Breakout can mean a lot of things.
For some, it’s a name no one is talking about. For some, it’s a new player. For some, it’s just a player playing at a level beyond what his track record suggests. We asked the team at 104.5 ESPN to name a breakout player for the upcoming football season.
Jacob Hester, Co-Host, Off the Bench: My breakout player for LSU this fall is Dilin Jones.
I think he’s flying under the radar. He’s got the size, physicality, and running style to thrive in the SEC, and this offense should create plenty of opportunities for him. Sometimes all a talented back needs is the right fit, and I think LSU is exactly that for Jones.
With the attention defenses will have to give LSU’s passing game, I expect Jones to see favorable looks and make the most of them. By the middle of the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s one of the biggest reasons LSU has a balanced offense and one of the names everyone is talking about.
Taylor Sharp, New Dad/Video Producer, Off the Bench: I think LSU’s breakout player will be Ty Benefield. I know safety wasn’t the first thing people thought of as far as portal needs but IMO outside of Leavitt, he’s the most important transfer. I think he was the most talented safety in the portal, and his addition gives your defense so much flexibility allowing Dashawn Spears to move to STAR where I think he’ll thrive! Benefield can cover and can come downhill and make plays at the line of scrimmage. Complete safety all the way around.
Alondra Villarreal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: All signs are pointing to Ty Benefield as a breakout star for the Tigers, but to avoid going chalk, I’m going to go with Bo Bordelon. With stuff like this, I tend to pay attention to what teammates and coaches say. Whit Weeks was asked about the No. 18, and he mentioned that he thinks Bordelon would be the perfect person for it.
Aside from that, playing-wise, I think he’s set for a breakout season. He’s mostly been a rotational piece, but he’s the seasoned vet on a relatively new offensive line. Even though he was never a full-time starter, he can be an anchor for a new offense with a new staff. I don’t think you have to be new or young to be a breakout player. Sometimes it’s the older guy who waited his turn.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: Dashawn Spears. Now has experience to allow his athleticism to show out. The positioning will allow him ample opportunity to make plays.
Hunt Palmer, Host, Hunt Palmer Show: I’ll take Jayce Brown. It would be an LSU breakout, not a college football breakout. He was the No. 1 option at Kansas St. I just love his fluid route running and think he’s going to make a ton of catches in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
Jordan Kitchens, Audio Producer, Hunt Palmer Show: My breakout player this season for LSU would be CB PJ Woodland. He gets a little forgotten amongst the Shuffle. But I think he is primed for a breakout year with the Tigers, as all the attention usually goes to DJ Pickett. Woodland’s rise will be a pleasant surprise, not only for Tiger fans, but also for the rest of the nation.
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: With an almost entirely new roster, pick any name out of a hat and it would probably suffice. I’ll go with a returning player, however. PJ Woodland was a key backup last season while Mansoor Delane and DJ Pickett locked down the outside. With Delane in the NFL and teams likely to avoid Pickett, Woodland should get plenty of attention. He could be poised for an impact Junior season.
Matthew Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: PJ Woodland & DJ Pickett. They have the chance to be one of if not the best cornerback tandem in college football. Each had great seasons in 2025. Woodland finished top 10 in the league in passes defended and pass breakups while playing opposite first round pick Mansoor Delane. Pickett was a Freshman All-American last season playing in all 13 games with three starts. He tied for the team lead in interceptions. Combined the pair allowed just three passing touchdowns. Now, they have a chance to be even better. Woodland is more established and is coming off a great spring where it appears he is ready to take his game to the next level in his draft season. I still expect teams to try him though with Pickett on the other side. When that doesn’t work, Pickett will get more targets. Woodland and Pickett play well off each other. Both excel in man coverage and will have a chance to stuff the stat sheet in their first season as the starters. Teams will have to pick their poison.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: The player most primed for a breakout this season is RB Harlem Berry. He was in a committee last year with Caden Durham and Ju’Juan Johnson. Even though Durham is still on the roster, this year feels like Berry is the true No. 1. Transfer Dilin Jones turned heads in spring and could earn his fair share of touches, but Berry should see the majority of the carries. Can Berry fill the Kewan Lacy role in a Lane Kiffin offense? That’s the biggest question for the Tigers running game this season.
