Thoughts on the Latest Depth Chart

[sutomcat]

Up currently on the SU Athletics site...

OFFENSE

X WR 25 Jeremiah Kobena (6-0, 180, So.) 15 Alec Lemon (6-2, 202, Sr.) 16 Keenan Hale (6-2, 184, So.)
82 Alvin Cornelius (6-2, 190, Fr.)
LT 60 Sean Hickey (6-6, 282, Jr.) 62 Andrew Phillips (6-6, 279, Sr.) 76 Kyle Knapp (6-4, 264, Fr.)
67 Justin Pugh (6-6, 292, Sr.) * INJ
LG 75 Zack Chibane (6-5, 293, Sr.) 68 Nick Robinson (6-6, 295, So.) 57 Omari Palmer (6-2, 308, Fr.)
C 59 Macky MacPherson (6-2, 269, Jr.) 78 Jason Emerich (6-4, 275, Fr.) 74 Seamus Shanley (6-1, 275, Fr.)
RG 71 Ivan Foy (6-4, 318, So.) 55 Rob Trudo (6-3, 300, So.) 70 Jesse Wolf-Gould (6-4, 321, So.)
RT 77 Lou Alexander (6-4, 331, Sr.) 64 Daniel Anyaegbunam (6-3, 288, Jr.)
Y TE 85 Beckett Wales (6-3, 253, Jr.) 83 Max Beaulieu (6-2, 240, Jr.) 80 Ron Thompson (6-4, 266, Fr.)
98 Ben Barrett (6-5, 255, Fr.)
81 Louie Addazio (6-3, 241, So.) * INJ
Z WR 5 Marcus Sales (6-0, 183, R-Sr.) 22 Adrian Flemming (6-3, 196, Jr.) 88 Jarrod West (6-2, 204, Jr.) * INJ
84 Ben Lewis (6-2, 200, Fr.)
13 Quinta Funderburk (6-3, 195, So.)
QB 12 Ryan Nassib (6-2, 229, R-Sr.) 17 Charley Loeb (6-4, 212, Sr.) 14 John Kinder (6-3, 181, Jr.)
6 Terrell Hunt (6-3, 203, So.)
H 45 Jerome Smith (5-11, 213, Jr.) 23 Prince-Tyson Gulley (5-9, 181, Jr.) 1 Ashton Broyld (6-4, 229, Fr.)
30 Steven Rene (5-7, 176, Jr.)
34 Adonis Ameen-Moore (5-11, 244, So.) * INJ
27 George Morris III (6-0, 174, Fr.)
FB 31 Clay Cleveland (6-0, 236, Jr.) 26 Myles Davis (6-2, 232, Fr.) 20 Mitchell Piasecki (5-11, 252, So.)
32 Travon Burke (6-1, 253, So.)
TE 86 David Stevens (6-3, 231, R-Sr.) 48 Carl Cutler (6-3, 250, R-Sr.) 89 Josh Parris (6-2, 256, Fr.)
42 Jacob Green (6-2, 237, Fr.)

DEFENSE
DE 41 Donnie Simmons (6-2, 226, So.) 13 Deon Goggins (6-1, 272, R-Sr.) 93 Micah Robinson (6-4, 252, Jr.)
95 Josh Manley (6-2, 270, Fr.)
NT 52 Eric Crume (6-0, 332, So.) 99 Zian Jones (6-4, 336, Jr.) 70 Marcus Coleman (6-0, 273, Fr.)
DT 96 Jay Bromley (6-3, 280, Jr.) 63 Ryan Sloan (6-4, 324, So.) 92 Davon Walls (6-5, 315, Jr.)
53 Lucas Albrecht (6-2, 255, So.)
DE 91 Brandon Sharpe (6-2, 245, Sr.) 94 Robert Welsh (6-2, 260, Jr.) 10 Markus Pierce-Brewster (6-3, 230, Jr.)
97 John Raymon (6-5, 313, Fr.)
SLB 33 Dan Vaughan (6-2, 219, Sr.) 11 Marquis Spruill (6-1, 216, So.) 7 Oliver Vigille (6-3, 212, So.)
90 James Washington (6-1, 215, Fr.)
MLB 18 Siriki Diabate (5-10, 210, Sr.) 41 Lewellyn Coker (6-1, 228, Jr.) 50 Femi Allyu (5-11, 215, Jr.)
WLB 35 Dyshawn Davis (6-3, 213, So.) 38 Cameron Lynch (5-11, 223, So.) 39 Dom Anene (6-1, 224, Sr.)
40 Zach McCarrell (5-11, 188, Jr.)
H CB 4 Brandon Reddish (5-10, 179, So.) 24 Jaston George (5-10, 159, So.) 2 Wayne Morgan (5-10, 190, Fr.)
43 Franklin Santos (5-10, 175, So.)
SS 21 Shamarko Thomas (5-10, 208, Sr.) 6 Ritchy Desir (5-11, 168, So.) 29 Devante McFarlane (6-1, 190, Fr.)
37 Chris Williamson (6-0, 193, Jr.)
FS 28 Jeremi Wilkes (5-9, 189, Jr.) 3 Durell Eskridge (6-2, 196, So.) 12 Dontez Ford (6-2, 193, Fr.)
16 James Jarrett (6-2, 202, Sr.)
CB 9 Ri’Shard Anderson (6-1, 189, Sr.) 8 Keon Lyn (6-1, 190, Jr.) 23 Julian Whigham (6-1, 182, Fr.)
19 Joe Nassib (5-9, 170, Jr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS
FG/PAT 37 Ross Krautman (5-7, 155, Jr.) 19 Ryan Lichtenstein (5-11, 161, Sr.) 49 Ryan Norton (5-11, 180, Fr.)
P 46 Jonathan Fisher (6-1, 209, So.) 92 Riley Dixon (6-5, 202, So.)

