Top 10 second-year breakout stars set to make an impact in 2024 CFB season ft. Carnell Tate

Carnell Tate and Ja'Kobi Lane are among the top second-year players who could be breakout stars in 2024

There are many second-year players in college football who are overflowing with talent and set to make a massive impact during the 2024 season. These players may not have been top players on their team a season ago, but they have the skill set necessary to take over that spot in the future.

As we approach mid-summer, teams are setting their rosters and depth charts for the upcoming season in the fall. Here is a look at 10 of the top second-year stars prepared to make an impact this season.

Top 10 second-year breakout college football stars set to make an impact this season

#10. Da'Shawn Womack, LSU

LSU second-year defensive end Da'Shawn Womack was a former five-star recruit in the class of 2023 who appeared in 12 games for the Tigers last season. Womack saw most of his action on the field in third-down situations but still recorded 13 total tackles with 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

#9. Joenel Aguero, Georgia

NCAA Football: Alabama-Birmingham at Georgia

Joenel Aguero is a second-year defensive back from Georgia and appeared in 13 games as a freshman on a Bulldogs team that went 13-1 last season. Aguero finished with seven total tackles, including one tackle for loss. He finished with a season-high of four tackles against UAB and a blocked punt in a 43-20 win over Florida.

#8. Malik Muhammad, Texas

Second-year defensive back Malik Muhammad appeared in 14 games for the Longhorns last season with two starts. He finished with 31 total tackles with four pass breakups and one interception in a 57-7 victory over Texas Tech. Muhammad also had an impact on the special teams unit, jumping on a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown against Oklahoma.

#7. Lance Heard, Tennessee

Former five-star transfer Lance Heard will be playing his sophomore season at Tennessee following his freshman season at LSU. Heard is a second-year breakout star on the offensive line who appeared in 12 games last season for LSU and didn't give up a single sack in 195 offensive snaps.

#6. Justice Haynes, Alabama

NCAA Football: Rose Bowl-Alabama at Michigan

Second-year running back Justice Haynes finished fifth on the Alabama roster in rushing yards last season as a freshman, earning 25 carries in 2023. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back tallied 168 yards and one touchdown in 2023 and also earned playing time on the Alabama special teams unit. He will likely enter 2024 second on the Crimson Tide's depth chart at his position, behind E.

#5. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl, Liberty at Oregon

Second-year defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei had an extremely impressive freshman season in 2023, appearing in 13 games for Oregon and finishing with 18 total tackles, 3.0 tackles and 2.0 sacks. Uiagalelei played 330 total snaps on defense last season and was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for his three tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks against Washington State.

#4. A.J. Harris, Penn State

A former five-star recruit from Central High School in Alabama, A.J. Harris appeared in seven games last season for Georgia and finished with eight total tackles. He entered the transfer portal following his freshman season and will be joining Penn State ahead of the 2024 season. He has impressed his new team so far through the spring practices.

#3. Ja'Kobi Lane, USC

NCAA Football: Holiday Bowl, Louisville at Southern California

Second-year USC receiver Ja'Kobi Lane appeared in six games for the Trojans in 2023 and posted 93 yards on seven catches with two touchdowns. Lane will be in line for an elevated role in 2024 after finishing last season with three catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl victory against Louisville.

#2. Grayson Howard, Florida

Inside linebacker Grayson Howard will be an up-and-coming superstar for the Florida Gators after his transfer from South Carolina this year. He saw action in 11 games last season and recorded 19 total tackles, with one tackle for loss and a forced fumble. He was a former four-star recruit in the class of 2023 and received 36 total offers from top programs.

#1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Carnell Tate is a second-year receiver from Ohio State who appeared in 13 games last season for the Buckeyes and recorded 18 receptions for 264 yards and one touchdown. His best game of 2023 came in a 41-7 victory over Purdue when he caught three passes for 79 yards, including a career-high 55-yard reception.

Who do you think will be the top second-year player in college football this season? Let us know in the comment section.

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