2015 All-Spring Game College Football Team
Spring games are officially over. Let's take a guess: Every head coach was happy with spring ball, but felt there was plenty of room to improve. Is that about right?
Let's dive just a touch deeper and put together a list of kudos for the 2015 All-Spring Game Team. These are players—one at each position—who stood out this spring with strong individual performances.
While anyone can technically make the All-Spring Game Team, we're looking for some lesser-known names who made a case for a starting job (or more playing time) in 2015 based on their spring game or spring drill performances.
Quarterback: Jeff Lockie, Oregon
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Think Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams Jr. is just going to walk into Oregon and get the starting quarterback job? Jeff Lockie would like a word or two about that.
The longtime backup to Marcus Mariota quietly had a nice spring. In the Ducks' spring game last Saturday, Lockie went 9-of-9 passing for 223 yards and three touchdowns in one half. Granted, Lockie was in a position to make a lot of easy throws, but he showed nice deep-ball accuracy on a long pass to Byron Marshall.
The competition between Adams and Lockie will extend into preseason camp. With the way Lockie has played during spring, he has a fighting chance at winning the starting job.
Honorable Mention: Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee), Reggie Bonnafon (Louisville)
Running Back: Kody Walker, Arkansas
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Everybody knows what Arkansas running backs Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams can do. The one-two punch in the Razorbacks backfield had nearly identical stats last season, combining for more than 2,200 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns.
But the Hogs have an excellent third running back, too: Kody Walker. The big bruiser at 6'2" and 250 pounds showed he can add to the ground attack as well in the spring game. Walker picked up 174 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries.
Walker showed some nice moves and looks to be more than just a downhill running back. Collins and Williams will still get the bulk of the carries, but it's good to know there's more depth in the backfield that can contribute beyond a typical fullback role.
Honorable Mention: Madre London (Michigan State), Jacques Patrick (Florida State)
Wide Receiver: Charles Nelson, Oregon
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Oregon has not one, but two players on the B/R All-Spring Game Team. It's a real honor, we know.
But, seriously, how can you ignore the play of Ducks wide receiver and defensive back Charles Nelson? The sophomore had five catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns on offense, plus three tackles and one interception on defense.
You could say that Nelson deserves All-Spring Game Team consideration at defensive back, too. We'll put him at wide receiver, but this was as impressive as any individual spring game performance this year.
“Where he plays for the upcoming season will be based upon depth on both sides of the ball,” Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said via Ryan Kostecka of the Daily Emerald. “He really is a fantastic football player—he’s like a little kid out there that’s really tough, smart and just loves football.”
Honorable Mention: Mike Williams (Clemson), Myron Burton (Auburn), De'Mornay Pierson-El (Nebraska)
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Tight End: Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
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Oklahoma has one of the best wide receivers in the Big 12 in Sterling Shepard. Heading into 2015, though, finding players in the passing game to complement him was a concern.
Those concerns were alleviated in the Sooners spring game with the emergence of tight end Mark Andrews. The redshirt freshman caught two passes for 56 yards, one of which was a 50-yarder down the field with an impressive run after the catch.
"He’s a guy that I compare to [Texas Tech tight end] Jace Amaro,” Baker Mayfield, a former Red Raiders quarterback, told Ryan Aber and Jason Kersey of The Oklahoman. “Big guy, tall but he can run and catch. He can be used in line but you can split him out and he’s a versatile guy that’s going to be a key part (of the offense).”
Andrews' "tight end" role will likely include a lot of inside receiver play, but he's a big and much-needed target in the passing game.
Honorable Mention: LaQuan McGowan (Baylor)
Offensive Line: Cam Robinson, Alabama
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While the rest of Alabama's 2015 offensive line is still coming together, there's no doubt that sophomore tackle Cam Robinson is already one of the key anchors up front.
After starting in all 14 games for the Tide in 2014, Robinson has returned to hold down the left side of the line. Regardless of whether Jake Coker, David Cornwell or someone else is named Alabama's starting quarterback, Robinson's job is to keep their jersey clean. While Alabama's offense had its ups and downs in the spring game, there's no denying Robinson's importance in a mostly new-look group.
For him, it's no longer about jockeying for position on the two-deep.
"I just tried to go out there with my teammates and take what coach gave me and tried to get better at everything," Robinson said (via Marq Burnett of the Montgomery Advertiser). "I honestly didn't have too many goals. I just wanted to go out there and play to be the best of my abilities."
Defensive Line: Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
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One of the few "established stars" on this list, Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun's return is a huge boost for the Spartans. He showed why in Michigan State's spring game.
As Mike Griffith of MLive.com wrote, "Calhoun was 'unblockable' according to Green team coach Mark Snyder, who watched as the Spartans' star defensive end was credited with 2 1/2 sacks."
Calhoun enters 2015 as one of the premier pass-rushers in all of college football. The former Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2013 should battle it out with his Ohio State counterpart, Joey Bosa, for the award again this year.
Honorable Mention: Marquavius Lewis (South Carolina)
Linebacker: Malik Jefferson, Texas
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All of the offseason hype surrounding Texas early enrollee linebacker Malik Jefferson, the former No. 1 in-state player? Totally justified.
Jefferson had six tackles, one of which went for a loss, one quarterback hurry and a forced fumble in the Longhorns' spring game. If his folklore hadn't already been established, that likely did the trick. He's also been a versatile contributor, playing a little outside and inside linebacker.
The fact that Texas' coaching staff is throwing so many different looks at Jefferson so early shows just how high they are on him. Spring is the time to experiment, too.
Honorable mention: Nick Conner (Ohio State), Cameron Smith (USC)
Cornerback: Kevin Toliver II, LSU
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The battle to replace Jalen Collins in the LSU secondary has been boosted by the early arrival of freshman cornerback Kevin Toliver II. Toliver posted an interception during LSU's spring game, capping off what has already been a huge series of practices.
"We see him as a talented guy, big strong guy who can play physical football," head coach Les Miles said of Toliver after the Tigers' spring game. "We wanted to give him a variety of snaps to see where he's at. That helps us as we look forward to playing him at a number of spots next fall."
How much playing time Toliver will end up with remains to be seen, but he has Miles' eye already.
Honorable Mention: Charles Nelson (Oregon)
Safety: Derwin James, Florida State
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Florida State early enrollee Derwin James has been the focal point of attention since he arrived on campus this winter. Though he's been working with both the first- and second-team defense this spring, James got the start in the spring game because of an injury to Nate Andrews.
James took advantage of his opportunity with a 41-yard pick-six early on in the Garnet and Gold game.
"I already knew that Derwin was really good, it really wasn't surprising to me. I knew he was going to make a play," Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey said (via Drew MacFarlane, FSUNews.com). "I didn't know it was going to come that quick. It came quick and it was really nice, it really sparked the scrimmage and spring game."
James has been seeing the field with the first-team dime package, so there's a good chance he'll see the field right away.
Honorable Mention: Jabrill Peppers (Michigan), Steven Parker (Oklahoma)
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand.
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