Final OT: '17-'18 Depth Chart: Version 4 ("Young Guns Edition")
Final time this is "OT," today marks the end of '16-'17 and tomorrow is the beginning of next season. As always, it's just for fun...so if you're all tight faced, lighten up, Francis. Besides, I'm guessing you likely don't know what to do with the DBs any more than I do, it's rough.
Notes:
-
He's coming back, dammit.He didn't come back, dammit. - REMEMBER - just because a guy is listed as a redshirt doesn't mean he won't play. Brian just made a thread about "unburned redshirts."
- DB? Woof. But having (30!) freshman is nice for depth.
- I realize we could (likely?) have more transfers.
- I will try and go back and update this throughout the year to keep it as current as possible.
QB
1. Wilton Speight (RS Jr.)
2. John O'Korn (RS Sr.) / Brandon Peters (RS Fr.)
4. Alex Malzone (RS So.)
rs: Dylan McCaffrey (Fr.)
RB
1. Chris Evans (So.) / Karan Higdon (Jr.)
3. Ty Isaac (RS Sr.) / Kareem Walker (RS Fr.)
5. Kingston Davis (RS Fr.) / O'Maury Samuels (Fr.)
rs: Kurt Taylor (Fr.)
Hybrid RB/Slot
1. Chris Evans (So.)
2. O'Maury Samuels (Fr.)
FB
1. Khalid Hill (RS Sr.)
2. Henry Poggi (RS Sr.)
rs: Ben Mason (Fr.)
WR1
1. Kekoa Crawford (So.)
2. Drake Harris (RS Jr.) / Tarik Black (Fr.)
4. Nico Collins (Fr.)
WR2
1. Donovan Peoples-Jones (Fr.)
2. Maurice Ways (RS Jr.)
3. Brad Hawkins (Fr.)
SLOT
1. susp: Grant Perry (Jr.)
2. Oliver Martin (Fr.) / Eddie McDoom (So.)
4. Nate Johnson (So.)
TE1
1. Ian Bunting (RS Jr.)
2. Sean McKeon (RS Fr.)
3. Zach Gentry (RS So.) / Nick Eubanks (RS Fr.)
TE2
1. Devin Asiasi (So.)
2. Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (RS So.)
LT
1. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS Jr.) / Nolan Ulizio (RS So.)
3. Chuck Filiaga (Fr.)
rs: Andrew Stueber (Fr.)
inj rs: Grant Newsome (Jr.)
LG
1. Patrick Kugler (RS Sr.)
2. Jon Runyan Jr. (RS So.)
3. Stephen Spanellis (RS Fr.)
rs: JaRaymond Hall (Fr.)
C
1. Mason Cole (Sr.)
2. Patrick Kugler (RS Sr.)
3. Cesar Ruiz (Fr.)
RG
1. Michael Onwenu (So.)
2. Jon Runyan Jr. (RS So.)
3. Cesar Ruiz (Fr.)
RT
1. Ben Bredeson (So)
2. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS Jr.) / Nolan Ulizio (RS So.)
rs: Joel Honigford (Fr.)
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WDE
1. Chase Winovich (RS Jr.)
2. Carlo Kemp (So.) / Luiji Vilain (Fr.)
4. Shelton Johnson (RS So.)
rs: Corey Malone-Hatcher (Fr.)
NG
1. Bryan Mone (RS Jr.)
2. Michael Dwumfour (RS Fr.)
3. Aubrey Solomon (Fr.)
rs: Phillip Paea (Fr.)
DT
1. Maurice Hurst (RS Sr.)
2. Aubrey Solomon (Fr.)
3. Rashan Gary (So.) / Lawrence Marshall (RS Jr.)
5. Donovan Jeter (Fr.) / James Hudson (Fr.)
SDE
1. Rashan Gary (So.)
2. Ron Johnson (RS Fr.)
3. Deron Irving-Bey (Fr.)
WOLB
1. Noah Furbush (RS Jr.)
2. Reuben Jones (RS So.) / Devin Gil (RS Fr.)
4. Elysee Mbem-Bosse (RS Fr.)
rs: Drew Singleton (Fr.)
