Spring Practice Preview: Big Ten

College football spring practices are firing up, which means RotoWire will preview key job position battles at schools across the country. This article will feature the top job battle at each school and will provide a projected outlook for the group for the 2019 campaign.

Illinois

Position of Interest: Quarterback

Well-traveled signal-caller A.J. Bush landed in Champaign prior to the 2018 season with designs on nabbing the starting job out of training camp. While he possessed the dual-threat ability coveted by the Illini coaching staff, the senior struggled with accuracy, completing just 53.9 percent of his passes en route to a 6:10 TD:INT ratio.

Coach Lovie Smith is looking for more accuracy under center next season, which could align M.J. Rivers, who completed 55.4 percent of his attempts last season, for the job after he inherited it last season following a Bush injury. Rivers possesses subpar capabilities as a runner, which may detract from his value in Smith's offense, but the sophomore holds the edge in terms of experience, tossing 101 passes during his freshman campaign.

Matt Robinson and Coran Taylor, who were both bested by Rivers for the backup job last season, will attempt to unseat Rivers this spring, but the full battle won't be determined until fall when true freshman Isaiah Williams steps on campus. While undersized at 5-foot-7, Williams passed on some big-time offers to sign with the Illini because Smith committed to giving him an opportunity at quarterback.

Williams completed just over 50 percent of his attempts as a senior in high school, a rate that will need to improve for him to stand a legitimate shot to win the gig, but his upside lies in his athletic ability, making him a true dual-threat option. This battle shouldn't come to an end until he's thoroughly vetted this fall.

Indiana

Position of Interest: Quarterback

Peyton Ramsey seemed like a slam dunk to take over the starting gig for the Hoosiers in 2018 and that was indeed the case out of the gates. Still, consistent stalls of offensive drives and struggles with turnovers led to some reps for Michael Penix Jr. in his freshman campaign.

Ramsey's surface numbers look solid, with him having completed 66.0 percent of his passes for 2,875 yards, but he posted just a 19:13 TD:INT ratio on the campaign and his yards per attempt ranked 93rd nationally at 6.4, indicating that he didn't push the ball down the field often. Penix will be limited this spring after suffering an ACL tear in late October, so it will be Ramsey and Utah transfer Jack Tuttle sharing the reps. 

Tuttle's pending eligibility will change the dynamic of Indiana's quarterback room. He transferred to Indiana in December and awaits a ruling from the NCAA.  If Tuttle gets cleared for 2019, it could be an interesting three-way race. Ramsey has the experience factor on his side with playing time in the last two seasons, but new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer will want to form his own opinion on his available signal-callers. Still consider Ramsey the favorite entering spring practice.

Iowa

Position of Interest: Tight End

Iowa fans have likely grown accustomed to sending tight ends to the NFL Draft, but it's extremely rare to lose two potential first-round picks at the position in the same season. Such is the case for the Hawkeyes, who ship both T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant to the pool in 2019.

Left behind from last year's group are senior Nate Wieting, junior Shaun Beyer -- still recovering from a knee injury suffered last November -- and senior Drew Cook, who moved to tight end from quarterback last spring. While Wieting technically has the most experience, he serves mainly as a blocking tight end and has just three career catches to his name. Beyer could be the name to look for among the group despite not collecting a pass thus far in his career. He and Wieting will top the depth chart this spring, with Cook also mixing in.

Things will get more interesting this fall when freshmen Logan Lee, Josiah Miamen and Sam LaPorta step on campus. Given the lack of experience among the group as a whole, the three freshmen should also get an opportunity to state their case for playing time, with the lead dog potentially becoming a sleeper pick in fantasy drafts given how much the Iowa system and quarterback Nate Stanley rely on the position in the passing game.

Maryland

Position of Interest: Quarterback

Yet again, we highlight the quarterback position at a Big Ten school.

This is a spot that could resolve itself fairly quickly, with Kasim Hill having already placed his name in the transfer portal and Tyrrell Pigrome -- though he's expected to stay -- possibly following him. The Terrapins are presumably bound for a pro-style offense under the direction of new head coach Mike Locksley, potentially minimizing Hill and Pigrome's strengths as dual-threat quarterbacks. However, Alabama was known to adapt its offense to the signal-caller under center while Locksley was serving as the offensive coordinator, whether it be Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa calling the shots.

