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Topic: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Topic: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

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L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,063

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Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/11/2023 11:40:38 AM

OK, I'm going to try to take a stab at this. Before I make a depth chart, first, let's see if I have it right who is leaving, transferring, or not playing, and who will be back due to bonus covid years.

Transferred out via portal:
Beler, McCracken, Daxon, Blauser Hankins, Kelly, Mullins, Vakos, Collier

Used up eligibility:
Ross, Neatherton, Ramer, Meservy, Rodgers, Dugan, Stai, Caesar, McCrory, Drake Sanders, Floyd, Gregory, Wieland

Not on Roster:
Van Every, McDonald, Davies, Kammerer, Scales, Vandenberg

Back with a bonus year:
Burton, Allison, Danneker, Watkins, Mathews, Bonner, Thompson, Houston, Birchette

OK, now for the "Depth Chart". I'm not going to include any true Freshmen or new transfers except for kickers. At least one or two always manages to make the chart, but I'm not going to guess who that might be, except for kickers, where there is no one else. I'm also not going to be creative; this is just based on last year's depth charts. Some players will move up and surprise, of course, and the final depth chart won't look like this.

Offense:
WR-X Jones Sr, Rhone R So
WR-F Wiglusz Gr or Walton R-5, Wilburn R RJr
WR-Z Cross Jr, Gossett RSo
Other WR: Brown R Jr, Harris RFr, Davis RSo, McDole RFr
TE Foster RSr or Kacmarek RSo, Burton Gr, Butler, RSo
Other TE: Fullam RFr, Molnar RFr
QB: Rourke RSr, Navarro RJr or Harris RJr, Wither RFr, Winters Fr
RB: Bangura RSo or Allison 5th, McCormick RSo, Toledo RSo
Other RB: Kitrell RJr, Hunter RSo, Hunt Fr
LT: Amburgey RSr, Habinowski RJr
LG: Danneker Gr
C: Titsworth RSr
RG Atkinson RSr
RT Rhodes RJr, Dennison RJr, Arter, RJr
Other OL: Weatherspoon RSo, Watson RFr, Jackson Gr, Oakes RSr, Shelby RFr, Rogers RSo, Skelly RSo, Wright RFr

Defense:
RDE: Watkins Gr, Hunter, RSr, Burton RSr
LDE: Bonner Gr, Weaver RSo, Taylor RSr Patterson RSo
Other DE: Logan So
DT: Matthews Gr, Buell RSr, Henderson RSo, Mayfield RJr, Jones RFr
NT: Middlebrook RJr, Wollard RJr
Other DT: Gorman Fr, Farrier RJr
Nickle: Williams So, Stevens RJr, Oseni Jr
MLB: Thompson Gr
WLB: Houston Gr, Quinn RSo
Other LB: Schmitz Fr, Taylor RSo, Campolieti RSr
SS: Brawley So, Motton RSo
FS: Johnson RSr
Other S: Russ RSo, Wood R5, Dorsey RJr, Reynolds Gr, Karagosian RFr, Fries RFr
FC Birchette R-Gr, Ryder So
BC: Cox RSo, Parodie RJr
Other CB: McCullum RJr, Pearson Jr, Bannister Fr

PK Spetic Fr or Kasee Fr
P Wilson R-Jr
LS Holloway Gr, Berfeld RFr
KOR Wilburn or Jones
PR Wiglusz or Cox

As expected, the offense will be outstanding. Jones and Atkinson will be the only new starters, and both have plenty of experience, and will be solid replacements.

The defense is a lot scarier. In particular, NT has no one back with much experience, and there are no experienced backups at LB. Safety is also a concern, but there are a lot of names there. Perhaps we'll see one or more Safeties move to LB to shore things up a bit.

I projected that Quinn will move back to LB based on the fact that there appears to be no depth at all at LB, and quite a bit at RB. If he stays at RB, that could mean that he will be an outstanding RB, or that there is more depth than it appears at LB, or both.

Last Edited: 2/12/2023 9:09:26 AM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

bobcatsquared
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,032

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RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/11/2023 12:36:07 PM

* A lot can happen between Feb. and the first game, but the head coach himself told me that Quinn will be getting most of the first-team snaps at RB this spring.
* Really like Butler but he is probably fourth in line in a deep TE room. I see him as OUr best blocking TE.
* Loved seeing the motor of DE Bonner as he got more and more playing time at the end of the season. However, I'm not sure how much pounding he can take as the starter at 218 pounds, his listed weight last fall.
* In addition to Quinn, the one player on your list who hasn't played yet (other than special teams) that I'm most looking forward to seeing this fall is RFr WR Harris.

