No. 1 -- TB: Ford vs. Ware vs. Blue vs. Hilliard vs. Magee vs. Hill. This may be the most logjammed position in college football. All of them -- Michael Ford (756 yards, 7 TDs), Spencer Ware (707 yards, 8 TDs), Alfred Blue (539 yards, 7 TDs), Kenny Hilliard (336 yards, 8 TDs) and Terrence Magee (133 yards, 1 TD) -- had their moments. And 2012 signee Jeremy Hill could push his way in, too. Someone may be moved to WR. No. 2 -- DT: Johnson vs. Ferguson.The slot of Michael Brockers, a projected first-round pick, is up for grabs. Anthony Johnson (6-3, 294) was the consensus No. 1 DT out of high school in 2011, but he had to play behind junior Bennie Logan (6-3, 287), who returns as the best at the position. Ego Ferguson (6-3, 283), a sophomore whom the coaches can't wait to see more of, will get his chance. There is also steady senior Josh Downs (6-1, 287). No. 3 -- OLB (both sides): Jones vs. Louis and Barrow vs. Feist. This position is depleted, and coaches have not been blown away by returning backups such as Tahj Jones (6-2, 205) and Lamin Barrow (6-2, 229). So two January enrollees from the 2012 class -- Lamar Louis (6-0, 220) and Ronnie Feist (6-2, 225) -- will participate in spring and could push their way into a starting job by the fall.
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3 top position battles
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