Offensive Breakout Player - RB, Justice Haynes (Alabama)
Haynes was one of the top RB recruits in the class of 2023 out of Buford HS in Georgia. He was the third ranked back in the class according to both On3 and 247. While he had just 168 rushing yards in his freshman season in 2023, many expect him to be a feature back for Alabama this season. He will likely split carries with Jamarion Miller, but it would not surprise me at all if both players end up close to 1,000 yards this season.
Defensive Breakout Player - CB, Daylen Everette (Georgia)
It was not the best of 2023 seasons for Everette at Georgia, but there is immense talent. And he plays in a system that asks a lot of their cornerbacks.
Everette was a five-star prospect according to 247, while On3 ranked him as a high-level four-star (#46 overall player) in the class of 2022. He played sparingly in his Freshman season in 2022 before starting all of last season (and struggling at times). He returns as Georgia's number one cornerback this year. Several Georgia corners under Kirby Smart have followed a similar path, playing sparingly in their first few seasons. Kelee Ringo is the most prominent example of a similar path, but other names like Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, and Kamari Lassiter come to mind as well.