The end of a recruiting cycle and the start of spring practice comes at college football fans like a one-two punch in the long offseason. But the two major events are tied together in more ways than just timing.
The prized recruits who decide to enroll early at their new schools are some of the more spotlighted stars of spring practices. Their recruiting hype carries right on into their first work on the practice field, with many wondering if they have what it takes to play right away.
Something similar happens to another group of freshmen—the ones who signed in the previous year but sat out with a redshirt.