Spring Football 2021: 21 Impact True Freshmen to Watch This Fall

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

More and more, true freshmen are arriving on campus and making a large impact in the world of college football. Freshmen have come on and played big snaps at schools competing for National Titles, such as Alabama and Clemson last year, and even those with less ambitious goals in mind. Knowing this, I decided to break down 21 impact true freshmen to watch this upcoming fall.

(Due to COVID, some freshmen were essentially allowed a "free" year where they could play, but it didn't count against their collegiate eligibility. These players were not included; only players in the Class of 2021 were eligible for the list.)

1. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

With the Buckeyes forced to replace both Justin Fields and Trey Sermon, don't be shocked if Ryan Day chooses to lean on the ground attack, at least early on. Master Teague will get the first crack at No. 1 back duties, but don't be surprised if TreVeyon Henderson supplants him. There are some that think Henderson was good enough as a high school senior to start for Ohio State last fall, even with Sermon on the roster.

2. Will Shipley, RB, Clemson

Possibly the biggest question on Clemson's roster is at running back, as Travis Etienne departs after three-plus tremendous seasons with the Tigers. Lyn-J Dixon will operate as the "veteran" of the RB room, but Will Shipley is a five-star recruit who has explosiveness similar to Etienne's.

3. Ty Thompson, QB, Oregon

Tyler Shough and Anthony Brown split time as Oregon quarterback in 2020, but Shough is now off to Texas Tech. Brown is the favorite to start and the former Boston College transfer has the experience, but Duck fans are excited about Ty Thompson. He's likely got an NFL future, and has already drawn some comparisons to former Oregon QB Dennis Dixon.

4. Agiye Hall, WR, Alabama

With both DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle off to the NFL, Alabama needs to retool at receiver. Adding Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams helps, but don't be surprised if a true freshman also gets a chance. Agiye Hall flashed during the spring and appears ready to make an immediate impact.

5. Nyland Green, CB, Georgia

The goal once again in Athens is to finally take the next step and overcome Alabama in the league, but if there is one thing that could hold them back it's the secondary. Several key Bulldog defensive backs are gone to the NFL and even with the addition of West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith, UGA will likely need reinforcements. In comes Nyland Green, a four-star from inside the state who should immediately see snaps.

6. Ethan Calvert, LB, Utah

Utah is never going to be a place that recruits at an elite level, but Kyle Whittingham and his staff have lured away a few fairly big names in the last several recruiting cycles. This year it was linebacker Ethan Calvert, who they kept away from numerous other Pac-12 programs including UCLA, where his older brother Bo plays at.

7. Thomas Fidone, TE, Nebraska

There's a lot of blame to go around for Nebraska's offensive struggles under Scott Frost, but the lack of reliable pass-catchers was obvious in the abbreviated 2020 season. The 'Huskers will still need some help at wide out, but tight end should be in good hands with Thomas Fidone. At 6'5", 225 pounds with speed and great hands, Fidone already looks like an NFL prospect.                   

8. Shadrach Banks, WR, Texas A&M

Texas A&M is going to lean on the ground game early and often in 2021, but that doesn't mean that the passing attack won't still need to play a role in College Station. The Aggies are loaded at tight end but surprisingly thin at receiver, meaning a name like Shadrach Banks could see snaps right away. Banks is a Houston native who is a little more versatile than past Jimbo Fisher receivers.

9. Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

No matter what happens with Kentucky's new-look offense, led by first-year OC Liam Coen, they should be well-stocked defensively. Mark Stoops continues to craft modest talent into future NFL players and his next project should be linebacker Trevin Wallace. Wallace is more talented at this point in his career than past UK linebackers, as he earned five-star consideration from 247 Sports.

10. Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech

Although Oregon transfer Tyler Shough arrives in Lubbock, the Red Raiders could still host a wide-open quarterback competition. Shough and incumbent starter Henry Colombi are the early favorites, but true frosh Behren Morton could push them. He's got the raw arm talent of past Red Raider greats, including Patrick Mahomes and Graham Harrell.

11. Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Penn State had an abundance of defensive issues during the frustrating 2020 campaign but most notably has been an average to bad pass defense. If they have any chance at pushing Ohio State atop the East Division, they need better play from the secondary. Enter Kalen King, who comes to Happy Valley from Detroit with his twin brother, Kobe.

12. Bryce Steele, LB, Boston College

Boston College has a nice tradition of developing the linebacker position, going all the way back to the Luke Kuechly days at Chestnut Hill. Steele isn't going to be Kuechly, but he arrives at a time where the Eagles are reloading at the position, which gives the North Carolina product a real opportunity in Year One.

13. James BlackStrain, WR, Georgia Tech

As Georgia Tech continues their transition away from the triple-option to a modern offensive attack, they need improved play from their receivers. Losing Jalen Camp hurts in a big way, but James BlackStrain is an early enrollee who earned attention in the spring. Already a crisp route runner for his age, BlackStrain should see targets early.

14. Preston Stone, QB, SMU

Although former Oklahoma transfer Tanner Mordecai is the favorite to take over for the departed Shane Buechele, don't be surprised if fellow newcomer Preston Stone gets some looks. A four-star from the local Dallas area, Stone is not your average SMU quarterback recruit. He is an ideal fit in the explosive Mustang offense, and signed with them over several big-name Power Five programs.

15. Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State

Perhaps no school in the nation is producing elite pass rushers at the rate of Ohio State, who has sent both Bosa brothers, Chase Young, and Sam Hubbard to the NFL in just the past decade. The next great OSU end is five-star Jack Sawyer, who has already drawn comparisons to Nick Bosa. Although most of the attention in the spring game was given to the Buckeye offense, Sawyer impressed.

16. Devin Neal, RB, Kansas

Jayhawk star tailback Pooka Williams Jr. is now officially playing on Sundays, forcing the new coaching staff to reload at the position. Devin Neal had originally signed to play for Les Miles but remains on with the new staff under head man Lance Leipold, who should lean on the run early as they try and overload this offense.

17. Dominic Lovett, WR, Missouri

A late flip to Missouri from Arizona State right before the Early Signing Day, Dominic Lovett was a really good get for Eli Drinkwitz and his staff. With top wide out Damon Hazelton off to the NFL after a one-year holdover in Columbia, Lovett and fellow newcomer Mookie Cooper should see opportunities right away. If not as a receiver, Lovett should also play a key role on special teams.

18. Nick Haberer, P, Washington State

With record-setting punter Oscar Draguicevich III signing an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers, Washington State will be forced to start anew at the punter position. Nick Haberer continues the Australian punter pipeline, working with Prokick Australia over the last few years, a program that has produced five Ray Guy Award winners. Haberer enrolled early in the spring and should have a good shot to take over starting duties in 2021.

19. Rocco Spindler, OL, Notre Dame

Few schools in the nation are producing elite offensive linemen at the rate of Notre Dame, a trend that should continue with the addition of a pair of highly touted newcomers Blake Fisher and Rocco Spindler. Spindler, the nation's No. 3 guard, will see snaps right away due to a thin ND interior O-Line and the true frosh, who has earned the moniker "Monster of the Midwest" impressed in the spring.

20. Roc Taylor, WR, Memphis

Tennessee's new coaching staff decided to drop three-star athlete Roc Taylor from their 2021 Class upon arrival, forcing him to head to Memphis. UT's loss is the Tigers' gain, as Taylor should provide immediate help at either receiver or tight end. It's still unclear who will win the Memphis QB job this year, but whoever does should use the freshman in unique ways.

21. Maason Smith, DL, LSU

A consensus five-star recruit from inside the state of Louisiana, Maason Smith should continue the tradition of elite LSU interior D-Linemen. Scouts have raved that Smith already looks like a seasoned SEC veteran and expect him to see the field in 2021, even at a position where the Tigers are fairly deep. 

