5 Preseason Favorites to Break Out in 2020

One of the greatest things about football is that we go into every season thinking we know who all the good players are going to be, only to discover that there are always a handful of players who go from virtually unknown in the preseason to superstar overnight. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some breakout after finally becoming full-time starters, some breakout after having another year to mature in their respective systems, and some truly come out of nowhere and surprise everyone. No matter how they do it, there are always players who unexpectedly burst onto the scene in big ways every season. So with that being said, here are 5 players I believe have the potential to break out and become stars in the state of Oklahoma this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38761" first="Kolton" last="Hunt"]: 6’4" 225 Lbs., Tight End, El Reno (Class of 2022)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">[player_tooltip player_id="38761" first="Kolton" last="Hunt"] is a pass-catcher who is primed to have a breakout season in 2020. Hunt has excellent size for a tight end, and while he was used more as a blocker in 2019, he definitely does not lack the talent to be used more frequently as a receiver. When running routes he lined up both on the line of scrimmage and flexed out as a receiver. Hunt also showed encouraging athleticism after the catch in 2019. With another offseason in <span style="font-size: 1rem;">El Reno’s </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">offensive system and with their star QB [player_tooltip player_id="38688" first="Dorian" last="Plumley"] returning, there should be a lot more passes to go around for [player_tooltip player_id="38761" first="Kolton" last="Hunt"] in 2020. Watch for him to be a key part of the El Reno passing attack this season.</span></p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38570" first="Ben" last="Ward"]: 6’1" 190 Lbs., Quarterback, Pryor (Class of 2021)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">[player_tooltip player_id="38570" first="Ben" last="Ward"] is one of the more interesting quarterback prospects in Oklahoma. At times in 2019 he looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the state, and at other times he looked like a very raw talent with room for improvement. Ward has potentially one of the stronger arms in the class and shows flashes of elite footwork and mechanics inside the pocket. If he can improve his decision making and progress through his reads more often, Ward could be one of the biggest breakout stars of the season, especially with his recent transfer from 3A Cleveland to 5A Pryor.</p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38647" first="TJ" last="Carter"]: 5’8" 180 Lbs., Runningback, Deer Creek (Class of 2021)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">[player_tooltip player_id="38647" first="TJ" last="Carter"] may have some of the biggest shoes to fill in the state of Oklahoma this season. With 2019 6A-2 runningback of the year Tyler Travis gone to college, Carter will take over the starting runningback role full time for the Antlers in 2020. While it will be his first year as the starter at runningback, Carter has varsity experience as the Antlers used him at receiver quite often in 2019. He may not match the production or accolades of Tyler Travis, but TJ has plenty of talent to keep Deer Creek’s rushing attack lethal. Watch out for TJ to explode onto the scene this season with his expanded role in Deer Creek’s offense.</p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38677" first="Ryker" last="Colemon Thurber"]: 6’4" 235 Lbs., Defensive End, Jenks (Class of 2022)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">While some may view Thurber’s 2019 season as his breakout year, I viewed it as our introduction to him. I believe this season will be Thurber’s true breakout season where we see what he is truly capable of. After one season of starting on Jenks’ D-Line, he already has become their top pass rusher and run stuffer. With another offseason in the weight room and film room, Thurber may be in the top <span style="font-size: 1rem;">5-10 defensive lineman</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> discussion in the entire state after 2020. Get ready for Thurber to bull-rush through 6a-I offenses this season.</span></p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38540" first="Caleb" last="Allen"]: 6’3" 180 Lbs., Quarterback, Stillwater (Class of 2021)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">[player_tooltip player_id="38540" first="Caleb" last="Allen"] has a lot of pressure on his back this season, as he is expected to replace Gunnar Gundy at QB and lead the Pioneers to another deep playoff run. However, Allen has the weapons around him on offense, as well as plenty of talent himself to do so. [player_tooltip player_id="38540" first="Caleb" last="Allen"] inherits an explosive Pioneer offense that includes All-State running back [player_tooltip player_id="38521" first="Qwontrel" last="Walker"] and star receiver [player_tooltip player_id="38522" first="Steven" last="Brown"] to go along with his super quick and clean release, as well as his exceptional pocket awareness and presence. In his limited snaps last season, Allen displayed plenty of velocity on his throws, and he showed that he can make big plays in big moments. While he may not have the name recognition or accolades of his predecessor, [player_tooltip player_id="38540" first="Caleb" last="Allen"] easily has it in him to lead Stillwater to another deep playoff run. I do not expect this offense to miss a beat with him at the helm in 2020.</p>