College Football Players We're Most Excited to See in Spring Practice
The road to March Madness in college basketball is dominating the headlines, but college football teams are returning to the field for spring practice.
Although the 2018 season remains a speck on the horizon, initial offseason workouts are valuable to monitor. Potential breakout players begin to emerge, last year's standouts prepare for a larger role and early-enrolling freshmen get their first on-field college experience.
And we're keeping an especially close eye on 10 players.
Successors to NFL-bound superstars highlight the list, while former prized recruits attempting to secure a starting job and a couple of premier 2018 prospects also made the cut.
Matt Fink, QB, USC
1 of 10
USC fans are eagerly awaiting JT Daniels, a 5-star quarterback who reclassified from 2019 to 2018 and will arrive in the summer.
Had Daniels enrolled early, he would be the player highlighted. However, the spring will feature a competition between Matt Fink and Jack Sears. They need to capitalize on splitting the reps between each other prior to Daniels' demanding a share in practice.
Fink has a little more pressure because he served as Sam Darnold's immediate backup last season. While that only resulted in three appearances, experience with the system is regularly valued in these situations. Fink would also provide a mobile threat.
But it's essential he begins to create separation in the spring before Daniels has a chance to close the gap.
N'Kosi Perry, QB, Miami
2 of 10
Miami regained a place on the national radar in 2017 thanks to a 10-0 start and No. 2 ranking, but the year-long inconsistency of Malik Rosier cannot be overlooked heading into next season.
Could he lose the starting job?
Jarren Williams, a 4-star in the 2018 class, has enrolled early. But the 'Canes also have N'Kosi Perry, who took a redshirt during his first year on campus. He enters the spring as the top competitor because Evan Shirreffs, the backup in 2017, decided to transfer.
While Perry is a more dynamic runner, he must prove his knowledge and execution of the offense surpasses that of a fifth-year senior in Rosier. If that happens, a touted Miami team will replace a returning starter.
Jawon Pass, QB, Louisville
3 of 10
Keeping up with Clemson is challenging enough, yet the Atlantic Division as a whole is improving. Louisville cannot afford to plummet in the first year of the post-Lamar Jackson era.
Barring a complete surprise, Jawon Pass will be responsible for bearing that heavy burden in 2018.
The former 4-star prospect completed 23 of 33 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in limited action as a freshman. Fortunately for him, Louisville returns four offensive linemen and three 600-plus-yard receivers in Jaylen Smith, Dez Fitzpatrick and Seth Dawkins.
Pass has the talent, and the Cardinals have suitable experience surrounding him. But potential only matters when it shows.
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Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State
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Miles Sanders has patiently waited for his turn. Over the last two seasons—for good reason—Saquon Barkley dominated the backfield.
Now that the All-American back is headed to the NFL, it's Sanders' time to shine at Penn State.
He'll contend with returning depth pieces and incoming standout Ricky Slade, but Sanders is the clear front-runner for the job. In the backup role, he collected 375 yards (and three scores) on 56 carries for a tremendous 6.7-yard average.
Quarterback Trace McSorley needs to shoulder a heavier offensive load, but the spring will be the first true showcase of his new backfield partner.
Justin Fields, QB, Georgia
5 of 10When a quarterback garners this much attention as a recruit, it's only natural to eagerly anticipate his first appearances.
Justin Fields, the nation's No. 2 overall prospect amassed 6,579 yards of total offense while accounting for 74 touchdowns during his last two seasons in high school. Between that talent and production, Georgia might find a way to utilize him as a freshman.
Will the spring provide any specific details? Probably not, since Kirby Smart and Co. are unlikely to willingly reveal how Fields might impact the offense, which returns Jake Fromm under center.
But we're absolutely going to watch closely.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
6 of 10Similar to Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence enters the college game as a heralded prospect who probably won't start immediately yet still merits attention during his first spring.
Ranked No. 1 nationally in the 2018 cycle, Lawrence eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark in all four high school seasons. The Georgia product threw 160 touchdowns compared to just 21 interceptions.
So, yes, he has our attention.
Kelly Bryant figures to retain his position over Hunter Johnson and Lawrence. But as Georgia showed in 2017, a championship-worthy backup quarterback may be necessary. Lawrence could use the spring to leap Johnson on the depth chart.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
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We understand Alabama fatigue, but there isn't a more intriguing position battle in the country. Seriously, for anyone tired of the Tide, remove the name and you'd be captivated.
The returning starter boasts a 27-2 record and has twice led the program to the championship game while posting 6,670 yards of total offense, 61 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. However, he recently faltered on the biggest stage, when a true freshman engineered a comeback win.
You know the names—Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively. Nobody knows the future, though.
Deservedly, the latter is the popular choice to earn the starting nod. Tagovailoa isn't as mobile but is undeniably a far more effective passer, and the aerial game is Alabama's chief concern since Damien Harris and Najee Harris can carry the rushing attack.
Still, Tagovailoa needs to officially set himself apart from Hurts, and that process continues in the spring.
D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
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D'Andre Swift consistently made a small yet noticeable impact during his first season between the hedges in Athens.
He appeared in all 15 games as a freshman, notching four-plus carries in 14 contests and tallying 30-plus yards 10 times. Swift totaled four touchdowns, including the game-sealing 64-yard scamper to bury Auburn in the SEC Championship Game.
Due to the departures of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Swift is now preparing for the featured role. That also means the narrative is shifting from "talented backup" to "Heisman Trophy contender."
Swift can reinforce that billing in the spring, especially if a seasoned offensive line begins to show the improvement expected.
Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
9 of 10
Baker Mayfield could beat opponents with his legs, but he'd rarely be contained through the air. Kyler Murray can slice through defenses on the ground, but can he win as a passer?
As a freshman starter at Texas A&M, Murray averaged 6.3 yards per rush. However, he managed just 5.7 yards per pass attempt while tossing five touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.
Still, the reasons for hope are clear-cut: 2015 was a long time ago, Lincoln Riley's offense is far friendlier and Murray played well last season. He connected on 18 of 21 passes for 359 yards and three scores, adding 142 rushing yards on only 14 carries.
We're eager to see how Murray can utilize his skill set without Mayfield casting an All-American-sized shadow.
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
10 of 10
It's really easy to get carried away previewing the 2018 campaign before and during spring practice. For players like Dwayne Haskins, though, they still need to actually secure the starting job.
As of now, Joe Burrow has decided to stay at Ohio State rather than transfer. Plus, Tate Martell—a highly regarded 4-star in the 2017 class—redshirted. By no means will Haskins be gifted the opportunity to replace J.T. Barrett.
Nevertheless, Haskins posted a 40-of-57, 565-yard line as the backup, and the experience makes him the leading candidate for 2018.
If the spring culminates as anticipated, Haskins will lock down his spot as the quarterback responsible for lifting the Buckeyes back into the College Football Playoff.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from NCAA.com, 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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