Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava among 10 college football freshmen to watch in 2023 spring games

With college basketball now whole and busted brackets shattered over the ground, it is formally football season once more — or, a minimum of, spring football season. Camps have opened around the nation, and early enrollee freshmen are hanging on their new jerseys for the primary time. 

It’s a length of transition: More than 30 participants at the 2022 CBS Sports/247Sports All-America groups are departing for the NFL, leaving a lot of holes to be stuffed. With all of the churn in football, a lot of the ones roles may well be stuffed through participants of the Class of 2023. 

Granted, now not each freshman is waiting to give a contribution in an instant. Finding speedy affect gamers in the trenches could be a combat. To the opposite, the extent of reps in highschool implies that offensive talent skill is extra waiting to give a contribution than ever. 

With that in thoughts, listed here are 10 early enrollee freshmen to watch in upcoming spring games throughout college football.

View complete Power Five spring recreation agenda right here. All instances Eastern.

Peyton Bowen, S, Oklahoma

Spring recreation: April 22 | 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

After a unusual recruitment saga, Bowen is in spite of everything on campus in Norman. Rated the No. 3 safety in the Top247 ratings, Bowman headlines the category with a large, athletic body waiting to give a contribution. Needless to say, the Sooners may just use any reinforcements on protection after hanging in combination their worst season since Y2K. Safety participants Billy Bowman and Key Lawrence are again, however Bowen may just push his means into the rotation. The Sooners may just additionally check out Bowman on the flexible “Cheetah” function, which blends protection, nook and linebacker into one package deal. 

Zachariah Branch, WR, USC

Spring recreation: April 15 | 3 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks)

Being Lincoln Riley will have to be beautiful great nowadays. After including the Biletnikoff winner ultimate offseason, Riley replaces Jordan Addison with the No. 1 wide receiver in the Top247 ratings. Branch is an absolute bodily freak who has earned comparisons to Tyreek Hill on account of his astonishing velocity, burst and coordination. Heisman-winner Caleb Williams had a sensational receiver room ultimate season, however Branch will carry a complete new measurement to the offense this spring if he interprets. 

Caleb Downs, S, Alabama

Spring recreation: April 22 | 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)

Freshmen do not play a lot at Alabama, however Downs is not a regular freshman. Rated the No. 1 protection and No. 1 participant in Georgia, Downs is the type of participant who has spurned the Tide for the ‘Dawgs in fresh years. But now, a participant known as one of the most “safest bets in the class” through 247Sports Andrew Ivins may have an opportunity to compete for a beginning protection spot after the departures of Brian Branch, Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams. His pedigree does not harm; Downs is the brother of North Carolina All-American Josh Downs, son of NFL operating again Gary Downs and the nephew of Pro Bowl nook Dre Bly. 

Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee

Spring recreation: April 15 | 2:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)

For all of the rumors about Iamaleava’s NIL deal, his football abilities do not get sufficient consideration. The Downey, California, local rated because the No. 2 overall player in the Top247 ratings and earned a comparability to NFL big name Justin Herbert from 247Sports nationwide recruiting analyst Greg Biggins. Iamaleava will compete for the beginning process with tremendous senior Joe Milton, and early critiques were robust. He may get started his occupation at the bench, however spring will give a sneak preview. 

Braylon James, WR, Notre Dame

Spring recreation: April 22 | 2 p.m. (Peacock)

Simply put, James is the type of participant Notre Dame did not signal beneath Brian Kelly. The four-star Texan charges because the (*10*) in the Top247 and boasts elite top-end velocity. James ran a 22.8 200-meter as a junior and interprets his velocity to the largest classification of Texas highschool football. Also control fellow Austin-area standout Jaden Greathouse, who advanced into a celeb subsequent to now-Clemson starter Cade Klubnik at Austin Westlake. The combo will have to workforce with switch quarterback Sam Hartman to create a extra dynamic offense than Notre Dame has had in years. 

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

Spring recreation: April 15 | 3 p.m. (Longhorn Network)

Chances are, Manning is not going to play primary snaps for Texas in 2023. Regardless, the incoming freshman is noticed as the long run for the Longhorns. Because of his well-known pedigree, Manning didn’t significantly cross during the camp circuit and is subsequently a rather much less recognized commodity than maximum No. 1 alternatives. Spring can be a good chance to turn out his talent set and flash the equipment that earned him a No. 1 overall ranking. 

Francis Mauigoa & Samson Okunlola, OL, Miami

Spring recreation: April 14 | 7:30 p.m. (ACC Network Extra) 

Offensive linemen generally do not give a contribution in an instant, however a couple of five-stars like Mauigoa and Okunlola becoming a member of a workforce led through former offensive line trainer (Mario Cristobal) makes for a novel state of affairs. The gamers each rank among the highest 25 recruits in Miami historical past and feature the prospective to lock down spots at the line for 3 years. Miami is present process a complete face carry at the offensive line with a variety of transfers competing for beginning spots. Both Mauigoa and Okunlola are excellent sufficient to push for beginning take on spots. 

Rueben Owens, RB, Texas A&M

Spring recreation: April 15 | 4 p.m. (SEC Network+)

Texas A&M has quietly been one of the constant manufacturers of operating backs in the previous half-decade, and Owens charges as the most productive one coming to College Station since Christine Michael. Owens simply has that “It Factor” at operating again with an impressive body that bursts via touch and unearths open grass. Texas A&M has a variety of proficient operating backs at the roster, however Owens has a super probability of successful the beginning process. 

John Walker, DT, UCF

Spring recreation: April 14 | 7:30 p.m.

The transfer to the Big 12 is already paying dividends as Walker opted to keep in Florida and sign up for UCF — over Florida and Miami — as the highest recruit in program historical past. At 6-foot-3 and 310 kilos, Walker brings a dynamic gap-filling body that are meant to in an instant compete for the vacant nostril take on function subsequent to Ricky Barber. Gus Malzahn and his group of workers may just decide to sluggish play Walker, however he will have to nonetheless get a number of seems to be this spring. 

Hykeem Williams, WR, Florida State

Spring recreation: April 15 | 4 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)

Florida State has best produced one NFL draft pick out at huge receiver since 2015. Even that one used to be a seventh-round pick out: Auden Tate. Rated the No. 4 receiver in a stacked Top247, Williams has the products to temporarily turn that pattern. At 6-foot-2 and 215 kilos, Williams boasts a college-ready frame with the rate and flexibility to punish opposing defenses. Adding Williams to a receiver room that already options emerging big name Johnny Wilson may just make for a spring to bear in mind in Tallahassee for Heisman-hopeful quarterback Jordan Travis.