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Spring practice offers an initial glimpse of rising stars across college football and all potential head-turners ahead of the 2022 season have one thing in common — each has put their best foot forward when no one is watching in anticipation of a breakout campaign. Falling under the label of "rising star" can vary a bit, and all interpretations were considered for this ranking.
Whether a player emerged on the scene last season in spot duty or is one of the most-talked about performers coming out of spring, we've reached out to our boots on the ground at more than two dozen major programs and utilized their intel for this study.
Projecting this group is rat poison for coaching staffs who are trying to keep their somewhat hidden gems covered before the season kicks off in September. Expectations for each player are considerable and every athlete listed here will play a vital role in their respective team's success.
21. Antwane Wells, WR, South Carolina
SEC fans haven't heard of this player yet, but they will early on in September when Wells shines at one of the Gamecocks' top targets offensively. The transfer from James Madison shredded lower-level competition last season with 83 catches for 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns — all single-season program records — and spring intel suggests he's ready to do the same in Columbia.20. Colby Wooden, DL, Auburn
At 6-foot-5 and nearly 280 pounds, Wooden has been a consistent presence in the middle of the Auburn defense over the past two seasons as a starter, compiling 107 total tackles in 24 games with nine sacks and 18.5 tackles for a loss. His 2022 campaign should be the best of his career and put him in the upper-tier of the conference up front.19. ZACHARY EVANS, RB, OLE MISS
The transfer portal was not kind to TCU in this case, but Ole Miss supporters were smiling when Zach Evans ultimately chose to transfer to Oxford. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels offense gain a running back who ran for 1,063 yards while averaging 7.3 yards per attempt and a first down every reception during his two seasons at TCU. He will join a wave of newcomers that includes ex-USC Trojans Jaxon Dart and Michael Trigg at Ole Miss, which replaces offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, but has the weapons in the arsenal to overcome personnel and staff departures.14. GERVON DEXTER, DL, FLORIDA
Like many of the players on this list, Gervon Dexter arrived at Florida raw around the edges, but super talented, notes a Gators insider. Last season, Dexter started to take a lead role within the front seven and that development and confidence has bled into spring practice under first-year coach Billy Napier. He's an athletic player with a tremendous ceiling. If Napier's defense is a team strength this fall, Dexter will undoubtedly be one of the headliners within that unit. Florida's opener against Utah could be a starring moment for Dexter in front of a national audience.13. KETRON JACKSON, WR, ARKANSAS
Team insiders say Ketron Jackson has been rolling with the Razorbacks' first group of wideouts throughout spring practice and has made a sizable leap from where he was physically since the former four-star recruit's arrival. With WR1 Treylon Burks likely going in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, Arkansas needs a player like Jackson to step up and lead the pass-catching room and he has the ability to do just that. Keep an eye on the possible surge from this offenses's passing game heading into KJ Jefferson's third season with Kendal Briles as his play-caller, too.11. GREG BROOKS, DB, LSU
According to our intel from Geaux247 analysts Sonny Shipp and Shea Dixon, Greg Brooks forced a turnover in seven consecutive practices this spring after coming over from Arkansas as a transfer. He is the most veteran player in this group of rising stars as a previous three-year starter for the Razorbacks. For some reason, however, Brooks hasn't received his due from a national standpoint as one of the nation's most dependable players at the back end. That'll come this fall when he is leading LSU's rebuilt secondary following the exit of Derek Stingley Jr. to the NFL and Eli Ricks to Alabama in the portal.6. BYRON YOUNG, EDGE, TENNESSEE
Byron Young racked up 46 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 11 games for the Volunteers last season as a JUCO transfer, but promises his second campaign at Tennessee will be "10 times better" than his last. Insiders are saying the same and pinpointed Young as one of the program's most-improved players this spring."Now, I can focus on working on my craft and my technique," Young said earlier this spring. "Before, I had to learn the plays and everything, learn the whole defense, get to know everybody. But it’s now way more easier. I’m way more confident and just settling down and just going through the motions and getting everything done.”
