2016 Fall Camp Previews for Each College Football Top 25 Team
The first game of the 2016 college football season is just over a month away, and the season kicks into full gear in less than six weeks. That means preseason training camps are just around the corner.
Camp is when programs start to formulate the game plan for the upcoming year, as new arrivals mix with returning veterans to form the best possible lineup and rotation. Position battles have to be decided, and previously injured players get a chance to show they can contribute again.
Using Bleacher Report's most recent Top 25 rankings, here's our look at what to expect during preseason training camp for college football's best teams.
25. Miami (Florida)
1 of 25
2015 record: 8-5
Projected starters returning: 16
What's new
Miami made one of the bigger splashes during the offseason hiring cycle, scooping up Mark Richt just moments after his 15-year tenure at Georgia came to an end. The former Hurricanes quarterback has rejuvenated the fanbase and produced some quick results on the recruiting trail, with Miami ranking No. 21 nationally on 247Sports' compositing rankings for the class of 2016. However, we'll judge him most by what his first team does between the lines.
Training camp will be a welcome distraction for a program that has made several off-the-field headlines with player arrests and suspensions. Richt began to install his system in the spring, but the real work will come in the weeks leading up to the start of the season.
Top position battle to watch
Offensive line: The Hurricanes have a combined 85 starts among the linemen on the roster, according to Phil Steele, but jobs from the past aren't guaranteed with a new coaching staff. Veterans such as Trevor Darling and Kc McDermott figure to have start, but where they'll be and who will be around them is still to be finalized.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Florida A&M
24. Wisconsin
2 of 25
2015 record: 10-3
Projected starters returning: 13
What's new
Paul Chryst's first season was a strong one, although Wisconsin was unable to run the ball like it had in the past. The Badgers have spent the offseason trying to get back to their old ground-and-pound roots, getting bolstered by Corey Clement's return from an injury-plagued 2015.
Wisconsin doesn't want to abandon a passing attack that thrived at times last season, however. It's also looking to keep its second-ranked defense clicking despite losing five starters including linebacker Joe Schobert.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Bart Houston backed up Joel Stave last year, while Alex Hornibrook took a redshirt, though each has experience with Chryst's system. He was the offensive coordinator at Wisconsin when Russell Wilson threw for a school-record 3,175 yards in 2011. The winner of this competition could be in for a big year.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. LSU (in Green Bay, Wisconsin)
23. Washington State
3 of 25
2015 record: 9-4
Projected starters returning: 14
What's new
Eccentric coach Mike Leach isn't big on making many changes, though a year ago he did shake up his defense by bringing in Alex Grinch as coordinator. That led to improved defensive numbers, and this offseason has been about continuing to make that unit stronger.
The return of quarterback Luke Falk and several capable receivers all but ensures Washington State will be in contention for the top of the FBS passing charts after being first in the country in 2015. If the Cougars could develop an actual run game, the sky would be the limit for the offense.
Top position battle to watch
Offensive tackle: The beauty of WSU's offense is that its offensive line doesn't need to block for long because of how quickly Falk gets rid of the ball. But when he has to hold onto it for a while, or when he passes, there is a need for protection and creating holes—things Joe Dahl was great at in 2015. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Dahl is now playing on Sunday. Andre Dillard and Cody O'Connell are vying to take over his left tackle spot, a critical position for the team's chances of success.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Eastern Washington
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22. Oregon
4 of 25
2015 record: 9-4
Projected starters returning: 11
What's new
Numerous defensive breakdowns, including far too many in the Alamo Bowl collapse against TCU, prompted Oregon coach Mark Helfrich to shuffle up his coaching staff. Former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke is now in charge on that side and has switched the Ducks to a 4-3 front that can hopefully take some pressure off the secondary.
Oregon is also set to start a graduate transfer quarterback from the FCS level for the second consecutive season. Dakota Prukop comes from Montana State, looking to continue the achievements of Vernon Adams Jr. from 2015.
