The 16 Most Exciting Early Enrollees to Watch in 2016 Spring Practice

Spring practice isn't simply the return of college football. This year, the offseason workouts provide an initial look at some of the most exciting early enrollees from the 2016 recruiting class.

From quarterbacks with their eyes on a starting job to highly rated prospects hoping to join the rotation immediately, there's no shortage of premier talents to watch.

The following weeks are an important time for the true freshmen who were able to graduate from high school in the winter because they'll be immersed in the program and fast-tracked into the learning curve.

Whoever performs well this spring—and all of the following players are entering favorable situations—will have an excellent chance to rise up the depth chart during fall camp.

Texas QB Shane Buechele

Good thing Charlie Strong is around as head coach because Mack Brown probably would've recruited Shane Buechele as a safety.

Jokes aside, Texas needs a quarterback to emerge and demand the No. 1 role. Inconsistency and injury plagued Jerrod Heard last season, while Tyrone Swoopes was best as a short-yardage runner.

Buechele will spend plenty of time in both the dining hall and the weight room, adding more muscle to his 6'2", 185-pound frame. Still, Strong expects Buechele to compete for the starting job, per Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman.

How quickly the 4-star QB can develop into the starter will be a key storyline for the Longhorns.

Florida CB Chauncey Gardner

Credit: 247Sports

Chauncey Gardner

Vernon Hargreaves III and Brian Poole are off to the NFL, so Florida has some restocking to complete in the secondary. A handful of key players return, but go ahead and add Chauncey Gardner to the mix.

The nation's No. 4 cornerback, Gardner has the confidence necessary to earn regular snaps.

"I don't think since he's been on Florida's campus, he has stopped talking once," defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said on GatorVision (h/t Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports). "Maybe when he goes to sleep, but I kind of highly doubt that too. Just a lot of energy."

Gardner can cement himself as a leading candidate to play nickelback in 2016.

Notre Dame LB Daelin Hayes

Notre Dame should assemble a decent defense next season, but replacing the contributions of both Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day is no easy task.

Daelin Hayes, a 4-star from Michigan, could earn a part of that responsibility right away.

247Sports listed the 6'4", 239-pounder as a linebacker, though Hayes might switch to an edge-rusher for the Irish. Regardless, he's an immediate-impact type of talent.

Hayes is steadily working back from a shoulder injury, but the end of spring practice may begin to provide an answer for his 2016 position.

Baylor WR Tren Dickson

While Devin Duvernay is the prized addition to the Baylor receiving corps, Tren Dickson is already on campus.

During his last three years in high school, Dickson amassed 211 receptions, 4,505 yards and 76 scores—including a stunning 39-touchdown campaign in 2014.

The 4-star wideout will help address the voids left by NFL-bound targets Corey Coleman and Jay Lee. Plus, since Baylor relies on four-receiver sets, there's playing time to be had.

Dickson might be too talented to keep off the field.

Auburn DE Marlon Davidson

Auburn's defense has basically either thrived or faltered depending on the health of Carl Lawson. Perhaps Marlon Davidson can immediately be a part of changing that.

"We think he's an impact player," head coach Gus Malzahn said, per Charles Goldberg of the school's official site. "He's a big, athletic guy that can run, and we feel very good about him."

Rated the fourth-best strong-side defensive end in the 2016 class, Davidson was Alabama's Class 5A Lineman of the Year.

Byron Cowart stands in the way of Davidson seeing the field, but that's a dilemma the Tigers likely have no issue facing.

UCLA WR Theo Howard

Regardless of situation, it's not easy to crack the rotation as a true freshman. But few prospects hold a better opportunity than Theo Howard.

UCLA lost Jordan Payton, Devin Fuller and Thomas Duarte, three of the top four receivers and nearly 60 percent of the offense's pass-catching production.

The 6'1", 175-pound speedster offers the Bruins something they've sorely lacked. Howard could be the vertical threat who stretches the field for Josh Rosen, a rising star at quarterback.

Again, Howard is by no means locked into playing time, but success against UCLA's experienced secondary in the spring would bode well for his first college season.

Michigan State QB Messiah deWeaver

Longtime starter Connor Cook exhausted his eligibility, and Michigan State doesn't have a clear-cut replacement. Messiah deWeaver might just save the Spartans.

A 4-star recruit from Ohio, deWeaver racked up 2,924 yards and 32 touchdowns through the air as a senior. He claimed a spot at the country's No. 11 pro-style quarterback.

"You can already see what he’s going to do just by the way you watch him carry himself," head coach Mark Dantonio said of deWeaver on national signing day, per the school's official site.

