Summer Goals for Every Top 25 College Football Team
It's good to have goals. It's even better to achieve them.
Spring practice gave college football players and coaches an idea of what they have to work with for the upcoming season, but not everything could be figured out in just 15 practices conducted during the school year. The real work comes in the summer, when preseason training camps get underway and teams are molded into shape for 2015.
There are certain things that every team hopes to get done this summer, but each has its own specific aims.
Using Bleacher Report's post-spring practice rankings as a basis, we've listed some goals that each top-25 team is hoping to accomplish this summer.
25. Boise State
1 of 25
Keep the efficient quarterback streak going
Ryan Finley is on tap to be Boise State's next great quarterback, assuming his recent arrest on a pair of misdemeanors doesn't derail his path toward starting this fall. He has a lot to live up to, as the Broncos have had some of the most consistently effective play from that position of any program in the country.
The last time a Boise passer failed to complete at least 65 percent of his passes was Kellen Moore in 2009, when he completed 64.1 percent but also had a 39-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and led the Broncos to a 14-0 record.
Finley saw limited action as a freshman in 2014, backing up Grant Hedrick (70.8 percent completion rate) but only managing to complete 12-of-27 passes.
24. Georgia Tech
2 of 25
Get new offensive players as many reps as possible
The key to the option run game that Georgia Tech was so successful at running last season is being able to have everyone involved operating on the same frequency. That shouldn't be a problem for quarterback Justin Thomas or an offensive line that returns four starters, but it could be for the next wave of backs and receivers who have to step into the lineup.
The Yellow Jackets graduated seven of their top 10 rushers from 2014, and two of those who are back are Thomas and backup quarterback Tim Byerly. The other is senior Broderick Snoddy, who broke his leg in mid-November and is hopeful to be back for this season.
Tech's receiving corps is equally depleted, with only 12 of the 106 receptions from last season going to returners.
A whole lot of unproven players will be in the mix this season, and their best chance at success will come through getting as many touches as possible during the summer.
23. Nebraska
3 of 25
Advance the Mike Riley era
Nebraska's new head coach has the unique task of replacing a coach who was fired but who also was massively successful, at least by most programs' standards. Bo Pelini averaged more than nine wins per year, which is far better than what Mike Riley averaged in his previous job at Oregon State.
Riley has spent much of his time since getting the Cornhuskers job trying to mesh this program's longstanding traditions with the new approach he wants to take. This includes shifting from a spread offense to a pro-style attack but still trying to keep the running element of past teams.
It's unavoidable that Riley will be compared to those who coached Nebraska before him, something he had to be aware of before taking the job. What will work best for him and his first team, though, is to continue moving forward with his goal of taking the Cornhuskers into the future.
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22. LSU
4 of 25
Light a fire under the quarterbacks
The two-quarterback approach is often used by teams that can't decide between a pair of passers who both bring a lot to the offense. That's not what LSU is dealing with in junior Anthony Jennings and sophomore Brandon Harris.
Neither looked good in 2014, completing fewer than 50 percent of their passes, and their play in spring was only slightly better. Coach Les Miles admitted during an SEC teleconference on Tuesday that he could end up playing both equally during the Tigers' season opener in September if one doesn't clearly win the job in preseason camp.
LSU would be in a much better situation if it only had to go with one quarterback in that opener, but at this point that doesn't look like it's possible. That is, unless Miles and his staff can do something this summer to spark one passer or the other to make a hard push to win the job.
21. Oklahoma State
5 of 25
Find a go-to running back
Oklahoma State had a 1,000-yard rusher every season from 2007-13 but now has gone without one for two straight years. Desmond Roland's team-high 770 yards last season was the lowest for the Cowboys since 1999, and the team ranked 102nd on the ground at 136.6 yards per game.
Junior Rennie Childs figures to be the first option for a workhorse running back, as he's the top returning rusher with 294 yards and three touchdowns. A pair of junior college transfers, Chris Carson and Todd Mays, also will get a shot.
While a committee approach might be in the cards, OK State would be far better off having one primary ball-carrier to complement quarterback Mason Rudolph and the passing game.
