2015 Spring Game Previews for College Football's Projected Top 25
Are you ready for some (spring) football?!
While it's nothing compared to the real thing, college football's regular season is still more than five months away. Spring football is as close as we're going to get right now, and the upcoming slate of spring games will do its best to provide a modicum of excitement for the upcoming year.
Using Bleacher Report's preseason top 25 (spring practice edition) as a guideline, we've run down what to look for when watching these games as they unfold over the next month. Two schools on this list either have already finished spring ball (Baylor) or aren't having a spring game (Texas A&M), so instead we've either recapped what went on during practice or what's at stake this offseason.
25. Mississippi State
1 of 25
When: April 18, noon ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Running back
Josh Robinson's surprise leap to the NFL draft after his junior year left a projected area of strength for Mississippi State this season into one that has plenty of uncertainty. Robinson was a bulldozer of a back who helped take the pressure off quarterback Dak Prescott to have to run too much, and when Robinson struggled down the stretch this took a toll on the passer.
Brandon Holloway and Ashton Shumpert combined for 568 yards and three touchdowns last year as Robinson's co-backups, and the juniors will get first shot at the starting job. Also in the mix is Aeris Williams, a redshirt freshman who the Bulldogs are very high on.
"He’s going to go as hard as he can with whatever he is doing," MSU coach Dan Mullen said, per Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee.
Newcomer to watch: Donald Gray, WR
With leading receiver De'Runnya Wilson out of action following his arrest on drug possession and paraphernalia charges in Alabama, it's a chance for Gray and other young wideouts to get their reps early on. Gray, who played at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi last season, was rated as the No. 8 JUCO prospect in the country.
The 5'9", 185-pound Gray originally signed with Mississippi State in 2013 before taking a detour to junior college.
24. Wisconsin
2 of 25
When: April 25, 4 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
Top position battle: Quarterback
When Paul Chryst was previously at Wisconsin as its offensive coordinator, he had the luxury of dependable passers like Scott Tolzien and Russell Wilson to work with. Now as the Badgers' head coach, he has to figure whether seniors Tanner McEvoy or Joel Stave can get the job done or if he'll have to go with an untested guy at the position.
McEvoy and Stave had 15 touchdowns but 16 interceptions last year, so neither is assured of being able to beat out the likes of juniors Thad Armstrong and Bart Houston, redshirt freshman D.J. Gillins or true freshmen Alex Hornibrook and Austin Kafentzis.
Newcomer to watch: Kyle Penniston, TE
The tight end position has usually been a major piece of Wisconsin's passing game, and last year Sam Arneson was the Badgers' second-leading receiver.
Penniston, a California native who weighs in at 6'5" and 232 pounds, has the makeup of the kind of player Wisconsin likes at that position. If he can show good hands this spring, he'll get lots of work in 2015.
23. Georgia Tech
3 of 25
When: April 17, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN3
Top position battle: Offensive guard
While Georgia Tech lost nearly 100 percent of its skill players from last season, its most pressing hole on offense is the lone spot on the line where it had a senior.
Shaq Mason was a stud at right guard, and the job of replacing him will come down to junior Nick Brigham, sophomore Shamire Devine and redshirt freshman Gary Brown. Each have spent a year in the program as redshirts to build up strength and learn technique, which should make whoever wins the spot be a solid choice.
Newcomer to watch: Harland Howell, WR
Wide receiver might not be the most important position for Tech, but the Yellow Jackets do have a certain kind of player in mind when it recruits pass-catchers. Paul Johnson goes for big guys who can go up for the ball when his quarterback opts out of the run, and the 6'3", 200-pound early enrollee fits that bill perfectly.
22. LSU
4 of 25
When: April 18, 2 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Quarterback
The same two passers who failed to complete 50 percent of their passes last season are the only viable options for LSU this year, unless a miracle graduate transfer falls into the Tigers' laps during the summer. For the time being, it's up to junior Anthony Jennings or sophomore Brandon Harris to show they've made progress and can be the guy, or at least be better than the other.
It's already been a back-and-forth competition in spring ball, with each quarterback getting the better praise a few times from coach Les Miles. The spring game performance could be a tipping point.
