School soccer spring video games – Key newcomers, place battles

Lots has occurred on the earth of school soccer since Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines celebrated their nationwide championship win three months in the past — not the least of which was Harbaugh departing for the NFL.

Nick Saban, acknowledged as the best faculty soccer coach of all time, retired from his submit at Alabama, setting off a late teaching carousel chain response that left Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa, Jedd Fisch at Washington and San José State’s Brent Brennan at Arizona.

Georgia scored the top-ranked recruiting class in February, and whereas there are extra modifications forward because the spring switch portal swings open subsequent week, there may be motion on the sector this weekend within the type of spring video games at many energy convention colleges.

To catch you up, our faculty soccer reporters supply some intriguing newcomers, breakout candidates and place battles to control.

Bounce to a convention:
SEC | Huge Ten
ACC | Huge 12

Place battle to look at: Cornerback — The Crimson Tide will probably be beginning over at cornerback in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as coach. Each starters from a yr in the past, Terrion Arnold and Kool-Support McKinstry, are headed to the NFL, seemingly as first-round picks, and 4 different corners transferred. The chances-on favourite to be Alabama’s high cornerback subsequent season is USC switch Domani Jackson. Nick Saban closely recruited Jackson out of highschool, however he selected USC. The previous five-star prospect performed just one season at USC on a protection that ranked 121st nationally in scoring.

After Jackson, who is aware of? Jahlil Hurley returns after redshirting final season and has but to play a snap in faculty. Alabama introduced in three extremely rated freshmen — Zabien Brown, Jaylen Mbakwe and Zay Mincey — and all three have elite expertise and are pushing to get on the sector instantly. Mbakwe has run a ten.47 100-meter sprint. — Chris Low

Most intriguing newcomer: Bobby Petrino — Petrino is not technically a newcomer, however he is again in a well-recognized place as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator. There aren’t many extra fascinating storylines in faculty soccer than Petrino’s return to Fayetteville, the place he was 21-5 in 2010 and 2011 because the Hogs’ head coach earlier than he bought into a bike accident with an athletic division subordinate with whom he was having an affair, then misled his superiors to cowl it up. He was Jimbo Fisher’s offensive coordinator at Texas A&M final season, although it is up for debate how a lot of his offense he was operating. In the meantime, Sam Pittman’s future with Arkansas (4-8 final season) began to come back into doubt, notably after the dismissal of offensive coordinator Dan Enos in October following a six-game dropping streak.

By now, Petrino’s high-flying offenses and his two straight seasons of 10 or extra wins at Arkansas had been sorely missed, and the 2 paths converged. It is an fascinating gambit: If the Hogs do not win quick sufficient, a wildly fashionable interim candidate exists. But when Petrino’s offense is a difference-maker, Pittman (23-25 at Arkansas) could have a shot at getting the practice again on the tracks. — Dave Wilson

Most intriguing newcomer: QB D.J. Lagway — After accounting for 74 touchdowns (58 passing, 16 dashing) as a senior in highschool, Lagway was the massive prize of the Gators’ recruiting class. Whereas Graham Mertz remains to be in Gainesville after a season wherein he accomplished 73% of his passes for two,903 yards together with 20 touchdowns and simply three interceptions, Lagway is the longer term.

After Florida’s first spring scrimmage, coach Billy Napier complimented Lagway’s skill to be taught and retain info, alongside together with his skill to take classes from conferences into apply. “He is picked it up shortly, and now it is simply the sport administration piece is subsequent,” Napier mentioned. Maybe we’ll get pattern of that within the spring recreation. — Harry Lyles Jr.

Place battle to look at: Free security — Whereas operating again Trevor Etienne, who transferred from Florida, is the flowery new addition in Athens, a place battle of us must be watching is at free security. Malaki Starks returns at sturdy security, however his former operating mate, Javon Bullard, is off to the NFL. Skilled gamers, akin to Dan Jackson, David Daniel-Sisavanh and JaCorey Thomas, may fill the void, however there are additionally youthful choices, akin to Justyn Rhett or five-star KJ Bolden. The Dawgs additionally introduced in Jake Pope from Alabama.

