College Football Freshmen Turning Heads During 2016 Spring Practice

The end of a recruiting cycle and the start of spring practice come at college football fans like a one-two punch during the offseason. But the two major events are tied together in more ways than just timing.

The prized recruits who decide to enroll early are often under the microscope at spring practices. Their recruiting hype carries right on into their first work on the practice field, as coaches must determine if they have what it takes to play right away.

Something similar happens to another group of freshmen—the ones who signed in the previous year but sat out with a redshirt. Now ready to attack openings on the depth chart, these more experienced young guns get a second wave of attention after sitting on the sidelines.

With spring practices going full speed at almost every major school in the country, let's take a look at several freshmen who have wasted no time in grabbing our attention on the field. Some are vying for starting jobs, while others have made impressive moves up the depth chart, according to their coaches and teammates.

Tell us which spring practice freshman phenom you think will make the biggest impact for his team this season in the comments below.

Alabama QB Blake Barnett

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Defending national champion Alabama is once again in the midst of a battle for its starting quarterback job, and a redshirt freshman is becoming the early favorite for the Crimson Tide.

Blake Barnett, who was a 5-star recruit and the No. 2 overall pro-style quarterback nationally in the class of 2015, took a redshirt last season as Jake Coker led Alabama to a championship. With that year of preparation behind him, Barnett has a microscope on him this spring.

"Blake had some ups and downs last year with some injuries and illness and things that probably held him back a little bit," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said recently, per Bleacher Report's Christopher Walsh. "So we're all kind of anxious to see how he matures and how he does this spring, as well."

According to Matt Zenitz of AL.com, Barnett worked closely with renowned quarterback guru George Whitfield during Alabama's spring break in March. The California native has the big arm and pocket presence to become a star quarterback for the Crimson Tide, and he's turning heads with his playmaking ability in practices.

Auburn WR Kyle Davis

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Auburn has a few early enrollees and redshirt freshmen turning heads this spring—defensive end Marlon Davidson took some reps with the first team Tuesday—but no one is doing it more than wide receiver Kyle Davis.

The 6'2", 208-pound Georgia native looked like an established Division I wide receiver from the moment he stepped onto the Auburn practice field for the first time. He's managed to impress both coaches and teammates while not being cleared to do full-contact drills after undergoing shoulder surgery in December.

"Physically, just what we call on the hoof, the way you look at him he looks the part," Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said, per Wesley Sinor of AL.com. "He looks good in pads."

Auburn needs several new receivers to break out in 2016 after losing its top two playmakers to graduation, and Davis is carving out a key role despite his limited work at practices. His shoulder hasn't held him back from proving he should be in the mix this fall for the Tigers.

Florida DB Chauncey Gardner

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Chauncey Gardner is making noise in more ways than one for the Florida Gators during spring camp. The highly touted defensive back is all over the field making plays, and he's making sure he doesn't stop talking while he does it.

"The thing about Chauncey, he's very talkative, great personality," Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said, per Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports. "But the thing that people don't see is how much he studies. He's the first one in the building, he's bugging Marcus Maye, he's bugging [Jalen Tabor], he's getting in their heads."

Gardner's personality and drive to be great in his early days in Gainesville have already landed him some important reps at safety. Goldkamp noted the Gators are looking to replace Keanu Neal at the position, and the Florida native has made some thunderous plays in run support, even forcing a fumble in a recent practice.

Florida is usually stacked at defensive back year in and year out, and Gardner already has the look of the next great Gators playmaker in the secondary. Even with a number of established names on the depth chart, Gardner should be one to remember later this year.

Florida State QBs Deondre Francois and Malik Henry

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As Florida State's returning starter at quarterback, Sean Maguire, sits out spring practice with a broken ankle, two freshmen are getting their chances to shine under center for Jimbo Fisher. Redshirt freshman Deondre Francois and true freshman Malik Henry are locked in a battle that won't be fully resolved until the fall when Maguire returns.

Francois, who was the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2015, received the majority of the first-team snaps in Florida State's first scrimmage of the spring. Henry rotated with J.J. Cosentino behind Francois and managed to grab the attention of Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher.

