No. 1 -- TB: Ford vs. Ware vs. Blue vs. Hilliard vs. Magee vs. Hill. This may be the most logjammed position in college football. All of them -- Michael Ford (756 yards, 7 TDs), Spencer Ware (707 yards, 8 TDs), Alfred Blue (539 yards, 7 TDs), Kenny Hilliard (336 yards, 8 TDs) and Terrence Magee (133 yards, 1 TD) -- had their moments. And 2012 signee Jeremy Hill could push his way in, too. Someone may be moved to WR. No. 2 -- DT: Johnson vs. Ferguson.The slot of Michael Brockers, a projected first-round pick, is up for grabs. Anthony Johnson (6-3, 294) was the consensus No. 1 DT out of high school in 2011, but he had to play behind junior Bennie Logan (6-3, 287), who returns as the best at the position. Ego Ferguson (6-3, 283), a sophomore whom the coaches can't wait to see more of, will get his chance. There is also steady senior Josh Downs (6-1, 287). No. 3 -- OLB (both sides): Jones vs. Louis and Barrow vs. Feist. This position is depleted, and coaches have not been blown away by returning backups such as Tahj Jones (6-2, 205) and Lamin Barrow (6-2, 229). So two January enrollees from the 2012 class -- Lamar Louis (6-0, 220) and Ronnie Feist (6-2, 225) -- will participate in spring and could push their way into a starting job by the fall.
Our Latest College Football Stories

Ohio State's Ryan Day explains massive offseason transfer overhaul
Brad Crawford
• 2 min read

Ranking college football's 10 most lethal wide receivers entering 2026
Brad Crawford
• 5 min read

Kirby Smart updates Gunner Stockton's injury, Georgia's QB situation
Brad Crawford
• 3 min read

Pete Golding responds to Dabo Swinney's tampering allegations
Cody Nagel
• 3 min read

Big 12 exploring the addition of women's flag football by 2028
Shehan Jeyarajah
• 2 min read

College football's 2026 transfer cycle expands P4, Group of Six gap
Chris Hummer
• 3 min read
Now Playing
Share Video
Link copied!
-
3 top position battles
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-