Top position battle to watch
Defensive line: Hoke has a number of players to work with up front, but it remains to be seen who will fit well in which spot since so many are used to lining up in a 3-4. Expect a lot of mixing and matching during training camp.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. UC Davis
21. TCU
5 of 25
2015 record: 11-2
Projected starters returning: 10
What's new
Following an epic comeback win over Oregon in January's Alamo Bowl, TCU said goodbye to a successful senior class that helped it rise to the top tier of the Big 12. Staying at that level now falls on younger players as well as longtime coach Gary Patterson.
The number of returning starters is misleading because the Horned Frogs dealt with so many injuries in 2015 that few standouts were available for every game. Still, some key spots that must be filed with the best option include quarterback and running back. The latter group suffered a blow with Patterson's announcement at Big 12 media days that potential starter Shaun Nixon is out for the year because of injury.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Trevone Boykin's athleticism made it possible for TCU to switch offenses in 2014 and be even better moving the ball last year. Now it's up to Foster Sawyer or Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill, who was with the program in 2015 but not eligible to play, to keep the Frogs moving forward.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. South Dakota State
20. Iowa
6 of 25
2015 record: 12-2
Projected starters returning: 12
What's new
Not much changes from year to year so long as Kirk Ferentz is at the helm at Iowa, where he's been since 1999. The Hawkeyes may be replacing nearly half of their starters from last year's surprise Big Ten West champions, but those who step in will be cut from the same blue-collar cloth that has defined this program for decades.
This offseason has been dedicated to fine-tuning an already established system and looking for ways to match 2015's success, though that probably won't mean going unbeaten in the regular season again. Iowa's schedule is much tougher this time around, but that doesn't mean winning another division title is impossible.
Top position battle to watch
Wide receiver: While C.J. Beathard returns for his senior year as Iowa's quarterback, we don't know who his top targets will be besides Matt VandeBerg. Candidates to jump into the No. 2 spot include Riley McCarron, Jay Scheel, Jonathan Parker and Jerminic Smith.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Miami (Ohio)
19. North Carolina
7 of 25
2015 record: 11-3
Projected starters returning: 14
What's new
Last year's somewhat surprise winner of the ACC Coastal Division went into the offseason on a down note, narrowly falling to Clemson in the conference title game and then getting run over by Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Those final results took away from what was a breakthrough season for North Carolina, its first with 10 or more wins since 1997.
The most significant difference between the 2015 Tar Heels and the team that is set to play this fall is at quarterback, where longtime backup Mitch Trubisky moves up a line on the depth chart after Marquise Williams graduated. Coach Larry Fedora has complete confidence in his new starter, who has appeared in 21 of 26 games the last two years.
"I'm looking forward to seeing his talent displayed this year, especially with the guys that he has around him," Fedora said at ACC media days, per Bleacher Report's Justin Ferguson.
Top position battle to watch
Linebacker: The duo of Shakeel Rashad and Jeff Schoettmer combined to make 223 tackles with 15 tackles for loss last year as seniors, and their departure leaves a major void in the middle of a UNC defense that was much improved but wore down as the season went on. Cayson Collins and Andre Smith have experience, but beyond that the talent drops off.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Georgia (in Atlanta)
18. Washington
8 of 25
2015 record: 7-6
Projected starters returning: 15
What's new
Washington ended the 2015 season with three straight impressive wins, including over rival Washington State and then Southern Mississippi in a bowl game. But to hear coach Chris Petersen describe it, the hype his team is getting is more akin to one that's riding a 10-game win streak.
"We have as much hype as the new Pokemon game that no one knows anything about but thinks it's really cool," Petersen said, per CoachingSearch.com's Chris Vannini.
What was a relatively young team last season remains the same but gets a big jolt by the return of receiver/return man John Ross III, who missed all of 2015 because of injury.