Take it from Starks, who mentioned earlier this week, “That room could be very aggressive.” And do not forget about new defensive backs coach Donte Williams, who is available in from USC after Fran Brown’s departure to Syracuse. The Bulldogs will determine it out as a result of they all the time do, nevertheless it must be a enjoyable battle with loads of expertise. — Lyles

Most intriguing newcomer: QB Brock Vandagriff — Vandagriff got here to Kentucky as a graduate switch from Georgia, the place he was a part of back-to-back nationwide championship groups in 2021 and 2022. Vandagriff spent this spring taking many of the first-team reps and is predicted to be the Wildcats’ starter. He has two years of eligibility remaining and has drawn some comparisons inside the program to former quarterback Will Levis.

Vandagriff is unproven as QB1, although, as he has performed in solely 13 whole video games, finishing 12 of 21 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. There’s expertise behind Vandagriff, as Beau Allen returns to Kentucky as a graduate switch following one season at Georgia Southern and one other at Tarleton State. — Heather Dinich

Breakout candidate: WR Kyren Lacy — Lacy is LSU’s high returning receiver and is poised to fill the holes left by the departures of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. Lacy, who has began 12 video games for LSU, was the Tigers’ No. 3 receiver final yr, and has caught 54 passes for 826 yards and 7 touchdowns in two seasons at Baton Rouge.

Coach Brian Kelly mentioned Lacy was once “simply distracted at occasions” however has performed with a newfound consistency this spring. “What has occurred right here, greater than the rest, is he has discovered the best zone to be in because it pertains to practising and preparation,” Kelly mentioned. “He realized lots final yr watching Malik and BT and the best way they got here to apply each day and carried out, and mentioned, ‘I can do that, too.’ I am actually pleased with him and blissful for him as a result of he will have a breakout season due to it.” — Dinich

Most intriguing newcomer: DE Princely Umanmielen — Lane Kiffin has introduced in an assortment of intriguing newcomers on each side of the ball and has labored the switch portal in addition to anybody. The 2024 Rebels could have new faces from a number of SEC groups, and so they’re relying on Umanmielen to make a serious influence at defensive finish. Edge rushers are all the time at a premium, and the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Umanmielen has expertise and manufacturing going for him. He performed 4 seasons at Florida (25 begins) and recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, together with seven sacks, final season.

Kiffin made it a precedence to get greater, stronger and sooner this offseason, and Umanmielen matches that mould. Kiffin mentioned this spring that Umanmielen has “best dimension, size and velocity to be a extremely good participant, one which you do not have to say, ‘OK, this is how we would use any person to type of conceal among the deficiencies,’ which we have accomplished lots right here.” — Low

Most intriguing newcomer: TE Holden Staes — The Vols wanted assist at tight finish with Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles gone, so that they introduced in Staes after he spent two seasons at Notre Dame. Search for the 6-4, 242-pounder to change into a frequent goal for first-year beginning quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

One purpose Staes picked Tennessee was the best way the Vols have used their tight ends underneath coach Josh Heupel. Staes caught 15 passes for 176 yards and 4 touchdowns final season for Notre Dame. He has actually good palms and may make performs in area, however his blocking skill jumped out to the Tennessee coaches as a lot as something. Staes remains to be adjusting to the tempo of Tennessee’s up-tempo offense, however his versatility must be a consider each the passing and operating video games. — Low

Most intriguing newcomer: QB Will Howard — Ohio State followers will get their first glimpse of the Kansas State switch, who entered the spring because the front-runner to take over at quarterback for Kyle McCord (now at Syracuse). Howard brings the dual-threat aspect again to the Buckeyes’ backfield, dashing for 351 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Wildcats final season.

