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No conference in college football was more of a pleasant surprise in 2015 than the AAC, a relatively new conference made up primarily of old Big East football schools. Even though the AAC is a Group of Five conference, it had a 5-3 record against a Power 5 Conference, the ACC. Included in that was a Houston win over the ACC representative Florida State in the Peach Bowl. The conference did it with star power and many of those established stars are back. Here are the five biggest AAC names coming out of 2016 spring practice.
5. Houston’s Isaiah Johnson
Getty ImagesJohnson, a sophomore, caught all three touchdowns from quarterback Greg Ward in the Cougars’ spring game and it appears the two have developed a special chemistry. Those were just three of the 15 Johnson caught in the spring game, totaling 292 yards.
4. Navy’s Tago Smith
Getty ImagesCertainly the most unusual first name in the league, it will fall to Smith to replace the NCAA’s all-time rushing touchdown leader, Keenan Reynolds, who many thought should have won the 2015 Heisman. Fortunately for Navy fans, Smith looked ready.
3. Temple’s Ryquell Armstead
Getty ImagesArmstead was New Jersey’s fastest high school runner as a senior, posting the best time in the state in the 100-meters his senior year. A solid spring will enable Jahad Thomas to move to the slot, giving the Owls another offensive weapon.
2. UConn’s Javon Hadley
Getty ImagesHadley is one of three starters returning from an already strong Huskies secondary. The Huskies were 12th in the nation in interceptions last year and corner Hadley picked off one in the spring game. He also had nine tackles in the spring game.
1. South Florida’s Quinton Flowers
Getty ImagesPlaying at the school’s soccer complex, quarterback Flowers led the White team to a 32-19 win over tailback Marlon Mack’s Green team. Flowers, an equal threat to run or pass, had his team out to a 17-0 lead on three flawless drives.
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