Previewing Biggest Spring Depth-Chart Battles for Top 10 College Football Teams
Every college football team has holes to fill next season—even the supposed best teams in the country.
In some of those cases, a natural successor has been groomed to fill the opening. But in others (most), multiple candidates will vie to win a starting job.
The 10 teams that follow were decided using a composite of media sources: the offseason top-25 rankings from Bleacher Report, ESPN, SI.com, CBS Sports, Fox Sports and USA Today. The full rankings and the work that went into calculating them are shown here.
Once the top 10 teams were assembled, the biggest spring depth-chart battles were picked based on three factors: (1) the closeness of the competition, (2) the importance of the competition and (3) how much impact spring football will have on the competition.
Ohio State, for example, fulfills (1) and (2) with its quarterback competition, but J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller are injured, leaving Cardale Jones as the only healthy body in spring camp. That is a close, important position battle. It's just not a spring position battle.
It's a fall position battle.
Sound off below and let us know what you think.
10. USC: Rush Linebacker
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The Favorite: Scott Felix (Jr.)
Scott Felix played well behind J.R. Tavai in 2014 and has the upper hand to start as a junior. He finished the season with 36 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks—the negative gains all coming in Pac-12 play. He was a top-150 recruit in 2012, back when he still went by Scott Starr, and has looked the part in spurts the past two years.
The Challenger: Malik Dorton (RS-Fr.)
Malik Dorton took a redshirt last season but has the frame (6'2", 250 lbs) and upside to challenge Felix. He was a 3-star defensive end in high school, but USC lists him as an outside linebacker, which speaks to where the Trojans see his future. He's a heavy underdog, but if he shows some burst in spring camp, it's possible.
The Dark Horse: Cameron Smith (Fr.)
Listed as an inside linebacker, Cameron Smith has the sturdy build (6'3", 225 lbs) and power needed to play near the line of scrimmage. His weaknesses are open-field range and coverage—two things a stint at rush linebacker would allow him to avoid. He enrolled for the spring semester and will compete for a spot in the rotation.
Enrolling After Spring: Osa Masina (Fr.)
The biggest threat to Felix won't arrive until fall camp. Osa Masina committed to the Trojans last weekend and has the highest upside of any linebacker on the team. He is 6'3.5", 230 pounds and earned his fifth star with a dominant showing at the Army All-American Bowl.
9. Florida State: Quarterback
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The Favorite: Sean Maguire (Jr.)
No other quarterback on the roster has attempted an FBS pass. That gives Sean Maguire the advantage, even though he struggled in his only career start. That start—the result of Jameis Winston's one-game suspension—came against a Clemson defense that finished No. 1 in the country on the F/+ defensive rankings at Football Outsiders. A lot of good quarterbacks would have struggled in that situation.
The Challenger: J.J. Cosentino (RS-Fr.)
J.J. Cosentino has the size (6'4", 234 lbs), arm strength and mobility to be the next great Florida State quarterback. But how far along is his development? He was a 4-star prospect in 2014, and he hails from the same high school (Central Catholic in Pittsburgh) as Dan Marino and Marc Bulger. That plus following Winston is a lot for Cosentino to live up to—especially considering Winston's freshman season.
The Dark Horse: John Franklin III (So.)
John Franklin III is the ultimate wild card. He is a sprinter on Florida State's track team and will likely move to receiver if he doesn't show well this spring. Regardless, his speed makes him an intriguing option, even if it would require tweaking the offense.
Enrolling After Spring: Deondre Francois (Fr.)
Deondre Francois has made a steady climb up the recruiting rankings; he will finish the cycle ranked No. 65 in the country and No. 6 among quarterbacks. Despite his smallish stature (6'1", 195 lbs), that gives him by far the highest pedigree on the roster. His chances depend on how the older quarterbacks perform in spring camp.
7. Auburn: Running Back
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The Favorite: Jovon Robinson (Jr.)
Jovon Robinson is the No. 1 JUCO prospect in the country, the same distinction D'haquille Williams enjoyed in 2014. And things worked out pretty well for "Duke." Robinson actually committed to the Tigers in 2012 before academics forced him to drop down a level, but now, three years later, he is ready to prove he was worth the wait.
The Challenger: Roc Thomas (So.)
Roc Thomas was a 5-star back in the loaded 2014 recruiting class, placing one spot ahead of Nick Chubb and Royce Freeman. For emphasis: ahead of Nick Chubb and Royce Freeman. He had 214 yards on 43 carries as a freshman, and his build (5'10", 193 lbs), speed and compact running style evoke memories of Tre Mason.
The Dark Horse: Peyton Barber (So.)
Peyton Barber lacks the pedigree of his teammates, but he has left an impression on the coaches. He is thicker than he lets on (5'11", 225 lbs) and runs hard between the tackles, and although his upside is limited, he's a safety net if Robinson and Thomas fail. As talented as those top two are on paper, neither has proved much at the FBS level.
Enrolling After Spring: Kerryon Johnson (Fr.)
