2017 Initial Depth Chart

[sportsart]

What stood out to me is 4 of the 5 starting interior lineman are 300 lbs or less (ready for the hurry up).

What's even more exciting is all of the WR's and Pindell will have 2 years together

 

[blue93]

The only real surprises for me would be no Aaron Garland or John Robinson on the 2-deep. They were 2 of our bigger recruits coming out of high school if I'm remembering correctly. I knew we'd be thin on defense but seeing it on paper has me feeling uneasy. Hope these guys can grow up fast.

 

[Exit 4]

#1 - Vechery the 2 @ LT - I always thought Vechery did a serviceable job at OG or C ... strange to see him at LT, but maybe the coaching staff liked what they saw in his size and footwork.

#2 - Depth at WR Y (my assumption) - All 4 listed players (Skanes, Davis, McClean, & Williams) each bring a totally different skill set to the position. The depth chart can't accommodate for all the personnel packages ... so the depth chart for this position is a little skewed. Davis is not a direct replacement for Skanes. Gotta be dictated by situation and formation.

#3 - Hahn at the 2 behind Stapleton - Who is keeping Diggs's seat warm? Britton or Stapleton? Based on the physical attributes I am thinking Britton. But Stapleton is now listed at a svelte 230 and has Hahn behind him. So does the staff expect to add 25 lbs to Hahn over the next 2 years?

It seems to me that to attack our D means bringing beef to the middle of the field and wearing down our slightly underweight LB corp. Maybe I am wrong, just seems like that would be the place.

 

[Exit 4]

The only real surprises for me would be no Aaron Garland or John Robinson on the 2-deep. They were 2 of our bigger recruits coming out of high school if I'm remembering correctly. I knew we'd be thin on defense but seeing it on paper has me feeling uneasy. Hope these guys can grow up fast.

I dunno, those are two guys I actually expected to get eclipsed (yes I used eclipsed in the week of an eclipse). I always thought Garland would have been more explosive, but that didn't seem to be the case at all on the field.

 

[blue93]

I dunno, those are two guys I actually expected to get eclipsed (yes I used eclipsed in the week of an eclipse). I always thought Garland would have been more explosive, but that didn't seem to be the case at all on the field.

Fair point, but I would've thought they would've developed enough in two years here to make the two deep over 18 yr olds regardless of who they've been playing for. If the freshmen give us the best chance to win, I'm all for it. I'll trust Randy's judgement.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

What stood out to me is 4 of the 5 starting interior lineman are 300 lbs or less (ready for the hurry up).

What's even more exciting is all of the WR's and Pindell will have 2 years together

It may be why they went to the stack.

 

[Nostical]

While a few question marks remain, this is actually a very talented team. I'll take youthful, excited and eager over experienced, disillusioned and lethargic any day. Add in real coaches and the brew gets interesting. Stapleton and McAllister are underrated. Skanes is a star in waiting. The O line is much improved. DeGeorge can be special and Hopkins and Crozier are healthy. If the left side gets going watch out. The offensive scheme should be fun to watch. Pindell and crew should light it up. And on D our D-Line should be best in the conference.
The key will be the kicking and return game. Not sure about either-- but if they perform, this should be a Bowl team and could even play for the AAC title this year. P.S. Don't forget to take the over 3.5 wins!

 

[SubbaBub]

I'm nervous as heck. The undersized interior line I don't think is intentional. I think it's the best we have. I am going to assume it's still better than the previous versions and that RE will use them better. I have to, right?

When you see 4 guys listed as OR, it means the job is open week to week or series to series. That and a number of the other positions indicate that we should expect to see a lot of rotations.

 

[gioff23]

I'm nervous as heck. The undersized interior line I don't think is intentional. I think it's the best we have. I am going to assume it's still better than the previous versions and that RE will use them better. I have to, right?

When you see 4 guys listed as OR, it means the job is open week to week or series to series. That and a number of the other positions indicate that we should expect to see a lot of rotations.

OR also signals formation changes. I'm not suggesting RB & WR are strengths, but we will show 4 and 5 WR sets at times.

Should be an interesting year. New staff. Completely revamped O and D. freshmen returning kicks. I'm optimistic for future, but expect lots of firs and starts this year.

