Gopher Football
Quarterback
What we know: Adam Weber is the starting QB. Coach Brewster has said nothing to the contrary. After an up and down first year as the starting QB, the staff likes the progression of the sophomore and it’ll take quite a regression this fall for him to lose his spot, assuming no injury. Weber broke several Gopher passing records last year but it could be his turnovers that end up being his downfall. If he can cut down on his interceptions, he has nothing to worry about in ’08.
What we don’t know: Who is the primary backup? Clint Brewster left the program so it appears to be down to Tony Mortensen, David Pittman, and MarQueis Gray. Mortensen is a senior with limited experience. He’s the odds on favorite for the primary backup spot if Weber is out for a limited amount of time. Pittman is the talented and highly productive JUCO QB who is undersized and might best be suited for a “œslash” role, splitting time at WR, RB, and QB. I think we’ll see him line up under center at times to give the opposing defense something else to think about. He’ll see plenty of playing time but I don’t envision him being the primary QB at any time this year. Gray is destined for a redshirt year but this talented true freshman may lose his redshirt if Weber gets knocked out early for an extended period of time. That may mean the future is now for Gray. Regardless, Gray will be in full competition at QB heading into the new stadium in ’09. He’s too talented not to be in that position once he learns the offense.
Running Back
What we know: Not much. Duane Bennett and Jay Thomas will see plenty of playing time in the backfield (assuming Thomas is healthy). Bennett seems like the favorite to start but he’s got a couple of talented RBs breathing down on him. Thomas may be the most talented RB of the bunch with some good game experience but coming off his second major knee injury, if he’s not 100% healthy, the picture becomes less clear.
What we don’t know: Bennett may end up being the starter on August 30th but how many carries can he expect? How will Thomas bounce back from his knee injury? Kevin Whaley, possibly the most talented RB in the ’08 class, is waiting in the wings but he also suffered from a leg injury from a shooting outside a nightclub this past spring. If healthy, he certainly will be in play for some carries. There’s not a true #1 RB heading into fall camp and a strong showing could put true freshmen Shady Salamon or DeLeon Eskridge into the mix as well. Also, don’t forget about RJ Buckner, the sophomore who saw plenty of playing time in the spring game because of injuries.
Wide Reciever:
What we know: Eric Decker is the emphatically the #1 WR. He’s possibly the most talented player on the team and the junior should continue to progress and make a name for himself nationally. Ralph Spry seems like a good bet to start as well. The sophomore had some positive moments last year and is the 2nd most experienced WR on the roster. The three true freshmen, Brandon Green, Brodrick Smith, and Xzavian Brandon, will be in the competition for the 3rd starting spot and the two runner-ups will most likely play due to depth and experience problems at this position.
What we don’t know: Who will be the 3rd WR to start in the spread offense? The three freshmen all bring something different to the table. Green is the most highly touted player of the three, with good hands and enough speed to get past defenses. He’s shorter than Brandon and Smith and is most like the other two projected starters but his talent may win out in the end. Smith is a physical WR who is a strong candidate to replace Ernie Wheelwright’s role in the red zone. The 6’3″ WR was also heavily recruited and has deceptive speed. Brandon is the least known quantity of the three but has a mixture of Green’s quickness and Smith’s size. He’s the least likely of the bunch to start but will still see some action. Some holdovers will also be in play for the starting spot and playing time. Damien White is a redshirt freshman who has good hands but is small in stature. Jimmy Thompson has the wheels to play the position but is inexperienced and appears to be behind others on the depth chart. Ben Kuznia is a walk-on junior who has put in his dues in the program and may be the next in a long line of walk-ons to earn valuable playing time. Also don’t forget David Pittman, he’ll be lined up in the slot at times. Johnny Johnson and Da’Jon McKnight (both listed at WR heading into camp) will get a look but the two true freshmen will probably redshirt as they’re making the transition to the position.
