Players to Watch this Spring

Spring football is finally here! While the season is still months away (we don't even have the full schedule yet) the team will hit the field today for the first time. Holtz is optimistic about the group he has this year, but there are a few players we should all be watching this spring to see what they can do, what impressions they can make, and what impact they could possibly make this season. Here are the top five players on defense and offense that should be watched this spring.

Offense

5. Chandlor Mathews - The JUCO offensive lineman will have a chance to compete for the starting center job this spring. With no one at the position, the door is wide open for him to win the job over the freshmen such as Austin Reiter and Thor Jozwiak (will be limited due to injury) this spring.

4. Terrence Mitchell - The fast receiver missed most of the 2011 season after suffering a concussion. He is at full health now and the team should benefit with his return, but what impact will he make this season? The wide receiver position is loaded, so he needs to have a huge spring in order to move his way up the depth chart and try to win a job or become a key reserve.

3. Marcus Shaw - The Bulls are looking for depth in the running game and Shaw, a speedy junior, needs to step up this spring to show to the coaching staff he can take some of the burden in the running game. JUCO Michael Pierre will be on campus this fall, so he needs to establish himself early in the training.

2. Chris Dunkley - Dunkley shined last year in practices and could be a big time weapon, but will be limited as he recovers from off-season wrist surgery. It will be interesting to see what he can do with such a loaded position.

1. Matt Floyd - The Bulls struggled with Bobby Eveld on the field last year, taking over when Daniels was hurt, so the Bulls will be looking for someone to emerge as the second quarterback. Floyd was impressive last Spring and could once again push Eveld and even win the job outright if he continues to progress.

Defense

5. James Hamilton - The big freshman enrolled early as part of the 2012 recruiting class and could make an immediate impact on the defensive line for the Bulls. He has a big frame and very athletic for is size, giving the Bulls a big pass rusher and run stopper up the middle.

4. Reshard Cliett - The freshman linebacker emerged on the scene last year and has the coaches talking about his skill set. He will need to raise his level of play to help add depth in the linebacking position and push for more playing time.

3. Fidel Montgomery - The JUCO defensive back will have a chance to prove himself this spring either at cornerback or at safety. With the Bulls thin at the positions and looking for experience in the secondary, he, along with Josh Brown, have a chance to lock up reserve position or even win a job.

2. Mark Joyce - The reserve safety has a chance to win the starting job left behind by Jerrell Young. Now in his junior season, he has the experience and skill set to win the job outright, but with young freshmen and the two JUCO defensive backs, he has to rise to the occasion to win the job.

1. Tevin Mims - The Bulls need depth at the defensive end position and Mims, a talented JUCO star, could play his way into the rotation at the end position. The Bulls lost Claude Davis after last year, a key pass rush specialist, so they will need someone to rise up to the position to add depth and skill.