 

[UConnRock]

Looking down the road, UConn has the potential for a dynamic offensive line in the next year with Peart (RSSo), Leone (RSFr), Crozier (Sr), DeGeorge (RSFr), and Van Denmark (True Fr). Add in recruits that fit the mold of the new system and the OL looks strong for a while.

To be honest, I feel like I am in an alternate universe when I discuss UConn having depth and talent at QB, WR, OL in the same year. The concern has to be the DL depth with the injury to Okouman and Ormsby, Fatukasi and Carrezola being Srs.

Surprised that Coney from Naugatuck didn't break the 2 deep at WR given the comments about his skills last year as a walk-on. Says a lot about the skills of Dixon, Skanes, and Donaldson. WR is a really deep group with no seniors. I still hope Tyler Davis can put on some pounds and become a pass catching TE next year with the departure of both Bloom and Myers. Myers is only 10 pounds heavier than Davis and Rose is listed as a TE weighing 8 pounds less, so it doesn't seem like a stretch.

Swann and Skanes as returners will be exciting. Simply because returns were never a threat/never attempted for the last 3 years. A true freshman taking that role is not a surprise as the upperclassmen have no true experience to build upon.

5 Fr or RSFr as DBs is exciting and scary. Obviously lots of talent, but there is certainly a learning curve with DB and I would expect there to be some tough lessons early on. They have a nice senior core of Bell, Sumers, and McAllaster to help them develop.

I have concern about speed at LB, but part of the theory of the 3-3-5 is that tackling DBs provide the speed and pursuit. I still wouldn't mind seeing Rose at LB to add speed.

 

[SouthPaw22]

Is Mason Donaldson on scholarship?

 

[ktuck911]

Is Mason Donaldson on scholarship?

He's one of the reasons why I brought up the top of whether or not any walk ons earned a scholly.. If he's on the 2 deep then maybe he did earn one... I hope so...

 

[Exit 4]

He's one of the reasons why I brought up the top of whether or not any walk ons earned a scholly.. If he's on the 2 deep then maybe he did earn one... I hope so...

I thought he was. Don't we have him pencilled into SouthPaw's schollie chart?

 

[huskymedic]

Is Mason Donaldson on scholarship?

He came in as a PWO w/ the 2016 class - I don't remember seeing any info/confirmation that has changed (not to say it didn't happen quietly with scholarship attrition).

 

[SouthPaw22]

I do not have him on the chart at this point. Updating it now to account position switches, and noticed the name.

 

[CTMike]

The youth is worrisome, but may the best kids play. It'll pay dividends down the road but is concerning for this year.

 

[Chief00]

For now, I will give 2 high level observations:
1) We are thin on defense up front and our best players are seniors; we will need some great recruiting to fill these holes. Missing on the Miami DL transfer hurt. A healthy Diggs soon is key at LB.
2). I think with Williams and Davis as part of wideout depth - we can go with big targets in the red zone. Also, guys who have the size to put down good blocks.

 

[Excalibur]

I'm nervous as heck. The undersized interior line I don't think is intentional. I think it's the best we have.

It's both. Crozier and Hopkins both lost about 12 pounds each from last season. Peart is down a few as well. Dan Oak is down 10 pounds.

 

[gioff23]

It's both. Crozier and Hopkins both lost about 12 pounds each from last season. Peart is down a few as well. Dan Oak is down 10 pounds.

I think the focus on weight is misplaced. This O needs athleticism across the board. I'm not surprised we have a Fr staring at OG, I am surprised it is VDM. I was looking for the Fl kid to make a push for PT.

 

[sportsart]

I'm nervous as heck. The undersized interior line I don't think is intentional. I think it's the best we have. I am going to assume it's still better than the previous versions and that RE will use them better. I have to, right?

When you see 4 guys listed as OR, it means the job is open week to week or series to series. That and a number of the other positions indicate that we should expect to see a lot of rotations.

How can it not be intentional (low weight interior lineman)?. I'm not sure it would be possible to keep weight up when you are in a true hurry up like our guys have been practicing.

I also don't think having an OL that are 320 or higher would be very pretty to watch. I think the offense would be called "C'mon you fat bastard, can you hurry up?"

 

[UConnJim]

It's both. Crozier and Hopkins both lost about 12 pounds each from last season. Peart is down a few as well. Dan Oak is down 10 pounds.

It looks like many players lost weight. This could be to improve speed and quickness or some fudging of the numbers both last year and this year. I think it is to improve speed and quickness.