"I like what [Francois] did today," Fisher said, per Brendan Sonnone and Curt Weiler of the Orlando Sentinel. "Malik is still gathering knowledge of where he is at but when he throws, he hits. Sometimes he throws to the wrong guy, but he still hits him, so it's a good thing. Francois has to learn you got to step your boundaries. He made some really nice throws at times today."

If Francois can continue to impress in spring practice, the starting job could be his to lose once fall camp begins. After all, Florida State had quite a bit of success with the last redshirt freshman quarterback it turned loose on an experienced team.

Georgia QB Jacob Eason

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Perhaps the most famous early enrollee of 2016, Jacob Eason has hit the ground running in Athens as the new Georgia coaching staff starts to sort out its quarterback depth chart. The 5-star Washington native is in a battle with former starters Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey, and he had a strong showing at practice on Tuesday.

"[Eason] received some praise from [offensive coordinator Jim] Chaney on his accuracy," Jake Rowe of 247Sports wrote. "He also appeared to be having some fun with it. Most of the throws were to the outside where he had plenty of zip on the ball and did a good job of staying on top and not letting those throws get away from him like they have in previous practices."

Rowe noted earlier in camp that Eason was receiving some "tough love" from Chaney as Georgia's coaches rotate the reps between the three quarterbacks in practices. 

Eason has the talent to play early and often in Georgia, and he seems to be settling in with the Bulldogs as they look to reignite their passing game under a new regime. While starting as a true freshman in the SEC is tough, he could make it hard for his coaches to say no with more great practices.

LSU LB Michael Divinity

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LSU is switching from a 4-3 defense to a primarily 3-4 look under new coordinator Dave Aranda this offseason, which means the Tigers need more help at what was a thin linebacker position. 

That's where Michael Divinity comes into play. The former 4-star linebacker has wasted no time in impressing during the early portion of LSU's spring camp. Divinity made an impressive one-handed grab during a "gauntlet drill" and made quite an impression on senior teammate Rickey Jefferson before a practice.

"One time, before practice started, Michael Divinity texted me and said, 'Push me to be great,'" Jefferson said, per Jerit Roser of NOLA.com. "That's something I really appreciate in a player, a younger guy, because that's what I wanted the older guys to do when I came in was push me to be great."

Along with Devin White, Divinity is already making his case to play early in Baton Rouge for Aranda, who loves experimenting with different sets of linebackers and defensive fronts. Divinity has the athleticism, size and hunger to go far with the Tigers in 2016.

Michigan RB Kareem Walker

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Even after a massive few months of recruiting—which included landing 4-star running back Kareem Walker—Michigan running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley isn't looking to overhype his new players, according to Steve Lorenz of 247Sports.

"They're good freshmen but the fact of the matter is, they're freshmen," Wheatley said, per Lorenz. "To put expectations on it is really unfair."

But even with Wheatley's slow-playing, Walker is looking to make his breakthrough for Michigan on both offense and special teams this spring. As Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com noted, the Wolverines are trying out Walker as a return man, seeing as he starred in that role as a high schooler.

Walker also flashed his receiving skills for a touchdown at a practice at Ford Field, scoring on a pass from former Houston transfer John O'Korn.

Only time will tell where Walker fits in the running back rotation with the Wolverines, but they're definitely trying to find different ways to get the ball in his hands this spring. He could be a true instant-impact player for Jim Harbaugh and Co. this fall.

Ohio State WR Austin Mack

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According to Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod, it took just two days of spring practice for Urban Meyer to declare true freshman wide receiver Austin Mack would play some role in the Buckeyes offense for 2016. Quarterback J.T. Barrett said Mack was the player who stood out to him the most in early spring drills.

"I think early, which is crazy, is Austin Mack," Barrett said, per Axelrod. "He's got a little fight in him. When things are hard in our workout, those are the times when you see he's got a little 'dog' in him."

That "dog" helped Mack become one of the most coveted wide receiver prospects in the class of 2016. The Buckeyes landed him and got him to enroll early, making him a candidate to contribute on an offense that only returns three starters in 2016. 

With some more experienced Ohio State receivers missing the early part of spring camp with injuries, Mack has taken full advantage of that opening. Meyer has hyped up freshmen in the past, but Mack is getting all of the love while being at a position that needs immediate help for the upcoming season. He'll keep those heads turned in Columbus.

