The players have a week of practices under their belt since the rough draft depth chart was put together. When I first read it, I felt like there were a few spots where the staff had given someone with more experience preference going into spring until somebody beat them out. After a week I can already see a few changes happening.
Defensive line- Deonte Mack was listed as a starter at defensive end but it seems like Fred Jones and Darius Johnson have worked with the 1st group almost the whole week. Deonte has still practiced well but I think Fred Jones and Darius Johnson will end up being the starters.
Linebackers- Leon Beckum was listed as the starter at outside linebacker and although he is still practicing with the 1st team, I think it is only a matter of time before JUCO Jeff Thomas cracks the starting lineup. I understand that being a JUCO the spot will not be given to him right away and that he needs to come in and earn it, but after watching every practice he seems like one of the hardest hitters out of our linebacker group. It might take a little bit more time but I think when all said and done Jeff Thomas will get one of the outside linebacker spots.
Safety- Donnell Jones has moved from CB to strong safety and practicing with the starters. He will stay with the starters until Mitch Evans comes back. Chris Adkins is starting at free safety spot. If Donnell has a great spring that it wil be interesting to see how close the competition is between him and Mitch Evans when he is healthy enough to practice.
Corner- With Donnell moving to safety it may have opened up a spot at corner. I would assume that when Andre Kates is here in the summer he will take over one of the corner spots. There will be a lot of competition for the other spot. Richard Council and Adrian Burks have worked with the 1st unit this past week. Matt Ernest will definitely be in the mix as well. He has had what looks like a sore elbow and has been practicing in shorts. I think it is too early to predict who will come away with the starting spot but it should get interesting with all the competition.
Quarterback- Adam Follett came into the spring as the backup QB. As of late it looks like Ed Wright-Baker has spent more time with the 2nd unit. I think it will be a gradual process to see who ends up with the 2nd string. Otherwise the depth chart would change on a daily basis based on who had a good day and who didn't. When all said and done I think the top 3 QB's will be Ben Chappell, Ed Wright-Baker, and Dusty Kiel. It might not end up being exactly that way because both Wright-Baker and Kiel are redshirt freshman and you may want somebody who has more experience, but I think they are the best 3 QB's.
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If you have access to open and closed practice, I would think you would notice that Jones is competing for the S.S spot. As far as speed goes...you might want to ask who wins those drills in practice. And who's more physical shouldn't be a question. I love the fact that you devote so much energy into IU football(we need it),but facts are facts...
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for not distinguishing between the SS and FS competition. Sometimes I try and look at so many different people throughout the practices that sometimes I have a slip up. I think they are both good players but obviously Chris has the experience at safety. I will try to pay a bit more attention to detail but everyone makes mistakes. I read on another site that Mitch Evans made a great catch at WR during the practice in the Mellancamp. Obviously it was not true because he is limited in the spring and was moved to safety anyway. The writer quickly recognized the mistake and changed it. I apologise for the mistake and if you do attend any of the practices I would appreciate your input and knowledge of position to help me out.
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