College Football Players Turning Heads During 2026 Spring Practice
Just because you've shown out in spring practice or are making waves doesn't mean you're going to be a superstar when the lights are brightest.
But it sure doesn't hurt.
If you're following your favorite team this spring, there's no doubt you've heard of a player (maybe three, maybe 10) who is generating buzz. Sometimes the noise is loud enough to reverberate beyond just your own team's city and beat.
This spring is no different. From freshmen getting their first action against collegiate opponents to quarterbacks needing a large leap to make their teams relevant, to transfers and underclassmen getting fresh starts, we're going to look at a few guys making waves on the spring practice field.
Even if they don't start come fall, their impact gives a good idea that more is blooming this spring than just the flora.
Here are a few players turning heads around the country during spring drills.
Legend Bey, Ohio State Buckeyes Wide Receiver
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Fervent followers of recruiting already know Legend Bey's name. The dynamic Texas athlete was a long-time Tennessee commitment who flipped to Ohio State late during the '26 cycle.
There was some last-minute parental drama that led to Bey flipping back and signing with the Vols, but he was visibly unhappy with the decision. Ultimately, Bey's parents—who wanted him in Knoxville—came around to agreeing to what their son wanted. When UT let Bey out of his scholarship papers, the Buckeyes benefited.
He's showing this spring he's worth the drama.
"I wasn't here with Curtis Samuel, but I watched a lot of film when he was here," Ohio State coach Ryan Day told Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy. "He kind of reminds me of that style of player. I remember when Xavier Johnson was here. He could play running back or move out to wide receiver."
Even teammate and megastar Jeremiah Smith has taken notice of the speedster. He may just become a household name right away.
Everybody was talking about 5-star Chris Henry when he committed to OSU, but Bey is the one making noise now. Watch out for a talent like him getting the ball in his hands.
Will Black, Notre Dame Fighting Irish Offensive Tackle
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If you had talked about Notre Dame's locked-in positions at the start of spring, Anthonie Knapp would be right near the top of the list as a penned-in left tackle.
Yet, redshirt freshman Will Black has shown so much promise that coach Marcus Freeman has moved Knapp over to left guard to make room for the youngster, who could be the next great Fighting Irish lineman.
Knapp started as a freshman. The Roswell, Georgia, native is a potential All-American, but his NFL future is likely on the interior. Black, on the other hand, is a super athlete who was a former 5-star prospect in the 2025 class who didn't really get in the mix last year.
Now, though, after a year in the weight room, the 6'7", 315-pound Canadian who prepped in Wallington, Connecticut, may make it impossible to ignore his promise. If he can prove to be dependable, it would go a long way toward helping the Irish solidify their line.
It's the spring, so this could be an experimental move by Freeman, but because Knapp has already shown he can excel at the spot, why not give Black an extended audition? He's the left tackle of the future.
He may just be the player at that position in the present, too.
Mark Bowman, USC Trojans Tight End
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Lincoln Riley is hell-bent on closing the gap in the Big Ten.
Seeking his first College Football Playoff appearance as head coach of the Trojans, Riley and the program obviously have a renewed, vested commitment to recruiting. It paid off massively in the 2026 class as USC ran away with the No. 1-ranked class.
Players such as receivers Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Trent Mosley, offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe and edge Luke Wafle are expected to make an instant impact. But former 4-star tight end Mark Bowman may be in line for a starting gig.
The 6'4½", 225-pound playmaker is big and physical enough to be an in-line tight end, but he also can go catch the ball. Coming from a top-tier program like Mater Dei, he's getting a lot of first-team reps out there this spring as a college-ready player.
"He's the definition of college-ready," analyst Jake Butt said on the Big Ten Network. "Dominant blocker, three-level receiving threat, fluid route runner, ability with contested catches and the score from anywhere on the field… I believe he has Brock Bowers level of potential. He's the total package."
That's high praise, and you can't keep Bowman off the field if he's Bowers-esque. He's already proving a ton this spring.
JJ Buchanan, Michigan Wolverines Wide Receiver/Tight End
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Last year, JJ Buchanan got a little overlooked as a freshman at Utah because of all the young playmakers the Utes had, but he was a dynamic playmaker at tight end right away.
The 6'4", 208-pound Nevada native burst onto the scene with 26 catches for 427 yards and scored five touchdowns. After following Kyle Whittingham to Michigan, though, he may not be an every-down tight end. In the Big Ten, Buchanan may be a little on the light side to play there.
No matter. He can line up anywhere and is athletic enough to play on the perimeter at wide receiver, too.
This spring, he's absolutely showing out, and everybody is taking notice. He could be the biggest transfer portal addition for the Wolverines. As he continues to develop, Buchanan is set up to show that his talent translates regardless of where he is.
Offensive coordinator Jason Beck who also coached him last year at Utah after he was recruited as a safety but moved to tight end told MLive.com's Ryan Zuke recently that's "his mindset and just showing up and making plays, that's who he is."
Deuce Geralds, LSU Tigers Defensive Lineman
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Not only did Lane Kiffin go out and sign the top transfer portal class upon getting to his new stomping grounds at LSU, but he also steadied the swelling waters of the late part of the recruiting cycle and kept most of those players in the fold.
Much like at USC, the Bayou Bengals are going to reap rewards from getting that talented group to Baton Rouge, and many of them are looking like stars already.
Defensive lineman Richard Anderson and pass-catcher Jabari Mack are a couple of guys who could find themselves in the rotation early, but perhaps the biggest head-turner is Deuce Geralds.
