Ad Disclosure
Every spring, a host of relative unknowns make an impact in spring practice, putting on a show for coaches and teammates with the aim of earning a prominent role come fall. A host of teams are already halfway through spring ball, so let’s take a look around the conference to see who is making headlines with their spring play.
WR DJ Chark, LSU
In LSU’s first three spring scrimmages, Chark has lit it up, with Les Miles crediting him with at least one touchdown in each of the scrimmages. As a freshman, Chark only got on the field in six games, but he could see his role expanded if he keeps beating LSU’s talented secondary in practice. Chark’s teammates have been talking him up, with some saying they think he’s moved into a starting role.
RB Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
Kamara was the top JUCO running back in the country this past year, coming off a lost season at Alabama. With Jalen Hurd limited, Kamara has made the most of the opportunity as Tennessee’s only scholarship running back fully participating in spring drills. He’s impressing teammates with his speed, the coaching staff with his ability to play fast within the Volunteers uptempo offense and observers with the way he’s owning practice. Once Hurd gets healthy for fall, the Vols will have one of the scariest one-two backfield punches in the SEC.
RB JoJo Kemp, Kentucky
Last fall, Kemp tore up South Carolina for 131 yards and three touchdowns. From that game forward, he had a grand total of 20 rushing attempts for 37 yards the rest of the season. After sliding down the depth chart last fall, Kemp is working his way back to toward the top of the pile at UK. He’s put on about 15 pounds since the end of the season, has worked to strengthen his lower body and is gaining confidence he lost at the end of last year. Paired with Boom Williams, Kentucky will have a nice backfield going into 2015.
QB Jacob Park, Georgia
The Bulldogs are holding a three-man competition for their starting quarterback job. Both Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta have game experience, while Park is coming off of a redshirt season in his first year on campus last fall. He has the best arm of the three competitors and is making good use of it so far in practice.
Jacob Park perhaps made the best throw of the day in from of media. A 30-yard route he put on an absolute rope. #UGA
— Logan Booker (@LoganMBooker) March 31, 2015
I'll say this about #UGA QB Jacob Park: Kid's got some moxie. And "a cannon" of an arm per Jay Rome. #postpracticeinterviews
— Chip Towers AJC (@ctowersajc) March 24, 2015
With neither Ramsey or Bauta separating themselves, there’s a rising chance that Park could open fall camp as the top quarterback on the depth chart.
WR/QB Jason Smith, Auburn
One of the top junior college athletes in this year’s class, Smith played quarterback at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. last fall. He arrived at Auburn and the staff decided to move him to wide receiver full time, a position where Auburn could use a boost, and so far he’s impressed with his athleticism. Gus Malzahn has some tricks up his sleeve though, and despite wanting Smith to learn to play receiver he’s keeping a package with him as quarterback.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
