Preliminary Pencil Depth Chart out!

The first “Pencil Depth Chart was released Tuesday before practice and while many positions are playing out as expected, there were a few surprises.  They will work from this for the last few practices, but remember that it is in pencil and can change at any time, even in the middle of practice.  MacIntyre told the players it is all about their attitude and that everyone needs to keep “pushing” as it is in pencil. At least one player has already switched positions.

http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=207036061

Surprises: The biggest surprise getting the most talk on twitter and forums is brand new LB Addison Gilliam (was greyshirting at SJSU before following the coaching staff east) being listed atop the “Mike LB” slot ahead of Brady Daigh. I was also surprised that Josh Moten, who has never really played safety,  is listed ahead of Parker Orms there, but that could be the injuries somewhat.

QB Battle: It what was no surprise at all, only John Schrock and Stevie Joe Dorman (although Adam M thinks he is vastly improved but maybe suited for lower division ball) were the only ones eliminated from the competition (although both were still getting reps Tuesday, especially Dorman?!); it seems to me like their reps have been wasted when it was doubtful they were ever going to really be in the talk-it seems they could have made this decision after the first few days and given a few more reps each to the four that we all knew were compete: R-Fr. Shane Dillon, Jr. Nick Hirschman, Sr. Jordan Webb and Jr. Connor Wood.  The four are listed numerically and Macintyre said, “There is no pecking order”. On his Monday podcast Adam M. of Rivals said he thought it was clear that Dillon (very athletic but still “raw” as a passer) and Hirschman (best leader in huddle) had done enough to stay in the battle, but he was unsure about Webb (except his injury gives him a pass and may keep him out until summer) and Wood (“good in the 2-minute drill” according to MacIntyre).  Hopefully, they can narrow it down a little more before summer and Sefo (and maybe Fishback?) comes in.  MacIntyre said he wanted to have it down to three guys early in fall camp.

Running Backs: Christian Powell and Tony Jones were listed together atop this group, followed by Josh Ford and Donta Abron.  Not much to talk about here.  Freshmen Michael Adkins and maybe Phillip Lindsay if he stays at RB will have a chance.  Malcom Creer is still coming along slowly in his recovery from knee injuries. Fullback is only Alex Wood and some wlak-ons, and is unlikely to be a well-utilized position; walk-on LB Clay Jones has switched here as well along with Jordan Murphy.

At wide receiver, DD Goodson, who has been turning heads everywhere, is actually listed as a co-starter with P-Rich on one side, with sophomores Nelson Spruce and Tyler McCulloch 1-2 on the other side.  Goodson will likely be the “starter” at the third slot WR position, which will be on the field quite a bit.  Richardson has been held out of some drills for precautionary reasons but will be full-go the rest of the way.  It’s a little disappointing that no one else, especially either of the Thomases could crack the top four (3^rd and 4^th behind the sophs). Sr. Jarrod Darden has been dealing with a hand injury and has not practiced much, but no one expected anything from him except taking a scholarship.  Walk-on Jr. transfer Wesley Christensen is still fourth behind P-Rich, Goodson and Canty.

After the depth chart was released, at the suggestion of coaches, Jeff Hall switched to WR from DB, where he was buried.

Tight End: Vincent Hobbs has been absent this spring attending to his ailing father back in Texas, leaving Kyle Slavin, listed as the starter ahead of Sr. blocking TE Scotty Fernandez and R-Fr. Austin Ray and Sean Irwin.  Without Hobbs this position is a lot weaker.  If they are going to utilize the TE moving forward it will need to be a big recruiting focus this next cycle.

The offensive line is still unsettled since two probable starters, Alex Lewis and Daniel Munyer, are out the rest of the spring, as well as Gerlad Kough.  Marc Mustoe is cleared to practice after his bike injury.  Tackles Sr. Jack Harris and So. Stephane Nembot have played well and a plethora of other guys have gotten extra reps inside.  The projected line of Harris-Lewis-Handler-Munyer-Nembot is looking more probable, barring further injury or development.  Currently Alex Kelley and Kaiwi Crabb are running at the first team guards.

Linebacker The most surprising position with Fr. Addison Gilliam listed alongside Sr. Derrick Webb (probable captain) at the inside slots ahead of Jr. Brady Daigh, who has been battling some injuries.  So. Woodson Greer is ahead of Sr. Paul Vigo and Fr. Markeis Reed on the outside slot. Jr. Lowell Williams, who had been turning heads in practice, is #2 behind Webb.  Kyle Washington has sat out because of lingering concussion problems and may be done playing.

Defensive line No huge surprises here with Sr. Nate Bonsu and So. Josh Tupou listed as starters in the middle with Sr. Chidera Uz0-Diribe and So. Samson “Kool Aid” Kafovalu on the outside.  Although Kafovalu had his “incident” in the off-season, he has made some waves in the first practices and has gotten kudos from many.  Adam M. said he is actually a very quiet and laid back guy, although he did say last year that his favorite thing about university living was the “parties” (and the kool aid?).  This is a position where there is a lot of rotation so we will see a lot of the second string guys as well: DTs So. Justin Solis, So. Tyler Henington and R-Fr. Kory Rasmussen, and Jr. Kirk Poston, R-Fr. John Stuart and T-Fr. Derek McCartney outside. Surprisingly R-Fr. D’Jon Wilson, who was the defensive scout team MVP, is buried deep at tackle.

The defensive secondary is always interesting and there are a lot of bodies here.  As mentioned, Jr. Josh Moten is listed as the starter at one safety spot, with Sr. Terrel Smith at the other.  Parker Orms is next and also listed at Nickel #2 (with Moten Nickel #3) and Marques Mosley is behind him with Jered Bell backing up Smith.   

Greg Henderson (also Nickel #1) and Kenneth Crawley are the number one cornerbacks.  Adam M. said Crawley not only looks more comfortable on the field, but he says himself that he definitely does since he feels like he has more support over the top with this defense. R-Fr. John Walker will backup Henderson while So. Yuri Wright is buried behind walk-on Harrison Hunter (will Wright leave?) behind Crawley; Jeff Hall already switched to offense.

Special Teams:P Darragh O’Neill is gunning to be the best punter in the country and is psyched to have a full-time special teams coordinator that can work with the kickers and punters throughout every practice.  Wil Oliver appears to have the kicker position solidified as well, and he is listed with Justin Castor for kickoffs. O’Neill is also trying to win the holder job from Justin Gorman and Ryan Iverson is trying to hold off a ton of walk-on freshmen for the long snapper position.  Punt and kickoff returners are still “TBA”.

Here’s the remaining Spring practice schedule, most sessions 3:45-6:15PM on the lower Boulder Creek fields.

Thursday, April 4                                                                                                                 Practice
Friday, April 5                                                                                                                       Practice (scrimmage)
Tuesday, April 9                                                                                                                   Practice (no tackling)
Thursday, April 11                                                                                                               Practice

Saturday, April13                                                                                                       Spring Game, 10:30AM, Pac-12 Network

Tuesday, April 16                                                                                                                 Final practice (shorts/helmets only)