Complete Previews for Top College Football Spring Games This Weekend
If the jam-packed opening weekend of the 2016 college football season is an all-you-can-eat buffet, consider this Friday and Saturday as snacks to help hold everyone over until then.
They might not be the most substantial items on the football menu, but spring games are tastes of what's to come later. And this weekend, college football fans can sample from a large list of televised scrimmages featuring some of the biggest brand names in the sport.
This upcoming weekend will be one of quarterback battles and depth chart dissections all over the country, from some strongholds down in the SEC all the way to a powerhouse in the Pac-12. There will be unofficial debuts for new head coaches at possible contenders. New schemes will be put on full display for the first time.
Here are the FBS schedule for the busiest spring game weekend of the year—which features the last two national champions—and complete previews for a dozen of the biggest names on the slate.
What is the biggest offseason storyline for each big-name program in action this weekend? Which position battles deserve the closest attention? Who will stand out as the stars of the spring? Let's span the college football landscape and take a look.
Full Weekend Schedule
1 of 13
(Games in bold have complete previews in the following slides.)
Friday, April 15
Arkansas State (5 p.m. ET)
FIU (7 p.m. ET)
Indiana (7 p.m. ET on BTN2Go)
UMass (7 p.m. ET)
UTEP (9 p.m. ET)
Saturday, April 16
Western Michigan (11 a.m. ET)
New Mexico (11:15 a.m. ET)
Boston College (noon ET)
Georgia Southern (noon ET)
Kentucky (noon ET on SEC Network)
Mississippi State (noon ET on ESPNU)
Maryland (12:30 p.m. ET on BTN2Go)
Notre Dame (12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN)
Akron (1 p.m. ET)
Arizona State (1 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
Central Michigan (1 p.m. ET)
Florida Atlantic (1 p.m. ET)
Georgia State (1 p.m. ET)
Louisiana Tech (1 p.m. ET)
Louisville (1 p.m. ET)
Pittsburgh (1 p.m. ET)
Purdue (1 p.m. ET on BTN2Go)
Temple (1 p.m. ET)
Texas Tech (1 p.m. ET on Fox Sports Southwest)
Tulane (1 p.m. ET)
Ohio State (1:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network)
California (2 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
East Carolina (2 p.m. ET)
Illinois (practice at 2 p.m. ET on BTN2Go)
Iowa State (2 p.m. ET)
Miami (2 p.m. ET on ESPN3)
Middle Tennessee (2 p.m. ET)
Nebraska (2 p.m. ET on BTN2Go)
Oklahoma State (2 p.m. ET)
Penn State (2 p.m. ET on BTN2Go)
SMU (2 p.m. ET)
Tennessee (2 p.m. ET on SEC Network)
Texas (2 p.m. ET on Longhorn Network)
Alabama (3 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Houston (3 p.m. ET)
North Carolina (3 p.m. ET)
Old Dominion (3 p.m. ET)
UConn (3 p.m. ET)
UL Lafayette (3 p.m. ET)
Georgia (4 p.m. ET on ESPNU)
LSU (4 p.m. ET on SEC Network)
New Mexico State (4 p.m. ET)
Oregon State (4 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
UL Monroe (4 p.m. ET)
USF (4 p.m. ET)
Missouri (6 p.m. ET on SEC Network)
San Jose State (6 p.m. ET)
USC (6 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
UCF (7 p.m. ET)
Notre Dame
2 of 13
Name: Blue-Gold Game
Time: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN
Location: Notre Dame Stadium (South Bend, Indiana)
Top storyline: Breaking in plenty of new starters
After recording a 10-win season in 2015 and making it to a New Year's Six bowl, Notre Dame has some rebuilding to do on its depth chart to maintain its status as a playoff contender this fall. The Fighting Irish return five starters each on offense and defense, with big-time gaps at the skill positions and linebacker corps for 2016.
There's no doubt Notre Dame has enough talent to fill these holes and make a run again, but a lot of first-time starters will need to fill voids in 2016. The Fighting Irish showed last season that they had quality depth when they faced an outbreak of injuries. With Will Fuller, C.J. Prosise, Ronnie Stanley and Jaylon Smith off to the NFL, that has to continue in South Bend.
Key position battle: Quarterback
One of Notre Dame's five returning starters on the offensive side of the ball, quarterback DeShone Kizer, is facing a stiff battle from Malik Zaire this season for that top spot on the depth chart. Zaire was Notre Dame's No. 1 quarterback coming out of last spring, but former third-stringer Kizer was called into action after Zaire's season-ending injury in Week 2.
