Apr 18, 2025, 07:30 AM ET
As spring practices proceed to wind down with an collection of fan fests and spring showcases, some methods are sticking with custom and internet hosting spring video games.
Amongst the ones internet hosting video games this weekend are Michigan, which options ballyhooed quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood, and Colorado, the place trainer Deion Sanders stays however his greatest stars from ultimate season, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, might be stepping onto a far larger degree at subsequent week’s NFL draft.
Here is a take a look at the power-conference methods internet hosting spring video games this weekend, together with positions of intrigue and avid gamers to wait for every crew.
All instances Japanese.
Sport time: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
2024 report: 9-4
Spring storyline: Shane Beamer was best the second one trainer at South Carolina prior to now 40 years to win 9 regular-season video games ultimate season. (Steve Spurrier used to be the opposite.) The Gamecocks performed their perfect soccer down the stretch and had been a few performs and questionable calls clear of making the Faculty Soccer Playoff. They go back two of the most productive younger avid gamers within the nation in redshirt sophomore quarterback LaNorris Dealers and sophomore edge rusher Dylan Stewart, however the important thing to the season might be how smartly the opposite avid gamers round the ones two stars increase.
Place of intrigue: Even with All-The usa defensive finish Kyle Kennard headed to the NFL, South Carolina’s defensive entrance seven will have to once more be stout. The Gamecocks completed within the height 20 nationally in scoring protection, yards in line with play and speeding protection. Stewart’s skill to get to the passer might be a big a part of the 2025 protection, however Bryan Thomas Jr. additionally had 4.5 sacks ultimate season. Transfers Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy at take on (Texas A&M), Jaylen Brown at finish (Missouri) and Justin Okoronkwo (Alabama) and Shawn Murphy (Florida State) at linebacker are on their approach.
Participant to look at: With the ability to run the ball ultimate season made an enormous distinction for South Carolina, and Dealers used to be a large a part of that working sport. However with Rocket Sanders long past, the Gamecocks wanted a go-to working again, which is the place Utah State move Rahsul Faison suits in. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Faison rushed for 1,109 yards and averaged 5.6 yards in line with lift ultimate season. — Chris Low
Sport time: Saturday, midday
2024 report: 9-4
Spring storyline: Is Duke able to push into the ACC’s higher echelon? Here is a amusing reality: The one groups with extra convention wins prior to now 3 years than Duke (14) are Clemson and Louisville. After ultimate season’s unexpected 9-4 end, Duke spent giant to land move Darian Mensah at QB, and expectancies are extremely excessive in Durham for the primary time in — smartly, it is been some time.
Place of intrigue: Mensah used to be the large offseason splash, however there stays a query as to who he’s going to be throwing the ball to. The Blue Devils’ height two receivers and their main cross catcher at tight finish from 2024 are all long past. Of their wake, Duke will depend on third-year choice Que’Sean Brown, who emerged overdue within the season, and 2 transfers in Andrel Anthony (from Oklahoma) and Cooper Barkate (from Princeton).
Participant to look at: Jaquez Moore used to be intended to be a centerpiece to Duke’s offense in 2024, however an early damage upended his season, and he completed with simply 32 carries. He is wholesome once more, and if he can get again into the shape he confirmed as an all-around playmaker in 2022 and 2023, the Blue Devils will have to have a well balanced assault. — David Hale
Sport time: Saturday, midday
2024 report: 4-8
Spring storyline: Willie Fritz starts his moment season at Houston with two new coordinators: His first rent on offense, Kevin Barbay, used to be fired after the Cougars ranked ultimate within the FBS in scoring offense and changed through Fritz’s former Tulane OC, Slade Nagle. Defensive coordinator Shiel Picket departed for a large lift at Texas Tech and used to be changed through Austin Armstrong, previously Florida’s DC.
Place of intrigue: Offensive line. The Cougars’ struggles on offense ultimate season began up entrance, and Fritz, who had arrived in December after Dana Holgorsen used to be fired, needed to patch a number of holes. This 12 months, the Cougars landed 5 offensive linemen within the portal to assist bolster their coverage.
