Although we like to think progression is linear, reality often has a different path for college football players.

One season, somebody might be a major contributor. That performance then creates big expectations for the following year, but those superstar dreams may not ultimately be realized on the field.

Yet, at least.

Seven programs have a player—and in Utah's situation, four—who excelled in a previous year but fell short of expectations in 2023, whether due to injury or other reasons. However, they're positioned to bounce back and thrive in the 2024 campaign.

Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas

Early in the 2022 season, the greatest feel-good story of the young campaign belonged to Kansas.

Second-year coach Lance Leipold had overseen a 5-0 start, meaning the Jayhawks had already matched the best season in program history since 2009. One critical part of that surge was Jalon Daniels, an electric dual-threat quarterback.

Even though a shoulder injury limited the 21-year-old to nine contests in 2022, he threw for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns to four interceptions while rushing for 419 yards and seven scores.

But in 2023, a back issue basically sidelined him all year.

Daniels has a chance to lead the Jayhawks to a third straight bowl appearance for the first time in KU history.

Utah's Entire Offense

I mean, should we actually pick just one?

The biggest name is Cam Rising, a seventh-year quarterback, who guided the Utes to Pac-12 titles in 2021 and 2022. Unfortunately, a complicated recovery from a knee injury sidelined him last season.

Versatile back Micah Bernard posted 700-plus scrimmage yards in 2021 and 2022 before appearing in only two games last year.

Rising's key target will probably be Dorian Singer, considering he racked up 1,105 yards at Arizona two seasons ago. He transferred to USC last season but only had 24 catches for 289 yards.

Utah is hoping tight end Brant Kuithe—the team leader in receiving yards during the 2019 and 2021 campaigns—will be healthy after playing four games over the last two seasons.

Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan

Donovan Edwards didn't necessarily have a bad season in 2023. In fact, he provided a couple of memorable moments with 104 yards and a pair of long touchdown runs during the national championship.

Overall, though, the 21-year-old ended up holding a much smaller role than anticipated behind All-American teammate Blake Corum.

Now that Corum is headed to the NFL, it's Edwards' show.

Edwards, who managed 497 yards and five scores last season, scampered for 991 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. That year, he only handled 10-plus carries in seven games.

As long as Michigan successfully retools its offensive line—which seems likely—he has fantastic upside.

Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina

Raheim Sanders garnered second-team All-SEC honors in 2022 after rushing for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. It was only sensible that he held All-American expectations in 2023.

But those dreams vanished quickly.

Most problematically, injuries kept him on the sideline for six games. Arkansas' struggles as a team didn't help, either. Sanders rushed for 103 yards on 18 carries in a win at Florida but otherwise trudged to 106 yards on 44 attempts in the five other outings.

He has since transferred to South Carolina, which needed a jolt in a backfield that averaged 2.8 yards per carry in 2023.

Improved blocking must also be part of the Gamecocks' story, but Sanders will have plenty of opportunity to shine.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Entering the 2023 campaign, Ohio State boasted a terrifying duo at receiver with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. The former matched his billing, but the latter had a rougher run.

The major setback, unsurprisingly, was an injury. Egbuka underwent ankle surgery in October and had modest production after returning.

All told, the 21-year-old dropped from 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 to 41 grabs for 515 yards and five scores.

Similar to Edwards at rival U-M, though, Egbuka now holds the spotlight.

Harrison's departure leaves him as the presumed No. 1 option for Ohio State, one of the strongest offseason title favorites.

Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami

Akheem Mesidor left West Virginia for Miami in 2022, and he supplied the Hurricanes with 10.5 tackles for loss. He provided some versatility, playing both inside and out up front.

They certainly felt his absence last season.

Mesidor exited the early September win over Texas A&M because of a foot injury and never returned in 2023.

Now, the good news is his absence forced Rueben Bain Jr. into the lineup, and the true freshman tallied 12.5 stops for loss.

Bain's experience will be especially valuable to the 'Canes, who can once again use Mesidor all over the defensive line in 2024.

Shaun Dolac, LB, Utah State

How about a little love for a small-school standout?

Shaun Dolac crafted a reputation as a tackling machine at Buffalo, where he generated 147 stops in 2022. Only one player in the country had more takedowns than Dolac that season.

Last year, though, a leg injury ended his encore in late September. He already had 32 tackles in four games.

Dolac entered the portal and landed at Utah State, which hardly could have asked for a more ideal replacement in the middle of the defense. MJ Tafisi Jr. amassed 142 stops in 2023 but used up his eligibility.