The season-opener vs. Southeast Missouri State at Memorial Stadium is just six weeks and a day away. It also marks the first day head coach David Beaty will release a depth chart, which will appear on the flip chart distributed in the press box.
Obviously, fall camp will have a great influence on the depth chart, but it’s never too early to take a stab at guessing what it might look like:
**Defense:**
**Defensive end:** first-team: Dorance Armstrong and Josh Ehambe; second-team: Maciah Long, Isaiah Bean.
**Defensive tackle:** first team: Daniel Wise, J.J. Holmes; second team: Isi Holani, DeeIsaac Davis.
**Linebacker:** first team: Joe Dineen, Keith Loneker; second team: Osaze Ogbebor, Denzel Feaster.
**Safety:** first team: Mike Lee, Tyrone Miller; second team: Bryce Torneden, Shaq Richmond.
**Cornerback:** first team: Hasan Defense, Shakial Taylor; second team: Julian Chandler, Ian Peterson.
**Nickel:** first team: Derrick Neal; second team: Kyle Mayberry.
**Offense**
**Quarterback:** first team: Peyton Bender; second team: Carter Stanley.
**Running back:** first team: Taylor Martin; second team: Khalil Herbert.
**Outside receiver:** first team: Daylon Charlot and Steven Sims; second team: Jeremiah Booker and Chase Harrell.
**Inside receiver:** first team: LaQuvionte Gonzalez and Ryan Schadler; second team: Quan Hampton and Tyler Patrick.
**Left tackle:** first team: Hakeem Adeniji; second team: Antoine Frazier.
**Left guard:** first team: Jayson Rhodes; second team: Malik Clark.
**Center:** first team: Mesa Ribordy; second team: Hunter Saulsbury.
**Right guard:** first team: Larry Hughes; second team: Jacob Bragg.
**Right tackle:** first team: Charles Baldwin; second team: Clyde McCauley.
My guess as to the player not listed above who is most likely to have an impact, other than senior tight end Ben Johnson and freshman hybrid tight end/receiver Kenyon Tabor, is true freshman linebacker Kyron Johnson.
Never having played college football or had a full season of practice as a redshirt, Johnson is playing catch-up compared to the four names listed in front of him, because they all are juniors and are more familiar with the intricacies of the position. But Johnson appears to have the most potential of the group to use his speed and agility to make plays in space. It’s just a matter of how quickly he learns where to go and when, so that he can use his tools efficiently. If he picks it up quickly, he has enough talent to develop into an impact player by season’s end. A year as a redshirt behind him, Dru Prox also has promise at linebacker.