Post NSD Depth Chart

[Domer4ever]

Just wanted to get some general opinions from others about how they see the depth chart unfolding after NSD. Who from the incoming class redshirts and who comes in and makes an immediate impact? Thanks.

 

[Fbolt]

my 2 cents

my 2 cents

Take it or leave it....

QB: Hendrix/Rees/Golson/Kiel
-I can see Kiel moving up the chart, but the same with Golson. I can only see Rees as #2 to be a steady back-up, eventually getting passed by the younger guys. Personally, it's either Hendrix or Golson as the starter.

RB: Wood/Riddick/Atkinson/Roberson/McDaniel/Mahone/Russell
-Wood is a lock, but with Gray leaving will it be Roberson to take the power back slot? I hope he can contribute because I believe many forgot about him due to injury. Riddick is one I am not sure about. Is it RB, WR, or a combo. I think a combo. Atkinson is explosive and he could see significant PT. I believe Russel (combo man #2?) and Mahone sit out.

WR: Daniels/Goodman/Smith/Brown/Ferguson
-Goodman is Mr. Conservative. Looking for Davaris to break out and Brown may get some PT if he is as explosive as I believe.

WR: Jones/Smith/Brown/Ferguson
-I think Jones will be pushed by D-Smith

WR: Riddick/Toma/Farley/Russell
-Riddick may find his legs this year. Toma is Mr. Reliable IMO, but I hope Farley breaks out this year and obtains some PT (unless he plays CB).

TE: Eifert/Koyack/Welch
-I'm anxious to see who establishes themselves this year as the #2.

OT: Martin/Preston/Stanley
OT: Lombard/Nichols/Harrell
OG: Watt/Hanratty/Heggie
OG: Martin/Hanratty/Carrico
C: Cave/Golic Jr./Hegarty
-Looking for improvement in the run game blocking with the new line coach. Hopefully Cave/Golic come back for 5th years. Maybe Harrell moves to Center...?

DE: Lynch/Hounsel/Jones
DE: KLM/Tuitt/Schwenke
-Looking to see Lynch and Tuitt take gains this year with strength and avoid the notorious slump!

NT: Nix/Springmann/Day/Stockton
-Would like to see Nix improve conditioning to be an all-game player. Day could play here IMO. I just like Springmann and want him to be a surprise on the line.

LB: Niklas/Spond/Councell
-Hoping Niklas can cement himself in this position.

LB: Shembo/Williams/Okwara
-I want to see Ishaq bulk up and get some significant PT.

LB: Teo/Moore/Grace
-Grace-Moore. I wonder who is going to establish themselves as the heir apparent.

LB: Fox/Calabrese/Utupo/Rabasa
-Utupo and Rabasa could make some strides on the chart IMO.

CB: Jackson/Atkinson/Hardy
CB: Wood/Brown/Sheppard
-I hope Atkinson - Brown are ready. Hopefully Tee can contribute (and probably will as the season moves fwd)

S: Motta/Shumate/Turner/Baratti
S: Slaughter/Collingsworth/Prosise

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Should probably hold off on these threads until after Neal decides/ 5Ys are announced. Too many variables right now.

 

[mick2]

well i have settled the argument for one position.

The decider machine has spoken.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I, as usual, agree with Whiskey, but there are a few things you can count on: no O-Linemen will play as true frosh, and true frosh WRs will get a very serious look at playing time. I would not be surprised if Kelly takes a good look at Russell as a possible slot as well, whether it goes that way ultimately or not.

Sheldon Day and Jarron Jones will probably play, as they seem like full-grown men already, and Diaco is plenty happy to employ frosh in those D-trenches. If Shepard doesn't play this season, I'll be stunned... but it would say that we got two corners [almost out of nowhere] who are WAY better than what we had good reason to believe.

This is to partially address the second question of which frosh might contribute most. Whiskey is correct that depth chart formations make no sense yet until we know the 5th years.

 

[Anchorman]

Agree with OMM on all accounts. I could see Sheppard working into the rotation during the season, but am not sure he starts, and doubt the staff tosses him out there to begin against an option team.

