree.
Oregon’s presumed WR1, Evan Stewart, is out indefinitely with an injury. So, Moore is expected to step up into a large role in the Ducks’ offense. He should receive plenty of catchable throws from former 5-star QB Dante Moore. Oregon’s offensive coordinator, Will Stein, is recognized as one of college football’s elite play callers. He will undoubtedly have a game plan capable of giving Dakorien some 1-on-1 and run-after-catch opportunities.
7. Brandon Baker, OT, Texas
Baker was rated as the #2 OT prospect in the 2024 recruiting class. Baker stands at 6’4 310 pounds with a 6’11” wingspan. He spent his high school years playing for Mater Dei, a program known for producing college football players. His development at Mater Dei led to Baker being a technically sound prospect heading into his college career. He has now spent 18 months developing his body in preparation for a breakout season.
Baker will be in an offensive system that allows him to showcase his skills. Steve Sarkisian’s scheme is based on wide zone run concepts, which require athletic archetypes on the offensive line. Baker is also known for his technical skill set in pass protection. In an offense that will feature Arch Manning’s passing ability, Baker’s footwork and hands will be on full display.
8. Eddrick Houston, DE, Ohio State
Houston appeared in 15 games for the Buckeyes in 2024. He totaled 7 tackles and 2 pass deflections in those appearances. Houston was a 5-star DL prospect in the 2024 recruiting class. He is a unique piece for the Buckeye defense, as he is the only 5-star DL prospect currently on the Ohio State roster. Known for both his power and finesse out of high school, he offers versatility along the Buckeye defensive front. Houston totaled 15 sacks and 23 TFLs during his junior and senior seasons at Buford High School.
Ohio State lost all 4 starters from its national championship defensive front, and Houston projects as one of the key pieces to filling those spots. At 6’3 290 pounds, Houston offers a unique blend of size, strength, and quickness. Houston will thrive as a defensive lineman in the trench warfare of the Big Ten conference. Houston led Ohio State’s freshman class in snaps played last season. He is the clear frontrunner for the breakout player from that class.