ILB
1. Devin Bush Jr. (So.)
2. Josh Ross (Fr.)
3. Jordan Anthony (Fr.)
4. Jared Wangler (RS Jr.)
rs: Ben Mason (Fr.)
SOLB
1. Mike McCray (RS Sr.)
2. Josh Uche (RS Fr.)
3. Kwity Paye (Fr.)
VIPER
1. Josh Metellus (So.) / Khaleke Hudson (So.)
3. Jordan Glasgow (RS So.)
CB
1. Lavert Hill (So.)
2. Ambry Thomas (Fr.)
3. Keith Washington (RS So.)
CB
1. David Long (RS Fr.) / Brandon Watson (RS Jr.)
3. Benjamin St.-Juste (Fr.)
S
1. Tyree Kinnel (Jr.)
2. Jaylen Kelly-Powell (Fr.)
S
1. Josh Metellus (So.) / Khaleke Hudson (So.)
3. J'Marick Woods (Fr.)
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K
1. Quinn Nordin (RS Fr.)
P
1. Brad Robbins (Fr.) / Will Hart (RS Fr.)
KO
1. Quinn Nordin (RS Fr.)
February 1st, 2017 at 10:08 PM ^
So excited for a full season of Mean 'Ole Josh Metellus
February 1st, 2017 at 11:13 PM ^
I think I'd rather see Metellus in a more traditional S role and Hudson at that Viper spot. Hudson just seems like a beast.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:09 PM ^
Thanks for the update!
February 1st, 2017 at 10:11 PM ^
Mattison was talking to Sam Webb today and mentioned Lawrence Marshall is moving to 3 Tech.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:18 PM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 11:28 PM ^
I thought WOTS is Marshall most likely in the rotation.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:09 PM ^
Kinda forced here but it doesn't need it's own thread...Chase Lasater, the former FB commit, ended up at FAU. I really thought he was going to be a steady contributer to this team. I think Mason will do the job well if he moves to FB, but Chase seemed perfect for that role
February 1st, 2017 at 10:13 PM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 10:17 PM ^
Starting off at LB.
I personally think he plays both next year. We have too much depth in front of him to worry about it now. He's not beating out Hill or Poggi or any of the ILBs.
Just practice and see if he can compete at LB where he wants to play. If not, he's got a clear path to PT at FB with a position switch after the season.
That's frustrating with Lasater though. He could be redshirting with a clear shot to start as well. He goes to FAU to play FB because he didn't have a commitable offer to Auburn.
February 2nd, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 10:11 PM ^
February 2nd, 2017 at 1:46 AM ^
Lots of highly rated youth, a lot of it with a year in the Harbaugh system. I have faith there can be some underclassmen contributors this year.
February 2nd, 2017 at 2:50 AM ^
Well theres gonna have to be a handful of breakout youngsters if this team would like to outperform the "rebuilding" mantra. I think Harbaugh will have them prepared to go out and have fun and just let the game happen. More than enough talent to get the job done. Part of me honestly would not be surprised if this team ended up with 11-2 but then again i like being optimistic. Circle it now, 2018 is our year.
February 2nd, 2017 at 3:58 PM ^
I think it will work out similar to last season, at least I hope so based on how things look on paper. I don't think the defense will be quite as dominant, but there is no doubt that Brown knows what to do with the players they have. The secondary is really young, but extremely athletic and talented, and the front seven has the potential to be really good again to help hide some of the inexperience in the back end.
Like last year, the O-line appears to be the potential weak link, but I am hoping that the addition of Frey and some different blocking schemes will improve the running game. Add to that the fact that Speight has a full year under his belt and some better playmakers, albeit pretty inexperienced, the offense has potential to take a big step forward.