 

[mick2]

to anyone who may have insight or opinion.

what side of the ball will have the most freshman contributing?

is there any chance of some safeties coming down to play corner?

 

[Domina Nostra]

I'll use Fbolt's excellent post (thanks). To Mick2, I think we will get a freshman starter on defense at CB. Other than that, I think it will be limited. Maybe some SS out of Baratti or Shumate, since both will likely play ST anyway. On offense, I could see Brown and Russell getting reps at WR, and Mahone getting touches at RB.

OFFENSE:

QB: Golson/Rees/Hendrix/Kiel
-I agree that Rees will be backing up whoever starts. I don't see Hendrix as a full-game QB yet. He has speed and power, but can you develop touch? I see him being a package guy. Hopefully Kiel red-shirts.

RB: Wood/Riddick/Atkinson/McDaniel/Mahone/Roberson
-Wood is indeed lock. I think Riddick steps up and plays a lot of RB, but that he and GAIII both get time and catch out of the backfield a lot more. I like Mahone and McDaniel battle for the remaining touches as pure RBs. Russell plays as much WR as RB. Roberson will remain a question mark and non-factor as he recovers (hope I'm wrong), if he fully recovers the situation changes dramatically.

WR: Generally, I think we have a lot more 2 TE/2 RB/2 TE sets. That said:
Boundary: Daniels/Goodman/Smith/Ferguson.
This position could go a long way in either direction. Not hard to imagine either scenario.
WR: Jones/Brown/Farley
Depth? Yikes! I love Brown, but he is a true freshman. Farley is SO raw and should get moved to safety.
Slot: Neal (please, please, please)/Toma/Russell
If we don't get Neal, then Russell or Riddick have to play here I guess? Maybe McDaniel? Can he catch?

TE: Eifert/Koyack/Welch
-I wonder how Welch develops; all three will play a ton.

OT Barring injury, I think Z. Martin, Cave, Watt, Lombard, Hegarty, Golic and either Prestwood or N. Martin are the main guys. That said:
OT: Z. Martin/Prestwood
OG: Hegarty/Golic
C: Cave/Hegarty/Golic
OG: Watt/Hanratty/Heggie
OT: Lombard/N. Martin/Nichols

DEFENSE

DE: Lynch/Hounsel/Jones
DE: KLM/Tuitt/Schwenke
-Looking to see Lynch and Tuitt take gains this year with strength and avoid the notorious slump!

NT: Nix/Springmann/Day
Nice rotation! Still wish Sean was back.

CAT: Shembo/Williams
I love this position
MLB: Teo/Moore
More rest for Teo this year.
MLB: Grace/Fox/Calabrese
Based on the reviews, I don't see how you lose anything sliding Grace over here.
DOG: Niklas/Spond/Councell
No idea what is going to happen here, I like all three.  Is Niklas too big.  The SSs are going to get time at OLB as well.

CB: Jackson/Atkinson
CB: Sheppard/Brown/Wood
Barring injury, I see Tee, BJ, and Brown getting most of the snaps. Hopefully, Josh steps up.

FS: Hardy/Collinsworth/Prosise
SS: Slaughter/Motta/Shumate

Hardy and Collinsworth will surprise.

 

[Rees 4 Heisman]

I'll use Fbolt's excellent post (thanks). To Mick2, I think we will get a freshman starter on defense at CB. Other than that, I think it will be limited. Maybe some SS out of Baratti or Shumate, since both will likely play ST anyway. On offense, I could see Brown and Russell getting reps at WR, and Mahone getting touches at RB.

OFFENSE:

QB: Golson/Rees/Hendrix/Kiel
-I agree that Rees will be backing up whoever starts. I don't see Hendrix as a full-game QB yet. He has speed and power, but can you develop touch? I see him being a package guy. Hopefully Kiel red-shirts.

RB: Wood/Riddick/Atkinson/McDaniel/Mahone/Roberson
-Wood is indeed lock. I think Riddick steps up and plays a lot of RB, but that he and GAIII both get time and catch out of the backfield a lot more. I like Mahone and McDaniel battle for the remaining touches as pure RBs. Russell plays as much WR as RB. Roberson will remain a question mark and non-factor as he recovers (hope I'm wrong), if he fully recovers the situation changes dramatically.