Last Edited: 2/11/2023 12:39:47 PM by bobcatsquared

RufusCat09
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Member Since: 12/14/2019
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RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/11/2023 12:42:41 PM

We just need to survive the next transfer portal window in May. I'm feeling pretty good about the offense, even if we lose a few more to the portal but defense has a lot of question marks especially on the D-line and Safety positions.

Last Edited: 2/11/2023 12:44:02 PM by RufusCat09

Doc Bobcat
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,179

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RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/11/2023 1:38:18 PM

RufusCat09 wrote:

Help for D-line would be nice. Maybe the Pick
true freshman can help. Highly rated.

We do have some portal gains.

Safety from Detroit should be a good one.

Offensive lineman from Colorado State should
get some PT.

True freshman Hendricks from St. Louis
adds more game changers at WR. He
should also help the kick return game.

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,063

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RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/11/2023 6:48:42 PM

bobcatsquared wrote:

* A lot can happen between Feb. and the first game, but the head coach himself told me that Quinn will be getting most of the first-team snaps at RB this spring.
...

Your actual knowledge is probably right then. Perhaps RB will be a 3-headed monster, with Allison, Bangura, and Quinn at the top. Who will back up Thompson and Houston at LB, then? We shall see...

To me, the positions of concern (for now) are NT, MLB, WLB, SS, and FS.

Last Edited: 2/11/2023 6:52:31 PM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Doc Bobcat
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RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/11/2023 8:37:36 PM

L.C. wrote:

bobcatsquared wrote:

* A lot can happen between Feb. and the first game, but the head coach himself told me that Quinn will be getting most of the first-team snaps at RB this spring.
...

My biggest concern would be depth at LBer.

Thompson and Houston will be the two best starters in the MAC.

We have at least new linebackers (Marshall and Schmitz) who could solve that problem.

Last Edited: 2/11/2023 8:40:45 PM by Doc Bobcat

L.C.
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Post Count: 10,063

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RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/12/2023 8:30:46 AM

The bottom line is that there are still some big holes on defense to fill, but without the 6 key players returning with bonus "covid years", it would have been a disastrous depletion. I will make three posts, one for each major defensive group. This one will cover the defensive line. Ohio got 3 key players back with Covid years, Bonner, Watkins, and Mathews. With the top three NT leaving, that still leaves a gaping hole at NT. My guess is that Matthews will move over to NT, and Buell will start at DT, but perhaps some of the deep backups at NT will surprise us, or perhaps Ohio will find a NT in the portal.

Here are the stats for the returning DL returning:
Watkins 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 2 fumbles forced
Matthews 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble forced
Bonner 14 tackles, 1 fumble recovered
Weaver 14 tackles, 1 pass defended
Buell 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass defended
Hunter 7 tackles
Burton 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble forced
Henderson 4 tackles,
Taylor 1 tackle
Middlebrook 1 tackle

These are the DL Lost:
McCrory 63 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 passes defended, 2 fumbles forced, 2 recovered
Caeser 28 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble forced
Dugan 26 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 fumble forced
McCracken 8 tackles, 1 pass defended
Daxon 3 tackles

Total returning:
LDE+RDE: 88 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 PD, 3 FF, 1 FR
DT+NT: 40 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FF

Total Lost:
LDE+RDE: 63 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 PD, 2 FF, 2 FR
DT+NT: 39 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 PD

So, on the defensive line, 56% productivity returns. Without the bonus covid years for Watkins, Matthews, and Bonner it would have been an ugly 18%.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,063

Status: Offline

RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/12/2023 8:46:41 AM

With Thompson and Houston back, the LB positions move from a potential disaster to a bright spot. Here is the returning productivity:
Thompson 96 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 Interception, 1 FF, 2 FR
Houston 76 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR
Campoleti 11 tackles
Quinn 3 tackles
Taylor 2 tackles

Players lost:
Blauser 33 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PD, 1 FF
Kelly 29 tackles, .5 sack, 2 PD

Total returning: 188 tackles, 7 sacks 5 PD, 1 Int, 2 FF, 4 FR
Total lost: 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 PD, 1 FF

That means that about 75% of the productivity is returning. Without Thompson and Houston, it would have been a dismal 5%.

