Discover NCAA Football Position Battles at Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Who will be the next star quarterback for Ohio State? Find out about the Texas running back spot and the Alabama QB race. Explore the wide receiver options at Oklahoma. Exciting camp battles ahead!
Ohio State Quarterback
With the departure of C.J. Stroud to the NFL, Ohio State will have to find a new star quarterback for the upcoming 2023 season. It is the first year in a while since Ohio State has not had a clear cut starter at the most important position on the field heading into training camp.
Two players with limited experience are expected to be the two quarterbacks in consideration for the starting spot. Kyle McCord, the junior, threw 20 passes in 2022 and Devin Brown, the sophomore, has yet to throw a college pass. One will be the Ohio State starter in the fall.
Right now Kyle McCord has the advantage to be the eventual starter due to his experience. The Spring game left more questions at the position. Kyle McCord was a four-star recruit and the eighth ranked quarterback in his class.
Texas Running Back
The largest gap left at any position may be the Texas running back spot. Last year they had a historic group as Bijan Robinson was drafted eighth overall and Roschon Johnson was taken in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Texas will need to replace both of them.
The most experienced Texas running back on the roster for 2023 will be Keilan Robinson followed by Jonathon Brooks. Robinson has gotten meaningful snaps for three straight seasons while Brooks has done the same the past two years.
Texas added to the position by bringing in five-star CJ Baxter, little used Jaydon Blue as well as wide receiver convert Savion Red.
Most people believe that the Texas running back position will be a running back by committee situation at least to start the season.
Alabama Quarterback
The Alabama Quarterback position is one of the most famous positions in the sport and certainly at the collegiate level. Starting with Jalen Hurts being named the starter in 2016, every starting Alabama quarterback has gone on to be drafted in the second round or higher of the NFL Draft.
This year, after the departure of Bryce Young who was drafted first overall in 2023, there is no clear-cut starter heading into the season. It would seem that Jalen Milroe has the advantage due to playing in two meaningful games, but the Alabama quarterback position is very much up in the air.
With a new offensive coordinator at Alabama, the starter may be the one who fits the new scheme the best. It could be Milroe or Ty Simpson, a five-star recruit who has been in a battle with Milroe so far in Spring.
Oklahoma Wide Receiver
There is no question that Oklahoma has a good quarterback in Dillon Gabriel who was second in the Big 12 in passing touchdowns and passer rating but the question is who he will throw to this season?
Oklahoma will have to replace Denzel Mims and his 1,083 yards, plus wideout Theo Wease, and tight end Brayden Willis who had six touchdowns last year but transferred to Missouri.
The only two players returning who had more than 70 receiving yards or more than eight catches are Jalil Farooq and Drake Stoops. That even includes running backs and tight ends.
Besides the two returning wide receivers that had some production last year, transfer Andrel Anthony from Michigan could have a big role along with injured Nic Anderson and a non-factor last year, Jayden Gibson, who stands at six foot five.