Minnesota pass rusher Boye Mafe is starting to get some national attention.

Mafe made a list of ten players ESPN identified as potential breakout stars during the 2021 season. He was the only player from the Big Ten to make the list.

Here’s an excerpt of ESPN’s analysis, from David M. Hale:

The 2020 season was supposed to be Mafe’s breakthrough, but COVID-19 delayed the start and interrupted the schedule even after the Gophers got back on the field. The result was just a six-game sneak peek at what could be in store for 2021. Mafe finished with 18 solo tackles, 5.5 of them for a loss, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two QB hurries. He got pressure on nearly 13% of his pass rushes in 2020, putting him behind only Ohio State’s Zach Harrison and Tyreke Smith and Indiana’s Micah McFadden among Big Ten edge rushers. His disruption rate (sacks, turnovers, incompletions and penalties drawn per pass rush) of 10.7% puts him in the top 10 nationally.

Mafe is entering his fourth season with the Gophers. He performed well in a shortened season a year ago, registering 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in six games.

With Minnesota hoping to challenge for the Big Ten West, it will need an even bigger leap from Mafe in 2021. His NFL Draft stock likely depends on further improvement, too.

Mafe won’t have to wait long for a chance to put his imprint on the 2021 season — his Gophers host Ohio State on Sept. 2.