Burning College Football Questions After 2015 Spring Games
Spring games are officially over, but not every question was answered, and not every concern was alleviated. Far from it, actually.
To the contrary, some of the more pressing questions exiting spring belong to college football's blue-blood programs. From ongoing quarterback battles to new coaches implementing new schemes, there's still plenty that has to be sorted out in the summer months and preseason camp.
Not that those are bad things, necessarily. Otherwise, what would we talk about? The college football offseason is about to get long and lonesome.
With that, let's get to the list of the most burning post-spring questions with a focus on unresolved position battles and first-year coaches.
Does Cardale Jones Have the Momentum to Win Ohio State's QB Job?
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Unlike other similar battles on this list, Ohio State's quarterback competition has yet to really begin. With J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller recovering from ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively, Cardale Jones was the only quarterback able to fully participate in spring drills.
Here's the question: Were the first-team reps and late-season momentum from last year enough for Jones to claim the starting job during preseason camp? Jones' spring game performance wasn't his best, but head coach Urban Meyer has been generally pleased with Jones throughout drills.
However, Meyer did have this to say about the quarterback battle following the Buckeyes spring game last month (h/t B/R Big Ten writer Ben Axelrod):
"I'll come up with some kind of system throughout training camp that we're going to chart everything that everyone does. We've kind of done it, but not to the degree that we're going to do it this year. Because you have to be right on now. This can't be, 'Well, I'm going with him because it's my gut feeling.' Those gut feelings—it's got to be statistical analysis and data, backed up on who is going to play quarterback.
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And, as Axelrod notes, the stats back up Barrett, who was exceptional in 12 starts in 2014. Jones may be the healthiest quarterback at the moment, but it's not clear yet whether he's the best.
Did Oregon QB Jeff Lockie Do Enough to Fend off Vernon Adams Jr.?
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So, Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams Jr. is going to be Oregon's starting quarterback in 2015—right? That might still be the case eventually, but Adams is going to have a fight ahead of him with Jeff Lockie during preseason camp.
Lockie, a redshirt junior who has backed up Marcus Mariota for the past two seasons, has earned the praise of Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich throughout spring. According to Helfrich, Lockie's solid spring game performance was a reflection of that.
"I thought (Lockie) did a pretty good job of what he was asked to do," Helfrich said (via Andrew Greif of The Oregonian). "We were pretty limited in what we did, but as far as what he needs to do and what he needs to do to be 'the guy,' he had a very good spring."
Adams arrives later this summer, and Helfrich doesn't have a timetable to announce a starter, though he did say in last week's Pac-12 teleconference that he'd ideally like to make an announcement a week and a half before the first game.
However and whenever it shakes out, whoever gets the nod will have earned it. Certainly, Lockie isn't laying down to anyone.
Can Michigan's Offense Take a Leap over the Summer?
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It was no secret that Michigan's offense was going to be behind the defense in Jim Harbaugh's first spring in Ann Arbor. That belief was validated in the Wolverines' spring game.
While junior Shane Morris is considered the No. 1 quarterback at the moment, he's far from locked in as the starter. Iowa transfer Jake Rudock will also be arriving later this summer to compete.
Elsewhere on the offense, there's a lot of work to do. Dan Murphy of ESPN.com observed two spots specifically that needed improvement: running backs and wide receivers.
"None of the three backs expected to compete for the starting job separated himself from the others," Murphy wrote, adding "several of the 12 incompletions Morris threw [to wide receivers] could have been caught."
It's not just the quarterback competition that will carry over into preseason camp. A lot of starting jobs across the first team will be up for grabs.
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Can USC's Defensive Line Heal Up, Come Together?
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Easily, USC's biggest concern heading into spring was the turnover along the defensive line. The loss of defensive end Leonard Williams, who was drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets last Thursday, cannot be overstated.
Adding to that concern was the fact that USC didn't have great depth along the defensive line during the spring. Claude Pelon, Antwaun Woods, Greg Townsend Jr. and Kenny Bigelow have all missed at least some time because of injuries.
The No. 1 priority for that group during the summer? Get healthy and ready to go for fall practices. The D-line Trojans fans saw in the spring game won't represent the one that takes the field for real in 2015. While depth shouldn't be as big of an issue then, it's been a source of anxiety over the past 15 practices.
Does Josh Rosen Have a Legit Chance to Win UCLA's Starting QB Job?
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Staying in the Los Angeles area, UCLA has its own major question exiting spring: Can freshman early enrollee Josh Rosen actually win the starting quarterback job?
Head coach Jim Mora won't tip his hand as to which way he's leaning, nor will he officially announce a starter until the Week 1 game against Virginia. Rosen has been in an open competition with Jerry Neuheisel, Asiantii Woulard and Mike Fafaul. However, the freshman performed well in the Bruins' spring game, going 13-of-17 for two touchdowns and an interception.
"He's very intelligent and he's one of those kids that the game comes to more easily than some," Mora said via Rahshaun Haylock of Fox Sports West. "Certain performers go out on the field and things, kind of, slow down for them and they see things more quickly than others, and I think he's one of those guys."
It's not 100 percent clear where Rosen is in the pecking order, but it sounds like he has a shot. Mora's decision to keep the announcement close to the chest will only add intrigue the closer we get to the season opener.
Can Alabama's Offense Actually Reload?
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Much of the focus on Alabama's offseason has revolved around the quarterback battle and for good reason. A SEC West/SEC/Playoff contender has an open quarterback competition? What's not to love? However, what was a five-man race to start the spring has unofficially narrowed to two players: Jake Coker and David Cornwell.
