The last three weeks of Kansas University football workouts finally were put on paper Sunday, when a depth chart was released to the media.
It’s the first two-deep made public since after the spring game in April, and the changes are noticeable – even when compared to recent practices open to the public.
The quarterback position was won by Todd Reesing in a well documented competition earlier this month. But without as much public attention, several more races were either won or still being finished with the season opener against Central Michigan on Saturday.
Among them:
¢ Sophomore Jake Sharp is listed as the starting running back as expected. His backups are Brandon McAnderson (also the starting fullback) and true freshman Carmon Boyd-Anderson.
¢ Sophomore Angus Quigley is not listed.
¢ Cesar Rodriguez (tackle) and Chet Hartley (guard) are listed as the starters on the right side of the offensive line, though recent practices cast some doubt at both spots. Freshman Ian Wolfe is listed as Rodriguez’s backup, while junior Rameses Arceo backs up Hartley.
¢ The left guard spot is listed as still in competition between junior Adrian Mayes and sophomore Jason Hind, a junior-college transfer. Mayes was the projected starter when August practices began.
¢ The only other starting spot still being juggled between two players is strong safety, with Tang Bacheyie and Patrick Resby are seperated on the chart by an “or.”
¢ The three starting wide receivers are Marcus Henry and Raymond Brown out wide and Dexton Fields in the slot. With multiple formations expected, including some four-receiver sets, listed backups Marcus Herford, Dezmon Briscoe, Raimond Pendelton and others expect to get plenty of work, too.
¢ Pendleton, besides backing up Fields in the slot, also is listed as KU’s first-string punt-return specialist.
¢ Senior Derek Fine is the starting tight end, but backing him up for a change is freshman Bradley Dedeaux. Senior Marc Jones is not listed.
¢ Other players not on the most recent depth chart: Linebacker Arist Wright, receivers John Wilson and Tertavian Ingram, cornerback Gary Green, center John Marshall and defensive tackle Todd Haselhorst, who is returning from injury.
The new depth chart does reflect KU’s youth, particularly on defense. Tackle James McClinton is the only senior projected to start on defense, and one of two on the entire two-deep. Backup defensive tackle Marcus Anderson is the other.
Most of the defensive first-teamers are juniors, with sophomores Caleb Blakesley (defensive tackle) and Darrell Stuckey (free safety) and true freshman Chris Harris (cornerback) the lone exceptions.
The splash of youth extends all the way down to those just out of high school. Six true freshmen currently are on the depth chart: Briscoe, Harris, Boyd-Anderson, backup center Jeremiah Hatch, backup middle linebacker Drew Dudley and backup kicker Stephen Hoge.
