Bowl season is almost over and while CMU may yet add a couple players in the class of 2014, the bulk of the class is already committed. I thought it might be a good time to look ahead to next fall, or at least spring camp, to see how the Chippewas look at each position along the two-deep. The years in parenthesis are where the players stand next fall. Here is your entirely too early depth chart for 2014.
Quarterback: Cooper Rush (RS So), Cody Kater (RS Sr), Alex Niznak (RS Jr), Darrien Boone (RS Fr), Zach Oakley (RS), Alex Briones (RS)
I'm very interested to see if they give Kater a serious shot to win the job back in the spring and fall camp. He was the guy before he got hurt and Rush had his moments, but certainly didn't blow anybody away. The depth after Rush and Kater is a bit of a concern and is something to watch. Boone's status for next fall is up in the air and the rumors of a Niznak transfer continue to swirl. If both those guys leave, Oakley is likely the third quarterback. Not convinced Briones is a quarterback long-term, so the Chippewas may need to add another guy in this year's class.
Halfback: Saylor Lavallii (Jr), Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore (RS So), Anthony Garland (Sr), Martez Walker (RS So), Gary Jones (RS Fr), Derrick Nash (RS)
Losing Tipton hurts, but CMU played without him for much of 2013 and who knows, maybe they'll add a transfer
. But coming back with Lavallii, Garland and MSG is certainly not something to scoff at. Lavallii could be an All-MAC halfback and they should get solid production out of whoever is the No. 2 back.
Fullback: Christian Conley (RS So)
Conley was on the two-deep this year and there aren't any other fullbacks coming back. Conley is likely your starter. They will probably move somebody else into this position as a backup or add a walk-on.
Wide Receiver
WR - Titus Davis (Sr), Anthony Rice (RS So), Corey Willis (RS Fr)
WR - Courtney Williams (Sr), Mark Chapman (RS Fr), Eric Cooper (RS Fr)
WR - Andrew Flory (RS Jr), Jesse Kroll (RS Jr), Wesley Thomas (Fr)
Titus Davis coming back is huge. CMU will likely have the best receiver and receiving corps in the conference next fall. Davis a future NFL draft pick. Williams and Kroll are both big, physical receivers and Flory is a poor man's Titus Davis. Have to imagine the guys behind the top four will need reps next year, with Davis and Williams graduating. We've heard nothing but great things about Chapman and Willis. They may be the most likely to emerge, but it's wide open right now.
Tight end: Mike Kinville (RS Sr), Ben McCord (RS Jr), Deon Butler (RS Sr), Zach Crouch (RS Fr), Clay Walderzak (RS), Jonathan Carson (RS)
Losing Odykirk hurts, but there is still depth here. Unfortunately, CMU still hasn't been able to get consistent production from their tight ends since David Blackburn left. Deon Butler has some upside, but chances are your tight ends are what they are at this point: a group that helps a ton in the run game, but doesn't have any elite receiving threats.
Offensive Line
OT - Ramadan Ahmeti (RS Jr), Colin Goetz (RS So), Jack Ford (RS Fr), Shakir Carr (Fr)
G - Andy Phillips (RS Sr), Dylan Anderson (RS So), Alex Coty (RS Fr), Brandon Keen (RS)
C - Nick Beamish (RS Jr), Austin Doan (RS Fr), Joe Komel (RS)
G - Connor Collins (RS So), Kevin D'Arcy (RS So), JP Quinn (RS Fr), Alex Neering (RS)
OT - Kevin Henry (RS Sr), Kenny Rogers (RS Jr), Derek Edwards (RS Fr), Hunter Lassiter (RS)
CMU will return all five starting offensive linemen. That's never a bad thing. Beamish and Phillips are All-MAC level offensive linemen and if the other three starters develop, the Chippewas could have one of the best rushing offenses in the MAC. There's depth here too. Rogers, D'Arcy and Doan were all on the two-deep this year. Losing Olson hurt CMU a lot in 2013, but that loss could end up being a blessing for the 2014 squad, because it gave Ahmeti and Henry a ton of game experience. I'm taking educated guesses at what positions the freshmen will be at.