Newcomer to watch: Kevin Toliver II, CB
There are a handful of true freshmen across FBS who have a good shot of starting right away, but few seem as much of a certainty as Toliver. Not just because LSU has openings at cornerback, but because the 5-star recruit has quickly shown in practice he's up to the task.
Toliver recorded an interception during LSU's first spring scrimmage—video of which he tweeted out—and has been impressing the Tigers' defensive coaches with his quick grasp of the college game.
21. Oklahoma State
5 of 25
When: April 18, time TBD
TV: None
Top position battle: Defensive tackle
Both James Castleman and Ofa Hautau have graduated, taking with them 12 tackles for loss. There are three players who saw action last season coming back, but the trio of junior Eric Davis and sophomores Vili Leveni and Vincent Taylor combined to only register just one sack and 32 tackles in 2014.
Those veterans will be challenged by junior college transfer Motekiai Maile, who sat out last season, along with sophomore Ben Hughes and redshirt freshmen Jordan Brailford, Trey Carter, Jarrell Owens and Cole Walterscheid.
Newcomer to watch: Brandon Pertile, OT
Left tackle Daniel Koenig's graduation leaves a job up for the taking, and while there are plenty of strong candidates there's a good chance Pertile could step in if he continues to impress during the spring. The transfer from Mesa Community College is 6'5" and 290 pounds, and with a little more size will be ready to play.
20. Texas A&M
6 of 25
When: No spring game due to ongoing construction at Kyle Field.
Top position battle: Safety
Both of the Aggies' starting safeties have graduated, leaving sophomore Armani Watts in position to move into a spot after a promising first season. But junior college transfer Justin Evans figures to be in the mix to start, while new defensive coordinator John Chavis could mix things up and slide over some of his many cornerbacks onto the back line of the secondary.
Newcomer to watch: Christian Kirk, WR
Kirk was the fourth-best wide receiver prospect in the 2015 class, and he figures to see plenty of action this season despite Texas A&M returning five players who had at least 29 receptions last season. The top-rated player from Arizona enrolled early and has used that time to develop a strong relationship with presumptive starting quarterback Kyle Allen.
"With how often Sumlin puts receivers on the field coupled with the pure talent of Kirk, expect to hear his name called early and often in 2015," wrote Brandon Wheeland of The Dallas Morning News.
19. Oklahoma
7 of 25
When: April 11, 2 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Top position battle: Quarterback
Trevor Knight started 10 games last season, missing three because of a neck injury, but struggled after a breakout performance in the 2014 Sugar Bowl as a freshman. Cody Thomas stepped in when Knight was down but didn't impress, though the sophomore seems intent on becoming better after giving up baseball this spring.
Then there's Baker Mayfield, who started eight games for Texas Tech in 2013 before sitting out last season following his transfer to Oklahoma. All three will be trying to impress new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, who is bringing back the Air Raid offense that the Sooners thrived using in the past.
Newcomer to watch: Dede Westbrook, WR
With Oklahoma ramping up its pass game, the team will require a far deeper receiving corps than it had last season. The top returners are seniors Durron Neal and Sterling Shepard, the latter coming off another injury-plagued year.
Westbrook is a junior college transfer from Blinn (Texas), isn't a big target at 5'11" and 175 but is speedy and could work out well as a slot receiver.
18. Tennessee
8 of 25
When: April 25, 4 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Linebacker
One of the few places where Tennessee has a hole to fill from last year is at inside linebacker, where A.J. Johnson roamed for so long before missing the final two games of 2014 after being implicated in a sexual assault investigation. Jakob Johnson took over that spot, but the sophomore is out of spring ball because of injury.
That opens the door for junior Kenny Bynum and redshirt freshmen Dillon Bates and Gavin Bryant to take a shot at the job. The Vols could also look to slide hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker Curt Maggitt to that spot, but he's also out with an injury.
Newcomer to watch: Alvin Kamara, LB
Once a crown jewel of Alabama's 2013 recruiting class, Kamara never played a down for the Crimson Tide after redshirting that season and then transferring to Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College.
He ran for more than 1,200 yards for 18 touchdowns in nine games there, and he now joins a Tennessee backfield that has Jalen Hurd entrenched as the starter but should be able to make room for the 5'11", 195-pound Kamara, who was the No. 2 all-purpose back prospect in the country in 2013.
