College football class of 2023: The most anticipated newcomers this spring season
New York, New York - With college football's National Signing Day all wrapped up, the new faces of some of the league's best teams are gearing up to make their grand debuts this spring.
Many of the nation's top recruits in the 2023 class have already begun navigating life as a college student on their respective campuses, preparing for the start of spring practice.
While some new faces will be joining already stacked squads, others are going to have major opportunities with many position-depth charts opening up.
Spring will be the first opportunity for newcomers on the field to prove they belong at the highest level post-high school and with a number of fresh faces hitting the field, the competition is set to be hot.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the top incoming midterm true freshmen that we're excited to watch take the field this March.
Nico Iamaleava, quarterback – Tennessee Volunteers
With Tennessee's Hendon Hooker graduating to the NFL, the 6-foot-6 smooth quarterback Nico Iamaleava from California looks to be the next Volunteer superstar!
Iamaleava turned heads back in December during bowl practices after enrolling at Tennessee early, and this spring, he will make his debut on the field to prove himself as a strong contender to earn snaps as a hopeful QB1 this fall.
The Vols passer finished this year's recruiting season as one of the best quarterback in the 2023 class and the No. 3 overall player.
Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate, wide receivers – Ohio State Buckeyes
With the nation's best receivers group headlined by the flashy Marvin Harrison Jr., it may be hard to stand out on the field as a fellow wide receiver, so Ohio State can count itself blessed to have not one but two uncut gems in Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate.
Inniss is an absolute powerhouse of a receiver who has the ability to find ways to get open and make plays. The five-star is physical enough to break tackles, and as proven, break some ankles.
Tate, who put on a monster touchdown-performance at the All-American Bowl last month, enters the Buckeye receiver room as a top 10 nationally ranked wideout who loves to make deep catches to the house.
Arch Manning, quarterback – Texas Longhorns
The name pretty much speaks for itself!
Grandson of NFL legend Archie Manning, nephew of NFL greats Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch has the kind of pedigree that guarantees all eyes will be on him this spring.
Before that, though, he'll have to unseat quarterback Quinn Ewers for the starting position, with the college football world rubbing its hands at the prospect of a "Battle of the Quarterbacks" in the annual Texas Orange-White game on April 15.
Justice Haynes, running back – Alabama Crimson Tide
While it's nearly impossible to pick a single player from Alabama's nation leading 2023 class, 5'11, 200-pound running back Haynes is hard to ignore.
Projected to be a do-it-all type of tailback, the Georgia native can also catch passes, has shown elite potential in the hole, and has the speed to take plays to the big house!
Already training with the Tide's offensive squad, Haynes will already be looking to score a touchdown in Alabama's Golden Flake A-Day game on Saturday, April 22.
Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot / Instagram / nico_iamaleava8 / Tim Warner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP / Screenshot / Twitter / Unnecessaryroughness