CFB Spring Intel Hits: April 14th

We’re back with some spring intel hits. Many camps have already concluded with spring games/scrimmages. Others are right in the middle of camps and we’re here to scan the landscape and produce some briefs for these squads. It’s never too early to prepare.

In other (big) news. We are targeting the release of The Year That Was: 2025 magazine next week. This data-informed look back at what we saw in 2025 features six jam-packed pages on EACH of the 136 teams.

Let’s get to the HITS…

QB: Liam Szarka, who missed the final two games of 2025 with an arm injury, has been limited early in spring but is expected to be fully healthy. Coaches believe he’s positioned for a major junior‑year breakout after posting 1,294 passing yards and 922 rushing yards last season.

QB: Keelon Russell decisively outperformed Austin Mack in the April 11 A‑Day scrimmage, going 11‑of‑14 for 107 yards and two touchdowns, plus another score to freshman WR Cederian Morgan. Mack struggled (2‑of‑5, 39 yards, 1 INT).
OL: New OL coach Adrian Klemm is spearheading a full rebuild after Alabama ranked 123rd nationally in rushing last year. Tackles Jackson Lloyd and Michael Carroll, along with transfers Nick Brooks (Texas) and Ethan Fields (Ole Miss), headline the overhaul.

RB: Kyson Brown is (finally) fully healthy and trending toward RB1 status for 2026.

DL: The defensive line is undergoing a full rebuild. Transfer Will Heldt is the only proven commodity, with Champ Thompson and Amare Adams currently in the two‑deep.

QB: In the April 2 practice, Mason McKenzie strengthened his connection with WR Johnathan Montague Jr.
WR: Jaedn Skeete (shoulder) is being handled cautiously. He’s doing full‑field sprints but no contact, and will need to prove himself quickly once fully cleared.

QB: Bear Bachmeier returns as QB1. The QB2 battle between Beau Bourguet and Hayden Watson remains unresolved after spring.
WR: True freshman Legend Glasker has impressed coaches and is expected to have a role — potentially a significant one if veterans don’t step up.

QB: Transfer JC French delivered a strong scrimmage performance with three touchdowns and no turnovers, earning praise for his command and accuracy.
WR: Transfer Malachi Henry is emerging as a top target, scoring three touchdowns including a 50‑yarder.

DL: Clemson’s defensive line is in rebuild mode. Transfer Will Heldt is the lone established piece, with Champ Thompson and Amare Adams currently working in the two‑deep.

OL: Center Demetrius Hunter (Houston transfer) has solidified the middle of the line, allowing the staff to settle on a starting five.
WR: Joseph Williams is out with an injury and was seen on crutches. Coach Prime continues to hype the revamped WR room, saying they “added three times what they lost.”

QB: UConn transfer K’saan Farrar and Oklahoma State transfer Hauss Hejny are locked in a competitive battle. Both bring mobility and dual‑threat upside.
TE: CSU’s tight end room is massive and athletic, featuring multiple 6’4”+ bodies including Georgia transfer Pearce Spurlin III, who is expected to be a major contributor.
K: North Texas transfer Kali Nguma has impressed with multiple makes from beyond 50 yards, addressing last season’s kicking struggles.

QB: In the April 11 Orange & Blue Game, Aaron Philo led the first unit while Tramell Jones Jr. struggled (7 passing yards, multiple sacks). Baylor transfer DJ Coleman intercepted Philo.
WR: Vernell Brown III and Bailey Stockton have separated as the top two targets early in camp.
OL: The latest scrimmage featured Boyer (LT), Harris (LG), Moore (C), Lovett (RG), and Jones (RT).

EDGE: Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy is rising quickly, recording a sack and an interception in coverage during recent work.

QB: JJ Kohl continues to receive first‑team reps.
RB: Anthony Carrie, Devonte Lyons, and Sterling Joseph form the top trio.
OL: Redshirt freshman Jeremy Smith is emerging at left tackle, while Jonathan Rodriguez is battling for the starting center job.

WR: Five‑star Talyn Taylor, returning from an October collarbone injury, is drawing strong praise and has a real opportunity to seize WR2.
OL: Zykie Helton is standing out in spring camp.