According to Nick Ironside of 247Sports, Zaire and Kizer will play on opposite teams in Saturday's Blue-Gold Game, and head coach Brian Kelly said the scrimmage "could play a role in determining the starter down the road." The battle won't have a winner this spring, but the head-to-head matchup will give the Irish staff more to evaluate.
Spring star watch: LB Nyles Morgan
With a brand-new crop of linebackers set to lead the Fighting Irish first team in 2016, all eyes are on projected starter Nyles Morgan down the middle. Morgan was behind Joe Schmidt in his first two seasons for the Irish, and a vocal section of the fanbase wanted to see him take over as a starter earlier.
Now, Morgan has a clear path to the starting lineup in front of him, and reports from Notre Dame practices indicate he's taken full advantage of it by improving his leadership and communication skills, per Chris Goff of the Journal Gazette. As a top playmaker and overall leader of a transitioning Notre Dame defense, Morgan will be one to watch when he's on the field Saturday.
Louisville
3 of 13
Name: Red-White Spring Game
Time: Saturday at 1 p.m. ET
Location: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (Louisville, Kentucky)
Top storyline: Taking full advantage of all the returning talent
Only one other team in Power Five football—we'll get to them later—has as many returning starters (18) for 2016 as the Louisville Cardinals. After rebounding from a slow start to 2015 with six wins in their final seven games, the Cardinals have plenty of momentum and an experienced depth chart to match. Life in the ACC's Atlantic Division isn't easy, but Louisville has the potential to make some serious noise.
But before Louisville can tackle 2016, it needs to plug in some pieces in a few holes and continue to develop the returning talent across the board. Dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson has focused on developing his passing game in his first spring camp as a Cardinal, and there's a need to shore up an offensive line that struggled due to inexperience last year.
Key position battle: Linebacker
Louisville already had a hole to fill at inside linebacker this offseason with the departure of James Burgess, but his spot isn't the only one that has featured some shake-ups this spring. With DeVonte Fields and Trevon Young out for camp with injuries, some other Cardinals have stepped into some key spots to develop more quality depth.
At inside linebacker, Stacy Thomas, Amonte Caban and Isaac Stewart are among those vying for the starting job next to leading tackler Keith Kelsey. Jonathan Greenard and James Hearns have also turned heads this spring at outside linebacker, per Steve Jones of the Courier-Journal. How they perform in the spring game Saturday could go a long way in determining how the depth chart there looks this fall.
Spring star watch: ATH Reggie Bonnafon
After failing to stick as a starting quarterback option in his first two seasons with Louisville, Reggie Bonnafon is making sure he stays on the field in some capacity for the Cardinals. According to Jones, Bonnafon has worked at running back and wide receiver this spring, doing everything from taking handoffs and pitches to leaping for passes in the corner of the end zone.
Bonnafon's versatility and athleticism make for plenty of exciting possibilities in the Louisville offense next to the electrifying Jackson, and fans will want to keep an eye on wherever he goes in the spring game Saturday. He could be a dangerous weapon in all kinds of different plays for the Cardinals this fall.
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Ohio State
4 of 13
Name: LiFE Sports Spring Game
Time: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Top storyline: Will the Buckeyes contend in 2016 after huge talent exodus?
Every team has to adjust to holes in the depth chart each spring, but none more than Ohio State this year. The Buckeyes return just six starters from their one-loss, Fiesta Bowl-winning team of 2015, and the team with the second-fewest returning starters in Power Five football has 10. On top of that, plenty of injuries have heavily affected the count of those who are still in Columbus for this spring.
However, few programs in college football are as prepared for a talent exodus as Ohio State, which has continued to churn out top-five recruiting classes under Urban Meyer. Now is the time for all those recruiting wins to continue to develop into on-field stars for the Buckeyes as they look to contend again for the Big Ten and national titles in 2016.
Key position battle: Running back
Ezekiel Elliott and his back-to-back 1,800-yard seasons are gone from Ohio State, leaving a gaping hole in production at running back for the Buckeyes' offense. According to Alexis Chassen of Land-Grant Holy Land, the race for the starting job has been split between redshirt freshman Mike Weber and senior Bri'onte Dunn.
The running game is such a vital part of the Ohio State offense, especially with the return of starting quarterback J.T. Barrett, who can dish out quite a bit of punishment on the ground in the option game. Nailing down a go-to playmaker at running back to complement Barrett is paramount for Ohio State and will be a key storyline in Saturday's spring game.
