By Mark Pszonak
There are several different reasons why a player’s season may derail. Whatever it is, it is important they rebound quickly. The five below players have an opportunity to do so in 2025.
LB Harold Perkins (LSU)
The skinny: An AP preseason All-American in 2024, Perkins sustained an ACL injury in his right knee in late September against UCLA. This was coming off two impressive seasons, when he totaled 147 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, seven forced fumbles and seven passes defended. While he missed this spring as a precaution, he is projected to be a full-go in time for summer practices. A 100% Perkins will go a very long way in determining LSU’s level of success defensively.
QB Blake Shapen (Mississippi State)
The skinny: The 2024 season was likely never going to go well for the Bulldogs, but any chances of success vanished when Shapen went down with a shoulder injury in late September against Florida. Up until that point he had passed for 974 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception while completing 68.5% of his attempts. Now back and fully healthy, Shapen looked good during the spring, as the Bulldogs hope to surprise a few teams in the SEC this season.
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WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)
The skinny: 2024 was a bad season for NC State. And while Concepcion’s season wasn’t a disaster, it was a steep decline compared to his true freshman season in 2023 when he finished with 71 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. On top of that he also added 41 carries for 320 yards. Most of this can be attributed to a Wolfpack offense that had trouble maintaining any level of positive momentum. With a transfer to Texas A&M, Concepcion should once again flourish. Expect the Aggies’ offensive staff to be creative in finding ways to get the ball in the hands of their new exciting weapon.
QB Miller Moss (Louisville)
The skinny: What started off as a season full of promise and potential at USC finished with Moss on the bench, which eventually resulted in his transfer to Louisville. Statistically, his 2024 season was solid with 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but his decision making was often questioned which at times made the offense sputter. The Cardinals found magic last year with another rebound quarterback, Tyler Shough, so can they make it two years in a row? I think they can, and I expect Moss to shine in the ACC.
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OL Charles Jagusah (Notre Dame)
The skinny: Jagusah received plenty of buzz during last year’s offseason which resulted in him earning the starting left tackle spot as a redshirt freshman. However, he never played a regular season game after tearing his right pectoral muscle in early August. To many people’s surprise, he did return and see some action during Notre Dame’s loss to Penn State in the playoffs, but overall it was a season to forget for Jagusah. Now he is looking to lead a replenished Irish offensive line in 2025.
