Miami's newest pass rusher headlines a breakout list full of big stories

Damon Wilson II was included in CFB writer Michael Cohen's top 10 breakout candidates for the 2026 college football season, a national list that mixes transfer quarterbacks, former blue-chip recruits, late-blooming running backs and players stepping into bigger roles at major programs.

Josh Hoover gets a fresh start at Indiana

The list starts with Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover. He threw for more than 9,600 yards and 71 touchdowns at TCU, which makes him one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the sport entering 2026.

Indiana has become a quarterback development story under Curt Cignetti after Fernando Mendoza found major success in Bloomington. Hoover now gets his turn in that system. If his TCU production translates and Indiana keeps its recent momentum, Hoover could move from productive veteran to national-name quarterback.

Damon Wilson II looks to lead Miami's defense

Wilson was brought in from Missouri to help fill a hole on Miami's defensive line. In 2025, Wilson finished with 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

Wilson was once a five-star recruit at Georgia and he now returns to his home state with a chance to become Miami's next featured pass rusher.

Andrew Marsh could rise with Michigan's passing game

Michigan wide receiver Andrew Marsh is another sophomore with a path to breakout. He caught 45 passes for 651 yards and four touchdowns last season despite playing in a passing offense that ranked near the bottom nationally.

With the help of new offensive coordinator Jason Beck, Michigan's offense could take a major leap, and Marsh would be the main beneficiary.

Trey'Dez Green is LSU's key returner

LSU tight end Trey'Dez Green is a holdover who might become even more valuable because of Lane Kiffin's arrival and all of the new pieces around him.

Green caught 33 passes for 433 yards and seven touchdowns last season. LSU added a massive transfer class and rebuilt much of its receiver room, but Green gives the Tigers a proven mismatch at tight end. At 6-foot-7, he brings the kind of size that can't be replaced.

Kamari Moulton is a developmental RB for Iowa

Iowa running back Kamari Moulton came out of Fort Lauderdale as an under-the-radar prospect and picked Iowa with little power-conference attention.

Now he looks like another Kirk Ferentz development win. Moulton ran for 878 yards and five touchdowns last season after producing 473 rushing yards the year before. His production has climbed each season, and he averaged more than five yards per carry in six of his final eight appearances.

Aneyas Williams steps into Notre Dame's backfield as the No. 1 option

Aneyas Williams is the Notre Dame running back to watch this year. He carried the ball 24 times for 224 yards and five touchdowns last season, good for 9.3 yards per carry.

Notre Dame's run game has been dominant in recent years, and Williams is positioned to take on a much larger role. If that efficiency is a sign of things to come, he could become a breakout star.

Earl Little Jr. transfers to Ohio State

Earl Little Jr., the former Alabama and Florida State defensive back, arrives in Columbus after producing 76 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles last season. He also earned second-team All-ACC honors.

The Buckeyes lost several NFL players from last year's defense, including safety Caleb Downs. Little offers Ohio State experience, versatility and a defensive back who has played multiple roles on defense.

Terrell Anderson looks to lead USC's receiver room

USC wide receiver Terrell Anderson is a huge addition to USC.

The Trojans lost major receiver production to the NFL Draft, and Anderson arrives from NC State after catching 39 passes for 629 yards and five touchdowns last season. He is the most experienced and proven option in a USC receiver room that will rely on younger players and freshmen around him.

Chaz Coleman is a high-upside swing at Tennessee

Chaz Coleman transferred from Penn State to Tennessee after Jim Knowles made the same move from Penn State's defensive coordinator job to the Volunteers.

Coleman's 2025 production was limited: eight tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and 15 pressures in 150 snaps. But, he was a blue-chip recruit, showed ability in a small role and followed a coordinator who knows his skill set.

Coleman missed most of spring practice and team activities because of what Josh Heupel described as off-the-field issues, so his breakout case depends on his return and role becoming stable.

WR Noah Rogers goes to Alabama

Alabama wide receiver Noah Rogers rounds out the list. He is a former Ohio State signee who rebuilt his stock at NC State. Rogers did not catch a pass in his lone season at Ohio State, but he produced 68 receptions for 919 yards and three touchdowns across two seasons with the Wolfpack.

Now he gets another shot at Alabama. Rogers caught 33 passes for 441 yards and two touchdowns last season, and his size and pedigree make him a natural breakout candidate if he wins a starting role.

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