Spring star watch: LB Dante Booker
Ohio State is breaking in new starters at outside linebacker to surround leader Raekwon McMillan in the middle, and one of the projected stars is Dante Booker. According to McMillan, Booker is more athletic than former starter Joshua Perry, and he's brought a lot of jaw-dropping speed to the first-team Buckeyes defense this spring.
"When he gets on the field, he does some things y'all haven't seen yet," McMillan said, per Marvin Fong of Cleveland.com. "He's one of the fastest guys on the defense regardless of position, and he just brings that pop."
Miami
5 of 13
Name: Spring game
Time: Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN3
Location: Lockhart Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Top storyline: The Mark Richt effect
The Mark Richt era is underway in Miami, as the former Hurricanes quarterback looks to bring back the glory days of "The U" after his dismissal from Georgia. Miami did a good job of rallying after the firing of former head coach Al Golden in the second half of last season, and now Richt has a solid roster with 16 returning starters to work with in his first campaign.
Richt was hired to bring excitement back to a Miami program that seemed stuck in neutral for the last several years, and the spring game will give fans a glimpse of how he's going to run the Hurricanes. Whether it's the further development of quarterback Brad Kaaya under Richt's tutelage or the new attacking 4-3 defense under Manny Diaz, the new regime has several opportunities to impress Saturday.
Key position battle: Defensive back
Miami can rely on senior cornerback Corn Elder, one of college football's most underrated defensive playmakers, to lead its secondary in 2016. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who started seven games last season, will also provide leadership. But the rest of the unit is thin on both experience and numbers for 2016.
One of the major storylines heading into the spring for Miami was the development of options behind Elder, Jenkins and safety Jamal Carter. The front side of Miami's defense should be a strength this fall, but there are concerns with the back four. An injury or two could ravage the secondary, making Saturday's game important for Sheldrick Redwine, Jaquan Johnson and Robert Knowles.
Spring star watch: LB Shaq Quarterman
Miami welcomed three early-enrollee linebackers to campus, and Shaq Quarterman has already emerged as a potential starter from the trio. According to Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post, Quarterman has been the first-team middle linebacker for the Hurricanes and is the personification of the attitude Miami wants out of its defense.
"Coach Diaz does a great job of explaining it and making it simple for everybody, so we can do what Miami is supposed to do," Quarterman said, per Porter. "Which is play fast and play hard."
Oklahoma State
6 of 13
Name: Spring Football Game
Time: Saturday at 2 p.m. ET
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Top storyline: Developing another dimension on offense
Oklahoma State surged out to a 10-0 start in 2015 behind the big-play ability of quarterback Mason Rudolph and an attacking defense led by defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. This year, the Cowboys are looking to become more of a balanced and complete contender in the Big 12, and that starts with giving Rudolph some help on the ground.
The Cowboys have gone the last three seasons without a single 1,000-yard rusher, and they're looking for separation among seniors Chris Carson, Rennie Childs and Raymond Taylor ahead of Barry Sanders Jr.'s arrival on campus later this summer. Improvement on an offensive line that returns all five starters but finished 93rd nationally last year in sacks allowed—on top of the poor rushing production—is also key this offseason.
Key position battle: Defensive end
Three of the Cowboys' top defensive ends from last season—Ogbah, Jimmy Bean and Trace Clark—have departed, leaving two big starting holes in the depth chart for 2016. As Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said to Brandon Chatmon of ESPN.com last month, there are a lot of names who could fill those spots.
Jordan Brailford and Jarrell Owens are the top names to watch at defensive end during Oklahoma State's spring finale, as they are the projected replacements for Ogbah and Bean, who combined for 28 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks last season. Trey Carter and Cole Walterscheid provide interesting possibilities to the rotation thanks to their measurables and potential down the road.
Spring star watch: OL Larry Williams
While Oklahoma State returns all the top names from its offensive line this season, JUCO transfer Larry Williams could shake things up in a big way by the time the season opens in September. Head coach Mike Gundy told reporters that Williams, a 6'4", 318-pound pickup, has already shown strong development so far in Stillwater.
"After finishing ninth in the Big 12 in rushing last season, the Cowboys might have uncovered a much-needed difference-maker this spring for their beleaguered offensive line in Larry Williams," Jake Trotter of ESPN.com wrote. "The junior college All-American has turned heads this spring and could be in line to win a starting job at guard."
