Top College Football Storylines Coming Out of Spring Games

The latest landmark checked off the busy offseason calendar is the conclusion of spring games around college football.

A decade ago, we could hardly get enough of these scrimmages. Fans packed the stadiums as the exhibitions—widely available on TV or streaming—provided an exciting glimpse at a program's newest wave of talent.

These days, it's more a signal that spring practice is over.

Despite that difference in emotion, the news cycle goes on—and we have several key storylines to discuss. The trusty QB competition topic is alive and well, but a College Football Playoff-altering item is suddenly the sport's top story.

Alabama's QB Competition

Jason Clark/Getty Images

Keelon Russell

While several other programs are also trying to pick a new starting quarterback, this subject has to start with Alabama.

Last year, the Crimson Tide finished as the SEC runner-up, made the CFP and posted an 11-4 record. However, a late setback to Oklahoma and ugly losses to Georgia and Indiana left a bitter feeling about the 2025 season.

This next QB, whether it's Keelon Russell or Austin Mack, is tasked with settling the concern about Bama's trajectory under Kalen DeBoer.

So, you know, not much pressure.

Russell—the perceived front-runner to replace Ty Simpson—impressed during the spring game, while an injury limited Mack's reps. You could make a grand proclamation, but Alabama's coaches did not. The competition rolls on.

Other QB Battles

Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Jeremy Hecklinski

Unsurprisingly, there are a whole lot of non-update updates. Coaches tend to let a competition linger into the early fall—sometimes even the season.

Florida is determining if Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. will start. George MacIntyre and star freshman Faizon Brandon are battling at Tennessee, while Iowa is waiting for Hank Brown or Jeremy Hecklinski to ascend.

The spring undoubtedly gave the coaches some clues, but none of those staffs anointed a player as QB1.

Again, not a shock.

One notable development: Clemson's battle is now more between Christopher Vizzina and true freshman Tait Reynolds. Chris Denson, who seemed like the main competition to Vizzina, is basically out of contention.

Georgia Loses a Defender

David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Part of the reason that spring games dropped in popularity is coaches feared other schools would notice a promising talent, back-channel the player into the transfer portal and swipe him during the spring window.

Tin-foil hat-ish? Sure. Reasonable. Yeah, a bit.

Another factor, however, is the possibility of injuries. Those issues can happen anytime, but it particularly stings when a health problem arises in a scrimmage.

Georgia is feeling that frustration after edge-rusher Amaris Williams exited the spring game because of a torn ACL. The traditional nine-month recovery timeline means he will likely miss the 2026 season.

Williams, a transfer from Auburn, had been penciled into an important role on UGA's defensive front. He notched six tackles for loss in 2025.

Texas A&M Does, Too

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Daymion Sanford

Texas A&M also suffered a major loss as linebacker Daymion Sanford needed to be carted off the field during the Maroon & White Game.

Last year, he emerged as a critical piece of the Aggies' defense. He collected 57 tackles with 9.5 for loss (3.5 sacks), adding two forced fumbles and an interception as A&M reached the College Football Playoff.

Sanford, a captain of the 2026 team, is a significant loss.

According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Sanford has undergone lower-body surgery and is expected to miss at least part of the season.

Trinidad Chambliss is Back

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

How about some positive news?

If you missed it during the lead-up to the Final Four, no worries. March Madness is pretty good at commanding your finite, available attention.

Ole Miss blasted off some mental fireworks when the Mississippi Supreme Court denied the NCAA's appeal of star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss receiving a sixth year of eligibility to play in 2026.

The ruling solidified Ole Miss as a legitimate contender, bringing back the QB who propelled the team to the CFP semifinals last season.

Chambliss, who totaled 4,464 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2025, will enter the campaign as a top-five (or so) Heisman Trophy candidate.

Texas Tech's QB Uncertainty

John E. Moore III/Getty Images

Brendan Sorsby

The outlook at Texas Tech has taken a sharp left turn, though.

After breaking in Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby this spring, the Red Raiders need to prepare for a season without him. He is taking an indefinite leave of absence to enter a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction.

The NCAA is investigating his gambling activity for potential violations of association rules, including reported bets made during his time at Indiana.

Sorsby spent two seasons at Indiana, then transferred to Cincinnati before landing at Texas Tech. Given NCAA guidelines on wagering, one possible outcome is that he loses some or all of his college eligibility, which could push him toward entering the NFL supplemental draft.

Texas Tech—the clear Big 12 favorite prior to this report—presumably will move forward with Will Hammond.

Hammond, though, is recovering from a torn ACL and isn't guaranteed to be ready for the opener. He threw for 680 yards, rushed for 299 and totaled 12 touchdowns in eight scattered appearances last season.

The outcome of the NCAA's investigation will impact Sorsby's future, the Big 12 race and the CFP picture.