KOR 25 Jeremiah Kobena (6-0, 180, So.) 4 Brandon Reddish (5-10, 179, So.)
PR 30 Steven Rene (5-7, 176, Jr.) 6 Ritchy Desir (5-11, 168, So.) 4 Brandon Reddish (5-10, 179, So.)
LS 47 Sam Rodgers (6-1, 215, So.) 61 Eric Morris (5-9, 227, Sr.)
SS 61 Eric Morris (5-9, 227, Sr.) 47 Sam Rodgers (6-1, 215, So.)
Holder 17 Charley Loeb (6-4, 212, Jr.) 46 Jonathan Fisher (6-1, 209, So.)

This certainly is a surprising depth chart. Lots of things that at least on the surface make no sense.

Lemon is the best player on the offensive unit but he is not listed as a starter. I think that is explained by his missing spring practice. No surprise Kobena is the top backup for Alec. He was given a lot of reps in the spring. The staff is giving him every chance to succeed. Hale and Cornelius are similar players who will battle for playing time their entire careers at SU.

Sales looks like he is pretty far ahead of the other WRs at the Z. Flemming might finally be emerging from the dark shadows of the edge of the depth chart. Really like what he can do, especially in the red zone. That being said, I think West is really the 2nd Z WR, but because he was hurt, he is being listed on the third team. West got a lot more reps than Adrian did in the spring. I am a big Ben Lewis fan. Being put at the Z makes it harder for him to get immediate PT...he is fighting for time against two juniors and a senior instead of a senior, a frosh and 2 sophomores.

Hickey is the apple of DM's eye. Always has been. Marrone has made a number of references to his raw talent...really likes Sean a lot. When Pugh returns, it will be interesting to see if Hickey moves to RT and if he, if he takes over that position from Alexander.

At RT right now, Alexander only has a walk on battling him for playing time, and it looks like he is a lock to start the season at RT. Kind of surprised Phillips or even Knapp isn't also at RT to push Alexander. I suspect Kris Curtis is probably also working at RT and DM is not listing him there as a motivational tool. Would not be surprised to see Curtis give Alexander a strong run for the starting job at RT. For the first time in a long time, I think we have some decent depth at OT. We will know for sure in a month or two.

Was wondering what would happen with Trudo. I think the staff wanted to put him at center and have him ready to go in case Macky got hurt but the lack of depth at OG prevented them from being able to do this. Emerich has a great chance now to be a three year starter at center.

Of course Zack Chibane is a lock at the left guard position. Right now Nick Robinson is well positioned to take over from him next year and be a two year starter. But Omari Palmer was really impressive in the HS all star games and looks like he will be a force to be reckoned with.

At the RG spot, Foy vs Trudo should be one of the best battles for an open position in preseason camp. From what I saw in the spring, they are very closely matched. If neither emerges, maybe they move Nick Robinson over from LG? That would be a bad sign and one I do not think is likely. When push comes to shove, I think Trudo wins this position.

No surprises at RB. Still wish we were going to use Broyld more as a WR than an RB. We have so many RBs and not a lot of WRs that can get good yards after a catch. Wish Gulley worked harder in the weight room. Wasn't he about 181 last season as well? SU Athletics is listing AAM at 244 and we know he is more like 225 right now so it looks like the weights have not been updated from the spring yet. Maybe a little ado about nothing.

Cleveland remains ahead of Davis at FB. He looked good there in the spring. Might hold off Myles. That should be another great battle for PT.