Last Edited: 2/12/2023 8:57:25 AM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,063

Status: Offline

RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/12/2023 9:28:51 AM

For the DBs, I will lump the CB together and the S/Nickles together.

Returning S/Nickles:
FS Johnson 43 Tackles
N Williams 31 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FR
SS Brawley 20 tackles, 1 sack
N Stevens 13 tackles
N Oseni 1 tackles
SS Motten
Total returning: 108 tackles, 2 sacks 1 FR

Lost S/Nickles:
FS Floyd 74 tackles, 2 sacks 5 PD, 1 Int, 1 FF
N Sanders 61 tackles 1 Sack, 5 PD, 3 Int
SS Drake 51 tackles, 4 PD, 3 Int, 1 FF
S Mullins 3 tackles
S Scales 2 tackles
Total lost: 191 tackles, 2 sacks, 14 passes defended, 7 int, 2 FF
Only 36% of the tackles remain, but more importantly, all of the passes defended and all of the interceptions are gone.

Returning cornerbacks:
Cox 51 tackles, 6 PD, 3 int, 2 FF, 1 FR
Birchette 36 tackles, 8 PD
Parodie 29 tackles, 8 PD
Ryder 2 tackles
McCullum 1 tackle
Total returning: 120 tackles, 22 PD, 3 int, 2 FF, 2 FR

Cornerbacks lost:
Gregory 13 tackles, .5 sack

So, virtually all the experience at CB returns, 90% of the tackles, and all of the passes defended and interceptions.

Looking at the secondary as a whole:
Total returning: 228 tackles, 2 sacks, 22 PD, 3 Int, 2 FF, 3 FR
Total lost: 204 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 14 PD, 7 int, 2 FF

So, about half, a bit over half the tackles and passes defended, but under half on sacks and interceptions.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,063

Status: Offline

RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/12/2023 9:57:43 AM

So, in summary:
1. The Defensive line has a big hole at NT. They could move Matthews from DT to NT, which would give them two experienced starters in the interior defensive line, but no proven depth behind them. On the whole, the defensive line lost about half it's productivity.
2. At LB, the starters are outstanding, but there is no proven depth behind them
3. In the Secondary, all the key CB return, but Safety had major losses.

Grand totals:
Returning: Tackles 541, Sacks 18.5, PD 31, Int 4, FF 8, FR 8
Lost: Tackles 368, Sacks 15.5, PD 22, Int 7, FF 7, FR 2

Overall the defense, even with the 6 key players who got an extra Covid year, still lost about 45% of it's productivity. Without Watkins, Matthews, Bonner, Thompson, Houston, and Birchette it would have been grim. This is what it would have been, about a 75% loss:
Return w/o 6 Covid years: 247 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 15 PD, 1 Int, 5 FF, 6 FR
Lost 2/o 6 Covid years: 662 tackles, 28.5 sacks, 37 PD, 8 Int 12 FF, 8 FR

Those are the numbers I was thinking about when I projected a 6-6 season for next year, even with the offense returning. With the addition of so many players with extra Covid years, I am more optimistic. They definitely need to find a solution for NT, FS, and SS, and they need to develop depth at linebacker. Those are more manageable than a complete defense overhaul.

Last year the team showed that it was capable of winning games via MACtion, outscoring people in high scoring games. I see more of that in the future, but you can't always win MACtion style games. For proof of that, look no further than Fordham, last year, which had an amazing FCS offense, but not a very good defense. They scored over 40 points in every single game, but ended up losing 3 of them:
Ohio 59, Fordham 52
Holy Cross 53, Fordham 52
New Hampshire 52, Fordham 42

My new projection for next year is Ohio to finish 8-4.

Last Edited: 2/12/2023 9:59:17 AM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

colobobcat66
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Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO
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RE: Way too early Depth Chart for 2023

Posted: 2/12/2023 10:58:35 AM

L.C. wrote:

What these stats don�t show is how many tackles were missed and how many wide open receivers there were when some of these players were on the field. I could have probably scored on some of those plays and I can�t run 5 yards. Not meant to say that they didn�t make a lot of good plays, but there were plenty of bad ones that have to be cleaned up. Hopefully they will be,

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