So the depth chart is something over which we all thirst especially the one which is released prior to the season opener.
Here you go.
The first thing you will notice is the choppy presentation below. I have decided to choose speed and a little sloppiness over lots of valuable time spent trying to perfectly merge a giant column of photos in a new publishing system which likes to chop the tops and bottoms off of photos. There’s probably some sort of solution, but when the first one I found involved
code, I ran like a grenade was just lobbed through the window.
But anyway, take a gander and proceed. I’m just going to let loose with initial thoughts and press “publish”. This should make for plenty of false impressions and misconceptions – feel free to point those out in the comments, dear readers.
- Gunnar Gottula, Turner Corcoran & Elijah Pritchett are listed as co-#1’s at left tackle with Teddy Prochazka and Tyler Knaak the same at right tackle. No surprise there as O-line coach Donovan Raiola said earlier this week these would be game day decisions.
- He also said any of them could play on either side.
- There were no surprises at the guard and center positions, although it was nice to see Grant Brix backing up Rocco Spindler as a redshirt freshman. A few years ago, he likely would have been pressed into service early. He now gets to gain experience and learn from someone who’s been to the title game.
- People worried when Brix wasn’t getting much chatter should’t. Rhule today spoke of his amazing character and integrity and the fact he had a small knee procedure over the summer. Per Rhule, he has all the tools and character and just needs to get in some games.
- Luke Lindenmeyer is #1 at tight end with Haarberg and Carter Nelson co-#2. If the latter pair’s freakish athleticism can turn into production…I’m having Tracey Wistrom/Matt Herian deep middle flashbacks.
- Nyziah Hunter, Dane Key and Jacory Barney Jr. are the top listed receivers, but we’ve talked plenty about the mountain of breakout potential in the room behind them.
- My suggestion last week that it appeared T.J. Lateef had moved past Jalyn Gramstad for the backup spot was confirmed. There’s simply too much talent there to sit on – and the coaches have been steady in their praise of T.J.‘s intangibles as well.
- Looking at the running back chart, it played out exactly as the coaches, especially Rhule last week, had been saying. I can’t help but feel for Kwinten Ives who appeared to have added the weight, become explosive and had the #2 slot somewhat locked until an injury right of out the gate in fall practice sidelined him and has him looking up the depth chart again.
- On the defensive line, look for 5-6 guys at least seeing the field regularly. Williams Nwaneri and Cam Lenhardt are both going to play plenty. Riley Van Poppel is listed at #2 but he will bounce around and should be considered a starter. Keona Davis is just going to continue to grow by leaps and bounds.
- And the guy who’s becoming less and less of a surprise is true freshman Kade Pietrzak – the way he’s been talked about by coaches and teammates, he may be too good to redshirt.
- Javin Wight and Jack transfer Dasan McCullough are both listed as starters, but McCullough will be pushed hard by Jordan Ochoa and Willis McGahee III. The other LB slot is loaded with Marques Watson-Trent and Vincent Shavers Jr.
- Shavers is currently day-to-day with a lingering hamstring issue, but Rhule surprised no one today when he said not to count him out for next Thursday.
- The defensive backfield shows CB Ceyair Wright, Nickel Malcom Hartzog, Rover DeShon Singleton and Safety Marques Buford Jr. as #1’s; no shock considering they all started last season. Idaho St. transfer, speedster Andrew Marshall, is the listed starter at the other corner with Donovan Jones, who excelled at the position in the Pinstripe Bowl, as his backup.
- But hold the backup talk as, based on his ability at safety, Rhule said he considers Jones, an Omaha North grad, a starter and expects him to “play a ton”.
- Camp chatter also appears to be correct as Cal transfer Kyle Cunanan and John Hohl appear to have pulled ahead in the Place Kicker battle.
- To absolutely no one’s shock, Archie Wilson will walk into Arrowhead Stadium for his first game of American football as the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ starting punter. With all of his skills, 4th downs just got really interesting.
- It appears, for now, Barney will be returning the punts and KC true freshman Isaiah Mozee, Lincoln High sophomore Kenneth Williams and redshirt frosh Mekhi Nelson will split running back the kickoffs. Husker fans are likely just hoping for a mild threat from a aspect of special teams which has provided little excitement lately.
- But if those youngsters can unlock the cheat codes…
