2014 Depth Chart Predictions

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I've always enjoyed these. Baseless speculation on something we know nothing about is an IrishEnvy tradition, and these threads are some of the best. I know we don't know the futures of guys like Tuitt and Atkinson in the pros, our 5th year guys, transfers, and new commits, but that's what makes this fun.

QB: Golson/Zaire
RB: Folston/McDaniel/Bryant
WR: Daniels/Robinson
WR: Fuller/Hunter
WR: Brown/Prosise
TE: Niklas/Koyack
LT: Elmer/Bivin
LG: Hanratty/McGovern
C: Martin/Hegarty
RG: Lombard/Harrell
RT: Stanley/McGlinchey

DE: Tuitt/Rochelle (If Tuitt goes pro, then Hayes moves to backup)
NT: Jones/Springmann
DE: Day/Hounshell
DOG: Smith/Councell
ILB: Grace/Schmidt
ILB: Moore/Yeargin
CAT: Ishaq/Okwara
CB: Russell/Butler
CB: Luke/Kinlaw
S: Redfield/Hardy
S: Shumate/Baratti

KS: Brindza/Newsome
LS: Daly
KR: Carlisle/McDaniel
PR: Carlisle/Prosise

Moore and Lombard are the only 5th year guys I projected. I do not think any commit we could get right now would break into the 2-deep to start the year regardless.

 

[Rizzophil]

I think that's a solid projection at this stage of the game.

Probably add Deeb before a true freshman though

 

[PerthDomer]

Nyles Morgan would crack the 2 deep before Yeagrin.

 

[Oberon]

I'll be interested to see where Trumbetti ends up, and who backs up Jaylon and Jarron during spring practices with Councell and Springmann out. Will Turner move full time to Dog? Is our #2 NT going to be a walk-on?

 

[Irish YJ]

Nyles Morgan would crack the 2 deep before Yeagrin.

Hayes will see PT early and often IMO. I think Trumbetti, Morgan, Brent, and Holmes all see some type of action. It would not surprise me to see Morgan starting by game 5, and Trumbetti in the 2 deep by end of year. We're stacked at WR, but I think either Brent or Holmes will see some PT towards the end of the season.

 

[IrishLax]

Might as well not do one for defense. No one has any clue what kind of 4-3/3-4 BVG is going to run.

 

[GoIrish41]

I've always enjoyed these. Baseless speculation on something we know nothing about is an IrishEnvy tradition, and these threads are some of the best. I know we don't know the futures of guys like Tuitt and Atkinson in the pros, our 5th year guys, transfers, and new commits, but that's what makes this fun.

QB: Golson/Zaire
RB: Folston/McDaniel/Bryant
WR: Daniels/Robinson
WR: Fuller/Hunter
WR: Brown/Prosise
TE: Niklas/Koyack
LT: Elmer/Bivin
LG: Hanratty/McGovern
C: Martin/Hegarty
RG: Lombard/Harrell
RT: Stanley/McGlinchey

DE: Tuitt/Rochelle (If Tuitt goes pro, then Hayes moves to backup)
NT: Jones/Springmann
DE: Day/Hounshell
DOG: Smith/Councell
ILB: Grace/Schmidt
ILB: Moore/Yeargin
CAT: Ishaq/Okwara
CB: Russell/Butler
CB: Luke/Kinlaw
S: Redfield/Hardy
S: Shumate/Baratti

KS: Brindza/Newsome
LS: Daly
KR: Carlisle/McDaniel
PR: Carlisle/Prosise

Moore and Lombard are the only 5th year guys I projected. I do not think any commit we could get right now would break into the 2-deep to start the year regardless.

I hope that Randolph and Deeb get a shot at ILB. Looking at your list makes me nervous if those guys aren't in the fold or we have some freshmen coming in ready to grab some playing time.

 

[Brooklyn]

Offense

QB Everett Golson (Rjr) Malik Zaire (RFr)
HB Tarean Folston (So) Greg Bryant (Rfr) Cam McDaniel (Sr)

WR Davaris Daniels (Rjr) Corey Robinson (So) James Onuwalu (So)
WR Will Fuller (So) Chris Brown (Jr) C.J. Prosise (Rso)
Slot Torii Hunter Jr. (Rfr) Amir Carlisle (Rjr) William Mahone (Rso)
TE Troy Niklas (Sr) Ben Koyack (Sr) Durham Smythe (Rfr) Mike Heuerman (Rfr)

LT Ronnie Stanley (Rso) Colin McGovern (Rfr)
LG Hunter Bivin (Rfr) Mark Harrell (Rso)
C Nick Martin (Rjr) Matthew Hegarty (Rjr)
RG Christian Lombard (Gr) Conor Hanratty (Rjr)
RT Steve Elmer (So) Mike McGlinchey (Rfr)

