Here are 12 players – one from each team – who could emerge as breakout stars in the 2015 season
If there’s one thing the American Athletic Conference has not lacked in its first two seasons, it’s star power.
From Blake Bortles – the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft – to Justin Hardy – the NCAA’s all-time receptions leader, The American has seen some of the nation’s top players come through its ranks in its first two years.
Rare is the superstar who didn’t have to work his way up the ladder, however. Before they become household names and All-America selections, they turn in solid, if not spectacular, seasons with glimpses of things to come.
Every team in The American has those players – those who have opened eyes with their play on the field, but haven’t quite found the marriage of development and opportunity to reach the elite level. Yet.
Here are 12 players – one from each American Athletic Conference team – who could find themselves in the right situation this year to take a place among the best in the conference in 2015.
Justin Holman, QB, UCF
Holman was charged with taking over for Blake Bortles, who was the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and ended up having a solid year. He threw for 2,952 yards and 23 touchdown and led the Knights to a share of the American Athletic Conference title. With a year of starting experience to go with his six-foot-four frame and rocket arm, Holman figures to be next in the UCF line of successful signal-callers.
Mike Boone, Cincinnati
Boone was Cincinnati’s leader in rushing yards (650) and rushing touchdowns (nine) last season, so it may be a stretch to put him in this category. But considering that the bulk of Boone’s 2014 numbers came in the final seven games of the season (he had just eight carries in the first six games), it stands to reason that the second-year running back could be poised for a huge sophomore campaign.
Kenton Adeyemi, DE, UConn
Adeyemi, a six-foot-four, 285-pound end, brings skill and leadership to the Huskies’ defense, which was a stronger unit last season than the numbers might suggest. Adeyemi had 31 tackles and five tackles for loss last season and will lead a unit that returns eight starters from last season.
Isaiah Jones, WR, East Carolina
Jones posted numbers that would make him the leader on most teams last year – 81 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns. On the pass-heavy East Carolina offense, Jones finished third in receiving yards as the Pirates leaned on Justin Hardy – the NCAA’s career receptions leader. With Hardy gone to the NFL, Jones becomes the primary threat and should threaten the 1,000-yard barrier as a junior.
Demarcus Ayers, WR, Houston
Ayers has already seen time in the spotlight as he was named The American’s Special Teams Player of the Year in 2013. He comes into the 2015 season, however, as the Cougars’ top returning receiver, making him a key to first-year coach Tom Herman’s retooled offense. Ayers had 33 catches for 335 yards and two touchdowns last sesaon.
Sam Craft, RB, Memphis
Craft was limited by injuries to eight games last year, and with the departure of 900-yard rusher Brandon Hayes, the junior should be able to step into a larger role. After rushing for 331 yards and three touchdowns last season, Craft should be a primary focus of opposing defenses in 2015.
DeBrandon Sanders, RB, Navy
While quarterback Keenan Reynolds and fullback Chris Swain might get most of the attention in Navy’s triple-option offense, Sanders could emerge as a regular threat for 100-yard games as the Midshipmen’s top returning slotback. The diminutive Sanders (5-7, 160 pounds), rushed for 231 yards and three touchdowns last year and steps into a starting role as a junior.
Nigel Harris, LB, USF
Harris was USF’s second-leading tackler last season and finished as the national leader in forced fumbles (six). He had 77 total stops, two sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss and should be solidly in the mix for all-conference accolades if he can duplicate that performance as a junior.
Deion Sanders Jr., WR, SMU
As part of an offense that struggled with pass protection and consistent quarterback play, Sanders nonetheless showed flashes of the ability that made him a special teams threat in his first two seasons. A new coaching staff, a revamped offense, and expected stability at the quarterback position should bode well for Sanders, who should be a primary beneficiary of new coach Chad Morris’ receiver-friendly schemes.
Sean Chandler, CB, Temple
Chandler is one of the younger players on a veteran Temple squad, but is one of 10 returning starters on the Owl defense. He made 11 starts and had eight pass breakups, an interception and two forced fumbles as a true freshman and will be a key component of a defense that should once again rank among the nation’s best.
Sherman Badie, RB, Tulane
Badie rushed for 215 yards in his first career game last season and finished as the Green Wave’s leader in rushing yards (688). An ankle injury slowed Badie down for the second half of the year and the second-year man appears eager to live up to his billing as Tulane’s home-run hitter on offense. He will have the added benefit of running behind a line that returns four of its five starters from last season.
Craig Suits, LB, Tulsa
Suits made 12 starts as a freshman last season and looks to build on an impressive rookie year that was capped with Freshman All-American honors. Suits finished second on the Golden Hurricane with 81 tackles to go with 7.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups. Tulsa expects to see an improved defense this season, with six starters returning, and Suits figures to be a significant part of the turnaround.