Yesterday was the spring game date for a bevy of prominent football programs — mainly in the Southeastern Conference. Outside of the SEC, the most notable were Ohio State, Pitt, Boston College, Virginia Tech, & Miami. Beyond it being the first game-like experience for early enrollees and transfer portal additions, it’s the first time for the coaches to see what these guys look like under the figurative bright lights.
Additionally, it’s the first time in five or six months that fans can come out en masse to support their programs at their home stadiums since the previous season. For programs like Alabama, there’s a completely new start at the highest position of power with Kalen DeBoer taking over for Nick Saban. At Ohio State, it was the first time we got to see the new look offense with innovator Chip Kelly at the play calling position.
Beyond anything on the field, it was also great to see the amount of access now granted to college football fans. On ESPN, there were 8 available spring games on rotation throughout the day. Ohio State’s spring game was available on Fox Sports. It may be commonplace to some people now, but there was a time not too long ago where we would have only gotten Georgia or Alabama on ESPNU and that’s it. With the amount of demand for college football, I can only see it growing.
In any event, here’s my five takeaways from Spring Game Saturday.
UGA’s Intensity:
Georgia QB Carson Beck (15) - UGA Athletics
The intensity of the Georgia Spring Game was unlike anything I’ve seen in a very long time. Beyond the fact that the roster is ridiculously deep, a tough feat in and of itself, Kirby Smart has cultivated a culture where the game actually felt like, well, a real football game. In modern college football, we get a lot of hybrid situational periods and controlled practice like tempo — not at Georgia. We saw the best line it up against the best on both sides of the ball. Some schools don’t do it - whether it’s due to lack of depth, not wanting to show too much in a spring game, or simply philosophical differences. One thing was for certain, UGA doesn’t have any of those issues. Starting quarterback Carson Beck threw the ball (46!) times yesterday. For reference, he’s never thrown the ball more than (39) times in an actual game. His connection with WR/TE Dillon Bell was especially impressive. He was also picked off twice - once on a tipped ball, and another one that was undercut. Luckily for Beck, he won’t be playing many, if any, defenses like the one he played Saturday. Beck aside, it was an impressive showing down to the last drive. Georgia will be hell on wheels once again.
Alabama RB Depth:
Alabama Running Backs Daniel Hill (20) Richard Young (25) Jam Miller (26) Justice Haynes (22) - Alabama Athletics
Alabama’s A-Day game was special for a myriad of reasons. As mentioned before, it was the first time a coach other than Nick Saban has led Alabama into to Bryant-Denny Stadium in 17 years. Kalen DeBoer, the reigning National Coach of The Year, led the Crimson Tide through the tunnel in Tuscaloosa for the first time yesterday and although it felt weird to see, I was very intrigued by what I saw. Before we get into that, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a tip of the cap to the Alabama fan base. On a day where the UFL Birmingham Stallions were playing their home opener that drew upwards of 15 thousand fans, The Masters Saturday was taking place, & multiple statewide events, the A-Day attendance still hit 73 thousand people. The first look at the new Alabama wasn’t a disappointment at all. The offense looked incredibly explosive. Led by quarterback Jalen Milroe and his newly refined throwing motion, the offense moved the ball up very nicely in the first half of the game. Washington transfer Germie Bernard and Cole Adams looked especially impressive at WR. Bernard’s early success makes a ton of sense as he’s the one guy who truly knows the system front to back. The defense had their moments and it was great to see some of the younger defensive backs get some playing time. However, to me, the stars of the show were clearly the Alabama running backs. Justice Haynes, Jam Miller, Richard Young, & Daniel Hill all flexed their muscles behind some very solid offensive line play. DeBoer opened up the game in splitback formation & that set the tone. Portal madness ensues, but if that was any indication of what we’ll get this fall — there’s going to be a lot of points scored.
No Huddle Pt 3 (Quick Outs)
Ohio State:
The Buckeyes boasted a reported spring game attendance of 80 thousand, and we got our first look at the new offense under Chip Kelly. Without getting too deep, I thought they looked very good everywhere besides offensive line. With a season as pivotal as this one and the ridiculous depth in the wide-out and running back room that offensive line room must be addressed. I fully expect them to do so and be a serious national title contender this season.
Florida:
Florida has arguably the hardest schedule in college football this season. For a prominent program with such rich history, expectations are firstly very low due to what we’ve seen on the field the last two seasons. However, they have no quarterback issue in Gainsville. Veteran QB Graham Mertz looked great and steady as always. While Mertz will have they keys to the offense this season, I couldn’t help but be impressed by true freshman early enrollee DJ Lagway. He has a pro frame already and showed some serious moxie and comfortability beyond his years. Lagway went 6/10 for 122 yards and a touchdown to start the evening. He finished the day 12/21for 173 yards a touchdown and an interception.
LSU:
While I wasn’t a huge fan of the spring game format, I still came away impressed with LSU’s offensive skill players and offensive line. QB Garrett Nussmeier, now 22 years old, looked the part yesterday. As a player with serious game reps, he looked extremely comfortable and their offense did not disappoint in my opinion. While they have strides to make in defense, there’s no doubt they’ll be competitive with that offense.