Chad Chalich seems to have all but wrapped up the starting gig. After throwing 17-of-20 and 19-of-20 in the team’s scrimmages, coach Paul Petrino said this… “Anyone that’s around, anyone that’s watched practice kind of knows what’s going on. I just don’t need to tell North Texas.”
A few months ago, we began our way-too-early projected depth charts. Below you’ll find our final projections. Not too many surprises here, but let us know how you think we did.
OFFENSE:
Offensive line- Cody Elenz (weak tackle), Jesse Davis (strong tackle), Mike Marboe (center), Dallas Sandberg (left guard), Nick Van Rotz (right guard), Calvin White (strong tackle).
Probably the most desperate position group on offense. So desperate, it had to steal away defensive tackle Jesse Davis, who looks like he’ll start as a strong tackle. Mike Marboe is the most experienced player here and has made the Rimington Award watch list for the second consecutive season. Cody Elenz is the only other returning starter.
Quarterback- Chad Chalich, Josh McCain, Taylor Davis.
Chalich is still the clear-cut favorite at this point, based on his eye-popping statistics throughout the team’s fall scrimmages. Paul Petrino isn’t completely opposed to a two-QB system, which may see McCain, a speedy junior college transfer, get a few snaps in depending on the circumstances.
Tight end- Michael LaGrone, Clayton Homme, Jared Klingenberg, Taylor Elmo.
LaGrone has been the workhorse of this group for the past couple of years and is easily the most physically imposing of the tight ends. Taylor Elmo has dropped off since his sophomore year and senior Clayton Homme looks to have taken ahold of the back-up spot.
Running back- Richard Montgomery, Jerrel Brown, James Baker, Kris Olugbode.
Potentially the most exciting position group on Petrino’s new-look squad, the running back corps received a much-needed facelift and probably would’ve sufficed with JC transfers Jerrel Brown and Kris Olugbode, who both impressed during spring ball. Then, the team got more than it needed with fly-around tailback Richard Montgomery. A true freshman, Montgomery appears to be the starter and deservedly so, as he appears to be the team’s most explosive playmaker.
Wide receiver- Najee Lovett, Roman Runner, Dezmon Epps, Deon Watson, Reuben Mwehla, Trent Cowan.
With the departures of Jahrie Level and Marquan Major and and the graduation of Mike Scott and Justin Veltung, this group was more or less doomed — or at least it seemed that way. Returning starter Najee Lovett should be Chalich’s top target and junior college transfer Dezmon Epps enters the mix as another dynamic playmaker eager to contribute.
DEFENSE:
Defensive line- Quinton Bradley (defensive end), Maxx Forde (defensive end), Vince Keener (defensive tackle), Ryan Edwards or QuayShawne Buckley (defensive tackle), Anthony Rice (defensive end).
Oh, what the d-line could’ve been had Jesse Davis stayed put. Quinton Bradley has blossomed under Petrino and his staff and the line returns another starter in junior Maxx Forde. QuayShawne Buckley, who was dismissed from the team last spring, found his way back on. The Onatrio, Calif., native will have to cut down on the defensive penalties this season and Ryan Edwards could get the start ahead of him.
Linebacker – Marc Millan (weak), Eric Tuipulotu (strong), Juan Martinez (middle), Broc Westlake (middle), Matt Willis (outside), James Randall (outside).
The linebacking corps lost a bundle of players to graduation and will likely start three players who have yet to play a single down of Division I football. The good news is that those three, Millan, Tuipulotu and Martinez, have seemingly beat out Matt Willis and James Randall, two players who have some game experience under their belt.
Cornerbacks- Solomon Dixon, Delency Parham, Jayshawn Jordan, Christian Whitehead, Desmond Banks.
The secondary seems awfully shaky at this point and Dixon is the most experienced in the group, but there’s little depth behind him. Jayshawn Jordan played in 10 games last season but it’s Parham who looks to have the edge at this point.
Safety- Trey Williams, Brad Njoku, Jordan Grabski, Tom Hennessey, D’Mario Carter.
Idaho could be OK at safety if Trey Williams is healthy for Saturday’s game. If not, Jordan Grabski will be called upon. Njoku enters his junior year with 24 games and 66 tackles under his belt.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Punter- Austin Rehkow, Will Schmidt.
Rehkow, the team’s starting kicker, looks like he’ll hold both duties throughout the season as Petrino was unable to get his hands on a punter. The Spokane native erased any doubts about his leg strength before the Vandals recruited him. His 67-yard field goal as a high school senior indicates his punting could be very, very good.
Kicker- Austin Rehkow, Ryan Bordner.
Rehkow has shown promise from long distance but needs to clean up his short game.
Kick returner- Richard Montgomery, Najee Lovett, Dezmon Epps, Solomon Dixon.
Petrino is utilizing Montgomery however he can and he’s an obvious bet for kick return but Lovett and Epps are also exciting prospects at the position.
Punt returner- Dezmon Epps, Richard Montgomery.
Montgomery might be better here but he’s going to need his rest so Epps is probably a better bet.
Long snapper- Marius Burgsmueller.
The Dortmund, Germany, native will spend his third season with the team long snapping.