College Football Freshmen We're Most Intrigued to See in 2020 Spring Games

As national signing day fades into the background, the next order of business in the college football offseason is spring practice.

While quarterback competitions and returning talent attract plenty of attention, early enrollees are often the most popular players. Freshmen will begin assimilating to the college level, and the spring game is the general public's first look at that process.

Even as an intrasquad scrimmage means somewhere between little and nothing, the exhibitions always put touted prospects in the spotlight. We already know which players we want to watch.

This article is organized by position, starting with a pair of 5-star quarterbacks at powerhouse programs.

At the very worst, Bryce Young has an opportunity to start. He's a true freshman on a national contender, so that demands our attention.

Mac Jones is the clear front-runner to replace Tua Tagovailoa, but Young will be a factor alongside Taulia Tagovailoa. 

As a senior in high school, Young completed 71.9 percent of his passes for 4,528 yards and 58 touchdowns to six interceptions. He also scampered for 357 yards and 10 scores.

Barring a disaster, DJ Uiagalelei will not start in 2020. Clemson will lean on Trevor Lawrence in what should be his final collegiate season.

We're looking at the future, though.

Since backup quarterback Chase Brice transferred to Duke, the second-string role is vacant. The key contenders are Uiagalelei and 2019 4-star Taisun Phommachanh, who threw 12 passes in three appearances while taking a redshirt last year.

No matter who wins the competition, another one will be held next offseason. But if Uiagalelei pulls ahead in 2020, his potential to succeed Lawrence in 2021 would be strong.

Ohio State landed a terrific group of receivers in the 2020 class, signing 5-stars Julian Fleming and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as well as 4-stars Gee Scott Jr. and Mookie Cooper.

And all of them enrolled early.

We could highlight a specific player, but they all have a chance to earn snaps. Ohio State wants to rotate six receivers, and the only certainties are Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Other returning options are Jameson Williams, H-back Jaelen Gill, oft-injured Kamryn Babb and seldom-used Jaylen Harris and Ellijah Gardiner. Williams offered the most production in 2019 with six catches for 112 yards.

While the competition will continue through the regular season, the spring game may provide a hint at which freshman—or freshmen—are most likely to play in September.

In our estimation, no freshman is more likely to hold a significant role in 2020 than 5-star receiver Rakim Jarrett.

Because, well, who at Maryland is stopping him?

Dontay Demus Jr. caught 41 passes for 625 yards last season. Jeshaun Jones provided some fireworks as a freshman two years ago, but an ACL injury sidelined him in the fall. Otherwise, the Terps have Brian Cobbs (243 yards in 2019) and Darryl Jones (158).

Jarrett shouldn't be called the savior of the receiving corps—it's an unfair label for anyone on a struggling offense—but he's certainly the primary reason for optimism.

While it would be a stunner for Uiagalelei to start a single game, Arik Gilbert not holding a first-string role would be surprising.

LSU must replace Thaddeus Moss, whose 47 receptions last season set a program record for the position. The Tigers also lost Stephen Sullivan, leaving Jamal Pettigrew and his two catches as the only returning tight end with any career production.

Gilbert, meanwhile, reeled in 193 passes for 3,070 yards and 29 touchdowns over his last two seasons in high school.

The nation's No. 1 prospect, Bryan Bresee is entering an interesting situation at Clemson. While the Tigers don't have a national star on the interior defensive line, Tyler Davis and Nyles Pinckney form a reliable duo and are expected to start.

How quickly might Bresee climb the depth chart?

Jordan Williams notched 22 tackles last season, and Darnell Jeffries managed nine. Ruke Orhorhoro and Etinosa Reuben played sparingly, combining for seven tackles in five appearances.

When Clemson takes the field for its spring game, Bresee's performance will surely be compared to his fellow reserves.

Last year, Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Lewis combined for 24 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Replacing that production won't be painless, and the Tide may look for a boost from Will Anderson.

Perhaps it would only be fitting for the 5-star to scream up the depth chart like he did the recruiting rankings. At the beginning of the 2018 season, he ranked 390th in the country. Anderson ended the cycle as the 17th-best prospect after racking up 22 sacks as a senior.

Given that Christopher Allen is Alabama's lone experienced edge-rusher, Anderson has a good chance to play immediately.

Oregon ranked 11th nationally in yards allowed per play last season, and much of the defense is back in 2020.

However, the Ducks need to retool at linebacker. Troy Dye led Oregon in tackles for four straight years, and Bryson Young had a terrific senior campaign. La'Mar Winston Jr. provided some decent depth but exhausted his eligibility, as well.

Good thing Oregon has incoming 5-stars in Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell, right? While either or both may secure a rotational—or even starting—role in 2020, Sewell enrolled early. Flowe did not.

The spring provides a major opportunity for Sewell to establish himself as a top backup for the Ducks.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.