UConn Depth Chart
The first and most interesting of the year.
[Walk-ons denoted with #; players not on the official two-deep in italics.]
MICHIGAN UNOFFICIAL TWO DEEP 8/30/2010 | |||||
OFFENSE | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | First | Second | Third | ||
QB | Denard Robinson OR | -- | -- | ||
RB | Vincent Smith OR Michael Shaw | Mike Cox | 4:Fitzgerald Toussaint 5:Stephen Hopkins 6:Teric Jones | ||
WR1 | Darryl Stonum OR Junior Hemingway | Je'Ron Stokes | Ricardo Miller | ||
WR2 | Martavious Odoms | Jeremy Jackson | Jerald Robinson | ||
Slot | Roy Roundtree OR | Terrance Robinson | Jeremy Gallon | ||
TE | Kevin Koger | Martell Webb | Brandon Moore | ||
LT | Mark Huyge | Taylor Lewan | Erik Gunderson# | ||
LG | Steve Schilling | Quinton Washington | Elliot Mealer | ||
C | David Molk | Rocko Khoury | Christian Pace | ||
RG | Patrick Omameh | Ricky Barnum | John Ferrara | ||
RT | Perry Dorrestein | Michael Schofield | Zac Ciullo# | ||
DEFENSE | |||||
Pos | First | Second | Third | ||
DE | Ryan Van Bergen | Jibreel Black | Steve Watson | ||
NT | Mike Martin | Adam Patterson | William Campbell | ||
DE/DT | Greg Banks | Renaldo Sagesse | Terry Talbott | ||
LB/DE | Craig Roh | Brandon Herron OR JB Fitzgerald | -- | ||
MLB | Obi Ezeh OR Mark Moundros# | Kenny Demens | -- | ||
WLB | Jonas Mouton | Mike Jones | Kevin Leach# | ||
Spur | Carvin Johnson | Thomas Gordon | Floyd Simmons# | ||
Bandit | Jordan Kovacs# | Marvin Robinson | -- | ||
FS | Cam Gordon | Jared Van Slyke# | Vlad Emilien | ||
CB1 | James Rogers | Terrence Talbott OR Cullen Christian | -- | ||
CB2 | JT Floyd | Courtney Avery | -- | ||
SPECIAL TEAMS | |||||
Pos | First | Second | Third | ||
P | Will Hagerup | Seth Broekhuizen# | --- | ||
K | Brendan Gibbons OR Seth Broekhuizen# | Justin Meram# | -- | ||
PR | Jeremy Gallon OR Martavious Odoms OR Terrance Robinson | Drew Dileo | -- | ||
KR | Darryl Stonum | Martavious Odoms OR | Drew Dileo |
Items
Gardner. You've probably already been bombarded by this fact on twitter, but Rodriguez specifically stated that freshmen on the two-deep are not going to redshirt this season, which includes Devin Gardner. Grumble.
Other freshmen slotted to play in groups:
- Obvious: all three cornerbacks, Stephen Hopkins
- Encouraging sign: Jibreel Black, Carvin Johnson, Marvin Robinson.
- Surprising: Jeremy Jackson
Carvin Johnson's audition at spur in the Beanie Bowl went well enough that he is the starter, no OR, there. This site's prediction that he'd outperform his recruiting rankings more than anyone else is moving along smoothly, but the secondary just got a tiny bit less experienced… or did it? More in the secondary preview dropping later today.
James Rogers is, at least temporarily, a starting corner.
Kelvin Grady's frequent appearances on fall highlight film have evidently paid off, as with Martavious Odoms' seeming permanent move outside he moves up to co-starter with Roundtree.
Teric Jones is back at running back, his defensive experiment over. Probably for the best given his performance against DSU last year and his obvious speed.
Veterans win at tackle… so far.
Bizarre switch: 289 pound Sagesse is the primary backup at DE/DT and 276 pound Adam Patterson is the primary backup at nose. Theory: Mike Martin isn't coming off the field much and M plans to platoon Sagesse and Banks extensively.
