Every Top 25 College Football Team's Spring Practice MVP
Spring practice stars can be fool's gold in college football. Every year, countless reserve players rise up in public scrimmages and put on MVP-caliber performances—only to be never heard from again when the competitive action starts in the fall.
But there's plenty of real nuggets of improvement still to be found in spring practices, from the young starter looking to take the next step to the rising star looking to take control of a starting job or a specific role on the first team.
There's always room for improvement, and these players proved that with their progress over the last few weeks of spring practices.
Here are the picks for spring practice MVPs from each team in this year's preseason composite Top 25, which was recently updated with Bleacher Report's freshest rankings and Sporting News' countdown of their programs heading into the 2016 season.
Whether these spring stars will carry over that success into fall camp and the regular season remains to be seen. But these 25 players are well on their way to strong 2016 campaigns because of their performances in practices and scrimmages.
25. UCLA Bruins: DE Takkarist McKinley
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Jim Mora didn't officially hand out a spring practice MVP award after UCLA's recent spring showcase. But if Mora was going to do that, he said the award would have landed in the hands of defensive end Takkarist McKinley, per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Daily News.
UCLA is making the switch from a 3-4 system to a 4-3 one under defensive coordinator Tom Bradley this offseason, and McKinley has been one of the stars of the change. He was constantly in the backfield off the edge in the spring showcase after playing mostly on the inside in 2015.
"Takk's had an excellent spring," Bradley said, per Nguyen. "He's gotten so much better at so many things, why he’s doing the things he's doing. Not just going to play, he understands. He's playing quick (already), but he's playing faster now."
McKinley had 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks from an interior position on UCLA's defensive line last season. Look for those numbers to explode this fall as he pairs with another pass-rushing menance in Deon Hollins.
24. Miami Hurricanes: QB Brad Kaaya
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Mark Richt had several pleasant surprises on his hands in his first spring at Miami, including breakout performances from early-enrollee linebackers. But his best player in camp was a highly important one—returning quarterback Brad Kaaya.
The Miami starter made a smooth transition to the ins and outs of Richt's offensive system and set the gold standard in practices with his accuracy and efficiency. According to Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post, Kaaya completed 64 percent of his passes in spring practices despite more than a dozen drops. He had 10 touchdowns to just one pick as well.
Kaaya put up those great numbers without a full-strength receiving corps to work with, as projected No. 1 receiver Stacy Coley missed some time with injuries and four potential instant-impact players at wideout are set to arrive this summer.
All eyes will be on the junior quarterback this season as he leads Richt's Hurricanes to what could be the start of something great again at "The U." With his continued improvement throwing the ball and a stronger grip of the offense, he could be a star on the college football landscape in 2016.
23. Washington Huskies: WR John Ross III
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Washington wide receiver John Ross III was set to have a phenomenal 2015 campaign after his breakout performance the year before, when he averaged nearly 22 yards per reception and scored twice on kickoff returns. But a torn ACL and subsequent surgery last April kept him out for the entire campaign.
This year, though, Ross stayed healthy all the way through, and he was a welcome addition back into the fold of a Washington team that returns a lot of experienced talent for the upcoming season. According to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, the explosive athlete was timed at a 4.25 in the 40-yard dash this spring.
In Washington's modified spring game, Ross took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and scored on a pass from sophomore quarterback Jake Browning several plays later.
Washington's young offense wasn't able to play at its full potential last season with Ross standing on the sidelines. This spring, he built valuable chemistry with Browning and reminded those around him how electrifying he can be with the ball in his hands practice after practice.
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22. Georgia Bulldogs: WR Jayson Stanley
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True freshman quarterback Jacob Eason stole the show in Georgia's G-Day Game earlier this month, but one of the players he and his competition at quarterback were throwing to had an even bigger spring camp.
Wide receiver Jayson Stanley was one of four players named most improved by Georgia during spring football, per Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald. The 6'2", 204-pound sophomore only had two catches last season for 23 yards, but he was running with the first team this spring and proved he belonged.
"[Georgia head coach Kirby] Smart heaped praise on the talented sophomore in interviews with the media for his blocking ability and on G-Day he showed that and then some," Jake Rowe of 247Sports wrote. "The Fairburn native hauled in four passes for 87 yards and essentially set the black team's first touchdown drive on G-Day with a pair of grabs."