At most schools, Kerryon Johnson would be the jewel of the recruiting class and a day-one contributor. At Auburn, he's a depth piece in the backfield. Regardless, the No. 42 overall player and No. 2 athlete in the country will have a chance to prove himself this fall.
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7. Ole Miss: Quarterback
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The Favorite: Chad Kelly (Jr.)
Chad Kelly was dismissed from Clemson after bickering with coaches last spring. He played well at East Mississippi Community College but made headlines for the wrong reasons when he got into a bar fight in December. After accepting a plea bargain in January, though, he is ready to put his past in…well, the past and compete for the job at Ole Miss. The nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly was a 4-star recruit in high school and has the skills to be a solid SEC starter.
The Challenger: Ryan Buchanan (So.)
Of the three competing quarterbacks, Ryan Buchanan is the safest option. He's the only pocket passer of the group, but he is 6'4" with a strong and accurate arm. He was a 4-star recruit in high school, and he's a local kid from Jackson, Mississippi. After three years of Bo Wallace, the safest option might be ideal.
The Dark Horse: DeVante Kincade (So.)
DeVante Kincade got the call when Wallace was yanked from the Peach Bowl, but don't read too much into that; he and Buchanan were interchangeable as Wallace's backups. Kincade is a pure dual-threat quarterback, which separates him from Buchanan (a pure pocket QB) and Kelly (a mix of both) and might make him a suitable option, but he must improve his passing to win the job.
6. Michigan State: Cornerback
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The Favorite: Demetrious Cox (Jr.)
Demetrious Cox has played safety the past two seasons but is slated for a move to cornerback. The Spartans have more depth in the middle of their secondary than on the perimeter, and moving Cox outside seems inevitable. "I've already hit up Darqueze [Dennard]," Cox told Joe Rexrode of The Detroit Free Press. "Like, 'Look, if you've got time, we're working out this summer.'" Hard to find a better mentor.
The Challenger: Arjen Colquhoun (Sr.)
A depth piece the past few seasons, Arjen Colquhoun will push Cox for the job opposite Darian Hicks. Or maybe he'll push Hicks for the job opposite Cox. There's not a ton of order in this secondary. Either way, the senior from Windsor, Ontario, will play the biggest role of his career as a senior. He is 6'1" and fluent in MSU's scheme.
The Dark Horse: Vayante Copeland (RS-Fr.)
Recruited by most as a running back, Vayante Copeland became a cornerback at Michigan State; call it the reverse-Jeremy Langford. He is 6'0", 184 pounds and plays the physical brand of football that MSU coaches encourage. "From most all accounts Copeland has been one of the most impressive young players in practices," wrote Mike Griffith of MLive.com in December. Don't sleep on his making a run.
Enrolling After Spring: Josh Butler (Fr.)
Sparty dipped its toes into Texas to land Josh Butler, a 4-star cornerback with offers from Baylor, Texas A&M and other regional powers. He wouldn't make the trip up North for no reason. Even though he's less experienced, Butler has a blue-chip pedigree, which at the very least makes him worth watching.
5. Oregon: Quarterback
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The Favorite: Jeff Lockie (So.)
Jeff Lockie backed up Marcus Mariota last season, although he didn't see much meaningful playing time. The past three Oregon quarterback battles have gone to the challenger (Mariota, Darren Thomas, Jeremiah Masoli) instead of the prior year's backup (Bryan Bennett, Nate Costa, Brady Leaf), but until further notice, Lockie is still the man to beat.
The Challenger: Morgan Mahalak (RS-Fr.)
Morgan Mahalak cuts the figure of Mariota, from the size (6'3") to the speed to the initials. He was the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the 2014 class, and even though he took a redshirt behind Lockie, Oregon fans think he will be the guy. Ben Kercheval of Bleacher Report wrote a piece about Oregon's quarterbacks, and in it he included a reader's poll. That poll has Mahalak as a 37.5 percent favorite to start over Lockie (20.2 percent) and the rest of the field.
The Dark Horse: Travis Waller (Fr.)
Travis Waller said he plans to enroll early and get an early jump on winning the job. He is the No. 104 overall player and No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the country, and his skill set is tailored to Oregon's offense. The question: How fast can he learn the system? On talent alone, he has a strong case to start as a freshman.
The (Other) Dark Horse: Ty Griffin (So.)
Ty Griffin sat out last season after transferring from Georgia Tech. He does not have great size (6'0", 191 lbs), but he's athletic enough to run Oregon's zone-read concepts. Also, he's the older brother of incoming tailback Taj Griffin, the second-biggest recruit in Oregon's 2015 class. Not that that actually means anything, but…still. Genetics.
4. Alabama: X Wide Receiver
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The Favorite: ArDarius Stewart (So.)
Only Chris Black returns with more receiving yards than ArDarius Stewart; and as Black is more suited to play in the slot, that makes Stewart the early favorite to replace Amari Cooper. A former high school quarterback from Birmingham, Alabama, Stewart is a rare athlete and has barely scratched the surface of his potential.
