The Most Impressive Freshman Performances in Spring Games So Far
Spring is a time for new blood in college football. Graduation and early entries in the NFL draft are facts of life, and spring practice is a perfect opportunity for coaches to see what they have in younger players who’ll be expected to play larger roles in the coming season.
This spring has been no different. Between early enrollees and redshirt freshmen, a number of fresh faces have made a big impact for teams across the nation. Many have excelled in spring games this month, and we’ll see more over the next two weeks as spring practices wrap up.
Here’s a look at 10 freshmen who’ve stood out in spring games thus far.
Unless noted, all stats are from official team websites.
Texas QB Shane Buechele
1 of 10
Texas and new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert entered this spring with two returning quarterbacks in Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard. But as the Longhorns wrapped up spring practice, it became apparent that the lead candidate was a guy who’d just arrived on campus.
Early-enrollee freshman Shane Buechele was highly impressive in the spring game, completing 22 of 41 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He showed poise running Gilbert’s fast-paced system ,while Swoopes struggled, completing four of 16 passes for 71 yards and two interceptions. Heard sat out with a shoulder injury.
Austin-American Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls said it’s clear that Buechele should be the man under center when Texas opens 2016 at home against Notre Dame.
Third-year coach Charlie Strong needs to win this fall, and starting Buechele, the son of former MLB third baseman Steve Buechele, might be just the spark he seeks.
Southern California QB Sam Darnold
2 of 10
New Southern California coach Clay Helton takes over a loaded roster but does have one big concern as the 2016 season approaches: Who’ll be the Trojans’ new starting quarterback?
Cody Kessler’s graduation leaves a big hole on the offense, and quarterbacks Max Browne and Sam Darnold have competed all spring to replace him.
Browne, a junior, has bided his time behind Kessler, but Darnold, a redshirt freshman, is pushing him hard. Darnold has great size at 6’4” and 215 pounds, but he can also run if needed. On Saturday, he was impressive during USC’s spring game, completing six of seven passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
The quarterback competition is far from over, which is a testament to Darnold’s work.
Georgia QB Jacob Eason
3 of 10
An SEC-record 93,000 fans crowded into Sanford Stadium Saturday to witness Georgia’s first spring game under coach Kirby Smart. They got quite a show, and the star attraction was freshman quarterback Jacob Eason.
Eason, the nation’s No. 5 overall recruit per 247Sports, stands 6’5” and 208 pounds and is a talented pocket passer.
He is competing with senior Greyson Lambert and junior Brice Ramsey for the starting role and was quite impressive in the G-Day game. He completed 19 of 29 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown, with a strong touch on deep balls.
According to Seth Emerson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Smart said Eason surpassed the hype surrounding him: “I don’t think he knew there was 93,000 fans out there, because he sure didn’t act like he cared. He executed the offense, went out and did what he had to do. He’s a very levelheaded kid. So for him to do that, that was good.”
While Smart was noncommittal about choosing a quarterback following the game, it’s clear that Eason will make his choice very difficult. It’s easy to see him leading the Bulldogs onto the field for the season opener against North Carolina.
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Florida State QB Malik Henry
4 of 10
Last fall, Sean Maguire did his best to establish himself as Florida State’s quarterback post-Jameis Winston. He threw for 1,520 yards with 11 touchdowns against six interceptions, eventually claiming the job over Everett Golson.
However, he has been sidelined this season while recovering from ankle surgery, which gives freshmen Deondre Francois and Malik Henry an opportunity to state their cases for the job.
Henry blends a big arm with great mobile presence in the pocket, which he showed in Florida State’s spring game. He completed 15 of 22 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns and showed the ability to extend plays and create on the move.
Along with Francois, he could push Maguire for the starting role this summer and fall.
Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings
5 of 10
Alabama will enter 2016 as a strong contender to bring home the fifth national title under Nick Saban’s watch, but as always, the Crimson Tide has some holes to fill.
While the three-man quarterback competition has grabbed most of the headlines, the Tide also must replace graduates Reggie Ragland and Denzel Devall as starting linebackers.
