5. Chance Rucker, DB
Chance Rucker came into the 2024 season with plenty of expectations and some expected him to be the starting cornerback opposite Ed Woods but he suffered an injury early on and was never able to return to the rotation. He missed most of the season.
After playing in 12 games as a true freshman in 2023 and showing a ton of promsie, he played in just two this season before his season-ending injury.
While it's difficult to return to full strength from a season-ending injury, Rucker was the one defensive back that I had highest hopes for heading into this year. He is a budding star in the secondary and it feels like he could be a star moving forward.
I could have put guys like Malik Spencer or Dillon Tatum here, but I think they're both fully locked in at this point in their careers -- although I thought the same about Charles Brantley.
Justin Denson is another option for this spot because he, too, is the future of the defensive backfield.