Each Top 25 CFB Team's Biggest Fall Camp Revelation
Fall camps have kicked off across the college football landscape, so both fans and analysts are searching for immediate takeaways.
But we're looking for more than updates about the multiyear backup who is "bigger and faster" or how the defense is "reacting less and being more aggressive."
At this point, the most notable revelations are position battles and changes, and new starters locking down a spot. But there are also negatives, such as injuries, suspensions, departures or off-field issues that directly impact the team.
The top 25 reflects the Coaches Poll, which is the only official preseason ranking released to date.
25. Utah: Injury Bug Bites Chase Hansen
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Chase Hansen, the lone returning starter in the secondary, was expected to brace the unit. He paced the Utes with 90 tackles in 2016, adding three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
However, the strong safety is out indefinitely because of an unspecified injury, according to Dirk Facer of the Deseret News. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham only said Hansen will "hopefully be ready by the start of the season."
Corrion Ballard, a JUCO transfer long expected to start alongside Hansen, will shuffle over to strong safety for now, per Facer. Philip Afia will temporarily slide into Ballard's position.
24. Tennessee: Trey Smith Is a Guard
2 of 25After shuffling between tackle and guard this spring, prized freshman Trey Smith has found a home.
"Trey's settled in at guard," Vols head coach Butch Jones said, per Blake Morgan of SEC Country.
Smith, an early enrollee who checks in at 6'6" and 320 pounds, is now expected to start at right guard. His position isn't likely to change even though a knee injury will sideline tackle Chance Hall for the 2017 season.
23. Texas: Starting QB Named 2 Weeks Before Opener
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We already have a strong inclination of which quarterback will lead the Longhorns, but now we know when Texas will announce it.
Head coach Tom Herman said he'll name a starter "with about two weeks to go in training camp" when the team starts preparing for Maryland, per Nick Moyle of the San Antonio Express-News.
Shane Buechele is the clear front-runner, but he needs to officially hold off true freshman Sam Ehlinger.
22. Virginia Tech: Enormous Praise for Terrell Edmunds
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Tremaine Edmunds put together a magnificent 2016 campaign, recording 106 tackles with 18.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks.
But head coach Justin Fuente is mystified by his brother, Terrell.
"I've never had any player like Terrell," Fuente said, according to Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times. "And I don't mean that as any slight to Tremaine. Tremaine's a special player. But you're talking about a guy that works like that. ... I just have never seen a guy that can't get tired. He just doesn't."
Terrell, who will start at safety in 2017, notched 89 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups last season.
21. South Florida: Offensive Line Taking Shape
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Quinton Flowers is one of the nation's premier quarterbacks, but the offensive line needs to replace a pair of all-conference blockers.
Jeremi Hall, Cameron Ruff and Marcus Norman are returning starters, though the latter shared right tackle responsibilities with Billy Atterbury. So, the Bulls need two fresh pieces.
According to Nathan Bond of the Daily Stampede, Eric Mayes and Grant Polk have been battling for first-team left tackle, and Michael Wiggs has steadily lined up as the right guard.
20. West Virginia: Big Plans for Kennedy McKoy
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Justin Crawford is back for West Virginia following a season in which he scampered for 1,184 yards, so the Mountaineers must be creative in finding touches for Kennedy McKoy.
After all, he registered 6.5 yards per carry on 73 attempts. But a growing need at receiver should mean McKoy—who had nine grabs for 64 yards—will contribute more as a pass-catcher.
"You're going to see a lot of good packages with him," offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said, per Anjelica Trinone of West Virginia Illustrated.
19. Kansas State: Will Geary Is Back
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Defensive tackles often slip below the radar, but Kansas State would have regressed up front without Will Geary. He gathered 30 stops as a freshman and posted 45 tackles in each of the last two years.
The senior missed spring practice because of unspecified personal reasons, leaving his status for 2017 as a major unknown. However, Geary has returned to the team for fall camp.
"So far he has done well," longtime head coach Bill Snyder said of Geary, per Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle. "I am pleased with everything he is doing."
Geary will be an integral piece of easing the burden on Reggie Walker, the Big 12's Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2016.
18. Miami: Tyler Gauthier Is the Center
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Tyler Gauthier opened four games at left guard and helped stabilize the Miami offensive line down the stretch in 2016. Since moving to center, his performance has influenced another shake-up.
In an unexpected move, two-year starter Nick Linder recently decided to transfer. Why? "You have to ask him," head coach Mark Richt said, per Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Even if Linder didn't keep a first-string job, he would have been an important part of the rotation for the Hurricanes. Instead, Gauthier is the only experienced player on the depth chart at center.
17. Louisville: Thin DL Takes a Hit
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DeAngelo Brown's departure left a glaring void at defensive tackle anyway, and the latest news isn't going to help Louisville fill it.
