CFB Spring Intel Hits: Friday, April 3

It’s been a couple of weeks since we hit you with some spring intel from camps that are now in full swing across college football. We have been hard at work putting together The Year That Was: 2025 publication, so this fell a bit on the priority list. But, never fear, we are here for you.

Let’s get to it…

DL: Auburn is rotating a deep defensive front, with DaShawn Womack (EDGE), Dallas Walker IV (interior), and Cody Sigler (3‑tech) all seeing time with the ones.
DB: Rayshawn Pleasant is locking down a starting corner role, showing veteran polish and technique.

WR: The first‑team receiver trio on March 25 featured Ryan Coleman‑Williams, Rico Scott, and NC State transfer Noah Rogers, all running ahead of highly touted freshmen Cederian Morgan and Derek Meadows.

QB: Maddux Madsen remains the unquestioned starter, while true freshmen Cash Herrera and Jackson Taylor are battling for QB2.
RB: Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley are splitting No. 1 reps evenly this spring.
WR: Terrious Favors is expected to play immediately thanks to elite speed and production; Resean Jones is also pushing for early snaps after a strong senior year.
WR (Competition): Ben Ford’s availability remains uncertain, while Cam Bates and Quinton Brown return from last year’s rotation. Transfers Darren Morris and Akeem Wright add experience, and freshman Terrious Favors is a major early‑playing‑time candidate.
OL: Left tackle remains unsettled after Kage Casey’s departure. Tyler Ethridge (CSU‑Pueblo transfer), Kyle Cox, and redshirt freshman Jacob Tracy are competing for the job.
DB: Freshman Madden Soliai brings an aggressive, high‑motor style that is already earning him reps.
LB: Adam Auston, a former Arkansas commit, is viewed as physically ready to contribute immediately.
DL: Swedish freshman Gustaf Henriks Ras is a strong candidate for early playing time due to his size and maturity.

QB: Conner Harrell is practicing without a knee brace, signaling he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery.

CB: Penn State transfer Elliot Washington II has been the standout of spring, bringing ball‑hawking ability and needed swagger.
S: Transfers Jerome Carter (ODU) and Corey Myrick (Southern Miss) have elevated the safety room.
QB: Christopher Vizzina remains the frontrunner, but true freshman Tait Reynolds unexpectedly took all second‑team reps on March 26.
OL: First‑team line: LT Brayden Jacobs, LG Elyjah Thurmon, C Harris Sewell, RG Tucker Kattus, RT Easton Ware. Veteran Collin Sadler is out with injury.
WR: With T.J. Moore out and Bryant Wesco Jr. limited, a freshman‑heavy group is learning on the fly. Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin, and Gordon Sellars have flashed speed but are still adjusting.
DB: True freshman Polo Anderson earned praise from DC Tom Allen for his effort and buy‑in.
LB: Sammy Brown leads the unit, with Kobe McCloud next. Alabama transfer Jeremiah Alexander is “in the mix,” while CJ Kubah‑Taylor and Fletcher Cothran round out the depth.
NB: The nickel battle features Corian Gipson, Tink Kelley, and Auburn transfer Donovan Starr.

WR: Hykeem Williams is out for the remainder of spring.

QB: Miami transfer Emory Williams and Texas Tech transfer Mitch Griffis are rotating with the ones; true freshman Trey Burke is ahead of Cole Hodge for QB3 but needs technical refinement.
OL: Transfer Brandon Best is taking first‑team center reps and showing a physical edge. Interior depth remains thin, forcing walk‑ons and a true freshman into heavy reps.

Tackle depth is solid with Christian Harris and Marleo Neolien, but the interior remains a concern.

QB: The battle is tight between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr., but true freshman Will Griffin has impressed enough to make it a three‑man race.
WR: Florida plans to lean heavily on 10 personnel. Vernell Brown III and Eric Singleton Jr. lead the group, with Micah Mays standing out at X while Dallas Wilson recovers.
TE: Transfer Evan Chieca has emerged as a surprise contributor and is earning starting reps.
OL: Stanford transfer Emeka Ugorji is a strong contender for a starting tackle spot, with Caden Jones, Eagan Boyer, and Tavaris Dice also in the mix.
DL: The defensive line remains a concern, especially with NT Joseph Mbatchou in a boot. Coaches still expect a breakout season from him.
S: Kentucky transfer Cam Dooley is expected to start at free safety and has quickly adapted to the scheme.

K: PK Conor McAneney has been suspended indefinitely following an arrest.
QB: Ashton Daniels has an early edge due to experience, though the competition remains open.
DL: The staff needs more from the defensive tackle group; veterans Daniel Lyons and Rylan Kennedy are being counted on to emerge. Depth behind the Desir twins and Kevin Wynn is still developing, with several young linemen needing to step up.

WR: Transfer Isiah Canion and redshirt freshman Talyn Taylor are receiving heavy reps as the Bulldogs rebuild their receiver rotation.

QB: TCU transfer Josh Hoover is locked in as the starter, with Grant Wilson as the clear backup.
RB: Indiana will use a committee featuring Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr.
WR: Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker, and Shazz Preston headline a deep receiver group.
OL: A veteran line with 119 combined starts returns, led by Big Ten OL of the Year Adedamola Ajani. Wisconsin transfer Joe Brunner strengthens the interior.
TE: Miami transfer Brock Schott is projected to start but will miss spring with a hip injury, opening the door for Blake Thiry and Andrew Barker.