QB: Conner Weigman has shown major improvement, delivering high‑velocity throws including a 25‑yard out into the wind. A healthy offseason and continuity with the staff have boosted his confidence.
WR: Amare Thomas, Trent Walker, and Koby Young ran with the first team. Walker is described as a “machine,” and Young made a standout post‑route play.
OL: The first‑team line includes Alvin Ebosele, Shadre Hurst, Anthony Boswell, McKenzie Agnello, and Drew Terrell. Hurst is viewed as a potential fan favorite at LG.
TE: UTSA transfer Patrick Overmyer has impressed with his catch radius and physicality, drawing comparisons to a smaller Tanner Koziol.
RB: Makhi Hughes (6’0”, 210) brings needed size for goal‑line work. Re’Shaun Sanford looks fully recovered from last year’s knee injury.

DB: Toledo transfer Braden Awls tore his ACL and will likely miss the entire 2026 season — the biggest injury of camp for a rebuilding secondary.

QB: Ethan Vasko is missing spring due to injury but remains the leader in the QB competition. He must hold off Deshawn Purdie, Jaylen Henderson, and Ethan Houck once healthy.

RB: Louisiana Tech is replacing 62.7% of its rushing production after losing Clay Thevenin, Omiri Wiggins, and Andrew Burnette. Redshirt junior Jaden Miller (Keiser transfer) is a strong candidate after posting 1,127 yards and 18 TDs last season. Dylone Brooks (Ruston HS) and freshman Kenny Thomas (North DeSoto HS all‑time rushing leader) are also in the mix.

DB: Safety Koen Entringer has secured a starting job. The other safety spot is a battle between Kaleb Beasley and TJ Banks.

QB: $5M portal addition Sam Leavitt has been limited or absent this spring while recovering from foot surgery. His first real action may not come until fall camp. Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet are taking spring reps.
WR: Jayce Brown and Jackson Harris are locking down outside reps.
TE: Trey’Dez Green is emerging as a primary red‑zone threat, catching a touchdown from Landen Clark in the April 2 scrimmage.
OL: LSU is rebuilding after ranking 126th in rushing and 99th in sacks allowed last year. Jordan Seaton (No. 1 OT recruit), Aliou Bah (Maryland), and Devin Harper (Ole Miss) headline the overhaul.

DL: Five‑star freshman Zion Elee is expected to start immediately opposite Sidney Stewart, forming the Terps’ primary pass‑rush duo.

QB: New HC Charles Huff is running a true three‑way competition between Marcus Stokes, Air Noland, and Denzel Gardner. No leader has emerged.

QB: Bryce Underwood looks comfortable in Jason Beck’s new offense, which better suits his strengths. Freshman Tommy Carr is getting heavy reps with Brayden Fowler‑Nicolosi arriving in summer. Colin Hurley has left the program.
WR: The WR room is largely rebuilt. Andrew Marsh has taken a leap, Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench is “solid,” and freshmen Travis Johnson and Salesi Moa are flashing. Utah transfer JJ Buchanan is described as “elite” and “an absolute beast.”
DL: Utah transfer John Henry Daley ruptured his Achilles and will miss significant time. DTs Trey Pierce and Enow Etta have stood out. Daley is expected back in roughly two months.
LB: Troy Bowles has emerged as a leader and projected starter in his second year after transferring from Georgia.

RB: UConn transfer Cam Edwards is RB1 as the offense leans heavily on transfers.
WR: Michigan transfer Fredrick Moore is WR1, with homegrown talent currently running second‑team.

DL: Riley Sunram is viewed as a breakout candidate on the revamped interior.
DB: Zack Harden is poised for a major jump in year two.
WR: Javon Tracy and Jalen Smith return, joined by transfers Perry Thompson, Noah Jennings, and Zion Steptoe. Jennings is the clear WR3.
QB: Drake Lindsey is the most important player on the roster and looked confident and vocal in practice.

DB: Trajen Greco has locked down the free safety job. The “Star” position is a battle between Elijah Dotson and Kensley Louidor‑Faustin.
DL: Missouri must replace 15.5 sacks from Zion Young and Damon Wilson II. Darris Smith returns, and Louisville transfer CJ May is in the mix.

No spring game due to stadium renovations.

QB: Anthony Colandrea is the heavy favorite over TJ Lateef after Dylan Raiola transferred to Oregon.