Ole Miss DT Benito Jones

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Ole Miss has a Robert Nkemdiche-sized hole on its defensive line for 2016, and Benito Jones has a great chance of helping the Rebels fill it. According to Davis Potter of the Oxford Eagle, Jones has wowed those in Oxford early with his quick first step that doesn't necessarily match his 285-pound frame.

"His motor runs, difficult to block. He's very physical for a young guy like that," Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said, per Cody Thomason of the Daily Mississippian. "I'm proud as I can be. I think he’s going to help us next year, without a question."

Jones was a 5-star defensive tackle out of high school and an in-state pickup for the Rebels, who sealed a 2016 recruiting class that will rival the famed one that netted them the likes of Nkemdiche and Laquon Treadwell. Once a former commitment to Alabama, Jones was undoubtedly a huge win for Ole Miss.

Now the Rebels can focus on securing big wins on the field with Jones. Ole Miss needs some new faces to become big-time playmakers on defense to reach its full potential in the SEC West, and Jones is already emerging as one of those options.

Tennessee OT Drew Richmond

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One of the top offensive line recruits of the class of 2015, Drew Richmond didn't play for Tennessee last season as he took a redshirt. After making solid strides in bowl practices, he has continued to turn heads by moving closer to a potential starting job for 2016.

"He's worked very hard in the weight room, and he's added strength," Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said, per Wes Rucker of 247Sports. "He still needs to get stronger, but he has the athleticism, he definitely has the ability and I've been really, really happy with his progress. And it's important to him."

Thanks to a couple of injuries on the line and the progress he's made in the offseason, Richmond is taking snaps at first-team left tackle, protecting experienced quarterback Joshua Dobbs. So far, he hasn't wilted under the pressure of being thrown into such an important spot as an underclassman.

Tennessee is one of the most experienced teams in the SEC heading into 2016, but there's a starting spot open for someone such as Richmond to take over. If he can cash in on his current window of opportunity, the Tennessee native will be a name to watch all season long for the Vols.

Texas QB Shane Buechele

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Texas' hire of Sterlin Gilbert from Tulsa to run its offense has led to quite a few shake-ups across the depth chart, especially at quarterback. His preferred run-pass option scheme is the perfect fit for plenty of the Longhorns—most notably true freshman quarterback Shane Buechele.

The 4-star dual-threat quarterback is an ideal fit for that offense, as it's what he was accustomed to playing at the high school level in Arlington, Texas. Gilbert won't give anyone the early nod in the quarterback race, but it's clear that he likes what he's seen out of his true freshman signal-caller.

"He's headsy," Gilbert said Tuesday, per the program's official website. "He's got a live arm about him. He carries himself well. He's got a high football IQ, competitive, and just a guy that he's urgent about what he does and how he does it."

While Gilbert was quick to add that Buechele has a ways to go, he impressed earlier in camp during 11-on-11 work, per Ryan Autullo of the Austin American-Statesman. Head coach Charlie Strong said he isn't afraid of starting a true freshman at quarterback, either, which means Buechele has more than just an outside chance at the job.

USC DE Oluwole Betiku

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As the No. 1 weak-side defensive end in the class of 2016, the 6'3", 250-pound Oluwole Betiku is naturally going to command a lot of attention. Since enrolling early with USC, he has proved he could be an instant-impact playmaker in the trenches for Clancy Pendergast's defense.

On the first day of the Trojans' spring practice, Scott Schrader of 247Sports noted Betiku "moves faster" and was "already bigger" than the last time he saw him play. On March 24, Dan Weber of Scout reported Betiku burst into the backfield and quickly scooped up a low snap to Sam Darnold for an impressive touchdown.

"He has a tremendous want-to and one of these days, the light is going to go on and 'Wow,'" USC head coach Clay Helton said, per Weber. 

Betiku has gone through some drills with USC's linebackers this spring, showcasing his stunning size and athleticism off the edge. Like any true freshman, he still has to get acclimated to the college game. But the potential is definitely there for Betiku, who has the look of a day-one playmaker for the Trojans on defense.

Recruiting rankings are courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is a National College Football Analyst at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.