Bleacher Report's Ultimate Guide to 2016 Spring Football

There are limited moments in the calendar when each individual fanbase—from puffy-chested Alabama to wandering soul Kansas—can scream from the highest mountaintop that this is their year.

Welcome to this glorious time of unfiltered optimism. Welcome to the latest installment of spring football.

Over the next few months, teams will hit the practice field with a blank canvas. What happened last year, well, happened last year. Although the fall slate of games is still off in the distance, lying stretched out on a hammock with a mai tai in one hand and a good book in the other, it will eventually be asked to move.

And when it does, the work put in during these unassuming spring months will undoubtedly loom large.

For those somehow unfamiliar with one of college football’s biggest growth areas, it goes something like this: Teams practice for a few weeks during March and April. To close out the exercise, most teams then partake in a spring football game—a glorified scrimmage that, in many cases, is televised.

Fans tailgate. Grills are put back into circulation. Sunburn happens. It really is a lovely thing, minus the sunburn, of course.

After that, we go back into our slumber until media days start to kick in. In many ways, that’s when the offseason—a term that should be banned for this world—truly begins.

Before then, however, there is work to be done. Here is a look at this year’s top spring storylines, an updated Top 25 that you’ll undoubtedly hate and much more.

5 Spring Football Storylines

1. Jim Harbaugh vs. the World

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

At some point this spring, the head coach of one of the nation’s fastest growing monsters is destined to challenge a coach’s golden retriever to a race. He will then send a tweet at the dog telling him how woefully he competed.

Or perhaps this coach will open a frozen custard stand right outside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Or maybe Jim Harbaugh will just show up at Michigan State’s practice, rip off his shirt and spend the next two hours playing the Michigan fight song on a recorder.

Here is where we are: On the field, Michigan is ahead of schedule. Greatness is coming—it’s simply a matter of when.

But off the field, Harbaugh has continued to gobble up headlines since he touched down in Ann Arbor. Moving one week of his spring practice to IMG Academy in Florida during Michigan’s spring break has become national news. The mighty SEC has taken this very thing head-on.

Harbaugh has not budged. Not from any of it. Not when coach after coach questioned the idea entirely.

"As a youngster, I remember the circus coming to town," Harbaugh told reporters in Florida when asked whether the concept was a circus. “I remember looking forward to it, saving my pennies up and dollars up because the circus was coming to town. And every circus that I ever went to, I always left feeling really great about it, and it was a lot of fun. That's the way I feel about this. It was much anticipated, and it was a heck of a lot of fun."

There is no off switch. He is as authentic as he is brilliant. We have to talk about Michigan football; he has made it as such. Although we don’t know his next target yet, he is by no means done. 

2. Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin’s Next Championship Navigator is...

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About 60 or so minutes before the national championship began, I stood on the Alabama sideline and focused exclusively on the future. Jake Coker was the main attraction for the evening; there was no doubt there. But with only one game left, it seemed like a better time than any to look at what’s coming next for Alabama at quarterback.

There is no question in my mind that redshirt freshman Blake Barnett has the best overall tools on the roster. Having spent last season as the scout team’s QB and the defensive line’s daily lunch, he has the experience to win the job.

My only question about Barnett having watched him up close is his size. And perhaps that serves as an ideal transition to present time. Barnett will get every opportunity to win the job with his play, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a given that the job is his.

Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell will serve as the primary competition, with each having much more experience to lean on. Bateman would add an element of athleticism; Cornwell is without question the “thrower” of the group.

Spring won’t ultimately decide Alabama’s next QB. But one of the three names above will navigate next fall’s national championship favorite, which seems significant. Here we go again.

3. The Next Great Quarterback Conundrum

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Urban Meyer just handed off the baton to Brian Kelly. This year’s three-headed, supremely talented quarterback battle resides in South Bend.

Heading into last offseason, Notre Dame’s quarterback situation was complicated. Once Everett Golson said farewell to the Irish and hello to Florida State, however, the Malik Zaire era began.

But Zaire, after a brilliant performance against Texas in the opener, was lost for the season in the second game with a fractured ankle. DeShone Kizer came in as an unseasoned but naturally gifted thrower and was outstanding given the circumstances. He wasn’t always perfect, but Notre Dame, despite dealing with a rash of injuries, stayed in the playoff discussion until the end.