The strain is on Ohio State after a 3rd consecutive loss to Michigan, the reigning nationwide champions. However following an aggressive offseason within the switch portal — coupled with the hiring of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly — the Buckeyes boast the gamers to pursue their very own nationwide title. Nonetheless, their hopes determine to hinge closely on Howard — or his major competitors for the job, Devin Brown — offering improved quarterback play. — Jake Trotter

Place battles to look at: Offensive deal with and broad receiver — Penn State misplaced beginning tackles Olu Fashanu, a projected first-round NFL draft choose, and Caedan Wallace from a line that confirmed some enchancment however lacked the efficiency wanted towards high competitors. The workforce added Wisconsin switch Nolan Rucci, an ESPN top-40 recruit in 2021 from the state, who joins returnees akin to Drew Shelton, Anthony Donkoh and J’ven Williams. Shelton is out this spring whereas recovering from surgical procedure, which has created sturdy competitors between Rucci, Donkoh and Williams, which coach James Franklin mentioned would proceed into fall camp.

Vast receiver additionally will probably be within the highlight after a tricky 2023 season. KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace III each return, and Penn State added Ohio State switch Julian Fleming. Will these three or a gaggle of youthful gamers present the dependable targets quarterback Drew Allar wants? — Adam Rittenberg

Most intriguing newcomer: RB Reggie Love III — Love is new to Purdue however to not a number of of the Boilermakers coaches who joined Ryan Walters from Illinois. He had 883 dashing yards and 6 touchdowns in the course of the previous two seasons for the Illini, and can present a robust complement to Purdue’s lead again Devin Mockobee.

Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell has a number of gamers who can assault defenses on the bottom, as Hudson Card (203 rush yards, 5 TDs in 2023) brings extra mobility than most Air Raid quarterbacks. Though Love had solely 15 receptions at Illinois, his pass-catching skill might be amplified for the Boilers. Different newcomers to look at embrace defensive again transfers Nyland Inexperienced (Georgia) and Kyndrich Breedlove (Colorado), and defensive position switch CJ Madden (Georgia). — Rittenberg

Most intriguing newcomer: Head coach Invoice O’Brien — What precisely will Boston School appear to be this yr underneath O’Brien? It is an interesting query. He is among the many most achieved playcallers in soccer, however his historical past — at Alabama, Penn State and with the New England Patriots and Houston Texans — doesn’t mean a man wanting to throw warning to the wind and play wide-open, yard soccer.

However take a look at BC’s 2023 season underneath Jeff Hafley, and that is when the Eagles had been most harmful, with quarterback Thomas Castellanos getting outdoors the pocket, winging it downfield and scrambling for yards on damaged performs. In all, 17.4% of BC’s offense got here on scrambles or throws outdoors the pocket, the third-highest charge within the ACC. So will it’s extra of the identical with Castellanos, or can O’Brien assist his QB develop as a pocket passer? — David Hale

Breakout candidate: QB Haynes King — One may argue that the identical may have been mentioned final spring, however King remains to be a breakout candidate for the Yellow Jackets. In his first full yr as a starter — additionally Brent Key’s first full season as head coach — King was electrical. He accomplished 62% of his passes for two,842 yards, 27 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, and added 737 yards on the bottom with 10 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per rush.

King is likely one of the finest returning quarterbacks within the ACC, and after main Tech to its first bowl win in seven years, it is truthful to count on much more in Yr 2. If he is capable of restrict turnovers, the Yellow Jackets have a possibility to take one other step in 2024. Saturday’s spring recreation is likely one of the most anticipated in Midtown Atlanta shortly, and King is a giant purpose. — Lyles

Most intriguing newcomer: QB Cam Ward — That is a straightforward one. Ward’s choice to come back to Miami, after initially deciding to enter the NFL draft, is fascinating as a result of it shifted the complete dialog across the Hurricanes. Earlier than Ward, who performed at Washington State the previous two seasons, shifted gears, Miami signed Albany switch Reese Poffenbarger to beef up the quarterback room. However now? Miami seems to have one of many strongest quarterbacks within the ACC headed into the season.