Spring Football 2021: Ten Players Ready for the Big "Sophomore Leap"

Will Rogers, Mississippi State

Breakout players are a reliable part of every sport, but even more so in college athletics, where players and teams rotate and evolve faster than most professional teams. Players coming from seemingly nowhere and proving themselves on the big stage is a major part of what keeps college football so fresh and exciting every single season. It's incredibly difficult to predict which players are going to eventually breakout, but usually there's a good list of candidates based on what teams are losing, which players are moving up the depth chart, and which schools typically produce talent at each position group. Many players have their respective breakouts their second year on campus, after they become acclimated to the environment of college football and ready to show what they can do. In the past, I've foreseen names like Rashod Bateman and Ja'Marr Chase go from young players with potential, to legitimate superstars. In that spirit I will be unveiling my list of ten players ready to make the "sophomore leap" that oftentimes happens in the world of college football. Not every player on this list will boom, but we can still make educated guesses on a few that will have a major impact on their teams in the 2021 season.

(*Note: This list will include all players who are entering their second seasons on college campus in 2021. Due to redshirt rules and COVID-19 eligibility rules, some might be listed as true freshman or redshirt freshman on official rosters.)

Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

In just under three years on the job, Mack Brown has elevated the talent level at North Carolina in a big way. He has a quarterback, Sam Howell, who is likely to be a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and a host of former blue-chip recruits on his roster, including Tony Grimes, Myles Murphy, and Desmond Evans. The Tar Heels appear to be the greatest threat to Clemson inside the ACC, but in order to fulfill their potential, they need more production from a receiver position that was hit hard by attrition over the off-season. Top targets Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown both moved on to the NFL and while vet Beau Corrales is an important returnee, all eyes turn to a pair of sophomores, Josh Downs and Khafre Brown. They'll likely take over as two of the top pass-catchers for Howell on the roster, and look to open up an offense that will consistently have big-play potential. While Brown helped lead the way with 337 yards receiving in 2020, my bet is that Downs has the best chance to have a huge '21 season. After a fairly quiet regular season, he showed what he could do with a big performance in the bowl loss to Texas A&M, with four receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Brown is more of your prototypical, consistent wide out, Downs is the type of weapon that has the speed to take the top of defenses and feature Howell's massive arm. He'll have to develop some form of consistency in 2021, but all the tools are there for a huge campaign.

Alfred Collins, DL, Texas

Steve Sarkisian and the new Texas coaching staff have plenty of pressure on them entering 2021, but there's no question that the program is laced with future NFL talent. Most of the attention will undoubtedly fall on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense deserves plenty of attention as well for new DC Pete Kwiatkowski, who comes down from Washington. One of the players sure to feature in Kwiatkowski's defense is sophomore Alfred Collins, a former five-star recruit who played in all ten Longhorn games a season ago. Collins came to school a shade under 300 pounds and built as a strong-side defensive end but quickly bulked up since coming to Austin, eventually shifting inside to defensive tackle. Despite the new poundage, Collins is a freak athlete who made one of the most impressive plays you will ever see from a defensive tackle in this last year's Alamo Bowl, with a one-handed INT off a screen. With his elite athleticism and instincts, he should play major snaps in a Texas defense looking for star-power. If he does indeed stick firm at tackle, his quickness and explosiveness off the line should be a real problem for Big 12 interior offensive linemen.

Zach Evans, RB, TCU

If you follow college football recruiting, you'll almost definitely know the name Zach Evans. He was the No. 16 ranked prospect in the Class of 2020 with perhaps the craziest recruitment in the history of CFB recruiting. Evans signed a letter of intent to go to Georgia in late December of 2019 but never officially announced his commitment. Under a month later, UGA had released from the letter of intent and Evans once again re-opened his recruitment, taking official visits to several schools throughout the Southeast. After a long, drawn-out process that included him in serious discussions with Ole Miss, Florida, and more, Evans eventually quietly enrolled at TCU last May. There's been questions about maturity and his level of focus on the game, but nobody has questioned his talent. In a short stint with the Horned Frogs, Evans made do on that talent, tallying 415 yards in a shortened season, despite being lower on the depth chart. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry in his true freshman campaign and displayed his promise with a 130-yard, two-touchdown showing against Louisiana Tech in their regular season finale. Evans is likely to start 2021 atop the TCU depth chart on a team that ended last season on fire. In the wide-open Big 12, he's likely to see plenty of opportunities to show what he can do and as long as he keeps his focus, he should do serious damage.

