First Depth Chart of the Fall

There were a couple of surprises on the first depth chart of the fall that came out today.

It's been awhile since the first depth chart of the spring was released, but now after a scrimmage two days ago in Vero beach, the coaching staff has put together a new one.  Here it is folks (per USF athletics):

Offense:

(Follow the link for the full PDF)

Wide Receiver - Andre Davis, Ruben Gonzalez, or D'vario Montomgery

Left tackle: Darrell Williams, Damien Edwards

Left guard - Mark Popek, Lawrence Martin

Center - Austin Reiter, Thor Jozwiak

Right guard - Danous Estenor, Brynjar Gudmundsson

Right tackle - Quenterrius Eatmon, Max Lang

Tight End - Andreas Shields, Evan Landi or Sean Price, or Mike McFarland

Wide receiver - Terrence Mitchell, or Sterling Griffin or Chris Dunkley

Wide receiver - Victor Marc, Deonte Welch or Derrick Hopkins

Quarterback - B.J. Daniels, Matt Floyd, or Bobby Eveld

Running back - Demetris Murray, Marcus Shaw or Lindsey Lamar, Willie Davis

Fullback - Jeff Hawkins, Chris Breit or Spencer Cavalieri

The offense has a few new changes to it.  Starting with the offensive line, Darrell Williams is now listed as the starting left tackle and Outland trophy candidate Mark Popek has been moved to left guard, ahead of Lawrence Martin and Damien Edwards is listed as a reserve left tackle. Popke, who started all 12 games last year at tackle is a bit of surprise to see him at guard with Williams, taking just one snap last season, getting the nod at tackle.  This could change before the season starts, but interesting to note.  The rest of the line is the same as well. 

Floyd is listed as the number two QB, but expect the battle to continue.  Marcus Shaw is now listed as the co-number two running back with Lindsey Lamar. Shaw, who's been very impressive this fall, is climbing the board.  Willie Davis is also on pace to get carries.  Battles, out with an ankle injury is not listed and newcomer Michael Pierre is not listed either (possible he could even redshirt this season).  At fullback, Jeff Hawkins, the former tight end who missed last season with the ACL injury, is the starting fullback with Breit and Cavalieri behind him. Fullback is also an H-back in this offensive, blocking, moving to tight end, etc. so expect to see those guys move around a bit.

Next is wide receiver and tight end where there is just a huge log jam on the depth chart. At tight end, Andreas Shields, held out during the spring, is listed as a starter tied with Evan Landi.  True freshman Sean Price is listed with Mike McFarland as well, showing the impression the young man has made already in camp.  Terrence Mitchell is tied with Sterling Griffin for one of the wide receiver positions with Dunkley right behind them.  Victor Marc is another starter with Deonte Welch and Derrick Hopkins tied for the reserve job.  Andre Davis is the last starting receiver, ahead of Ruben Gonzalez who is tied with D'vario Montgomery.  A thing to note with the wide receivers, a lot of them cross train, so they can play inside or out on the field and will move positions during games and rotate in and out.  This is where they stack up on paper, but all will be battling to get on the field for whatever spot they can.

Defense

Defensive end - Ryne Giddins, Eric Lee

Defensive tackle - Luke Sager, Todd Chandler

Defensive tackle - Elkino Watson, Demi Thompson

Defensive end - Tevin Mims, Daniel Perry

SAM linebacker - Reshard Cliett, Zack Bullock

MIKE linebacker - Sam Barrington, Mike Lanaris

WILL linebacker - Dede Lattimore, Mike Jeune or Tashon Whitehurst

Cornerback - Kayvon Webster, Fidel Montgomery

Cornerback - George Baker, Kenneth Durden or Chris Bivins

Strong safety - JaQuez Jenkins, Ernie Tabuteau

Free safety - Mark Joyce, Jon Lejiste

On defense, Giddins, Sager, and Watson are no surprises.  With Grissom coming back from injury, he hasn't been out on the field enough.  Same can be said for Julius Forte who has been recovering from a sprained ankle and has returned, but has not been on the field enough to make the depth chart (he will be there during the season, don't worry).  Two true freshmen, Lee and Perry are getting some snaps as well. 

Linebackers had a shake up as well.  Cliett is getting a look at SAM with Barrington moving over the MIKE and battling with Lanaris for that job.  It must be something the coaching staff sees and faith in Cliett to cover in passing downs and coming up in running plays.  Behind Lattimore, Jeune and surprise freshman Tashon Whitehurst, another freshman, are there as well and will factor into getting some snaps this season.  In the secondary, Kayvon is the starter and senior George Baker gets the nod for now at the other spot.  After Montgomery won the job in spring, Baker, a seasoned veteran, has impressed the coaches enough to get the nod for now.  Durden and Bivins, another true freshman are listed as well.  The safety spots are the same as expected as well.  

Special teams 

Punter - Mattias Ciabatti, Justin Brockhaus-Kann

Kicker - Maikon Bonani

Kick-off - Marvin Kloss or Maikon Bonani

Snapper - David Burdetsky

Kick return - Lindsey Lamar 

Punt return - Terrence Mitchell 

Ciabatti is still the punter and Mitchell is back at the punt return position, good to see after his season was cut short last year. 

So what do you think about the depth chart?  What are the biggest surprises so far?  Cliett and Barrington moving over and Baker getting the nod at corner?  Or is it on offense with Popek moving over to guard and Williams to tackle?  Surprised to see so many freshmen on the two-deep as well?  The season is getting close and depth charts are always fun.