Nine Big Ten Sleeper College Football Players Adam Rittenburg Notes are Primed for Breakout in 2024
Jon "JR" Rhoades 
Marcelles Williams
As the 2024 college football season approaches, the Big Ten is again brimming with talent, featuring established stars and emerging prospects ready to make their mark.
Nine of the 32 sleeper players he believes can break out in 2024 are from the Big Ten.
While much attention will focus on well-known names, a group of sleeper players across the conference could be poised for breakout seasons. These athletes have shown flashes of potential, and with the right opportunities, they could become key contributors for their teams. Here’s a look at the nine Big Ten players highlighted for 2024.
Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan Wolverines
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 247 pounds, junior tight end Marlin Klein possesses the physical tools that make him a unique weapon for the Michigan Wolverines. Klein’s journey to football is unconventional—he grew up in Germany playing soccer before transitioning to football in 2017, ultimately finishing his high school career in Georgia. While his 2023 season was mostly spent on special teams, recording just one reception for 8 yards, Michigan’s coaching staff sees immense potential in him.
With primary tight end Colston Loveland garnering national attention and NFL buzz, Klein could become a significant piece in Michigan’s offense, complementing Loveland and creating mismatches against opposing defenses. New offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell is particularly high on Klein’s upside.
“Physically, trait-wise, he’s the best tight end I’ve ever been around, and I’ve been around Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, Erick All, Luke Schoonmaker, even Colston Loveland,” Campbell said. “Marlin’s faster, bigger, not as fluid, but the kid is an extreme freak of nature.”
Audavion Collins, CB, Penn State Nittany Lions
Sophomore cornerback Audavion Collins has flown under the radar, but Penn State head coach James Franklin believes that’s about to change. After redshirting at Mississippi State in 2022 and playing in four games as a reserve for Penn State last season, Collins has put in the work to emerge as a key player in a secondary that lost Daequan Hardy and Kalen King to the NFL.
“He’s put on size, strength, speed. Very, very productive for us in practice,” Franklin said. “He’s one of those guys nobody is talking about. Obviously, when you lose two corners, essentially, to the NFL, that was a question mark going into the season. We want well-rounded guys who can do it all, and that’s what he’s shown he can be.”
With his improved physicality and versatility, Collins could be a crucial component in Penn State’s defense, helping to solidify a unit that is expected to contend in the competitive Big Ten East.
Anthony Smith, DL, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Anthony Smith arrived at Minnesota as a project player, but now in his sophomore season, the 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive lineman is ready to make an impact. Smith played in 13 games last season, tallying 15 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 2 forced fumbles. His size and athleticism make him a versatile asset for new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, who plans to use Smith at multiple positions along the defensive line.
“I love everything about him,” Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said. “He was a true developmental player, but he can play 3-technique, he can play 5-technique. It wasn’t about whether he was going to break backboards in high school, but how many backboards was he going to break? He collected them. This kid is an absolute monster.”
With an increased role, Smith could become a disruptive force in the trenches for the Golden Gophers.
TeRah Edwards, DL, Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois senior defensive lineman TeRah Edwards is set for a breakout season after serving as a reserve for his first two years with the Illini. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Edwards has seen limited action but has consistently shown flashes of potential, particularly as a run-stopper. With Illinois losing several key players from their defensive front, including NFL-bound Jer’Zhan Newton, Edwards has an opportunity to step into a starting role.
“He has changed his body, playing really at a high level,” Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said. “We’ve had two straight years of really good nose play, and I think he’s going to be a continuation of that. He’s leaned his body up, doing hot yoga on his own. We’ve really empowered him, given him a lot of trust, and he’s done an unbelievable job of leadership on the defensive side.”
Edwards’ maturity and work ethic could anchor Illinois’ defensive line in 2024.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington Huskies
Washington sophomore wide receiver Denzel Boston is an emerging talent who could step into the spotlight in 2024. The 6-foot-4, 209-pound Boston saw limited action last season behind a trio of NFL-bound receivers, catching just five passes for 51 yards. However, with Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan now in the NFL, Boston’s role is set to expand significantly.
“He was probably one of the best receivers in the country that no one knows about,” new Washington head coach Jedd Fisch said. “If he wasn’t behind Rome Odunze, he would have had 1,000 yards last year. … He makes all the great plays and all the great catches and competes for the ball at all times at the highest level and just no one’s talking about it, because he didn’t play.”
With an opportunity to showcase his talents, Boston could become a go-to target in the Huskies’ offense.
Jaylen Lloyd, WR, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Jaylen Lloyd is a sophomore wide receiver for Nebraska who possesses explosive playmaking ability. In his freshman season, Lloyd made the most of his limited opportunities, recording six catches for 237 yards and three touchdowns, each of which went for at least 58 yards. His speed and ability to stretch the field make him a dangerous weapon for the Cornhuskers, particularly as he builds chemistry with highly-touted freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.
“He had six catches last year and three of them were for 50-yard touchdowns,” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said. “He’ll be a real guy. He’s just explosive, fast.”
Lloyd’s big-play potential could be a game-changer for Nebraska in 2024.
Marcelles Williams, CB, USC Trojans
Freshman cornerback Marcelles Williams could make an immediate impact for the USC Trojans, who are looking to improve a defense that struggled mightily in 2023. Williams, a four-star recruit from St. John Bosco High School in California, enrolled early and impressed throughout spring practices. USC’s secondary is filled with transfers, but Williams has the potential to be a cornerstone for years to come.
“I don’t like to anoint freshmen a lot, but Marcelles came in as a true freshman this spring and was a really consistent performer for us,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said. “We were really, really impressed with him. He’s got a chance to be a really good player.”
As USC looks to climb back to national prominence, Williams could be a key piece in their defensive rebuild.
Trech Kekahuna, WR, Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin’s redshirt freshman wide receiver Trech Kekahuna is another player to watch in 2024. Despite a foot injury that limited him early in his true freshman season, Kekahuna managed to record four receptions for 64 yards in five games. With Wisconsin aiming to increase their offensive output under head coach Luke Fickell, Kekahuna’s ability to create plays after the catch could make him a valuable asset.
“He’s a little bit different,” Fickell said. “He’s in that slot mold, but he might be our best guy with the ball in his hands after the catch. You’ll see him a little bit in the return game, too. Will [Pauling] had [74] catches last year. The best thing that could happen for us is Will doesn’t have that many catches because we have the ability to spread it around more.”
Kekahuna’s versatility could help the Badgers spread the field and diversify their offense.
Seth Anderson, WR, Iowa Hawkeyes
Junior wide receiver Seth Anderson could be a crucial piece in revitalizing Iowa’s passing game in 2024. Anderson, who transferred from Charleston Southern, showed flashes of his ability last season, catching 11 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. However, injuries limited his effectiveness, and he struggled to build consistency. With a full offseason to recover and improve, Anderson could become a reliable target for quarterback Cade McNamara.
“He’s fast and he’s fluid,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “He got injured a little bit last year, he wasn’t confident. He’s operating at a different tempo right now. Again, we don’t have demonstrated production in that room, so everybody’s got an opportunity.”
If Anderson can stay healthy, he could help elevate Iowa’s passing attack, which has struggled in recent years.
These players might not be household names yet, but they have the talent and opportunity to make significant contributions to their teams in 2024. As the season unfolds, keep an eye on these sleepers—they could be the difference-makers that propel their teams to success in the Big Ten.
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