Defense

CAT/RE Ishaq Williams (Sr) Romeo Okwara (Jr) Andrew Trumbetti (Fr)
RE/UT Sheldon Day (Jr) Chase Hounshell (Rjr) Jay Hayes (Fr)
NG/NT Jarron Jones (Rso) Tony Springmann (Rjr)
LE Stephon Tuitt (Sr) Isaac Rochell (So)

WLB Nyles Morgan (Fr)/Doug Randolph (Rfr) Joe Schmidt (Rjr)
MLB Jarrett Grace (Rjr) Kendall Moore (Gr) Michael Deeb (Rfr)
DOG/SLB Jaylon Smith (So) Ben Councell (Rjr)

CB KeiVarae Russell (Jr) Devin Butler (So) Rashad Kinlaw (Rfr)
CB Cole Luke (So) Nick Watkins (Fr)
FS Max Redfield (So) Austin Collinsworth (Gr) Matthias Farley (Rjr)
SS Nicky Baratti (Rso) Elijah Shumate (Jr) Eilar Hardy (Rjr)

Special Teams

K Kyle Brindza (Sr)
P Tyler Newsome (Fr)
LS Scott Daly (Rso)
KR Charles Nelson (Fr) Amir Carlisle (Rjr) Cam McDaniel (Sr)
PR Charles Nelson (Fr) Amir Carlisle (Rjr) William Mahone (Rso)

 

[woolybug25]

That's a pretty tight lineup, if you ask me.

Freshman are so hard to predict, but I hope Deeb can push Grace and Moore for time in the middle. We need better play there.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I know BK likes Cam, but I think next year begins the Folston/Bryant show with Cam getting limited reps. Just my opinion.

I think Tori Hunter will break onto the scene next year too.

Amir always looks great in practice videos, but the kid seems to always mess something up in a game...it won't surprise me to see one of the other talented WRs back on KR/PR.

 

[Fbolt]

I'll give this a go with my thoughts.

QB: Golson/Zaire-Golson will add significantly to ND's playmaking ability.
RB: Folston/McDaniel/Bryant-A healthy Bryant could push to the front.
WR: Daniels/Robinson-Is Daniels going to be "consistent"?
WR: Fuller/Hunter-Heard nothing but good things about Hunter.
WR: Brown/Prosise-Brown being a burner and dearly want Prosise for YAC production.
TE: Niklas/Koyack-What about Hueurmann (sp?) cracking this 2 deep?
LT: Elmer/Bivin
LG: Hanratty/McGovern
C: Martin/Hegarty
RG: Lombard/Harrell
RT: Stanley/McGlinchey
*I think ND can average 10 more ppg next year (gut thoughts only) with Golson and the staff's knowledge of what Cam can do coupled with Bryant and WR strength. Not very worried

DE: Tuitt/Rochelle-I believe Tuitt goes. Hayes will get reps though IMO.
NT: Jones/Springmann-Yeah Springmann!
DE: Day/Hounshell-Still plenty of numbers across the line which is a good thing.
DOG: Smith/Councell-Smith proved himself this year.
ILB: Grace/Schmidt-Grace will solidify this position.
ILB: Moore/Yeargin-Deeb/Moore IMO.
CAT: Ishaq/Okwara-Ishaq improved significantly this year.
CB: Russell/Butler
CB: Luke/Kinlaw
S: Redfield/Hardy
S: Shumate/Baratti
*I'm not too worried about the defense next year. The secondary is loaded with potential playmakers in Redfield, Russel, and Luke. Numbers on the line look good and the LB's seem solid.

My two main concerns for 2014 are injuries and ST returners. Another year of line injuries could derail the season. Returners-They need to come from somewhere. Hunter? Carlisle? Prosise? Luke? Bryant/Folston? That's an aspect of ND's game that has been missing since Zibbie was returning punts.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I know BK likes Cam, but I think next year begins the Folston/Bryant show with Cam getting limited reps. Just my opinion.

I think Tori Hunter will break onto the scene next year too.

Amir always looks great in practice videos, but the kid seems to always mess something up in a game...it won't surprise me to see one of the other talented WRs back on KR/PR.

I disagree, run Cam as much as you can with Folston. Cam has been one of the brightest stars for the Irish this year.

 

[ulukinatme]

Collinsworth has another year? I thought he used up all his time.

[EDIT] Strike that, I forgot he missed all of his Junior season, but played his Frosh season.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

I am not sure Lombard starts. The thought the line was more effective without him. Great problem to have.

