Spring is the time for some coaches to figure out ways to shore up their weakest positions, and it’s a time for some players to reassess where they’ll thrive the best or, in some cases, the quickest.
However, it’s also a time for coaches to experiment and move guys around for depth purposes. For instance, many teams move players around on the offensive line in case a player suffers an injury.
With these potential switches below, we only included the position changes that we feel could actually hold up once fall comes around. Let us know if there are other players switching positions that you’re excited to watch.
ALABAMA
Nick Saban loves experimentation around this time of year. Crimson Tide fans will no doubt recall last season when the team tried Cooper Bateman at receiver before settling in as quarterback Jake Coker’s backup. The team also had former starting quarterback Blake Sims work out at running back at one point.
Saban seems like he’s seriously considering a switch for Rashaan Evans from outside to inside linebacker. In the press conference the day of the team’s second spring practice this past Monday, Saban told the media “we were looking where he could develop to have an every-down position the best.”
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior showcased his pass-rushing ability with 2 sacks of mobile QB Deshaun Watson in the team’s national championship game victory over Clemson. Still, Saban gave reasoning beyond just testing him out there, and inside linebacker is a bigger need for the Tide as Reggie Ragland, Denzel Devall and Dillon Lee are all gone.
Another potential move could see Ross Pierschbacher from guard to center. The redshirt sophomore has been tried out there multiple practices so far, and Saban says he’s done a nice job there.
The team is trying to fill the all-important spot vacated by three-year starter, and All-SEC performer, Ryan Kelly. Pierschbacher started all 15 games at left guard last season.
AUBURN
Coach Gus Malzahn may make a significant change on his offensive line by moving Austin Golson from center to left tackle. Last season, Golson started at center each of the first 10 games before going down with a knee injury against Georgia that forced him to miss the games against Idaho and Alabama.
Golson is a real candidate to move there based on the fact that he played some tackle at Ole Miss before transferring to Auburn in the spring of 2014.
FLORIDA
The Gators will try to move defensive end CeCe Jefferson inside to defensive tackle, similar to what they successfully did with Jon Bullard last season. That’s because Jefferson showed he has the potential to be a disruptive force like Bullard with 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 1 fumble forced in mostly a reserve role, and that came in his freshman season. He also has the size to play inside at 6-foot-1, 270 pounds, not far off Bullard’s 6-foot-3, 283-pound frame.
Another move the Gators reportedly will make: Treon Harris from quarterback to receiver. However, Harris’ status with the team right now is uncertain. He and receiver Antonio Callaway are indefinitely suspended and missing the spring.
GEORGIA
Redshirt sophomore Keyon Brown looks like he’ll be moving from defensive tackle to outside linebacker. Brown hasn’t seen the field yet at Georgia, redshirting his freshman season while only being a member of the scout team last season.
Brown was a four-star prospect and the No. 7 weakside defensive end for 2014 according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. His transition to outside linebacker began during the team’s preparations for the TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State, and he’s continued in that role this spring.
LSU
LSU four-star prospect Devin White, billed as the No. 5 running back in the 2016 class, looks like he’ll be playing outside linebacker in Baton Rouge.
This isn’t technically a position change since he hasn’t played a down in college football yet, plus he excelled as a linebacker at North Webster High School in Springhill, La. Still, this is worth mentioning because many felt he was in line to add another option in the backfield alongside star Leonard Fournette and talented No. 2 back Derrius Guice.
Rather than stacking one of the strongest positions on the team, White will be asked to fill one of Tigers’ weakest spots. Kendell Beckwith is the only returning starter, while Deion Jones and Lamar Louis are both gone.
OLE MISS
The Rebels could be switching two players from tight end to different positions. Senior Jeremy Liggins has flip-flopped between offensive tackle and tight end. Last spring, he practiced at offensive tackle before moving to tight end in the summer, where he started twice while appearing in every game during the fall. Now, it looks like he’ll be moving back to tackle.
Redshirt freshman Willie Hibbler, who practiced at tight end on the practice squad last season, will get a look at linebacker.
SOUTH CAROLINA
This also isn’t technically a position change, but it’s a notable player who is sure to see time on the field at another position. Stud linebacker Skai Moore originally decided to leave early for the NFL, but he returned to the Gamecocks.
There’s some talk he could play more of a safety role on occasion. Moore is extremely versatile, ranking fourth in the SEC with 111 tackles last season. However, he also made 4 interceptions, tied for second in the FBS among linebackers. He also tied for the team lead in pass breakups.
A couple defensive ends from last season will play in the “Buck” role (defensive end/outside linebacker) this season. Redshirt senior Darius English (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) and sophomore Boosie Whitlow (6-foot-3, 238 pounds) have frames that work well at that spot.
TENNESSEE
At 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, you figure Jason Croom would seem to fit more at tight end than receiver. However, the redshirt senior is just now switching to tight end after four years at wideout.
He had 18 catches for 269 yards and 2 TDs in 2013 before recording 21 catches for 305 yards and 4 TDs in 2014. However, at the end of that season, Croom went down with a nasty knee injury in practice before the team’s TaxSlayer Bowl win over Iowa. He’s healthy now and practicing as a tight end.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