Stanley has the size and the speed to be a top-notch weapon for the Georgia passing game in 2016. He was one of the most improved players on the entire roster, and he took a major step forward at a position that definitely needed it.
21. Louisville Cardinals: QB Lamar Jackson
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If these awards were based on spring game stats alone, Lamar Jackson would be the MVP of the entire college football offseason. The Louisville quarterback obliterated the Cardinals' second-string defense in their spring game, completing 24 of 29 passes for a jaw-dropping 514 yards and eight touchdowns.
But what's more important than the gaudy numbers for Jackson was the improvement he made during spring practices. He arrived at Louisville last summer as a true freshman and nailed down the starting job by the end of the spring. In his first set of spring practices, he worked hard on improving his shaky pass accuracy.
"When he came here in August, there were times that we said, 'Whoa, we've got something here,'" Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino said, per Steve Jones of the Courier-Journal. "He's got great arm strength, great wrist snap. We've just got to continue to work on our timing. He certainly can throw the deep ball, and he improved on it all spring."
Jackson was arguably the top player for a Louisville roster loaded with experience this offseason because of what he can do as a speedy dual-threat quarterback. Thanks to his improved arm this spring, Jackson should be in line for a monster 2016.
20. North Carolina Tar Heels: LB Jonathan Smith
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North Carolina needed reinforcements at linebacker this season, and true freshman Jonathan Smith hit the ground running with his new team in the spring. The 3-star in-state product started at inside linebacker for the Tar Heels during their spring game thanks to his development and some injuries.
According to Andrew Carter of the News & Observer, that starting job might roll on into the regular season for Smith, as the Tar Heels lack solid experience at the position. He recorded three tackles in the spring game and caught the eye of head coach Larry Fedora.
"He's come in here and handled everything," Fedora said, per Carter. "Because you think about it, he came in in January, and we've put more in this year defensively than we did last spring. So he was starting from scratch, and he really did a nice job. He studies it, he learned it, and he's made plays for us throughout the spring, and he's gotten a lot of reps."
North Carolina's big-play offense should be in good hands once again this season, but the defense had some question marks as new coordinator Gene Chizik entered his second year with the program. Smith looked like an answer at linebacker, which was a welcome surprise in Chapel Hill.
19. Oklahoma State Cowboys: CB Ramon Richards
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Oklahoma State has some big shoes to fill on its defense this season, especially at defensive end and cornerback with the departures of Emmanuel Ogbah and Kevin Peterson. In the spring game, though, the Cowboys looked prepared, and the vastly improved Ramon Richards played a key part.
Richards had an up-and-down year at cornerback as a freshman in 2014, picking off passes but also opening himself up for costly mistakes. He fell down the depth chart last season, but he surged back up this spring after the departure of three senior cornerbacks, including Peterson.
"He's hungry," defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said of Richards, per Mark Cooper of the Tulsa World. "He's got a great attitude every day. ... He's had a tremendous spring. I really believe that. It's a process, but mentally and emotionally, he's on the right track."
According to Cooper, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy named Richards one of the stars of the spring, and he's in line to become a vocal leader of the Cowboys defense heading into the 2016 season.
18. Oregon Ducks: WR Charles Nelson
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An offense like Oregon can never have too many dynamic playmakers, right? The Ducks didn't think so this spring, deciding to move versatile speedster Charles Nelson back to the offensive side of the ball after a season in the secondary.
While Oregon already had plenty of established backs and receivers returning for 2016, Nelson turned heads with his ability to ignite the offense with big plays, according to Kristen Rodgers of KEZI-TV. Nelson's former secondary coach believes Oregon can do big things with Nelson back at wide receiver.
"It's very refreshing because he's a very dynamic offensive player," Oregon secondary coach John Neal said, per Ryan Thorburn of the Register-Guard. "We can win championships with him the way he plays. So we’re very fortunate we've been able to get two or three guys back that are really going to help our team."
Nelson will get a chance to showcase his full skill set on offense during Oregon's spring game this weekend, and if his early returns in practice are any indication, he's going to put on quite a show in the Ducks' warp-speed attack.
