Unofficial Spring Game Depth Chart
I put together a depth chart of what I think we'll see on the field Saturday. With the news of the Furman suspension, I put Freshman Jarrod Wilson in his position on the 2nd team defense.
Opinions? Feedback? Corrections? Let me know, I want to have one with me at the game saturday.
Blue (1st) Team
OFFENSE
QB- #16 Denard Robinson SR
RB- #28 Fitz Toussaint RS JR
FB- #33 Stephen Hopkins JR
WR- #12 Roy Roundtree 5th
WR- #10 Jeremy Gallon RS JR
TE- #89 Brandon Moore 5th
LT- #77 Taylor Lewan RS JR
LG- #57 Elliot Mealer 5th
C- #52 Ricky Barnum 5th
RG- #65 Patrick Omameh 5th
RT- #75 Michael Schofield RS JR
Blue (2nd) Team
DEFENSE
DE- #67 Nathan Brink RS JR
DT- #54 Richard Ash RS SO
DT- #76 Quinton Washington RS JR
DE- #97 Brennan Beyer SO
LB- #27 Mike Jones RS JR
LB- #7 Brandin Hawthorne SR
LB- #4 Cam Gordon RS JR
CB- #5 Courtney Avery JR
CB- #6 Raymon Taylor SO
FS- #22 Jarrod Wilson FR
SS- #3 Marvin Robinson JR
Maize (2nd) Team
OFFENSE
QB- #7 Devin Gardner JR
RB- #2 Vincent Smith SR
FB- #36 Joe Kerridge RS FR
WR- #26 Drew Dileo JR
WR- #83 Jerald Robinson RS SO
TE- #80 Ricardo Miller JR
LT- #69 Erik Gunderson RS JR
LG- #58 Chris Bryant RS FR
C- #60 Jack Miller RS FR
RG- #61 Graham Glasgow RS FR
RT- #56 Joey Burzynski RS SO
Maize (1st) Team
DEFENSE
DE- #88 Craig Roh SR
DT- #73 Will Campbell SR
DT- #55 Jibreel Black JR
DE- #57 Frank Clark SO
LB- #90 Jake Ryan RS SO
LB- #25 Kenny Demens 5th
LB- #44 Desmond Morgan SO
CB- #8 JT Floyd 5th
CB- #18 Blake Countess SO
SS- #32 Jordan Kovacs 5th
FS- #30 Thomas Gordon RS JR
I think it all depends on what kind of formation we are going to run.
Dileo is probably the backup slot and JJ is a backup to one of the outside spots. If we are in a running formation, I'm sure we will see JJ because of his block ability.
Not sure if he is out fully. It might be one of those non-contact things where he is doing more rehab work.
I almost did that too. When I first responded I was about to say, "I don't think Brink is out out."
Not that there would be anything wrong with that.
Horray for an upperclassmen-laden first team offense (finally). Boo for paper-thin O-line depth.
the downside is were lossing 6 starters next year to graduation on offence. next year is going to be an interesting year.
I disagree. I think a some of those guys will be replaced by guys better than they are, and others will be small steps back. 2013 Bryant & Kalis > 2012 Mealer and Omameh, I predict, and 2013 TE (whoever it is) > Brandon Moore. Looking at the WR group as a whole, we lose only Roundtree and add 2-3 solid frosh. 2013 Jack Miller is probably < 2012 Barnum, and we lose Denard, which, obvi.
So, saying "we lose 6 starters" sounds bad, until you break it down in terms of who we lose, and who is likely to replace them.
Some of the lazier sportswriters will probably say, "Oh noes, they lost six starters. All is lost." Be interesting to see what they predict for us as a result. Can't say that the change in personnel worries me too much either . . .
The other interesting thing to look at is how these sports writers define "returning starter." Sometimes they use the guy who was the starter for the first game of the season. So, last year Brandon Herron started the WMU game, and no other games after, so he was the "starter" at WLB for us last year. Therefore the magazines count him as a starter lost from last season, even though Morgan or Hawthorne started every other game. Similar situation with Woolfolk.
So if Brandon Moore starts the Bama game, but gets passed by midseason, he'll stil count as a starter lost, even though we all know that's not really the case.
Also, some positions don't really get credit as even having starters. I don't know that too many people credit a fullback, slot receiver, or nickelback as starters.
Personally, I think a solid nickleback is absolutely essential these days, but I can't imagine the top nickleback being considered a starting position.
could very well be better than Omameh and Mealer, but then the depth still comes into play. We have 4 freshmen OL coming in this year, and we're losing 3 5th year OL. To me, it doesn't matter if Kalis and Bryant come in and pwnzone. The depth is still a major concerned, and I don't know if this is just my opinion, but I will only be comfortable around 2014.
2012 we'll have 11 scholarship OL, 4 of which are true freshmen. Yikes
2013 we'll have a max of 13 scholarship OL, 5 of which are freshmen. I say a max, because it's possible Lewan doesn't return for his 5th year. Yikes
2014, barring any attrition, we'll have 11 scholarship OL who aren't true freshmen. That is when I start to feel comfortable.
Depth can be scary.
No doubt things will be much more comfortable in 2014, but I think 2013 will be solid as long as Lewan doesn't leave early. That would give us 5 solid starters (Lewan, Bryant, Miller, Kalis, Schofield, something like that), plus Bars, Magnuson, Braden, Glasgow, and maybe one of out freshmen blue-chips if we're in a pinch or he's just awesome. That's not ideal, but it's not that bad either.
"It's not bad."
Absolutely, it's not bad, but it's not good. If we are extremely fortunate and don't suffer any devastating injuries on the OL this year or next year, we'll be smooth sailing, our starters are pretty good. But, the cupboards aren't stocked full.