At TE, not a lot of surprises. Wales is going to start at the Y, block a lot and get a few catches. Beaulieu has looked lost here, do not expect him to be a factor. Addazio remains injured. Do not expect him to be a factor. Barrett being exiled here tells me DM did not want to have to deal with an undersized center from CBA again after Macky leaves. This is his best bet for PT...serve as an extra blocker in short yardage situations. Thompson is 2nd team almost by default and has a great chance to get playing time almost immediately.

At the TE position, Stevens is going to get a lot of catches for this team, picking up where Provo left off. I think he runs a little better than Nick and might be a small improvement receiving wise. Nick came a lot way blocking by the time he was a senior, hope Stevens improves in this area. Carl Cutler is a red shirt senior. Does he have a black cloud over his head or what? I go to a lot of open practices, all the home games, lots of away games and I have only seen him take a few snaps. I really hope he is able to stay healthy this season and have a good year. Working that hard for that long for no payoff would be very unfortunate indeed. Parris and Green are both promising (SU Athletics lists Green as a frosh incorrectly). After years of having no depth at TE, things are finally looking up here as well. Good to see.

At QB, not much to say. I think all three backups have a chance to play, the battle for the backup positition could be a sneak preview of the starting QB for 2013 and we should pay attention for that reason (though a couple of incoming frosh who will arrive in January might have something to say about that).

Will post my thoughts about the defense two deeo later.

 

[orange79]

Thanks, Tom. Appreciate these write-ups. Quick question re: center. If Macky were to go down, based on what you have seen/heard, could Emerich step in and do the job at this point? I know there are probably some here who would say he should already be there, but I wanted to get your take. Thanks!

 

[kingottoiii]

Assuming Hickey is playing well, I would leave him at LT until the bye week. Then give him and Pugh two weeks to get ready for Pitt. Making that change the week of the Minny game could be costly. As to the rest of the OL, I really hope we RS all the Frosh. We have enough bodies and talent for a two deep without them.

 

[anglerman]

I would say that this depth chart is virtually meaningless and that many players will be playing other positions Like you said Tom a lot of this doesn't make sense

 

[OrangeXtreme]

All the injured players will have to earn their starting roles back.

Which could happen after 1 practice.

The only depth chart that matters is the one that comes out during NW week.

 

[kingottoiii]

We have some really big DEs now. That should help against the run but can they get a pass rush? I am a bit surprised we don't see one DE be a run stopping position and the other be a pass rushing position. That would put MPB, Sharpe, Robinson, Simmons on one side and then Goggins, Raymon, Welsh, Manley on the other.

My guess to the Okie package:

DE MPB
NT Goggins
DE Sharpe

OLB Shamarko
MLB Diabate
MLB Spruill
OLB Morgan

CB Reddish
SS Desir
FS Wilkes
CB Lyn

 

[sutomcat]

Thanks, Tom. Appreciate these write-ups. Quick question re: center. If Macky were to go down, based on what you have seen/heard, could Emerich step in and do the job at this point? I know there are probably some here who would say he should already be there, but I wanted to get your take. Thanks!

I would think Phillips would get the nod. He has worked there recently and with his experience and all the moves he has made on the OL, knows the OL assignments as well as anyone. Trudo or Chibane would be the other logical choices. The center calls the blocking assignments...really needs to know his stuff. A true frosh, no matter how well thought of, should be the last option considered.

 

[SUinNYC]

We have some really big DEs now. That should help against the run but can they get a pass rush? I am a bit surprised we don't see one DE be a run stopping position and the other be a pass rushing position. That would put MPB, Sharpe, Robinson, Simmons on one side and then Goggins, Raymon, Welsh, Manley on the other.

My guess to the Okie package:

DE MPB
NT Goggins
DE Sharpe

OLB Shamarko
MLB Diabate
MLB Spruill
OLB Morgan

CB Reddish
SS Desir
FS Wilkes
CB Lyn

Interesting that you put Morgan in there as a true frosh. You think he's going to get major minutes? I imagined Lynch at the OLB in the Okie given his speed and experience in the program.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I think you will see Broyld used much more in a WR capacity then as a RB, Hes not a RB by trade and his body would not hold up to the pounding of multiple carries a game.

 

[cuseguy]

Barrett may be undersized now but at 6-5 he can grow into his frame and easily add 40 pounds. We've already seen Macky's ceiling.

 

[RF2044]

I think you will see Broyld used much more in a WR capacity then as a RB, Hes not a RB by trade and his body would not hold up to the pounding of multiple carries a game.

I don't think that he'd be a tradtional, between-the-tackles RB. The idea would be to make him a versatile threat--a second QB in the backfield, an elusive guy who can make plays with his feet if the ball is swung out to him, etc. A guy that opposing safeties wouldn't be able to cheat / play in the box on, giving his ability to throw.

I don't think he's going to fit into a designed position, which doesn't bother me at all. The bigger question will be HOW the coaching staff utilizes him, and how ready he is to contribute.