17. USC Trojans: RB Justin Davis
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USC senior running back Justin Davis faced a stiff challenge this spring from sophomore Ronald Jones II for a starting job. But through that pressure, Davis ended camp as head coach Clay Helton's favorite to become the No. 1 running back on the team, per Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times.
Davis showcased a large amount of improvement this spring at becoming a more complete running back. According to Janis Carr of the Orange County Register, Davis continued his stronger work as a receiver during spring camp. His work as a pass blocker has also kept him ahead of Jones in the position battle.
"The redshirt senior's all-around ability is what sets him apart from Jones, whose exceptional running ability is not matched by equal ability as a blocker or receiver," Alicia de Artola of Reign of Troy wrote. "Though many a Trojan fan would like to see Jones become USC's featured back, Davis' performance at the Spring Game highlighted why he deserves his place as the starter."
Davis' showcase of his improvement during the spring game, in which he ran hard for 63 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries, proved he could be a perfect fit in USC's talented offense this fall. Jones will get plenty of work, but Davis took control in an MVP-like spring.
16. TCU Horned Frogs: WR Isaiah Graham
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Isaiah Graham didn't finish the spring on top of TCU's depth chart, but he proved he could play a huge role in the Horned Frogs offense as a true freshman in 2016.
The 4-star Louisiana native enrolled early in Fort Worth this year and wasted no time in making a huge impression on the coaching staff at TCU. Toward the end of camp, Max Olson of ESPN.com named Graham the breakout player of the spring for the Horned Frogs, who needed help at receiver following the departure of all-world talent Josh Doctson.
"True freshman wide receiver Isaiah Graham arrived in Fort Worth with a good amount of hype ... and is getting a whole lot more these days after wowing TCU coaches throughout the spring," Olson wrote. "He's a smooth 6-foot-1, 185-pound weapon who can make a difference right away for an offense that's replacing some big-name receivers."
Graham is currently behind senior Deante Gray at X receiver in TCU's offense, but one can expect to see his name called often this fall for the Horned Frogs. He's an excellent, college-ready talent who possesses great hands and an ability to get into the second level quickly.
15. Iowa Hawkeyes: LB Aaron Mends
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Iowa's defense has a stacked group of linebackers, and Aaron Mends looks like the next star out of that group after what he showed in spring practices. Boasting great athleticism, Mends took over the top weakside spot formerly held by Cole Fisher and didn't look back.
"He's very athletic. He moves extremely well. He's very explosive. He's very powerful," Iowa linebackers coach Seth Wallace said, per Scott Dochterman of the Gazette. "What Aaron needs to do right now is he just needs to hone in on a position that’s not easy to play. You just can't be slotted in there because you’re athletic."
Mends just needed more experience in the system for Iowa, as he only recorded four tackles as a freshman in 2015. He got that in spring ball with countless reps, and head coach Kirk Ferentz said his improvement from one spring to the next was "night and day," per Mitch Sherman of ESPN.com.
While he hasn't nailed down a starting job just yet, Mends should become a big-time factor for Iowa's defense this fall thanks to his closing speed at outside linebacker.
14. Ole Miss Rebels: WR Van Jefferson
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Ole Miss didn't have a spring game this year due to ongoing construction at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, so a lot of the improvement for the Rebels was made behind close doors and out of the public view. But reports out of Oxford resounded with their praise of freshman wide receiver Van Jefferson.
According to Daniel Paulling of the Clarion-Ledger, Jefferson won the most improved player on offense award from the Rebels this spring. The son of former NFL receiver and current Miami Dolphins assistant coach Shawn Jefferson, the Ole Miss wideout redshirted last season but exploded onto the scene in the last couple of months.
"When he first got here, it wasn't exactly what he wanted, and he was getting frustrated," Ole Miss wide receivers coach Grant Heard said, per Paulling. "He knows what's going on now. Now he's not thinking. He's just playing. He's playing with a bunch of confidence right now, and I'm really excited about where he is."
Jefferson's progress this spring was so impressive Paulling projected him to be the No. 2 slot receiver for the Rebels, although he could become a starter there depending on where Ole Miss lines up Quincy Adeboyejo. With the way Ole Miss likes to rotate receivers for quarterback Chad Kelly, expect to see a lot of Jefferson in 2016.
