Utah LB Devin Lloyd Among Top 10 Defensive Breakout Candidates For 2021 Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd was listed among the top 10 defensive players predicted to have a breakout season in 2021.

FOX Sports college football analyst RJ Young listed Utah star linebacker Devin Lloyd in his top 10 list of players that he thinks will have a breakout season in 2021.

Coming in at No. 5 on the list, Lloyd is one of two Pac-12 defenders to be put on this list, joining Oregon linebacker Justin Flowe. Also, Lloyd is listed as the second linebacker on the list.

It’s the second time a Utah player has made it onto one of Young’s lists. Former Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer was listed as the second biggest transfer of the offseason.

These guys got next 💪😤

Which of @RJ_Young's defensive breakout candidates are you most excited to see take the field next season? pic.twitter.com/KHtAKnBx6K

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 30, 2021

As a redshirt junior in 2020, Lloyd was outstanding as he led the Utes with 48 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, along with 2 sacks and a forced fumble. He was named first team All-Pac-12, a Butkus Award finalist, which is given to the top linebacker in college football. Lloyd was also named All-America honorable mention by Phil Steele and second team All-America by Sporting News.

On January 9, 2021, Lloyd announced that he would return for one more season with the Utes before going to the NFL. Lloyd carried the torch of Utah premier linebackers at Utah when Francis Bernard graduated in 2019. Now he will lead a young group of talented linebackers at Utah, including Nephi Sewell and Andrew Mata’afa, while showing the ropes to 2021 signees Ethan Calvert, Mason Tufaga, Trey Reynolds and Jonah Elliss.

One Last Ride pic.twitter.com/fxVXUn3Afo

— devin lloyd (@DevinLloyd_) January 10, 2021

Here is the full list from RJ Young.

1. Malachi Moore, DB, Alabama
2. Elias Ricks, CB, LSU
3. Nik Bonitto, OLB, Oklahoma
4. Will McDonald, DE, Iowa State
5. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
6. Haskell Garrett, DT, Ohio State
7. Jalen Catalon, S, Arkansas
8. Justin Flowe, LB, Oregon
9. Alfred Collins, DE, Texas
10. Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.