Texas Depth Chart: What Stands Out?
The Texas depth chart for the game versus North Texas was released today. This is the first depth chart revealed by new head coach Charlie Strong. For the most part, nothing major jumps out at you. There are a few surprises, however. Let’s take a closer look at the positions in question.
H Receiver
Walk-on Ty Templin is listed as Jaxon Shipley’s backup, ahead of freshman Armanti Foreman. This is a little surprising considering how the Texas coaches talked up Foreman and Lorenzo Joe. Joe, by the way, is the backup to John Harris at the X receiver.
Templin is a second-year player, but it’s still odd to see a walk-on ahead of a scholarship player at a skill position. Regardless of how the depth chart looks today, Foreman and Joe will see the field this year.
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Left Tackle
Desmond Harrison‘s suspension means the left tackle job goes to Marcus Hutchins. Hutchins came to Texas as an offensive lineman, but moved to the defensive side of the ball last year. Now he slides back across the line and into a starting position with Harrison out. True freshman Elijah Rodriguez backs up Hutchins. Yikes.
Fullback
Dominic Cruciani gets the nod over letterman Alex De La Torre. Cruciani is a walk-on, while De La Torre was the starting fullback in 2013. We are yet to see how Strong plans to use the fullback. Neither is expected to get many, if any, carries this season. This may be a case of one guy simply out-working another. It also proves that no one’s job is safe with this coaching staff.
Kicking
Nick Rose is listed ahead of Nick Jordan. Jordan is the only kicker on the roster to have tried a field goal for Texas. Rose has the stronger leg, as evident by him handling the kickoff duties the last two seasons. These two may continue to split the duties, with Jordan on the field for close-to-intermediate kicks while Rose handles the kickoffs and long-distance field goal attempts.
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Strong Safety
This position may be the most surprising. With Josh Turner suspended indefinitely, Jason Hall and Dylan Haines stepped to the forefront and made the most of their opportunities during fall practice. Hall really impressed the coaches, and may have been rewarded with playing time even if Turner was eligible to play. Free safety Mykkele Thompson is also listed as a nickel back, meaning that if Texas needs to play three corners, Hall could see time at safety.
Haines gained recognition in the spring game. The walk-on had an interception against the first-team offense. He held his own in practice, and should get a chance to do what few non-scholarship players get to do – play on Saturdays for a major college football program.
All in all, there aren’t too many surprises on the depth chart. One thing is for sure, a lot players will get on the field for Texas. And that could shake up the depth chart for the BYU game.