20. Arizona
6 of 25
Give Scooby some support
With a player as accomplished as linebacker Scooby Wright, Arizona doesn't need much more from the rest of its defense. But it does need to get contributions from others, that way if Wright goes through a slump or he were to get banged up the Wildcats wouldn't completely fall apart.
Wright won the Bednarik, Lombardi and Nagurski awards in 2014 after leading the nation with 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles along with 14 sacks, which was third-best in FBS. Of the other players returning for Arizona this season, no two combined for anywhere close to Wright's numbers in the tackle, TFL or sack department.
While Wright was able to work his way around efforts by opponents to take him out of the equation, that can't be Arizona's sole hope for defensive performance. That unit can't be a one-man team.
19. Texas A&M
7 of 25
Become capable on defense
Texas A&M has some of the brightest young defensive stars in the country in the form of end Myles Garrett and safety Armani Watts, but also an overall defense that's among the worst in FBS. The Aggies ranked 104th in yards allowed (450.8) and tied for 77th in scoring defense (28.1).
This past recruiting class skewed heavily toward that side of the ball, with tackle Daylon Mack one of six prospects rated four stars or better by 247Sports. That group all shows up this summer, and most will get a chance to contribute right away.
With an explosive offense that's full of young talent, that group doesn't need to get too much support from A&M's defense in order to lead the team to victory. But it does need some help.
18. Arkansas
8 of 25
Find more offensive explosiveness
Behind an offensive line that was the envy of most NFL teams, Arkansas ran the ball about as well as any other power-conference team in the country last season. The Razorbacks had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, and that hard-nosed approach helped them end a long SEC losing streak and finish as one of the hottest teams in FBS.
But in order for Arkansas to truly compete in the modern college game, it will need to be able to get yards and points in bunches instead of just through a slow-and-steady process.
Last year the Razorbacks' 52 offensive plays of 20-plus yards and 19 or 30 or more yards were ranked 86th and 111th in FBS, respectively, per CFBStats.com. The passing game provided 29 and 10 of those long plays, respectively.
The hiring of former Central Michigan coach Dan Enos as offensive coordinator is a start, as his 2014 Chippewas team had 67 20-yard plays.
17. Oklahoma
9 of 25
Get the defense in gear
The bold move by Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops to overhaul his offense and bring in a new coordinator has dominated the offseason storylines and understandably so. But just as important have been the efforts made to shore up a defense that slipped mightily in 2014.
The Sooners were 52nd in total defense last year, after being a top-20 squad in 2013. They allowed 25.9 points per game, including 30 or more in seven contests, despite having two players from that unit get drafted in the first three rounds earlier this month and has three others—defensive end Charles Tapper, linebacker Eric Striker, cornerback Zack Sanchez—who could go high in 2016.
Stoops' brother, Mike, was demoted to co-defensive coordinator, while Kerry Cooks was brought in to coach the secondary.
The changes aren't as drastic as switching back to the Air Raid offense, but they're still significant and key to Oklahoma rebounding from a disappointing 8-5 performance.
16. Florida State
10 of 25
Eliminate distractions
During Bobby Bowden's heyday, Florida State got dubbed by then-Florida coach Steve Spurrier as "Free Shoes University" as a way of describing what he felt was a corrupt program. Decades later, the Seminoles continue to be controversy magnets, something that seems unavoidable.
Ironically, Bowden is part of the latest situation, as he was quoted by ESPN's Paul Finebaum as suggesting former FSU quarterback Jameis Winston was viewed as an "embarrassment" to the school (h/t Bud Elliott of Tomahawk Nation). Even after Winston has moved on, and now is in the early days of his NFL career, his legacy of off-the-field distractions continues on.
FSU is also front and center in discussion over where ex-Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson will transfer to. The Seminoles are among the schools Golson is reportedly interested in, though what the likelihood is he ends up in Tallahassee is uncertain.
Coming off a stellar two-year run that included a national championship, it's impossible for FSU to avoid being in the spotlight. But it can do better keeping the focus on the field rather than in the headlines.
