Post Spring/Summer - Projected 2025 Depth Chart

[OttosDad]

I don’t foresee RB as a huge issue. Nixon was more than serviceable last season and I would anticipate him being the 3rd down back as he was proficient at catching the ball out of the backfield.

Willis will be the bell cow. Hope he is ready to handle the load.

Hart and Malachi’s provide depth and the occasional change of pace.

 

[hoopsupstate]

People are really underestimating Nixon. He’s a sold back that has the ability to make plays catching the ball.

 

[AngryOtto]

It’s fun to speculate but we will know nothing definitive until the first game. Summer is to work on different things including positions. If TE is such an issue why move Tremble. LB has a mix of youth and vets. Same with corner is young except Peal. Not worried about RB. Position has speed and size. The only issue is making sure they are good at Pass protection. With Fran I have confidence it will workout.

 

[Yeti]

Im just incredibly excited to watch Yasin in a starring role.

 

[orangefog]

Im just incredibly excited to watch Yasin in a starring role.

I don't know anything about anything, but I really think Yasin is going to KILL it this year

 

[CbusCuse]

I'm hearing...

Jamie Tremble has been getting some work at LB. Not a lot of work but seems like they are experiementing with a longer more athletic Tremble. A situational adjustment? Not sure how much he weighs now.

Chase Simmons may have been move to TE. Probably think he can contribute more as a physical blocking TE than being buried in the depth chart at DE.

I'm hearing King Joseph may be on a break from the program to clear up a personal matter. Hopefully he's able to work things out and get back on track.

MLB: Bryant, Deslauriers, Sparrow...

WLB: Heard, McDonald, ZMG

CB1: Peal, Kerr 1, Andrews, Vermuelen/Trotter

CB2: Samuel, Delaine, Singleton, Kerr 2

Star: Martin/McDaniels splitting 1s and 2s reps, Caden Brown (been here since spring, but might be moved back to LB), corners Delaine and Kerr 1 are splitting the 4s reps (anticipating a dime package adjustment getting our best cover guys on the field). Grant has not been working at Star

FS: Buxton/Chestnut/Grant* (appears to be an interchangeable rotation right now), Perry, Porter/Bredell

SS: Buxton/Chestnut/Grant, Long, Haile (moved from WR), Washington

* Will they leave Grant at FS/SS? IMO, all three (Grant, Buxton and Chestnut) could play Star.


It's summer so it's pretty fluid right now. I think we have more guys reporting after the 4th of July weekend.

Well. There is quite a few nuggets there.

Really don’t like to hear that about Tremble. Was hoping he’d be an answer there soon. My thinking is this means he is possibly not adding weight. Listed at 208 lbs last season, If he is still around 210 lbs they may be worried he may not have a future at TE, or at least this season anyway and are exploring some other options with him. OG started out his true freshman season as a WR without much production But then added a bit of muscle, just enough, his second season and switched to TE/slot receiver and broke out. But maybe Tremble is a kid that can’t gain very easy. I’m guessing they are comfortable with what we have at WR and want to test him out at LB. That seems like a switch that would take a bit of time to pan out, if ever.

Simmons at TE is interesting. With as much time as he’s had there, seems like he doesn’t have a huge upside at DE as we would have seen it more, though he has been decent. That switch, the Tremble exploration and Clement on the one line makes me wonder if the offense may look a bit different with a little more focus on running the ball this season. Or maybe that is the playing it safe plan just until they can see more in what they have in Angeli.

Ugh on KJE. Hoping that gets resolved quickly.

Deslauriers at MLB makes complete sense. I’m just wanting to see him on the WLB line hoping he has a chance to win a starting role.

Heard over McDonald is interesting although not completely surprising I guess.

 

[PAcuse]

Well. There is quite a few nuggets there.

Really don’t like to hear that about Tremble. Was hoping he’d be an answer there soon. My thinking is this means he is possibly not adding weight. Listed at 208 lbs last season, If he is still around 210 lbs they may be worried he may not have a future at TE, or at least this season anyway and are exploring some other options with him. OG started out his true freshman season as a WR without much production But then added a bit of muscle, just enough, his second season and switched to TE/slot receiver and broke out. But maybe Tremble is a kid that can’t gain very easy. I’m guessing they are comfortable with what we have at WR and want to test him out at LB. That seems like a switch that would take a bit of time to pan out, if ever.

Simmons at TE is interesting. With as much time as he’s had there, seems like he doesn’t have a huge upside at DE as we would have seen it more, though he has been decent. That switch, the Tremble exploration and Clement on the one line makes me wonder if the offense may look a bit different with a little more focus on running the ball this season. Or maybe that is playing it safe just until they can see more in what they have in Angeli.