17. Arizona
9 of 25
When: April 10, 9 p.m. ET
TV: Pac-12 Network
Top position battle: Cornerback
Arizona's 3-3-5 defensive alignment will be searching for a lot of new contributors on the back line with the graduation of two starting cornerbacks and a safety. There are a number of candidates to take the corner spots, and while coach Rich Rodriguez wants to be able to be two-deep at every position, the ones who start will get the most action.
Junior Devin Holiday and sophomore Cam Denson will compete with DaVonte' Neal, a junior who played receiver and returned punts last season.
Newcomer to watch: Paul Magloire, S
A junior college transfer from Arizona Western College, Magloire has a shot to win the vacant free safety spot, a position he's come to thrive in after previously playing quarterback and running back at Appalachian State.
16. Arkansas
10 of 25
When: April 25, 2 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Linebacker
The Razorbacks graduated their overwhelming tackle leader, Martrell Spaight, as well as fellow starter Braylon Mitchell. Junior Brooks Ellis is back and could end up taking Spaight's strong-side position after starting in the middle in 2014, but that just leaves another opening.
New linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves inherits a group of contenders that includes junior Josh Williams, sophomores Khalia Hackett and Dwayne Eugene and redshirt freshmen Josh Harris and Nicholas Thomas-Smith.
Newcomer to watch: Hjalte Froholdt, DT
Arkansas' top recruit from the 2015 class is at a position that is already strong and deep but also youthful and inexperienced. The front line is what helped the Razorbacks post a pair of shutouts in SEC play last season and get into a bowl game, which are dominated defensively, but several starters have moved on.
Froholdt enrolled early to get a jump on being part of the rotation, and he should get some reps in the spring game.
15. Florida State
11 of 25
When: April 11, 2 p.m. ET
TV: None
Top position battle: Cornerback
With Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams preparing for the NFL draft, Florida State's cornerback slots are up for the taking this spring. Safety Jalen Ramsey, who has also served as a nickel corner, figures to have the inside track on one of these spots in his junior season, but the other slot is wide open.
Juniors Marquez White and Ryan Green, the latter a converted running back, as well as sophomore Malique Jackson, will all be given their shot to win a job this spring. Look for each to get ample playing time during the spring game.
Newcomer to watch: Derwin James, S
At 6'2" and 212 pounds, James could be either a safety (what he was recruited to play) or a linebacker, but there's little doubt he's going to be getting ample playing time this fall. The 5-star recruit has already made some big hits during the Seminoles' opening practices and looks ready to contribute right away.
14. Arizona State
12 of 25
When: April 10, 10 p.m. ET
TV: Pac-12 Network
Top position battle: Linebacker
While Arizona State brings back every significant contributor at linebacker from last season, that hasn't stopped the Sun Devils from keeping the competition open for all of the starting spots. According to Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic, through ASU's first four practices there has been a different set of three players getting first-team reps at the position.
Senior Antonio Longino, junior Salamo Fiso and sophomores Marcus Ball, D.J. Calhoun and Christian Sam are all in the mix for starting jobs. ASU had hoped to also get a good look at junior college transfer Davon Durant, but he has been suspended amid domestic violence allegations.
Newcomer to watch: Brady White, QB
Mike Bercovici figures to be a lock to take over the starting job full time after getting plenty of playing time in 2014 when Taylor Kelly was injured. But White could find himself earning the backup gig with a good spring, and with Bercovici entering his senior year, it would allow ASU to groom his replacement in advance.
13. Georgia
13 of 25
When: April 11, 2 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Quarterback
Georgia has started seniors under center the past two years, with Hutson Mason handling the job in 2014. Mason was hurt late in the first half of the Bulldogs' bowl game against Louisville, allowing Brice Ramsey to get an early audition as his successor, but he didn't look sharp.
Now the sophomore is battling with junior Faton Bauta and redshirt freshman Jacob Park during spring for this position.
The arrival of Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator, replacing current Colorado State head coach Mike Bobo, basically wipes the slate clean from the past.