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Much like Evans and Collins, Darnell Washington is a former high-profile recruit from the Class of 2020 who showed enough promise in the pandemic-shortened season to feel good about what he can do in '21. Washington ended up starting seven of UGA's 10 games, tallying seven receptions for 166 yards. He certainly wasn't a major part of the Bulldog offense, but this was a group that struggled to through the ball for most of the season's first-half, until J.T. Daniels was inserted as staring quarterback. Like others, he finished his first season on campus strong, with three catches against a stingy Cincinnati defense in their Peach Bowl win. As Georgia prepares for 2021, it looks to open up their passing attack, especially now that Daniels is healthy and ready to go, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken has had a full off-season to install his offense. However, the Bulldogs will be without their most talented pass-catcher, George Pickens, at least to begin 2021 after he tore his ACL in the spring. Without his services, the Bulldogs will lean on some familiar names, including Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton, but also some new faces, such as Washington. Despite being built like a tight end at 6'7", 265 pounds, Washington's athleticism and hands are more reminiscent of a physical wide receiver. He has the chance to grow into a security blanket for Daniels, or at the least a dynamic red zone presence.

Jalen Berger, RB, Wisconsin

Heading into the shortened 2020 Big Ten season, there was some question as to who would replace record-setting tailback Jonathan Taylor in Madison. Holdovers Garrett Groshek and Nakia Watson were going to factor into the offense, but Badger fans were intrigued at the potential of true freshman Jalen Berger. Wisconsin managed to hold off late recruiting runs from Rutgers and UCLA to land the four-star prospect who, like Taylor, was from the state of New Jersey. After not seeing action in the first few weeks of the 2020 season, Berger came on strong down the stretch, finishing with 301 yards and two touchdowns in four games. Now that Groshek is graduated and Watson transferred away, there is no question that Berger will enter next fall as the go-to guy for the Badger offense. There's absolutely no doubt that this is a school that produces running backs at historical rates and the sophomore is next in line. Matching Taylor's production will be difficult, but Berger already is slightly more polished than several past UW greats at his age. He'll hope to lead a Badger offense that struggled in the season's second half last fall.

Clarence Lewis, CB, Notre Dame

Most of the attention given to the Notre Dame secondary so far this off-season and likely going forward will be on safety Kyle Hamilton, and for good reason. Hamilton enters his junior campaign as one of the best defenders anywhere in college football and a likely Top 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, while Hamilton is incredibly rangy, he can't cover every single opposing receiver. The Irish will need other pieces to step up in the secondary, including names like Clarence Lewis. Lewis entered college as a fairly unheralded recruit from New Jersey, a three-star prospect likely to be a depth guy in 2020. He responded by playing right away in ND's opener against Duke and then received his first start a week later against South Florida. Lewis ended up playing in nine games for the Irish and played a key role, totaling 33 total tackles and leading the team with seven pass deflections. The coaching staff has raved about Lewis during the early off-season period and it's likely he starts at corner in his sophomore season. Hamilton is still likely to earn more attention, but Lewis and his play may end up being more important for the Irish and their Playoff aspirations.

Will Rogers, QB, Mississippi State

The Mike Leach era in Starkville began with a bang when Mississippi State went into Death Valley and upset defending National Champion LSU. At the time, former Stanford QB K.J. Costello was handed the reigns to Leach's "Air Raid" offense and he went wild, passing for 623 yards and five touchdowns, which was enough to earn very early Heisman consideration. That early success trailed off incredibly quick, as Mississippi State lost their next four games and Costello was subsequently benched. Instead, Leach turned to a true freshman to lead his aggressive attack, Will Rogers. Despite being thrown into the SEC at such a young age, Rogers responded over his six starts. He was the first MSU freshman to post multiple 300-yard games and the first MSU freshman to register three consecutive games of at least 30 completions. He demonstrated excellent poise and feel for the game despite his youth and the raw tools to be a very successful college QB. Now, he gets a more normal off-season under his belt and another opportunity to run an offense that usually puts up silly passing numbers. He seems like a good bet to have a very strong 2021 season, even in an SEC West that should, once again, be very difficult.