Ugh on KJE. Hoping that gets resolved quickly.

Deslauriers at MLB makes complete sense. I’m just wanting to see him on the WLB line hoping he has a chance to win a starting role.

Heard over McDonald is interesting although not completely surprising I guess.

Maybe Simmons plays the role of Meng did last year but agreed he has not shown much at DE and has a lot of run.

 

[ImperialOrange]

And to add to the running backs Hart was getting reps with the 1’s during spring. The other two Malachi’s were running track but also learning playbook.

Hart has looked good in practice and scrimmages. Wonder in the TX kid that blew up in the Spring game is welcomed back if he doesn't find the right offer in the portal?

 

[jr4750]

Defense seems to have a glaring hole at LB, another position that is easy to recruit? Duce, Grant, Buxton, Samuels seem locked in at 4 of the 5 DB positions. We have a good DL rotation but nobody that jumps off the page as someone who can get to the QB. Not to harp on it but was really hoping KJE would make that move.

Didn't we grab a well thought of transfer for this role? Gary Bryant

 

[richmondcuse03]

Didn't we grab a well thought of transfer for this role? Gary Bryant

we did. Folks will just have to wait and see. It's a young team across the board. Hoping some kids take some big steps forward and the transfers have an immediate impact.

 

[upperdeck]

I dont think we ever really wanted to be a complete pass first team. We were kinda force that direction with the oline, RB injuries and an elite QB.

The better we can run, the easier to control the game, help the QB throw off play action.

 

[Sdot]

Hart has looked good in practice and scrimmages. Wonder in the TX kid that blew up in the Spring game is welcomed back if he doesn't find the right offer in the portal?

Pretty sure he commited to Kent state.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Jeff Nixon looking at the receiving room

 

[ImperialOrange]

Pretty sure he commited to Kent state.

Good for him if true! OX still doesn't list him as such in the roster updates post so I presumed he was still available

 

[anomander]

And to add to the running backs Hart was getting reps with the 1’s during spring. The other two Malachi’s were running track but also learning playbook.

Nobody really impressed me at the spring game. You didn’t hear about any RB’s having a good off season and again we got to see Willis perform in games. Sure someone can pop, it’s running back, I just think it’s a huge jump from Willis to Nixon and then the rest. As for Nixon he was solid last year but that’s a tough injury. Also, had a few weeks later, and RB is different from how OG ran routes. He has to make quick, violent cuts at RB. Also, comparing him to the specimen OG was isn’t fair. He wasn’t a huge game breaker to begin with. It will be a win if he’s good enough to come in and give Willis a rest here and there, but we’re going to need a LQA season from Yasin this year and we play some tough, physical teams.

 

[anomander]

Didn't we grab a well thought of transfer for this role? Gary Bryan

yea, i just don’t like the depth or guys projected to step up and play that much. Maybe Tremble trying out at LB points to that.

I think people putting too much expectation into a true freshman to come in and play right away not matter how many muscles he has.

 

[Sdot]

Nobody really impressed me at the spring game. You didn’t hear about any RB’s having a good off season and again we got to see Willis perform in games. Sure someone can pop, it’s running back, I just think it’s a huge jump from Willis to Nixon and then the rest. As for Nixon he was solid last year but that’s a tough injury. Also, had a few weeks later, and RB is different from how OG ran routes. He has to make quick, violent cuts at RB. Also, comparing him to the specimen OG was isn’t fair. He wasn’t a huge game breaker to begin with. It will be a win if he’s good enough to come in and give Willis a rest here and there, but we’re going to need a LQA season from Yasin this year and we play some tough, physical teams.

We have a young room. The only concern should be young. Talent is there. Coaches also purposely didn’t run the ball a lot besides our walk on so he can get looks from other schools.

 

[orangemass]

Joe Cruz is starting. He’s a player

 

[Cusepats]

Are they trying Tremble at LB because he has displayed great athleticism & may contribute on both sides of the ball? Or is it because a position change might be warranted?

 

[CbusCuse]

We have a young room. The only concern should be young. Talent is there. Coaches also purposely didn’t run the ball a lot besides our walk on so he can get looks from other schools.

Plus James was running track, Nixon was out with his injury, and likely at least 3 of our staring OL and 4 guys on our two deep were not even on the team yet. As long as Nixon comes back healthy we will be fine at RB. Nixon really impressed in his limited games last year. He is better than most think and very versatile.

I do think we need to add a stud RB in recruiting though. Maybe that is at least partially why we want to start focusing on the run game. For recruiting purposes in making it easier to recruiting higher level RB's and run blocking OL.