15. Tennessee
11 of 25
Get the receivers all on the same page
Tennessee had seven players catch at least 20 passes last season, including four wide receivers who are all expected to be key contributors this fall. But that group wasn't able to show much progress during spring practice, either because of injuries or inconsistency.
The Volunteers also are unsure of the future of senior Von Pearson, who was suspended in late April after being named in a sexual assault investigation.
Additional receiving weapons show up in the summer, including standout recruit Preston Williams, so the Vols won't be without options. But in order to make the offense click on all cylinders—and not have quarterback Joshua Dobbs have to do too much on his own—that group will need to get better as a whole.
14. Arizona State
12 of 25
Spread the ball around
With Jaelen Strong in the NFL and Cameron Smith done for the year with a knee injury, Arizona State's receiving corps will look quite different this season. The first move to fix this depth-challenged group was to convert running back D.J. Foster into a slot receiver for his senior year, and the Sun Devils have also landed UCLA graduate transfer Devin Lucien.
Beyond that, though, it's a bit of a crapshoot.
Foster had 62 catches for 688 yards and three touchdowns last year as one of the best pass-catching running backs in FBS, but he was also ASU's second-leading receiver and had 46 more receptions than anyone else who is still on the roster. Lucien had 29 receptions for UCLA in 2014.
Coach Todd Graham is confident in the receivers he has, telling Kristina Vicario of SB Nation "our receiving corps overall will be the best we've had since I've been here," but the results will tell the story.
13. Georgia
13 of 25
Maximize the talent at linebacker
Even with Georgia graduating leading tacklers Amarlo Hererra and Ramik Wilson, the Bulldogs are likely going to be even better at linebacker than in 2014. They have an overabundance of talent in the middle, particularly at the outside linebacker spot where senior Jordan Jenkins, junior Leonard Floyd and sophomore Lorenzo Carter could all be the go-to defensive star on most other teams.
That trio shouldn't have to split time for two positions, which means Georgia must figure out a way to make the most of those players' abilities. Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee chronicled some of the options in April, including shifting Jenkins to defensive end, doing the same with Floyd or having Carter cross-train at inside linebacker.
But it isn't just a matter of getting all three on the field at the same time, as each needs to show they can excel in all facets.
"The entire trio needs to get better as every-down linebackers if the prospect of all three playing at the same time is going to become a reality," Sallee wrote.
12. Clemson
14 of 25
Cover Deshaun Watson in bubble wrap
The difference between Clemson's offense under Deshaun Watson's guidance and without him on the field in 2014 was staggering. The true freshman quarterback's play was so electric that when he wasn't available the Tigers were mostly unable to move the ball.
Watson couldn't stay healthy, however, first missing time because of a broken hand and then on two other occasions because of knee injuries. He played on a torn ACL to help Clemson knock off rival South Carolina, then missed the bowl game after having surgery.
While Watson's recovery has been ahead of schedule, and he's on pace to return for the 2015 season, there's no guarantee he'll be able to perform at the same level he did a year ago. But to maximize that possibility, Clemson will need to figure out a way to keep Watson from getting hurt anymore.
11. Ole Miss
15 of 25
Get healthy
Ole Miss had a very strong 2014 season, but one that could have been much better if not for a series of similar injuries. While no single ailment derailed the end of last year, as they mounted it led to more and more issues.
Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil were just a few of the Rebels who suffered broken legs last season. All are expected back for 2015, though how effective and how close to their old selves each will be is still uncertain.
Treadwell's injury was the most horrific, and probably most damaging, when he was taken down awkwardly just short of the end zone in a loss to Auburn. After that point, Ole Miss' offense lacked a go-to weapon in the receiving corps.
10. UCLA
16 of 25
Decide if Josh Rosen's reward outweighs his risk
UCLA coach Jim Mora has stated that he won't name a starting quarterback until "he runs out on the field and the PA announcer says it" at the start of the season opener against Virginia, per Chris Vannini of CoachingSearch.com. That's coach-speak for "stop asking me the question everyone wants the answer to."