Akheem Mesidor, DL, West Virginia

West Virginia was quietly one of the more surprising teams in the Big 12 in 2020, going 6-4 overall and posting a .500 conference record in Neal Brown's second season at the helm. Much of that can be credited to a defense that ranked 21st out of 128 FBS teams in points allowed per game, a far cry from the Dana Holgorsen era, when the Mountaineers were consistently among the worst defensive teams in the league. The aggressive, chaotic defense consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, thanks in large part not only to the Still brothers, Dante and Darius, but also true freshman Akheem Mesidor. The Canadian came to Morgantown and immediately made an impact, playing all 10 games and finishing with 6.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks. Now, even greater things are expected and hoped for, as West Virginia must replace Darius Stills, who is now with the Las Vegas Raiders. Mesidor, who entered college under 260 pounds, has already bulked up to nearly 280 in one year of college ball and should get even bigger with a full off-season under his belt. Rumors out of spring practice and workouts are that he is ready for a monster season and while offensive linemen may focus on him more now that Darius is gone, Dante remains in the fold to also command some attention. Don't be surprised if Mesidor earns All-Big 12 honors and becomes a crucial cog of a really strong Mountaineer defense in 2021.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

I contemplated leaving Jaxon Smith-Njigba off this list because of how stacked Ohio State's receiver room is entering 2021, but the transfer of veteran Jameson Williams to Alabama could open up targets for the sophomore. Unsurprisingly, Smith-Njigba was a highly touted recruit who arrived alongside the nation's No. 1 wide out, Julian Fleming, but yet saw the field earlier than him during the 2020 season. His stat-line of 10 receptions for 49 yards doesn't exactly jump out at you, but Smith-Njigba displayed polished route running abilities, soft hands, and excellent body control. He's not as big as Fleming or some of the other wide outs on the Buckeye roster, but could grow into a formidable presence in the slot, or wherever head coach Ryan Day decides to use him at. The toughest part for him might just be seeing the field this upcoming season. Not only does he have to compete for targets with Fleming, but also established veterans such as Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Even so, this is the type of playmaker that has the chance to be special, and the type of talent that has helped Ohio State continue their dominance atop the Big Ten for so long now.

Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

Penn State had a frustrating 2020 season, to say the least. They opened the year with a heartbreaking, controversial loss to Indiana and then began 0-5 before winning their final four games. I feel confident that PSU will be able to get back on track in 2021 for several reasons; for one they have a cemented roster in place without the possibility of opt-outs, they have a favorable schedule, and they upgraded at offensive coordinator by replacing Kirk Ciarrocca with former Texas OC Mike Yurcich. Yurcich has gained a reputation as an aggressive playmaker sort of in the mold of former Penn State OC Joe Moorhead, who parlayed his success into the Mississippi State head coaching job. The Nittany Lions do already have a stud receiver on the outside in Jahan Dotson, but they'll need more to run this offense the way Yurcich intends. Enter redshirt freshman Theo Johnson, who takes over at tight end for Pat Freiermuth, who is now in the NFL. Johnson saw limited action in his first season in Happy Valley, but has all the tools to be a matchup nightmare. He's 6'6" with long arms, but runs extremely fast for his size and has quality hands. I like him to continue the recent tradition of impressive Nittany Lion tight ends, which now includes Freiermuth and Mike Gesicki before him. The big question for Johnson is whether he has a quarterback to get him the ball. Sean Clifford had a frustrating end to 2019 and really struggled in 2020, putting pressure on him and inviting a possible QB competition heading into fall camp.