 

[STLDomer]

QB Golson - Zaire - Golson will be a boss
RB Folston - McDaniel/Bryant - Bryant will spell Folston more often but McDaniel gets the late game/important touches
WR Daniels - Robinson - Onwualu - Daniels has a big year
WR Brown - Hunter Jr. - Brent - I think we see a ton of WRs getting reps
TE Niklas - Koyack - Smythe - Mackey Award Finalist w/ Niklas

Carlisle will play all over

LT McGlinchey
LG Elmer
C Martin
RG Lombard
RT Stanley

McGlinchey will be too good to keep off the field. Hanratty is next man in if anyone gets hurt.

DE Tuitt Rochell - Obviosly Rochell starts if Tuitt leaves
NG Jones Springmann - Sky won't fall w/ Nix gone
DE Day Utupo/Hounshell - Freshman will he gunning for that 4th DE spot though
CAT Williams Okwara - Okwara will push hard for PT
DOG Smith Councell - Boss
ILB Grace Schmidt - Hope Grace can bounce back
ILB Moore Morgan - Will be better than ppl think
CB Russell Butler - Russell will be lockdown
S Shumate - Baratti - Hardy - Lot of good depth
S Redfield Farley/Collinsworth - Depth but not necessarily good
CB Luke Watkins - Watkins hops whatever upperclassmen are still here

 

[JD Irish]

QB: 1. Golson, 2. Zaire
RB/WR Z: 1a. Folston, 1b. McDaniel, 2. Bryant, 3. Atkinson III, 4. Carlisle
WR X: 1. Daniels, 2. Robinson, 3. Brent
WR Y: 1a. Fuller, 1b. Brown, 2. Onwualu, 3. Hunter
TE: 1. Niklas, 2. Koyack, 3. Smythe
LT: 1. Elmer, 2. McGlinchey
LG: 1. Hanratty, 2. Bivin
C: 1. Martin, 2. Hegarty
RG: 1. Lombard, 2. Harrell
RT: 1. Stanley, 2. Bars

I think McGlinchey is next-man-in at both tackle spots with Hegarty playing the same role at all three interior positions.

SDE: 1. Tuitt, 2. Rochell, 3. Hayes
NG: 1a. Jones, 1b. Springmann
WDE: 1. Day, 2. Trumbetti
CAT OLB: 1. Williams, 2. Okwara
MILB: 1. Grace, 2. Deeb
WILB: 1. Morgan, 2. Moore
DOG OLB: 1. Smith, 2. Councell
FCB: 1. Russell, 2. Kinlaw
BCB: 1. Luke, 2. Butler, 3. Watkins
FS: 1. Redfield, 2. Baratti, 3. Hardy
SS: 1a. Shumate, 1b. Collinsworth

I think Randolph and Yeargin will both cross-train at multiple LB positions due to their versatility, and each will eventually settle into the one that provides the best opportunity for playing time.

Predicated on Tuitt returning and Lombard, Moore, and Collinsworth all returning as 5Y seniors.

 

[stlnd01]

QB Golson - Zaire - Golson will be a boss
RB Folston - McDaniel/Bryant - Bryant will spell Folston more often but McDaniel gets the late game/important touches
WR Daniels - Robinson - Onwualu - Daniels has a big year
WR Brown - Hunter Jr. - Brent - I think we see a ton of WRs getting reps
TE Niklas - Koyack - Smythe - Mackey Award Finalist w/ Niklas

LT McGlinchey
LG Elmer
C Martin
RG Lombard
RT Stanley

McGlinchey will be too good to keep off the field. Hanratty is next man in if anyone gets hurt.

DE Tuitt Rochell - Obviosly Rochell starts if Tuitt leaves
NG Jones Springmann - Sky won't fall w/ Nix gone
DE Day Hounshell - Freshman will he gunning for that 4th DE spot though
CAT Williams Okwara - Okwara will push hard for PT
DOG Smith Councell - Boss
ILB Grace Schmidt - Hope Grace can bounce back
ILB Moore Morgan - Will be better than ppl think
CB Russell Butler - Russell will be lockdown
S Shumate - Baratti - Hardy - Lot of good depth
S Redfield Farley/Collinsworth - Depth but not necessarily good
CB Luke Watkins - Watkins hops whatever upperclassmen are still here

I think Cam's time is waning. Too much talent in Folston and Bryant, and with Golson at QB freeing up the running game, the pure ability to batter-ram your way to four yards will be a bit less valuable.
Agreed on Daniels. He seemed to have better chemistry with Golson last year than with Rees this year. Plus he'll be playing for a paycheck, which tends to focus the mind.
The Brown/Hunter/Brent line of WRs is stacked. Gotta find ways to get all three of those guys in the field.

On defense:
Jones is going to have to up his game. But if he does (and if Tuitt comes back) our front will be just fine.
Damn I wish there was a way to get Ishaq and Okwara on the field at the same time. Raw athleticism for the win.
Agreed on Kendall Moore. And Morgan's our best bet for impact freshman on D.
That free safety line would look a lot better with JuJu Smith. But, failing that, at least we've got experience back there behind Redfield, right? Could Hardy move over? Or Butler?