Should we start getting worried about:
- Vlad Emilien: behind a walk-on after a year and a half (he enrolled early).
- Anthony LaLota: behind Steve Watson, also after a year and a half.
- Will Campbell: behind perpetual non-entity Adam Patterson, a guy who moved positions this spring.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:40 PM ^
He still has three years of eligibility (including 2010), plus the potential of an unused redshirt. Maybe he sits out this year, gets his act together, and still has plenty of time to contribute later in his career.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
Ordinarily I think that people who can redshirt should redshirt if they aren't needed, but Campbell may be needed to start next year given that Banks, Sagesse, and Patterson are all seniors and we have only true freshmen behind him. As such I would try to work Campbell into the rotation as long as he can play approximately as well as Patterson.
If he isn't good enough yet to see meaningful action, he shouldn't play. I suspect that it never benefits a team to burn a guy's redshirt year just to play him in garbage time.
In contrast, Emilien and Hawthorne are also both third-string or lower and neither redshirted last year, but they play positions where we have plenty of returning depth. They should redshirt this year unless they are needed.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:41 PM ^
Our secondary is scary. Over half of the two deep has never played a down, and Kovacs is the only one with significant playing time.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
Maybe we should play a 2-3-6
August 30th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
And add an EXTRA defensive back? No thanks.
August 30th, 2010 at 4:47 PM ^
With a freshman starting at spur and Marvelous Marvin probably (hopefully) taking over from Kovacs at bandit, the defense really is going to be kept simple. That means they will have limited options for half-time adjustments, and other teams will be able to effectively make adjustments that we will find it hard to counter.
I'll say this, though, if these freshmen perform this year and we have a good season, their names will be burned into our hearts with affection. (But I will still never name a son Courtney, no matter what!)
August 30th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
August 30th, 2010 at 12:51 PM ^
Was I the only one surprised to see Huyge ahead of Lewan at LT? I was operating under the assumption that Huyge was battling with Schofeld at RT, and that Dorrestein would be starting at LT.
Shows how much attention I've been paying...
August 30th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
August 30th, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^
It seems clear that Lewan is a real talent, but that he also lacks experience. I wouldn't be surprised to see him attain the starting position after a few games.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
I can't help but thinking this is RR's last year and it could potentially be disastrous for "The Team." Barring injury I still don't see any way that you don't redshirt Gardner. The team proved last year they can win with Forcier and if Denard has progressed as reported he'll be even better. You don't need 3 like options at one position unless you are pulling out all the stops to find 1 or 2 more wins and save your job. "The Team" needs Gardner to redshirt to have a viable option for the future. This is bigger than any one coach's job and he needs to realize that.
I'm fearful for the next 3 years of Michigan football's futue.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:57 PM ^
This isn't NCAA 2011 where you can hit reset if a player leaves the program early. Maybe Devin isn't going to stay 5 years. If he's able to contribute, he's redshirted until he plays afterall.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:06 PM ^
Soooooo you think it's better for the program to lose RR, but save DG's redshirt? Right, because coaching transitions are puppies and kittens and rainbows.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^
I'd trade Gardner, straight up, to avoid going through that shitshow again. And I'm very, very excited about Gardner.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^
is if I was convinced he WASN'T going to contend for starter next year, because if he is, then I want him to have game experience, which will help THE TEAM.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:59 PM ^
This look at the depth chart does one thing for me. It shows me how many people are going to rotate in and out of the game especially at RB, WR, and the Defensive side of the football. I believe that RR finally has the depth that he needs to truly run his system in "JET" mode all season. We will be the fastest team in the big ten from minute 1 to minute 60. Hopefully this will allow us to just wear people out and get a ton of pressure on the opposing QB's. 5 days until we find out! GO Blue
August 30th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^
That's an excellent point, and one I haven't heard mentioned at all lately.
When RR first came here, what was interesting wasn't just the switch in system he'd be bringing, but the change of tempo - to that "Jet" speed so the defense is always on its heels.
