Spring Football Report Card Grades for Top Early Enrollees
Early enrollees dotted the college football landscape during spring practice, and many of the 2016 cycle's highly ranked prospects passed their first major test.
While immediate success certainly isn't a surprise for these guys, several have already claimed or are quite close to securing a starting position as a true freshman.
But the learning curve simply takes longer for others. However, that doesn't mean a slower start is a failure by any means.
The grades are not representative of a player's talent or potential. Rather, they're based on how quickly he climbed the depth chart (if legitimately possible), performed in scrimmages and other factors that vary for each early enrollee.
Jonah Williams, RT, Alabama
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Alabama's tradition of standout running backs is impressive, but a consistently strong offensive line is just as important. It appears a true freshman will be joining the blocking unit in 2016.
Jonah Williams was already a member of the first-team O-line during the spring game.
Cam Robinson will be a coveted NFL draft prospect in 2017, so Williams is considered the blindside protector of the future. For now, though, the 5-star recruit is projected to start at right tackle.
Grade: A
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
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Although Clemson must replace a couple of standout defensive ends, depth at tackle isn't a problem. Dexter Lawrence is simply more evidence to that belief.
"Lawrence is a natural defensive tackle but can play all over the line and is wreaking absolute havoc in practices," Barton Simmons of 247Sports said.
The 5-star defensive tackle notched three tackles, one sack and an interception with a 32-yard return during an earlier scrimmage, then had three stops and a sack in the spring game.
Fellow lineman Carlos Watkins called Lawrence a "man-child," per Dan Hope of the Independent Mail. It's safe to assume Lawrence will earn significant action in 2016.
Grade: A
Feleipe Franks, QB, Florida
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The transition to college football is particularly difficult for a quarterback. Some are ready. Some are not. Feleipe Franks fits in the latter category.
It was clear during the spring game, where he finished 5-of-11 for 58 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions—even tossing another pick after a whistle—while Luke Del Rio stood out.
"Feleipe got confused on what jersey he was throwing to, but you know what, that happens," head coach Jim McElwain said following the scrimmage, per Graham Hall of the Gainesville Sun.
Those struggles aren't indicative of Franks' ability. He'll develop into a clear-cut starter under McElwain, and the spring was a "welcome to college" moment for Franks.
Grade: C-
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Jacob Eason, QB, Georgia
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Though "tie goes to the runner" is not an official rule, it's a commonly observed guideline in recreational baseball. "Tie goes to the younger quarterback" may as well be a commandment.
At best, Greyson Lambert is a game manager. When no other options are available, that's fine. But Georgia has Jacob Eason, who completed 19 of 29 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown at G-Day and outplayed Brice Ramsey.
Head coach Kirby Smart is making the right decision to not christen the 5-star immediately, but this is Eason's job to lose.
Grade: B+
Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
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Isaac Nauta is a tremendous talent. New Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney loves tight ends. This is a match made in football heaven.
"I can't say enough good things about him," fellow tight end Jed Blazevich said of the 5-star, per Alex Makrides of the Red & Black.
Blazevich better be prepared for a battle, because Nauta has demanded a place in the starter discussion. He also snagged six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown during the spring game.
Given Chaney's philosophy, Nauta is a lock to contribute in 2016. Fall camp will determine whether or not that's as the No. 1 guy.
Grade: B+
Donnie Corley, WR, Michigan State
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Donnie Corley made the most of his first impression at Michigan State. Teammates and coaches couldn't stop talking about the 4-star.
"He's just a freak of nature," quarterback Damion Terry said of Corley after the spring game, per Shawn Windsor of the Detroit Free Press. "I know you guys just saw a little glimpse of him, but that kid has all the potential in the world."
Head coach Mark Dantonio called Corley "an exceptional athlete," according to ESPN.com's Dan Murphy.
Corley will be involved at receiver, and he should tally a handful of jet sweeps and reverses. MSU would be wise to utilize Corley as a returner, too. The hype says he's ready.
Grade: A-
Austin Mack, WR, Ohio State
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After just two spring practices, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said Austin Mack "is going to play next year," per Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod. Near the end of March, Meyer said Mack "continues to earn time."
Mack certainly doesn't lack the opportunity to gain playing time. The Buckeyes lost Michael Thomas, Braxton Miller and Jalin Marshall to the NFL draft.
According to Kyle Rowland on the Journal Gazette, cornerback Marshon Lattimore said the 4-star "has a lot to work on, but he goes up and gets the ball. He catches everything that's thrown to him. I try to stop that as much as I can, but he's a great receiver."
Though others have a better chance to be Ohio State's leading wideout, Mack will produce as a freshman.
Grade: B
Shea Patterson, QB, Ole Miss
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Chad Kelly is the undisputed started at Ole Miss in 2016. Go ahead and officially anoint Shea Patterson as Kelly's successor.
"He has a high football IQ and a high understanding of what we're trying to do," head coach Huge Freeze said, according to Parrish Alford of the Daily Journal. "His mechanics are good. He's fearless and confident. He understands the game."
David Johnson of 247Sports provided Patterson's unofficial numbers from the spring game: 25-of-40, four touchdowns, zero interceptions.
Patterson won't start, but he should log valuable garbage-time reps as a backup in preparation for 2017.
Grade: A
Shane Buechele, QB, Texas
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Jerrod Heard had one terrific game in 2015, but was otherwise average. Tyrone Swoopes couldn't pass. It was another season of mediocre quarterbacking at Texas.
Per Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports, head coach Charlie Strong acknowledged the fanbase's lingering annoyance with the position, but believes Shane Buechele sparked a new outlook.
"[The fans] were looking for something different. What's going to be different?" Strong said. "And then Shane goes out and plays well in the spring game, they walk away feeling good knowing now that, 'Hey, we have a quarterback.'"
Buechele went 22-of-41 for 299 yards and two touchdowns at the Orange-White game. He'll probably be putting up stats as the Longhorns starter in the fall.
Grade: A-
Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
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Collin Johnson, a 6'6", 205-pound target, is a luxury that is available to Buechele that wasn't to Heard or Swoopes in 2015.
While appearing on 104.9 FM The Horn (h/t Jeff Howe of 247Sports), Strong praised Johnson for playing like a big receiver—not a finesse guy—and drawing the attention of teammates.
"He doesn't play 5'8", he plays 6'6". He makes plays on the outside and he's another one that the players are recognizing has ability," Strong said.
Johnson, who is close to locking up a starting spot, will have plenty of chances in Sterlin Gilbert's uptempo offense.
Grade: A-
Theo Howard, WR, UCLA
11 of 12Through no fault of his own, the path to a starting role quickly closed on Theo Howard after arriving at UCLA. The Bruins are shifting offensive philosophies, and standout defender Ishmael Adams moved to wide receiver.
But that doesn't mean the 4-star won't see the field.
"He's a special one," head coach Jim Mora said, per Steve Dilbeck of Los Angeles Times. "He has some special gifts."
Darren Andrews, Adams and a couple of others are ahead of Howard, but the freshman made a respectable initial impression.
Grade: B
Oluwole Betiku, DE/LB, USC
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"Quiet" adequately describes Oluwole Betiku's foray into college football. He spent time working at both defensive end and linebacker, capping the session with a sack in USC's spring game.
Shotgun Spratling of Scout notes USC head coach Clay Helton called the 5-star "a prized colt that will one day win the Kentucky Derby, but is just finding his way now."
The nation's No. 1 weak-side defensive end prospect, Betiku will factor into the rotation for a thin defensive line. But with only three years of football experience, he's still learning the game.
Grade: B-
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
