Kansas Jayhawks Football

I came across an article the other day that mentioned the Big 10 Network, according to IRS tax filings, paid the Big 10 conf and its members $72 million dollars last year. That works out to about $6.5 million to each of the 11 member institutions currently in the Big 10. That is on top of the Big 10's very lucrative ABC/ESPN deal.  

Those numbers are the reason the PAC 10, ACC, and Big 12 have all started looking into forming their own conference networks. And that is with good reason. Any conference would be crazy not to explore any option to possibly add an additional $3-6 million per school per year.

In this revenue driven world of college athletics, and specifically college football, schools and conferences are searching out any and all possible options to increase their revenue. The ability to launch their own conference networks, or maybe even their own school networks, seems to be the new frontier in revenue generation within college athletics.

So that got me to thinking, how much does it cost to start up a conference network, or a school network? I have thus far been unable to find an exact dollar amount. I do however know it cost the Big 10 Conference approximately $69 million last year alone.

When the Big 10 decided to start their own network, rather than try to do it alone because of the cost prohibitive nature of forming your own network, they partnered with NewsCorp(Fox Sports) to form the Big 10 network. As part of the deal, the Big 10 received 51% ownership while NewsCorp received the other 49%.

I know some of you at this point are wondering what this has to do with the Big 12 and why they should be so interested in BYU. Don't worry I'm getting to that. And trust me it will be worth your patience.

BYU recently completed the most state of the art broadcast house west of the Mississippi River. BYU's broadcast house has the ability to broadcast 4 channels all at one time and all in HD. BYU currently operates only 2 channels.

For those still wondering what that has to do with the Big 12, well here it is. Last year alone the Big 10 Network made a little over $69 million in revenue for NewsCorp, their network partner. But what if the Big 10 didn't have a partner at all?

Should the Big 12 wish to launch their own network, now they have 2 options. Option 1, follow the Big 10 model and partner with NewsCorp or some other media corporation, and give up approximately 50% ownership of their new network. Or they can choose Option #2.

Option 2, invite BYU to join the Big 12. As part of BYU joining the Big 12, the Big 12 signs an agreement with BYU to use a portion of the new BYU Broadcast House to launch a new Big 12 Network. This option would give the Big 12 100% ownership of their new network.

So let's say a new Big 12 Network is not worth as much as the Big 10 Network. Last year alone the Big 10 Network made approximately $141 million. To be on the conservative side, let's say a new Big 12 Network is only worth $80-120 million. So what could the addition of BYU mean to the Big 12?

If the Big 12 chose Option #2, inviting BYU could bring in an additional $40-60 million in revenue to the Big 12 conference just through the formation of a new Big 12 Network. That doesn't inlcude what they might add to a new TV deal with ABC/ESPN. 

BYU, with their national following through their affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, should be at the top the Big 12's list should the Big 12 invite 2 new schools to replace Nebraska and Colorado anyway.  But with the new BYU Broadcast House and the potential that could create for the Big 12 through a new Big 12 Network, the Big 12 and Dan Beebe would be crazy not to be rolling out the red carpet for BYU.

If the Big 12 is not already planning to invite BYU, they probably should get on that right away.  

I think the first thing that comes to mind when I hear some of the things people are saying about Kansas' verbal offensive line commitments for 2011 is "inside-out."

That's how I like to see football played, and that's how I like to see teams built, so props to Head Coach Turner Gill.

Offensive lines can't win games themselves, but I think most people will agree that good offensive lines are what bring a team consistency and allow the surrounding skill players to grow.

I'm not about to crown Bryan Peters, Travis Bodenstein, Luke Luhrsen, Damon Martin and JuCo transfer Nick Johnson as the second coming of the 70's Steelers or even of the '07 Jayhawks.

I'm just saying I really appreciate how Gill is trying to get his team off and running, literally.

Speaking of running, I like the type of linemen Gill has roped in.  Six-foot-threes, fours, and fives all followed by 290s and 300s in the weight category for guys just going into their senior year of high school are numbers that make me smile.

Those are the types of guys I want getting a good push in front of Toben Opurum and company.  No offense to KU's current front, but maxing out at 6' 2" and a stocky 290 lbs seems like more of a spread offense, back-peddler type rather than a powerful run blocker.

One thing I look for Gill to emphasize in the near future is the other line, as well.  Nothing makes a second or third level defender's job easier than a big, fast offensive line that can plug holes as well as rush the passer.

