Spring practices are set to begin around college football, and the offseason workouts build toward a scrimmage in April or May.

While the upcoming weeks will include plenty of stories about new freshmen, only a small number of people will have firsthand viewings of these players in practice. That spring-ending scrimmage often provides the initial look at a team's most recent signings—including some big-name prospects who might contribute right away in the fall.

The list is primarily comprised of quarterbacks and wide receivers, yes. While not the most diverse selection of positions, the reality is that spring games are more a showcase of offensive players.

Alabama's 5-Star Corners

Gone are Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold, a pair of NFL-bound cornerbacks who excelled for Alabama last season.

I wouldn't shed a tear for the Crimson Tide, though.

Within the 2024 class, they signed three 5-star corners with Jaylen Mbakwe, Zavier Mincey and Zabien Brown. They ranked 12th, 27th and 30th overall, respectively, in the cycle.

Trey Amos and USC transfer Domani Jackson are early front-runners to start at corner, and Malachi Moore will be the nickelback (STAR). Alabama has consistently recruited well in the secondary, so there won't be a shortage of competition for the highly recruited newcomers.

Nevertheless, the 5-star trifecta has an opportunity to make an immediate impression at a position (and program) in transition.

Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn

The simplest version of Auburn's issues in 2023? Couldn't pass.

While throwing for an SEC-worst 162.2 yards per game, the Tigers mustered a 59.6 completion rate and 6.7 yards per attempt. Each of those statistics ranked no better than 82nd nationally.

Broken down further, no wide receiver surpassed 31 catches, 347 yards or three touchdowns. Tight end Rivaldo Fairweather paced the team in all categories with 38 receptions for 394 yards and six scores. In other words, Auburn had no truly dangerous pass-catching option.

And that brings us to Cam Coleman.

Ranked third overall in the class, the in-state product could become a rapid solution on the Plains. Coleman has enrolled early and, on paper, is a clear contender for a starting job with Auburn in 2024.

TJ Moore, WR, Clemson

During the 2022 season, true freshman Antonio Williams paced Clemson with 604 receiving yards. Last year, an early injury to Williams led to true freshman Tyler Brown notching a team-leading 531 yards.

Are you sensing a trend?

TJ Moore might not exactly follow suit, but the 5-star can quickly bolster a young, promising group at Clemson. As a senior at Tampa Catholic, he racked up 50 catches for 1,272 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Clemson ranked just 111th nationally in yards per pass attempt (6.3) last season, so improving the aerial attack is an absolute must in 2024.

DJ Lagway, QB, Florida

Solely from a numbers perspective, Graham Mertz had a quality season in 2023. He posted a 72.9 completion rate, throwing for 2,903 yards at 8.1 per attempt with 20 scores to three interceptions.

The overall issue is the Gators, as a team, did not. Florida trudged to a disappointing 5-7 record.

Mertz has decided to return for a final season, so he's expected to start. As the saying goes, though, the most popular player on the roster is the backup QB. And in UF's case, that'd be 5-star freshman DJ Lagway.

The prolific dual-threat quarterback totaled 75 touchdowns during his final season in high school. Lagway provides a kind of mobility and dynamism that Mertz simply does not have in his skill set.

No matter how UF proceeds—and, again, it'll likely be Mertz to open the season—Lagway will be watched closely in the spring.

Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska

The reality is, for most of these players, a significant role might not happen for another year or two. That doesn't alter my excitement to watch them in the spring, but that possibility must be recognized.

Dylan Raiola is a different story.

A 5-star signing, Raiola flipped his commitment from Georgia right before the early signing period. The familial appeal—his father attended the school and his uncle is the offensive line coach—paid off for Nebraska.

Last season, NU started three quarterbacks and struggled with them all. None of Jeff Sims, Heinrich Haarberg or Chubba Purdy averaged more than 6.7 yards per attempt, and they combined to complete 52.1 percent of their passes with 10 touchdowns to 16 interceptions.

Sims and Purdy both entered the transfer portal, leaving Haarberg as the prime competition for Raiola as a freshman.

Julian Sayin and Air Noland, QB, Ohio State

The whole "embarrassment of riches" thing applies to Ohio State.

After starter Kyle McCord bolted for Syracuse, the Buckeyes added Kansas State transfer Will Howard. He joined a depth chart that already included 2022 4-star Devin Brown and 2023 4-star Lincoln Kienholz.

While it's smart to take a quarterback in every class because of possible transfers, OSU lucked into a pair of standouts this year. They signed 4-star Air Noland in December and swiped 5-star Julian Sayin, an Alabama signee, once he transferred after Nick Saban retired.

How could you not be excited about this spring game?

Throw in the unofficial debut of 5-star receiver Jeremiah Smith—the highest-rated prospect in the 2024 cycle—and Ohio State's exhibition in April will command lots of attention.

Ryan Wingo, WR, Texas

The receiving corps that propelled Texas to a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff trip is no longer in Austin.

Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders are headed to the NFL. Each one of them surpassed 500 yards, and they combined for 19 of the Longhorns' 25 touchdown catches.

Some positive news is Texas landed Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond, the projected top target for Quinn Ewers in 2024. Houston departure Matthew Golden should be a key factor, too.

But the Horns may also receive contributions from Ryan Wingo.

The second-best 4-star of the cycle, he seems like a strong contender for a rotational spot. Johntay Cook II, quite literally, is the only returning wide receiver who caught a pass in 2023.

Micah Hudson, WR, Texas Tech

One final wideout to complete the list, Micah Hudson is the highest-ranked signing in Texas Tech history.

As a senior in high school, he tallied 70 receptions for 1,370 yards—a sizzling 19.6 per catch—and 18 touchdown. Hudson's arrival is perfectly timed for a position dealing with a ton of transition, too.

Leading receiver Xavier White used up his eligibility, while 400-yard wideouts Jerand Brandley and Myles Price both transferred. Loic Fouonji, a 400-yard target in 2022, also hit the portal.

Washington State transfer Josh Kelly is a splashy addition for Tech, which otherwise is expected to spread snaps between Coy Eakin, Jordan Brown and Drae McCray. But there is clearly an opportunity for Hudson to secure a valuable role as a freshman.