February 2nd, 2017 at 5:30 AM ^
My cousin Vinny and I were really hoping Tufele would be part of our ute movement.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:12 PM ^
I wouldn't be suprised to see Bredeson at LT...and see Ruiz play LB this year if nobody else steps up at the LT position. Newsome probably won't play...and I just can't see JBB owning that position. Just thinking back the Bredeson hype last spring at LT...
February 1st, 2017 at 10:15 PM ^
And I almost put that and then had JBB and Ulizio battling for the RT spot.
Who the heck knows at this point? I could give you 4 different OLs and I wouldn't be shocked if it was dead on or dead wrong.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:28 PM ^
JBB/Ulizio-Bredeson-Cole-Onwenu-JBB/Ulizio
Bredeson-Runyan Jr./Ruiz-Cole-Onwenu-JBB/Ulizio
Filiaga-Bredeson-Cole-Onwenu-JBB/Ulizio
Bredeson-Kuglar-Cole-Onwenu-JBB/Ulizio
JBB/Ulizio-Kuglar-Cole-Onwenu-Bredeson
...you could go on and on...
What we know...
JBB, Ulizio, Bredeson, Filiaga and maybe Stueber will be in the OT mix
Cole and Onwenu likely have C and RG locked up. Cole could move, but he doesn't come back to play a position he's not going to play in the NFL. Needs to perfect his craft, still has a lot of room to grow at C.
Bredeson, Runyan Jr., Ruiz and Kuglar will be in the mix for the "other OG" spot.
Competition is going to be FIERCE this spring and summer. Frey and Drevno have their work cut out. If any coaches could do it in the country, we've got the combo who can pull it off.
February 2nd, 2017 at 12:14 AM ^
I really hope the OL gets sorted out, finally. It's been half a decade since we had a decent O-line. As suspected, it was the weak point this year, and it probably will be again next year.
I just don't know about Cole. He was abused by the elite DTs he faced last year. Not just 'didn't do well' or 'couldn't quite hold up' but thoroughly and embarrassingly abused. If I'm coaching D-line against us this year, I can't wait to attack our O-line. Supposedly Harbaugh told recruits he wants us to run more spread next year. If true, I bet part of his thinking is that he needs to find something his o-line can execute well.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:20 PM ^
If umbig11 was still here, he'd insist that the coaches want to ride with Bredeson-Cole-Onwenu in the middle of the OLine with JBB and Ulizio book-ending.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:30 PM ^
I dunno, wasn't he pushing Runyan Jr. super hard?
But I could see that as well with Stueber and Filiaga pushing the OTs. There are limitless options this early in the process of putting the best 5 on the field.
February 1st, 2017 at 11:08 PM ^
He simply said this is how it would look going INTO spring camp. That is all.
\GhostofUMBig11
February 2nd, 2017 at 12:38 AM ^
makes sense if the coaches see them as 3 strongest OL (plus theyre at natural positions) - strength up the middle and continuity is huge, most coaches would prefer first limiting A (or B) gap pressure and working inside out (if theres a weak link). its usually easier to give help to OT than inside.
im not 100% sold on drevno (though more as OC than OL coach - but if harbaugh likes him, hes got benefit of doubt from me, not that anyone cares) but i really like hearing him say he always prefers his best OL at C and seems to want to work inside out.
itll be interesting, no doubt. they need guys to step up all over and QB, WR, LB, etc will obviously be key but finding those dudes wont mean much if OL and DB are hurting. cant wait to see who earns those 7-8 OL and 6-7 DB spots, its gonna be heated
February 2nd, 2017 at 7:46 AM ^
February 2nd, 2017 at 2:20 PM ^
Depth charts this far out really don't mean much, especially considering that we have a new o-line coach and several untested kids filling in new roles.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:42 PM ^
why not have him take Magnuson's starting spot at QB?