It's no surprise that Mora is getting bombarded with such queries, especially when the perceived front-runner in the battle to replace three-year starter Brett Hundley is a true freshman. Josh Rosen was by far the most impressive passer for the Bruins in spring ball, and all signs point to him getting the nod over junior Jerry Neuheisel and sophomore Asiantii Woulard.
If Mora wants to remain mum on this decision as long as possible, that's his prerogative. Odds are he'll have made his choice long before he announces it, but he and his offensive staff also must make sure they're ready to put their faith in such an inexperienced—though immensely talented—player.
9. Auburn
17 of 25
Find a pass rush
Auburn's effort to get to the quarterback left a lot to be desired last season. Or, as Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee put it, that group's lack of pass rush "left opposing quarterbacks enough time to pitch a tent in the pocket, take a nap, wake up and find open receivers."
The return of Carl Lawson from a torn ACL will provide a major boost, but it will require more than just one player to fix things. New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was brought in both to recruit top-tier talent and to develop what the Tigers already had into better performers, and while he's already shown the recruiting acumen he still has to prove his on-field value.
Auburn had 21 sacks last season, one of the lowest totals of any power-conference team with a winning record. A year earlier that figure was 32, and that team made the BCS title game.
8. Oregon
18 of 25
Make it be less about the quarterback
Let's get this out of the way: neither junior Jeff Lockie or incoming graduate transfer Vernon Adams of Eastern Washington is going to replace Marcus Mariota. They're going to succeed him, but to expect that one or the other will be able to replicate what he did during his Heisman-winning season in 2014 (or prior to that) is unrealistic.
Oregon's offense is such that the quarterback is a very important part, but it doesn't have to be the make-or-break position. The Ducks don't want a game manager there, but with so much depth and talent at running back and wide receiver they also don't need someone to produce more than 5,200 yards of total offense and 57 touchdowns like Mariota did. At least not yet.
The competition this summer between Adams and Lockie for the starting job should be a great one, but Oregon should take comfort in knowing that either should be able to do well thanks to the presence of players like Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner to hand off to and Bralon Addison, Devon Allen and Byron Marshall to throw to.
7. Notre Dame
19 of 25
Go all in on Malik Zaire
Everett Golson must have seen the writing on the wall, that his time as Notre Dame's quarterback was over, as the senior announced last week he was transferring for his final season as a graduate student. He had lost his job to Malik Zaire during bowl season last December, and the pair battled this spring for a permanent resolution, but while no declaration was made it was evident that coach Brian Kelly was leaning toward Zaire.
Now that Golson is gone, there's no more uncertainty: Zaire is the guy, and the Fighting Irish must make sure he's got everything he needs to succeed.
There's no question Zaire has the talent to do well, as he showed in the Music City Bowl with his ability to move the offense with his arm and his legs. But in the spring he frustrated coaches by checking out of plays at the line for no apparent reason, something that cannot continue when real games get going.
Now that there's no Plan B available in the form of Golson, Zaire has to be up to speed in all areas.
6. USC
20 of 25
Develop an Adoree' Jackson snap-share system
Though the ideal scenario is to have unique players (and backups) established for every starting position on offense, defense and special teams, even with 85 scholarships that isn't always the case. This is usually because of a lack of depth or talent, but in USC's case it's because Adoree' Jackson is just too talented to be limited to one job.
Last year the freshman started games at cornerback and receiver, including once in the same contest, while also serving as the Trojans' main kickoff returner. He'll be in all three of those roles again in 2015, but how much he plays on offense and defense remains uncertain.
While the 5'11", 185-pound athlete has been able to seamlessly move from one gig to another to this point, it would serve him (and USC's game plan) best if his constant changing of hats could be a coordinated effort rather than done haphazardly.
5. Alabama
21 of 25
Get the quarterback situation settled
Nick Saban doesn't seem like the kind of guy that's a big fan of change, so to be going into a second straight summer without knowing who will play quarterback for him can't be making him happy.
