College Football Spring Practices Begin
Spring practices kicked off across college programs, with Nebraska noting strong NFL Combine showings and USC highlighting improved depth from freshmen on day one. LSU celebrated Combine stars like WR Zavion Thomas who ran a 4.28 40-yard dash and landed 2026 S Jackson Williams in recruiting.
A major storyline emerging from the start of spring practices is the sheer volume of roster turnover across the country. At LSU, new head coach Lane Kiffin is overseeing a massive overhaul, with 51 new players expected on campus. This includes a staggering 40 to 42 players from the transfer portal, widely considered the No. 1 transfer class in the nation. The financial investment behind such a rebuild is also drawing attention, with some general managers believing LSU's 2026 roster could be the most expensive in college football, with NIL expenditures potentially exceeding $40 million. Key acquisitions for the Tigers include former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, No. 1 ranked transfer offensive lineman Jordan Seaton from Colorado, and top-rated edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen. At Nebraska, a critical quarterback battle is taking shape under fourth-year head coach Matt Rhule. The competition is headlined by UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea, who was the Mountain West Player of the Year in 2025, alongside returning sophomore TJ Lateef, who started four games last season. The Huskers are also implementing a new 4-2-5 defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich. USC, meanwhile, enters spring with stability at quarterback, with Jayden Maiava returning as the established starter. The primary focus in Los Angeles is on installing a new defensive scheme and shoring up an offensive line that will have several jobs up for grabs. After a 9-4 season, the Trojans are looking to build depth to handle a tough 2026 schedule. Elsewhere, new eras are beginning. At Alabama, Kalen DeBoer starts his third season facing the task of replacing quarterback Ty Simpson and rebuilding an offensive line that lost 11 players. The Crimson Tide are expected to have a quarterback battle between Austin Mack and five-star freshman Keelon Russell. In Colorado, head coach Deion Sanders is focused on a complete rebuild of the offensive line, which could feature five new starters. Key additions from the transfer portal include center Demetrius Hunter from Houston and tackle Bo Hughley from Georgia. Ohio State faces a significant defensive reload for the second consecutive year, needing to replace eight starters from the nation's top-ranked unit in 2025. The Buckeyes were active in the transfer portal, bringing in players like UCF defensive tackle John Walker and Alabama transfer James Smith to fill the gaps.