Participant to look at: Former Texas A&M starter Conner Weigman, a five-star recruit when he signed with the Aggies, used to be a highschool megastar within the Houston space and can get a recent get started after a training and scheme trade in Aggieland. — Dave Wilson
Sport time: Saturday, midday
2024 report: 8-5
Spring storyline: New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey arrives with a mandate to overtake a passing sport that completed above best the 3 provider academies in 2024 when it comes to passing yards in line with sport. His construction of incoming nationwide No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood at quarterback might be carefully watched, however Lindsey should take an international strategy to getting extra manufacturing from an offense that also is dropping its height two working backs.
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Place of intrigue: Defensive take on. No FBS crew is dropping a greater tandem of internal defensive linemen, as Michigan should change Mason Graham, a projected top-five NFL draft pick out, and Kenneth Grant, a conceivable overdue first-round pick out. Rayshaun Benny’s go back is vital, and Michigan should construct intensity round him with transfers Damon Payne (Alabama), Tre Williams (Clemson) and others.
Participant to look at: Working again Justice Haynes. Even with a ability like Underwood at quarterback, Michigan will at all times lean on its run sport, which loses Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards to the NFL. Haynes, a move from Alabama, has inspired his new coaches and teammates together with his management and conditioning. Now he tries to turn into a featured again after averaging 5.9 yards in line with lift in restricted paintings for the Purple Tide. — Adam Rittenberg
Sport time: Saturday, 1 p.m.
2024 report: 7-6
Spring storyline: After the Razorbacks misplaced six video games or extra for the 0.33 immediately season in 2024, it sort of feels like some other vital 12 months for embattled trainer Sam Pittman. It would possibly not be simple in opposition to one of the tough schedules within the FBS — street video games at Ole Pass over, Tennessee, LSU and Texas and residential contests in opposition to Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Auburn and Missouri. There used to be a number of turnover at the roster, with 25 scholarship avid gamers leaving, together with a number of key members. The Hogs’ focal point this spring is discovering their 22 perfect avid gamers and construction intensity at the back of them.
Place of intrigue: Pittman is an old-school offensive line trainer at center, and he is aware of Arkansas goes to have do a greater process protective quarterback Taylen Inexperienced, who used to be sacked 32 instances in 2024. The Hogs gave up 36 total, which ranked 114th within the FBS. The Razorbacks introduced in 5 FBS transfers and some other lineman from junior faculty. Tackles JacQawn McRoy (Oregon) and Corey Robinson II (Georgia Tech) may well be the most important additions. McRoy is nicknamed “Shaq” on account of his towering 6-foot-8, 375-pound body. Fernando Carmona, who moved from left take on to protect, advised newshounds this week that the unit might be higher than ultimate 12 months. “And I do know that for a reality,” he mentioned. “Simply the best way the gang is, the best way now we have meshed.”
Participant to look at: The Razorbacks want assist at broad receiver after Andrew Armstrong departed for the NFL and Isaiah Sategna transferred to Oklahoma. Arkansas added 4 move receivers, and previous UAB standout Kam Shanks led the FBS with 329 punt go back yards and two punt go back touchdowns in 2024. He additionally added a team-high 62 receptions for 656 yards and 6 ratings. The Hogs will even get their first seems at receivers Courtney Crutchfield (Missouri), Raylen Sharpe (Fresno State) and O’Mega Blake (Charlotte). — Mark Schlabach
Sport time: Saturday, 1 p.m.
2024 report: 2-10
Spring storyline: The Bulldogs went 2-10 and did not win an SEC contest in trainer Jeff Lebby’s first season, so there is a number of paintings to do in Starkville, Mississippi, this spring. The Bulldogs have to determine a strategy to give a boost to their porous protection, which ranked 118th in scoring (34.1 issues), one hundred and thirtieth in opposition to the run (216.9 yards), one hundred and fifth in passing protection (239.5 yards) and 126th in overall protection (456.4). The offense additionally took some heavy portal losses, together with quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (LSU) and receivers Kevin Coleman Jr. (Missouri) and Mario Craver (Texas A&M).
