Spring 2026 Is Already Delivering Drama
Spring 2026 Is Already Delivering Drama: The Battles That Matter for Your Devy Squad
Every spring the Devy world gets a little crazy. Practices wrap up, spring games drop some highlights, and suddenly everyone’s texting their league mates about who “looked unstoppable.” But John Arrington and Andy Starr jumped on the latest Devy Devotional to keep things real. They didn’t chase hype. They dug into the actual battles that could swing your rosters this offseason.
No fluff. Just the guys gaining ground, the committees forming, and the situations that could create serious value before summer camp even starts.
Let’s run through the biggest ones they hit on.
LSU: Longstreet Gets His Shot While Leavitt Heals Sam Leavitt is sidelined for the rest of spring after having pins pulled from last year’s foot surgery. That opened the door wide for Husan Longstreet, and everything coming out of Baton Rouge says he’s running with it. Strong chemistry with transfer Jace Brown, some tight-window throws that had the sideline buzzing, the whole deal.
If you loaded up on Longstreet last year like John did (he called it “way too many shares”), this is the kind of news that makes you smile. Leavitt should still be the guy in 2026 once healthy, but Longstreet looks like the real deal for 2027 and beyond. No Malachi Nelson red flags here.
Down in the backfield it’s shaping up as a split between Caden Durham and Harlem Berry. Andy’s leaning Berry in supplementals because he might be the cheaper ticket to the lead role in Lane Kiffin’s offense, where even the RB2 can eat.
Alabama: Russell Just Took the Wheel The spring game basically shut down any QB conversation in Tuscaloosa. Keelon Russell went off for four touchdowns and around 240 yards while Austin Mack looked pretty average. Ryan Coleman Williams straight-up said playing with Russell feels like a video game. The five-star freshman is ready.
Running back got interesting when five-star EJ Crowell missed most of spring. True freshman Traeshawn Brown stepped in and coaches are already throwing Josh Jacobs comps at him. He’s flying under the radar right now, which makes him a perfect late-round flier in supplementals.
At receiver, true freshman C.D. Morgan had himself a day in the spring game (70 yards and two big catches from Russell). Derek Meadows earned steady praise too, and with Noah Rogers sidelined there’s a clear opening for the WR3 spot.
Florida: Real QB Fight, Loaded Weapons This one feels wide open. Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones both looked solid in the Orange & Blue Game. Philo pushed the ball downfield and made plays (two TDs, two picks). Jones was safer and had great chemistry with Eric Singleton Jr.
The receiving room is stacked: Eric Singleton Jr. (who hit 23 mph this offseason and is showing out), Vernell Brown III (finally free from the Eugene Wilson shadow), and Dallas Wilson (if he can stay healthy). Micah Mays flashed some big-play ability too.
Philo brings the fun, downfield aggression. Jones brings the safe floor. Whoever wins the job, those weapons are going to eat. Singleton feels like the guy whose value could jump the most depending on how the offense flows.
Clemson: Reynolds Is Making Dabo Think Dabo Swinney said Christopher Vizzina is in pole position, but true freshman Tate Reynolds has been balling out all spring. He’s already locked in as QB2 and the arrow is pointing straight up. Dabo has a history of making early switches when a five-star is ready (hello, Trevor Lawrence). Vizzina hasn’t separated himself, so this one could flip faster than people expect.
With Brian Wesco Jr., TJ Moore, and Naeem Burrows waiting to get fed, the right quarterback here could turn those weapons into must-have Devy pieces.
Tennessee: Brandon’s Ceiling vs. McIntyre’s Floor Three-way battle (plus Ryan Staub) and the spring game didn’t crown anyone. George McIntyre was the safe dink-and-dunk guy. Faizon Brandon flashed in practices and showed mobility but had the typical true-freshman ups and downs in the game itself.
Deshaun Bishop looks like the focal point of the offense, which might actually help a young quarterback develop without carrying the whole load. Brandon is still the exciting long-term piece; spring growing pains are normal.
Quick Hits That Matter
Indiana: Nick Marsh is fitting in nicely while Charlie Becker is banged up. Good news for both in a loaded offense with Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr.
Georgia: Ryan Montgomery is healthy and getting buzz as the potential heir apparent (or at least a real challenger to Gunner Stockton). Ryan Puglisi owners might want to keep an eye on this one.
Spring reports aren’t film and spring games aren’t real games, but they do show us who’s climbing the depth chart and who’s creating opportunity. The guys who separate themselves now are the ones you want to be targeting (or holding tight) before the hype machine really fires up this summer.
Which battle has you the most fired up right now? Who are you buying or selling based on these early reports? Drop your takes below. The Devy summer is just getting started, and these next few months are going to shape a lot of rookie and supplemental drafts.
