It’s never too early to be on the hunt for college football’s next stars. Here is Insider’s first look at the top 15 breakout candidates for the 2016 season.
First, one note: We typically try to stay away from returning 1,000-yard rushers, so you will not see super sophomores such as Washington’s Myles Gaskin (1,302 yards; 14 TDs), Pitt’s Qadree Ollison (1,121 yards; 11 TDs), Penn State’s Saquon Barkley (1,076 yards; 7 TDs) and Virginia Tech's Travon McMillian (1,042 yards, 7 TDs). But understand that those backs will move toward becoming household names and Doak Walker Award-type players.