Tommy Tuberville Reveals Cincinnati Bearcats’ Pre-Purdue Depth Chart

(Courtesy GoBearcats)

We’re just days away from Cincinnati’s first game of the 2013 season and the Bearcats’ depth chart is taking shape. When the initial two deep was released a few days before UC began their practice regiment, it was clear that there were going to be movers and shakers at a number of positions. In reality the depth chart is continuously evolving as a team grows throughout the year. That just goes to show how quickly things can change in football – some players get injured, some outperform others on a weekly basis, some simply gain favor of the coaches.

For whatever reason, the depth chart below looks far different in some spots from the one Tommy Tuberville posted four weeks ago. Make what you will of it but two deep the coaching staff rolls out this Saturday won’t look much different from this.

Like before, starters are listed first and the backups are italicized.

[OFFENSE]

• Quarterback: Brendon Kay -or- Munchie Legaux
• Runningback: Ralph David Abernathy, Hosey Williams
  
• Fullback: Jared Golden, Kyle Nutter
• Outside Receiver (X/Z): Alex Chisum, Max Morrison
• Outside Receiver (X/Z): Chris Moore, Jeremy Graves
  
• Slot Receiver (Y): Shaq Washington, Anthony McClung
• Tight End: Blake Annen, DJ Dowdy
• Right Offensive Tackle: Parker Ehinger, Justin Murray
• Right Offensive Guard: Sam Longo -or- Andre Cureton
• Center: Deyshawn Bond, Dominic Mainello
  
• Left Offensive Guard: Austen Bujnoch, Kevin Schloemer
• Left Offensive Tackle: Eric Lefeld -or- Corey Keebler

Analysis of Offensive Two-Deep

• The strength of the offensive line is in its depth and that statement is proven true with the updated two deep. After previously owning the starting job, Sam Longo and Eric Lefeld are battling for reps with Andre Cureton and Corey Keebler, respectively. However because of that depth, there really isn’t much of a gap talent-wise between the starters and backups. Players will likely rotate in and out of the offensive line to keep everyone fresh.
• On the injury front, center Dan Sprague is still on the mend and as such he isn’t listed anywhere on the depth chart. At this point it’s safe to assume that Deyshawn Bond will be the starter here against Purdue. Additionally, Anthony McClung has “lost” his starting role to Shaq Washington. I wouldn’t read to much into this. McClung is also nursing an injury and will probably split time with Shaq at the slot receiver position on Saturday.
• Brendon Kay and Munchie Legaux are still separated by the “-or-” statement at starting quarterback. Bennie Coney is gone. In all likelihood this means that whoever wins the job will be the starter and whoever loses it will be his backup. Tuberville is still playing shadow games with this position but I’d bet cash money Kay is leading the offense out against the Boilermakers.
• There’s been a shakeup at the runningback position. Ralph David Abernathy is still the starter but JUCO Hosey Williams has supplanted Tion Green as his backup. All three could very well see reps there this fall but it’s interesting that Williams has climbed the depth chart so quickly after having only been on campus for a short time.

[DEFENSE]

• Right Defensive End: Brad Harrah, Terrell Hartsfield
• Defensive Tackle: Mitch Meador, Brandon Mitchell
• Nose Guard: Jordan Stepp, Marques Aiken
  
• Left Defensive End: Silverberry Mouhon, Chad West
  
• Strongside Linebacker (SAM): Nick Temple, Corey Mason
• Middle Linebacker (MIKE): Greg Blair, Solomon Tentman
• Weakside Linebacker (WILL): Jeff Luc, Clemente Casseus
• Field Corner: Deven Drane, Leviticus Payne
  
• Nickelback: UNKNOWN
• Strong Safety: Adrian Witty, Andre Jones
• Free Safety: Arryn Chenault, Zach Edwards
  
• Boundary Corner: Trenier Orr, Howard Wilder

Analysis of Defensive Two-Deep

• Lots of moving and shaking on defense although this probably speaks more to how much rotation will occur here than anything.
• Firstly, Brad Harrah has emerged as a starting defensive end with Marshall transfer Marques Aiken and Chad West popping up as backups. I’m happy to see Aiken pop up on the depth chart. UC’s defensive line was mired by lack of size on the interior in 2012 and his presence (along with Mitchell’s 300+ lbs body) will certainly aid the run defense in 2013.
• Secondly, in the secondary Trenier Orr appears to have won the starting cornerback battle over Leviticus Payne. He will now backup Deven Drane. Additionally, Adrian Witty has won the starting strong safety job over Andre Jones, who is now on the second team. Witty had locked down the nickelback role but moving him to the more traditional SS spot makes sense. Dude might very well kill someone this year.
• The linebacking corps is the only unit that experienced stability. Temple, Blair, and Luc continue to form the starting three with Mason, Tentman, and Casseus their respective backups.

[SPECIAL TEAMS]

• Long Snapper: Kirk Willis, Kevin Hyland
• Holder: John Lloyd, Sam Geraci
• Place Kicker: Tony Miliano, Andrew Gantz
• Kickoff Specialist: UNKNOWN
• Punter: John Lloyd -or- Sam Geraci
• Kickoff Returner: Ralph David Abernathy IV, Shaq Washington
• Punt Returner: Shaq Washington, Anthony McClung

Analysis of Special Teams Two-Deep

• The kickoff specialist role is listed as an unknown because the Enquirer didn’t mention it. However I’d bet Tony Miliano is still getting the majority of the reps there.