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:11 PM ^
In a perfect world, Mason would be at LT and Kugler at Center or perhaps Ruiz. In a non-perfect world Bredeson would be at LT with Mason Cole at Center. I do not see Ruiz at LB in any scenario.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:18 PM ^
Admittedly I look at LB and DB and go... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
...LB is so dependent on the package. Is it's straight 4-3? Are we using a VIPER?
WILL or WOLB doesn't necessarily trade off with the VIPER spot. Bush is taking over for Gedeon so you'll see Bush and McCray for sure.
IMO, you get Furbush OR Metellus/Hudson as your 3rd LB.
------------
When it comes to DB, the CBs aren't too difficult, but safety becomes tough. Does Brandon Watson move to S so Metellus/Hudson can focus on VIPER? Can Washington add weight and move to S to provide depth? Is JKP good enough to start right away?
So many questions. Spring practice is going to be AWESOME because it's going to provide so much clarity to all of this (which is why I always say this is OT...but after spring practice, we'll know so much more than I drop that OT tag).
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
Weren't all the insidery types saying Bush plays OLB and McCray moves inside?
February 1st, 2017 at 10:20 PM ^
We got some very young talent but the experience many of them got last season should help a lot. I really don't see a major drop off like many expect. Most new starters next season do have experience even if its limited.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:23 PM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 11:06 PM ^
nobody knows
February 1st, 2017 at 10:23 PM ^
just more talented
February 1st, 2017 at 10:24 PM ^
McDoom is not a "2.b"
As it stands now, McDoom is our #1 Slot.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:32 PM ^
You don't see Perry on there as suspended? If you take him off, which hasn't been confirmed that literally puts McDoom and Martin battling for the #1 spot.
If Perry comes back, he's the starter and proved it by jumping right into his start role at the end of the year after being suspended.
Not sure what the argument is here.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:47 PM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 10:54 PM ^
February 2nd, 2017 at 2:36 PM ^
It's not an argument. I am just saying that McDoom is currently the #1 slot on the team. Perry is GONE.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:33 PM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 11:15 PM ^
The Clark loss has the potential to sting because the pressure is on both of those guys to be good right away. Honestly, I'm just happy we're not putting true freshmen out there, but perhaps I'll realize later that I should have been more worried. The whole defense is going to be a strange adventure.
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^
He will start. Book it.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:43 PM ^
1) I could see Nico Collins redshirting with all of the WR's
2) Hawkins may end up at safety.
3) Paea may end up at OG where there is a bigger need and he probably projects better.
4) Steuber may be more ready to play than Filiaga.
5) I think Ruiz could be ahead of Runyan and maybe Kugler depending on how the spring goes.
6) I would flip Jeter and Irving Bey.
7) Hudson may end up at NT.
8) I could see McCray moving inside.
9) I think Kwitty Paye is going to be a WDE
February 1st, 2017 at 11:30 PM ^
Didn't McCray play inside last seaon?
February 2nd, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^
No. Gedeon was inside for the most part, and McCray play weakside LB. That's why a lot of teams attacked us on the edge in the beginning of the year before Brown cleaned it up.
February 2nd, 2017 at 6:32 AM ^
February 1st, 2017 at 10:43 PM ^
I think you can switch Ron Johnson and Carlo Kemp. Johnson was known to be a pass rusher out of HS and has a slimmer build, whereas Kemp is much more bulky and should play Anchor behind Gary. If Marshall is at 3T now Solomon should back up Mone at the nose.
I think our three receivers most often on the field will be Kekoa, McDoom and DPJ.
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:46 AM ^
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^
I'm sure his technique is good enough. In fact, idk if that has ever been an issue. I don't think he has the mental make up you need to be a dude on the OL in Power 5 football. He started a game because of an injury and we were playing a crap team so we plugged the experienced guy in. I'm sure he will be the 6th or 7th OL, but I think Ruiz will beat him on toughness alone.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:44 PM ^