With the first scrimmage in the books I figured it’s a good time to look at depth chart movement and put together an unofficial depth chart based on what I’ve observed.
It’s early, and there are still a number of freshmen are working their way into the mix so this is all very fluid. But that’s the fun of it, right?
Quarterback
1. Chad Chalich
2. Josh McCain
3. Taylor Davis
4. Matthew Linehan
– Chad Chalich had the best first scrimmage, getting Idaho into the endzone four times. Coach Paul Petrino said the quarterback who got into the endzone most would be the starter, and that’s Chalich so far. The competition is far from over, however, with two scrimmages remaining. Taylor Davis had a good day making some impressive throws but still remains a long shot. McCain had an inconsistent day making reads and knowing when to run, but his last drive was impressive. Idaho seems to want to see what he can do with more comfortability with the playbook.
Running back
1a. Jerrell Brown
1b. Kris Olugbode
2. Richard Montgomery
3. James Baker
4. Justin Parkins
– Brown and Olugbode will be the starting tandem. That much is evident even though Olugbode sat out the last scrimmage. What is also evident is that if the season started tomorrow that Richard Montgomery would get carries. He is fast, and has powerful lower-body strength. Montgomery averaged 9.3 yards-per-carry during the scrimmage, including an impressive 41-yard touchdown run off left tackle where he broke a few tackles.
Fullback
1. Jake Manley
2. Uh, Jake Manley
– This is the Jake Manley show, basically. Manley has been involved in the running and passing game, especially in the redzone. True freshman Kevin Shelton has been sitting out with an injury so I’d imagine he’ll get a real look there for depth when he gets healthy.
Wide Receiver
1. Roman Runner
2. Najee Lovett
3. Dezmon Epps
4. Deon Watson
Competition for depth after that: Reuben Mwehla, Trent Cowan, Jacob Sannon Maurice Trotter.
– Petrino specializes in coaching up receivers and he likes the two seniors he has. Those two will be the starters. What we’re waiting to materialize is the depth behind that. Junior college transfer Dezmon Epps and redshirt freshman Deon Watson had good Saturday scrimmages and have been getting reps in practice. Also in the picture will be Reuben Mwhela, Maurice Trotter, Jacob Sannon and Trent Cowan. I’d have to say Epps is a pretty safe bet to get a lot of reps at the slot receiver position, but that behind him the competition is still going to be heavy – especially with the freshmen.
Tight End
1. Michael LaGrone
2. Jared Klingenberg
3. Clayton Homme
4. Taylor Elmo
– It’s hard to get a read on what Petrino wants to do with his tight ends, but at this point I’d say they won’t be a focal point and that there will be a lot of rotation. The senior LaGrone seems to be at the top, his experience and ability in the redzone help him. Klingenberg and Homme have also ran with the first team, while Elmo has worked with the twos and threes.
Offensive Line
Starting interior: LG – Dallas Sandberg, C – Mike Marboe, RG – Nick Van Rotz. Starting exterior: weak tackle – Cody Elenz, strong tackle – Jesse Davis
Back-up interior: LG – Larry Dugan, C – Spencer Beale, RG – Sione Maile. Back-up exterior: weak tackle – Nick Edenfield, strong tackle – Calvin White
– The starting offensive line seems set with Van Rotz sliding into the right guard role. The back-up line is still a work in progress but we saw that depth in action on Saturday when Davis and Sandberg sat out most of the scrimmage, with Dugan and White filling in for them.
Defensive Line
Starting line from left to right: Maxx Forde, Ryan Edwards, Vince Keener, Quinton Bradley. First to get rotated in: Quayshawne Buckley, Anthony Rice.
Back-up line: Anthony Rice, Quayshawne Buckley, Tueni Luepamanu, Marius Burgsmueller.
– The defensive line rotation could be up to seven players getting first team snaps and game action. Quinton Bradley and Maxx Forde both look like they are poised for breakout seasons. Freshman Will Schmidt is also working himself into the two-deep.
Linebacker
WLB:
Marc Millan
Eric Tuipulotu
Matt Willis
MLB:
Juan Martinz
Broc Westlake
SLB:
Eric Tuipulotu
Matt Willis
James Randall
– Linebacker has been tough to get a read on but we know Millan, Tuipupolu, Martinez and Westlake will play the biggest roles in the group. Willis has also rotated in and out with the first team group.
Secondary
CB:
1. Solomon Dixon 2. Delency Parham 3. Jayshawn Jordan 4. Christian Whitehead 5. Desmond Banks
SS: 1. Trey Williams 2. Tom Hennessey 3. Jordan Grabski
FS: 1. Bradley Njoku 2. D’Mario Carter
– Of all the spots on the defense it’s the secondary that seems like it’s the biggest work in progress. Freshmen corners Desmond Banks and Armond Hawkins have been slow to break through the depth chart, but Jordan Grabski has taken advantage of Trey Williams’ injury to get some first team reps during the Saturday scrimmage.
Kicker….and Punter
1. Austin Rehkow
Back-up punter: Will Schmidt
Back-up kicker: Ryan Bordner
– Rehkow seems like he’s going to be the guy this year, but Idaho is giving Bordner a real look as well. Both have been inconsistent, even PATs were adventures on Saturday.