S: JMU transfer Tyler Brown is expected to start at strong safety. He brings downhill physicality reminiscent of Sebastian Castro, though coverage consistency remains a question.

OL: The Wildcats have a major interior battle. John Pastore, Gus Hawkins, and Tanner Morley are set, while Akron transfer Delvin Morris leads at center and Chase Duarte competes at guard.

QB: Trey Kukuk is working with the ones. Blake Baker is non‑contact as he returns from an ACL tear but is moving well.
WR: Dedrick Latulas, Jay Wilkerson, and Luke Watkins are consistently running with the first team.

QB: In the first practice under Lane Kiffin, Sam Leavitt took the first snaps, followed by Husan Longstreet and Landen Clark. Leavitt hit multiple deep balls but appeared to be managing his leg.

OL: Miami is rebuilding after losing four starters. True freshman Jackson Cantwell is pushing for a starting tackle job, while Samson Okunlola and Matthew McCoy are solidifying the guard spots.

QB: Austin Simmons has been named QB1 for 2026, with no competition. Matt Zollers will sit behind him for another year and then battle for the starting spot in 2027 with, likely, another transfer in.
CB: Ole Miss transfer Chris Graves Jr. leads for one starting spot, while the other boundary corner remains wide open.

QB: Anthony Colandrea has impressed and is emerging as the frontrunner.
RB: True freshman Jamal Rule has been “the story of the spring,” now near 210 pounds and pushing for immediate snaps.
WR: UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer is expected to be an instant contributor opposite Nyziah Hunter.
LB: Transfers Owen Chambliss (SDSU) and Dexter Foster (Oregon State) are expected to provide immediate impact.

OL: Early lineup: LT Will Black, LG Anthonie Knapp, C Joe Otting, RG Sullivan Absher, RT Guerby Lambert. Knapp is transitioning inside after two years at LT.
DL: Freshman Rodney Dunham flashed with multiple would‑be sacks.
DL (Starters): Bryce Young, Elijah Hughes, Armel Mukam, and Boubacar Traore formed the primary front.
DL (Depth): Chris Burgess Jr. and Oregon transfer Tionne Gray add size behind Hughes and Mukam.
WR: Transfer Mylan Graham has made an immediate impact with dynamic playmaking.
WR: Jerome Bettis Jr. looks physically transformed and won a contested‑catch rep.
NB: Christian Gray and Dallas Golden are battling for nickel.
KR: Aneyas Williams, Nolan James Jr., Jordan Faison, Dallas Golden, Bubba Frazier, Jonaz Walton, and Ayden Pouncey are all in the returner mix.

WR: Iowa State transfers Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell will not participate in live drills as they recover.

OL: First group observed: LT Seth Smith, LG Hank Purvis, C Carter Miller, RG Kojo Poku, RT Shed Sarratt Jr. (not an official depth chart).

OL: LSU transfer Ory Williams is rotating at both tackle spots.
TE: Ethan Davis leads the group, followed by DaSaahn Brame and Cole Harrison.
LB: Jadon Perlotte and freshman TJ White have stood out for their size and twitch.
OL (Depth): Nic Moore is pushing for backup center after significant physical development.
OL (Injury): Starter Jesse Perry is limited with a minor injury.

QB: Penn State transfer Jaxon Smolik made a strong first impression, showing timing and deep‑ball accuracy with transfer WR Jayce Freeman.

WR: Freshmen Kayden Dixon‑Wyatt and Trent Mosley have separated themselves early.
TE: Freshman Mark Bowman is also emerging as a standout.
RB: Waymond Jordan is shut down for the rest of spring to clean up an ankle issue.

QB: A three‑way battle is underway between Luke Kromenhoek, Michael Van Buren, and KJ Cooper. Kromenhoek has the arm talent, while Cooper’s mobility is stressing the defense.

QB: Ethan Grunkemeyer is the early leader, showing poise and off‑platform ability.
WR: Ayden Greene is reliable and winning contested catches; Takye Heath and Que’Sean Brown are flashing from the slot.
TE: Luke Reynolds continues to impress and looks like an early offensive focal point.
OL: Combinations remain fluid; one unit featured Aidan Lynch, Layth Ghannam, Kyle Altuner, Johnny Garrett, and Montavious Cunningham.
DL: The front is generating more pressure, with Jason Abbey, Elhadj Fall, Kamari Copeland, and Aycen Stevens leading early.
DB: The safety group is deep, with Flowers and Reddish forming a steady pair and Jordan Bass showing versatility.
RB: The group struggled early with ball security; a committee approach remains possible.
PR: Que’Sean Brown, Tyseer Denmark, and Takye Heath handled punt returns.

RB: Ty Clark III and Florida transfer KD Daniels are splitting first‑team reps in a committee approach.
CB: Sascha Garcia, an FCS Freshman All‑American, is fully healthy and locking down receivers.

QB: Tyler Hughes and Mason Drube are competing for QB1. Landon Sims will return in fall as QB3, and Gage Brook is moving to tight end.

247Sports
ChopChat
CJOnline
East Carolina 247Sports
Green & Gold & Bold
Herald Times Online
Miami Herald / Canes coverage
Mizzou Football (X)
On3
OnlineAthens
Post and Courier
SI.com
South Carolina practice reports (X)
Tennessee 247Sports
Virginia Tech 247Sports
Various team‑affiliated X accounts

We hope you enjoyed this edition of CFB Spring Intel Hits. We’ll be back with more…oh, and that Magazine is dropping in the next couple of week as well.