Spring Football 2021: Top Quarterback Competitions to Watch

Myles Brennan, LSU

Most of the attention around the college football world has turned to the upcoming NFL Draft, but it's also an important time for programs all across the country. Spring practices and spring games are officially taking place as teams look forward to a (hopefully!) more normal 2021 season. Spring football is oftentimes the first chance players get to make an impression in position battles, especially at the quarterback position. While these competitions will likely last into fall camp, spring practice provides the initial first step. Here are the QB battles sure to garner the most interest this college football off-season:

Arkansas Razorbacks

Competitors: K.J. Jefferson (RS Soph.), Malik Hornsby (RS Fr.), John Stephen Jones (RS Jr.)

Arkansas flashed enough in Sam Pittman's first season for this team to be an interesting watch heading into 2021. Feliepe Franks had a productive final season in the SEC after multiple years at Florida, but his absence shouldn't be completely impossible to replace. The early prognosis for this job is that it will likely be a two-man race between redshirt sophomore K.J. Jefferson and redshirt freshman Malik Hornsby. Jefferson has seen playing time in both of the last two seasons, including a start in 2020 against Missouri when he went 18-33 for 274 yards. That edge in experience should make him the early favorite, but Hornsby is talented enough to see the field. The former four-star recruit is a proven dual threat who has is more elusive as a runner than the 6'3" Jefferson. He's still extremely raw as a passer but could be a better fit in Kendall Briles' offense than either Jefferson or dark horse John Stephen Jones. In the first major scrimmage of the spring, Jefferson got the "start" and played well, going 10-15 for two touchdowns. It's foolish to read too much into scrimmages, but Jefferson is still likely to leave spring with the slight edge, although this could be really fascinating to watch.

Favorite: Jefferson

Florida State Seminoles

Competitors: McKenzie Milton (RS Sr.), Jordan Travis (RS So.), Chubba Purdy (RS Fr.)

After a frustrating 3-6 debut campaign, Mike Norvell knows he needs to show that this Florida State program is progressing in Year Two. The offense in particular really needs to make some leaps forward, and there is a really complex three-way race shaping up here. McKenzie Milton is the biggest name, a former UCF transfer who was once a Heisman Trophy finisher under Scott Frost. He suffered a scary leg injury near the conclusion of the 2018 season and is still working his way back to 100 percent. Milton has been cleared to play by the FSU staff and he is the most proven out of this trio, but he will still get pushed by Jordan Travis and Chubba Purdy. Travis made six starts in 2020 and while he isn't much of a passer, he proved he could handle running the offense. Purdy, the younger brother of Iowa State's star QB Brock, was a pretty big recruiting get for Norvell and made one start a season ago. He was never fully healthy last fall, but the expectation is that he should be at full health going forward. All three quarterbacks have an edge in some aspect of this competition; Milton is extremely accomplished and a star talent when healthy, Travis was the primary starter last season, and Purdy is probably the future of the position. A Milton at 100 percent will be tough to unseat, but it is a real possibility.

Favorite: Milton

LSU Tigers

Competitors: Myles Brennan (Sr.), T.J. Finley (Soph.), Max Johnson (So.), Garrett Nussmeier (Fr.)

LSU's National Title defense never quite got going in 2020, as the Tigers limped to a 5-5 mark that led to a major staff overhaul under head coach Ed Orgeron. Replacing Joe Burrow proved to be awfully difficult, although Myles Brennan was putting up solid numbers prior to a torn oblique after three games. His injury forced youngsters T.J. Finley and Max Johnson into extended action. Naturally, there were both growing pains, but both quarterbacks showed potential. Johnson in particular had a tremendous end to the 2020 season, leading LSU past Florida in an upset that spoiled any Gator CFB Playoff hopes. With Brennan healthy and Finley and Johnson both remaining on the roster, there could be a three-way race here. The LSU staff seems to still believe that Brennan is their guy, but I was super impressed with Johnson last year. He showed a toughness and grit that you really can't teach, and he seems to have more long-term potential than Brennan, who is a senior. It really is the classic QB competition scenario, with the veteran attempting to hold off the talented youngsters, who have shown flashes but are still relatively unproven. I would once assume Brennan enters fall camp in the lead, but Johnson is talented enough to not just push him, but take the starting job.

