Sophomore Surge: One SEC football team’s breakout star to keep an eye on in 2024
As spring practices get underway, college football teams returned to the field during the first week of March. Developing players and determining which pieces are prepared to advance are the main priorities at this time of year. The guys who are starting their second year in the program are the ideal candidates to find someone who has the potential to become the next big thing.
After a complete season in the program, sophomores’ emergence is crucial to a team’s chances of making it to the College Football Playoffs, regardless of whether it’s a former five-star who will finally get a chance to play or a low-ranked recruit who has grown well. These players from each SEC team are being watched as the leading contenders for a breakout season ahead of the 2025 college football season.
Prior to Jaylen Mbakwe’s decision to return to Alabama, it appeared early in the summer that Alabama might lose the former five-star prospect to the transfer portal. The former top recruit is moving from cornerback to wide receiver, a position in which he was quite successful in high school.
Braylen Russell began to receive some touches this season as Arkansas’ running backs struggled with injuries, and he gradually made an appearance. Russell had 175 yards rushing on 16 carries against Mississippi State, which was the high point of his rookie year. Braylen Russell, who will start for the Razorbacks in his sophomore season, is expected to have a standout campaign.
The Auburn Tigers have a third wide receiver that gets his roses, even if everyone is thrilled with the combination of Eric Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman. Malcolm Simmons ran the ball 13 yards and caught 40 receptions for 451 yards and three scores as a freshman. The main concern will be whether Auburn can consistently get Simmons the ball, even if he can make any play into a score and beat opposition defenders deep.
Leave a Reply