Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin:
This could turn into a big year for redshirt freshman quarterbacks in the SEC.
It all depends on how a few preseason competitions turn out. Florida, Tennessee and Texas A&M all have redshirt freshman quarterbacks bidding for starting spots. None of the three schools has named a starter.
Texas A&M’s Nick Starkel has emerged as the likely front-runner in a race that also includes Oklahoma State transfer Jake Hubenak and true freshman Kellen Mond.
Florida’s Feleipe Franks had a big spring-game performance but is facing a major challenge from Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire and junior Luke Del Rio. Zaire just joined Florida’s team this summer.
Tennessee’s quarterback derby features redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano and junior Quinten Dormady.
Here’s a look at some other redshirt freshmen across the country who could make major impacts this season:
Biadasz has worked as Wisconsin’s first-team center throughout preseason. Michael Deiter, who started 10 games at center last season, has moved to left tackle as part of the shuffling that resulted from the absence of tackle Jacob Maxwell, who hasn’t returned since missing much of the 2016 season with a shoulder injury. Deiter’s move has cleared a path for Biadasz to start Wisconsin’s Sept. 1 season opener with Utah State.
Josh Jackson, QB, Virginia Tech:
Coach Justin Fuente said Monday that Jackson will start the Sept. 3 season opener against West Virginia. Jackson won a competition that also included junior-college transfer A.J. Bush and freshman Hendon Hooker. “He’s very consistent,” Fuente said. “He’s continued to improve in terms of his ability to deliver the ball on time. He’s got a pretty good understanding of what we’re trying to get accomplished. He’s got a great demeanor, a competitive spirit in there.” Jackson is the son of Fred Jackson, an ex-Michigan assistant coach.
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi:
Unlike the other players on this list, Metcalf actually has college playing experience. The 6-foot-4 receiver scored touchdowns in each of Ole Miss’ first two games and made a spectacular catch against Florida State in which he tipped the ball to himself in the end zone. But he broke a foot against Wofford and took a redshirt. Metcalf, the son of former Ole Miss and NFL offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, returned in time to get four receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown in the spring game.
Byron Murphy, CB, Washington:
The Huskies have holes to fill at cornerback after the Packers selected Kevin King and the Eagles picked Sidney Jones in the second round of the draft. Their departures create an opportunity for Murphy, who has made the most of the situation with his performance in preseason. Murphy was named the defensive MVP of Washington’s scout team last fall. Murphy was Washington’s top 2016 signee and the No. 103 overall prospect in his class according to composite rankings compiled by 247Sports.
Jon-Michael Terry, LB, Oklahoma:
One way or another, the Sooners figure to open the season with a Mike linebacker who will be making his college debut. Terry is competing with true freshman Kenneth Murray as Oklahoma switches from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense.
Tyler Vaughns, WR, Southern Cal:
USC needs someone to help out Deontay Burnett in the receiving corps following the exits of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Darreus Rogers. Their departures should allow the 6-foot-2 Vaughns to win a spot.
The Browns aren’t BEREA — anywhere close to being Super Bowl-ready.
However, they believe they’re prepared to host the NFL draft.
The team announced Thursday that it has partnered with the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission to potentially host the annual three-day draft, which has swelled into a made-for-TV spectacle and showcase for the league.
The group delivered its application to league headquarters in New York last week, and as luck would have it, Commissioner Roger Goodell visited the team’s headquarters Thursday.
“I noticed that draft announcement on my way in,” Goodell said as he sat next to Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam during a fan forum before the team’s final training camp practice. “Was that a coincidence?” Probably not. With their rich tradition, the Browns, who are coming off a 1-15 season and have been a staple at the top of the draft for several years, are eager to move back among the league’s model franchises. Hosting the draft might be one small step toward restoring the team’s glory.
Dee Haslam said landing the draft would not only be a major coup for Cleveland and its fans but would provide an opportunity to showcase the football-obsessed region.
“Once you get here and see what a great place it is, we can tell a story all we want, but getting people to come here and seeing it and feeling it,” she said. “The draft is amazing exposure because it goes everywhere and people see it, and so we’re real excited about that opportunity to get people to come to Northeast Ohio and see what a fantastic place it is.”
After years on the big stage at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, the draft has gone on the road the past few years, with stops in Chicago and Philadelphia, where Goodell was awed by a crowd estimated at 100,000 on the first night this year.
“The draft really has evolved, and it’s because of the passion and the interest in it,” he said. “I think they each bring their own twist to it, their own flavor and I think that’s what’s really made it so special for us in the couple years we’ve been moving it around. And Cleveland, obviously, and Northeast Ohio, Canton, Ohio, it’s the birthplace of football, and I believe that the passion here would be extraordinary, so I think it would be a great event.”
The area would seem to be the ideal setting for the draft in 2019. The league will celebrate its 100th season in 2019 and its centennial anniversary the following year.
Goodell said 24 cities have submitted bids.
Dee Haslam said the group has scouted potential downtown locations for events, but the first step is being picked.
“We’re working hard,” she said. “We really did a really great job on the bid. We feel confident.”
Noteworthy:
Starting nose tackle Danny Shelton will miss Monday night’s home game against the New York Giants because of a knee injury sustained in practice Wednesday. Coach Hue Jackson said Shelton would be evaluated weekly.