ESPN College Football

Players like Adrian Peterson, Michael Hart and Chad Henne are the exception – true freshmen who can step in star right away. It takes most players two or three years to develop physically and mature mentally.

While attention at this point in the season is focused on those first-year wonders at one end and Heisman trophy candidates on the other, now is also a good time to recognize those players in between – guys expected back next seasonn who have experienced second-half breakthroughs.

Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst, Cal WR Geoff McArthur, Boston College DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Maryland MLB D'Qwell Jackson, Oklahoma SS Donte Nicholson and LSU CB Corey Webster used strong finishes in 2003 to garner positive attention heading into the current season. The same should be true for the players on our list, who have emerged from relative obscurity early this season and can now be considered tomorrow's potential stars.

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