We really haven't seen that yet, like he did it at WVU. Hopefully this year with the depth on O and also more experience at QB, we see more of it. It could be a huge added advantage for us this year.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
Do we expect to see McColgan as the 1st string or do we still see Moundros on both sides of the ball? Is Hopkins able to fill somewhat of the same role while still being a running threat in 2-back formations?
August 30th, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
It sounded in an earlier press conference as if Moundros has shifted to defense only. And yes, it also sounds as if Hopkins -- who is a pretty big boy -- is mister short yardage.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is that Kevin Leach, a part-time walk-on starter last year has been pushed backed to 3rd string. At times, he might have been our best lb last year at 210 lbs soaking wet. He at least knew his assignments. In my mind, that shows me that we'll see a better LB unit whether its Moundros or Obi starting. I'm also excited to see that Mike Jones has stepped up his game.
August 30th, 2010 at 3:11 PM ^
This pumped me up. Not that I have anything against Leach. I'm sure he's a nice kid, but all I remember is him running around against Illinois with no name on the back of his jersey.
He did have a sack on Juice Wlliams that game, but now that he is three, at least we can say our defense has improved in some aspects.
Anyway, as some others have pointed out, the Will Campbell placement sort of scared me a bit. Hope he pans out. If not we will have to hear from non-U-M fans about how RIchRod is a terrible coach because he ruined a top-prospect.
As fdor the offensive line, it is really nice to know everyone in the three deep.
As for quarterbacks, if RR decides on Friday that 'Nard Dog (that's what I'm calling him now) is one, and Tate is two, think he redshirts DG? I mean there are so many factors that go into it I suppose, but what if 'Nard Dog blows up? One can only hope right?
August 30th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
Look on the bright side... if DG plays, we'll avoid the "Who should start: Sousa or Gardner?" debate in 2014.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^
DG might not have vaulted Forcier just because he's not redshirting. RR has to win this year or else he wont have a job to worry about 2014 when the DG redshirt would pay off. From a personal perspective (and if he thinks he's the best man for the job, for the good of the program as well) a few plays this year are worth all of 2014. Am I too cynical?
Plus if DG is Vince Young there's no guarantee he'd stick around to be a 5th year senior if he could get drafted.
August 30th, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^
Cynical or not, you are dead on target. Everything that can be done to improve the chances of winning this year have to be done. I think your point about the 5th year is also well-taken. We assume that by not redshirting them, we are losing a year of guys like this. But if they are talented enough, they need to play now. There may be no 5th year to lose when it gets here.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^
is Josh Furman on this list? I understand he's raw and needs a lot of work on football skills, but I don't know if I should be worried or relieved that a freak athlete like him couldn't touch this chart.
I was at the Beanie Bowl and Carvin Johnson looked surprisingly quick out there. When I walked past him, I wasn't expecting him to be as big as he was, either.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^
I understand he's raw and needs a lot of work on football skills,
Given that the sport in question is football, I think you answered your own question.
August 30th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
It just means that JF gets a redshirt and gets to bulk up on his size before coming out to play linebacker next year. We are so much relying on freshmen this year (yikes!) that we now find it strange when a guy redshirts.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
Since when has Moundros been on defense?
Seriously, this is the best looking depth chart since Rich has got here. I'm pretty encouraged about it.
Also: There is nothing wrong with a true sophomore being behind fifth and fourth year players on the opening depth chart of the season.
