College Football Players Turning Heads During 2025 Spring Practice

Spring practice is a valuable time in college football. While competition is ever-present, there's no pressure to prepare for a game. Everything in these offseason months is about development.

And that, naturally, can create a hype train.

In most cases, it's a newcomer who enrolled early, a young talent who didn't play often last season or a recent transfer. These players may or may not have been highly regarded as recruits, but they're turning heads now.

Though the list is simply an assortment of programs around the country, the individuals highlighted have a legitimate track to significant snaps in 2025.

When a 5-star prospect makes a positive impression, it's certainly not a shock. Really, it's more of the expectation.

Nevertheless, cornerback Dijon Lee is thriving.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on him too early," Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said, per Colin Gay of the Tuscaloosa News, "but he has a demeanor that indicates that a freshman can come in and contribute."

Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown are expected to start at corner, and Utah transfer Cameron Calhoun is an exciting addition.

After them, though, there's a clear opportunity for Lee to crack the rotation.

Is the third time the charm?

A well-traveled tight end, Carsen Ryan—who previously suited up for UCLA and Utah—is aiming for a breakout year at BYU.

To date, he's recorded a modest 29 catches with 400 yards and four touchdowns. However, you'd hardly know it from the praise directed at the 6'4", 252-pound tight end throughout the spring.

"We knew he was a good player, but didn't realize how good he was, really," BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said, according to Jay Drew of the Deseret News. “There was a lot of good film on him at UCLA and when he played at Utah.

"... But I thought he played even better this spring than maybe what I had seen on film. So, I am high on him. I thought he did a good job."

Ryan is practically a lock to start for the Cougars this fall.

Clemson needs to replace Phil Mafah, who rushed for 2,070 yards and 25 touchdowns during the last two seasons combined.

The bad news is Jay Haynes, presumably the first-choice starter, must continue recovering from his left ACL tear in December.

The good news is true freshman Gideon Davidson has stood out.

"His burst and his cuts. He is very confident and natural as a ball-carrier, as most running backs are," star receiver Antonio Williams said, per Will Vandevort of the Clemson Insider. "But he was signed here for a reason. He was a highly touted guy around the country. I can see why."

No matter when Haynes is healthy—ACL rehabs generally take 9-12 months—Davidson should be a major factor in Clemson's backfield.

As with his counterpart at Alabama, DJ Pickett headed to LSU as a much-hyped prospect. He ranked 11th overall in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

Nevertheless, we've watched any number of 5-star talents struggle to crack a lineup early in their careers. Pickett, though, is trending the right direction.

"When you look at DJ Pickett from the first three bowl practices to now, he's a different animal out there," LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker told reporters. "A lot of the credit goes to him. Every day I go in the indoor, he's got the VR on. He works at it. He's very, very humble. He loves football. He's very hardworking."

The cornerback room in Baton Rouge has plenty of talent, but Pickett has a real chance to start anyway.

Expected name? Sure. But don't take my word about Bryce Underwood.

"Bryce has been like—he just looks like a guy. He looks like he's been here, like he's been in college really," standout edge-rusher Derrick Moore said, according to Isaiah Hole of Wolverines Wire.

Moore continued with effusive praise for the true freshman quarterback, who ended the 2025 cycle as the nation's top prospect.

"He's looking well out there. His ball placement is crazy. He's been throwing dots all around practice lately. He just looks relaxed and comfortable. He's just been doing it. I'm really excited for him as well going into this year, just for everybody to see what he can show as a freshman."

Michigan added a veteran option in the portal with former UCF and Fresno State starter Mikey Keene, but Underwood could start immediately.

Texas Tech finished 8-5 last season, but a vulnerable secondary cost the Red Raiders dearly in several losses. No power-conference defense ceded more passing yards per contest than Tech's 308.1.

How do you address that? Hit the portal—hard.

Among the handful of newcomers, Amier Boyd arrived with little fanfare. He started only eight games in two full seasons and one redshirt year at UTEP, logging 35 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups.

Still, he's demanded the attention of position coach Darcel McBath.

"Elite quickness and instincts. He has that," McBath said, according to Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "He's gained like 10 to 12 pounds already. He's getting stronger by the day, but his instincts and how to get to the ball, how to make plays on the ball, getting his body in the right position. And then his transition skills are elite."

Boyd is squarely in the competition for a first-string job.

Hunter Andrews has traveled quite an interesting journey in three years.

Signed in the 2024 cycle, he enrolled early and practiced at linebacker in the spring. Andrews then switched to running back, where he handled two carries but played in just four games to preserve a redshirt.

This offseason, Utah has added another spot—tight end—to his resume, and that versatility should get Andrews on the field this season.

"We’ve seen good things," Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said, per Steve Bartle of KSL Sports. "When he's in the backfield, he does a great job of blitz pickup. He's got great speed, a 4.4 kid, so he's got the ability to go the distance."

Given that Utah is overhauling its entire skill-position group on offense for 2025, Andrews has several paths to playing time.