Tight End:
What we know: Jack Simmons is the obvious starter. He’s healthy and ready to go heading into camp. He has been working on his run blocking but his strength lies in his pass catching abilities. Weber should find the senior many times this year.
What we don’t know: Who is the primary backup? Nick Tow-Arnett saw some time at TE last year, making a couple of nice catches along the way. Collin McGarry saw a couple of snaps last year where he lost his redshirt but the coaching staff think he’s at least valuable enough for special teams and he has deceptive speed. The sleeper of the bunch may be Eric Lair. The true freshman has the most potential of the bunch but he may not be physically ready for TE. It wouldn’t surprise many people to see him lined out wide, similar to how Wisconsin uses Travis Beckum. The staff may deem it necessary for him to see playing time even if he’s not ready to line up next to the tackle. The smart money is on Tow-Arnett to backup Simmons with McGarry next in line and Lair looking more like a WR than a TE until he bulks up, assuming he doesn’t redshirt.
Offensive Line:
What we know: Very little. Dom Alford appears to be a lock to start on one of the tackle positions. DJ Burris also seems likely to start at either center or guard. That’s about it. We know who is competing for the starting spots and playing time. We just don’t know how it’s going to shake out outside of Alford and Burris. Even then, Burris is a soft lock.
What we don’t know: Instead of going through the strengths and weaknesses of each player at this position, I’m just going to list those competing (year and projected position): Jason Meinke (Jr ““ OT), Ned Tavale (Jr ““ OG), Ryan Ruckdashel (Jr ““ OG), Jeff Tow-Arnett (Jr ““ C), Matt Stommes (Jr ““ OT), Chris Mensen (Jr ““ OG), Alford(So ““ OT ***starter***), Burris(So ““ C/OG – ***likely starter***), Andy Brinkhaus(So ““ OT), Trey Davis(rFr ““ OG/C), Chris Bunders(rFr ““ OG/OT), Ryan Orton (rFr ““ OG/OT), and Ryan Wynn(rFr ““ OG)
That’s 13Â players, all of whom could conceivably start. It’s a jumbled mess at this point trying to figure out the pecking order. Some have an edge right now over others but it will be a fluid situation, even after the season starts. Former walk-on Meinke has had some positive press lately, as well as Wynn and Bunders. Ruckdashel may be regressing on the depth chart but that’s all rumor at this point. The answers at this position may not be known for a while. The line lacks ideal size but Brewster emphasizes mobility so the lack of monster 330Â lb linemen should not be a big concern given the blocking scheme.
Projected depth chart (remember that offensive line is an educated guess at best):
1st team:
QB: Adam Weber
RB: Duane Bennett
WR: Eric Decker
WR: Ralph Spry
WR: Brodrick Smith
TE: Jack Simmons
C: Jeff Tow-Arnett
OG: DJ Burris
OG: Trey Davis
OT: Dom Alford
OT: Jason Meinke
2nd team:
QB: Tony Mortensen
RB: Jay Thomas
WR: Brandon Green
WR: Xzavian Brandon
WR: Damien White
TE: Nick Tow-Arnett
C: Ryan Wynn
OG: Ned Tavale
OG: Ryan Ruckdashel
OT: Andy Brinkhaus
OT: Matt Stommes
Just missed being listed: David Pittman(QB/RB/WR), Kevin Whaley(RB), Ben Kuznia(WR), Eric Lair(TE), Chris Bunders(OL), and Ryan Orton(OL)
***Note: Only two players are projected on the offensive depth chart who will be seniors this fall: Jack Simmons and Tony Mortensen.
Miscellaneous Tidbits:
Offensive MVP: Eric Decker
Most Improved Player: Adam Weber
All -Big Ten team candidates: Decker, Jack Simmons, and Dom Alford
True Freshman of the Year: Brodrick Smith
Biggest Shoes to Fill: Jeff Tow-Arnett/DJ Burris (whoever starts at center) ““ Tony Brinkhaus
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