Newcomer to watch: Jake Ganus, LB
The sad decision by UAB to shutter its football program allowed any players with eligibility to transfer and play right away, and Georgia is one of many schools on pace to benefit from this thanks to how Ganus has looked so far in practice.
The senior led the Blazers in tackles last season with 70 (along with six sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss) and has a good chance to win the inside linebacker job this fall.
12. Ole Miss
14 of 25When: April 11, 1 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Cornerback
Ole Miss' secondary was a key part of the "Landsharks" defense that led the FBS in scoring allowed and notched 22 interceptions. But gone are Senquez Golson, who had 10 picks, and key reserve Cliff Coleman.
Senior Mike Hinton, the other starter from 2014, is back along with senior rover Trae Alston and junior nickel back Tony Conner, and one of those guys could take Golson's spot. But depth was a big part of that unit last season, and there are 13 players who are getting looked at during the spring to divvy up playing time, including rising sophomore Kendarius Webster and converted running back Kailo Moore.
Newcomer to watch: Chad Kelly, QB
Ole Miss could be in line for its second straight junior college transfer at quarterback, following the three-year run of Bo Wallace after he came to the Rebels from East Mississippi Junior College. That's the same place Kelly spent last season, where he threw for 3,906 yards and 47 touchdowns, though this was by necessity rather than choice, as he'd been dismissed from Clemson last spring after playing there in 2013.
Kelly's checkered past popped up again right after he signed with Ole Miss in December, as he was arrested in connection with a fight outside a restaurant in his hometown of Buffalo. Kelly entered into a plea agreement, which called for community service that he completed earlier this month.
11. Auburn
15 of 25
When: April 18, 2 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Center
Reese Dismukes held down this job for four seasons, starting 50 games and winning the Rimington Trophy last year as the nation's top center. Now comes a wide-open competition to replace that anchor, and with Auburn expected to become more of a pass-oriented team in 2015, it's an even more important position.
Senior Xavier Dampeer was Dismukes' main backup last season, but he didn't play much. Sophomore Austin Golson, a transfer from Ole Miss, has played guard and tackle but is getting looked at in the middle. And junior Alex Kozan, who missed last season with a back injury, is also a candidate despite playing mostly at guard in his career.
Newcomer to watch: Jovon Robinson, RB
The top junior college recruit from the 2015 class, Robinson is a beast of a back at 6'0" and 235 pounds. The Memphis native was a 2012 Auburn signee but spent last season at Georgia Military College, and he's already making an impression on Auburn coach Gus Malzahn as he tries to beat out Peyton Barber and Roc Thomas for the starting job.
"All that extra strength makes Robinson a good fit for Malzahn's offense," wrote Joel Erickson of AL.com. "Malzahn values running backs who can break tackles and pick up first downs in short-yardage situations, and Auburn isn't afraid to ask a player to carry it more than 40 times in a game, a feat both (Michael) Dyer and (Tre) Mason performed."
10. Clemson
16 of 25
When: April 11, 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: None
Top position battle: Defensive tackle
Clemson's entire defensive line graduated, but there are reinforcements ready to step in on the outside in the form of junior Shaq Lawson. The same isn't as guaranteed inside, where senior D.J. Reader, junior Carlos Watkins and sophomore Scott Pagano are all fighting to get one of those two starting spots.
Reader had the greatest impact of that group last season, recording 2.5 tackles for loss.
"The unit won't carry much experience into this season, but there's no shortage of talent," wrote Colin Becht of Sports Illustrated.
Also expected to get a shot this spring are early enrollees Albert Huggins and Sterling Johnson.
Newcomer to watch: Mitch Hyatt, OT
The 5-star prospect has been getting reps during spring ball at both tackle positions, though a hamstring injury slowed him down early on.
Clemson needs to replace several offensive linemen, and Hyatt is one of four freshmen who enrolled early to get a crack at playing time on the line.
9. UCLA
17 of 25
When: April 25, 1 p.m.
TV: Pac-12 Network
Top position battle: Quarterback
Brett Hundley was masterful at the position for UCLA the past three seasons, and now Jim Mora has to find someone who has the ability to operate his offense as well as Hundley did. That could be the son of Mora's predecessor, Jerry Neuheisel, who as a sophomore last year had a Hollywood-like performance in relief of an injured Hundley in a win over Texas, or two recruits Mora has brought to the program.