Head coach Bobby Petrino said the team dismissed Chris Williams for a violation of team rules, per Jeff Greer of the Courier-Journal. Williams, who collected 28 tackles with 5.5 for loss last season, has since pleaded not guilty to theft charges.
De'Asian Richardson and G.G. Robinson are the leading contenders to win the starting job next to Drew Bailey.
16. Florida: Don't Forget About Luke Del Rio
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Just before fall camp began, the school announced that a torn right Achilles would sideline safety Marcell Harris for the season. The veteran's absence is the biggest recent story.
However, the nation's attention is focused firmly on the developing quarterback battle between Malik Zaire and Feleipe Franks.
Oh, and Luke Del Rio.
Yes, the starter will likely be either Zaire or Franks, but Del Rio has received time with the first-string offense. Though the outside voices (you are reading one) have largely counted out Del Rio, he is not eliminated from the conversation until the coaches say so.
15. Georgia: Robert Beal Has Arrived
11 of 25Robert Beal was a key member of Georgia's 2017 recruiting class, but the program opened camp without him on the roster.
After the second day of practice, though, head coach Kirby Smart announced the 4-star is "cleared to go," according to Seth Emerson for DawgNation.
Beal probably won't be a major contributor this season. Still, he's a valuable piece of the Dawgs' future because Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy will exhaust their eligibility in 2017.
14. Stanford: Keller Chryst Really Is Close
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Christian McCaffrey took criticism for sitting out the Sun Bowl, but Keller Chryst's right ACL tear showed the value of that decision.
Fortunately for Stanford, the quarterback seems to be recovering rapidly. According to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, head coach David Shaw said Chryst is dropping back at full speed.
The Cardinal went 6-0 with him as the starter last season and also flipped their turnover margin from minus-eight to plus-10.
He's not a dynamic player, but Chryst is steady. Given the offense's run-first philosophy and the defense's talent, that's all Stanford needs to stay competitive in the Pac-12.
13. Auburn: Jamel Dean Picking Up Where He Left off
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In 2016, Jamel Dean was a top contender to start at cornerback. However, a knee injury ended his season before it began.
And, after being limited in spring practice earlier this year, the redshirt sophomore has shined. He even snatched a pick-six in Auburn's first scrimmage, per Justin Ferguson of SEC Country.
"Jamel has been very good," teammate Javaris Davis said, per Ferguson. "You've just never been able to see it because, unfortunately, the injuries have hurt him. But I'm ready for him to play probably more than he is. I've been ready to see him play, too, because he's a great player."
12. LSU: Need to Fill Maea Teuhema's Spot
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Between JaCoby Stevens' (likely temporary) switch from safety to receiver and Maea Teuhema's suspension, a couple of the most noteworthy headlines have emerged from Baton Rouge.
Teuhema's absence will have a greater impact, though. A versatile two-year starter on the offensive line, he has been suspended indefinitely and granted a release from the team.
LSU now must turn to sophomore Donavaughn Campbell or redshirt freshman Lloyd Cushenberry. They could be adequate replacements, but it's unwise to expect either will match what Teuhema offered.
11. Oklahoma State: Tyron Johnson, the Returner
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Oklahoma State supporters were already excited about Tyron Johnson's first season with the team before this development.
"Yes, I will be involved in both kick and punt returns this year," the LSU transfer said, per Kyle Cox of Pistols Firing. "Some people just do special teams because they have to do it, but that's something I have a passion for. It's like my second love."
Johnson showed off his blazing speed at LSU in 2015 before transferring. That asset will be a welcomed addition to an OSU return unit that was decent, yet unspectacular, last season.
10. Wisconsin: Locking Down the LB Starters
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Vince Biegel racked up 14 tackles for loss in 2015, then T.J. Watt followed with his breakout season of 15.5 last year. Both players moved on to the NFL, opening the outside linebacker spots.
The vacancies are close to filled, though. Garret Dooley, a top reserve in 2016, and Leon Jacobs have ascended the depth chart and separated from their competition.
"Dooley and Leon have played very well," defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said, per Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Leon and Dooley have kind of championed that position and it is going to be tough to get them out of those roles if they continue on the path that they're on now."
And now that Jack Cichy will be sidelined for the year, as the school announced, there isn't as much versatility in the linebacking corps.
9. Michigan: QB Battle Underway
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Michigan's collective success will have a considerable impact on the national landscape in 2017, and the result of the quarterback battle will shape how the Wolverines perform this season.
How exactly is the program handling the three-man battle?
"We just kind of rotate through," offensive coordinator Tim Drevno said, per Orion Sang in a special for the Detroit Free Press.
"We go through the practice and say, hey, we're going to put this guy in these four plays, and these four plays, and these four plays. And it's equally divided. No favoritism. It's, hey, we're rolling the balls out, and we'll see who the best guys are."
