Spring football is one of the great, pure times of the year in college football. Without any opponent approaching and the need to game plan, we can focus every day on the teaching and development of our players. Our spring practices concluded April 14 with one of the cleaner and more impressive Cardinal and White Spring Games we have conducted in several years. Much of that credit goes to the level of focus and improvement from our players.
Sophomore quarterback Jack Richardson stole the headlines and our hearts, working all 15 practices as our only roster quarterback and outperforming all expectations. He and his parents met with head coach David Shaw on the field immediately following the spring game, receiving the emotional news that Jack was being put on scholarship. Jack's teammates threw an impromptu party for him afterward in the locker room.
Several other young players made great headway this spring and have vaulted into larger roles for the 2018 Cardinal:
Paulson Adebo · CB · Freshman
Still in his first year on The Farm, Paulson has quickly earned the right to play a prominent role this fall in the defensive backfield. The 6-1 cornerback has great length, speed and athleticism, but even more impressive has been his learning curve. Paulson is an exceptionally focused and serious student of the game at this young stage in his career, and he translates coaching instruction to his play at an impressive rate. This star is fast rising.
Houston Heimuli · FB · Freshman
Houston is not only a true freshman, but also a young man who was out of football for the previous two years while on his LDS church mission. You would not believe it, watching Houston work this spring. He has dedicated himself to film study this off-season with a purpose, and he has turned himself into arguably the most complete fullback on our roster. Houston is a punishing blocker who can move well, run the ball and catch it out of the backfield.
Malik Antoine · S/CB · Sophomore
Out of necessity, we moved Malik from cornerback to safety this spring and watched him flourish. A protégé of Justin Reid, Malik studies and prepares at a high level. He rarely makes mistakes, even though he is playing a new position. Malik is moved into our top tier of defensive backs and should play at safety and even nickelback this fall.
Gabe Reid · OLB · Freshman
With senior Joey Alfieri out this spring, Gabe received a lot of repetitions at outside linebacker and made waves. The true freshman gave some of the best pass rushes of any player this spring. Similar to Houston Heimuli, Gabe is back after two years off from football. It is a marvelous accomplishment to make such a successful transition and leap forward after spending two years an ocean away in Samoa.
Trevor Speights · RB · Sophomore
All eyes are on Bryce Love, after his record-setting campaign, and fellow rising senior running back Cameron Scarlett, after scoring eight touchdowns on offense and ranking No. 2 nationally in kickoff returns. Trevor quietly worked last season in spots as a short-yardage and third-down back, and this spring he has expanded his game. Trevor ran the ball with great vision, power and burst. His pass protection improved. He may be the next complete Cardinal running back.
Offensive Line
As a unit, the offensive line gelled this spring and took encouraging steps forward. One of our veteran leaders and talents, senior right tackle A.T. Hall had his best spring yet at Stanford. Freshman left tackle Walker Little and sophomore right guard Nate Herbig both continue their exciting ascents. The competition at left guard between senior Brandon Fanaika, junior Nick Wilson and sophomore Devery Hamilton pushed all of them to another level.
Honorable Mention
A couple of experienced players taking on more demonstrative leadership roles of note: junior defensive end Dylan Jackson and junior free safety Ben Edwards ... Late surges the second half of spring practices from sophomores Bo Peek and Thomas Schaffer elevated our competition on the defensive line ... Freshman tight end Tucker Fisk and freshman wide receiver Osiris St. Brown missed the fall with injuries and took eager advantage of their opportunities back on the field this spring, both in position to join the playing rotations at their positions this year.