Stanford Football: 5 players to watch in spring game

September 12, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) scores a 93-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Central Florida Knights at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal defeated the Knights 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 12, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) scores a 93-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Central Florida Knights at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal defeated the Knights 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ryan Burns (17) throws the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ryan Burns (17) throws the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /

Last year it seemed as though Ryan Burns was going to be the next great Stanford quarterback. He went an efficient 14 of 18 for 156 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win against Kansas State.

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It wasn’t always pretty, but he also led the team to wins over USC and UCLA. Even in losses against Washington and Washington State, Burns was not necessarily the primary cause of defeat. Yet after a three-interception game against Colorado, Shaw gave him the hook.

Yet Keller Chryst has not been much better at the position, and his fragility resulted in Burns’ reappearance at the Sun Bowl. Now he will try to regain his position atop the depth chart this spring even as he competes with redshirt freshman K.J. Costello.

Keep an eye on how well Burns manages to work the ball to his various receivers, and if he manages to begin building relationships with the new additions. If Burns can grow to provide more of a downfield threat, it would boost Stanford’s chances in the Pac-12.