Spring football is in the books, meaning that the excruciating four-month wait until September is on.
"Talkin' season" is upon us, and that's OK. That means we can expand on the potential breakout players for 2017. It's a fun exercise. Who had Lamar Jackson pegged as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate last season? Give us half credit on that one.
There are a few players that might just fit that description on this list, however. Get to know the names before it happens.
MORE: Post-spring Top 25
Here's a look at 17 potential breakout players for 2017. It's never too early to start looking.
2017 Breakout QBs
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
We almost can't control the hype at this point. No Power 5 school's value as a national contender fluctuates quite as much as Auburn, but that value is on the uptick after watching Stidham in the spring game. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 267 yards, and he hit four passes of 30 yards or more. Auburn plays at Clemson on Sept. 9. A victory there would put that stock in the stratosphere.
Shea Patterson, Ole Miss
The Rebels won't play in a postseason bowl this year, but that shouldn't take away from the excitement with Patterson, who racked up 341 yards and two TDs in the spring game. Patterson will improve and at the same time be one of the most-fun quarterbacks to watch this season.
Shea Patterson is going to be fun to watch the next few years..... pic.twitter.com/CZK1BLMWUa
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) December 12, 2016
Jake Bentley, South Carolina
Yep, that's three SEC quarterbacks. We can't believe it either. Bentley will take that leap as a sophomore, and the spring game showed there's a better supporting cast this time. Bentley completed 65.8 percent of his passes as a freshman. If he expands on that, then watch out. The cross-state opener against N.C. State at Bank of America Stadium is a tone-setter for that growth.
Will Grier, West Virginia
A former SEC quarterback to caps it off. We're just glad Grier will have a chance to be back on the big stage after missing a year because of a suspension at Florida. Grier put on a show with a 12 of 18, 202-yard performance in the Mountaineers' spring game.
2017 Breakout RBs
Cam Akers, Florida State
It's difficult to contain the excitement here when you watch this clip from the spring game:
Look at the burst into the second level. Akers, a five-star freshman and early enrollee, finished with 102 total yards in that game. He'll need to earn carries in a crowded back field, but the talent will rise up.
Bryce Love, Stanford
Love inherits some big shoes with the departure of Christian McCaffrey, but there's track record to go off of here. Love rushed for 783 yards and three TDs last season. He's averaged 7.2 yards per carry behind McCaffrey the last two seasons. Love closed the season with back-to-back 100-yard games against Rice and North Carolina; a sign of what's to come in 2017.
MORE: Another gap grows within Power 5
Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
Anderson is in a similar situation. Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon are gone to the NFL, and the Sooners need a workhorse back Baker Mayfield can rely on. Anderson has missed the last two seasons because of season-ending injuries, a broken leg in 2015 and a neck injury in 2016. He'll have competition from a stable of other running backs looking to fill that void.
Demario McCall, Ohio State
He's not the only candidate in an enhanced Ohio State offense that should feature Parris Campbell and Johnnie Dixon with new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson on board. McCall isn't going to take Mike Weber's starting job either. The niche is in that Curtis Samuel-like role. McCall impressed in the spring game with 83 rushing yards and 48 receiving yards. Urban Meyer will lean on that versatility and slipper play-making ability a little more.
You don't need Demario McCall at H-back if you're just going to throw to him at running back. pic.twitter.com/SLnFaCqt6z
— Ozone Communications (@theOzonedotnet) April 15, 2017
MORE: Ohio State spring game winnners
Chawntez Moss, Pittsburgh
Moss averaged 5.4 yards per carry in spot duty behind James Conner last season and impressed in the spring game with eight carries for 59 yards. The trick lies in the competition in house. Quadree Ollison rushed for 1,121 yards in 2015. Junior Darrin Hall and freshmen A.J. Davis and Todd Sibley will be in the mix. Pat Narduzzi has options; that's for sure.
2017 Breakout WRs
Juwan Johnson, Penn State
Penn State needs a receiver to fill the void left by Chris Godwin's departure to the NFL, and the spring buzz in Happy Valley surrounded a 6-foot-4, 218-pound junior who had just two catches last season. The Nittany Lions' need that big-play receiver, and there's a lot to like here.
Collin Johnson, Texas
We know Shane Buechele is going to make that jump as a sophomore under first-year coach Tom Herman. Buechele's early favorite for a go-to guy appears to be Johnson, who scored twice in the spring game. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound sophomore showed that ability in the red zone with plays like this. The production should follow.
Buechele to Collin Johnson. Touchdown. #Hookem pic.twitter.com/Teffavc9uW
— Hookem Football (@hornsfootball) April 15, 2017
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Alabama offensive coordinator Brian Daboll clearly is going to emphasize the down-field passing game, and Jeudy will have an opportunity to make an instant impact in this offense. Jeudy wowed as the A-Day MVP with five catches for 134 yards and two TDs. There's a risk of expecting too much too soon, but he's set up for success with the Crimson Tide.
Dez Fitzpatrick, Louisville
Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson needs a go-to guy, and Fitzpatrick obliged with nine catches for 176 yards and two TDs in the spring game. Fitzpatrick's ability to leap over defenders for the big catch stands out, and he'll have opportunities to make the big plays in a high-flying offense.
2017 Breakout defenders
Rashan Gary, Michigan
This seems too easy. The former No. 1 recruit in the country was the No. 1 pick in Michigan's spring game draft. He learned from defensive linemen Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley last year. Gary has the tools to be one of the most disruptive players in the nation. In Don Brown's scheme, that's going to happen.
Daelin Hayes, Notre Dame
The defensive end appears poised for that breakout in new defensive coordinator Mike Elko's scheme, and that showed at the Blue-Gold Game. Hayes had seven tackles and three sacks off the edge, and Brian Kelly noticed what we're all going to see in the fall. "It's pretty clear Daelin Hayes is going to be a disruptive player for us," Kelly said afterward.
Marlon Tuipulotu, USC
USC's spring game didn't offer much because of a rash of injuries, but the spring reports are favorable on the early enrollee at defensive tackle. He will have to be battle in fall camp to be more than just a rotational player, but the freshman is on the right track.
Ramon Richards, Oklahoma State
Expectations are high at Oklahoma State with the return of the QB-WR combination of Mason Rudolph and James Washington back in business. The defense needs to be better, however. Richards has had an up-and-down career for the Cowboys, but this is the year he should evolve into an elite cornerback. Oklahoma State could use it to take that next step.