Penn State
7 of 13
Name: Blue-White Game
Time: Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on BTN2Go
Location: Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
Top storyline: Can a new offense spark a big season?
In the first two seasons of the James Franklin era at Penn State, the Nittany Lions finished a ghastly 121st and 78th nationally in average yards per play. Now Penn State will have a new starting quarterback to go along with a brand-new, uptempo offense under Joe Moorhead, who engineered a high-flying attack at FCS school Fordham.
Although coordinator Bob Shoop is off to Tennessee and several top linemen are off to the pros, defense still shouldn't be too much of a problem in Happy Valley this year. Moorhead is inheriting nine returning starters, including a few exciting skill talents in Saquon Barkley, Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton. Now it's a matter of plugging them into a more explosive system.
Key position battle: Quarterback
Replacing Christian Hackenberg in a new-look offense will be either Trace McSorley or Tommy Stevens. McSorley, a junior, is faster as a dual-threat passer and has the athleticism to thrive in Moorhead's quick-strike scheme. Stevens, a sophomore, sits behind McSorley currently in the battle, but he's a bigger quarterback and could be the more durable option behind Penn State's developing offensive line.
McSorley has the experience advantage and was Hackenberg's backup last season, but the competition still remains open between him and Stevens. Whoever performs the best Saturday in the spring game could gain a much-needed advantage heading into summer workouts and fall camp in this hotly contested battle.
Spring star watch: WR Saeed Blacknall
With Geno Lewis now gone from Penn State, the Nittany Lions need someone to complement Godwin and Hamilton as the starting wide receivers. Saeed Blacknall looks the part, emerging as a breakout star this spring due to his size (6'3" and 212 pounds) and speed in the vertical passing game.
As Hamilton moves inside to the slot, Blacknall needs to be the home run threat for the Nittany Lions, even though Moorhead's system isn't as reliant on the deep ball. If he can manufacture some big plays for the quarterbacks in the spring game, he might pencil himself in as a starter on one of the country's best receiving corps.
Tennessee
8 of 13
Name: Orange & White Game
Time: Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network
Location: Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Top storyline: High levels of hype on Rocky Top for 2016
Tennessee was predicted to make its big breakthrough last season, but that didn't come to full fruition in Knoxville. However, the Volunteers improved their record by two wins yet again under Butch Jones, and they return a whopping 17 starters for 2016, including the all-star backfield of Joshua Dobbs and Jalen Hurd.
The Volunteers are expected to be the front-runners for the SEC East title this season and a potential dark horse for bigger things. If Tennessee can plug in a few holes on the depth chart and regain its health from an injury-filled spring, this could finally be the year on Rocky Top. Saturday's spring game will provide a glimpse of what Tennessee will bring to the table this fall.
Key position battle: Offensive tackle
One of Tennessee's lone gaps on the depth chart comes at left tackle, where the Volunteers must replace veteran starter Kyler Kerbyson. The projected favorite at the position is redshirt freshman Drew Richmond, who was a 4-star recruit in the class of 2015 and has developed into a top-notch talent.
As Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard notes, though, Tennessee has a number of older options who could slide into left tackle if Richmond can't handle the pressure of protecting Dobbs' blind side. Keep an eye on how Richmond does in his first big "game" as a college player and what other possibilities for the position the Vols utilize in the scrimmage.
Spring star watch: WR Preston Williams
Tennessee desperately needs a go-to wide receiver to take its offense to a higher level in 2016, and Preston Williams has looked like that type of playmaker this preseason in Knoxville. After an underwhelming freshman campaign in which he battled injuries, the 6'4" target is widely considered the breakout star of the spring for the Volunteers.
"With leading receiver Josh Malone missing this spring with injury, Tennessee needed somebody to step up," Shepard wrote. "But, the fact is Williams always had the ability to be special. He just needed to tap into that potential. If this is just the beginning, big things could be yet to come."
Texas
9 of 13
Name: Orange-White Game
Time: Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on Longhorn Network
Location: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
Top storyline: The switch to a brand-new offense
In Charlie Strong's first two seasons as head coach of Texas—both of which finished with sub-.500 records—the Longhorns have fallen flat on the offensive side of the ball. This offseason, Texas addressed that problem by hiring new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, who is part of the Art Briles coaching tree through Dino Babers and Philip Montgomery.