Favorite: Brennan

Michigan Wolverines

Alan Bowman (Sr.) , Cade McNamara (Jr.), J.J. McCarthy (Fr.)

Another team coming off a frustrating 2020 campaign, Michigan will oversee a three-way race that represents a modern college football QB battle. On one hand, there is the veteran transfer in former Texas Tech QB Alan Bowman, a grad transfer who had his moments in Lubbock but just couldn't stay healthy. Then there's junior Cade McNamara, a signal-caller who appeared in four games and made one start in 2020. Finally, there's the highly touted true freshman, five-star J.J. McCarthy, who is considered the future at the position. There's really no clear favorite at this early point in the process; Bowman's edge in experience is notable, and he does appear to be a good fit in this Josh Gattis offense. However, he won't join the team until the summer, opening the door for McNamara and McCarthy. McNamara is the type of tough-minded quarterback that Jim Harbaugh loves, and he flashed enough in 2020 to have a real shot at the job. I'd assume McCarthy is unlikely to jump up the depth chart this soon, but the program is thrilled about his potential to be the difference-maker at a position that has been mostly average for much of the Harbaugh tenure. It's extremely tough to get a read on this race so soon, with Bowman and McNamara likely to enter summer as 1A and 1B. The fact that McNamara is here for spring and got valuable experience in 2020 might give him the slight edge.

Favorite: McNamara

Ohio State Buckeyes

Competitors: C.J. Stroud (RS Fr.), Jack Miller (RS Fr.), Kyle McCord (Fr.)

The quest to replace Justin Fields in Columbus begins this spring, with a trio of youngsters set to square off. Both C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller are former big-name recruits who arrived on campus prior to last season, but never really got an opportunity to show what they can do. Stroud scored a long rushing touchdown in the blowout win over Michigan State but outside of that, didn't see the field. Miller is much the same, not throwing a single pass in backup duties for Fields. Both have a long list of high school accolades and offer loads of potential, but the lack of experience makes it unclear who will be the early favorite. My guess would be that Stroud has the early advantage as a proven dual threat, but Miller should be able to push him. Arriving in the spring was yet another talented young quarterback, in five-star pro-style QB Kyle McCord. While McCord has been in the program for just a matter of weeks, he's already impressed onlookers with his arm talent, and ability to pick up the offense. The April 17th spring game may give us some indication of how this race is shaping up, but it will likely extend into fall camp. My guess is that Stroud will earn first-team reps, but any of these three could come out on top.

Favorite: Stroud

Oregon Ducks

Competitors: Anthony Brown (Sr.), Ty Thompson (Fr.), Jay Butterfield (RS Fr.), Robby Ashford (RS Fr.)

Oregon used a two-quarterback system throughout the extremely short 2020 Pac-12 slate, splitting time between Tyler Shough and former Boston College transfer Anthony Brown. Brown seemed to gain the upper hand later in the year, and the arrival of freshman Ty Thompson essentially forced Shough's hand, as he transferred to Texas Tech. That leaves Brown and Thompson as the primary leaders in the QB race, with a pair of redshirt freshmen, Jay Butterfield and Robby Ashford, also factoring in. Brown is the experienced option, starting with both BC and Oregon over his collegiate career. He's a strong runner that can be a playmaker, but he leaves a lot to be desired as a passer. Thompson isn't projected to be as skilled of a runner, but people have raved about his arm strength throughout his high school career. He also stands 6'4", 215 pounds and the expectation is that he will one day have an NFL future. So far, Brown has been taking first team snaps in the spring and I expect him to likely begin the year as the starter. However, Thompson is probably a better fit for what OC Joe Moorhead wants to do, and he has the higher ceiling. It could be a classic scenario where the veteran enters the year with the job, before the younger talent takes over the reigns.

Favorite: Brown

Tennessee Volunteers

Hendon Hooker (Sr.), Harrison Bailey (So.), Brian Maurer (RS Soph.), Kaidon Salter (Fr.)