Interested in seeing the 2nd team OL at the spring game to say the least.
I totally get what you're saying, but that's the case for most teams most years. Considering it's the thinnest position group we have, that's OK. Not many teams, even very good ones, have ideal skill and depth at every position, especially OL where guys often take a couple years to get their bodies where they need to be.
Obviously, multiple serious injuries will destroy our OL, but find a team that doesn't have one position group like that.
Agreed, looking out two years is always scary since the only sure thing is your stud starters graduating. People always step up, there's maybe a freshman that breaks out. Who knows, maybe a 2013 guy enrolls early and sees the field early, there's enough OL coming in that it's a decent possibility. Such is college football unless you're oversigning like crazy.
You left out Burzynski. He supposedly is playing quite well.
did'nt we get 2 walk on o lineman in 2012 dan gibbs and the younger glasgow brother. i'm not saying they'll be all big ten next year but they'll atleast provide depth
That first team defense looks strong. I'm looking forward to watching BWC get loose this year.
Help is on the way.
I'll never forget when Avery was a freshman and missed a tackle that gave iowa a touchdown in 2010 which ultimately lost the team the game.
A year later he makes a critical one-on-one tackle against western in the same exact spot the iowa miss happened. I felt so proud of him and the defense.
that we would've won that game if he makes that tackle.
That crowd was so amped when it looked like that play was stuffed and then whooooooooooooooop.
One thing that stands out is the experience especially on the 1st team O. Not that it translates directly onto the field, but when the youngest guy on offense is a RS JR that has to be some sort of a plus. Defensive experience isn't bad either.
Talbott and Bolden should be 2nd team defense. I would swap Bryant and Glasgow at guard as well.
Since I haven't seen any mention of him, I'll make my prediction for the game. I think Justice Hayes could get a little hype going. The coaches keep mentioning him throughout the spring.
Also, FWIW, I'm on the Bolden bandwagon.
I think that Beyer is an interesting one. Depending on his weight, I could see him getting some snaps.
I'm also very interested in seeing if Jarrod Wilson can make a splash this early in his career. If he sneaks into that number two spot, even just for the spring game, it might be tough to get him out of it.
Beyer getting some snaps?" Have to ask: why wouldn't he? Got snaps last year, and Mattison seems to think he and Clark are 1a and 1b.
A lot of people seem to be suggesting that Clark is going to wrap up the spot, and relegate Beyer to the second option. I think although Clark is going to do well, Beyer will also. I don't see him getting benched for Clark. Although they will share snaps, I think Beyer will make some noteworthy plays this year. Definitely not an afterthought kind of player.
too. I think Mattison is excited about both. Nice problem to have when you sub a guy and you think you're not losing much, if anything.
I think the talent level on both is really high. I think that we might see substitutions based on maximizing ability, by putting each one in, in the circumstances that really allow them to show their unique skills. I don't think it will be because one is better than the other, or even because we "need" to sub. I think it will allow Mattison to go into the Mad Scientist mode more than last year. And next year, just look out! I think that our newfound depth will let him throw the kitchen sink at people . . .
Jones is buried. I don't think we'll see him on the field much this year unless people get hurt. Poole has even been seeing snaps at MIKE ahead of Jones.
Correct.
I wouldn't doubt Bolden locking up a starting spot by the end of the year, but since the coaches lean toward players who play with consistency I'm expecting it to happen at the beginning of next year.
I really hope Funchess comes in with his weight up a bit so he can contribute early. The TE depth is bad.
I see Thomas Rawls in all the practice videos playing with the 1's and 2's a lot. I don't know where he would go, but the coaches have talked him up as well, maybe take J. Kerridge spot.
Current depth chart to the best of my knowledge:
QB: Robinson, Gardner
RB: Toussaint, Rawls
FB: Hopkins, Kerridge
WR: Roundtree, Robinson
WR: Gallon, Dileo
TE: Moore, Kwiatkowski
LT: Lewan, Glasgow*
LG: Mealer, Burzynski
C: Barnum, Miller
RG: Omameh, Bryant
RT: Schofield, Gunderson
SDE: Roh, Brink
NT: Campbell, Ash
DT: Black, Washington
WDE: Clark, Beyer
SAM: Ryan, Gordon
MIKE: Demens, Bolden
WILL: Morgan, Poole
CB: Countess, Taylor
CB: Floyd, Talbott
FS: Gordon, Wilson
SS: Kovacs, Robinson
*I'm not sure how they'll work out the tackle situation. Schofield is Lewan's backup at LT and those are essentially the only guys getting snaps there. I actually think the third stringer would be Elliott Mealer if injuries occurred, but hopefully we don't have to worry about that.
Only problem I see with the depth charts listed today is that the Beyer/Clark battle is far from clear. Beyer has been running with the ones all spring. It has been reflected in almost every report I've seen from multiple sources. Beyer was also on the field for a lot more snaps last Fall than Clark. Both are exceptional athletes.
It is a great problem to have and I am sure that they will both see the field a lot this Fall.
Also those who state that Beyer doesn't have experience don't realize that this is his more natural position. Last year he learned SAM and WDE though he played more at SAM.
Finally, while I loved the Clark interception in the Sugar Bowl as much as anyone, one play does not accurately show what the whole season was like.
Mattison likes them both a lot. Competition is good. We won't know the end of this until the first game this Fall. I won't be counting Beyer out.
If you look above, PhillipFulmersPants and I kinda debated around that same subject. I think we came up with the same conclusion, IE, they are both pretty good - wait and see . . .
Might be the most exciting position battle to watch this year.
Rawls is the 2nd string "feature back" over V. Smith
Correct. Smith is a third down-type guy.
They're... wait, what?
So Gardner ISN'T a starting WR? Nonsense I say!