I'm sure there's some inside information that I'm not aware of (I don't claim to be RJ or KQ), but this is my best guess at the projected depth chart (2 or 3 deep) for the defense. I must admit I struggled a little with the secondary at corner. Not real sure about the depth there. Here it is:
Defensive End
I'm not sure how Coach Santucci will play his DEs. Could be strong and weak or Field and boundary. I've listed them as Strong and Weak. We actually have good size and playing experience here. I feel much better about our depth after doing this.
Sylvain Yondjouen (R-Sr, 6'4, 248) Eddie Kelly (Jr, 6'4, 278)
Kevin Harris (Sr, 6'4, 245) Jack Barton (R-Jr, 6'4, 265)
Josh Robinson (Sr, 6'6, 253) Shymeik Jones (R-Fr, 6'5, 283)
Defensive Tackle
Like DE, I'm not sure how Coach Santucci plays his DTs. I'm assuming he'll play a larger 3 technique with a 1 technique. I've charted them that way here. I like the 2 deep but depth after that is non-existent. Perhaps someone like Shymeik Jones could slide inside.
Zeek Biggers (SR, 6'6, 333) Makius Scott (Sr, 6'4, 291)
Horace Lockett (R-So, 6'6, 341) Ayo Tifase (R-So, 6'4, 300)
Linebacker
Really guessing here since I haven't seen most of these guys play. Feel confident that Kyle Efford has at least earned first shot at it based off his performance last year though.
Kyle Efford (R-So, 6'2, 219) EJ Lightsey (R-So, 6'2, 235)
Trenilyas Tatum (Jr, 6'1, 214) Jackson Hamilton (R-Jr, 6'0, 225)
Jacob Cruz (So, 6'4, 232) Tah'j Butler (Fr, 6'1, 215)
Safety
Someone may get moved over to safety but from what I can tell, this is the spot that needs bodies through the portal the most. Keep in mind someone from this group may be used to play the nickel spot as well.
LaMiles Brooks (Jr, 6'2, 188) Clayton Powell-Lee (Jr, 6'2, 185)
Taye Semore (So, 5'11, 203)
Cornerback
Again, this is the spot I had to guess at the most. I don't know who plays field or boundary, or if Coach Santucci even assigns spots based on that, although I bet he does. Someone from this group may also play nickel as well.
Syeed Gibbs (R-So, 6'0, 180) Ahmari Harvey (R-Jr, 6'0, 180)
Omar Daniels (R-Jr, 6'0, 176) Rodney Shelley (Jr, 5'11, 168)
Steven Jones, Jr (R-Fr, 6'1, 192) DJ Moore (R-So, 6'1, 188)
There you have it. Need immediate depth help throughout the secondary. Perhaps Steven Jones, Jr or DJ Moore can provide that, but I'd bet we go find some help from the portal. We could also use some depth at DT, but I like our first four.
Anyone who may be more informed feel free to offer corrections or suggestions!
Defensive End
I'm not sure how Coach Santucci will play his DEs. Could be strong and weak or Field and boundary. I've listed them as Strong and Weak. We actually have good size and playing experience here. I feel much better about our depth after doing this.
Sylvain Yondjouen (R-Sr, 6'4, 248) Eddie Kelly (Jr, 6'4, 278)
Kevin Harris (Sr, 6'4, 245) Jack Barton (R-Jr, 6'4, 265)
Josh Robinson (Sr, 6'6, 253) Shymeik Jones (R-Fr, 6'5, 283)
Defensive Tackle
Like DE, I'm not sure how Coach Santucci plays his DTs. I'm assuming he'll play a larger 3 technique with a 1 technique. I've charted them that way here. I like the 2 deep but depth after that is non-existent. Perhaps someone like Shymeik Jones could slide inside.
Zeek Biggers (SR, 6'6, 333) Makius Scott (Sr, 6'4, 291)
Horace Lockett (R-So, 6'6, 341) Ayo Tifase (R-So, 6'4, 300)
Linebacker
Really guessing here since I haven't seen most of these guys play. Feel confident that Kyle Efford has at least earned first shot at it based off his performance last year though.
Kyle Efford (R-So, 6'2, 219) EJ Lightsey (R-So, 6'2, 235)
Trenilyas Tatum (Jr, 6'1, 214) Jackson Hamilton (R-Jr, 6'0, 225)
Jacob Cruz (So, 6'4, 232) Tah'j Butler (Fr, 6'1, 215)
Safety
Someone may get moved over to safety but from what I can tell, this is the spot that needs bodies through the portal the most. Keep in mind someone from this group may be used to play the nickel spot as well.
LaMiles Brooks (Jr, 6'2, 188) Clayton Powell-Lee (Jr, 6'2, 185)
Taye Semore (So, 5'11, 203)
Cornerback
Again, this is the spot I had to guess at the most. I don't know who plays field or boundary, or if Coach Santucci even assigns spots based on that, although I bet he does. Someone from this group may also play nickel as well.
Syeed Gibbs (R-So, 6'0, 180) Ahmari Harvey (R-Jr, 6'0, 180)
Omar Daniels (R-Jr, 6'0, 176) Rodney Shelley (Jr, 5'11, 168)
Steven Jones, Jr (R-Fr, 6'1, 192) DJ Moore (R-So, 6'1, 188)
There you have it. Need immediate depth help throughout the secondary. Perhaps Steven Jones, Jr or DJ Moore can provide that, but I'd bet we go find some help from the portal. We could also use some depth at DT, but I like our first four.
Anyone who may be more informed feel free to offer corrections or suggestions!
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