Defensive Line
DE - Blake Serpa (RS Jr), Joe Ostman (So), Mike Jorde (RS So), Don Kyre (RS Fr), Jeremiah Harris (RS)
NT - Leterrius Walton (RS Sr), Jabari Dean (So), Shafer Johnson (RS Jr), Jimmy McCarthy (RS)
DT - Kelby Latta (RS So), Matt Losiniecki (Sr), Ben Randle (RS Jr), Michael Steinhauer (RS Fr)
DE - Louis Palmer (Jr), Lance Sanders (RS So), Chris Kantzavelos (RS Fr), Nate Brisson-Fast (RS)
There is a lot of depth on the defensive line as well. Dean was the starter before he got hurt. Walton and Latta don't get to the quarterback much, but both are huge bodies in the middle and have a bunch of potential. Serpa played very well down the stretch of 2013 and may give CMU an All-MAC season in 2014. There's several other guys that have gotten a bunch of reps and shown flashes of potential: Palmer, Ostman, Losiniecki and Shafer Johnson. This unit could be very strong next season.
Linebackers
SAM LB - Cody Lopez (Sr), Tim Hamilton (RS Jr), Nathan Ricketts (RS So)
MIKE LB - Justin Cherocci (RS Sr), Joe Bacci (RS So), Malik Fountain (Fr)
Losing Benton hurts. There's really no way around that. His replacement will be Lopez, who was a starter as a freshman when CMU was still running the 4-3, but played the weakside, or Hamilton, who was Benton's backup this season. Having Cherocci back is a huge plus. He's a tackling machine and an All-MAC linebacker.
Secondary
CB - Jason Wilson (Sr), Stefon Armstead (RS Jr), Winslow Chapman (RS So),Tyree Waller (RS Fr)
CB - Brandon Greer (So), Dennis Nalor (Jr), Anthony Scarcelli (RS So) Josh Cox (RS Fr), Amari Coleman (RS)
SS - Kevin King (RS Sr), Jarret Chapman (Sr), Trent Grimes (RS), David Basirico (RS)
SS - Tony Annese (RS So), Kavon Frazier (Jr), Jeff Perry (RS Fr),
FS - Denzel Wimberly (RS Jr), Jordan Fields (RS So)
There's a lot of talent at strong safety. I feel like CMU is finally starting to see guys develop in those roles that are natural fits for the 4-2-5. Think we all knew it could take a couple years, but now they have King, Annese, Frazier and Chapman. I even think Perry is a guy that could be a good starter down the road. The issues here are replacing Avery Cunningham, a three-year starter at free safety, and getting more consistent production at cornerback. Wimberly was Cunningham's backup last year and Fields has a ton of talent. All of the top 5-6 cornerbacks have shown flashes of potential, but have also had their issues with things like covering receivers (somewhat important at their position). Even Josh Cox had coaches raving last August and it looked like he might get a spot on the depth chart. There's talent here and how this unit plays is likely the key to CMU's success (or lack thereof) on defense.
Special Teams
K - Ron Coluzzi (RS So), Matt Cotiguala (RS Fr)
P - Cooper Mojsiejenko (Fr), Ron Coluzzi (RS So)
KOS - Ron Coluzzi (RS So)
KR - Courtney Williams (Sr), Saylor Lavallii (Jr)
PR - Titus Davis (Sr), Saylor Lavallii (Jr)
LS - Mike Zenk (RS Jr), Nick Adams (Sr)
Coluzzi flashed some serious talent last fall and has an All-MAC caliber leg. The Chippewas have several talented returners as well. The interesting spot is punter, where CMU has to replace Hogan. Not sure if they let Coluzzi handle both kicking and punting duties or if they give the punters job to a true freshman in Cooper Mojsiejenko (henceforth known as Cooper M.).