There's no question that Strong knows how to coach a great defense, and his staff has scored some big victories on the recruiting trail since he arrived. But he needs to last in Austin long enough to see both of those fully pay off. That will come down to improvement on the offensive side of the ball as the Longhorns embrace the run-pass option offense that has thrived elsewhere in the Big 12.
Key position battle: Quarterback
Texas is looking for the best leader for its new-look offense, and it's having to decide between experienced former starters or the potential of a newcomer. Senior Tyrone Swoopes, who played well in a power-running package last season for the Longhorns, is the front-runner for the starting quarterback spot, per the Associated Press (via USA Today).
Jerrod Heard, who started 10 games last year, was Swoopes' biggest competition this spring, but a shoulder injury has knocked him out of Saturday's spring game. That leaves true freshman Shane Buechele, who succeeded in a similar offensive style during his high school days, to challenge Swoopes ahead of the long summer months and fall practices in Austin.
Spring star watch: WR Collin Johnson
One of Texas' several breakout stars this spring has been 6'6" wide receiver Collin Johnson, who has already developed a knack for incredible plays—including this acrobatic touchdown grab from late last month. Johnson has worked with the Longhorns' first-team offense throughout the spring, and he should star this season for Texas as a talented true freshman.
"His work ethic is second to none," Gilbert said, per Wescott Eberts of Burnt Orange Nation. "He's a guy that has a high football IQ as well and wants to be really good. Those things jump out at me instantly."
Alabama
10 of 13
Name: A-Day Spring Game
Time: Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Top storyline: Reloading for another potential title defense in T-Town
It's the same old story for Alabama heading into another highly anticipated spring game under head coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide, fresh off an SEC title and a national championship, have tremendous talent in their ranks for the upcoming season but plenty of question marks along their depth chart.
Alabama's streak of No. 1 recruiting classes won't make reloading too difficult, and Saban's squad can rely on the returning excellence of players such as wide receiver Calvin Ridley, defensive end Jonathan Allen and defensive back Eddie Jackson this season. Saturday's A-Day game in Bryant-Denny Stadium will be the first step in finding out who will join them for another possible title push in 2016.
Key position battle: Quarterback
For the third straight season, Alabama is facing a quarterback battle—and it's another big one. The Crimson Tide have four contenders, each with his own unique skill set and level of experience in offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin's scheme.
Alabama likely won't make a decision on the starting quarterback job until it gets awfully close to the season opener against USC, but the performances of Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett, David Cornwell and Jalen Hurts could go a long way in who gets their name listed on top of the depth chart this fall. All four of them will be under the microscope Saturday as they look to make their mark on the Tide offense.
Spring star watch: RB Bo Scarbrough
Alabama has huge shoes to fill this season as Heisman-winning running back Derrick Henry is off to the NFL. Fortunately for the Crimson Tide, running back Bo Scarbrough is just the right size, as Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer detailed before Alabama's national championship victory over Clemson in January.
Scarbrough has reportedly been racking up ridiculous statistics during Alabama's closed scrimmages this spring, and all signs point to him becoming the new offensive star for the team in 2016. Whether Alabama likes it or not, the hype train is barreling down the tracks for Scarbrough, as he brings a familiar level of freakish talent to the Crimson Tide backfield.
Georgia
11 of 13
Name: G-Day Spring Game
Time: Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU
Location: Sanford Stadium (Athens, Georgia)
Top storyline: Can Kirby Smart get Georgia over the hump?
Mark Richt averaged 10 wins a season during his long Georgia tenure, but constantly missing out on a SEC championship or national title contention led the powers that be in Athens to part ways with him late last year. The Bulldogs brought in Kirby Smart, a first-time head coach and former Georgia defensive back who rose to fame as Nick Saban's right-hand man on defense at title-winning Alabama.
Now the question is whether the switch will pay off for the Bulldogs, who will consistently be near the front of the pack in the SEC East. Georgia has plenty of talent in superstar running back Nick Chubb (who is still rehabbing from last season's devastating knee injury) and all across its defense. How long will it take Smart to get the Bulldogs back to Atlanta for the SEC title game?
Key position battle: Quarterback
Smart and his new offensive staff at Georgia threw the doors open to a quarterback battle again in Athens, and for good reason. The Bulldogs couldn't get consistent production out of Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey last season, which further handicapped the offense after Chubb's injury.
Now the Bulldogs have Jacob Eason, a 5-star early enrollee from Washington, to immediately challenge Lambert and Ramsey for the top job on the depth chart. Eason is the future at Georgia, but he could be the present as well. Whoever impresses the most Saturday will have a head start when this battle gets into the stretch run at fall camp.
