Spring Football is Here!

 [Updated 3/11]

§  Spring Practices started Saturday, March 10!  The Buffs released a pre-spring Depth Chart, with a few surprises, most of which are due to injuries, but there have also been a few position changes.  Numerous players will also audition at more than one position.  Here’s an overview of the most recent developments (for a little more see the previous post in the archives at right). 

Here’s the current Depth Chart: http://www.cubuffs.com//pdf8/831041.pdf

§  The position of note is QB as So. Nick Hirschman, who appeared to be complete recovered from his right foot injury, has now injured the exact same bone on his other foot and will miss all of spring ball.  This appears to make So. Connor Wood almost a shoe-in for the job, although Embree said there will definitely be a competition with Wood, Hirschman and TFr. Shane Dillon.  The other beneficiary of the foot injury is RFr. John Schrock who will get a lot more reps, says he is competing for the starting position, but could very well be the third QB next season.  RFr. Stevie Joe Dorman can use this spring to improve with his extra reps as well. 
***NEW There will be a fourth QB on the roster as former Mountain Vista (played with Clay Norgard) signal caller Isaac Archuleta donned the green jersey (along with 7 other walk-ons.)

§  So. Tony Jones is expected to maintain his spot atop the depth chart, and will most certainly be in the rotation next season no matter what happens.  Jr. Josh Ford should get a lot of reps to try to stay in the coaches’ eyes; he has shown flashes running, but not as a blocker, and has fumbled some. Two Sos. were moved to RB from DB to provide depth until three freshmen arrive in August: DD Goodson moved back and Justin Gorman, who is mainly the holder for place kicks, will try   Jr. walk-on Alex Wood, former TE, is officially the number one FB going into the spring, but TFr. Clay Norgard is already here and expected to move up as he learns the position.  He will still have to battle and likey will share time with fellow incoming frosh Cristian Powell in August.

§  At “Z” WR Jr. Paul Richardson is a likely captain and is officially backed up by So. Keenan Canty and Jr. DaVaughn Thorton.  The “X” “starter” is listed as So. Tyler McCulloch, backed up by RFr. Nelson Spruce.  Behind them, interestingly, is Sr. walk-on Dustin Ebner, ahead of Jr. Jarrod Darden, who looks like a receiver when he is just standing there, but not really on the field, and he’ll probably drop further when the three incoming freshmen arrive.

§  Sr. Nick Kasa is set to finally be of some value to the team and is listed as the first TE, ahead of So. Kyle Slavin and some walk-ons.  However, if they do not solidify themselves with their spring reps, there are also three recruits coming to compete in August.

§  The offensive line might be one of the more interesting position groups to follow as there is a lot of talent but very few spots are solidified.  RT might be one of the most solid slots as Jack Harris is healthy and ready to regain his starting spot from the beginning of last year. He will be backed up by mammoth RFr. Stephane Nembot, who is probably not quite ready to play, but up over 300.  At this point JR. David Bahktiari is listed number one at LT, but he is definitely going to get a shot at LG, where Sos. Daniel Munyer and Kawai Crabb are listed 1-2, so that So. Alex Lewis, currently number 2, can try to earn the starting LT spot (#3 is RFr. Marc Mustoe).  Jr. Gus Handler was the starter at center for the entire season and looks to keep it.  He is officially backed up by So. (must have played some on special teams last year) Brad Cotner, but Crabb or Munyer would take over if Handler went down.  The starter at RG for now is Sr. Ryan Dannewitz, who I think will end up being the utility back-up for everything but center, but he is better suited for guard than tackle, where he was mediocre at best last year.  Number 2 is greyshirt TFr. Alex Kelley.  The 2 frosh will most likely redshirt when they get here.  My projected lineup when it is all said and done, from L-R: Lewis, Bahktiari, Handler, Munyer/Crabb, Harris.

§  The defensive line (they are calling themselves a “4-3” so there will be four linemen, but the right end is still called the “Jack” and will be more hybrid again) is especially thin this spring so that will somewhat limit what they can do.  So. Juda Parker is listed number one at left DE, backed up by walk-on Casey Walker, who is listed ahead of RFr. Kirk Poston. The right DE/Jack is led by Jr. Chidera Uzo-Diribe, backed up by walk-on Andre Nichols and journeyman (former RB and TE) So. Cordary Allen, who will try to contribute and provide some depth, at least for the spring.  Some of the incoming frosh will definitely factor into the outside slots.  Inside, the DT starters are listed as Srs. Wil Pericak and Eric Richter.  Jr. Nate Bonsu is injured and out for the spring, but expected to surpass Richter if he can get and stay healthy. Providing depth inside are RFr. walk-ons John Tuso and Kyle Koch.

§  While top of the LB depth chart is fairly clear, the backups are not and that is where the competition will be. So. Brady Daigh will get lots of reps as he fills in for the injured Doug Rippy alongside Jr. Derrick Webb in the middle, backed up by RFr. KT Tu’umalo and Jermane Clark. Outside will be captain Jon Major, backed up by Sos. Woodson Greer III and Lowell Williams, and S Kyle Washington is supposedly going to get a look here also.

§  We all knew So. Greg Henderson would be listed number one at one CB, but the other side is a big question mark.  So. Josh Moten will enter the spring listed number one ahead of RFr. Sherrard Harrington, who everyone is excited to see get on the field finally.  Transfer Harrison Hunter is listed behind Henderson and this is his chance to make an impression.  Everyone, even Henderson, will be challenged by So. Jered Bell, when he fully recovers from his knee injury, as well as three highly rated incoming corner recruits in the fall.
*Bell's recovery is going well and he is participating in invidual drills, can run and cut but no contact.
*Walk-on Jordan Marquez is not participating in spring practices due to academics.

§  Sr. Ray Polk is a probable captain and will start at one safety slot but after that this position group is wide open.  Jr. Parker Orms opens as the other starter and his health, not ability, will dictate how much he is on the field. Therefore, his backup will be key, currently listed as Jr. Paul Vigo then So. Kyle Washington (also getting look at outside LB), but could just as easily end up with one of Polk’s listed backups, Jr. Terrell Smith, or So. Wil Harlos, who I believe will end up on the field a lot this year.

§  On Special Teams, Embree said that punting, coverage and punt returns will be a heavier focus on the spring than kickoffs, whose units are expected to include more freshmen.  However, with the new kickoff rules, that might change as Embree will want to see who can kick it out of the endzone and who can kick it high and deep inside the 10 from the new spot at the 35.   The intriguing and versatile So. Darragh O’Neill returns at punter, but Zach Grossnickle and transfer DJ Willhelm will be given their shot.  Incumbent kicker So. Wil Oliver is recovering from shoulder surgery and is limited, so FGs will not be an emphasis; he is also listed as number one kickoff, but Jrs. Justin Castor and Grossnickle will practice and compete here for the spring, with the winner battling Oliver in the fall.   
*Brookhart held open tryouts for kickers after the first practice.
-They are not listing anyone as punt or kickoff returner.  Ryan Iverson will be the long snapper, with walk-on Keegan Lamar listed as his backup, but TE Kyle Slavin has also practiced here previously and offers much better size.   Justin Gorman will be the holder, backed up by Hirschman.

§  I will update as information is released.  Unfortunately, the practices are not open so I cannot attend and give any firsthand reports until the April 14 Spring Game/Scrimmage.