Here are the numbers:

OL
Peart 304 lbs to 300 lbs (-4)
Vechery 309 to 310 (-1)
Rutherford 311 to 312 (+1)
Leone 337 to 316 (-21)
Crozier 300 to 290 (-10)
Oak 295 to 285 (-10)
DeGeorge 283 to 286 (+3)
Hashemi 289 to 293 (+4)
Hopkins 311 to 300 (-11)
TE
Bloom 261 to 253 (-8)
Myers 250 to 245 (-5)
RB
Newsome 180 to 180 (0)
N Hopkins 218 to 212 (-6)
Thompson 185 to 182 (-3)
WR
Skanes 171 to 175 (+4)
Davis 235 to 235 (0)
McLean 220 to 210 (-10)
Williams 215 to 212 (-3)
Mayala 200 to 203 (+3)
Donaldson 205 to 205 (0)
QB
Shirreffs 226 to 210 (-16)
DL
Ormsby 256 to 264 (+8)
Atkins 283 to 266 (-17)
Fatukasi 310 to 303 (-7)
Murphy 289 to 280 (-9)
Carrezola 255 to 260 (+5)
Lawley 275 to 275 (0)
LB
Joseph 242 to 232 (-10)
Britton 228 to 225 (-3)
Stapleton 252 to 230 (-22)
Hahn 202 to 205 (+3)
DB
Watkins 200 to 197 (-3)
Summers 185 to 190 (+5)
Herring-Wilson 191 to 190 (-1)
Coyle 205 to 202 (-3)
McAllister 197 to 189 (-8)
Terry 206 to 212 (+6)
Bell 180 to 175 (-5)

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Give me speed versus size 6 times a week and twice on Saturday.

Looking at the depth chart for next year: man we better hope a lot of the young kids can play on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

One thing I know for a fact is that last year's offensive line coach placed a priority on weight (he seemed to believe that 300 lbs was some minimum magic number and that bigger was better for at least the next 20-25 lbs after that).

Some of the weight drops are more likely fat/fluids due to drills requiring more mobility than being a loss of actual muscle. I also would wager that some of the smaller weight drops are as much listing a number closer to the true weight as they are a loss of mass.

My biggest takeaway is that the hope I have on building and sustaining quality offensive lines going forward is more than merely a dream.

 

[Chief00]

It looks like many players lost weight. This could be to improve speed and quickness or some fudging of the numbers both last year and this year. I think it is to improve speed and quickness.

Here are the numbers:

OL
Peart 304 lbs to 300 lbs (-4)
Vechery 309 to 310 (-1)
Rutherford 311 to 312 (+1)
Leone 337 to 316 (-21)
Crozier 300 to 290 (-10)
Oak 295 to 285 (-10)
DeGeorge 283 to 286 (+3)
Hashemi 289 to 293 (+4)
Hopkins 311 to 300 (-11)
TE
Bloom 261 to 253 (-8)
Myers 250 to 245 (-5)
RB
Newsome 180 to 180 (0)
N Hopkins 218 to 212 (-6)
Thompson 185 to 182 (-3)
WR
Skanes 171 to 175 (+4)
Davis 235 to 235 (0)
McLean 220 to 210 (-10)
Williams 215 to 212 (-3)
Mayala 200 to 203 (+3)
Donaldson 205 to 205 (0)
QB
Shirreffs 226 to 210 (-16)
DL
Ormsby 256 to 264 (+8)
Atkins 283 to 266 (-17)
Fatukasi 310 to 303 (-7)
Murphy 289 to 280 (-9)
Carrezola 255 to 260 (+5)
Lawley 275 to 275 (0)
LB
Joseph 242 to 232 (-10)
Britton 228 to 225 (-3)
Stapleton 252 to 230 (-22)
Hahn 202 to 205 (+3)
DB
Watkins 200 to 197 (-3)
Summers 185 to 190 (+5)
Herring-Wilson 191 to 190 (-1)
Coyle 205 to 202 (-3)
McAllister 197 to 189 (-8)
Terry 206 to 212 (+6)
Bell 180 to 175 (-5)

Thanks - this is very interesting analysis. Don't worry Chief00 won't start another thread about Randy and the accuracy of the scale!

 

[pepband99]

Shirreffs 226 to 210 (-16)

No sympathy weight for him! Yikes!