Cincy on the Prowl
Fansided

Cincinnati Bearcats Football Releases Initial Depth Chart

By Chris Bains

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The Cincinnati Bearcats open training camp on August 10th and an initial depth chart has been released for the football team as we approach the 2014 season. Honestly, I’m not seeing a whole heck of a lot that’s groundbreaking below. Gunner Kiel is listed as the #1 quarterback, Shaq Washington, Mekale McKay, and Chris Moore form the starting wide receiver corps in 3-WR sets, and Jeff Luc has moved from outside linebacker to the MIKE. But there are still a few eyebrow raisers in the two deep that we’ll talk through in the bottom of the post.

As always, starters are listed first with backups in italics.

Offense

  • Quarterback: Gunner Kiel, Jarred Evans, Munchie Legaux
  • Runningback: Hosey Williams, Tion Green
  • X-Wide Receiver: Chris Moore, Jeremy Graves
  • Y-Wide Receiver: Shaq Washington, Ralph David Abernathy
  • Z-Wide Receiver: Mekale McKay, Alex Chisum
  • 4th Wide Receiver: Max Morrison, Nate Cole
  • Tight End: DJ Dowdy, Tyler Cogswell
  • Left Tackle: Eric Lefeld, Chad West
  • Left Guard: Kevin Schloemer, Ryan Leahy
  • Center: Deyshawn Bond, Dominic Mainello
  • Right Guard: Parker Ehinger, Kyle Williamson
  • Right Tackle: Cory Keebler, Justin Murray

Defense

  • Weakside Defensive End: Silverberry Mouhon, Jerrell Jordan
  • Defensive Tackle: Brandon Mitchell, Alex Pace
  • Defensive Tackle: Camaron Beard, Chris Burton
  • Strongside Defensive End: Terrell Hartsfield, Brad Harrah
  • Strongside Linebacker: Nick Temple, Clemente Casseus
  • Middle Linebacker: Jeff Luc, Solomon Tentman
  • Weakside Linebacker: Eric Wilson, Kevin Brown
  • Cornerback: Adrian Witty, Leviticus Payne
  • Strong Safety: Mike Tyson, Andre Jones
  • Free Safety: Zach Edwards, Darren Dosten
  • Cornerback: Howard Wilder, Grant Coleman

Special Teams

  • Place Kicker: Tony Miliano, Andrew Gantz
  • Punter: John Lloyd, Sam Geraci
  • Long Snapper: Kirk Willis
  • Place Holder: John Lloyd, Sam Geraci
  • Kickoff Returner: Shaq Washington, Ralph David Abernathy
  • Punt Returner: Shaq Washington, Ralph David Abernathy

Stray Observations

  • No fullback is listed on the two deep. We’re spreadin’ ’em out, y’all.
  • Northwestern transfer Eric Wilson has replaced Jeff Luc’s vacant outside linebacker pull. Hopefully his added speed and size will make the position group as a whole better than last season.
  • Ralph David Abernathy is currently listed at wide receiver behind Shaq Washington. I’m sure we’ll see him on the field much more than a standard backup WR, likely in the slot opposite Shaq.
  • Adrian Witty has moved from safety to cornerback. This was the most surprising aspect of the depth chart to me. But I suppose Cincinnati is trying to put their best four defensive backs on the field regardless of position, which is what they are doing here with Witty, Tyson, Edwards, and Wilder. It’s a smart strategy that should make the secondary stronger as a whole.
  • Tony Miliano is still listed ahead of Andrew Gantz at kicker. We’ll see how, if at all, that changes over the next several weeks.
  • Shaq Washington is ahead of Ralph David Abernathy at kickoff and punt returner. I’m curious about the former more than the latter but with Cincinnati’s dismal production here in the last couple of years, a change here is probably necessary.