The first Depth Chart is Out!!

And now it begins.  A feeling of soft warmth casts over me...

The depth chart is available for review on Page 7 of the game notes.  Take a look and then come back...

Ready?  K.

Few observations....

First, as was suspected, BG will start two redshirt FR on the oline.  (That's Fahn Cooper at LT and Alex Huettel at RG).  Also, our only 5-Sr. o-lineman, Chip Robinson, who was heir apparent at C, has been put into an "OR" situation (as in the starter will be him OR David Kekeuwa, the JUCO transfer who seems to made a real impression).  Which means, conceivably, even though we lost only one lineman to graduation (Bojicic), and we talk about a more experienced line, we could start 3 players on Saturday who have made precisely zero starts in D1.  Not saying that's good or bad, but it does point to the struggles we have had and that it may not have been merely inexperience holding the line back.

Second, there are a couple of surprises at WR.  In the slot position, Ryan Burbrink (walk on) is starting over Heath Jackson who finished last year as the backup in that spot.  Shaun Joplin has one of the wide out spots but I'm a little surprised that Chris Gallon beat out Je'Ron Stokes.  Obviously, all these guys will get snaps and we probably have 4 and 5 wide sets, but there are at least a couple of surprises at WR in the base positions.

On defense, the fourth spot at D-tackle is being filled by Taylor Royster, who I don't remember being a signing day name.  He's only 5'9" and 252 (as listed) which is pretty small to be on the inside, so he may only play on limited sets.

Ronnie Goble is listed as back up at D-end, possibly due to his injury.

At MLB, true FR Coy Brown III is in the back up spot.

R-FR Gabe Martin will start at ROVER, a critical hybrid position in our defense.

At Weak safety, Ryland Ward is listed as the starter. Aaron Foster, last year's starter, is on the 3rd string.

True freshman Will Watson is listed as a backup at one of the corner positions.

At Kicker, Stein and Tate remain in an "OR" situation.

Burbrink is also listed as the main punt returner.

So, that's the first look at how we will deploy in Florida.  We start the season relatively healthy, Goble notwithstanding.  I continue to think that they key is the performance of our offensive line, which are working hard to rehabilitate and we can only look forward to seeing that work out.