13. Michigan State Spartans: WR Donnie Corley
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The top name coming out of Michigan State's camp this spring hasn't been projected starting quarterback Tyler O'Connor or one of the stars of its tough defense. Instead, it's been a true freshman wide receiver—Donnie Corley.
The young wideout took charge in Michigan State's winter conditioning drills by leading the sprints, and he was a constant subject of praise when the Spartans hit the field for practices. Michigan State had a glaring need for playmakers at wide receiver, and Corley emerged as one in a short amount of time.
"He's just a freak of nature," Michigan State quarterback Damion Terry said, per Shawn Windsor of the Detroit Free-Press. "I know you guys just saw a little glimpse of him (Saturday), but that kid has all the potential in the world. ... Doesn't make the same mistake twice. He's just been making plays all over the field, flying around and using his speed."
Although Corley only made one catch in Michigan State's spring game, he was the first wideout taken in the draft for the scrimmage—a huge compliment for a newcomer. He should form a strong partnership with fellow freshman Cam Chambers in the receiving room this fall for the defending Big Ten champions.
12. Houston Cougars: RB Duke Catalon
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Houston's run defense won the day in the Cougars' spring game earlier this month. While the front seven in H-Town should be rock solid in 2016, part of its success might have been due to the absence of one Duke Catalon in the running game.
Catalon, a transfer from the Texas Longhorns, sat out the spring game for precautionary reasons after a spring camp in which he emerged as the top-tier running back the Cougars needed to pair with dual-threat passer Greg Ward Jr. He wowed coaches and teammates alike on the scout team last year, when he was forced to sit due to NCAA rules, and that carried over to his first official practices as a first-teamer.
"Catalon can be a beast of a runner and I think he brings a new element of being a dynamic back that the Cougars really need to balance the offense," Bryce Dodds of the Daily Cougar wrote, per Scott Hiney of the Oklahoma Daily. "If he can stay healthy and produce like he's expected to, he can free up Ward to create both on the ground in the play-action ... the explosiveness Catalon brings bodes well for UH."
Head coach Tom Herman told Brett Dolan of CBS Houston that Catalon could be "special" for the Cougars this season after what he showed in spring practices. Catalon filled a need perfectly for Houston, even though fans didn't get to see it firsthand in the team's spring finale.
11. Tennessee Volunteers: WR Preston Williams
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According to Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard, there was no question as to who the MVP of Tennessee's spring practices was this year—sophomore wide receiver Preston Williams.
"The 6'4", 209-pound pass-catcher earned the removal of the black stripe from his helmet early in camp—a rite of passage for young Tennessee players as they become dependable leaders as deemed by their peers," Shepard wrote. "Williams then showed out the rest of camp. He received the Harvey Robinson Award for the offense's most improved player."
The emergence of Williams is exactly what Tennessee would've ordered this offseason for returning star quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Williams has the frame, quickness and ball skills to be a matchup nightmare all over the field for the Volunteers offense, which has been limited at receiver this offseason with plenty of injuries.
Williams was a recipient of high praise from coaches and teammates alike all camp long, and he finished with a great day of limited action in the Volunteers' spring game. He has all the tools to be a breakout star this fall for a talented Tennessee team looking to get back into the title picture.
10. Stanford Cardinal: DL Solomon Thomas
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One word described versatile Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas this spring—unblockable.
The 275-pound Cardinal star has freakish athleticism for his size, and his biggest highlight of last season came when he pulled off a scoop-and-score against USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game. This spring, he demolished a rebuilding Stanford offensive line repeatedly and was in the backfield easily on the first five plays of the team's final scrimmage.
"Thomas was dominant in every open practice during spring ball and was consistently in the backfield during the spring game," Andy Drukarev of Rivals wrote. "It's easy to see why he's essentially the one player on the defense who Stanford's coaches publicly state has locked down a starting job. And it's easy to see why his teammates consistently rave about him in interviews."
Thomas was hard to handle at times as a sophomore in 2015, and he's gotten better all across the board heading into his junior campaign. When someone of his talent is arguably the most improved on the team in spring camp, something special is sure to be around the corner.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: RB Dexter Williams
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With a number of returning starters on the low end of the major college football spectrum this season, Notre Dame needed plenty of playmakers to step up their game in spring camp. Perhaps the biggest breakout came from Dexter Williams, who emerged as a key piece in the Irish backfield.
