The Owls began spring practice in late February with seven quarterbacks, but whittled their best options down to three top contenders before drills were interrupted.

JoVoni Johnson, who played in four games last season as a true freshman, and Mike Collins, a graduate transfer by way of Penn and TCU, stood at positions I-A and I-B after nine practices, with Wiley Green, who had seven starts as a redshirt freshman, as a likely third option.

“We’ve not gotten production out of that position, so we wanted to build somebody who can play for us in the fall and were able to do that,” Mike Bloomgren said. “I would love to get to the point where it’s one person’s job, but I’m grateful for the reps and info we got in nine practices.”

Johnson, who had two rushing touchdowns in a midseason loss to UTEP, has potential to transcend a wildcat style, and Bloomgren likes Collins, who played in nine games for TCU in 2018, for arm strength and ability to extend plays. 

Bloomgren also needs improvement on the offensive line, where the Owls lost three starting graduate transfers. Shea Baker and Clay Servin, a two-year starter at left tackle, are the only proven veterans.

“That’s a group that needs to prove itself,” Bloomgren said. “Clay is on pace to be elite, and I have every confidence in Shea at guard or center.”

Former walk-on Isaac Klarkowski, whose first college start came in a late-season win over North Texas, could start at center. Holdovers Cole Garcia and Brant Peterson will be joined by Izeya Floyd, who was moved from nose tackle, and Colgate grad transfer Jovaun Woolford.  

Bloomgren will also count on four December signees to push the veterans at an area of considerable concern.

The Owls will use at least one fullback on 40 percent of snaps, and sophomore Brendan Suckley will get most of the work. Bloomgren also is intrigued by freshman Brian Hibbard, a converted center. 

At halfback, the Owls were pleased by the spring work of Juma Otoviano, who was stymied by injuries last year after a 224-yard outburst against ODU in the 2018 finale. 

“We saw a great version of Juma this spring,” Bloomgren said.

Ari Broussard and diminutive, but speedy Cam Montgomery will also be in the rotation, and the Owls will take a hard look this fall at freshmen Kobie Campbell and Khalan Griffin.

The front-line receivers — Austin Trammell and Bradley Rozner, both of whom earned all-conference mentions, and versatile tight end Jordan Myers — represent the Owls’ strongest unit. August Pitre III had a good spring, and Zane Knipe is capable when healthy, Bloomgren said. 

Andrew Mason, who had seven TD catches in a game for his Tennessee high school last fall, could contribute. Jack Bradley is the blocking tight end and Robert French and Jaeger Bull are slot options.