 

[cody1smith]

I disagree, run Cam as much as you can with Folston. Cam has been one of the brightest stars for the Irish this year.

Am I the only one that does not see this?

 

[Buster Bluth]

Color indicating my confidence that a given player will be in that spot to start the season, not including injury.

QB: Golson | Zaire
RB: Folston | Bryant | McDaniel
WR: Daniels | Robinson | Onwualu
WR: Fuller | Brown | Brent
WR: Hunter | Prosise | Carlisle
TE: Niklas | Koyack
LT: McGlinchey
LG: Elmer
C: Hegarty
RG: Lombard
RT: Stanley

SDE: Tuitt | Rochell
NG: Jones | Springmann
WDE: Day | Trumbetti
CAT: Okwara | Williams
MIKE: Grace | Schmidt
WILL: Moore | Morgan
DOG: Smith | Councell
CB: Russell | Butler
CB: Luke | Watkins
FS: Redfield | Collinsworth | Farley
SS: Shumate | Baratti | Hardy

 

[Dizzyphil]

cody1smith ~ I believe it is a legit argument he is in the backfield on a consistent basis. He had 152 carries averaging 4.6 yards per carry and only had one fumble this year. He also averaged 5.7 yards a catch but only had 6 receptions.

 

[NDPhilly]

I really don't think Folston has that much more talent than Cam. Foslton probably a little more speed and power but its not a huge difference IMO.

 

[gkIrish]

I really don't think Folston has that much more talent than Cam. Foslton probably a little more speed and power but its not a huge difference IMO.

 

[Riddickulous]

Offense - Heggie
Defense - Heggie

 

[Booslum31]

I really don't think Folston has that much more talent than Cam. Foslton probably a little more speed and power but its not a huge difference IMO.

I think the biggest difference is that Folston makes people miss...while still going North/South.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Yeah I think Folston is way more talented than McDaniel. Like, he does everything McDaniel does but picks up more yards doing it.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Cam is definitely a legitimate candidate to get major reps, but I just personally feel that Bryant and Folston will separate themselves over the spring and summer.

I'm not a fan of having three RBs play. I'll actually be disappointed if I have to sit through another season of it.

 

[Sweetness34]

Am I the only one that does not see this?

Cam is your classic senior leader that will need to help move along the more talented underclassmen. He will get carries but barring injury, Folston and Bryant will get the bulk of the carries. Carlisle needs to be moved to slot if he can catch well enough.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Folston is a running back and a great athlete. GA3 is a great athlete. Amir is a great athlete. Cam is a running back. Greg Bryant remains to be seen, but tend to think hes a running back and athlete.

The thing that separates Folston and Cam to me....is Folston sees the hole, can hit the hole, and then can make a move. Cam see the hole, but cant always hit it. Thats the diff between a 10-12 yard gain vs 4-5 yard gain. Cam is more than serviceable and is a good back by all means, but he just isnt athletically gifted at Folston. Vision seems to be the problem for Amir and GA3. Itll be interesting to see how the ol RB position shakes out this spring....you got to give GB carries and a lot of them to see what he can do, and carries to Folston to have him take the next step. Who gets left out?

 

[CoachB]

Color indicating my confidence that a given player will be in that spot to start the season, not including injury.

QB: Golson | Zaire
RB: Folston | Bryant | McDaniel
WR: Daniels | Robinson | Onwualu
WR: Fuller | Brown | Brent
WR: Hunter | Prosise | Carlisle
TE: Niklas | Koyack
LT: McGlinchey
LG: Elmer
C: Hegarty
RG: Lombard
RT: Stanley

SDE: Tuitt | Rochell
NG: Jones | Springmann
WDE: Day | Trumbetti
CAT: Okwara | Williams
MIKE: Grace | Schmidt
WILL: Moore | Morgan
DOG: Smith | Councell
CB: Russell | Butler
CB: Luke | Watkins
FS: Redfield | Collinsworth | Farley
SS: Shumate | Baratti | Hardy

I like this, Buster. You can tell you put a lot of thought into it. I tend to agree with you almost universally. In terms of getting our best personnel onto the field, do you think we are stronger with Romeo at Will and Ishaq at DE in a 4-3 base, or Moore in with Romeo/Ishaq on the bench in a 3-4 base? This development along with the offensive line battles are the two most interesting things to watch for me. Do you think Martin gets beat out at center, or just not fully recovered?

 

[rocket66]

2014 Depth Chart Predictions

If that depth chart come to fruition, and I hope it does, it would mean a 4 or 5* starter at every position in '14. When is the last time that has happened at ND?? This is the year that BK finally sees the fruits of his labor. Add in a field turf to enhance Golson and Co., and damn it's going to be a fun ride over the next few years.