 

[baggerbob]

Plus Coleman was running track, Nixon was out with his injury, and likely at least 3 of our staring OL and 4 guys on our two deep were not even on the team yet. As long as Nixon comes back healthy we will be fine at RB. Nixon really impressed in his limited games last year. He is better than most think and very versatile.

I do think we need to add a stud RB in recruiting though. Maybe that is at least partially why we want to start focusing on the run game. For recruiting purposes in making it easier to recruiting higher level RB's and run blocking OL.

I would expect James to find playing time somewhere in the offensive playbook. With his speed, all it takes is one missed tackle, and you can get 6 points .

 

[CbusCuse]

I'm hearing...

Jamie Tremble has been getting some work at LB. Not a lot of work but seems like they are experiementing with a longer more athletic Tremble. A situational adjustment? Not sure how much he weighs now.

Chase Simmons may have been move to TE. Probably think he can contribute more as a physical blocking TE than being buried in the depth chart at DE.

I'm hearing King Joseph may be on a break from the program to clear up a personal matter. Hopefully he's able to work things out and get back on track.

MLB: Bryant, Deslauriers, Sparrow...

WLB: Heard, McDonald, ZMG

CB1: Peal, Kerr 1, Andrews, Vermuelen/Trotter

CB2: Samuel, Delaine, Singleton, Kerr 2

Star: Martin/McDaniels splitting 1s and 2s reps, Caden Brown (been here since spring, but might be moved back to LB), corners Delaine and Kerr 1 are splitting the 4s reps (anticipating a dime package adjustment getting our best cover guys on the field). Grant has not been working at Star

FS: Buxton/Chestnut/Grant* (appears to be an interchangeable rotation right now), Perry, Porter/Bredell

SS: Buxton/Chestnut/Grant, Long, Haile (moved from WR), Washington

* Will they leave Grant at FS/SS? IMO, all three (Grant, Buxton and Chestnut) could play Star.


It's summer so it's pretty fluid right now. I think we have more guys reporting after the 4th of July weekend.

Love than McDaniels is splitting reps with Martin at Star. I have a feeling he wins out a larger share of snaps there, if not initially, as the season goes on. And he's just a redshirt freshman. Martin is just a junior though.

And Buxton/Chestnut and Grant are all going to play a ton too. Really, I think all 5 DB's in Buxton/Chestnut/Grant/Martin/McDaniels could all be almost interchangeable at both safety spots and the Star. All have the DB skills and size to play all those spots. Depth seems a little light after those 5 though but at least those 5 are pretty versatile.

But maybe Gibbs, Bredell and Lawrence, all who are not on campus yet, can help a bit at those spots as the season progresses.

I bet Andrews will show the versatility to play at safety as well and I would guess may move there for the 2026 season after Buxton,Chestnut and Grant all depart.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think on defense we're going to see a lot of rotation.

Maybe we don't beat you with overwhelming talent. We beat you by throwing fresh guys at your offense going full tilt all game long.

 

[CbusCuse]

I would expect James to find playing time somewhere in the offensive playbook. With his speed, all it takes is one missed tackle, and you can get 6 points .

I don't know what to expect from James. He's plenty fast but doesn't seem to have natural running back skills or route running skills to me. Seems like he relies too much on his speed. His football agility, shiftiness and natural football instincts seem lacking a bit. But he has speed in spades and is built well so that sure is a nice combo.

 

[CbusCuse]

WR looks good. JRS needs to step up and be the next 1,000 yard WR assuming the QB can get him the ball. Gill is a nice complement, but we really need someone like Ross come into his own and make a name for himself. Otherwise, there are some serviceable names, but i don’t see anyone that is going to change games.

Going into last season nobody thought WR was in a great spot despite some of us being hopeful it was. Pena, Meeks and Gill hadn't done much at all. Hatcher had done a little but had some toughness/drop concerns. JRS had produced but was coming into the season injured and really just played all year at much less than 100%. Zeed hadn't done anything yet but was thought to maybe be the best bet and he played in just 2 games before departing for undisclosed reasons. That unit along with Lequint proceeded to have more receiving yds than any other offense in the country.

Gill was a nice compliment last year playing behind others. He will prove to be very solid this year. Hopefully JRS is healthy and kills it. Johntay Cook II has a ton of potential and hopefully keeps his focus on just football and some classes. E Ross and Hornsby are ready to emerge. Darius "Booby" Johnson showed what he is capable of in the spring game and looks like a natural, just a baller with supreme confidence. I think Jameer Thomas has some potential as well.

Despite there not being a lot of proven production from them in 2024, I don't have much concern at all with the WR unit.