The 6'0", 279-pound Collins Hill (Georgia) native is a plug along the defensive front, and he's been repping with the first team throughout the first few weeks of spring drills. The former No. 68-ranked overall player in the 2026 class is ready right now.
With guys such as Dominick McKinley, Auburn transfer Malik Blocton and Clemson transfer Stephiylan Green, it's going to be difficult for Geralds to stay in the starting lineup, but his prowess and presence this spring could secure a spot in the rotation.
DJ Lagway, Baylor Bears Quarterback
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There's no question DJ Lagway would love to forget the 2025 football season at Florida. Gators fans likely want to, too.
If there was ever a star talent who needed a change of scenery, it was the rising junior signal-caller, who was a turnover-prone mess during the season that ultimately got Billy Napier fired, and he couldn't get out of his own head.
The Texas native finished the year completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Now, he's closer to home at Baylor, trying to help coach Dave Aranda keep his job in Waco.
So far, the returns are at least sounding well in spring practice. He's meshed well with new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital, and he is trying to replace Sawyer Robertson, with more of a downfield passing attack.
"The way he can cancel out reads and get to the next one is pretty elite right now," Spavital told KCENTV's Madison Palumbo. I've been fortunate to coach a lot of good QBs, and in terms of arm strength, he's one of the top ones. He can really stretch the field vertically."
If the light comes on for Lagway when the lights are brightest, watch out.
Julian Lewis, Colorado Buffaloes Quarterback
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The shine wore off coach Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes program during a 3-9 2025 football season that was only better than Oklahoma State's bottom-out season in the Big 12.
Now, they're trying to rebuild following the 2024 departures of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, as well as plenty of defections following last season like former 5-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton to LSU.
The Buffaloes' centerpiece around which they'll build is former elite prospect quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis, who was brought along slowly a season ago but still showed some flashes, completing 55 percent of his passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns in four games.
With Kam Perry, DeAndre Moore, Danny Scudero and others, there's some talent in that wide receiver room for new coordinator Brennan Marion to mold into a much better team than a year ago.
This spring, Lewis reportedly has shown a rapport with his new pass-catchers and coordinator, which could bode well for a team that has to go a long way just to be back in the stratosphere of mediocre.
Lewis has plenty of ability to display.
Braden Pegan, Utah Utes Wide Receiver
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With the quarterback tandem of Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin as well as running back Wayshawn Parker returning, there's a lot to love about Utah's offense in 2026.
The cupboard is certainly not bare for first-year coach Morgan Scalley.
Like everywhere else, though, there are some new pieces the Utes have to mesh into the chemistry, and one of those is Utah State transfer Braden Pegan, who is showing up this spring and showing everybody he's an alpha dawg.
The 6'3", 210-pound California native starred for the Aggies a season ago, catching 60 passes for 926 yards and scoring five times. Now, he's expected to be one of the top newcomers in the Big 12 and be a key weapon in an explosive offense.
"That's one of those dudes that you wish you had 20 of them," Scalley told SI.com's Cole Forsman. "He's such a good kid, smart football player, athletic, can jump out of the gym. We're excited to have him."
Everybody at Utah is bragging about the depth in the receiver room. Pegan could lead the way for a very talented group.
Tait Reynolds, Clemson Tigers Quarterback
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Whether Clemson fans are happy about it or not, the Tigers are still coach Dabo Swinney's program. And while he continues to be stubborn about the transfer portal, they're going to be full of homegrown talent.
That means Swinney's miss rate on prospects needs to be low.
One who—at least early on—looks like he could be a major hit in the Upstate is Tait Reynolds, a mid-term freshman enrollee from Arizona who was only a 3-star prospect but showed flashes of exciting ability in a spring session that just completed.
The 6'1½", 220-pound freshman had some uneven moments this spring like any other youngster would, but he had an exciting end to the spring, completing 7-of-10 passes for 74 yards and a rushing touchdown in the spring game.
With redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina anything but a "sure thing" under center, Reynolds' big spring could be one to watch. Swinney made it clear coming out of the session that the upperclassman is QB1 right now, but the door isn't closed on the competition.
"Absolutely, absolutely," Swinney told ClemsonWire's Alexander Turri when asked if Reynolds could push for the starting job. "Ain't nobody got lifetime contracts around here. Everybody has to prove it. Everybody has to show up. Everybody has to earn it."
Those words might mean something coming from a coach normally stubborn about playing upperclassmen. Reynolds at least did enough to inject himself into the conversation.
Talyn Taylor, Georgia Bulldogs Wide Receiver
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Every year, the Georgia Bulldogs have one of the nation's most complete and star-studded rosters, but there are still question marks.
This spring, that concern is with the wide receiver room where the Bulldogs lost Zachariah Branch, Dillon Bell, Colbie Young and Noah Thomas. That's most of the pass-catching production gone, so Gunner Stockton is having to bring along some new weapons.
UGA got some transfer portal help, but perhaps the most talented receiver of the bunch is rising sophomore Talyn Taylor, who looks like he's made a major leap this spring.
The 6'0", 190-pound Illinois native was the nation's No. 40-ranked overall player in the 2025 class but had just two catches for 28 yards last year and got hurt. He may just be one of the SEC's top young talents this season, and even though there isn't a lot of talk coming from UGA, his name has been among the bright spots.
That doesn't mean receiver is a strength, but Taylor's emergence would be salve to a worrisome wound.
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