2 min read • August 15, 2023
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As summer's warmth lingers, the anticipation of college football's return silently builds, ready to pounce onto the scene with a thrill that has been sorely missed. With the season's kickoff just around the corner, fans nationwide find themselves on the edge of their seats, eager to witness the gridiron drama unfold.
Amidst this enthusiasm, the impending college football season heralds the triumphant return of key players ready to reshape the landscape of the race to the coveted College Football Playoff.
Michigan running back Blake Corum, who finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting, sustained a left knee injury on Nov. 19 against Illinois. He attempted to participate in the Ohio State game the following weekend but exited after just two plays. Corum could not play for the remainder of the season, missing the Big Ten championship and the Wolverines' College Football Playoff appearance. Despite his absence and shared carries with Donovan Edwards, Corum accumulated 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns during the previous season. Corum said he's "like 99 percent” with about two weeks away from the Wolverines Sept. 2 game.
As the season drew to a close, Alabama running back Jase McClellan emerged as a crucial force in the Crimson Tide's rushing offense. He shouldered the bulk of the snaps during a stretch when first-round running back Jahmyr Gibbs was sidelined due to an injury. Unfortunately, McClellan sustained a right leg/ankle injury during the intense Iron Bowl clash against Auburn. Nevertheless, with two years elapsed since his ACL injury suffered in the 2021 season, we anticipate a breakout performance from McClellan in the upcoming season.
Former Houston running back Alton McCaskil suffered a torn ACL during a non-contact practice drill before the 2022 season. He transferred to Colorado before the 2023 season to help raise his profile. Before tearing his ACL, McCaskill amassed 1,074 yards of total offense and notched 18 touchdowns during his freshman season. With over a year removed from his ACL tear and participating in a shared backfield, McCaskill should hit the ground running on opening day.
Clemson's receiver Beaux Collins missed the remainder of the Tiger's season after getting shoulder surgery after the team's November game versus South Carolina. Collins, a 6-3 sophomore, tied for the lead on the Tigers with five touchdown catches. Collins had problems with his shoulder for most of the season and was seen in a sling multiple times. Collins did not participate in the team's spring game but told a fancied blog that this is “probably the healthiest he's been.”
Georgia sophomore running back Branson Robinson has not participated in the Bulldogs' fall camp due to still recovering from a foot injury. Robinson played in 12 games for Georgia during his true freshman season, emerging as the team's fourth-leading rusher. He accumulated 68 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns. When he returns, the explosive back is looking to be one of Georgia's top back.
Florida State's receiver Johnny Wilson was off to an impactful start in the season opener against Duquesne. In the first quarter, during a play where he caught a 51-yard pass from Jordan Travis, Wilson demonstrated his ability to manipulate cornerbacks with speed. But he tore his ACL on that play, causing him to miss the rest of the season. Similar to McCaskil, Wilson tearing his ACL earlier in the season will provide him with a better opportunity to play at full speed earlier in the season.
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