The Challengers: Robert Foster (So.); Cam Sims (So.)
Neck and neck (and neck) with Stewart are Robert Foster and Cam Sims. Foster is 6'3" and was a 5-star recruit in 2013, so his upside is considerable, but Sims played in three more games last season. All three players are bunched together, which is what makes spring camp so imperative. (It's also why this position has been listed over the quarterback battle.)
The Dark Horse: Raheem Falkins (Jr.)
Raheem Falkins has yet to catch a pass in a game, but he's been hard to ignore in practice. At 6'4", 210 pounds, he gives the Tide an imposing physical specimen on the outside, and he's always had a soft pair of hands. Can he seize the opportunity with a strong month of workouts? He'll never have a better chance to play.
Enrolling After Spring: Calvin Ridley (Fr.)
Because this is Alabama, reinforcements are always en route. Calvin Ridley is the No. 11 overall player and No. 1 wide receiver in the class, and although he won't arrive until the summer, he is talented enough to start Week 1. Only Dorial-Green Beckham, Stefon Diggs and Speedy Noil have had higher composite grades since 2012.
3. Baylor: Quarterback
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The Favorite: Seth Russell (Jr.)
He hasn't played great (or even decent) competition, but Seth Russell has looked sharp as Bryce Petty's backup the past two seasons. As a sophomore, he threw 85 passes for 804 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Baylor is in win-now mode—evidence: it's ranked No. 3 on this list—and Russell is its only half-proven option. That gives him the early edge.
The Challenger: Jarrett Stidham (Fr.)
One of the biggest recruits in Baylor history, Jarrett Stidham plans to enroll for spring ball and get an early jump on winning the starting job. He is the No. 38 overall player and No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the country, and some services (247Sports in particular) rate him even higher than that. He is 6'4" and more athletic than Russell, and Baylor's offense has a fairly gentle learning curve. How fast can he put all those tools together?
The Dark Horse: Chris Johnson (So.)
It's easy to see why the Bears like Johnson: He is 6'5" and mobile, and he graded as a 4-star prospect in 2013. His upside is grainier than that of Stidham, but his ceiling is just as high, and he has the advantage of entering his third year in the system. Don't count him out so soon.
2. TCU: Cornerback
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The Favorite: Corry O'Meally (Sr.)
Corry O'Meally provided solid depth in 2014, even though his season is best remembered for a costly pass-interference flag at Baylor. The 2-star JUCO transfer outperformed his recruiting pedigree—a staple of the Gary Patterson-era Frogs—and is the safest bet to replace Kevin White in the starting lineup. But "safest" doesn't necessarily mean "best," so he will have to be sharp in spring camp.
The Challengers: Torrance Mosley (So.); Nick Orr (So.)
Torrance Mosley and Nick Orr saw limited reps as true freshmen and land close behind O'Meally in the pecking order. Both were 3-star recruits, and both are only 5'10", but both showed flashes of potential last season—Orr in particular. White was only 5'10" also, so it's not like their size will impede them from winning the job.
The Dark Horse: Cameron Echols-Luper (Jr.)
TCU moved Cameron Echols-Luper from receiver to cornerback, acknowledging how much help it needs at the latter position. Echols-Luper has a tall, lean frame (6'0", 190 lbs) and was TCU's primary punt returner last season. He moonlights with TCU's track team, for which he was a second-team All-American, and has the upside advantage over O'Meally, Mosley and Orr. If he takes well to the nuance of playing cornerback, he's a strong contender to start.
1. Ohio State: Defensive End
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The Favorite: Jalyn Holmes (So.)
Jalyn Holmes played sparingly as a freshman, but he's the best bet to replace Steve Miller across from Joey Bosa. He was the No. 80 overall player in the 2014 class and has the size (6'4", 262 lbs) and speed to become a force. This is one of the few (only?) places Ohio State needs help, so Holmes will be monitored closely in spring camp.
The Challenger: Tyquan Lewis (So.)
Like Holmes, Tyquan Lewis is a former 4-star recruit who has beefed up to 6'3", 260 pounds. He took a redshirt in 2013 and made a similar impact to that of Holmes last season. Having said that, it was Lewis, not Holmes, who saw the field in a rotational role during the College Football Playoff. This is closer than it might appear.
The Dark Horse: Jashon Cornell (Fr.)
At time of publication, Ohio State has six top-100 players in its 2015 class. Jashon Cornell is the only spring enrollee. That and his position give Cornell the best chance to make an impact as a true freshman. The Buckeyes need all the depth they can get on the line, and Cornell (6'4", 260 lbs) comes to Columbus with an FBS-ready frame.
Enrolling After Spring: Dre'Mont Jones (Fr.)
A defensive end-tight end hybrid, Dre'Mont Jones is a strong candidate to start his career on defense. He is the No. 136 overall player in the country and has the size (6'3", 266 lbs) to hold his own in the trenches. Starting Week 1 might be a pipe dream, but cracking the two-deep isn't. From there, who knows how good he might be?
Note: All recruiting info refers to the 247Sports composite rankings
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