The top storylines coming out of 2024 spring football practices

These days, it seems those annual spring games take a back seat to the action going on within the spring transfer portal (April 16-30). Among the most notable moves made this spring was Oregon State running back Damien Martinez (2,167 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns in two seasons) transferring to Miami, Fla. Talented defensive lineman Tramel Logan went from South Florida to Louisville, while Oklahoma got a potentially massive get with former TCU defensive tackle Damonic Williams (4 1/2 sacks 9/12 tackles for loss in two seasons).

In the case of the Buckeyes, they didn’t do anything to hinder their expectations via their spring workouts. Ohio State might have the best defense in the nation with ends JT Tuimoloau (11 career sacks), Jack Sawyer, and defensive back Denzel Burke. Meanwhile, Kansas State transfer Will Howard appeared to have the edge on Devin Brown to run Chip Kelly’s offense. Plus, the Buckeyes might have the best backfield in America with TreVeyon Henderson (926 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Quinshon Judkins, who ran for 1,158 yards and 15 TDs for Ole Miss last season. And, we didn’t even mention the wealth of talent at the receiver position. Don’t be surprised if Ohio State does open as the preseason No. 1-ranked team.

Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith has yet to play a game for Ohio State. However, this elite prospect turned heads and got some almost immediate buzz early in spring camp . The 6-foot-3 Smith, who hails from Miami, not only dazzled with his top-tier speed. Not only can Smith contribute immediately to a Buckeyes unit that still boasts Emeka Egbuka, but he might be among the top wideouts in the country for 2024. Perhaps the only thing that can hinder Smith’s production next season is how well Will Howard, or perhaps Devin Brown, fare at the quarterback position.

A three-point loss to rival Alabama in the SEC Championship game did in Georgia’s 2023 season. Right or wrong, the Bulldogs probably deserved a spot in the College Football Playoff, but the past is in the past. The Bulldogs, too, could stake their claim to a preseason No. 1 ranking in 2024. Carson Beck (3,941 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, six interceptions) returns to lead an offense that averaged more than 40 points. Receiver Ladd McConkey and star tight end Brock Bowers are gone, but Dominic Lovett (54 receptions) and Miami, Fla. transfer Colbie Young (79 receptions in 2022-’23) should slot in nicely. Meanwhile, the Bulldog’s defense looks as dominant as ever. Plus, Kirby Smart’s new deal worth $13 million a year means he believes this is the best football program.

The hope is that Michigan won’t skip a beat with former assistant coach Sherrone Moore taking over for Jim Harbaugh. No doubt Moore’s promotion within the program was the appropriate move. However, the Wolverines repeating as national champion might be too much to ask. They will be good, probably even good enough to contend for title in the new and improved Big Ten (which welcomes Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA). But there’s still that question at quarterback, which did not get answered through spring practice. Meanwhile, there are some depth concerns on defense, especially in the secondary.

Here’s what we know about the 2024 Colorado football team: the media will eat up every word spewed by Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, no matter how wacky and out-of-bounds or non-foot-ball related. And that likely won’t end until Colorado is no longer bowl-eligible. Following a 4-8 finish, after starting 3-0 last season, could happen again, even with Sanders’ son, Shedeur (3.230 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, three interceptions, 52 times sacked), considered among the top quarterbacks in the country.  Offensive line play, running back uncertainty and a suspect defense all remain concerns for Colorado, which returns to Big 12, where it faces Baylor and Utah, and travels to Arizona, Texas Tech and Kansas. Not to mention non-conference games versus North Dakota State and at Nebraska.

Florida State reinserted itself among the nation’s elite by going 13-1 in 2023. However, things ended on a sour note for the Seminoles with being shunned by the CFP committee, then getting crushed by Georgia in the Orange. As we tackle the state of the Seminoles’ post-spring practices, it’s likely Mike Norvell‘s group will again be driven by transfer. Most notably, former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei  (8,319 career passing yards, 47 touchdowns, 54 interceptions; 21 rushing touchdowns) and defensive lineman Marvin Jones Jr., who comes over from Georgia.