QB: Jack Layne is out this spring after elbow surgery. Oregon transfer Luke Moga and Toa Fa’avae are battling for reps, though Layne remains the favorite long‑term.
WR: Massiah Mingo has been a spring standout and is pushing for rotation snaps.
RB: North Texas transfer Kiefer Sibley is positioning himself for a role thanks to his burst and playmaking.
TE: Iowa State transfer Tripp Walsh is emerging as a potential contributor.

LB: OSU is replacing Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese. Payton Pierce leads the competition. Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro and sophomore TJ Alford are also in the mix. Riley Pettijohn is out for spring.

WR: Sophomore Manny Choice is rising quickly in the WR hierarchy. When healthy, Jer’Michael Carter has also seen first‑team reps, though was recently seen in a boot and on crutches.

RB: With the Makhi Hughes experiment failing, freshmen Brandon Smith and Tradarian Ball are expected to play immediately.

WR: Nyck Harbor is viewed as a key breakout candidate after finishing 2025 with 286 yards and three touchdowns over the final three games.

QB: Harvard transfer Jaden Craig replaces Josh Hoover (now at Indiana). With nine returning starters, Craig’s development is pivotal to TCU’s Big 12 title hopes.

QB: Jaxon Smolik delivered the “play of the day” in scrimmage, hitting TE Peter Clarke for a touchdown. He is pushing hard for QB1.

QB: The SEC’s most opaque QB battle continues. With Joey Aguilar’s appeal denied, George MacIntyre and five‑star freshman Faizon Brandon are splitting first‑team reps. Colorado transfer Ryan Staub also flashed in the April 11 scrimmage.

WR: Kaliq Lockett took first‑team reps while Ryan Wingo was sidelined.
WR: Daylan McCutcheon worked in the slot while Emmett Mosley was out.
PR: Raleek Brown took the first punt‑return reps and could add multipurpose value.

RB: Freshman Jamarion Morrow was the offensive MVP of the April 2 practice, consistently beating the first‑team defense and forcing his way into the rotation.

RB: Greg Burrell is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and was limited in practice.

WR: Garrett Mmahat is pushing for a starting role after an injury‑shortened 2025 season.

WR: Kaleb Brown will miss the rest of spring with a lower‑body injury but is expected back for preseason camp.
OL: First‑team OL: LT Payton Kirkland, LG Donovan Lawrence, C Adam Lepkowski, RG Calib Perez, RT Barrett Maddox.
TE: Antonio Ferguson started in the scrimmage.
WR (Rotation): First‑team reps included KJ Daniels, AJ Johnson, Lamar White, Jaylen Elder, and Ty Mims.
QB: Ryder Burton received first‑team reps in the first scrimmage.
RB: Rod Robinson was the first running back to appear in scrimmage action.

QB: Alonza Barnett is rehabbing and throwing lightly but remains limited. Coaches expect him to catch up quickly once fully cleared.

QB: Devon Dampier is the expected QB1, with strong accuracy and dual‑threat ability. Byrd Ficklin is a steady veteran backup. Young QBs Kane Archer and Michael Johnson Jr. need spring reps to push for QB2.
RB: Wayshawn Parker leads a dynamic group after posting 1,166 total yards last season. Steve Chavez‑Soto, Daniel Bray, and LaMarcus Bell round out a deep rotation.
WR: Braden Pegan headlines the X‑receiver group. Kyri Shoels leads at Z, and Creed Whittemore is the early slot favorite.
TE: Noah Bennee is the most reliable option. Hunter Andrews will add explosiveness once healthy.
OL: Utah must replace multiple NFL‑level linemen. Kelvin Obot and Cedric Jefferson headline the tackle spots. Alex Harrison anchors the interior. Spring emphasis is on communication and cohesion.

WR: Dezmen Roebuck is expected to replace Boston in the slot after a 560‑yard freshman season. Rashid Williams is stepping into a leadership role after last year’s injuries.
RB: Jordan Washington suffered a neck injury on April 4 and was taken to UW Medical Center. With multiple backs sidelined, freshmen Brian Bonner Jr. and Ansu Sanoe, plus redshirt freshman Quaid Carr, handled most reps.

QB: Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. and Scotty Fox are battling for QB1. Rich Rodriguez’s Air Raid system suits Hawkins, but Fox is pushing hard. Spring game is April 18.

QB: Brock Glenn (FSU transfer) and Rodney Tisdale are competing for QB1. Tisdale brings experience; Glenn brings Power Four pedigree.

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