A different look at position depth and grades: Offense
Posted on June 23, 2007
One of my weaknesses is I like to look at the roster from various perspectives to determine the quality at the position, the maturity or youth there and where the weaknesses are that should be addressed in the coming recruiting classes. This is similar to the prior two posts but more in-depth and would appreciate your comments. I will start with the offense first and then look at the defense another day.
Overall the youth on the offense is evident and the depth on the offensive line and running backs is tremendous. Questions at the quarterback and wide receiver positions need to be resolved, but both positions have talented players.
The number to the right of the position is the grade per CollegeFootballNews.com and the highlighted players are the Seniors.
OFFENSE
Left tackle 8
(70) Marshall Newhouse - 6-3, 317 So.
(79) Nic Richmond - 6-8, 298 So.
(50) Tyler Marrou - 6-5, 268, So.
Robert Clark 6-6, 265 Jr.
very young at LT but extremely talented. The Newhouse, Richmond and Marrou rotation will probably be the strongest of the OL positions. Great depth, quality and youth and no immediate recruiting needs.
Left guard 8
(64) Matty Lindner - 6-4, 298, Sr.
(60) Preston Phillips - 6-6, 293 Jr.
Josh Vernon 6-2, 295 Rfr.
Adam Lowery 6-2, 270 Sr.
Probably have a few heads shaking on what Vernon is doing here. Phiilips and Lindner comprise a very good and experienced rotation but the overall depth is lacking. Josh or another OL will need to be moved to provide depth and future quality. At least one recruit is needed here and hopefully 6-4/349 Devric Gallington or another big guard such as Jimmy Miller, Kestin Blevins or Trevius Jones comes trough .
Center 8
(75) Blake Schluetter - 6-3, 272, Jr.
(74) Tony Savino - 6-2, 277 Sr.
(76) Jake Kirkpatrick - 6-5, 268 RFR
(77) Spencer Thompson - 6-4, 270 Fr.
The depth & youth at center I think will allow the coaches to move Josh Vernon. A very athletic group and the future looks good with Spencer Thompson and Kirkpatrick running the OL.
Right guard 8
(63) Heath Raetz, 6-5, 297 Jr.
(65) Giles Montgomery - 6-5, 288 Jr.
Josh Karlin 6-4, 266 Jr.
Another good rotation at the top but health has been an issue. Lots of experience and no youth so the recruiting of guards soon is a must.
Right tackle 8
(71) Wade Sisk - 6-7, 271, Jr.
(61) Marcus Cannon - 6-5, 319 RFR
Jeff Olson 6-5, 285 Fr.
At first glance this looks to be a suspect area, but Cannon will be another good one for TCU and Olson keeps getting bigger and stronger daily. The needs for 2 OG is much more than the needs at the tackles.
Tight End 6
(86) Shae Reagan - 6-4, 261 Jr.
(89) Quinton Cunnigan - 6-3, 237 Sr.
(84) Evan Frosch - 6-4, 235 RFR
Logan Brock 6-4, 230 Fr.
Tom Stevens 6-6, 235 Sr.
What a great group of talented receivers. Both experience and youth here, but possibly some need for a blocking TE, possibly Justin Horton or J.D. Standley.
Fullback 7.5
(47) William Jackson - 6-0, 235 Sr.
(36) Chris Smith - 5-11, 231 So.
Cameron Cash 5-10, 205 So.
Chris Smith may rewrite how TCU handles the FB position in the future. Depth is good and quality is more than what is needed at this position.
Tailback 7.5
(23) Aaron Brown - 6-1, 196 Jr.
(24) Joseph Turner - 6-1, 226 So.
Jai Caveness 5-9, 175 Fr.
Justin Watts 5-10, 198 Jr..
Joseph Banyard 5-10, 195 Fr.
Makes you wonder as you look at this list why we are offering any RBs, but there may be some shifting here and because of the high risk position look for at least 1 in this next class. Romonte’ Hampton and LaMichael James are on top of the coaches lists. Brown and Turner will be a highly effective tandum along with Chris Smith and Watts will fill in when needed to allow the freshment to redshirt.
Quarterback 6.5
(11) Marcus Jackson6-1, 216 So.
(14) Andy Dalton - 6-3, 185 RFR
(12) Zach Eskridge - 6-3, 195 RFR
Here is the huge question mark for TCU. Jackson has more experience and is a little stronger while Dalton may be the more accurate passer, however there isn’t enough seperation between them. Little experience, lots of youth and unknown quality. TCU will need two QBs to provide depth and future security and have one commit from Yogi Gallegos.