Top position battle to watch
Wide receiver: Getting Ross back adds fuel to the fire that will rage outside as Washington looks for reliable targets for sophomore quarterback Jake Browning. Ross, Dante Pettis and others all have a chance to get the No. 1 or No. 2 job, but it will come down to who stands out during the preseason.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Rutgers
17. USC
9 of 25
2015 record: 8-6
Projected starters returning: 15
What's new
It was mostly quiet on the Trojans front during the offseason, a welcome departure from the chaos of 2015 when Steve Sarkisian was fired midway through the fall and then Clay Helton led USC to the Pac-12 championship game. He was awarded the full-time coaching job and then lost his next two games to immediately put pressure on his tenure.
Among Helton's moves was to revamp the defensive coaching staff, bringing back former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and his unique 2-5 front. That alignment should help USC overcome a lack of experience on the defensive line, which was amplified when tackle Kenny Bigelow tore his ACL in March.
Three-way star Adoree' Jackson came up short in his quest to make the U.S. Olympic team as a long jumper, but that means he'll be a full participant in training camp.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Cody Kessler held down the job for three years and rarely left the field during that time, which means his successor comes in without much playing experience. Junior Max Browne has attempted 19 passes in the last two seasons, and Sam Darnold took a redshirt as a freshman last fall.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Alabama (in Arlington, Texas)
16. Michigan State
10 of 25
2015 record: 12-2
Projected starters returning: 10
What's new
Michigan State knocked off Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa en route to its second Big Ten title in three years, generating 36 wins in that span. The most successful senior class in school history has moved on, leaving the Spartans at a crossroads where their younger players will be responsible for keeping up that level of accomplishment.
The team must replace multiyear starters at quarterback, on the offensive and defensive line and elsewhere on defense. This could be coach Mark Dantonio's most challenging season at the school.
"With their talent departures and the relatively tough schedule ahead, a 7-5 regular-season record isn't completely out of the question if all that could go wrong does go wrong for the Spartans in the coming year," Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod wrote.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Connor Cook held the job for three years, setting numerous school records along the way, but now it will be one of his co-backups from 2015 who takes the reins. Either senior Tyler O'Connor or junior Damion Terry, who famously filled in for Cook in MSU's big win at Ohio State last November, gets to fill Cook's shoes.
2016 season opener: Sept. 2 vs. Furman
15. Georgia
11 of 25
2015 record: 10-3
Projected starters returning: 14
What's new
The SEC has three new head coaches, all in the East Division, but only one of them spent last season helping coach a national championship-winning defense. Kirby Smart's first foray into running a program comes after Georgia parted ways with Mark Richt after 15 seasons and 145 victories.
Smart, who was at Alabama from 2007 to 2015, inherits a skilled roster but one that has continued the Bulldogs' trend of not being able to win the big games and live up to expectations. Those expectations remain and might even be higher due to the leadership change.
Georgia's offense may end up leaning on a true freshman at quarterback, with Jacob Eason shining in the spring. It's uncertain what he'll have to work with in the backfield, as Nick Chubb is recovering from knee surgery and Sony Michel broke his forearm this summer.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Eason dazzled in Georgia's spring game, but that doesn't guarantee him the job, not with two veterans still in the mix. Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey shared the job in 2015 and are there as either a safety net if Eason fails or the better option if the freshman isn't ready.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. North Carolina (in Atlanta)
14. Stanford
12 of 25
2015 record: 12-2
Projected starters returning: 12
What's new
Getting picked to win the conference for the first time, the defending Pac-12 champions are looking like the conference's best hope to get into the College Football Playoff after it was shut out in 2015. A key to making that happen will be to find additional weapons to compliment junior running back Christian McCaffrey, the FBS single-season all-purpose yardage record holder.
McCaffrey was Stanford's leading rusher, receiver and return man last season and could be that again this fall, as the Cardinal search for pass-catchers and someone to throw to them. Three-year starter Kevin Hogan has moved on after having won more games than any other quarterback in school history, even Andrew Luck.
Stanford has to rebuild defense as well, but it has one of the best juniors in the country in defensive end Solomon Thomas.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Junior Ryan Burns and redshirt sophomore Keller Chryst were neck-and-neck after spring practice, and they'll continue to go at it during preseason camp. Coach David Shaw would like to pick a winner before the season opener, but he's acknowledged it could take longer.
