Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer
Where's the angst? As the most successful football coach in
Oregon history, Mike Bellotti posted 116 victories. But when he stepped down in March, there didn't seem much (if any) concern in Eugene.
The response undoubtedly was a byproduct of
Chip Kelly taking the torch from Bellotti. In two years with Kelly as offensive coordinator, the Ducks averaged more than 38 points per game each season and posted 19 victories.
If Kelly is equally adept as the head coach, even better times may be ahead for the Ducks.
Here's a look at Oregon as it prepares for spring practice.
OREGON AT-A-GLANCE
Jeremiah Masoli returns, but the Ducks have other options at quarterback.
THE BASICS
Coach:
Chip Kelly
Last season: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-10. Beat Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl.
Spring dates: March 30-May 2
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense (4): TE
Ed Dickson, T
C.E. Kaiser, WR
Jeff Maehl, QB
Jeremiah Masoli.
Defense (5): LB
Casey Matthews, LB
Spencer Paysinger, CB
Walter Thurmond, E
Will Tukuafu, FS
T.J. Ward.
Special teams: None.
Positions of strength
The Ducks were hit hard by injuries at quarterback last season, but now most teams would envy Oregon's situation. Quarterback
Jeremiah Masoli started most of last season after
Justin Roper was injured early. Masoli is back. So is Roper. And so is
Nate Costa, who had won the starting job in fall camp but tore ligaments just before the season opener and was lost for the season. Furthermore, sophomore
Darron Thomas was a four-star prospect who played well when he got a chance last season.
Help is needed
The offensive and defensive lines were areas of strength last season. Now, they're points of concern. Three full-time starters were lost in the offensive line, including All-America center Max Unger, and overall six seniors departed. Meanwhile, end Nick Reed, who posted 13 sacks in '08, is among three starters lost on the defensive front four. Restocking the lines doesn't figure to be a quick and easy process. Two key starters in the secondary also are gone.
Keep an eye on
TB
LeGarrette Blount: In recent seasons, the Ducks have had success with two backs. Blount rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a backup role last season and has first dibs on the starting job this season. At 240 pounds, he fits Oregon's need for a bruiser. But who will be the second threat? Look out for redshirt freshman
LaMichael James, a fast and elusive runner with big-play ability who has drawn raves from coaches.
WR
Chris Harper: Last season as a true freshman, Harper became the first Oregon player in eight years to run for a touchdown, pass for a touchdown and have a touchdown reception in the same season. He was recruited as a quarterback, but Oregon's depth at that position and need elsewhere resulted in a move to receiver. He could show up at receiver, running back and/or quarterback in '09.
TE
Dion Jordan: Jordan, a redshirt freshman, was a four-star prospect as a wide receiver. But he has moved to tight end, where he has the height (6 feet 7) but not the weight (215 pounds) for the position. Kelly says Jordan is tough enough to make the move. At the least, he should pose some matchup problems for safeties.
His time is now
Junior
Jamere Holland might be the fastest receiver in the Pac-10, but he hasn't been productive. Last season, he managed just four catches, though one covered 47 yards in the Holiday Bowl. Holland originally was a four-star prospect who signed with USC, but he transferred to Oregon in '07. It's time to make an impact this spring, take the momentum into the fall and prove he can be a legit deep threat for an offense that needs one.
The buzz
Much of the attention this spring will center on Kelly and the new assistants he has brought in. But the progress (or lack thereof) made in rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines should be watched just as much. The Ducks' '09 season may depend on several unproven linemen trying to make a good impression on the new coaches.
Mike Huguenin
Rivals.com College Football Editor
Florida is coming off its second national title in three seasons and likely will head into the 2009 season ranked atop the polls.
But there is some work to do this spring, most notably along the offensive line and at wide receiver. The Gators need two new starting tackles and must find replacements for starting wide receivers Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy, so spring practice deserves a close watch.
Here's a look at the Gators as they prepare for spring drills.
florida AT-A-GLANCE
Tim Tebow and the Gators enter 2009 with a good chance of defending their national title.
THE BASICS
Coach:
Urban Meyer
Last season: 13-1, 7-1 SEC. Beat Oklahoma in the BCS national championship game.
Spring dates: March 25-April 18
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense (6): WR
Riley Cooper, TE
Aaron Hernandez, G
Carl Johnson, C
Maurkice Pouncey, G
Mike Pouncey, QB
Tim Tebow.
Defense (11): SS
Ahmad Black, E
Jermaine Cunningham, CB
Joe Haden, CB
Janoris Jenkins, LB
A.J. Jones, T
Lawrence Marsh, T
Terron Sanders, LB
Brandon Spikes, LB
Ryan Stamper, E
Justin Trattou, FS
Major Wright.
Special teams (2): P
Chas Henry, K
Jonathan Phillips.
Positions of strength
All 11 starters and 21 of the 22 players on the defensive two-deep are back off a national title team. The back seven - headed by linebacker
Brandon Spikes - should be one of the two or three best in the nation. There is great depth in the back seven as well. Quarterback
Tim Tebow has played a big role on two national title teams and has won the Heisman; he is a great fit for coach
Urban Meyer's version of the spread. The team speed is tremendous, led by running backs
Jeff Demps and
Chris Rainey.
Aaron Hernandez should be one of the most productive tight ends in the nation. Special teams play a big role for Meyer, and he returns his kicker, his punter and his ace return man (
Brandon James).