 

[PhatOrange]

Parris and Green are both promising (SU Athletics lists Green as a frosh incorrectly).

Article I read said Green was a walk-on from Seattle Prep. If that's accurate then he's probably a freshman. He was an All Greater Seattle player last year.

It's interesting to note that Syracuse has an offer out to a cornerback - Tere Calloway - who's also from Seattle Prep in Seattle, WA.

 

[Czar]

Our DE's are really, really short. Also I don't get doubling Trudo and Foy at the same position, why move Trudo from center?

 

[sutomcat]

Article I read said Green was a walk-on from Seattle Prep. If that's accurate then he's probably a freshman. He was an All Greater Seattle player last year.

It's interesting to note that Syracuse has an offer out to a cornerback - Tere Calloway - who's also from Seattle Prep in Seattle, WA.

Yes, I guess that thread about a Green transferring in from Ball State was not accurate. Wow, Seattle is quite a long way to come for a walk on. Too bad he didn't start a couple of years ago, so he could have played in his hometown when we played UW there.

Jacob Green Link

 

[RMH44]

Our DE's are really, really short. Also I don't get doubling Trudo and Foy at the same position, why move Trudo from center?

Really, compared to what?? The shortest DE listed is 6'1".

 

[kingottoiii]

Interesting that you put Morgan in there as a true frosh. You think he's going to get major minutes? I imagined Lynch at the OLB in the Okie given his speed and experience in the program.

Shafer likes to drop SS's to OLB in that package. We have seen Shamarko, Fisher, and Suter all play there. It will be interesting to see who plays opposite Shamarko in this package. We really do not have an ideal guy. Wilkes and Desir are kind of small. Moving them would mean Eskridge plays at S. Davis, Lynch, Anene kind of slow you down. On paper physically Morgan or McFarlane seem like the best fits but both a true Frosh.

 

[RF2044]

I would say that this depth chart is virtually meaningless and that many players will be playing other positions Like you said Tom a lot of this doesn't make sense

I think there is a lot of truth to that. Especially since they haven't hit the practice field yet. But I do think that some of the positioning / what spot certain players occupy on the depth chart is being used as a motivational tool--both for individual players in some cases and also to send the message that PT is up for grabs at other positions.

 

[SoBristol]

Regarding Broyld, people tend to want to defined him as a WR, or a RB between the tackles like Smith, or a TE -- thinking about roles that we had last year. I am expecting/hoping he and Gulley both play a wing-back role on second and long or third downs when we pull the FB.

Some counters, pitches, available for swing passes, or move to the slot.

Jacob Green from Seattle Prep might be worth a story. There was a Jacob Green on the Seahawks who was an all-pro defensive lineman. Any connection?

 

[OrangePA]

One of the most important story lines is the number on the roster this year.

We finally have a full squad of over 90 players.

As Marrone indicated in his press conference - no comparison to past years in terms of numbers.

And that is very important - something that has not been given a lot of media play.

 

[All4SU]

I think you will see Broyld used much more in a WR capacity then as a RB, Hes not a RB by trade and his body would not hold up to the pounding of multiple carries a game.

That's my expectation too. Passes out into the flat, and the threat of him throwing or running with the ball from the RB spot. More opportunity for diversity and deception at RB than at WR for Broyld at this point.

 

[All4SU]

Article I read said Green was a walk-on from Seattle Prep. If that's accurate then he's probably a freshman. He was an All Greater Seattle player last year.

It's interesting to note that Syracuse has an offer out to a cornerback - Tere Calloway - who's also from Seattle Prep in Seattle, WA.

Well, one thing's for certain, the Seattle guys can't complain too much about the Syracuse weather.

 

[JeremyCuse]

That's my expectation too. Passes out into the flat, and the threat of him throwing or running with the ball from the RB spot. More opportunity for diversity and deception at RB than at WR for Broyld at this point.

Yup agreed, the threat of what he can do can be just as usefull as him actually doing it. Getting him out on the edge with reverses, bubble screens, jet screens, jailbreak screens, flares etc would be the best way to use him, with our O line we can simply hand it off tackle and say OK here ya go do something, thats not feasible.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Article I read said Green was a walk-on from Seattle Prep. If that's accurate then he's probably a freshman. He was an All Greater Seattle player last year.

It's interesting to note that Syracuse has an offer out to a cornerback - Tere Calloway - who's also from Seattle Prep in Seattle, WA.

I believe that OrangeAuburn posted that Calloway and Green were friends.

 

[rrlbees]

Question I should know the answer to but don't. Do we typically include players on the official depth chart that have to sit a year? Speaking of Funderburke.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Czar]

Really, compared to what?? The shortest DE listed is 6'1".

Well, I would consider average DE height to be 6'3". Only 3 reach that height.