He had limited touches as Notre Dame's third-string running back last season, but he showed in the spring why he should be in line for more carries in 2016. As JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago noted, Williams' ability to get tough yards on the inside will be "an important addition to the Irish offense" this fall alongside Josh Adams and Tarean Folston.
"What we like about Dexter is his physical, inside, downhill running," Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said, per Stankevitz. "That, to me, is where he's impressed us in the spring. We've had some goal line, short-yardage runs where he gets his pads down, he's an explosive inside runner."
Williams might not be the No. 1 guy at running back for Notre Dame this year, but he probably earned some sort of role in the offense with his impressive work in spring ball. The Irish could definitely use his hard-running ability in tight situations this fall.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes: WR Austin Mack
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Like Notre Dame, Ohio State needed new playmakers to emerge this season after an even larger exodus of talent to the NFL draft. But the Buckeyes' biggest spring star wasn't a former backup eager to take advantage of the depth chart situation. It was a true freshman wide receiver.
Austin Mack was the hottest name out of Columbus early in spring ball. As Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod noted, head coach Urban Meyer said Mack would play for the Buckeyes this season just a few days into his first official practices with the team. He was the first OSU freshman to have his black helmet stripe removed this spring and didn't slow down from there.
"The 'dog' mentality [quarterback J.T.] Barrett says is so necessary in an 'X' receiver has already shown up in Mack, who has looked like a natural breaking in and out of routes and catching the ball in practice sessions that have been open to the media this spring," Axelrod wrote.
Mack didn't finish the spring game with as impressive numbers as an older receiver such as Torrance Gibson, but he was consistently fantastic all camp long for Ohio State in a position of great need.
7. LSU Tigers: LB/DE Arden Key
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Sometimes in an offseason, a schematic change coincides perfectly with the emergence of a future star. That happened this spring at LSU, when the Tigers' switch to Dave Aranda's three-man defensive front boosted the play of rising sophomore Arden Key.
Key was a traditional defensive end in LSU's defense last year, but now he's moved to the hybrid "Buck" role of a defensive end/outside linebacker. Attacking the backfield will be a high priority for the 6'6" Key in this position, but he can also drop back in coverage if necessary and allow others to swarm on the quarterback. In LSU's spring game, he grabbed an interception.
The Georgia native was a popular topic throughout the spring in interviews with team members, according to Ross Dellenger of the Advocate. His all-around game is something Aranda can build around in his first season in Baton Rouge, where he inherits an extremely athletic defense filled with former blue-chip recruits.
Last year, Key recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks for the Bayou Bengals. Those numbers, among others, should explode as he continues his progress in Aranda's unique and attack-minded system.
6. Baylor Bears: CB Jameson Houston
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One of Baylor's biggest holes in its depth chart this year is the one left by star cornerback Xavien Howard, who declared early for the NFL draft. The Bears plugged in a number of players into the position, but none of them shined as brightly as redshirt freshman Jameson Houston.
At 6'0" and 190 pounds, Houston provides the size Baylor could definitely use at cornerback, especially with the rise of bigger outside receivers in the college game. According to John Werner of the Waco Tribune-Herald, Houston also has high school track-star speed, which makes him the ideal fit for Baylor's lightning-fast defense.
Art Briles put Houston on top of his first depth chart after the spring—a huge accomplishment for a player who hasn't taken a single competitive snap at the college level yet. But the Bears are clearly excited about what they see out of Houston, who can be the missing piece to what should be a talented secondary in 2016.
"Jameson has done a really good job," Briles said, per Werner. "He's a tall, long kid that can run. Talent-wise, he’s what we need to have there no question."
5. Florida State Seminoles: S Derwin James
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There's no real guessing game as to who could be considered Florida State's spring practice MVP. The Seminoles handed out two actual awards for those this spring, with safety Derwin James and defensive end DeMarcus Walker winning the overall team honors, per Andrew Miller of Tomahawk Nation.
Of those two, let's go with James as the No. 1 MVP for this countdown. Plenty of buzz around the sophomore defensive back continued to build this spring after his standout freshman campaign that saw him rack up plenty of tackles for loss and impact plays in coverage.
