Spring football is an important time of the year for college teams as the competition continues at key positions with coaches looking for a little bit more clarity in terms of what they have on their roster looking forward to the regular season. Coaches are always challenging their players to be better and the key position battles continue to be evaluated throughout the spring. However, college football injuries can often complicate things and that is definitely the case in the spring with players that are held back. Here is a look at the college football injuries that will have the biggest impact this spring in college football.
Nick Chubb, Georgia Bulldogs
Running Back
Georgia’s football program will enter a new era this season with Kirby Smart taking over as their new head coach. There has been a lot of talk about how the Bulldogs have the talent to make some serious noise in the SEC East this season but it won’t help that their star running back is hurt right now. Chubb had an outstanding freshman season in which he ran for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns and he was in the middle of another solid year when he ran for 745 yards and seven touchdowns through five games in 2015 before going down with a serious knee injury versus Tennessee. Chubb tore multiple ligaments on that play and while he is expected to return in 2016 he won’t participate in any team drills this spring. Georgia has some formidable talent heading in to Smart’s first season as head coach but there is obvious concern about the running back position right now with Chubb forced to work his way back from injury.
Cam Robinson, Alabama Crimson Tide
Tackle
The defending champion Crimson tide will need to find a new quarterback for the third consecutive spring but they have some quality, healthy options in the mix including sophomores Cooper Batemen and David Cornwell, as well as redshirt freshman Blake Barnett. The bigger concern right now might be on the line where their projected starting left tackle Robinson has emerged as one of the premier quarterback protectors in the nation. Robinson will miss the spring session recovering from shoulder surgery and Alabama won’t be able to reevaluate where he is at until the fall.
Adrian Baker, Clemson Tigers
Cornerback
Clemson is coming off an incredible season and there is no doubt they have enough returning talent to challenge for a second consecutive ACC title this season. However, the Tigers’ defense took a hard hit in terms of top prospects leaving for the NFL and while they still have some considerable talent returning on that side of the football they would be better off if their sophomore cornerback Baker was healthy right now. Baker was expected to challenge for the starting job vacated by Mackensie Alexander but he suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire spring at the very least. That will leave junior Ryan Carter and sophomore Mark Fields to battle for the starting job across from senior Cordrea Tankersley and it really hurts their depth at the position right now.
Shock Linwood, Baylor Bears
Running Back
One of the biggest focuses for Baylor this spring has been getting healthy again including at the quarterback position where Seth Russell and Jarrett Stidham have both worked their way back from season-ending college football injuries. Both passers are healthy right now but the Bears are dealing with another key injury as their star running back Linwood remains sidelined. Linwood rushed for 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns last season but missed the Russell Athletic Bowl with a fracture in his foot. Linwood continues to rehab the injury but he is expected to miss the spring sessions.
Isaiah Jones, East Carolina Pirates
Wide Receiver
The Pirates are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season in 2015. The expectation is that they will bounce back in 2016 but it doesn’t help that they won’t have their star senior receiver Jones at spring practice. Jones made 98 catches for 1,099 yards and five touchdowns last season but he will miss the spring sessions as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. East Carolina will need their best receiver back in the mix for the regular season but he will be held back until at least August. This is one of the most important college football injuries to keep an eye on in Conference USA.
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