One strong candidate is redshirt freshman Anfernee Jennings. Jennings is 6’3” and 268 pounds and excelled during Alabama’s A-Day game. He came to Alabama as a defensive end but has since moved to linebacker. He picked up six tackles and three sacks during the spring game, showing strong pass-rush skills as a linebacker.
He’ll be in line for significant snaps this fall.
Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence
6 of 10Even though only three defensive starters return this fall, Clemson’s defense should be strong again under Brent Venables’ guidance. The Tigers had a deep defensive line last fall, and that depth will make a difference in 2016.
Add in talented recruits like defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and the line could be special.
Lawrence was the nation's No. 2 overall recruit and is 6’4” and 327 pounds. He was truly impressive as an early enrollee this spring, moving very well for a player of his size with great power, hands and a good first step. In Clemson’s spring game, he was nearly unblockable, piling up a sack and a tackle for loss.
Performances like that make it clear that he’ll see plenty of snaps this fall alongside sophomore Christian Wilkins, senior Carlos Watkins and junior Scott Pagano.
South Carolina QB Brandon McIlwain
7 of 10
New South Carolina coach Will Muschamp has a lot of work to do after inheriting a team that was 3-9 in 2015, but quarterback is one of his biggest priorities.
Returnees Perry Orth, Lorenzo Nunez and Connor Mitch all saw action last fall, but none stood out, combining for 13 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Gamecock quarterbacks combined to complete 54.4 percent of passes, a number that must rise for the offense to be efficient.
Injuries sidelined Orth and Nunez this spring, but the spring game was an opportunity for Mitch and early-enrollee freshman Brandon McIlwain to thrive. McIlwain took the chance and ran with it. He connected on 19 of 26 attempts for 169 yards with two touchdowns, adding an 18-yard rushing score for good measure.
McIlwain was good with both short and long passes, and while the competition is far from over, he gave himself a fighting chance entering summer.
Miami LB Shaquille Quarterman
8 of 10
New Miami coach Mark Richt inherited a decent situation from fired coach Al Golden.
The Hurricanes won eight games last fall and could contend for the ACC Coastal Division title with a few improvements. New defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is fostering competition on defense, even at linebacker, where four starters return.
Three early-enrollee freshmen are pushing the starters at linebacker. The best is Shaquille Quarterman, who has shown great speed and athleticism thus far. Saturday, he had seven tackles and a sack in Miami’s spring game, positioning himself well for early playing time this fall.
Notre Dame WR Kevin Stepherson
9 of 10
Notre Dame finished spring practice Saturday without an answer to its biggest question: Would DeShone Kizer or Malik Zaire establish himself as the starting quarterback?
Whoever emerges this fall, however, will also have questions about who he’ll throw to in the Fighting Irish offense.
With Will Fuller and his 1,268 receiving yards off to the NFL and Chris Brown graduating, there are opportunities in the passing game. Torii Hunter Jr. is the leading returning receiver with 28 receptions for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Corey Robinson and C.J. Sanders were both sidelined this spring with injuries, which creates a big chance for early enrollee Kevin Stepherson.
Stepherson had a great day in the Irish’s spring game, making four catches for 70 yards and showing a solid grasp of the offense. It appears that he’ll be a serious factor in Notre Dame’s offense early on.
Ohio State RB Mike Weber
10 of 10
In Columbus this spring, Urban Meyer is leading a youth movement. He doesn’t have any choice, really. Ohio State lost nine early entrants to the NFL draft, creating openings across the roster which will be filled by talented but less experienced players.
One of those openings is at tailback, where Ezekiel Elliott could be the first back selected in the draft after rushing for 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. Senior Brio’nte Dunn (who had 14 carries for 91 yards) is the leading returning back, but redshirt freshman Mike Weber was very impressive this spring.
During Ohio State’s spring game, Weber flashed a blend of power and speed, carrying eight times for 38 yards and two touchdowns. Dunn sat out with an injury.
Weber has almost certainly carved out a large role for himself in the Buckeye offense, perhaps as the starting tailback.
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