Wide receiver (H) 6
(2) Donald Massey- 5-11, 172 Jr.
(3) Marcus Brock - 6-0, 182 Sr.
(22) Ryan Christian - 5-11, 188 So.
Jeremy Kerley 5-10, 185 Fr.
Kagen Elenberg 6-0, 165 Jr.
Massey can burn anyone and will probably lead the team in receptions but is inconsistent and Brock has had more than his share of injuries. This position may be great or may be one of the more frustrating for the coaches. Little experience after Massey and you may see a true freshman step it up before too long here. Questionable quality and depth, but huge potential. Look for at least one recruit here, preferrably Joe Adams or Isiah Sweeney.
Wide receiver (X) 6
(21) Ervin Dickerson - 6-1, 200 Sr.
(82) Clint Renfro - 6-0, 160 RFR
(20) Bart Johnson - 6-1, 190, RFR
Sir Demarco Bledsoe 6-3, 175 Fr.
Prince Bynum 6-3, 185 Jr.
Someone will need to step it up from this group. Will Renfro turn into the quality receiver we have been waiting anxiously to see? Johnson is solid and the freshmen have huge potential. Experince at the top and then a huge gap of unknowns so look for another WR recruit here with Lester Ward being the top target.
Wide receiver (Z) 6
(85) Walter Bryant - 6-4, 206 Jr.
(13) Derek Moore - 6-3, 177 Sr.
(88) Jimmy Young - 6-1, 200 RFR
Jonathan Jones 6-3, 197 Fr.
William Cage 6-4, 207 Jr.
Derek Moore has shown he can make the big catches when needed, but he & Bryant have been up and down. Jimmy Young may be the future star but needs a lot of work. Questionable depth and quality and another gap in experience. Another WR recruit will be needed and coaches hoping Marlon Smith fills this need.
Not a lot of needs on the offense with WR dominating the recruiting process so far. Steven Osborne from South Garland and Chris Roddy form Hobbs’ high school may be future targets depending upon what is heard from on the current offers. Still need two big offensive guards and another quarterback, but the Gallegos commit has to bring some relief to the coaches.
Comments
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Nice job. I’m thinking along the OL that Kirkpatrick and Thompson will both be to good to sit behind the other resulting in one of the two eventually moving to guard which will help the overall depth of the line. Your thoughts?
Something will need to be done at the guard and the players at tackle do not appear to be able to handle that position so yeah I have Vernon shifting, but you are right Kirkpatrick may be there along with him.
Of all the positions we need in this class I think this is number 1 even above the QBs.
Thanks, Feisty. Two questions: Where is tight end Trey Englert, and do you think Eric Herbel can break into the
QB competition?
Feisty, this is a thoughtful and honest analysis. My great concern, other than unproven QBs, continues to be WRs. If Renfro comes through this year as an occasional deep threat, or if another freshman explodes (Kerley, johnson, Jones?) I’ll be happier. I’m just not sold on any of the upperclassmen. Oh, a wild-hair thought: Looking at available DEs and TEs on squad, and FB situation for future beyond Smith, could Kris Gardner wind up there? He’s evidently tough, will be big enuff, and has some speed. Whaddya think?
Burner:
I was told injuries got the better part of Trey, but hopefully I am wrong. He wasn’t on the depth chart for the spring.
Herbert may make things interesting at QB. If nothing else he adds depth, and we shall see how well he competes. He’s a good find for the staff and he definitely put up the numbers in HS but I don’t expect to see him competing for a couple of years.
Oldscribe:
Thanks and Gardner may end up at one several spots, including FB or TE. In the long run I don’t see how they can move him away from the D however and expect to see him at LBer or DE. He will RS which will give him time to develop and coaches will have more time to assess their needs and how he fits.
Definitely agree with the concerns at WR. That could all change as you say if Renfro shows well or a Jimmy Young breaks-out.
Unless I am incorrect I believe Sisk will be a SR this year not a JR. Makes it more important to get another guy developing in the (2) deep at RT. Thanks for the info.
Jshine:
You may be correct, but thought he got an extra season (or is expected to) after losing 2004 to the ACL injury.
Do you think we’ll see Zach Eskridge play some of the Baylor game?
Matthew:
I hope we don’t see Zach. Even if in a blowout one way or another (highly unlikely) I think the coaches will stick to one & two. Only way I think he plays is if there are injuries.
Long-term I think Zach will be a good one however, he just needs a little more work than Jackson or Dalton at this time to be game ready.