Which player is your pick to have a breakout season next year?
Mine is Devin Asiasi. He was one of our best blockers outside the O-line this season, which is impressive because blocking is typically what incoming freshman TEs struggle with the most. The only reason he didn't get more touches is because he was playing behind Jake Butt, the best TE in the country. We all know how much Harbaugh loves TEs and Asiasi has gushed about how great a mentor Jake Butt has been and how much he has learned from him.
On the defensive side of the ball, aside from Rashan Gary who is pretty much expected to be the top breakout performer and star of the defense next year, I think LaVert Hill will surprise a lot of people with Jourdan-esque play and will minimize the dropoff in pass defense.
Who do you have your eye on as next season's breakout performer, MGoBloggers?
December 6th, 2016 at 3:03 PM ^
Nate Johnson
December 6th, 2016 at 3:45 PM ^
No player more important than Brandon Peters
December 6th, 2016 at 6:00 PM ^
If Peters is good enough to beat out Speight, that's impressive. But we have Speight as a default option there. At other positions it's much more up in the air. So I wouldn't say he's the most important new guy.
December 6th, 2016 at 8:41 PM ^
I don't think it's fair to call Speight a "Default Starter" I think he pretty much proved his worth this year after earning the job, so he wouldn't be a starter by default. Based on your comment I don't think you meant to say it as it reads, but I think it'd be better to say "we have Speight as a returning starter"
December 7th, 2016 at 11:33 AM ^
Yeah, I turned it into my own thing, by saying most important, but I'll still go with Peters. Speight proved you can either be an asset or a liability, especially in big games
December 6th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^
but I think Wheatley looked really impressive as well, so I expect to see a bunch of 2 and 3 TE sets, so they should all be really productive and may take stats away from one another like our D-line this year.
With less D-line depth I think that Gary and Hurst (should he stay) will have huge years.
With Deveon Smith gone, I expect Evans to have a huge year, especially if he puts on 10-15 pounds of muscle.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^
I wouldn't stress him putting on weight. If it comes naturally as his body develops and retains his quickness and acceleration, then great. But with the big backs we have in the fold, the last they should do is try to pack weight on Evans.
December 6th, 2016 at 5:37 PM ^
agreed. think i saw him listed at like 195-200 lbs now, he should just naturally train and add mass without forcing it (and im sure he will). im sure no one wants a stronger, more balanced evans capable of breaking some tackles and running through contact more than evans and the staff - but no sense unnaturally bulking up another 15 lbs or whatever if it inhibits his quickness, explosive cuts, flexibility, etc which currently works for him and allows him to be the promising player weve seen to date
December 6th, 2016 at 8:30 PM ^
Have to agree hoping for 205-212. Kind of depends on where he starts but something along the lines of 5-10 pounds. He is probably 215 at his best.
But looking at his body his legs are already pretty thick, wonder how much more he can put on his upper body. He might tap out around 205
December 6th, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^
But, I agree with Evans as a breakout
December 6th, 2016 at 3:58 PM ^
by a Marley? You don't say
December 6th, 2016 at 3:59 PM ^
by a Marley? You don't say
ETA: well crap
December 6th, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^
I still can't believe when we went 5 wide against OSU Wheatley wasn't one of the receivers. What a match up problem that was. Are we saving that for a different game?
December 6th, 2016 at 3:46 PM ^
At the risk of getting pulverized here - the last 3 games looked like we were saving stuff. For the Orange I guess?
OK, not fair, O'Korn was shaky enough that I should limit that to Iowa/osu... but couldn't there have been plays (we were ALL sure they were working on and saving) where they could've utilized Jabrill better in even the IU game? We won, so whatever, but jeezopizza we did not look too good doing so.
To answer the OP though - WR in general (Doom, Kekoa, new guys...). Hard to pin down one, as they do like to move the ball around. But please - NOT Moar jet sweeps! Screens, crossers, wheels - ALL highly under-utilized this season in my opinion.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^
It's gotta be true
December 6th, 2016 at 3:12 PM ^
Gary is definitely a good call. I guess the reason I didn't mention him is that given his recruiting profile and the fact that he had a solid first season, I think he's pretty much expected to be the star of the defense next year.
