A large part of the college football offseason is about making projections, and while tons of players are getting ample hype, it's not always the guys with the largest-font preseason headlines who go on to make the biggest news.
Casual fans may not yet know some of the players who do, but all that will end when they get on the field.
From a bevy of skill-position players who have the talent to do big things but haven't had an opportunity yet to some defenders every team in the nation will need to scheme around, the next crop of stars is ready to go.
Let's take a look at a handful of guys who'll shock the college football world this season.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State Edge-Rusher
Questions abound for a Penn State program needing to make the leap back to competing for Big Ten titles. If that doesn't happen, head coach James Franklin might find himself in hot water.
Good thing for him he has compiled some terrific recruiting classes full of electric playmakers on both sides of the ball. Now, it's about getting them ready.
There's no bigger concern than both sides of the line of scrimmage. They need some stars to emerge, and incoming 5-star freshman edge-rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton is the ideal candidate.
With Arnold Ebiketie and Jesse Luketa moving on, Penn State needs capable players to get after quarterbacks. The Owings Mills, Maryland, product fits the bill. He is a 6'5", 250-pound force of nature built like a player who can burst onto the scene.
It's not easy for even the nation's top-ranked prospects to make an immediate impact, but Dennis-Sutton's ability combined with the Lions' need means he'll get a heavy look. Even though he won't go through spring drills, he can still make an impact.
Dennis-Sutton has great size and an elite first step, and many people are excited about what he can do. He'll become one of the top young players in the Big Ten right away.
Quinn Ewers, Texas Quarterback
Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers has no shortage of hype.
After he flipped from the Longhorns to Ohio State in 2021 and then headed back home in December, everybody is expecting him to be coach Steve Sarkisian's starting signal-caller.
As a matter of fact, last year's starter—Casey Thompson—transferred to Nebraska. He probably saw the writing on the wall, even though Hudson Card stayed and will battle for the job.