This, of course, could change over the next couple of months. Head coach Nick Saban hasn't come close to naming a starter.
But there's more to the Tide's new-look offense than just a new guy under center. The wide receiver corp must make up for the loss of Amari Cooper, though ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster were spring game stars. The offensive line is replacing three starters from a year ago as well.
For as much heat as he gets, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin did a great job calling plays in 2014. How will he handle a new set of starters?
Will Texas QB Jerrod Heard Finally Catch Up to Tyrone Swoopes?
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Last year, Texas' offense left a lot—and we mean a lot—to be desired. While that doesn't entirely fall on the quarterback position, it nevertheless has been a point of interest this spring.
Incumbent starter Tyrone Swoopes has, from head coach Charlie Strong's perspective, made a lot of strides during spring drills. However, redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard has "closed the gap" on Swoopes. Swoopes is still the front-runner heading into summer, but the competition will resume in preseason camp.
Can Heard make up enough ground to leapfrog Swoopes on the depth chart? The Longhorns spring game didn't cement one guy over the other as the surefire starter. Heard's progress indicates that perhaps the light is finally starting to turn on for him. But will it turn on quick enough?
Can Clemson's Defense Catch Up to the Offense?
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Even without starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is still recovering from a torn ACL, Clemson's offense looked potent in its spring game. Finding a solid backup quarterback in Nick Schuessler was important given Watson's injury history.
It's the defense that remains a question mark after losing nearly a dozen seniors off of last year's two-deep. Specifically, the defensive line was decimated by turnover. But losing a lot of starters doesn't mean the Tigers are starting from scratch. Plenty of backups from last year's team were sophomores and juniors.
The exception is along the defensive line, where there will be plenty of opportunities for young players to get involved early. Shaq Lawson is primed for a breakout season after serving as a backup at defensive end, and freshman All-American Mackensie Alexander is a bright young star at cornerback.
Will Clemson's defense be a liability in 2015? Expectations nationally may be low on the surface. However, if this unit, which has more veteran guys than you'd think, can even be decent, Clemson's in for a successful year.
How Good Can Florida State Quarterback Sean Maguire Be?
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Sean Maguire is the man to beat in Florida State's quarterback competition. Does that mean he can't be beat, though?
Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has been fond of Maguire, the likely successor to Jameis Winston, this spring. “I feel very good about Sean,” Fisher said last month (via Brennan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel). “Sean had a great spring, we have to play well around him. I like where he’s at right now.”
However, Maguire didn't have a great spring game for the Seminoles. He started slow, throwing a pick-six to Derwin James, picked up his game in the second quarter and then finished sloppy. That by itself wouldn't inspire a ton of confidence if you're a Florida State fan, but there's also a clear gap between him and the other quarterbacks on the roster.
Maguire is the guy—there's no doubt about that—but how consistent can he be? That'll be one of the biggest questions entering the 2015 season.
Can Will Muschamp Get Auburn's Defense in the Backfield?
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It's well documented by now that Auburn had one of the worst pass rushes in the SEC a year ago, finishing 11th with 21 sacks. Of course, losing a guy like defensive end Carl Lawson to a season-ending knee injury will have ramifications like that.
First-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has a lot of work ahead of him, but one of the biggest priorities is fixing the pass rush now that Lawson is back. When asked last month who he thought would elevate the pass rush, Muschamp mentioned Lawson and defensive tackle Montravius Adams.
"I feel certain that Carl will be one of them and Montravius has shown some things that we can win in the single battles up front," Muschamp said (via , AL.com), "but past that we need some guys to step forward."
The Tigers also finished toward the bottom of the SEC in pass defense. Getting to the quarterback quicker would help in that category.
Will Florida's Offense Overcome Depth Problems, Improve Under Jim McElwain?
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Offensive was a liability for Florida in the Will Muschamp era. The Gators hope to fix that with first-year coach Jim McElwain. However, McElwain has a lot of work to do.
The quarterback battle between redshirt Will Grier and sophomore Treon Harris is ongoing, but Grier had a slight edge during the spring because Harris missed some practices to attend a family member's funeral.
Beyond that, the depth at offensive line is terribly thin. The career-ending injury to Rod Johnson, one of the few Gators linemen with starting experience, puts even more pressure on 5-star incoming freshman Martez Ivey.
"It's a work in progress," McElwain said of his offense on the Gators' official website. "Let's face it, there's parts (to the offense) and we're identifying the parts and we'll put some plans together to help the explosive playmakers have an opportunity to make those plays."
Which Georgia Quarterback Will Get the Nod?
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Sophomore running back Nick Chubb is the star of Georgia's offense. Still, the Bulldogs can't exactly snap it directly to Chubb 70 times a game.
(*Note: That would be just fine, and preferable, if we're being honest. But it's just not in the cards.)
Georgia needs a quarterback, and the race appears to be down to junior Faton Bauta and sophomore Brice Ramsey. Ramsey was the No. 2 guy behind Hutson Mason a year ago and is your more traditional pro-style quarterback. He has the stronger arm to stretch the field vertically, but Bauta, cut from more of the dual-threat cloth, offers more athleticism.
"I think it's still a race," head coach Mark Richt said last month via B/R's Barrett Sallee. "There's no question it'll go through summer and fall before we settle on one. Has any [QB] mastered their craft yet? No, but that's not expected."
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes obtained firsthand unless cited otherwise. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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