I'm still going to let some games get played before making sense of the who, what, why and bust of this news release.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^
Is this sarcastic or have you been paying no attention? I really can't tell. in any event, since spring anyhow.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
Considering who posted the comment, I find it telling you cant figure it out on your own.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
In fact the entire Offense is stacked for several years (though waiting for a top flight back to emerge)
Confident in Front 7, DB's will have to surprise to the upside for a full revenge tour. And grow up early. I can't wait to see them play
August 30th, 2010 at 1:23 PM ^
anyone else notice jeremy jackson on the two deep? Though alot of the praise through fall camp was coming from J. Robinson! A little surprised to see, i guess. Marvin is going to be lights out, takes starting role in about 4 games. Im really hoping Carvin lays out some ppl too. Interesting that he gets reps at safety, CB, then is the starter at spur. I hope this lights a fire under some of these guys on the two-deep, get some experience in the first four games and takes over a starting spot. Meaing Huyge, Dorrestein, Rogers watch out! So pumped seeing that this is the final week till kickoff! Go Blue!
August 30th, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^
Really cool to see Carvin Johnson starting,I thought he would nail a job down sometime in his career but not as a true freshman so he must be looking pretty impressive. I can't get over the fact we are just a mere five days away from the start of the season. I really hope this week goes by fast.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
Some of you are just ridiculous. Will Campbell should've been redshirted last year but because of depth issues he had to play. Very rarely does a big man come in right away and dominate. Because of their weight and conditioning, most big men need a few years to get into shape and also work on their technique. Big Will is a year away from being a major contributor. Jesus it's like people expect the 2nd coming of Warren Sapp in a player that should be a redshirt freshman this year.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:49 PM ^
I think people should be getting upset with Brain for misleading thread titles. I thought I'd be looking at a depth chart of UConn. Not a Michigan Depth Chart FOR THE MICHIGAN GAME.
Come on, thread nazis!
August 30th, 2010 at 2:13 PM ^
Between this and the RICH ROD IS GOING TO BE FIRED post, Brian is just asking for a negging. ;-)
August 30th, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
What?
August 30th, 2010 at 1:52 PM ^
Question with RB, WR, slot and MLB. Two guys are list as the first team with the 'or'. However, neither of the guys with the 'or' on first team are listed as the second team.
Take MLB for instance, it's either Ezeh or Moundros on the first team with Demens listed on the second team. In reality, Demens is really on the third team correct? If Moundros starts, Ezeh is still ahead of Demens, right?
August 30th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
Is no one else worried that JB Fitzgerald, rather than competing for that MLB position (or at least being set up to take it over next year), is now competing with Herron to back-up Roh?
August 30th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^
I'm very concerned about Big Will because of what Brandon Graham said about him. I remember Graham saying that Big Will would be the best DT in the country by his junior season. He's a soph and behind Patterson so I'm definiely a bit worried. I always thought he was a hard working guy. Hopefully he continues to play hard and get better so he can contribute to this team.
August 30th, 2010 at 3:05 PM ^
Kovacs is white
August 30th, 2010 at 3:10 PM ^
Anybody know the best spots to watch in the Oakland county or Downtown Detroit areas?
August 30th, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^
The only thing I hate about the or is people 2nd on the depth chart are actually lower. In honesty they should list it as such.
|Smith OR Shaw | | Mike Cox |
saying Cox is 2nd on depth is not quite true cause if Smith starts then next sub in is more then likely the person who was pushing him to start Shaw and not Cox who is behind the 2.
August 30th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
It looks especially strange at punt returner, where Dileo is the "second string" PR behind three players.
August 30th, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
On the other hand, I will be glad when Devin Gardner sees enough game action that all the talk about redshirt is over. I have a feeling that we are going to need 3 healthy, gane tested QBs before the season is over.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^
I'm more concerned about Emilien, Cullen, and Robinson not overtaking Cam Gordon, James Rogers, and Kovacs than I am about Campbell being 3rd string and LaLota not on the Two Deep at all.
This is largely because Martin/Van Bergen/Banks is at worst serviceable and at best good. Campbell can replace Banks next year after he plays himself into shape. LaLota can bulk up for another year or two before seeing significant playing time. Cam G, Rogers, and Kovacs are DOOM (the movie) and at best average.
Especially since Cullen and Marvin the Martian were both highly rated recruits.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
Dude, they've been on campus for 3 weeks...
August 30th, 2010 at 7:47 PM ^
Very telling.
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