The spring recreation will probably be our first likelihood to see how Ward matches into this offense underneath coordinator Shannon Dawson, and the way he jells together with his receivers. Miami has two veterans returning in Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, and younger expertise that might be able to emerge in Isaiah Horton, JoJo Dealer, Ny Carr and Ray Ray Joseph. Miami has not had constant quarterback play since Tyler Van Dyke was a freshman in 2021. If Ward is ready to dwell as much as the expectations, the Hurricanes could have a shot to be within the hunt for the ACC title. — Andrea Adelson

Place battle to look at: Quarterback — Technically, there is no battle right here. Head coach Pat Narduzzi insists Nate Yarnell is his man, and Yarnell appears to be wanting to flex some muscle in a brand new up-tempo offense in 2024. However Yarnell has solely two video games of significant work underneath his belt, and his position because the de facto starter was outlined totally on the again of strong performances towards BC and Duke to finish final season.

That Christian Veilleux, who began six video games final season, and Alabama switch Eli Holstein are also on the roster supposedly simply means Pitt has depth on the place. However a robust spring recreation for Yarnell would assist quell any rumblings a few QB battle among the many followers this summer time, even when Narduzzi is satisfied he has his man both manner. — Hale

Breakout candidate: LB Jaden Keller — A redshirt junior, Keller has grown by leaps and bounds from his arrival as an undersized playmaker in the midst of the sector, and but, Virginia Tech nonetheless hasn’t seen the most effective of him. Keller has made 4 begins in his profession and had some good moments, however head coach Brent Pry mentioned he stays a participant the workforce hopes will emerge as a real star.

This spring has in all probability been the closest to that breakthrough for Keller, who figures to be the starter at center linebacker within the fall, and Pry mentioned Keller has been at his finest in the course of the Hokies’ scrimmages at Lane Stadium. Anticipate Keller to placed on one other present Saturday, this time with followers watching. — Hale

Most intriguing newcomer: QB Brendan Sorsby — Sorsby was thrown into the deep finish as a redshirt freshman at Indiana final season, and whereas he did not precisely thrive, he did produce numbers just like these of Cincinnati’s Emory Jones — Jones was 68th in Complete QBR, Sorsby 71st — solely Jones was a senior.

With a senior-heavy line and a talent corps that options not solely a 1,000-yard rusher (Corey Kiner) and go-to receiver (senior Xzavier Henderson) but in addition a wave of intriguing transfers, akin to Ohio State operating again Evan Pryor and explosive UTEP slot man Tyrin Smith, Cincinnati’s offense ought to enhance a good quantity if it has a quarterback prepared to enhance with it. Sorsby confirmed hints of being that man final fall, and he may present just a few extra glimpses within the spring recreation. — Invoice Connelly

Place battle to look at: Offensive line — New Cougars coach Willie Fritz, who replaces Dana Holgorsen, is kind of the intriguing newcomer, however a lot of his offensive line will probably be as new as he’s. The lone exception is correct guard Tank Jenkins, who’s returning for his seventh collegiate season (two at Texas A&M, 4 at Houston).

Houston will look to combine three transfers (Dakota White, a 30-game starter at Lousiana Tech; Jake Wiley from UCLA; and Cedric Melton, who arrived from Ole Miss) together with 5 offensive linemen the Cougars signed this yr. The excellent news is each place is up for grabs after a training change, however the dangerous information is that is numerous new faces at a key place after a 4-8 season in Houston’s first yr within the Huge 12. — Wilson

Most intriguing newcomer: WR Dorian Singer — Singer additionally match this billing at USC a yr in the past. He was coming off an excellent 2022 season at Arizona wherein he caught 66 passes for 1,105 yards with six touchdowns and was named second-team All-Pac-12. However after transferring to USC final yr to catch passes from the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams, Singer’s manufacturing regressed. He by no means fairly bought in sync with Williams the best way different USC receivers did and completed with simply 24 catches for 289 yards and three scores.

In hopes of regaining his 2022 kind, Singer jumped again within the portal and landed at Utah, which was in determined want of some offensive playmakers after ending No. 120 within the nation in receiving yards per recreation (165.8). — Kyle Bonagura