By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

We are less than one week away from start of the 2024 college football season. Let’s take a look at some of the preseason All-American players that are expected to have breakout seasons.

QB Carson Beck, Georgia: He’s the quarterback on the #1 team in the country. Last season was his first as the starter and he made it look easy. He led the SEC and ranked third nationally in passing with 3,941 yards. Star tight end Brock Bowers is in the NFL but UGA still has playmakers on the roster. He completed 72.4% of his passes with 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina: He was a true sophomore in 2023 and he finished fifth nationally in rushing with 1,504 yards. He led all FBS players in yards after contact with 1,072 yards. He scored 16 TD’s (15 rushing & 1 receiving) and he averaged 5.9 yards per carry with 254 attempts.

OT Will Campbell, LSU: The 6’6, 323 lb. junior might be the first lineman drafted in the 2025 draft. He was First-Team All-SEC and SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2023. He’s started 26 straight games and he’s a great pass protector. He didn’t give up a sack last season in 491 pass attempts.

OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia: Not to be confused with original gangster, Ratledge is a right guard. The senior is 6’6, 310 lbs. and one of the leaders on the offensive line. He was named Second Team AP All-American in 2023. He is on the preseason Outland Trophy watch list and the Lombardi Award watch list.

C Parker Brailsford, Alabama: Head coach Kalen DeBoer is now the head ball coach in Tuscaloosa. He got his center to transfer with him. Brailsford was a Freshman All-American last season with the Huskies. He started 13 games at center and 2 at right guard. He was also All-Pac-12 Second Team. He had an 80.7 run-blocking grade that ranked second among Power Five centers.

OG Tyler Booker, Alabama: He was First-Team All-SEC last season as a true sophomore. He only missed the USF game last season with back spasms. Booker had 41 knockdown blocks in 2023, which led the team with an average of 3.4 per game. He’s 6’5, 325 lbs. and he’s good at pass and run blocking. The Crimson Tide should excel at running between the tackles.

DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee: He is one of the best pass rushers in the country. He tied for the SEC lead with 10 sacks last year and fifth nationally with 38 pressures. He also had 14.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception. He’s 6’5, 243 lbs. so he looks like the prototypical defensive end. He could be the first defensive player drafted in 2025.

DT Deone Walker, Kentucky: He was Third Team All-American and First Team All-SEC in 2023. He led the Wildcats with 12.5 TFL and he had 7.5 sacks. Walker is 6’6, 348 lbs. so he eats up space in the middle of the defensive line.

LB Barrett Carter, Clemson: He’s a versatile player that has played several positions along the back seven. Carter has been described by his head coach Dabo Swinney as “one of the best pure football players I’ve had in 20 years”. He had 62 total tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks and an interception.

S Malaki Starks, Georgia: He was fourth on the team last year with 52 total tackles and he had 3 interceptions. He was a consensus All-American in 2023 and First-Team All-SEC.