These are the local college football players to keep an eye on heading into the season

Preseason camps are underway for every Division I football program this week and as always Manatee County figures to have a significant presence in the upcoming season.

There are potential starters for national championship hopefuls and names on preseason award watch lists. There are younger players ready to break through and veterans searching for one last grasp at playing a significant role. Here are some of the names to keep an eye on leading up to the start of the regular season:

The starters

Demarcus Christmas, DT, Florida State

The defensive tackle from Manatee will have a larger stage than anyone else from Manatee County this year as an entrenched starter for the national championship-hopeful Seminoles. The redshirt junior was a full-time starter as a sophomore for FSU and was a disruptive force in the passing game, leading all Florida State defensive lineman with five pass breakups.

Jonathan Hernandez, P, South Florida

The former Manatee punter is hoping to build on his breakout junior season with USF and the Ray Guy Award committee thinks it’s possible. Hernandez was named to the award’s preseason watch list ahead of his senior season after starting in 2016 as a first-year transfer from Florida State.

Brooks Larkin, OL, South Florida

The starting right guard position is wide open and Larkin, a redshirt sophomore from Manatee, may be the favorite entering USF’s preseason camp. The offensive lineman filled a reserve role at the spot in 2016 and started at guard for most of spring camp. One of his fiercest competitors for the job could be Michael Galati, another former Hurricane offensive lineman who’s stuck behind Rimington Trophy-contender Cameron Ruff as the backup center.

Ryan Neuzil, OL, Appalachian State

The Braden River alumnus is perhaps Manatee County’s most unlikely collegiate starter at this point. He’s converting to offensive line after a high school career at tight end and as a redshirt freshman he already enters the Mountaineers’ preseason camp as the favorite to start at center. He won’t be the only former Pirate competing for a spot this summer in Boone, N.C.: Redshirt freshman Jacob Huesman is fighting for the backup quarterback job and trying to position himself as senior starter Taylor Lamb’s successor.

Jacob Sannon, WR, Idaho

The wide receiver from Southeast seems to have hit a turning point in his career with the Vandals as he prepares for his redshirt senior year. After catching a touchdown in Idaho’s 61-50 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win against Colorado State, Sannon hauled in three touchdowns during the Vandals’ spring game. He’s poised to become a full-time starter in the slot and one of Idaho’s most dangerous threats after contributing — and occasionally starting — in 2016.

Andrew Zink, LS, South Alabama

The Manatee alumnus stepped in immediately as the Jaguars’ starting long snapper as a true freshman in 2016. There’s no reason that should change during his sophomore year following a surprise bowl appearance for USA last fall.

Blake Keller, DL, Marshall

The defensive lineman from Manatee contributed as a defensive end for the Thundering Herd last fall and is now expected to take over a starting role as a senior this fall. The Central Florida transfer played in all 13 games as the third end last season, racking up 39 tackles. On the opposite line, former Braden River offensive lineman entered preseason camp for his redshirt freshman season as the Thundering Herd’s backup at right guard.

Jacob Westberry, LS, Fresno State

The Saint Stephen’s alumnus joined the Bulldogs knowing he’d likely have to sit out one year and then the starting long snapper job would be his. As a redshirt freshman, Westberry is a right on track as the projected starter for Fresno this fall.

Kelvin McKnight, WR, Samford

The former Manatee wide receiver won’t just be starting for the Bulldogs — he might be one of the best wideouts in the entire Football Championship Subdivision. Athlon Sports ranked the junior as the No. 9 receiver in FCS after he racked up 896 yards and nine touchdowns last fall.

Nickolas Null, K/P, Cornell

The specialist from Manatee started at kicker for the Big Red as a true freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision, scoring 26 points in seven games. Null is on track to start once again as a sophomore.

The rest

Manatee’s Jake Stickler was Georgia Tech’s backup right tackle during the spring and enters his redshirt junior preseason in the same position. ... Palmetto’s Josh Hicks figures to once again be a fixture in Rutgers’ backfield as he’s positioned to be the Scarlet Knights’ backup as a senior. ... Manatee’s Brodrick Yancy figures to once again contribute for Temple as a redshirt junior and enters camp as a backup wide receiver. ... Manatee’s Kavious Price filled a variety of roles as a wide receiver for Kent State last year and enters his sophomore preseason as the Golden Flashes’ backup in the slot. ... Manatee’s Johnnie Lang and Tarique Milton were late additions to Iowa State’s roster, but head coach Matt Campbell has been complimentary of both the running back and wide receiver after getting a glimpse of them this week.

This story was originally published August 2, 2017 at 11:23 PM with the headline "These are the local college football players to keep an eye on heading into the season."