Spring overreactions from each Way-Too-Early Top 25 college football team

The spring is prime overreaction time in college football.

Where are the breakout freshmen, backup QBs-turned-Heisman contenders and transfers who could be the missing piece in a deep CFP run?

With spring ball wrapped up and the summer’s “talking season” rapidly approaching, our reporters take a look at notable overreactions for each team in our latest Top 25 offseason power rankings.

Overreaction: Georgia’s offense won’t be nearly as good without star tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Ladd McConkey.

There’s no question the Bulldogs are going to miss the two aforementioned pass-catchers, who were selected with the 13th and 34th pick in last month’s NFL draft, respectively. Both players were explosive after the catch and served as safety valves for quarterback Carson Beck, who was confident they’d be open when they were on the field. But Georgia still has plenty of firepower returning and more talent coming this summer.

Beck should be even better in his second full season as a starter — he’s trending as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. Dominic Lovett and Rara Thomas should emerge as go-to receivers after transferring to Georgia before the 2023 season, and Dillon Bell is a versatile playmaker as well. Miami transfer Colbie Young looked like a red-zone threat in the spring. Junior tight end Oscar Delp is another future NFL draft pick, and Stanford transfer Benjamin Yurosek will give Beck another proven target. — Mark Schlabach

Overreaction: Freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith will immediately take over for Marvin Harrison Jr. as Ohio State’s No. 1 WR.

The buzz this spring around Smith, the No. 4 overall recruit in this freshman class, was palpable. Smith dazzled throughout the spring with his body control and big-play ability. Clearly he has the potential to be, like Harrison, a high draft pick himself down the line.

But Emeka Egbuka reminded everyone in the spring game why he’ll be the Buckeyes’ go-to target in 2024 with a series of impressive catches, including a one-handed grab along the boundary. The senior leader will bring stability to an Ohio State offense that will feature a new quarterback and new playcaller in Chip Kelly. — Jake Trotter

Overreaction: The Ducks are going to be one of the most physical teams in the new Big Ten.

There’s plenty of skepticism about how the former Pac-12 teams like USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon are going to fare in their first season playing physical, defensive-minded Big Ten football. USC,…