Tag: Spring Football

UCLA Bruins release 2025 spring football calendar

Bruin fans will get their first look at the 2025 football team in April.

Since the end of their first season in the Big Ten, UCLA has made serious moves to their coaching staff and roster. Understandably, Bruins fans are itching to see their team back in action.

This week, the Bruins posted on X and revealed their spring football schedule, giving fans an update on when they will see them back in action.

Starting on April 1 and ending on May 3, the Bruins are set to have 14 practices. Two of the Bruins’ practices (April 5 and 26) will be available to the public, and the Bruins will host their spring showcase on May 3.

The open practices offer Bruins fans the first chance to see the new-look Bruins back in action. From coaching responsibilities to first-team reps, the spring practices will shed light on several unanswered questions in 2025.

UCLA’s second season in the Big Ten, in many ways, is more important for head coach DeShaun Foster than its first. With sweeping changes throughout the program, 2025 proves to be vital for Foster’s job security and the program’s direction.

ESPN’s post-spring football Top-25 ranks Alabama No. 7 in the country

How do the Crimson Tide stack up in ESPN’s post-spring ball Top 25 rankings?

Despite the massive changing of the guard at head coach from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer for the Alabama Crimson Tide, the expectations are still to compete for an SEC title and playoff berth. While those may seem like lofty expectations for year one, DeBoer is well aware of what he signed up for, but more importantly, he’s cut out for it. In just two years with the Washington Huskies, DeBoer guided the team to a combined 25-3 record with Alamo and Sugar Bowl wins as well as a national title appearance this past season.

From replacing an entire coaching staff to re-recruiting the Tide’s current roster, DeBoer had his work cut out from day one, however, he more than managed it as the Crimson Tide are widely regarded as a top ten team in the country heading into 2024. With spring football wrapping up in the past month and less than 100 days until the start of the season, ESPN released their post-spring Top 25 rankings. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach ranked the Tide No. 7 in the country saying…

“It has been 131 days since legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban unexpectedly retired, and they’re still playing college football in Tuscaloosa. Just a friendly reminder that Saban’s replacement, Kalen DeBoer, had a 104-12 record in his previous three stops and directed Washington to a spot in the CFP National Championship last season. Yes, a boatload of players left for the NFL draft or via the transfer portal, but Alabama has enough talent remaining to compete at a high level. The offense looked explosive in the spring with returning quarterback Jalen Milroe and young tailbacks Jamarion Miller and Justice Haynes. The Tide’s offensive line can only get better after allowing 49 sacks in 2023. Getting offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor back from the transfer portal was a coup for DeBoer. Defensive lineman LT Overton (Texas A&M), safety Keon Sabb (Michigan) and two Washington transfers — guard Parker Brailsford and receiver Germie Bernard — should help right away.”

The Crimson Tide will have the roster and coaching staff in place to be one of the elite teams in the country again, however, with one of the toughest schedules in America there will be minimal room for error.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

ESPN breaks down the biggest overreactions for Alabama football heading into 2024

ESPN’s Chris Low says that a brewing quarterback controversy is the biggest overreaction from spring ball

As spring ball wraps up and the season is still about four months away, this is easily the worst time of the year on the football calendar. With nothing to preoccupy our minds, we tend to get wrapped up in overreactions from spring football such as position battles or transfer speculations. After a busy winter transfer portal window for the Alabama Crimson Tide due to Nick Saban’s retirement, the spring window was fortunately pretty slow with only a handful of departures, however, position battles are wide open.

