The turnover at some of the top programs in college football isn’t at the same level as it is in basketball but there is still plenty of it every single year. Each of the top teams in the country will have at least a handful of newcomers it will need to step up in order to contend at the highest level this season and we decided to focus on a handful of key players in particular. Here is a look at the top newcomers to watch this spring.
OT: Alex Leatherwood, Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide has been a revolving door for elite talent over the years and this season will be no different with a number of top prospects set to step in and make an immediate impact. One of those players is five-star freshman tackle Alex Leatherwood, who is expected to start on the right side. Alabama will move all-freshman tackle Jonah Williams to the left side to fill the spot vacated by Cam Robinson so it will be Leatherwood who needs to step up and provide the level of play that Williams brought to the table last season. No. 1 ranked junior college tackle Elliott Baker is another option but the Tide would love to see Leatherwood rise to the challenge and seize the role.
At any rate, the Tide’s offensive line looks like it’s great shape heading into next season. Their success starts at the line of scrimmage and they figure to be dominant in this area once again. That’s good news for quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Bo Scarborough and the rest of the Tide offense.
C: Baveon Johnson, Florida State Seminoles
Florida State is ready to challenge Clemson’s dominance in the ACC and on the national stage and their top newcomer to watch is Johnson. The redshirt freshman center weighs significantly more than Alec Eberle and the consensus is that he is talented enough to push him for the starting job. Johnson was the top-ranked center in the 2016 class and the Seminoles offensive line will be that much better if he can reach his potential as a started from the outset in 2017.
DT: Marlon Tuipulotu, USC Trojans
The Trojans are ready for battle in the Pac-12 with a roster that appears to be absolutely loaded from top to bottom. The key will be maximizing the potential of this group including some of the greener talent. USC is high on Tuipulotu at the defensive tackle position after he switched his commitment from Washington to join the Trojans. USC must replace Stevie Tu’ikolovatu in the middle of their defensive line so the hope is that Tuipulotu is ready to step up.
CB: Kendall Sheffield, Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s secondary has the potential to be the best in the Big Ten but they will need their entire arsenal of weapons to play at a high level in order for that to happen. Sheffield is perhaps the most intriguing piece as a junior-college transfer that will take part in spring ball. The former five-star Alabama signee could fill one of the starting cornerback spots right away. The talent is undoubtedly there but now the Buckeyes need him to show the maturity and awareness needed for him to reach his potential. This secondary needs some help after getting smoked in the College Football Playoff.
QB: Hunter Johnson, Clemson Tigers
Nobody outside of the program seems to know for sure what the plan is to replace Deshaun Watson at quarterback but Clemson has enough talent to win now and they need his replacement to step up big time this season in order for them to defend their titles in the ACC and on the national stage. Kelly Bryant is the incumbent starter heading in to the spring but one newcomer to watch is Johnson, who has perhaps the most talent of the quarterbacks on the roster. Johnson was ESPN’s top quarterback recruit and he should compete for the starting job right away with an opportunity to make an immediate impact in 2017.
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