This post was edited on 1/3 3:15 PM by SLivingstonII
Quarterback: Cooper Rush (RS So), Cody Kater (RS Sr), Alex Niznak (RS Jr), Darrien Boone (RS Fr), Zach Oakley (RS), Alex Briones (RS)
I'm very interested to see if they give Kater a serious shot to win the job back in the spring and fall camp. He was the guy before he got hurt and Rush had his moments, but certainly didn't blow anybody away. The depth after Rush and Kater is a bit of a concern and is something to watch. Boone's status for next fall is up in the air and the rumors of a Niznak transfer continue to swirl. If both those guys leave, Oakley is likely the third quarterback. Not convinced Briones is a quarterback long-term, so the Chippewas may need to add another guy in this year's class.
Halfback: Saylor Lavallii (Jr), Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore (RS So), Anthony Garland (Sr), Martez Walker (RS So), Gary Jones (RS Fr), Derrick Nash (RS)
Losing Tipton hurts, but CMU played without him for much of 2013 and who knows, maybe they'll add a transfer
. But coming back with Lavallii, Garland and MSG is certainly not something to scoff at. Lavallii could be an All-MAC halfback and they should get solid production out of whoever is the No. 2 back.Fullback: Christian Conley (RS So)
Conley was on the two-deep this year and there aren't any other fullbacks coming back. Conley is likely your starter. They will probably move somebody else into this position as a backup or add a walk-on.
Wide Receiver
WR - Titus Davis (Sr), Anthony Rice (RS So), Corey Willis (RS Fr)
WR - Courtney Williams (Sr), Mark Chapman (RS Fr), Eric Cooper (RS Fr)
WR - Andrew Flory (RS Jr), Jesse Kroll (RS Jr), Wesley Thomas (Fr)
Titus Davis coming back is huge. CMU will likely have the best receiver and receiving corps in the conference next fall. Davis a future NFL draft pick. Williams and Kroll are both big, physical receivers and Flory is a poor man's Titus Davis. Have to imagine the guys behind the top four will need reps next year, with Davis and Williams graduating. We've heard nothing but great things about Chapman and Willis. They may be the most likely to emerge, but it's wide open right now.
Tight end: Mike Kinville (RS Sr), Ben McCord (RS Jr), Deon Butler (RS Sr), Zach Crouch (RS Fr), Clay Walderzak (RS), Jonathan Carson (RS)
Losing Odykirk hurts, but there is still depth here. Unfortunately, CMU still hasn't been able to get consistent production from their tight ends since David Blackburn left. Deon Butler has some upside, but chances are your tight ends are what they are at this point: a group that helps a ton in the run game, but doesn't have any elite receiving threats.
Offensive Line
OT - Ramadan Ahmeti (RS Jr), Colin Goetz (RS So), Jack Ford (RS Fr), Shakir Carr (Fr)
G - Andy Phillips (RS Sr), Dylan Anderson (RS So), Alex Coty (RS Fr), Brandon Keen (RS)
C - Nick Beamish (RS Jr), Austin Doan (RS Fr), Joe Komel (RS)
G - Connor Collins (RS So), Kevin D'Arcy (RS So), JP Quinn (RS Fr), Alex Neering (RS)
OT - Kevin Henry (RS Sr), Kenny Rogers (RS Jr), Derek Edwards (RS Fr), Hunter Lassiter (RS)
CMU will return all five starting offensive linemen. That's never a bad thing. Beamish and Phillips are All-MAC level offensive linemen and if the other three starters develop, the Chippewas could have one of the best rushing offenses in the MAC. There's depth here too. Rogers, D'Arcy and Doan were all on the two-deep this year. Losing Olson hurt CMU a lot in 2013, but that loss could end up being a blessing for the 2014 squad, because it gave Ahmeti and Henry a ton of game experience. I'm taking educated guesses at what positions the freshmen will be at.