If Pigrome sticks around, he should get a fair shake at winning the starting job after working mainly as the backup in 2018. 

Also entering the mix is Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson, who was limited to just three games last year due to a season-ending leg injury. In his last full season in 2017, Jackson completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards and 20 touchdowns. He should enroll at Maryland as the favorite to assume the starting job this fall and will already have a familiar target in Sean Savoy, who also made the trek from Blacksburg as a transfer.

Michigan

Position of Interest: Running Back

Karan Higdon ended his Michigan college career short of the Peach Bowl last season, amassing 1,178 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns over 11 games despite sitting out the finale to prepare for the draft.

Entering the season, Chris Evans appeared in line to see a lot of work out of the backfield alongside Higdon. While he did finish second on the team in rushing yards, it was distant at just 423 rushing yards. To make matters worse, he's dealing with academic issues that abstain him from practicing this spring. He's far from an afterthought in terms of a significant role next fall if the issue is resolved.

Down the stretch, Tru Wilson and Christian Turner emerged as serious threats to Evans' playing time in his final campaign. Wilson was particularly impressive, averaging 5.87 yards per tote en route to 364 yards and a touchdown over 62 carries. However, it was Turner who received the start in the Peach Bowl and led the way with 32 yards on seven carries. Highly touted true freshman Zach Charbonnet enrolled early and will get some reps out of the backfield this spring as well, adding to an already muddled backfield. While the lead back in coach Jim Harbaugh's offense usually sees a sizable workload advantage over the backups, there's a decent chance this could be headed for a timeshare similar to what the Wolverines had in 2017 with Higdon, Evans and Ty Isaac.

I would pencil Wilson in as a minor favorite to take the lead role next season, though that position has a lot to figure out in the spring and fall. An influx of talent at the wide receiver and quarterback the last couple seasons could also result in a slightly larger emphasis on the pass in 2019, though Harbaugh is a firm believer in utilizing the running game.

Michigan State

Position of Interest: Running Back

L.J. Scott has moved on to the NFL, though a persistent injury prevented him from taking part in much of 2018. Connor Heyward picked up most of the slack, rushing for 529 yards and five touchdowns on 118 carries, good for a 4.48 per carry average. Heyward's production bested Scott, who finished the season with just a 3.34 YPC mark, and his effort looks even more impressive behind a shoddy offensive line.

He should enter the spring as the favorite to start out of the backfield, with sophomore La'Darius Jefferson, who ran 78 times last season, firmly in the mix. Weston Bridges also remains on hand as a complementary option, but neither had a showing last season to suggest they will push Heyward.

Early enrollee Anthony Williams Jr., on the other hand, possesses some intriguing burst and vision and offers another strong pair of hands out of the backfield. Listed at 6-foot,191 pounds, he'll need to pack on some pounds in the summer program, but he could emerge as an option with a good showing in spring. Heyward should still be considered a heavy favorite to retain the starting gig.

Minnesota

Position of Interest: Quarterback

The quarterback position left much to be desired on what should be considered a successful 2018 season for the Golden Gophers, who returned to a bowl game after a down first season under coach P.J. Fleck.

Zack Annexstad fumbled away his opportunity at the starting gig opening the door for Tanner Morgan to take over late in the season. Morgan did a serviceable job with his opportunity, completing 58.6 percent of his passes for 1,401 yards and a 9:6 TD:INT ratio. He didn't serve as much more than a game manager down the stretch, going over 200 yards passing just once in his last five games.

Still, the sophomore should enter spring as the leading candidate to retain the role, though Annexstad should get another look in spring and Jacob Clark, a true freshman early enrollee out of Texas, will also look to make an early impression.

Whoever wins the job will enjoy the luxury of having star receiver Tyler Johnson at his disposal.

Nebraska

Position of Interest: Running Back

The Cornhuskers appeared stacked in the backfield entering the 2018 season, but the herd quickly thinned when Tre Bryant called it quits due to persistent knee problems. Miles Jones also appeared to be a candidate to play a role as a freshman, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for most of it.

Almost the starter by default, Devine Ozigbo emerged into the clear lead role in his senior campaign, taking full advantage to the tune of 7.0 yards per carry en route to 1,082 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

It was Maurice Washington who worked as the No. 2 back for the Huskers last season, which should align him as the clear favorite. The potential pitfall with that plan? Washington has some legal issues in California dating back to 2016 that will limit his involvement in spring ball at the very least.