Quarterback Ty Simpson had a really strong spring camp as well as transfer Austin Mack who came over with head coach Kalen DeBoer from the Washington Huskies. However, Chris Low of ESPN argues that the biggest overreaction in Tuscaloosa is that a QB controversy is brewing. Low says of the Tide,

“Let’s pump the brakes on a quarterback controversy looming in Tuscaloosa as Kalen DeBoer takes over for Nick Saban as Alabama’s coach. The Tide staff loved what they saw this spring from Ty Simpson and the steps he took. He was much more decisive in his decision-making and played with more confidence than he did last spring and preseason when he was competing for the starting job. But Alabama’s starter unequivocally remains Jalen Milroe, who was the key to Alabama’s transformation a year ago from an above-average team to a playoff team. Milroe should thrive in DeBoer’s system and has a year of experience to build on as a second-year starter. The best news for the Crimson Tide is that they have two quarterbacks they believe in, and that’s always comforting going into a season.”

It will take some time for Kalen DeBoer’s offense to be fully integrated to the Alabama players, but returning a starting quarterback like Jalen Milroe through the coaching transition is absolutely massive. Milroe is the highest-returning Heisman vote-getter from a season ago and looks to take a massive step forward in DeBoer’s QB-friendly offense.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

WATCH: Texas DT Alfred Collins scores on an Ethan Burke tipped pass

The Texas defense looked much sharper than the offense in the first two drives.

The Texas defense line played like they heard the offseason doubters in the early going of the spring game. They dominated the first two drives.

The early highlight of the spring game came on a tipped pass from Texas edge Ethan Burke. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins caught the pass and took it to the end zone for six points.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers had a poor showing. The plan heading into the day was for Ewers not to play very long. He played like it with a lackadaisical performance. The defense had a hand in his tough day.

The Texas interior defensive line surprisingly had its way in the early part of matchup. What wasn’t a surprise was Burke and Collins stepping up to make plays.

The Texas defense is an underrated part of what the Longhorns bring back for 2024. The highlight play from Collins and Burke is one of many reasons to be excited about the product the team will put on display in the upcoming season.

Orange-White Game: Prepare to see plenty of Texas QB Arch Manning

Arch Manning should see plenty of reps in the spring game.

The Orange-White Game is set to begin on Saturday barring weather disruption. Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning could see plenty of playing time.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is expected to limit how many reps starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is allotted. Ewers has something to prove on the field, but nothing related to whether or not he should be the starter. After a series or two, Arch Manning could see the majority of reps at quarterback.

Fellow reserves Cole Lourd and Trey Owens should get their opportunity to play, but Manning is the player whose reps benefit the team most. Arch is now an injury away from playing after Maalik Murphy transferred to play quarterback at Duke.

Manning has the ability to lead the team, but what he lacks is experience and reps at the college level. Expect to see the signal caller get some semblance of college caliber reps when the Longhorns take the field on Saturday.

What positions should Texas add in the transfer portal?

Where can Texas upgrade or add in the portal?

The Texas Longhorns have one of the five best rosters in college football for the 2024 season. It’s why so many outlets ranked them so highly in preseason. The Longhorns can still improve.

There aren’t many positions where Texas can get much better through the transfer portal. Offensively, I am skeptical there’s a position worth considering an upgrade. The positions worth watching are on the defensive side.

Texas is good at cornerback. Malik Muhammad was billed as the best player on the field recently in spring practices leading into his second college season. Jahdae Barron, Jaylon Guilbeau, Terrance Brooks and Gavin Holmes are all impact players in their own right.

Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba is set to start at safety opposite Michael Taaffe or Derek Williams Jr. All three should be better options than last year’s expected starters Jalen Catalon and Jerrin Thompson.

Edge is perhaps the strength of the defense led by UTSA transfer and 14 sack pass rusher Trey Moore and returning playmakers Barryn Sorrell and Ethan Burke. If there were any question of depth, five-star freshman Colin Simmons is added to blue chip talents Justice Finkley and Colton Vasek.

Texas will need to add a punter, but the above positions appear settled. That leaves two defensive positions: Defensive tackle and linebacker.

Defensive lineman Alfred Collins and linebackers Anthony Hill and David Gbenda are reliable options. Morice Blackwell is dependable as well at linebacker. Behind those players are questions.