"One of the things we’ve learned is you’ve got to let it play out," Shaw said, per Tom FitzGerald of SFGate.com.
2016 season opener: Sept. 2 vs. Kansas State
13. Louisville
13 of 25
2015 record: 8-5
Projected starters returning: 18
What's new
Per Phil Steele, Louisville is one of the most experienced teams in the country, with an offensive unit that produced 99.8 percent of the Cardinals' yards in 2015 coming back. A strong finish to last year has the team pushing to contend in the ACC's Atlantic Division that Clemson and Florida State have dominated for years.
Much will depend on the continued development of quarterback Lamar Jackson, who as a true freshman was up-and-down with his passing accuracy but ended up leading Louisville in rushing. He's the first QB since Johnny Manziel to have 200 rushing and 200 passing yards in a bowl game.
The Cardinals defense brings back a veteran linebacker corps that includes seniors Devonte Fields and Keith Kelsey, but Trevon Young will miss the season with a fractured hip, according to Steve Jones of the Courier-Journal.
Top position battle to watch
Wide receiver: All 10 wideouts who caught a pass in 2015 return, which makes for great depth and experience; however, since nobody had more than 39 receptions, it also means there's no clear-cut leader. Among those who are vying to be a starter is Reggie Bonnafon, a former starting quarterback for Louisville who made the full switch to receiver in the spring.
2016 season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Charlotte
12. Houston
14 of 25
2015 record: 13-1
Projected starters returning: 11
What's new
The top non-power conference program from a year ago remains at the top of the class and could be a dark-horse playoff contender if it can knock off a few more big-name opponents. Houston gets to take on both Oklahoma and Louisville this fall, and if those wins are part of an unbeaten record, the Cougars will have to get consideration for the semifinals.
That all assumes the Cougars can perform like they did in 2015, when dual-threat quarterback Greg Ward wowed on offense and the defense forced an FBS-best 35 turnovers. But two key pieces of that unit, linebacker Elandon Roberts and defensive back William Jackson III, are no longer around.
Houston also has to put aside potential distractions in the form of rumors about coach Tom Herman being interested in the Baylor job, per Pete Mundo of Heartland Sports. Those rumors are allegedly false, per Yahoo's Pat Forde (h/t College Football Talk). The school is also interested in joining the Big 12.
Top position battle to watch
Offensive line: Right guard Colton Freeman is the only returning starter up front, which leaves the Cougars with the job of replacing 80 percent of the players responsible for protecting Ward and opening holes for him and an inexperienced run game. Six other players on the roster have starting experience, so it's more a matter of finding the best mix than identifying potential contributors.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Oklahoma (in NRG Stadium, Houston)
11. Notre Dame
15 of 25
2015 record: 10-3
Projected starters returning: 10
What's new
Other than another set of specialty uniforms for this season's Shamrock Series game against Army, not much has changed for Notre Dame since spring ball ended in April. The Fighting Irish are still the talented team that hopes the injury issues it went through in 2015 will pay off in the form of experience gained by prospective new starters.
Coach Brian Kelly heads into his seventh season having won at least eight games in his first six endeavors—the first time Notre Dame has had that long a stretch of success since 1987 to 1993.
Injuries impacted spring ball in a lot of areas, though quarterback Malik Zaire, running back Tarean Folston and others have made progress toward becoming full contributors this fall.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: The competition between Zaire and DeShone Kizer is one of many that Notre Dame still has to sort out, but none has as much importance. Zaire won the starting job heading into 2015 but then got hurt in the second game. Kizer went on to wow as a redshirt freshman.
Either one figures to give the Irish a strong chance to contend for a playoff spot; however, the team needs to determine who will have a role in the offense. It's possible they both could.
