True Freshmen to Watch in this week’s Spring Game action across College Football
A full, intriguing slate of spring games is on tap this week with multiple teams giving fans a sneak peek at the 2023 season. It’s also a chance to see what some of the true freshmen and highly touted recruits look like as they make the transition to college football.
Some of the nation’s highest-profile true freshmen, including Arch Manning and Nico Iamaleava, will put their skills on display this weekend after enrolling early to participate in spring practice.
Here are some of the true freshmen to watch in this week’s spring games, according to On3’s Charles Power.
Florida WR Aidan Mizell
Mizell stayed close to home by signing with Florida. A product of Boone (Fla.) Boone High School, he was a four-star recruit and the nation’s No. 100 overall prospect from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
“Some Florida players are already saying Mizell is the fastest player on the team,” Power said. “The former top 100 prospect is a gifted athlete with long speed and the ability to pick up yards after the catch. We’re excited to see him in action after he missed nearly all of his senior season with an injury.”
Spring game: April 13, 7:30 p.m. ET, SECN+/ESPN+
Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
Mauigoa was the crown jewel of Miami’s 2023 recruiting class as a Five Star Plus+ recruit, meaning he was one of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five-star. He was the No. 2-ranked recruit in the state of Florida from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
“We considered Francis Mauigoa as one of the highest-floor offensive linemen in the 2023 cycle,” Power said. “He’s already getting first-team reps at a position of need for the Hurricanes.”
Spring game: April 14, 7:30 p.m. ET, ACCNX
TCU LB Jonathan Bax
Bax was part of a TCU recruiting class that ranked No. 19 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. He was a three-star prospect and the No. 58-ranked linebacker from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, but On3’s own evaluators ranked him higher as the No. 25 linebacker prospect.
“Jonathan Bax was an On3 Outlier and steadily rose up the rankings with a phenomenal senior season,” Power said. “He’s getting some first-team reps for the Horned Frogs and looks primed to play as a freshman.”
Spring game: April 14, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
Tate is the latest in a string of highly-ranked wide receiver recruits to come to Ohio State. The Chicago native and IMG Academy (Fla.) product was the No. 8-ranked wide receiver in the country from the 2023 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Ohio State annually has an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver and Tate has made some noise early on in spring practice with his route-running ability and ball skills,” Power said.
Spring game: April 15, Noon ET, Big Ten Network
Clemson DL Peter Woods
Woods led Clemson’s No. 11-ranked recruiting class. He was a five-star recruit and the No. 19-ranked prospect in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Peter Woods has been the talk of the spring at Clemson,” Power said. “Woods is an aggressive, technically refined defensive lineman who looks primed to make an instant impact.”
Spring Game: April 15, 1 p.m. ET, ACCNX
Texas QB Arch Manning
Manning brings plenty of hype with him to Austin after a record-setting career at Isidore Newman (La.) School and could compete with Quinn Ewers for the starting quarterback job. Per the On3 Industry Ranking, Manning — a Five Star Plus+ prospect — was the No. 1-ranked recruit from the 2023 cycle.
“All eyes will be on Arch Manning as the former Five-Star Plus+ quarterback takes his first spring game snaps at Texas,” Manning said. “Could Manning actually push incumbent starter Quinn Ewers?”
Spring Game: April 15, 2 p.m. ET, Longhorn Network
Texas WR Johntay Cook II
No matter who the quarterback is, Cook could be a wide receiver of the future as a top-ranked receiver recruit. The five-star prospect was the No. 3 receiver from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Cook was among the best route-runners in the 2023 cycle and could be too good to keep off the field for the Longhorns,” Power said.
Spring Game: April 15, 2 p.m. ET, Longhorn Network
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava
With Hendon Hooker off to the NFL and Joe Milton still in tow, Josh Heupel could have his future quarterback in Iamaleava. He was the class of 2023’s No. 6 recruit in the nation in the On3 Industry Ranking, but he checked in as On3’s No. 1-ranked prospect.
“On3’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 cycle has received strong reviews this spring,” Power said. “While Joe Milton enters the season as the starter, the spring game should give an indication as to where Iamaleava stands heading into the summer and fall camp.”
Spring Game: April 15, 2:30 p.m. ET, SECN+/ESPN+
Tennessee WR Nathan Leacock
Tennessee is another program with highly-ranked quarterback and wide receiver signees as Iamaleava and Leacock come in together. Leacock, a four-star, was the No. 12 receiver and No. 75 overall prospect in the nation from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Leacock was a big rankings riser as a senior, turning in a huge season,” Power said. “He’s received recent praise from the Tennessee coaches and has continued to progress in the Volunteers’ offense.”
Spring Game: April 15, 2:30 p.m. ET, SECN+/ESPN+
USC WR Zachariah Branch
Lincoln Riley landed the best receiver recruit in the nation in Branch. The Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman product checked in as a Five Star Plus+ prospect and the No. 1 receiver in the class of 2023, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
“We expect the electric wideout to be a near lock as a breakout freshman and national name this fall,” Power said. “He’s already making a bunch of plays in spring practice for the Trojans and could become Caleb Williams’ top target sooner than later.”
Spring Game: April 15, 3 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
Georgia TE Lawson Luckie
Brock Bowers has a chance to mentor his heir at tight end this year as Luckie arrives in Athens. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Luckie was a four-star and the No. 8 tight end recruit in the country.
“The Bulldog legacy has created quite a buzz with his play this spring,” Power said. “Georgia has what is widely considered the best tight end room in the nation, led by Brock Bowers. Luckie looks to be the next in line.”
Spring Game: April 15, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Georgia DL Jordan Hall, DL
As if winning a second straight national championship wasn’t enough, Kirby Smart and Georgia hauled in the No. 2-ranked recruiting class from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. Hall was a key piece of that as the No. 25 recruit in the class, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
However, he’s not the only incoming true freshman Power has his eye on.
“A number of other true freshmen for the two-time defending national champions bear watching in the spring game,” Power said. “Hall rose to five-star status as a senior and should be a disruptive force on the interior. Also, keep an eye out for freshmen linebackers Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen.”
Spring Game: April 15, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers
Spencer Rattler is opening eyes for South Carolina in spring practice, On3’s Matt Zenitz reported. But Sellers could look to take over for him down the line. The four-star prospect was the No. 20-ranked quarterback in the 2023 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Sellers had the best senior season among 2023 quarterbacks and has continued that upward trajectory as a player based on the early returns from his spring at South Carolina,” Power said. “He could be primed to the Gamecocks’ quarterback of the future.”
Spring Game: April 15, 7 p.m. ET, SECN+/ESPN+
Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens
With Devon Achane off to the NFL, Owens could have an opportunity to help with the rushing attack as a true freshman in Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino’s new-look offense. He was the No. 3-ranked running back from the 2023 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Owens should figure heavily in the mix at Texas A&M as Jimbo Fisher and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino look to revamp the Aggie offense,” Power said. “Owens is an electric back with elite receiving skills and should help replace outgoing Devon Achane.”
Spring Game: April 15, 4 p.m. ET, SECN+/ESPN+
Texas A&M OT Chase Bisontis
Bisontis will look to help a Texas A&M offensive line that ranked sixth in sacks allowed in 2022. He has the talent to do so as a four-star recruit and the No. 36 overall player from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
“Bisontis was among the more physically developed offensive linemen in the 2023 cycle and is already receiving first-team reps this spring,” Power said.
Spring Game: April 15, 4 p.m. ET, SECN+/ESPN+