Arizona transfer Tiaoalii Savea was added at defensive tackle in early portal action, but whether or not his game transfers to the SEC will be worth watching. Vernon Broughton II belongs on the field and can make plays, but doesn’t seem to be the right fit at nose tackle barring improvement in run defense and staying rooted in the turf.

Behind the above two players are more questions. Texas would benefit from adding at least one defensive lineman but could add more.

At linebacker, Anthony Hill is primed for a breakout season after putting up 67 total tackles and five sacks in limited time last year. His role is different, so a veteran presence like Gbenda is optimal. The Longhorns can still add another impact player at the position.

Depth matters. Even if Texas is confident in its top three options with Gbenda, Hill and Blackwell, they will need depth at linebacker. Several collisions are on the way at the position and this season against more SEC offensive linemen and running backs. Even after adding Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire, adding another proven player raises the ceiling for the team.

With all the above stated, a winning principle overrides complacency at any position: Always add talent. If Texas can find an upgrade outside of a position of need, it can add those players. Nevertheless, the Longhorns plan of attack should be to first address defensive tackle. They look to be on the way to doing that through the portal.

Bruins commit Weston Port to attend UCLA spring practice

Weston Port is coming to UCLA this weekend.

A flurry of prospective UCLA Bruins will be in attendance for the first week of spring football. Over the weekend, a four-star commit, Weston Port, will be there as well. 

Port, who signed with the Bruins officially in February, could be a secret weapon for potential future Bruins. The linebacker out of San Juan Hills, Port, stayed local and declined offers from Michigan and Georgia earlier this year. 

Given the Bruins frequently tap into the California pipeline, having him in attendance to mingle with prospective California players could help sway their decisions in one way or another. Of course, they make their decisions on a multitude of factors, but having Port in attendance certainly does not hurt the Bruins’ cause. 

The Bruins are going all out for their spring football practices. From social media posts to the new Jordan logo on their practice field, UCLA is drawing attention to themselves in a big way. 

With Port in attendance as well, they are pulling out all the stops to make Westwood as desirable a landing spot as possible for their potential commits. 

Watch Knute Rockne Coaching Spring Football

“necking and drinking…”

Spring football is in the air on college campuses around the United States and Notre Dame is no different.

Some questions for teams will be answered during the spring while transfer portal entries will be made during and immediately following the spring session.

Spring football goes back over a century as teams have been using it to get better for seemingly as long as college football has been played.  That’s no different at Notre Dame where spring football has been a thing since at least the day’s of Knute Rockne.

With that in mind you can watch Rockne firing up the troops to kick off spring practice nearly a century below.

This past Sunday marked the 93rd anniversary of Rockne’s death.

Key quotes from Steve Sarkisian’s media availability on Tuesday

“I feel like the last week, (Ryan Wingo) is really starting to make some plays and you’re starting to see the size, speed, and athleticism.”

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian met with the media on Tuesday following spring practice. Continue reading “Key quotes from Steve Sarkisian’s media availability on Tuesday”

Texas depth, OL noted as reasons for confidence in 2024 squad

Depth is standing out for Texas early on in the spring.

The Texas Longhorns have championship depth this spring. It is one of the more substantive characteristics of the 2024 squad.

Inside Texas’ Eric Nahlin discussed the team’s depth among several other strengths the Longhorns possess in his latest spring update.

The depth shows up most noticeably along the offensive line where Texas has too many starters than starting spots. That’s not the first time we’ve said that about a position group for the team this offseason.

The post-spring portal window could lead to attrition on the roster. The offensive line in particular boasts several players capable of taking a starting role. Even so, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has done well in retaining players the past two offseasons.

Texas might have experience and continuity in spades, but, save for defensive line and linebacker, the team’s depth could extend past the second string across the board. Through the first few spring practices, depth is one of the reasons Sarkisian and company are confident the Longhorns could be even better next season.