2016 season opener: Sept. 4 at Texas
10. Ohio State
16 of 25
2015 record: 12-1
Projected starters returning: 6
What's new
The uniforms will look the same, but the guys playing won't, as Phil Steele ranks Ohio State as the least experienced team in the country for 2016. This is especially prevalent on defense, where players who are still on the roster account for only 43 percent of last year's tackles.
Because J.T. Barrett returns at quarterback, the offense is in better shape, though the recent dismissal of fifth-year senior running back Bri'onte Dunn takes away one of Barrett's few veteran weapons.
Coach Urban Meyer lost co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash to Rutgers (where he's head coach) but brought in former Rutgers and NFL coach Greg Schiano.
Top position battle to watch
Wide receiver: Curtis Samuel, who had 22 catches last year, is the only player on Ohio State's roster who had more than seven receptions in 2015. Injuries during spring ball prevented anyone from emerging at the position, which means training camp will be when Samuel, Noah Brown, Corey Smith, Dontre Wilson and others will have to make their case to start.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Bowling Green
9. Ole Miss
17 of 25
2015 record: 10-3
Projected starters returning: 10
What's new
Ole Miss hauled in a strong recruiting class, including two of the top 10 prospects in the country in offensive tackle Greg Little and quarterback Shea Patterson. Little is expected to replace Laremy Tunsil, one of three first-round NFL draft picks the Rebels lost, while Patterson could be senior Chad Kelly's backup this fall.
The Rebels are coming off their first 10-win campaign in more than a decade but have spent much of the offseason dealing with image issues influenced by an active NCAA investigation. Coach Hugh Freeze is working to keep his players' focus on the field and building off the successful 2015, as Ole Miss has never had consecutive 10-win seasons.
"He has passed the point of fighting the battle of perception and is content with pleasing the people most closely associated with his program," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote.
Top position battle to watch
Running back: Ole Miss hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2009 and hasn't averaged more than 200 yards per game as a team since 2010. It doesn't need a monster running back thanks to Kelly's running ability but does need someone who can consistently get yards. Akeem Judd and Jordan Wilkins, who combined for 804 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and redshirt freshman Eric Swinney will vie to be the featured back.
2016 season opener: Sept. 4 vs. Florida State (in Orlando)
8. Baylor
18 of 25
2015 record: 10-3
Projected starters returning: 10
What's new
No program has undergone more offseason turmoil than Baylor, which since setting a bowl record with 645 rushing yards in December has had almost nothing but bad news. A sexual assault scandal led to the firing of coach Art Briles, which in turn prompted several incoming freshmen to seek their releases while other players transferred.
Former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe has taken over on an interim basis, with the plan to keep all schemes the same as in 2015, though he could have depth issues if injuries pop up. That's most prevalent at quarterback, where Seth Russell is coming off neck surgery and there's no viable backup following Jarrett Stidham's decision to transfer.
Baylor also has to replace big-play wide receiver Corey Coleman and most of its offensive and defensive linemen.
Top position battle to watch
Defensive line: The Bears are so thin up front that they may end up spending most of the early part of the season with a three-man line, since end Brian Nance and nose tackle Jeremy Faulk, who were both listed as starters coming out of spring ball, are no longer with the program. Tackle Byron Bonds and end K.J. Smith have previous starting experience, but after them the experience is minimal.
2016 season opener: Sept. 2 vs. Northwestern State
7. Tennessee
19 of 25
2015 record: 9-4
Projected starters returning: 17
What's new
Butch Jones has been building toward this year since arriving in 2013, and now he has the veteran team he's wanted to be able to compete in the SEC and beyond. The league's media picked the Volunteers to win the East Division, but they face a tough slate of opponents in the first half of their conference schedule.
Bob Shoop will now run an experienced defense; he came over from Penn State, where his 2015 squad tied for third nationally in sacks (and had 16 more takedowns than Tennessee). Among those returners is senior linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who had 105 tackles last year but is still healing from a spring shoulder injury.
"I’m still rehabbing, I wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent yet, but I’m progressing great," he said at SEC media days, per SEC Country's Mike Griffith.
