Way too early 2025 Depth Chart and Thoughts

[catdaddyp]

OFFENSE

QB:

Finley 

Bullock

- We are one of the few teams (maybe the only team) in the MAC returning their starting quarterback. Bullock will be the backup if he returns. If not, Roggow should be QB2.

 

RB:

Gant (Portal)

Gee (Portal)

- Transfers Gant and Gee should be the top backs initially. Redshirt freshman Patrick is the dark horse and may push for starting snaps sooner than later

 

WR:

Granger

Mason

 

WR:

Polk

Davis

 

WR:

Walker

Hills (Portal)

- The development of Granger and Polk in the back half of the season gives reason for optimism. Those two seem primed for a big year. If Adams returns (and is healthy) he’d be a nice boost. I really like the pickup of Hills from the portal. He’s the type of receiver who can excel in this offense and I think he’ll quickly work his way into the rotation. Redshirt freshman Mason is another one to keep an eye on.

 

TE:

Newell

Cravaack

- Newell was on pace to be 3rd team All-MAC before injuries sidelined him for a few games. However, Newell’s absence allowed Cravaack to gain substantial snaps. Cravaack became a fixture in the rotation once he had an opportunity. This duo should be one of the best in the conference.

 

LT:

Shor

Johnson (Portal)

 

LG:

Archer (Portal)

Fox

 

C

Morris

McManus

 

RG:

Davis

Mitchell

 

RT:

Jones (Portal)

Mann

- It’s really anyone’s guess who will be starting come kickoff. We lost some key players to the portal, but this group still has the potential to be solid. Coach JRod has had the OL on an upward projection regardless of who has been slotted along the line. We have some talented young players and a number of this year’s linemen will have previously spent time at JUCO.

 

 

DEFENSE

DE:

Durham (Portal)

Cheatom

 

DE:

Dall

Frazier

- Replacing Nunnally won’t be easy. That said, Durham ought to immediately be able to pick up some of the workload. The young players that are expected to play heavily into the rotation have high ceilings.

 

DT:

Murphy

Hull

 

DT:

Brockington

Madden

- This position should have produced more than it did in 2024. Moore and Kapongo ended up being the only truly productive DTs once Lavea went down and we really didn’t have much of a pass rush from the interior. The DTs collected only 3.5 sacks as a group. The best talent here is the younger players. This position still needs addressing and 3-4 more interior linemen will be added.

 

LB:

Hollobaugh (Portal)

Benenge

 

LB:

Spriggs

Boswell

- Similar to DE, this is a talented group, but most of the talent is younger and lacking experience. Hollobaugh should be an immediate starter and if Summers returns, that would help. I think Spriggs is in line for a breakout year. He has the physical tools and seems close to putting it all together.

 

NB:

Lewis

Greenwood

- Lewis and Greenwood return and will rotate at safety when needed.

 

CB:

Reed

Branch (Portal)

 

CB:

Kamara (Portal)

DeWalt

- Reed was our best CB besides Golden-Nelson. Kamara should immediately slot in as the CB opposite Reed. If DeWalt can become more consistent, that would give us an incredibly long and athletic group to match up against opposing wide receivers.

 

S:

David

Hunter

 

S:

Anderson

D. Johnson

- This group was inconsistent, at times, due to lack of experienced depth. David and Anderson will likely be the starters. Redshirt freshman Hunter may push his way into starting snaps.

 

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K:

Wiley

Schramm 

 

P:

Castle

 

LS:

Rhoades

Special teams listed are returners and I’m assuming will step into starting roles. However, I imagine a few more specialists will be added.

Edited Sunday at 09:56 PM by catdaddyp

[catdaddyp]

The 2025 spring roster is up. It does not have any newcomers listed, but it does still list Bullock, Adams, Cooper, and Summers. Getting Cooper and Summers back at LB would be huge.