Asiantii Woulard redshirted last year, and he's the most similar of the group to Hundley because of his mobility. But he's not nearly as highly regarded as 5-star prospect Josh Rosen, an early enrollee from the 2015 class.
Newcomer to watch: Rosen
Practice doesn't begin at UCLA until March 31, but that hasn't prevented the hype train Rosen is riding to be filled with immense expectations.
"Rosen's ability to manage the offense and make the proper reads will be something to watch," wrote Bleacher Report's Jason Fray. "While growing pains will inevitably occur, all eyes will be on Rosen this spring."
8. Oregon
18 of 25
When: May 2, 2 p.m. ET
TV: Pac-12 Network
Top position battle
Oregon will be one of the last major programs to get started with spring ball when it has its first practice on March 30, but even with the late start the Ducks' most important position competition won't be able to get decided. That's because quarterback Vernon Adams, who is set to transfer from FCS Eastern Washington, won't arrive on campus until graduating in June.
With Adams not able to enter the race until the summer, the spring game will provide the chance for junior Jeff Lockie, who was Marcus Mariota's backup last season, to show what he can do while competing against sophomores Taylor Alie and Ty Griffin, redshirt freshman Morgan Mahalak and freshman early enrollee Travis Waller.
Newcomer to watch: Canton Kaumatule, DE
Arik Armstead turned pro early, but even if he hadn't, it would have been hard to keep Kaumatule off the field this season. Now he's got a great shot to start right away, and his arrival during the spring gives the 6'7", 290-pounder (who could also play on the offensive line, if needed) a head start.
Kaumatule, who is from Hawaii, ranked 16th in the 2015 recruiting class.
7. Notre Dame
19 of 25
When: April 18, time TBD
TV: None
Top position battle: Quarterback
This will be the second year in a row that Everett Golson and Malik Zaire battle for the starting job, but while last offseason it was clear that Golson would win the gig, this time it's far less certain. Golson looked masterful for much of the 2014 season until his rampant turnover issues keyed a second-half slide by Notre Dame.
The two split snaps in the Music City Bowl, with both looking good and Zaire bringing a different element thanks to his mobility and decision-making. Now new offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, fresh from Boise State, gets to work with them and find the best option.
Each will get his shot this spring, and what they do in the final scrimmage will create a pecking order for training camp. Golson could also transfer after graduating in May, adding another element to the competition.
Newcomer to watch: Alex Bars, OL
None of Notre Dame's early enrollees are expected to make a major impact this spring, so we're going with one of the Fighting Irish's many redshirts.
Though a tackle by trade, the recent announcement that center Matt Hegarty would be transferring has prompted Nick Martin to move to that position and leave his guard spot open.
"Having not been rushed into the lineup as a true freshman, Bars will enter spring hoping to get into the mix at the only opening up front," wrote Bleacher Report's Keith Arnold.
6. Alabama
20 of 25When: April 18, 3 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network Plus
Top position battle: Quarterback
Alabama has a quarterback competition for the second year in a row, but unlike last season when Jake Coker wasn't around until the summer, this race will start in the spring.
Coker, Cooper Bateman, David Cornwall, Alec Morris and freshman early enrollee Blake Barnett are all fighting to replace Blake Sims, and how the Crimson Tide hand out snaps during the spring game will give us a strong indication of who's in the lead heading into preseason camp.
Newcomer to watch: Barnett
He has a lot of players to beat out to become Alabama's starting quarterback, but of that group, only Coker has thrown passes in a college game. And none of the group was as highly rated coming out of high school as Barnett, listed by 247Sports as the No. 2 pro-style passer and 21st overall player in the 2015 recruiting class.
5. Michigan State
21 of 25
When: April 25, 2 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
Top position battle: Wide receiver
The Spartans graduated their top two pass-catchers, Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery, and while Connor Cook is back for one more season at quarterback, he needs to get connected with new receivers. Macgarrett Kings Jr. was expected to be a top choice for that role, but the senior was arrested earlier this month for brandishing a weapon during a road rage incident on campus, per the Associated Press (via Fox Sports).
Kings isn't on the spring roster, which opens the door for senior Aaron Burbridge, junior R.J. Shelton and senior walk-on A.J. Troup to fight for improved status.
