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WIDE RECEIVER (X)
8 Sean Modster, RsSr.
1 Octavius Evans, So. -OR-
16 John Hightower, Jr.
WIDE RECEIVER (H)
6 CT Thomas, So.
81 Akilian Butler, RsJr.
WIDE RECEIVER (Z)
7 A.J. Richardson, RsSr.
2 Khalil Shakir, Fr.
LEFT TACKLE
75 Ezra Cleveland, RsSo.
69 Austin Dixon, RsSo.
LEFT GUARD
77 John Molchon, RsJr.
68 Jake Stetz, RsFr.
CENTER
67, Garrett Larson, RsJr.
71 Donte Harrington, RsSo.
RIGHT GUARD
79 Eric Quevedo, RsJr.
66 Isiah Moore, RsJr. -OR-
65 Zachary Troughton Sr.
RIGHT TACKLE
78 Andres Preciado, RsSr.
70 John Ojukwu, RsFr.
TIGHT END
86 Chase Blakley, RsSr.
85 John Bates, RsSo.
47 Matt Pistone, RsJr.
5 Garrett Collingham, RsJr.
Quarterback
4 Brett Rypien, Sr.
9 Jaylon Henderson, RsJr.
3 Riley Smith, Fr
RUNNING BACK
22 Alexander Mattison, Jr.
34 Robert Mahone, RsSo.
31 Skyler Seibold, RsSr.
21 Andrew Van Buren, Fr.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE END
91 Durrant Miles, Sr.
45 Kayode Rufai, RsSo.
NOSE TACKLE
98 Sonatane Lui, Jr.
57 Emmanuel Fesili, Jr.
90 Scale Ihegion, Fr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
93 Chase Hatada, Jr.
54 Matt Locher, RsJr.
Jabari Watson, RsSo.
STUD (STAND UP END)
8 Jabril Frazier, RsSr.
99 Curtis Weaver, RsSo.
53 Sam Whitney, RsJr.
WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER
44 Riley Whimpey, So.
7 Ezekiel Noah RsFr. -OR-
36 Blake Whitlock RsSr.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
58 Tyson Maeva, Jr.
25 Benton Wickersham, So.
56 Joseph Inda, RsSr.
STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER/NICKEL
28 Kekaula Kaniho, So.
9 Desmond Williams, RsSo.
41 Will Heffner, RsJr.
FIELD CORNERBACK
26 Avery Williams, RsSo.
15 Jalen Walker, RsSo.
FREE SAFETY
21 Tyreque Jones, RsFr.
32 Jordan Happle, RsSo.
BOUNDARY SAFETY
10 Kekoa Nawahine, Jr.
5 Evan Tyler, RsJr.
BOUNDARY CORNERBACK
14 Tyler Horton, Sr.
15 Jalen Walker, RsFr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER
96 Haden Hoggarth, RsSr. -OR-
46 Joel Velazquez, RsSo.
PUNTER
46 Joel Velazquez, RsSo. -OR- 49 Quinn Skillin RsJr.
SNAPPER
50 Nicholai Pittman, Jr. -OR-
52 Daniel Cantrell, RsFr.
HOLDER
49 Quinn Skillin RsSr.
KICKOFF
46 Joel Velazquez, RsSo.
KICK RETURNER
26 Avery Williams, RsSo. -OR-
16 John Hightower, Jr. -OR-
81 Akilian Butler, RsJr.
PUNT RETURNER
26 Avery Williams, RsFr. -OR-
2 Khalil Shakir, Fr.
Notable Notes
QB shuffle
Due to the deeply unfortunate news that Chase Cord has a torn ACL, he has been removed from the depth chart and replaced with true freshman, Riley Smith.
Slight change to special teams. Like...super slight.
There is a newly applied “or” between Khalil Shakir’s name and Avery Williams’, in regard to returning punts. Interestingly, John Hightower is not listed at all as a punt returner, but he has still been heavily utilized there.
Reno injuries
For those concerned about the injuries to Riley Whimpey and Sonatone Lui in the Reno game, for what it’s worth, they are still both listed as the starters at their respective positions and no clarity has come from coach Harsin as to the nature of their limitations. His typical M.O. is to not mention injuries unless they are determined to be season-ending. So without exact knowledge, we can at least virtually guarantee that we will see both of them on the field again this season. In the meantime, any vacuum left by Whimpey will be capably filled by Blake Whitlock (who has starting experience) and others. It would be hard to replace Lui’s proven ability to impact on a game, but both Emmanuel “Mannny” Feseli and Scale Igiehon have the requisite size to anchor the d-line from the nose position.
O-line questions
There had been widespread speculation as to whether a change on the right side of the offensive line was imminent, but in the Reno game the hand of the coaching staff was forced by another injury, in this case to right guard, Eric Quevedo. He was replaced in the lineup by highly touted JC transfer, Isiah Moore. Not long after Quevedo went out, Preciado was also called back to the sideline in favor of John Ojukwu. While this is purely speculation, it seems likely that since Quevedo had already left the game, the coaching staff decided it might be an ideal time to try out a different combination to see if it could galvanize some improvement. In terms of pass protection, it did seem to be at least a temporary upgrade, as Brett Rypien had requisite time to operate a nearly flawless 2nd half (that interception was entirely not his fault). The run game also seemed to be slightly improved, which was especially evident by controlling the ball for 13 minutes in the 4th quarter. We’ll see if those changes were an aberration or not in future contests, but for now Preciado and Quevedo are still both listed as the starters at their positions. Really the only thing we can say with any degree of surety is that Quevedo’s injury is unlikely to be season ending.
Your turn!
What do you see? Any other comments and observations?
Let us know in the comments, and...