With Zaire back healthy, Kizer better than he was and talented Brandon Wimbush—one of the top quarterback prospects in the class of 2015—on the roster, we have ourselves a glorious logjam.

Or maybe not. If healthy, Zaire will likely get his job back. (As he should. He’s going to be great.)

But given all of these fascinating pieces to work with, it just doesn’t seem that easy. Let’s start sorting out this rich-man’s problem.

4. Clemson’s Road to Redemption

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For the second year in a row, Dabo Swinney hit the ol’ reboot button. Time to rebuild a defense (again).

Given the talent that departed going into last year’s offseason, we didn’t think this was possible. But then players such as Shaq Lawson, Kevin Dodd and Mackensie Alexander made themselves an enormous sum of money with their play. Now, Swinney and defensive coordinator Brent Venables must replace these three fixtures plus a few more.

Here’s the reality for Clemson: In the majority of its games in 2016, an average defense—even a "meh" performance on this side of the ball—will suffice.

With just about every key piece of the offense returning—headlined by quarterback Deshaun Waston—it will bury most opponents in points without issue. Let us not forget that wideout Mike Williams, one of the nation’s top deep threats, missed almost the entire year with a neck injury. He is back.

I have no idea what you do to stop this offense. Godspeed, everyone.

But for the Tigers to take that next quantum leap in their program evolution, they must find new pieces on the other side of the ball. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, linebacker Ben Boulware and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley are certainly a start.

It’s time to find out who’s next.

5. Healing the Wounded and Avoiding the Same Injury Treachery

Wade Payne/Associated Press

For such a beautiful sport that ended with a such a beautiful final game, the 2015 season was nothing short of a continuous gut punch. One after the next, the nation’s brightest stars were lost for the year. By the end, it didn't feel real.

Some of these players, including linebackers Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith, said farewell to this level. Others, headlined by Georgia running back Nick Chubb, are using the spring to ensure that all engines will be ready to fire come August.

Chubb is not alone. Baylor quarterback Seth Russell is still working his way back from a significant neck injury but will continue to make progress. Notre Dame will welcome back Malik Zaire along with talented running back Tarean Folston, who was lost early to a knee injury.

Mike Williams’ return will give an enormous boost to Clemson. Others will offer a similar impact in returning to the field.

For those not trying to battle back from broken bones or torn ligaments, please do whatever possible to get healthy and stay healthy. The reality of spring, however, is that some of the biggest unexpected stories will develop as unfortunate injuries unfold.  

Let us hope it is nowhere close to what happened last year. Please, Football Gods. Spare us this one time.

Spring Football Top 25

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For those in search of some supercharged offseason Internet anger, allow me to help.

After crafting a Top 25 not long after the season ended, I have updated this poll to account for national signing day, returning players and other changes.

Please keep in mind that these are subject to change. And if you have any issues with where your team is ranked (or not ranked), please feel free to email me at [e-mail].

1. Alabama

2. Clemson

3. Oklahoma

4. Michigan

5. Florida State

6. Ohio State

7. LSU

8. Houston

9. Notre Dame

10. Baylor

11. Tennessee

12. Ole Miss

13. Stanford

14. TCU

15. Michigan State

16. Iowa

17. USC

18. North Carolina

19. Oklahoma State

20. Washington

21. Georgia

22. Louisville

23. UCLA

24. Oregon

25. South Florida

So... Should We Start Talking About Houston More?

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Yes. That is probably a good idea. Perhaps the biggest upset of the past three months was when Houston held onto head coach Tom Herman with so many quality programs in need of a new head coach.

He gave these openings a look, although he will be back with the Cougars with a new contract for at least one more season. And with quarterback Greg Ward Jr. returning, there’s reason to believe they will actually be better.

Keep in mind, they're coming off a win against Florida State. The bar is already high.

Now, there are pieces to replace. The secondary will need some massaging, as will some of the other non-quarterback pieces on offense. But we should probably start talking about Houston for the playoff as we monitor spring progress.

There will be an early chance to prove it, too. The Cougars open with Oklahoma on Sept. 3.

Goodness will that be fun.