That limited participation will allow Jones (if healthy) and Jaylin Bradley to see a hefty workload with few other capable options available. Additional reinforcements arrive this summer in the form of Rahmir Johnson (true freshman) and Dedrick Mills (JUCO transfer), who could challenge for playing time. The job should be Washington's if he's cleared of charges, though the other backs on campus should get a long look this spring.

Rounding things out is Wandale Robinson, a freshman early enrollee who was rated as the No.1 all-purpose back in the class of 2019 per 247 Sports. Max Olson of The Athletic added fuel to the Robinson hype train this week, emphasizing his elusiveness and his overall fit in Scott Frost's offense. The Nebraska backfield won't be lacking options this spring.

Northwestern

Position of  Interest: Wide Receiver

Wildcat fans have grown accustomed good quarterback play over the last decade.

Unfortunately, the offense has lacked weapons on the outside to complement its star signal-callers. Highly touted Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson figures to take the reins from Clayton Thorson in 2019, but only Ben Skowronek returns to the club with significant experience as a pass-catcher.

Behind Skowronek and his 45 grabs last season are Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman (20 catches), Kyric McGowan (16 catches), Riley Lees (22 catches) and J.J. Jefferson (10 catches). The Wildcats coaching staff will aim to thoroughly evaluate this group this spring and it could be a big determinant in who will hold the top spots on the depth chart to open fall practice.

If that's not enough, Pat Fitzgerald and company reeled in a pair of coveted wideouts in this recruiting cycle. In fact, receivers Genson Hooper-Price and Bryce Kirtz were the two highest-rated players in Northwestern's 2019 class. They should also get a shot to strut their stuff this fall before the starters are set in stone.

Ohio State

Position of Interest: Wide Receiver

While projected first-round pick Dwayne Haskins has left Columbus, the Buckeyes added star transfer Justin Fields from Georgia to man the quarterback position in 2019, filling that vacancy.

K.J. Hill -- who racked up 68 grabs for 865 yards and six touchdowns last season -- is no slouch as a the top returning pass-catcher, but a 2018 senior class of Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin and Johnnie Dixon left more than 150 targets from last season vacant.

Binjimen Victor (21 catches for 354 and a four touchdowns) and Austin Mack (26 catches for 331 yards and a touchdown) rank second and third on the list of returning wideouts, but it's Chris Olave who caught the eye of Ohio State fans late last season. The freshman broke out with seven catches for 117 yards and three touchdowns in the regular-season finale and Big Ten Championship game. While he was silent during the Rose Bowl, Olave should be positioned for a breakout campaign as a sophomore in 2019.

Another name to watch this spring is early enrollee Garrett Wilson, a five-star wideout per 247Sports composite rankings. Despite the loss of multi-year weapons, the Buckeyes are fully stocked with top-tier talent to fill in the cracks left by last year's senior class. The spring session should serve as an opportunity for Fields and his new wideouts to mesh under first-year head coach Ryan Day.

Penn State

Position of Interest: Wide Receiver

Like the Buckeyes and Haskins, gone is Penn State three-year starter Trace McSorley. The Nittany Lions also lost the services of a starting running back to the NFL for a second straight season, this time in the form of Miles Sanders. Why is wide receiver the position of interest then? Because both quarterback and running back have players in place to replace the departed.

As far as receivers go, KJ Hamler takes his spot at the head of the class again, coming off of a freshman campaign during which he racked up team-high totals of 42 catches for 754 yards and added five touchdown grabs. Jahan Dotson also returns after a much smaller contribution in the form of 13 grabs for 203 yards.

For the most part, the continuity at the position starts and ends there.

Penn State's wide receiving group was among those hit hardest by college football's new transfer portal. Not only did the school lose DeAndre Thompkins to graduation, but Juwan Johnson, Brandon Polk and Irv Charles have entered the portal with intentions to head elsewhere.

The Nittany Lions did pick up George Campbell from Florida State to account for one of the losses, though Campbell has never really developed into a productive receiver at the collegiate level. The coaching staff hopes a change of scenery will help his cause. Justin Shorter, the No. 8 overall player and top ranked wide receiver in the 2018 class, also rejoins the mix and should receive a full workload this spring after he battled a knee injury his freshman campaign. The 6-foot-4 wideout was clocked at a 4.51 40 time in high school and has the physical tools to make a real leap in 2019.