It's a new era for Tennessee football, as Josh Heupel arrives as head coach and works to break in a new quarterback. Jarrett Guarantano, who has been the primary starter for the last four years, is off to Washington State, ushering in a new starter for Heupel to develop. Sophomore Harrison Bailey saw a healthy dosage of action in his first year in Knoxville, appearing in six games and making three starts. As a freshman thrown into the fire of the SEC, Bailey understandably had some major ups-and-downs, but he appears to have significant long-term potential. Another holdover from the Jeremy Pruitt era is Brian Maurer, who had eight starts in 2019 but saw his role diminished last season. He's talented enough to win the job and has some experience, but Maurer will need to have a tremendous spring to have any shot at overtaking others on this list. Heupel also welcomes in two newcomers in former Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker, as well as true frosh Kaidon Salter. Hooker had a very productive 2019 season after taking over as starter for the Hokies, with a 13-2 TD-INT ratio while displaying playmaking ability with his legs. He dealt with COVID issues in 2020 and never quite got going, so a change of scenery may be just what he needs. If Heupel is looking for the best option to win right away, one would assume Hooker has the edge. He was one of the top transfer quarterbacks on the market, and seems like he could be a nice fit in this offense. But, Bailey is the guy most around the program feel like is the future, and he will put up a strong fight going forward.

Favorite: Hooker

Texas

Casey Thompson (Jr.), Hudson Card (RS Fr.)

It's a brand new day in Austin as well, with the Longhorns beginning Steve Sarkisian's tenure and also breaking in a new signal-caller now that Sam Ehlinger is gone. Sarkisian has become well-known for leading explosive offenses just about everywhere he's gone, and the pieces are in place for this group to do much the same. While losing Ehlinger will hurt, Casey Thompson's tremendous performance in the Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado has fans excited. Thompson's not going to be the runner that Ehlinger was, but that could be a good thing, as his arm talent is an ideal fit for what Sarkisian and OC Kyle Flood want to run. Thompson still has to secure the job, as former highly touted recruit Hudson Card will give him a fight. Card appeared in just two games as a freshman, allowing him to retain his redshirt. It's certainly not enough of a sample to give us an idea of what type of signal-caller he will be, but those that have seen him in action are very high on him. Reports out of spring practice indicate that Thompson is taking most of the first team reps, but I wouldn't be shocked if this race lasts deeper into fall camp. 

Favorite: Thompson

Texas A&M

Zach Calzada (RS Soph.), Haynes King (RS Fr.), Eli Stowers (Fr.)

For the first time since taking over in College Station, Jimbo Fisher will be overseeing a quarterback competition. Departed Kellen Mond put together a tremendous Aggie career, but never was quite able to get over the top. His absence opens the door for a new quarterback to potentially do just that, although life in the SEC West is never that straightforward. The two primary favorites are redshirt sophomore Zach Calzada and redshirt freshman Haynes King. Calzada has the experience edge, although that isn't saying too much right now. He played in three games in 2019, which were all blowouts, coming against Texas State, Lamar, and UTSA. King appeared in two games last fall, rushing for 43 yards against Alabama and throwing for a score against South Carolina. The gem of the 2020 recruiting cycle, King is well-regarded in the state of Texas, and the expectation is that he should be able to acclimate to the new role quickly. Calzada may be able to push him, but he doesn't appear to have the long-term upside of King, at least not from what we've seen or heard. The dark horse in the race is true freshman Eli Stowers, a dual threat who enrolled early. He provides more playmaking potential than either Calzada or King, but you wonder how quickly he'll be able to acclimate to Fisher's offense.

Favorite: King

Other Races To Keep An Eye On

Boise State: Hank Bachmeier, Jack Sears

Florida: Emory Jones, Anthony Richardson

Kentucky: Beau Allen, Will Levis, Joey Gatewood

Memphis: Grant Gunnell, Peter Parrish, Keilon Brown

Notre Dame: Jack Coan, Brendon Clark, Tyler Buchner

Utah: Charlie Brewer, Ja'Quinden Jackson, Cam Rising, Peter Costelli