Tyler O'Connor and Damion Terry are the favorites in the competition, and deWeaver would benefit from a redshirt season. However, the possibility of another three-year starter is certainly intriguing.

LSU LB Michael Divinity Jr.

LSU is loaded with returning talent practically across the board. The one notable position with a void is linebacker.

Fortunately for Michael Divinity Jr., that's his spot. New defensive coordinator Dave Aranda likely won't encounter many issues finding snaps for the 4-star.

Duke Riley, Donnie Alexander and Devin Voorhies play the position, but that's basically it for top options. Divinity not only should contribute in 2016, but the Tigers need production from the 6'3", 224-pounder.

Spring practice may help Divinity rise from a key member of the rotation to a starter in the regular-season opener.

Oregon WR Dillon Mitchell

Credit: 247Sports

Dillon Mitchell

Unlike Divinity, Dillon Mitchell is entering a loaded position at his college destination. Oregon brings back Dwayne Stanford and Darren Carrington as well as Devon Allen, a candidate to rebound from an injury-affected campaign.

Yet Mitchell might simply demand touches. "His early impressions have been off the charts," Justin Hopkins of 247Sports reported.

According to Andrew Nemec of the Oregonian, the 4-star accumulated 1,578 receiving yards, 705 rushing yards and 43 total touchdowns as a senior in high school.

Ultraproductive, versatile standouts are meant to play for the Ducks. Mitchell is the next in line.

Michigan RB Kareem Walker

Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod noted Kareem Walker acknowledged he first needs to learn the playbook. After all, that should be the mindset of every single recruit.

"But I'm not riding the bench," the 4-star running back from New Jersey said. "I came here to be great. I didn't come here to sit on the bench."

Although De'Veon Smith, Drake Johnson and Ty Isaac return for Michigan, none of them were particularly impressive in 2015. There's no question the No. 1 role is up for grabs in Ann Arbor.

Walker, who recorded back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons, will attempt to avoid the bench as much as possible and supplant the trio.

Ole Miss DT Benito Jones

Credit: 247Sports

Benito Jones

Off-field developments notwithstanding, Robert Nkemdiche was an important asset to the Ole Miss defense. Benito Jones will be called upon to develop into the same.

According to WTVA.com's Andy Lee, head coach Hugh Freeze called Jones "special" with great explosiveness off the line of scrimmage.

The 5-star defensive tackle should find his way into the rotation quickly, especially if the forthcoming punishment Breeland Speaks receives after being arrested for driving under the influence includes a suspension.

Jones has the talent and the opportunity to be a fixture on the Rebels defensive line for four seasons.

Ohio State WR Austin Mack

Braxton Miller used up his eligibility. Michael Thomas wisely declared for the 2016 NFL draft. Even Jalin Marshall bolted for the pros. Ohio State's leading returning wide receiver, Corey Smith, had five catches.

Austin Mack, meet the country. Country, meet Austin Mack.

Following a 1,000-yard season in 2014, the 4-star tallied 805 yards and six scores last year. He added 718 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

Tim Moody of Scout noted both head coach Urban Meyer and quarterback J.T. Barrett anticipate Mack will immediately earn snaps. Who are we to disagree?

Clemson LBs Rahshaun Smith and Tre Lamar

For Clemson to assemble a return trip to the College Football Playoff, the defense must replace a collection of NFL-bound talent.

And that's why it's good to be great. The Tigers signed Tre Lamar and Rahshaun "Shaq" Smith, the Nos. 2 and 3 inside linebackers from the 2016 class.

Granted, Lamar is more likely to stick in the middle, while Smith could eventually shuffle to either outside linebacker or defensive end. But the point remains that the early enrollees are terrific talents who should play immediately.

Don't be surprised if both Lamar and Smith impress during the spring.

Georgia TE Isaac Nauta and QB Jacob Eason

For the first time since 2001, the Georgia football program has a new head coach, with Kirby Smart taking over after the firing of Mark Richt. Perhaps a changing of the guard at quarterback will simultaneously occur.

Returning starter Greyson Lambert and backup Brice Ramsey will be hard-pressed to hold off 5-star Jacob Eason, who might already have a favorite target in 5-star tight end Isaac Nauta.

Per Jason Butt of the Macon Telegraph, Eason and Nauta are roommates in Athens. Nauta said they are working on building timing and chemistry but already have a great relationship that began during the recruiting process.

Nobody is handing either player a starting job, but the 5-star duo could establish a special on-field connection right away.

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All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.