Defensive Line
DE - Blake Serpa (RS Jr), Joe Ostman (So), Mike Jorde (RS So), Don Kyre (RS Fr), Jeremiah Harris (RS)
NT - Leterrius Walton (RS Sr), Jabari Dean (So), Shafer Johnson (RS Jr), Jimmy McCarthy (RS)
DT - Kelby Latta (RS So), Matt Losiniecki (Sr), Ben Randle (RS Jr), Michael Steinhauer (RS Fr)
DE - Louis Palmer (Jr), Lance Sanders (RS So), Chris Kantzavelos (RS Fr), Nate Brisson-Fast (RS)
There is a lot of depth on the defensive line as well. Dean was the starter before he got hurt. Walton and Latta don't get to the quarterback much, but both are huge bodies in the middle and have a bunch of potential. Serpa played very well down the stretch of 2013 and may give CMU an All-MAC season in 2014. There's several other guys that have gotten a bunch of reps and shown flashes of potential: Palmer, Ostman, Losiniecki and Shafer Johnson. This unit could be very strong next season.
Linebackers
SAM LB - Cody Lopez (Sr), Tim Hamilton (RS Jr), Nathan Ricketts (RS So)
MIKE LB - Justin Cherocci (RS Sr), Joe Bacci (RS So), Malik Fountain (Fr)
Losing Benton hurts. There's really no way around that. His replacement will be Lopez, who was a starter as a freshman when CMU was still running the 4-3, but played the weakside, or Hamilton, who was Benton's backup this season. Having Cherocci back is a huge plus. He's a tackling machine and an All-MAC linebacker.
Secondary
CB - Jason Wilson (Sr), Stefon Armstead (RS Jr), Winslow Chapman (RS So),Tyree Waller (RS Fr)
CB - Brandon Greer (So), Dennis Nalor (Jr), Anthony Scarcelli (RS So) Josh Cox (RS Fr), Amari Coleman (RS)
SS - Kevin King (RS Sr), Jarret Chapman (Sr), Trent Grimes (RS), David Basirico (RS)
SS - Tony Annese (RS So), Kavon Frazier (Jr), Jeff Perry (RS Fr),
FS - Denzel Wimberly (RS Jr), Jordan Fields (RS So)
There's a lot of talent at strong safety. I feel like CMU is finally starting to see guys develop in those roles that are natural fits for the 4-2-5. Think we all knew it could take a couple years, but now they have King, Annese, Frazier and Chapman. I even think Perry is a guy that could be a good starter down the road. The issues here are replacing Avery Cunningham, a three-year starter at free safety, and getting more consistent production at cornerback. Wimberly was Cunningham's backup last year and Fields has a ton of talent. All of the top 5-6 cornerbacks have shown flashes of potential, but have also had their issues with things like covering receivers (somewhat important at their position). Even Josh Cox had coaches raving last August and it looked like he might get a spot on the depth chart. There's talent here and how this unit plays is likely the key to CMU's success (or lack thereof) on defense.
Special Teams
K - Ron Coluzzi (RS So), Matt Cotiguala (RS Fr)
P - Cooper Mojsiejenko (Fr), Ron Coluzzi (RS So)
KOS - Ron Coluzzi (RS So)
KR - Courtney Williams (Sr), Saylor Lavallii (Jr)
PR - Titus Davis (Sr), Saylor Lavallii (Jr)
LS - Mike Zenk (RS Jr), Nick Adams (Sr)
Coluzzi flashed some serious talent last fall and has an All-MAC caliber leg. The Chippewas have several talented returners as well. The interesting spot is punter, where CMU has to replace Hogan. Not sure if they let Coluzzi handle both kicking and punting duties or if they give the punters job to a true freshman in Cooper Mojsiejenko (henceforth known as Cooper M.).
This post was edited on 1/3 3:15 PM by SLivingstonII