Superstars in the Making: Spring Names That Will Emerge

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Bo Scarbrough (Alabama, RB): I had a chance to write extensively on Scarbrough prior to the national championship game after speaking with him at media day. He is, quite simply, one of the most unique running backs I have ever seen. Although the loss of Heisman-winning running back Derrick Henry is unquestionably significant, Scarbrough and his 240 violent pounds will fill this hole quite nicely. If he stays healthy, he could be special. 

Derwin James (Florida State, S): I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a safety quite like him, and Florida State fans are likely protesting his inclusion because in their eyes he's already a superstar. Fair enough. At 6’3” and 213 pounds, James is big enough to punish tight ends and fast enough to cover anyone on the field. In his first season, he finished with 91 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He also forced two fumbles. Let’s take it one step further: By the end of the year, he might be the best defensive player in football.

Jacob Eason (Georgia, QB): Stardom won’t come instantly. But by the end of the year, the future of Georgia football—already on campus and ready to roll—will have emerged as one of the best young quarterbacks in the sport. Arriving early was a wonderful decision for the 6’5” quarterback 247Sports pegged as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2016 and the No. 5 player overall. He already has one of the best arms in the country—something that will be on display early. Ultimately, new head coach Kirby Smart will turn to Eason in time. And while it will be a process, he will not disappoint.

Ronald Jones II (USC, RB): Outside of Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, no freshman back impressed me more last year than Ronald Jones II. He finished the year with 987 rushing yards on only 153 attempts, making his transition look seamless at times. The only question I was left with was why they didn't hand him the ball more. Those numbers across the board should go up this year, because Jones will be given more chances in an offense loaded with options.

Speaking of, Let’s Talk About Saquon Barkley

On the topic of one of the best young offensive weapons in all of college football, Penn State strength and conditioning coach Dwight Galt had this to say when asked about Saquon Barkley.

“He’s a once-every-10-year guy,” Galt told reporters. “A lot of people ask me what it was like to train Vernon Davis, there you go.”

After a brilliant freshman season, Barkley followed up his 1,076 rushing yards and 161 receiving yards by posting a sub-4.4 40 this spring. He also power-cleaned 390 pounds.

"

Penn State RB Saquon Barkley power cleans 390 pounds, teammates go nuts 💪🏾🔥 (via @Coach_Gattis)https://t.co/OEwuCn7nbl

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 1, 2016"

I shouldn’t have to tell you about what sort of freak we have on our hands, but I am going to do it anyway. As Penn State looks to reignite its offense after Christian Hackenberg’s departure, it shouldn’t need to look far.

Although we will talk about other backs first before the season begins, Barkley will change that in time. The transformation has already begun.

Spring Football Game Attendance Odds

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This is not actually something you can wager on, which is truly unfortunate. However, there is tradition to uphold when it comes to handicapping what humans will do with their free time over these next few months.

For those keeping score at home, Ohio State led the nation with more than 99,000 fans at its spring game last year. It was 20,000 clear of Nebraska, last season’s second-place finisher.

As for this year’s odds on the team that will take home spring game bragging rights, let’s take a crack.

Alabama 7-2

Ohio State 4-1

Michigan 4-1

Nebraska 7-1

Tennessee 8-1

Clemson 10-1

Auburn 12-1

Penn State 12-1

Georgia 15-1

Arkansas 18-1

Oklahoma 20-1

Michigan State 22-1

Parting Shot: So Should I Tailgate For My Spring Game?

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I’m glad you asked, friend. Yes. Yes you should. This is very important.

Few opportunities present a better tailgate environment than this one.

Think about it. Crowds, in many cases, will not be the same sort of issue. Weather, in plenty of instances, will be pristine. The results of this day will not generate any agony or heartbreak either way. You can head into this event with no expectations at all, focusing instead on food, drink and bettering your soul.

Spoiler: Your team will win. No matter what happens, your team will win. It's great.

Although we talk so much about the improvement of the players and team, this is also a time to better ourselves as fans. Now is the time to perfect a dish you have battled with for some time. Now is the time to ensure your outdoor cable stream is ready for September.

I have faith that you can do this. We can all be better. Now is the time.

Adam Kramer covers college football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @KegsnEggs. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes obtained firsthand.