Spring practices are wrapping up. Starters have been named; races have thoroughbreds leading the front, while some races are now tighter than ever. There are new faces prowling the sidelines of some the more prestigious programs in the country and questions abound about some of the fresh faces that will be replacing the stalwarts that led these programs. Here are huge questions that we face coming out of the spring:
Can Mark Sanchez keep the tradition of QBs at USC alive?
In the land of Troy, Mark Sanchez has emerged as the starting QB over Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain. The race was considered close until the spring game, where Sanchez emerged as the leader with a solid performance that included 3 touchdowns. Sanchez will have four new starters on the offensive line and holes to fill in the defense. The one thing that he has in his repertoire that his predecessors, Matt Leinart and John David Booty, never had are starts before his first full season as starter.
Starting QBs at Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech? Who gets the job done?
Tennessee's QB Jonathon Crompton has big shoes to fill. Not many guys have the luxury, or curse depending on who you ask, of taking over for a four-year starter like Erik Ainge. But after an impressive showing in the annual Orange and White game, Crompton appears to be ready to take over the reigns. Let's see how he does in his first game at Georgia or at home against Florida or Alabama.
Jimmy Clausen had a four-alarm baptismal as quarterback of Notre Dame last year. In the worst year in recent memory of Irish football, Clausen showed flashes of brilliance, but found himself the topic of high scrutiny being the top-rated QB in the class of 2007 and also found a place on the turf after being sacked 34 times last season. After showing notable improvement in the spring game, Charlie Weis said that Clausen has made strides to becoming the quarterback he imagined. If for some reason he should slip, Evan Sharpley could be waiting in the wings to take snaps.
The Hokies had a banner year in winning the ACC title and getting to the Orange Bowl. Their dual quarterback system of Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor worked effectively, but it was Glennon's steady arm that helped the Hokies close the season strong en route to a win in Jacksonville. It was Glennon that shined the spring game, but Taylor's enticing playmaking ability last season showed Tech fans a reason to be excited about the future. However, if Frank Beamer redshirts Taylor as its being reported that he is still contemplating, the onus of the offense will fall on the senior from Chantilly, VA.
Can Emmanuel Moody give the Gators the marquee back they need?
The lack of a go-to running back last year may have cost Florida in losses to Georgia, LSU, and Michigan. Tim Tebow, last year's Heisman winner, was the Gators' leading rusher with 895 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns, while wide receiver Percy Harvin was second in rushing with 764 yards and 6 touchdowns. But Urban Meyer, Dan Mullin, and the Gator nation would be much more at ease if their star QB didn't have to slam head first into linebackers and safeties on run plays.
Enter Emmanuel Moody, the USC transfer and the 2006 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, who left L.A. after being placed at the bottom of the depth chart in the Trojan backfield. Moody has the physical skills to give the spread attack at Florida the threat they need. Coaches say that he is struggling learning the read-zone techniques of running out of the shotgun. But if Moody can grasp the offense, the Gators could be a devastatingly scary team to watch on offense next year.
How will Penn State's defense react to losing Sean Lee?
Paul Posluszny begat Dan Conner and Dan Connor begat Sean Lee. The defender was expected to be the next great linebacker at "Linebacker U." That was all cast down the drain when Lee was hurt in a non-contact drill during spring practice. A torn ACL and nine months of rehab means that he will miss the 2008 season and more than likely receive a red shirt. It leaves the Nittany Lions without a marquee linebacker roaming the front seven for the first time in four years. Sophomore Bani Gbadyu, who totaled only 6 tackles last season, is expected to be the favorite to take over. In addition, Tyrell Sales is expected to contribute heavily with the defense still lacking a few suspended players.
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