Here we go. It’s game week. Here’s Memphis’ first 2-deep depth chart of the year with a short analysis for each position.
Offense
Quarterback
Let’s not kid ourselves here. This one wasn’t up for debate. Barring injury, Seth Henigan was always going to be the starter. It is worth noting, however, that Tevin Carter got the backup nod after a shaky offseason.
Wide Receivers
Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee and Joseph Scates all got starting nods for game one. The only real battle here was Scates beating out Koby Drake for the slot position. Tauskie Dove and Marcello Bussey are listed behind Blankumsee and Taylor.
Running Backs
The battle for RB1 has been one of the main battles this year in camp. Unfortunately, we still don’t have any answers. The depth chart list Blake Watson, Sutton Smith and Jay Ducker all as RB1 for Saturday. So, that rules out Brandon Thomas and Ke’Travion Hargrove. Although, we already knew that. We will find out on Saturday!
Tight Ends
Anthony Landsphere has had this battle won since the spring. Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield has iterated multiple times he thinks Landsphere will be the next great tight end at the U of M. Likewise, Brendan Doyle gets the 2nd string honors.
Offensive Line
No surprises here folks. Makylan Pounders gets the starting job at left tackle again after getting injured in the first game last season.
Jonah Gambill and Davion Carter are your starting left and right guards.
Preseason All-Conference center Jacob Likes gets the nod there.
Right tackle is still up for grabs between Xavier Hill and Terrance McClain. Nevertheless, I have Hill winning that battle, but anything can happen.
Defensive Ends
I was a little bit surprised to see CorMontae Hamilton hasn’t locked this position up yet. However, I have been hearing great things all camp about William Whitlow Jr. I still expect Hamilton to get the start on Saturday.
Nose Tackle
Another position still up for grabs! True freshman Jarra Anderson and Keveion’ta Spears are battling for the job at nose tackle.
Defensive Tackles
Oklahoma transfer Josh Ellison has the first tackle position locked up. Additionally, Derrick Hunter Jr. and Hank Pearson will hash it out for the other DT spot.
BUCKs (Linebacker/Defensive End hybrid)
Jaylon Allen has this position locked down. That won’t change all year.
Linebackers
Chandler Martin, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku and Cincir Evans all win their respective jobs here. Furthermore, Bryce Edmonson, Donavan Mathena and Chatavies Johnson finish behind them.
STARs (Linebacker/ Defensive Back hybrid)
Davion Ross and An’Darius Coffey are still battling for this one.
Cornerbacks
Cornerback has come down to DeAgo Brumfield and Malik Feaster. In addition, the other side comes down to DJ Bell and Michigan State transfer Julian Barnett.
Safeties
Silverfield has told us all summer that Simeon Blair is the best player on this defense. Correspondingly, he gets the first nod. The other battle comes down to Greg Rubin and Cameron Smith.
Special Teams
Field Goal Kicker
Seth Morgan
Kickoff Specialist
Tristian Vandenburg
Punter
Reid Bauer
