The Harvard Crimson kicked off spring practices last week. Andrew Aurich and his coaching staff have a lot of key pieces to replace on both offense and defense this spring. 

One position the Crimson do not have to worry about is quarterback. Jaden Craig is back after throwing for 2,430 yards and 23 touchdown passes last season. Craig was efficient, throwing only 3 interceptions all season. 

Craig’s most reliable target, Cooper Barkate is gone but the Crimson have a bevy of young receivers that will get a look this spring. Juniors Isaiah Kacyvenski Jr, Ryan Mooney and sophomore Camren Ware will all get extended looks. Senior Dean Boyd is a big target who could see more action at the X receiver. 

Tight end has traditionally been a strength at Harvard. Juniors Leo Li and Logan Reaska will get the bulk of the reps.

Running back Xaviah Bascon established himself as the featured back last season and this is an opportunity for the Swampscott, Massachusetts native to solidify himself as the guy. Bascon finished last season rushing for 540 yards and 5 touchdowns. Senior Isaiah Abbey juniors Jordan Harris and Kyle Johnson and sophomore Maddux Reid will also get developmental reps.

The offensive line will be a focal point with Austin Gentle and Michael Entwhisle gone. Senior Derek Osman will be one of the most experienced lineman back. Juniors Spencer Doan, Thomas O’Brien and Peter O’Mara along with seniors Max Bowman, and Carter Daly will get a lot of the reps this spring. There is also a talented group of sophomores in the mix.

Defensively, safety Ty Bartrum was named team captain for 2025. He leads a talented secondary along with cornerback Damien Henderson and safety Austin Jake-Guillory that will be the back bone of the defense in the fall. With the secondary a strength, the focus this spring will be the front seven. 

The Crimson defensive staff will be evaluating a lot of different options along the defensive line. Defensive ends Jack Crowley, Christian Nwosu and defensive tackles Griffin Egan, Xavier Agostino and Jacinto Lopez are among the players who will get meaningful reps along the defensive front. 

Senior linebacker Jack Kirkwood leads a young linebacking corp that will need people to step up this spring and position themselves as potential starters. 

The earlier spring practice schedule should allow the Crimson staff to get a handle on what they have and what they need to address heading into the 2025 season. 

Year one under Andrew Aurich was a success. It is all about taking that next step now by winning the Ivy League title outright and securing the league’s first playoff birth in over 70 years.