Newcomer to watch: Tyriq Thompson, LB
Thompson is the only member of Michigan State's 2015 recruiting class who enrolled early, but by doing so he's gotten a jump on getting into the mix in the middle of a defense that graduated "Mike" linebacker Taiwan Jones.
"This is a big opportunity for me, so I wanted to get on campus early," Thompson told Mike Griffith of MLive.com.
4. USC
22 of 25
When: April 11, 6 p.m. ET
TV: Pac-12 Network
Top position battle: Running back
Javorius Allen turned pro early, taking with him his 1,489 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. That accounted for more than 70 percent of the Trojans' ground game, leaving those who are still around with a tough task in replacing that production.
Justin Davis had 595 yards and five TDs as a sophomore, while in 2013 Tre Madden ran for 703 yards and three scores but missed last season recovering from a hamstring injury. Those two will share the carries during the spring game, with the hope one can stand out before a crop of talented freshmen show up in the summer.
Newcomer to watch: Cameron Smith, LB
He could potentially be overshadowed this summer by more highly rated freshmen at his position, but by showing up early, Smith got to make an early impression. And it's paying off so far:
"What he's shown is that he's a better athlete than we gave him credit it for," USC coach Steve Sarkisian said of Smith, per Evan Budrovich of USC's media relations department, who at 6'3" and 240 pounds also has the size to play the position.
3. Baylor
23 of 25Baylor has wrapped up its spring practice already, holding its final scrimmage on March 20 despite rainy conditions that led to just 5,600 people attending.
The weather might not have been ideal, but all reports indicate the Bears looked as crisp as ever under new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, son of head coach Art Briles. Seth Russell, who is the top choice to replace Bryce Petty at quarterback, threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns, per Kevin McGuire of NBC Sports. Three of those scores went for at least 54 yards.
Freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham also participated, completing seven of 18 passes for 52 yards, but the most notable result from the game was the continued conversion of 410-pound lineman LaQuan McGowan into a tight end.
The massive senior, who caught a touchdown pass in Baylor's Cotton Bowl loss to Michigan State in January, hauled in a 21-yard reception during the scrimmage (see video above) that had the players and fans going wild.
2. TCU
24 of 25
When: April 10, time TBD
TV: None
Top position battle: Linebacker
The graduation of Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallet creates a major hole in TCU's 4-2-5 defense, and while junior Sammy Douglas and sophomore Paul Whitmill are in line to take those spots, it's not a given. The Horned Frogs are also giving a look to converted quarterback Ty Summers, a redshirt freshman, as well as true freshmen early enrollees Alec Dunham and Mike Freeze.
Dawson, Mallet and backup Jonathan Anderson combined to register 266 tackles, 36 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season.
Newcomer to watch: DeShawn Raymond, CB
There are plenty of experienced candidates on the roster to replace top-tier corner Kevin White, but Raymond shouldn't be discounted because of his youth. The 4-star prospect is 6'1" and 190 pounds, giving him the perfect frame to be a player in this competition.
1. Ohio State
25 of 25
When: April 18, 1:30 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
Top position battle: Quarterback
Even though it won't get settled until the summer, when all three candidates are at full strength, there's no denying that the competition between senior Braxton Miller, junior Cardale Jones and sophomore J.T. Barrett is arguably the most compelling in the country. It's a situation where there doesn't appear to be a bad choice, considering what each has done for Ohio State in his career, though coach Urban Meyer understands how difficult the decision will be and seems determined to make it a one-man job.
"It's starting to eat away at me a little bit," Meyer told Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod in realizing he'll need to bench two of the three quarterbacks.
Barrett is recovering from a broken leg suffered in late November, but he's been going through spring ball. Miller is still coming along from shoulder surgery, while Jones is completely healthy and itching to show the three-game performance he had in relief of Barrett last winter wasn't a fluke.
Newcomer to watch: Jashon Cornell, DE
The graduation of Michael Bennett and Steve Miller leaves Ohio State in need of some new blood on the defensive line to pair up with Joey Bosa. Cornell enrolled early, and the 6'3", 265-pound prospect looks to be a strong candidate to see playing time right away.
All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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