38 days until kick off and I am losing my mind! The season is upon us!
I wanted to take a guess at the depth chart for this upcoming year and I am only going 2 deep, using a single back set on offense and a base 4-3 defense.
Offense
QB: Tommy Armstrong, Jr. (So.), Johnny Stanton IV (rFr.)
IB: Ameer Abdullah (Sr.), Imani Cross (Jr.)
WRx: Jamal Turner (Sr.), Alonzo Moore (So.)
WRy: Kenny Bell (Sr.), Jordan Westerkamp (So.)
WRz: Taariq Allen (Jr.), Sam Burtch (Jr.)
TE: Cethan Carter (So.), Sam Cotton (So.)
LT: Alex Lewis (Jr.), Matt Finnin (Jr.)
LG: Jake Cotton (Sr.), Chongo Kondolo (Jr.)
C: Ryne Reeves (Jr.), Mark Pelini (Sr.)
RG: Mike Moudy (Sr.), ???Chongo again??? Givens Price (Jr.)
RT: Zach Sterup (Jr.), David Knevel (rFr.)
Of the starters: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores
Overall: 6 seniors, 9 juniors, 6 sophomores, 1 r-freshman
In terms of skill positions, this might be the most talented, deepest group we've had in a long time. QB is still fluid, but I do think Armstrong starts the year. The question will be, can he maintain the starting role? I think Stanton does become the #2 QB over Fyfe, but you have to love what Fyfe has done. I just really hope we do not do a QB by committee.
Defense
DE: Randy Gregory (Jr.), A.J. Natter (rFr.)
DT: Mailek Collins (So.), Aaron Curry (Jr.)
DT: Vincent Valentine (So.), Kevin Williams (Jr.)
DE: Greg McMullen (So.), Joe Keels (Jr.)
SLB: David Santos (Jr.) , Trevor Roach (Sr.)
MLB: Michael Rose (So.), Josh Banderas (So.)
WLB: Zaire Anderson (Sr.), Courtney Love (rFr.)
CB: Josh Mitchell (Sr.), Byerson Cockrell (Jr.)
CB: Jonathan Rose (Jr.), DJ Singleton (rFr.)
S: Cory Cooper (Sr.), Charles Jackson (Jr.)
S: Nathan Gerry (So.), LeRoy Alexander (So.)
Of the starters: 3 seniors. 3 juniors, 5 sophomores (young defense)
Overall: 3 seniors, 8 juniors, 7 sophomores, 3 r-freshmen
We have a young defense, that is definite. Most, if not all, of the starters saw playing time/started at the end of last year when our defense finally gelled. Hopefully that momentum carries over into this season.
Conclusion
I do believe that the Huskers are an underrated team. On offense, we have great skill position players and a line that could be the best we've had in years.On defense, our line could be scary with Gregory improving on his numbers from last year. I believe Collins will help Gregory, but will benefit the most from him. Our LB corps now has the experience to match their athleticism and I would match our top 4 safeties against any other Big 10 school.
2014 has the makings to be a very exciting year!
Go Big Red!