WR: Generally, I think we have a lot more 2 TE/2 RB/2 TE sets. That said:
Boundary: Daniels/Goodman/Smith/Ferguson.
This position could go a long way in either direction. Not hard to imagine either scenario.
WR: Jones/Brown/Farley
Depth? Yikes! I love Brown, but he is a true freshman. Farley is SO raw and should get moved to safety.
Slot: Neal (please, please, please)/Toma/Russell
If we don't get Neal, then Russell or Riddick have to play here I guess? Maybe McDaniel? Can he catch?

TE: Eifert/Koyack/Welch
-I wonder how Welch develops; all three will play a ton.

OT Barring injury, I think Z. Martin, Cave, Watt, Lombard, Hegarty, Golic and either Prestwood or N. Martin are the main guys. That said:
OT: Z. Martin/Prestwood
OG: Hegarty/Golic
C: Cave/Hegarty/Golic
OG: Watt/Hanratty/Heggie
OT: Lombard/N. Martin/Nichols

DEFENSE

DE: Lynch/Hounsel/Jones
DE: KLM/Tuitt/Schwenke
-Looking to see Lynch and Tuitt take gains this year with strength and avoid the notorious slump!

NT: Nix/Springmann/Day
Nice rotation! Still wish Sean was back.

CAT: Shembo/Williams
I love this position
MLB: Teo/Moore
More rest for Teo this year.
MLB: Grace/Fox/Calabrese
Based on the reviews, I don't see how you lose anything sliding Grace over here.
DOG: Niklas/Spond/Councell
No idea what is going to happen here, I like all three. *Is Niklas too big. *The SSs are going to get time at OLB as well.

CB: Jackson/Atkinson
CB: Sheppard/Brown/Wood
Barring injury, I see Tee, BJ, and Brown getting most of the snaps. Hopefully, Josh steps up.

FS: Hardy/Collinsworth/Prosise
SS: Slaughter/Motta/Shumate

Hardy and Collinsworth will surprise.

You dont think Toma gets his chance. I think he showed that he should be the starter becuase he gives more then any other player. I think That we have great guys in RB postion and we will be fine for next year. I do have to add that I think Tommy will be starting the year and will be thrown to the bench after his frist loss. I think ND has a great and wining team in a few year. When our young guys become seniors and jouniors. I cant wait to see ND win the NCCA title for the first time in my life.

 

[woolybug25]

I am surprised that everyone has Kiel last in the rotation. Kelly is well aware of the fact that the head coach at Notre Dame is ALWAYS on the hot seat. I truly feel that if Golson doesn't start, it will be Kiel. And here's why:

If Kelly looks at the QB position and feels that none of them are "championship ready", then why waste the development and game time experience? If he looks at the QB's and feels that none of them are ready to win 10-12 games this year? Then why put Hendrix or Rees in if they are only a placeholder for Golson and/or Kiel? Kelly is going to put the guy in that he feels gives them the best chance to win.

I feel like its Golson's job to lose, and the only person that could possibly take it is Kiel. When its all said and done, I think Golson will stave him off.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I still think this is all premature for full depth charts until Neal decides and 5Ys are announced, but I can't help myself, so I'll chime in on a couple subjects.

We're stacked at RB and Z WR (especially if we get Neal), but we're very thin at outside WR and CB. Thus, it wouldn't surprise me if Farley to moved back to DB and GAIII to moved to outside WR.

 

[Emcee77]

I still think this is all premature for full depth charts until Neal decides and 5Ys are announced, but I can't help myself, so I'll chime in on a couple subjects.

We're stacked at RB and Z WR (especially if we get Neal), but we're very thin at outside WR and CB. Thus, it wouldn't surprise me if Farley to moved back to DB and GAIII to moved to outside WR.

Farley is one of the great unknowns this season, along with Hardy and Roberson. Keith Arnold seems to think that Farley could also play outside receiver.

Offense evolves with Alford assigned RBs and slot receivers | Inside the Irish

He seems like a versatile athlete. I guess I could see him backing up TJ.