Senior Jake Coker, the Florida State transfer, has yet to show he's ready to step in and be the guy, while the list of untested underclassmen such as redshirt freshman David Cornwell and others following behind. Last year Alabama couldn't take much from spring ball because Coker hadn't shown up yet, but this time around more clarity was possible...but didn't happen.
Saban continues to preach patience, per Michael Casagrande of AL.com, saying "we're going to let it happen, not make it happen."
To that end, though, Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will want to see some separation as soon as possible once training camp begins. And if Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson were to somehow end up with the Crimson Tide, that could muddy the position battle up even more.
4. TCU
22 of 25
Create a backup plan at quarterback
Trevone Boykin's breakout 2014 season was critical to TCU being able to make a push for the playoffs and share the Big 12 title. His continued improvement is necessary for the Horned Frogs to stay at that level and fight to get into the semifinals a year after being snubbed.
But is TCU too reliant on Boykin? And what would happen if he were to get injured and miss time?
Boykin underwent minor wrist surgery this spring, missing the final week of practice. It was an injury he played through for part of 2014, wearing a soft cast on his left hand, according to David Ubben of Fox Sports Southwest.
Matt Joeckel, the Texas A&M transfer who backed up Boykin last year, was injured midway through the season and replaced by redshirt freshman Zach Allen, who appeared in 12 games but attempted only two passes and ran for three yards on two carries. Everything else was with Boykin at the helm.
TCU needs to ensure Allen, or someone else on the roster, is ready to step in if Boykin were to get hurt.
3. Michigan State
23 of 25
Get LJ Scott up to speed quickly
Jeremy Langford was a major source of production and reliability the past two seasons, rushing for 2,944 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2013 and 2014. His graduation has left a gaping hole in the backfield, and the events of this spring haven't done much to fill that void.
Sophomore Gerald Holmes and redshirt freshman Madre London weren't impressive during spring ball, while junior Delton Williams was suspended before practice began after being charged with brandishing a weapon during an on-campus road rage incident. That puts even more importance on the development of true freshman LJ Scott, who will arrive this summer and be thrown into the mix for the starting job.
Scott, a 4-star recruit, according to 247Sports, who was the No. 6 running back prospect in the 2015 class, may need to be relied on to start right away. That will require the Spartans' staff to get the 6'2", 228-pound rusher ready for the college grind on short notice.
"Scott is a powerful, big runner who moves the ball down the field in chunks," wrote 247Sports' Mike Wilson. "Despite being a bigger back, he is a quick cut player who runs with balance and breaks tackles. If his pass blocking is at a good level in fall camp, the carries will be up for grabs and he will take some."
2. Baylor
24 of 25
Work on protecting leads
With an offense that can seemingly score at will, Baylor has had the luxury of knowing that no deficit it's faced is insurmountable. But the same has gone for protecting such leads, as was the case several times in 2014.
Baylor outscored its opponents by an average of 17.4 points in the first half last season, but in the second half that margin was only 5.3 points, and they were outscored 110-107 in the fourth quarter. It was shut out four times in the final period, including in both of its losses, most notably in the Cotton Bowl when it blew a 41-20 lead by allowing 21 fourth-quarter points to Michigan State.
While some of this was the result of letting their foot off the gas, the Bears defense must be held accountable as well. This summer should include a strong emphasis on finding a way to protect leads rather than make them feel unsafe.
1. Ohio State
25 of 25
Find a quarterback competition formula
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has a "problem" that any other FBS coach would love to have, that being how to go about deciding which of his three top-flight quarterbacks should be running the offense this fall during the Buckeyes' national title defense.
Senior Braxton Miller, junior Cardale Jones and sophomore J.T. Barrett would all start at most other schools, but only one can do so in Columbus. Each has, and with massive success.
Meyer wasn't able to fully evaluate his quarterbacks this spring because Miller and Barrett were still recovering from major injuries. That means preseason camp will be the deciding factor, and it will be imperative that he figures out a concrete way to determine who wins the competition.
"No gut feelings," Meyer told Austin Ward of ESPN.com. "It's got to be statistical analysis and data backing up who is going to play quarterback. 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 that before, but not to the degree that we're going to do it this year."
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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