December 6th, 2016 at 4:29 PM ^
has my vote all day long. He's primed for a monster season.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^
Najee Harris :)
plz.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^
wrong thread ----->
December 6th, 2016 at 3:29 PM ^
Looking for big things out of him. He's going to show why he was given the #1 jersey.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^
Grant Perry / Rashan Gary
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December 6th, 2016 at 3:25 PM ^
I think Grant will take a big leap next year too.
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December 6th, 2016 at 4:05 PM ^
Perry was my pick as well. And since everyone is listing a second name, I will go with Evans.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^
Chase Winovich. I feel he has potential to be like Matt Roth (super productive, very high motor, wore jersey couple sizes to small combat being held...) next year in terms of both presence on field and stats. Plus, something is telling me the dude will be rocking a gnarly mullet next season.
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December 6th, 2016 at 3:08 PM ^
Too small, timtebro. TOO SMALL
/hides from grammar nazis
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December 6th, 2016 at 3:23 PM ^
Should I know who Matt Roth is?
December 6th, 2016 at 3:25 PM ^
Eh, it might help. Picture helps more
http://webcasty.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/mattrothtackle.jpg
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December 6th, 2016 at 3:44 PM ^
Why didn't you use this one?
December 6th, 2016 at 3:53 PM ^
Wondered what he did before that mall gig.
December 6th, 2016 at 4:04 PM ^
My guess is Lawrence Marshall. He's all but been forgotten about because he's buried behind a D-line that's 2-deep with NFL talent, but I think he'll be a force next year. He's super athletic and earned praise from Harbaugh after the '15 spring game. I know he spent some time in the doghouse too, but I think he'll burst back onto the scene next year.
December 6th, 2016 at 8:37 PM ^
I like that pick... I mean at the same point Taco wasn't doing much.
December 6th, 2016 at 10:30 PM ^
Don't want to count Marshall out, but he's not going to take any snaps away from Gary and Winovich has proven very productive in the pass rush albeit in limited snaps. But that was the exact situation Taco was in last year. I'd go with Winovich over Marshall.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:07 PM ^
Jabrill Peppers. 5 INTS, and 10 total TDs sees him go from Heisman finalist to Heisman winner. Please come back Jabrill. We miss you already.
December 6th, 2016 at 4:32 PM ^
Im afraid that's gonna be an empty dream
December 6th, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^
I know he's not coming back, but he has fallen from a top 5-10 pick to the 15-20 range on most of the draft analysis out there. Clearly, the best option for his draft stock is to come back and replace Lewis as a shutdown corner, then come back his senior year as a full time RB. Whoever has the first pick in the '19 draft can evaluate a full year of film of him playing a true CB and a full year as a RB, and decide where they need him most.
December 6th, 2016 at 4:46 PM ^
Even if Peppers comes back and somehow scores 30 tds with 200 tackles it wouldn't be a breakout season.
December 6th, 2016 at 4:57 PM ^
The level of serious in my comment was extremely low.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:07 PM ^
There's so many that come to mind that instead of breakout players we can just say reloading our weapons.
Wheatley, Gentry, Lavert, Bush, Gary, Evans, Nordin.
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December 6th, 2016 at 3:49 PM ^
Has Gentry gotten much buzz recently? I saw reports that he was taking reps at WR. Seems like he would be a devastating weapon in the red zone.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:09 PM ^
Mele Khaleke-Hudon is the thing to say, on a bright Hawaiian Christmas (season) Day.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:09 PM ^
Kareem Walker.
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December 6th, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^
Wilton best pal on the team and it's clear he has tried to get him the ball in limited snaps. Can olnly imagine when he's the starting X or Y how he wont get a ton of targets. 50 receptions, 6 TD, 800 yards!
December 6th, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^
I just hope Harris' effectiveness hasn't been permanently diminished by his injuries. He's had some bad luck.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^
I hope Carl dies next season.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:11 PM ^
I hope Carl dies next Sunday.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:49 PM ^
I hope Carl has actually been dead the whole time and we lose the ability to see or remember him.
December 6th, 2016 at 8:05 PM ^
Carl is like a badass... but at the same time he's kind of a bitch. He's a bad bitch.