Tennessee's offense returns almost completely intact, with senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs going into his second year as the full-time starter.
Top position battle to watch
Defensive tackle: A pair of highly touted freshmen from the 2015 class, Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle, combined for only one tackle for loss last year. Both need to take a major step forward this season as they look to solidify their roles on Tennessee's defensive line; if not, veterans such as Danny O'Brien and Kendal Vickers and possibly junior college defensive end Jonathan Kongbo could end up taking their jobs.
2016 season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Appalachian State
6. Oklahoma
20 of 25
2015 record: 11-2
Projected starters returning: 13
What's new
The reigning Big 12 champs were the overwhelming choice of conference media, getting 24 of 26 first-place votes, and ESPN's Football Power Index gives Oklahoma the best chance (16.9 percent) of any FBS team to go unbeaten in the regular season in 2016. A Top 10 Associated Press preseason ranking seems likely as well, which means all eyes will be on the Sooners after they made the semifinals a year ago.
Bob Stoops, who is tied with Iowa's Kirk Ferentz for the longest-tenured coach in the country at 17 years, welcomes the challenge.
"I can't wait for this season, much like I couldn't 17 years ago for my first one as a head coach," Stoops said at Big 12 media days. "It's exciting. You have a new team every year, and I can't wait for it."
It's mostly the same Sooners team on offense, with quarterback Baker Mayfield and the two-headed monster of Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine at running back, but the team must fill several open positions on defense during training camp.
Top position battle to watch
Cornerback: Oklahoma was already tasked with replacing Zack Sanchez, but now it might have both starting corner spots open, after junior Jordan Thomas was arrested in late June on various charges including assault. Senior Dakota Austin, sophomore P.J. Mbanasor and redshirt freshman Antoine Stephens will get first crack at filling one or both of those spots.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Houston (in NRG Stadium, Houston)
5. LSU
21 of 25
2015 record: 9-3
Projected starters returning: 18
What's new
The most noticeable thing about LSU's roster heading into the preseason is how similar it looks to last year's, which normally isn't the case. Les Miles' tenure in Baton Rouge has usually seen the Tigers lose numerous players to the NFL each offseason, but this time most of the top juniors opted to stay in school and thus provide him with his most veteran team yet.
"Anytime that you have a senior-dominated team, you recognize that you are going to play with leaders, and guys always play their best year of football when they are most mature," Miles told David Ching of ESPN.com in January.
The amount of returning talent, combined with more promising newcomers via the No. 3 recruiting class, means the pressure is even greater to win. Miles had some key losses on his defensive staff but made a big hire in luring defensive coordinator Dave Aranda away from Wisconsin.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Brandon Harris started all 12 games and threw every one of LSU's passes last year but struggled when the team needed the passing game to produce. Because of that, and despite Miles saying in the spring that "he's ready to be the quarterback," per Ross Dellenger of the Advocate, Harris' hold on the job isn't guaranteed. The Tigers have a viable second option in Purdue transfer Danny Etling.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Wisconsin (in Green Bay, Wisconsin)
4. Michigan
22 of 25
2015 record: 10-3
Projected starters returning: 13
What's new
Since we last saw Michigan dominate Florida in the Citrus Bowl, the Wolverines have hauled in a top-five recruiting class (including No. 1 overall prospect Rashan Gary) and have seen their coach traverse the globe to promote the program at satellite camps. They've also upgraded what was already a strong defensive staff by replacing D.J. Durkin—who is now coaching Maryland—with coordinator Don Brown.
Brown, whose Boston College defense ranked first in FBS in 2015 in yards allowed per game, has been working to shift sophomore Jabrill Peppers from the secondary to a linebacker position.