Wilton Speight is the incumbent, but John O'Korn and promising redshirt freshman Brandon Peters are competing for the job.
8. Oklahoma: Receiving Corps Loses Depth
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Nick Basquine was a hidden name among recognizable players such as Samaje Perine, Joe Mixon and Dede Westbrook. But the wide receiver was also Oklahoma's No. 2 returning target.
Because of an Achilles injury, however, Basquine—who caught 20 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns last year—will not play in 2017.
The Sooners will rely on Mykel Jones to step in, while Charleston Rambo and Marquise Brown should factor into the rotation.
7. Washington: Coleman Shelton Is Particularly Important
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Several positions on the field are only mentioned when something goes horribly wrong, and center is the primary one on offense.
There is still time to address the issues, but Washington has a snapping problem behind Coleman Shelton, a second-team All-Pac-12 performer last season.
Todd Miles of the News Tribune highlighted the misfires by Matt James and Cole Norgaard. Though the latter had understandable mistakes because he is new to the position, the backups need to clean up their snapping just in case Shelton misses time.
But it's not like snapping is easy.
"Anybody can do it until you've got Vita Vea over the top of you," offensive line coach Scott Huff said, per Miles. "I would challenge anybody to try and do it then to see if you can keep your composure."
6. Penn State: Joey Julius' Spot Is Open
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Joey Julius, who entered a treatment center for an eating disorder in May, is no longer a part of the Penn State roster. He served as the kickoff specialist for the Big Ten title-winning team last season.
The role may seem inconsequential, but the Nittany Lions ranked 28th nationally with an 18.8-yard average return allowed. Julius also blasted 45 touchbacks, the 18th-most in the country. Penn State certainly didn't overlook his contributions on special teams.
Starting placekicker Tyler Davis or redshirt freshman Alex Barbir are the likely choices to replace Julius on kickoffs.
5. Clemson: Ray-Ray McCloud Working at DB
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No returning wideout caught more passes for Clemson than Ray-Ray McCloud in 2016, so, naturally, he's playing defense this fall.
Theoretically, it's more of an exploration than a long-term move. But, as Matt Connolly of The State noted, co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said Alabama, Florida and others recruited McCloud as a defensive back a few years ago anyway.
"When you have really good depth at the receiver position, it can allow you to let a guy like that go over there for a few plays here and there," Scott said, per Connolly. "If he can help us over there, we'll definitely support it."
4. USC: Offensive Line Still Shuffling
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"You try not to pull your hair out," head coach Clay Helton said of watching the offensive line, per Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times.
No, that's not a ringing endorsement of a unit tasked with protecting Sam Darnold, a breakout star in 2016. Three experienced starters on the line—Toa Lobendahn, Nico Falah and Viane Talamaivao—have missed practices because of injury.
When everyone is healthy, USC has a solid starting group. But the hope for collective health is quickly turning into wishful thinking.
3. Florida State: Jacques Patrick Is the Starting RB
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Despite all of the offseason praise, Cam Akers is still a backup.
"Jacques Patrick is our starting back," head coach Jimbo Fisher said, per Safid Deen of the Orlando Sentinel. "He's earned that right. If he plays the best, he'll play. And he'll compete with the other guys."
In two years as Dalvin Cook's understudy, Patrick reached the 300-yard and four-touchdown marks in each season. The 6'3", 231-pounder won't have many breakaway runs, but he offers a more physical style than the collection of speed guys FSU has in reserve.
2. Ohio State: Michael Hill Suspended
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Ohio State can feature four defensive ends in a unique "rushmen" package, and Michael Hill's suspension might make it a necessity.
Head coach Urban Meyer did not comment on the reason, per Tim Moody of Scout, saying only that Hill won't play in the regular-season opener at Indiana and that it would last for "a few games."
Tracy Sprinkle should grab the starting job next to Dre'Mont Jones, leaving Robert Landers, Haskell Garrett and Davon Hamilton as the top backups. But with Oklahoma looming in early September (OSU's second game), the Buckeyes might consider sliding a D-end like Tyquan Lewis or Jalyn Holmes to the inside more often.
1. Alabama: No Suspension for Da'Shawn Hand
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Less than a week before fall camp opened, Da'Shawn Hand was arrested on charges of driving under the influence.
Head coach Nick Saban decided not to suspend the defensive lineman, however, because Hand wasn't driving at the time of his arrest.
"Because he put himself in that situation, we'll give him community service and police ride around and some different things to help him," head coach Nick Saban said, per ESPN.com's Alex Scarborough. "And if he does everything he's supposed to do, he will not be suspended. I think what we're doing is helping the player."
That means Hand, who notched 21 tackles, two sacks and five hurries as a backup last season, will be available for the season-opening showdown against Florida State.
All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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