By most accounts, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik did not have a good spring game, completing just 50 percent of his passes and missing several open receivers. On top of that, Klubnik injured his leg in the contest. Now, there’s obviously plenty of time for Klubnik to regroup and refine. However, this seems like a fact-or-break season for the once highly-touted prospect, who threw for 2,844 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions during his first season as a starter in 2023. While Clemson’s defense should remain elite, the Tigers’ ultimate success in the ACC — and beyond — rests on Klubnik’s production.

The story coming out for of the Texas Longhorns spring game was the play of Arch Manning. Remember him? The much-hyped incoming freshman from a year ago who happens to be the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning. Manning, who spent all but a few moments on the Texas bench last season, went 19-of-26 for 355 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, according to ESPN, in the 2024 spring game. The internet was blowing up in real-time, and thoughts of a Texas quarterback controversy were brewing.  That was until coach Steve Sarkisian noted in his post-game presser that Quinn Ewers, who completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions, was still the starting quarterback at Texas, which moves to SEC play this season with an eye on a second straight trip to the College Football Playoff. This is no surprise, and barring an injury to Ewers, nothing should change in the fall.

Depending on the site one favors to satisfy their college football wagering needs (responsibly, as always), the 2024 Heisman Trophy odds favorites vary some in terms of number, but the top three choices remain consistent — the aforementioned Carson Beck, then Quinn Ewers and new Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. According to DraftKings, as of May 9, Beck and Ewers led the way at +900 each, while Gabriel is +1000. Meanwhile, FanDuel gives the edge to Beck (+750), with Ewers (+900) and Gabriel (+1000) chasing close behind.

Looking for a Heisman darkhorse Heisman candidate? Search no further than Miami’s Cam Ward. While it’s always wise to take the Hurricane’s potential for resounding success with caution these days, Ward at least makes the nation take Miami seriously to start the 2024 campaign. He transferred to Miami in January after throwing for 13.871 yards with 119 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and 16 rushing scores in 44 games, spanning four seasons and two schools (Incarnate Word and Washington State). The college football media flipped over Ward this spring, as he drew plenty of raves while practicing with the new squad. Will that truly mean a return to glory for the Miami program? Of course, we’ll have to see. 

Last season, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting while helping take Alabama to another CFP appearance. After a slow start, Milroe threw for 882 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception as the Crimson Tide won their final four games, including the SEC title game, to reach the playoffs. That built confidence heading into 2024, and with new coach  Kalen DeBoer, Milroe seems he can shine even brighter in a more up-tempo, quarterback-friendly system. DeBoer told al.com how impressed with the way Milroe is currently processing the game. 

It’s easy to consider Florida State, Clemson and Miami as frontrunners for the ACC title in 2024. But, apparently, there is plenty of internal excitement building at North Carolina State, and the national media is starting to take notice. Notably, the Wolfpack offense should be fun to watch in 2024 and possibly put the team in a position to challenge for an ACC championship, too seriously. Veteran quarterback Grayson McCall comes over from Coastal Carolina, where he threw for over 10,000 yards with 88 passing touchdowns, just 14 interceptions and ran for 1,113 with 18 more TDs. That experience could prove invaluable. The return of stud receiver KC Concepcion (71 receptions, 10 touchdowns) only adds to the promise.

The throwing-catching combination of Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan resulted in 90 receptions/completions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns as Arizona went an impressive 10-3 in 2023. The potential for more greatness, while playing within the Big 12, is quite high. Even after McMillan sat out the Wildcats’ spring game with an apparent leg injury,. According to the team, McMillan is slated to be ready for the start of the 2024 season, where expectations remain high for the program.

Finally, here’s a reminder for the 2024 season that Cameron Rising is still playing college football for Utah. If it seems like Rising (5,572 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, 14 interceptions in 27 career games since 2020) has been a Ute forever, that’s not far off. The 2024 season will be Rising’s sixth at Utah, and following a serious knee injury, he’s on point to be ready for that challenge. Rising took part in the Utes’ recent spring game and fared extremely well, going a reported 15-of-19 for 208 yards and two touchdowns in his first real, live action since the 2023 Rose Bowl. If there’s one feel-good college football story waiting to happen in 2024, it’s Rising.