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Most feared college football offensive weapons in 2017
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Most feared college football offensive weapons in 2017

A single dominant offensive weapon can make all the difference in the world in college football. Time and again, we've seen dominant offensive players absolutely take over games week in and week out. Which players fit that mold this year?

The following 25 players are the most feared college football weapons heading into the 2017 season.

 
1 of 25

Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma

Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the most talented tight end in the country, Andrew had 31 receptions for 489 yards and seven scores last season. He's expected to make a big leap in his junior season for the Sooners.

 
2 of 25

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

The star of the Nittany Lions offense, Barkley had 1,898 yards from scrimmage and 22 touchdowns last season. The versatile back has a chance to add to his accomplishments in his junior season.

 
3 of 25

Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
Logan Bowles / USA Today Sports Images

With star wideout Mike Williams off to the NFL, Cain should get more attention in the Clemson offense. He had 38 receptions for 724 yards and nine scores last season.

 
4 of 25

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb had 1,760 yards from scrimmage in his freshman season back in 2014, but he wasn't quite the same after returning from a knee injury last year. He still managed 1,130 rushing yards and is a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.

 
5 of 25

Jesse Ertz, QB, Kansas State

Jesse Ertz, QB, Kansas State
Jim Cowsert / USA Today Sports Images

Ertz was a major offensive threat in his first year as a starter for Kansas State. While he had only 1,755 passing yards, Ertz had more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

 
6 of 25

Chris Evans, RB, Michigan

Chris Evans, RB, Michigan
Ed Mulholland / USA Today Sports Images

Evans was a big-time threat in his freshman season and is likely to see far more work this year for the Wolverines. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry on 88 carries last season.

 
7 of 25

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Replacing Dak Prescott last season, Fitzgerald threw for 2,423 yards and 21 touchdowns. He added a staggering 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.

 
8 of 25

Quinton Flowers, QB, South Florida

Quinton Flowers, QB, South Florida
Logan Bowles / USA Today Sports Images

Flowers was a one-man wrecking crew last season, ranking among the leaders in rushing yards with 1,530 along with 18 rushing touchdowns. He also showed ability with his arm, throwing for more than 2,800 yards and 24 touchdowns.

 
9 of 25

Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon

Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
Russell Isabella / USA Today Sports Images

A new offense and full health will hopefully allow Freeman to rebound from a subpar junior season. He had nearly 2,200 yards from scrimmage in his sophomore season, but his total was almost cut in half in 11 games last season.

 
10 of 25

Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington

Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
Jennifer Buchanan/ USA Today Sports Images

Gaskin has run for more than 1,300 yards in consecutive seasons for the Huskies. He also had 11 total touchdowns last year.

 
11 of 25

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Guice already had nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage last season behind Leonard Fournette, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. He will get an even greater opportunity this year now that Fournette is gone to the NFL.

 
12 of 25

Quadree Henderson, WR/KR, Pittsburgh

Quadree Henderson, WR/KR, Pittsburgh
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the top returner in college football, Henderson had four return touchdowns last season and averaged more than 30 yards per kick return. He also had 60 rush attempts for 631 yards and five scores, along with 26 receptions. The Panthers will continue to feed their speedster.

 
13 of 25

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Jeremy Brevard / USA TODAY Sports Images

The defending Heisman Trophy winner, Jackson had an unbelievable sophomore season for Louisville. He had 3,543 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, along with 1,571 rushing yards and 21 rushing scores.

 
14 of 25

Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee

Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

James has tallied more than 100 receptions in consecutive seasons for the Blue Raiders. The 5-9 wideout had 105 receptions for 1,625 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, adding 339 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. He also contributes in the return game.

 
15 of 25

Ronald Jones, RB, USC

Ronald Jones, RB, USC
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Quarterback Sam Darnold isn't the only player opposing defenses need to worry about when they play USC. Jones had more than 1,000 rushing yards and 11 scores in his sophomore season.

 
16 of 25

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Matt Bush / USA Today Sports Images

Not only is Kirk a terrific wide receiver, catching 83 balls for 928 yards and nine scores last season, but he's also an elite punt returner. He averaged more than 21 yards per return with three scores last year.

 
17 of 25

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

The loss of Christian McCaffrey at Stanford will be offset by Love. He's averaged more than seven yards per carry in his first two seasons and totaled 783 rushing yards and three scores last season. He's also a track sprinter for the Cardinal.

 
18 of 25

Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
Matt Bush / USA Today Sports Images

Miller had a huge junior season for the Tigers with 95 receptions for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. The 5-11 wideout has a chance to take another step forward in his last year.

 
19 of 25

Nyqwan Murray, WR, Florida State

Nyqwan Murray, WR, Florida State
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Nyqwan Murray is expected to get far more looks in his junior season for the Seminoles. The speedster had 27 receptions for 441 yards and five scores last season.

 
20 of 25

Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn

Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn
Matt Bush / USA Today Sports Images

Pettway had an amazing sophomore season, rushing for 1,224 yards in only nine games. He added seven touchdowns for Auburn.

 
21 of 25

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Ridley's stats declined in his sophomore season, but he was still impressive with 72 receptions for 769 yards and seven scores. He will continue to be a huge part of Alabama's offense.

 
22 of 25

Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama

Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Scarbrough will be the Crimson Tide's unquestioned starter out of the gate this year after splitting some time last season. He still managed 812 rushing yards and 11 scores in his sophomore season.

 
23 of 25

Mark Walton, RB, Miami

Mark Walton, RB, Miami
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Walton will have to pick up the slack in his junior season after quarterback Brad Kaaya's departure. The running back had 1,117 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

 
24 of 25

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Soobum Im / USA Today Sports Images

Washington could be hindered this season as he tries to play through a hernia. He has two consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Cowboys, however, finishing with 71 receptions for 1,380 yards and 10 scores last season.

 
25 of 25

Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State

Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Weber was terrific after emerging as the starter in his freshman season for the Buckeyes last year. He had 1,096 rushing yards and nine scores, making a fearsome one-two punch with mobile quarterback J.T. Barrett.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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