Among the other receivers vying for playing time are Daniel George, Mac Hippenhammer (playing baseball in the spring) and Cam Sullivan-Brown, who should also get a look as the Nittany Lions prepare for a major overhaul on offense heading into 2019.

Purdue

Position of Interest: Running back

Gone are D.J. Knox and Markell Jones. The pair combined to account for more than 80 percent of the team's rushing yards last season. Next on the list? Star freshman wide receiver Rondale Moore, who rushed for 213 yards on 21 carries.

While most of last year's production was accounted for by the two tailbacks, it was Tario Fuller who looked poised to lead the rushing attack way back in 2017. In the first three games of that campaign, he rushed for 261 yards and three touchdowns on 43 carries, but an ankle injury prevented him from retaking the field. Fuller returned to the shadows as a junior last season, totaling just 34 yards on 14 carries.

Still, Fuller should be among the favorites to shoulder a heavier workload next season. He enters spring in good health and may not have to share much of the first-team wealth.

Fuller's first-team timeshare likely boils down to the health of Richie Worship. Another back with some past experience to have lost time to injury, Worship missed all of the 2018 season while recovering from multiple knee procedures and it's unlikely he will be healed up enough to participate during the spring session. Assuming the issue is behind him by the time the 2019 campaign rolls around, Worship could be second in line.

Alexander Horvath, Evan Anderson and Alfred Armour will see some carries during the spring as well and two true freshman backs join the group this summer in King Doerue and Da'Joun Hewitt. A player or two from this group could be counted on for some carries in 2019, but Fuller and Worship will likely serve as the team's one-two punch.

Rutgers

Position of Interest: Development across the board

For fantasy purposes, any talk of relevant players with the Rutgers moniker attached started and ended with Raheem Blackshear. The sophomore rushed for 586 yards and three touchdowns on the campaign, also adding a team-high 44 catches for 367 yards and another two scores. Freshman Isaih Pacheco made his own dent on offense, rushing for 551 yards and three touchdowns. The pair was the lone bright spot on offense for the Scarlet Knights last season.

At quarterback, Artur Sitkowski posted a strong spring last season that had Rutgers fans buzzing about his potential. Unfortunately, it didn't translate to success in the fall.

Sitkowski finished with a 4:18 TD:INT ratio while completing just 49.1 percent of his passes for 1,158 yards. It's worth noting that the coaching staff stuck with him as the starter for the most part, so it's hard to see anybody but Sitkowski starting under center to begin 2019.

The wide receiver position brings back all of its production from last season, with Bo Melton heading the group (28 catches for 245 yards). No wideout who recorded a catch was older than a sophomore, so the coaching staff will look for a collective step forward in 2018. Eddie Lewis, Shameen Jones, Hunter Hayek, Mohamed Jabbie and Everett Wormley are among the wideouts to snare a pass last season that could emerge into a starting role with a big spring showing.

Wisconsin

Position of Interest: Quarterback

Following a promising Orange Bowl showing to close out the 2017 season, Alex Hornibrook looked to be headed toward three seasons at the helm of the Wisconsin offense. While that held true to begin last year, multiple concussions derailed those plans, limiting Hornibrook to just nine games in 2018. It also ultimately led to his transfer from the school this offseason.

The Badgers still boast four quarterbacks this spring in Jack Coan, early enrollee Graham Mertz, Danny Vanden Boom and Chase Wolf, but the two garnering the most fanfare are Coan and Mertz. As a sophomore last season, Coan filled in during Hornibrook's absence and completed 60.2 percent of his passes en route to 515 yards and a 5:3 TD:INT ratio over five games. While it may not seem like much, it fits he game-manager mold Wisconsin has utilized for years in its run-heavy offense. Mertz, on the other hand, may have the potential to grow beyond that. Fresh off five touchdown passes in the 2019 All-American Bowl, Mertz sports a strong arm and displayed his accuracy during the contest. The question is whether or not he can consistently do just that in the spring.

Wolf and Vanden Boom can't be completely discounted, but it would take a major spring from the pair to move them ahead of either of the other two. This is a competition that will likely go unsettled until the fall barring a huge spring performance.