Place of intrigue: The Bulldogs’ issues on protection began up entrance, and that is the reason the explanation Lebby and his group of workers added seven defensive linemen within the portal. State’s protection generated best 10 sacks in 2024, moment fewest within the FBS. Pink Hibbler had 6½ sacks at NC State in 2023, then redshirted after 4 video games ultimate season. Will Whitson had 8½ tackles for loss and 5 sacks in two seasons at Coastal Carolina, and Malick Sylla had 4 sacks in 3 seasons at Texas A&M. Including former FBS head coaches Mike MacIntyre and Paul Rhoads as senior defensive analysts can not harm.
Participant to look at: Quarterback Blake Shapen returned to Mississippi State after lacking the overall 8 video games with a shoulder damage. In 4 begins in 2024, he threw for 974 yards with 8 touchdowns and one interception. After Van Buren transferred to LSU, the Bulldogs signed former Florida State backup Luke Kromenhoek, who began two video games in 2024. — Schlabach
Sport time: Saturday, 2 p.m.
2024 report: 3-9
Spring storyline: Trainer Mike Gundy answered to the worst end of his tenure (and a contract-related standoff with the college) through hiring a wholly new group of workers of assistants and he’s going to input 2025 with an similarly unfamiliar roster. TCU move Hauss Hejny is the favourite to emerge from a crowded quarterback room, and Oklahoma State should change the manufacturing of Ollie Gordon, De’Zhaun Stribling and a handful of key defenders if the Cowboys need to execute a handy guide a rough turnaround in 2025.
Place of intrigue: Offensive line. Oklahoma State is changing its height six snap-getters from an offensive line that allowed 13 sacks ultimate fall, tenth fewest nationally. In 2025, the Cowboys’ blockading unit initiatives to be transfer-heavy following the portal arrivals of Tyler Brumfield (Snow Junior Faculty), Louie Canepa (New Mexico State), Kasen Chippie (Tulsa), Lavaka Taukeiaho (Weber State) and the hot move dedication of Appalachian State offensive take on Markell Samuel. Along them, redshirt junior Austin Kawecki is the one returner who performed greater than 100 snaps ultimate fall.
Participant to look at: Defensive position move Kyran Duhon used to be a second-team All-CUSA variety after he totaled 43 tackles and 7 sacks in his freshman season at UTEP. His skill to get into the backfield might be crucial for a protection that misplaced a sequence of have an effect on defenders this season, together with Collin Oliver and Nick Martin. — Eli Lederman
Sport time: Saturday, 3 p.m., SECN+
2024 report: 8-5
Spring storyline: Ultimate impressions at all times appear to rely for extra in faculty soccer, and Texas A&M in its first season underneath Mike Elko misplaced 4 of its ultimate 5 video games a 12 months in the past. It used to be a disappointing with reference to the season after the Aggies gained seven immediately heading into November and had been apparently in place to make a playoff run. Search for Elko to tackle a heavier function on protection. He wasn’t happy with the best way the Aggies performed down the stretch a 12 months in the past and taken in different inexperienced persons at the line of defense, which is dropping 3 of its height avid gamers to the NFL.
Place of intrigue: The Aggies are set to go back all 5 starters of their offensive line, a unit that might use a spice up from the working backs staying wholesome this season. In spite of knee accidents to each Rueben Owens and Le’Veon Moss ultimate season, Texas A&M nonetheless completed moment within the SEC in speeding with a mean of 195.5 yards in line with sport. Owens did not play till the ultimate two video games of the season after being injured in preseason camp, and Moss ignored the ultimate month of the season. Amari Daniels additionally returns at working again, that means the Aggies’ working sport may just flourish in 2025.