Help is needed
The offensive line needs two new starting tackles, and guard
Carl Johnson might move outside to take one of the spots. Two starting wide receivers are gone, including Harvin - who was the Gators' big-play man last season. The Gators need two or three inexperienced players to step up at wide receiver. If they don't, the passing attack won't scare many people. Depth at tight end is iffy; the same goes with the depth at defensive tackle. A ramped-up pass rush will be a priority.
Keep an eye on
OT
Marcus Gilbert: He started twice at guard last season, but his best position is tackle and he's expected to nail down a starting spot at tackle this spring. Gilbert has the talent, but needs to pay more attention to his technique if he is to be successful. If Gilbert struggles, it's almost certain Johnson moves outside from guard. Johnson could move anyway and play the opposite side from Gilbert.
RB
Emmanuel Moody: He didn't live up to expectations last season after transferring from USC. He has the perfect size/speed mix for the spread, but he spent most of last season as the No. 3 running back. While the backs ahead of him last season (the 5-8 Demps and the 5-9 Rainey) were tiny "slasher" types, Moody adds a different dimension because of his size (6-0/210). He'll be given every opportunity to win the starting job - or at least an increased role - this spring. If he doesn't, it's likely he never will.
WR
Deonte Thompson: He is expected to get the first shot at Harvin's vacant starting spot. Thompson - a sophomore - has excellent speed, but he's not in Harvin's class as a playmaker. Still, if Thompson performs as expected, he easily could lead the team in receptions. He is one of several young receivers, along with redshirt freshmen Frankie Hammond and
T.J. Lawrence, who need to have good springs. Redshirt freshman
Omarius Hines will miss spring drills because of injury.
His time is now
Junior wide receiver
Justin Williams was a touted recruit out of high school, but he hasn't made an impact except on special teams. He was a backup safety last season, but he has been moved back to his original position for spring practice. He has good size (6-1/205) and with two starting spots open on the outside, Williams needs to get into the mix. If he has a sluggish spring, he's likely to be passed on the depth chart by the younger receivers on the roster.
The buzz
A lot is expected from Florida this fall - the defense should be dominant - but a lot needs to get done this spring, especially on the offensive line. Coaches have some players they can mix and match, but they want to come out of the spring with a set starting five and at least three or four backups with whom they feel comfortable. Wide receiver (who will be the two new starters?) and defensive tackle (who will provide depth?) are the other positions to watch. Meyer also will be looking for signs of complacency.
Tom Dienhart
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer
Ole Miss was one of the nation's biggest surprises in 2008.
New coach
Houston Nutt took over a team with talent but without much direction. He provided the direction, and the Rebels responded with a nine-win season that included an upset of
Florida in the regular season and an upset of Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl.
This season, 15 starters are back, including a plethora of skill-position folks. Getting the offensive line up to snuff will be the highest priority this spring.
Here's a look at the Rebels as they get ready to open spring practice.
OLE MISS AT-A-GLANCE
Quarterback Jevan Snead returns to lead what should be a strong offense for Ole Miss.
THE BASICS
Coach:
Houston Nutt
Last season: 9-4, 5-3 SEC. Beat Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl.
Spring dates: March 26-April 18
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense (7): RB
Cordera Eason, C
Daverin Geralds, WR
Shay Hodge, T
John Jerry, WR
Dexter McCluster, G
Reid Neely, QB
Jevan Snead.
Defense (
: LB
Jonathan Cornell, CB
Marshay Green, T
Ted Laurent, FS
Kendrick Lewis, E
Kentrell Lockett, E
Marcus Tillman, CB
Cassius Vaughn, LB
Allen Walker.
Special teams (1): K Joshua Shene.
Positions of strength
The Rebels will rely on what should be a strong offense led by a plethora of skill-position talent. It all begins with quarterback
Jevan Snead. Every wide receiver of note is back except Mike Wallace.
Dexter McCluster was one of only two players in the SEC with 500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards last season (Florida's Percy Harvin was the other). Last season's top four rushers are back. There are three good defensive ends:
Kentrell Lockett,
Marcus Tillman and
Greg Hardy - who had a team-leading 8.5 sacks last season. There is depth at defensive tackle.
Help is needed
All of the skill-position talent could be short-circuited if a thin offensive line fails to develop - or injuries mount. Cornerback looks shaky, though
Marshay Green was defensive MVP in the Cotton Bowl. Is there a big-play linebacker on the roster?
Keep an eye on
G
Rishaw Johnson and OT
Bradley Sowell: Ole Miss is looking for a new starting guard and a new starting tackle, and these are the guys expected to take over. Both are sophomores. The line must come together for the Rebels' offense to truly take flight.
WR
Markeith Summers: With
Shay Hodge and McCluster back, the receiving corps has great potential. But it could be one of the best in the SEC if Summers - a junior - can take the next step in his development. He is a big target (6 feet 2/197 pounds) with decent speed.
His time is now
Hardy is good, but he hasn't really lived up to all the hype. He has talent galore, but a lack of motivation can turn Hardy into an ordinary player. Will he be dialed in this fall as a senior? If so, Hardy will be one of the most devastating pass rushers in the nation - and in line for big NFL bucks.
The buzz
Nutt has said, "The wind blows harder at the top of the mountain." It's a refrain repeated often by players. Now is the time for the team to get mentally ready to make a run at the school's first SEC West title. There is no more sneaking up on foes. Ole Miss now is one of the hunted. How will the players react to the new role and big expectations?