Spring star watch: LB Natrez Patrick
Georgia has some work to do rebuilding its front seven this season under Smart, and Natrez Patrick has improved his game in response for the Bulldogs. Patrick started the final two games of 2015 for Georgia, and he's leading the way at middle linebacker in the midst of a successful spring camp, per Seth Emerson of the Telegraph.
Patrick's ability to close down quickly on offensive talent in space makes him a key player to watch in Saturday's G-Day game and beyond. He's been a breakout star in spring practices, and Georgia should be able to rely on him for leadership and playmaking all season long.
LSU
12 of 13
Name: National L Club Spring Football Game
Time: Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on SEC Network
Location: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Top storyline: Will LSU's passing attack take a much-needed step forward?
LSU has the talent to contend for championships in 2016, tying Louisville with the most returning starters in the Power Five leagues. But even with all-world running back Leonard Fournette on the roster, the Bayou Bengals have to be able to pass the ball better if they want to contend. The inconsistency through the air of the last few seasons has been a key focus of spring ball in Baton Rouge.
Head coach Les Miles has praised junior quarterback Brandon Harris this spring, per David Ching of ESPN.com, as LSU has added emphasis on passing. Purdue transfer Danny Etling has been there to push him and provide experience as a possible option off the bench. If the Tigers can showcase a better passing attack against what should be a stout secondary in their spring game, LSU should be more formidable this year.
Key position battle: Offensive tackle
LSU returns experience everywhere on its offense except for the tackle spots. Toby Weathersby seems to be the leader at right tackle, as he's the only one on the entire LSU roster who has started a game at tackle. Left tackle, though, is a different story with Chidi Okeke and Maea Teuhema.
Teuhema, a returning starter at left guard, has repped at left tackle this spring. But Okeke, a native of Nigeria who is still somewhat new to the game, has tremendous upside at an athletic 6'6" and 311 pounds. Injuries to two interior line starters this spring caused a lot of moving around on the line, so who gets what reps at which tackle position will be a key storyline in Tiger Stadium on Saturday.
Spring star watch: LB Devin White
After seeing the stacked depth at running back behind Fournette, Devin White opted to move to linebacker this spring as an early enrollee. So far, the reviews on White have been spectacular, as he's even repped with the first team at inside linebacker in new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's 3-4 base scheme.
"He brings explosiveness and physicality there," Aranda said, per Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com. "He's very intelligent. It's been fun to be around him these last couple of weeks. His highlight film is awfully impressive both ways. He's embraced [defense]."
USC
13 of 13
Name: Spring Football Game
Time: Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Network
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles)
Top storyline: Clay Helton's first full year in charge
Instead of another huge coaching search late last year, USC decided to pull the interim tag off former offensive coordinator Clay Helton and keep him on as the permanent head coach. Helton's two games as the full-time head man were both tough losses, but there's still sense of the Trojans playing with a clean slate this spring as they head into the 2016 season.
Fortunately for Helton, USC returns the majority of its starters on both sides of the ball this season (15 in total), which will be extremely valuable ahead of what should be the toughest schedule in college football. Saturday's spring game will be a perfect chance for Helton and his new coaching staff to put their own stamp on the Trojans.
Key position battle: Quarterback
Junior Max Browne was widely expected to be the successor to Cody Kessler as the USC starting quarterback, and he'll most likely still occupy that role by the time the season starts against Alabama in September. However, redshirt freshman Sam Darnold isn't making things a breeze for Browne, as he's pushed the upperclassman into quite a competition, per Dan Weber of Scout.com.
The Trojans return starters almost everywhere on their offense outside of quarterback, so whoever wins the starting job should thrive next to top-notch playmakers such as JuJu Smith-Schuster and Ronald Jones II. Expect to see Browne handle first-choice duties in the spring game, but keep an eye on how Darnold continues to impress with his strong arm.
Spring star watch: DT Malik Dorton
Returning defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's defense took a big hit this spring when defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow was ruled out for the 2016 with a torn ACL. But Malik Dorton has filled in for the Trojans, and he reportedly is well on his way to a starting job this fall with his athleticism in the trenches.
"Clancy Pendergast's guys are getting after people, getting up the field, getting across the line of scrimmage to play on the other side of the ball," Weber wrote. "With his explosive 'get-off,' as Malik calls it, he says he's 'ideal' for this system, and vice versa."
Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
Justin Ferguson is a National College Football Analyst at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
