Bulls Release First Depth Chart of the Spring

As the Bulls prepare for their first Spring game of the season on Saturday evening on campus, Coach Holtz and staff released the first depth chart of the season.  Keep in mind this is the first depth chart of the spring.  After the games and practices, the order will change and it could look completely different come fall, but for the fan, it is the first real taste of football.

QB: B.J. Daniels, Matt Floyd, Bobby Eveld

No surprise here.  It is interesting to see Floyd ahead of Eveld at least in the first depth chart.  It will be interesting to see how he does in the Spring game (might get more reps that Eveld as well).

RB: Demetris Murray, Lindsey Lamar OR Marcus Shaw

Murray is the go-to RB, no question there, but Lamar coming in at number two is interesting to note.  Expect to see plenty of Marcus Shaw this season and Willie Davis who continues to work hard this spring.

WR: Andre Davis, Sterling Griffin, Chris Dunkley

The first mini-shocker of the spring, Davis ahead of Griffin (can't say it enough, just the first spring depth chart).  Davis has been impressive since stepping on the field for USF.  Griffin was the go-to target last season and Dunkley is full of talent.  It will be fun to watch them battle it out for playing time.

WR: Ruben Gonzalez, Deonte Welch

A little surprising to see Gonzalez here instead of Welch.  Welch came up big last year, especially in yards after the catch.  Gonzalez is a bigger target, but both will get plenty of catches this spring.

WR: Terrence Mitchell, Victor Marc, Derrick Hopkins

Another Tampa product, Mitchell, has the starting job in the first depth chart.  Marc is very versatile and could be used as a running back at times.  Hopkins is pure speed, but very small, so it is no surprise he is 3rd on the depth chart here.

TE: Evan Landi, Isaac Virgin

Landi is the top receiving tight end from last season, so no surprise.  Virgin has all the skill needed, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact he can make and if he can break through this season.

TE: Jeff Hawkins, Mike McFarland, Andreas Shields

Very interesting to see Hawkins, who missed out all of last season after tearing his ACL, on top of the list over big time target McFarland and the senior leader Andreas Shields who played a lot last season.

LT: Mark Popek, Darrell Williams

Popek is the senior at the edge, but Darrell Williams will continue to push him.

LG: Damien Edwards, Steve Jacques

Edwards switched over to left guard when Danous Estenor went down with an ankle injury.

C: Austin Reiter, Thor Jozwiak, John McGhin

Reiter has been receiving all the praise from the coaching staff, so it is no shock to see him here.  It is interesting to note that Chandlor Mathews-York is not listed in the first three behind Jozwiak and McGhin.

RG: Lawrence Martin, Brynjar Gudmudsson, Danous Estenor (injured)

Lawrence Martin is playing well, although he is learning new hand placement after switching over from the right side.  Gudmudsson is a big time player that will only get better.

RT: Quinterrius Eatmon, Max Lang

Eatmon started all season at right tackle so no shocker.

Overall analysis of the offense: It is interesting to see Floyd at the back-up.  Everyone has been waiting to see him rise up after his impressive spring last season, so it will be fun to watch him battle it out with Eveld.  The receiving position is probably the most intriguing position to watch.  Davis caught a TD pass in their first scrimmage while Griffin dropped one, so that explains that position, but Dunkley being at 3 is strange to see, at least for the first time.  Gonzalez, who has not been heard from all spring (either good or bad) has moved ahead of Welch, so it will be interesting to see how he plays.  The tight end position battle could be a motivator for Shields and others to continue to work harder to beat out the names that are list on the list.

DEFENSE

DE: Ryne Giddins, Tevin Mims, Eric Lee

No shocker, Giddins is the starting defensive end.  Look for Mims to get his chances though.

DT: Cory Grissom, Todd Chandler

Grissom is the senior leader here, but it is nice to see Chandler, a highly regarded player coming out of high school two years ago, getting on the depth chart after missing all of 2011.

DT: Luke Sager, Elkino Watson

Sager ahead of Watson is also interesting to note.  Watson proved to be a force inside, so look for him to battle for the starting position.

DE: Julius Forte, Anthony Hill

Forte is the starter, but Hill will push for playing time.

SLB: Sam Barrington, Reshard Cliett

No surprise.

MLB: Michael Lanaris, DeDe Lattimore

Interesting to see Lattimore as the back-up.  The coaching staff will need to get the younger players on the roster ready to help fill the depth chart when the season starts.

WLB: DeDe Lattimore, Mike Jeune, Antoine Pozniak

Not surprised again.

CB: Kayvon Webster, George Baker

Webster has this position locked up.  Baker is the reserve, but will get playing time.

SS: JaQuez Jenkins, Ernie Tabuteau, Spencer Boyd

It is very interesting to see Jenkins as the starting strong safety after spending a lot of time at cornerback.  He can move to any position needed, so look for him to lineup at both spots during the season.

FS: Mark Joyce, Trevon Griffin, Jon Lejiste (injured)

Joyce is a solid player, so he is filling in nicely while Lejiste is limited with injuries.

CB: Fidel Montgomery, Kenneth Durden, Josh Brown

Fun to see the JUCO player Montgomery come out in the spring as the starter in the first depth chart.  Durden will push him, but it's his job to lose.

Overall analysis of the defense: No surprises really.  The D-line and LBs are loaded with the usual names.  It will be interesting to see the depth at cornerback plays out over the spring, especially after Coach Rick Smith lit a fire under them yesterday.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK: Maikon Bonani

No surprise here.

P: Mattias Ciabatti, Justin Brockhaus-Kann

A real surprise here to see the former walk-on get the starting nod in the 1st depth chart (can't stress enough it's the first of many depth charts.  Chris Veron would have a chance to compete, but his foot is still in that boot.

KO: Marvin Kloss

No shocker.

LS: David Burdetsky

Stated he would be the guy to beat in spring and seems to be the only guy right now.

(Thanks to Greg Auman for putting the list up online)

Overall analysis of the special teams: Only note is Ciabatti over JBK in the first depth chart.  Ciabatti is the guy to beat at the moment, but JBK will push and Veron, once healthy, will get a chance.

There you have it USF fans, the first depth chart of the 2012 season. While it's just the first spring one, it's fun to look at and over analyze, so leave your thoughts on it!