Player to look at: This might be Marcel Reed’s 0.33 12 months on campus, and the redshirt sophomore is Texas A&M’s long term at quarterback. He had his ups and downs a 12 months in the past after shuffling between backup and starter, however performed giant on some giant phases. Reed has mentioned he needs to be extra of a pacesetter in this crew, which begins within the spring. — Low
Sport time: Saturday, 3 p.m.
2024 report: 8-5
Spring storyline: The Pink Raiders had been the debate of the school soccer workforce international this offseason, going giant within the portal, spending greater than $10 million to signal 17 new avid gamers, together with seven at the offensive and defensive traces. However the expectation that move in conjunction with that, in fact, is that Joey McGuire, 23-16 in his 3 seasons in Lubbock, wins the Giant 12 and makes a run on the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
Place of intrigue: Shiel Picket arrives as the brand new defensive coordinator after the Pink Raiders completed 126th in overall protection in 2024. The secondary used to be specifically troubling, giving up 308.1 passing yards in line with sport, 132nd nationally. 5 individuals of that move haul are defensive backs.
Participant to look at: Romello Top is a fascinating prospect. The 6-3, 240-pound edge rusher spent two seasons at Auburn out of highschool, transferred to USC, then Georgia Tech and now Texas Tech. In 36 profession video games, he has 73 tackles (15.5 for loss) and six.5 sacks. — Wilson
Sport time: Saturday, 3 p.m., ESPN+
2024 report: 5-7
Spring storyline: Utah is popping to first-year offensive coordinator Jason Beck and a forged of inexperienced persons to redesign an offense that completed a hundred and fifteenth nationally in yards in line with sport ultimate season. Beck introduced move quarterback Devon Dampier with him from New Mexico, and the Utes will hope that 8 new additions throughout their working again and broad receiver rooms can raise Utah again to Giant 12 competition following this system’s first dropping season since 2013.
Place of intrigue: Cornerback. After main the Utes to the convention’s fifth-ranked cross protection in 2024, the cornerback unit initiatives to be a power once more within the fall in spite of the departure of former all-conference defender Zemaiah Vaughn. Upperclassmen Smith Snowden and Elijah Davis are again in 2025, and the Utes have strengthened on the place with the portal additions of Donovan Saunders (Texas A&M), Blake Cotton (UC Davis) and Rock Caldwell (Lawn Town Group Faculty).
Participant to look at: Switch working again Wayshawn Parker carried 137 instances for 735 yards as Washington State’s second-leading rusher in his freshman season ultimate fall. He is primed to tackle a good larger workload with Utah in 2025 stepping in to exchange 1,000-yard rusher Micah Bernard. — Lederman
Sport time: Saturday, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN+
2024 report: 9-4
Spring storyline: As Colorado prepares to retire the numbers of Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter this weekend, the query stays: Can the Buffaloes stay Giant 12 contenders with out them? Colorado discovered an skilled alternative for Sanders in Liberty quarterback move Kaidon Salter, even though the 29-game starter is predicted to stand festival from five-star freshman Julian Lewis. Defensive backs DJ McKinney, Carter Stoutmire, Preston Hodge and Colton Hood go back to a secondary that completed fortieth in passing yards in line with sport ultimate season.
Place of intrigue: Large receiver. Between the departures of Hunter and fellow cross catchers LaJohntay Wester, Will Sheppard and Jimmy Horn, Colorado entered the spring down 255 receptions, 3,251 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns of manufacturing from a 12 months in the past. Drelon Miller and Omarion Miller stay this system’s best returning receivers who hit double-digit receptions in 2024. Tulsa move Joseph Williams — the reigning AAC Freshman of the Yr — will have to be in place to provide, and spring portal move dedicate Trustworthy Brown (Campbell) items some other intriguing choice for the autumn.
Participant to look at: Alabama defensive take on move Jeheim Oatis began 13 video games and recorded 52 tackles, 5 cross breakups and 1.5 sacks in two-plus seasons with the Purple Tide. He may just emerge as a key piece on the center of a new-look internal line of defense unit at Colorado q4. — Lederman
