Around the Dog Park: Spring game observations

General G5

• A sobering discovery has surfaced, as researchers have concluded that 12 high school and college football players die each year due to playing football.
• Morgan State football player Saif Bryant has passed away in a car crash.
• As we get closer to the 2018 NFL Draft, checkout our draft profiles on the underdogs who look to prove they belong at the next level.

AAC

• Bill Connelly is now previewing the AAC. He’s not optimistic about ECU climbing back to relevance in what will be a pivotal year for Scottie Montgomery.
• On UConn, Connelly sees the Huskies as a program that’s a year or two away from being respectable.
• Houston’s starting cornerback Jeremy Winchester has left the team.
• One of the biggest takeaways from SMU’s spring game is that the Mustangs are using more run-option looks.
• Cincy is down one quarterback as Ross Trail has left the team.

Conference USA

• Marcus Davenport is considered a lock to go in the 1st Round of the 2018 NFL Draft, yet teams still wonder if he’s the real deal.
• The biggest observation from Middle Tennessee’s spring game? Brent Stockstill is 100 percent healthy.
• North Texas has the lowest recruiting budget among FBS teams in Texas.
• Running back Quinton Baker has left WKU.
• Former star-recruit Jovon Durante has transitioned well to FAU after transferring from West Virginia and is ready to have a big season for the Owls.
• Lane Kiffin has been hell-bent on spreading the word about why everyone should #CometothefaU.
• Marshall may have found a diamond in the rough in Stone Scarcelle.
• UTEP needs a quarterback and former star-recruit Kai Locksley may be the answer.
• In other UTEP news, renovations for the Sun Bowl are coming.
• UTSA rocked these gorgeous helmets during their spring game.

• Jared was at UTSA’s spring game and came away from the game thinking Bryce Rivers will enter fall camp as the starter at quarterback.

FCS

• Idaho might be on the verge of cutting sports in order to save money.
• North Dakota State may reduce the size of their student section.

Independents

• NMSU may also be on the verge of cutting sports to save money.

Sun Belt

• Justice Hansen shares his journey from being an outcast to ending up as one of the best quarterbacks entering the Sun Belt in 2018.
• Texas State completed spring camp with a competitive spring game.
• SWC Roundup’s series of Bad Beats continues with TXST getting stomped by Northwestern State.
• In a shocker, starting quarterback Dallas Davis has left South Alabama.