It will be Michigan's offense that gets most of the attention in camp, though, as the quarterback job remains open and the run game looks to improve after averaging only 4.19 yards per carry last season.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Houston transfer John O'Korn sat out last season but now is the front-runner to start as a junior, though he still has to lock up the job in August. Wilton Speight, Shane Morris and freshman Brandon Peters all have a chance to beat him out. After he backed up Jake Rudock in 2015, Speight is likely O'Korn's top competition.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Hawaii
3. Florida State
23 of 25
2015 record: 10-3
Projected starters returning: 17
What's new
Florida State heads into camp with two key offensive players recovering from surgeries of varying levels of severity. Quarterback Sean Maguire, who took over the starting job late in 2015, broke his ankle in the Peach Bowl and missed spring ball after going under the knife. Then, record-setting running back Dalvin Cook was shelved late in the spring following a shoulder procedure.
Both are expected to be healthy for the 2016 season, but their absence enabled the Seminoles to give reps to backups and strengthen their depth. Freshman quarterbacks Deondre Francois and Malik Henry and young rushers such as Jacques Patrick have put themselves in position to contribute, while the rest of the offense should be more consistent after being quite young in 2015.
Playmaker Jalen Ramsey is gone from the defense, but the Seminoles should again be strong on that side of the ball. The line is experienced, and the secondary is as talented as ever, with sophomore safety Derwin James moving into the role of leader on the back line.
Top position battle to watch
Quarterback: Maguire isn't assured of getting back his job, not after Francois and Henry fared well during the spring. Coach Jimbo Fisher is going to turn to the player who makes the best decisions and gets the ball to the right target, and that could end up being the redshirt freshman over the senior.
"It’s fair to question whether either player is ready to perform at a high level while consistently protecting the football," Brendan Sonnone of 247Sports wrote.
2016 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Ole Miss (in Orlando)
2. Clemson
24 of 25
2015 record: 14-1
Projected starters returning: 12
What's new
Last season's national championship runners-up are stacked on offense but have many questions on defense. Clemson's front seven is going to be almost entirely new but will still have high expectations after being among the top 10 units in 2015.
The Tigers will be young on defense but have a lot of promise, particularly from true freshman defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and sophomore Christian Wilkins. Lawrence, an early enrollee who will enter camp at 340 pounds, has shown a level of power and speed to be an instant-impact player.
Clemson's offense should pick up right where it left off in January, when quarterback Deshaun Watson became the first player in FBS history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards. He has a solid running back in Wayne Gallman to hand off to, while the receiving corps gets an added boost by the return of Mike Williams after a season-ending neck injury suffered last September.
Top position battle to watch
Cornerback: Cordrea Tankersley has one side locked down, but Clemson doesn't know who will take the other corner spot. Adrian Baker was in line to start before tearing his ACL in the spring, and his status for the fall is uncertain. Juniors Ryan Carter and Marcus Edmond and sophomore Mark Fields will compete, along with true freshman Trayvon Mullen.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 at Auburn
1. Alabama
25 of 25
2015 record: 14-1
Projected starters returning: 11
What's new
It's a lot of the same in Tuscaloosa, where the defending national champions are replacing half of their starters but have no shortage of talent to choose from to fill those holes. Tim Williams, who was second on the team with 10.5 sacks last season, gets a chance to be a starting linebacker after sitting third on the depth chart in 2015.
Williams will come off the edge from the second level to continue the trend from last year of fierce pressure up front. Getting Jonathan Allen back for his senior year was an added bonus, and Bleacher Report's Justin Ferguson wrote "Alabama has the potential to be even better in the trenches this fall."
As has been the case in the previous two seasons, the Crimson Tide are set to play another first-time starting quarterback. This would be an area of concern at most school; however, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin molded Blake Sims and Jake Coker into effective passers in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Several QBs are still in the mix, and the team is likely to use all of training camp to decide who will begin the title defense in September.
Top position battle to watch
Running back: Derrick Henry ran for a school-record 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns last year, but more notable was that he accounted for 61.5 percent of the carries including 72.7 of those taken by running backs. Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough, both sophomores, combined for only 64 carries in 2015, leaving the Tide without a proven ball-carrier for the first time since 2007.
2016 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. USC (in Arlington, Texas)
All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports, unless otherwise noted. All statistics provided by CFBStats, unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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