The safety took on more of a leadership role this spring on the defense. His ability to make plays was described as infectious for the Seminoles, as he has already shown a way to raise the level of others' play with his performances. He's already a bona fide star, and he still has room to grow even more.
The progress didn't stop on the practice field, though. James led Florida State in tackles at the Seminoles' spring game in Orlando, and a recent Instagram video of him zooming through defensive drills in offseason work went viral. He was a spring MVP in every sense of the term.
4. Michigan Wolverines: RB Ty Isaac
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Michigan's high-profile spring practices under head coach Jim Harbaugh featured plenty of headline-making moments. One on-field storyline that may have gone under the radar at a national level was the breakout play of running back Ty Isaac.
Isaac arrived at spring ball leaner and meaner with the ball in his hands. According to Bleacher Report's David Kenyon, Isaac dropped 12 pounds in the offseason and looked more explosive in Michigan's spring game, when he ran the ball 10 times for 84 yards.
The Michigan running back is coming off a season in which he started off on a hot streak but had a downturn in production and an "internal matter" that caused him to fall down the depth chart, per Jacob Gase of the Michigan Daily. Isaac seemed to put all that behind him this spring and show off the skills that made him a coveted recruit out of high school.
Isaac's performance this spring will push returning starter De'Veon Smith for playing time this fall, and he seems to have carved out a role for the upcoming season. His progress was a welcome sight for a Michigan offense going through some transitions in its backfield.
3. Oklahoma Sooners: DE/LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
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Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield knows who is going to break out for the Sooners this fall. After watching his progress in spring practices, Mayfield identified versatile edge-rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo as one to watch this fall.
"Obo is going to make a lot of plays," Mayfield said in an interview for the program's website. "He's kind of gotten overshadowed because we had Eric Striker and Devante Bond on the outside, but he's going to make some plays."
The junior Okoronkwo has waited his turn behind some star players on the Oklahoma depth chart, and he took over this spring for the Sooners. Okoronkwo had two sacks in the Oklahoma spring game, with one of them going for a safety. He has the skills to be the elite pass-rusher this defense needs after the loss of several key players.
A breakout spring seems to have locked down a starting job for "Obo," who will provide experience on the edge as the Sooners fill in the unit with incoming talent this summer. He was a defensive leader this spring for Oklahoma and should continue that into the fall.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide: RB Damien Harris
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A lot of deserved attention at defending national champion Alabama this spring went to running back Bo Scarbrough, a Derrick Henry clone of a rusher who will be an intimidating presence out of the backfield this fall. However, the better spring went to the other sophomore running back for the Tide, Damien Harris.
Harris received plenty of praise from coaches and teammates for his work this spring as Alabama looks to settle position battles in the wake of another round of early NFL departures. He rushed for 114 yards on 20 carries at Alabama's A-Day Game, winning the scrimmage's overall MVP award. Before his big Saturday, head coach Nick Saban was high on his progress in the spring.
"He's able to compete in practices better," Saban said, per Matt Zenitz of AL.com. "He's got a better understanding and more confidence in what's expected of him. I've been really encouraged by him and the spring's he's had."
Scarbrough will most likely still be the top name at running back for Alabama for the next few months, but Harris is a fantastic running back in his own right. He proved he could make explosive plays against a tough defense in the Tide's spring game and was an all-around camp star.
1. Clemson Tigers: DL Christian Wilkins
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Clemson is facing another overhaul of its defense after several departures in the offseason. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables did a great job with a similar situation last year, when he had to replace the likes of Vic Beasley and Stephone Anthony with younger edge-rushing talent.
This year, he might be able to fill in the production gap left by the tandem of Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd with a player who lined up at defensive tackle last season—Christian Wilkins. The Tigers experimented with Wilkins at defensive end this spring, and the reviews of the switch were overwhelmingly positive.
The Massachusetts native weighs 315 pounds but has the agility and athleticism to be a real problem on the edge for an offensive line. In Clemson's spring game, Wilkins impressed by consistently getting into the backfield from his new spot. The Tigers moved him around on the line, but they'll need him most at end this fall.
Wilkins has the look of the next great defensive end out of Clemson's pipeline of NFL talent, even though he started his career playing down the middle. His special skill set was a major storyline out of Death Valley this spring, and soon the Tigers will be able to unleash it on the rest of the country in hopes of returning to the national title game.
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.
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