Personally, I prefer the run-stuffing type of line.  Unlike KU's lines of recent years that incessantly overran plays and stranded linebackers, guys that can plug holes allow for more creative usage of linebackers, including blitzing on passing downs.

It's too bad Jamaal Greene couldn't stay out of trouble.  I think his improvement would've made him the perfect, experienced anchor for a defensive line in need of a leader.

No, I don't think Kansas head coach Turner Gill is in trouble. 

In fact, I think that he is already solidifying himself, with attitude alone, as a pleasant fixture at the school.

However, athletic director Lew Perkins pending retirement may not bode particularly well for Gill. 

Now, stay open minded, and let's look at a possible situation that Gill hopes he never faces.

Perkins will retire after the coming school year, which will also be Gill's first in Lawrence.

Let's say Gill has an average first season due to transition difficulties, perhaps a 4-8 or 5-7 season being a very realistic possibility (there are a lot of relatively winnable games on the schedule).

Leaving the team after this season will be Jacob Branstetter (K), Alonso Rojas (P), Phillip Strozier (S), Olaitan Oguntodu (S), Chris Harris (CB), Calvin Rubles (CB), Justin Springer (LB), Drew Dudley (LB), Quintin Woods (DE), Jake Laptad (DE), Angus Quigley (RB), Jonathan Wilson (WR), Sal Capra (OL) and Brad Thorson (OL).

This is not the entire group of seniors, but those mentioned are expected to be a quality contributors in 2010.  At this point in time, the senior class of 2011 looks, at best, far less experienced.

So, in 2011, Gill will probably have to work with a very young team and will be trying to come to terms with a new athletic director. 

I have so much faith in Gill's people skills that I don't worry at all about him getting along with any new athletic director. However, athletic directors tend to like having their own guys, right?

Gill will get least one season. But it could be a lousy one. 

With Nebraska defecting before the 2011 season if I'm not mistaken (correct me please if I am), the North-South borders could go out the window.

That would make the 2011 schedule a lot tougher. If Gill has one average season, then one relatively worse one under a new athletic director, could he be in a bit of jeopardy?

I doubt that this scenario would work out in such a fashion, but I certainly hope that Gill hasn't stepped into a potentially bad situation.

KU must certainly feel it is on an island as the Big 10, PAC 10 and SEC gather for the feast.  Kansas is not on the menu.  Sure they are one of the greatest basketball powers in the history of college sports, but basketball doesn't keep a conference floating on cash.  TV revenue is the ticket, and it's all about football.

Just guessing with them, keeping the Big 12 together is choice ONE.  I don't think we have any doubt about that.  But as it becomes less and less likely, I believe their best interest lies in the SEC breaking up the PAC 10 power grab.  If the SEC manages to cherry-pick the Big 12 South, there would still be the makings of a great basketball conference with the schools left afloat.  If the SEC gets the big boys of the south I gotta think the PAC 10 will look elsewhere for expansion - BYU, Utah, Air Force, etc.  Texas Tech would be a possibility for the PAC 10, but that leaves Baylor and OK State in the south.

There are so many ways this thing could go that it makes the head spin, but the heads at KU have to be spinning at warp speed.  It's a shame, but the big conferences don't seem interested in them.  There's no TV market to speak of, and other schools can't expect sell out crowds when the KU football team comes to town.

It's all about the money, and there just isn't enough cash involved to get cozy with KU.  I have driven through Kansas many times, east to west and north to south.  I love that place.  When you pass K-State, you have to be impressed by the beautiful sign.  Golden fields of grain everywhere, and a peaceful feeling in all those small western towns: what's not to like?  I regret them having to face the situation they are in, but I'm a believer.  They will survive.  We are about to see just how far a school can go on basketball money, dragging their little brother behind.  They might even be able to save Missouri as well.

ESPN has reported that the Mountain West Conference has been eyeing Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri as the Big 12 continues to crumble.

Colorado has recently left the Big 12 for the Pac-10. With Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State likely following suite as early as next Tuesday. Nebraska has also left the Big 12 for the Big Ten. Texas A&M is reportedly interested in the SEC.

The Mountain West, who just picked up Boise State on Friday to make a 10-team conference, is looking to build a powerhouse conference among all of the conference realignment shaking the college football world.

Mountain West Conference commissioner released a statement to the press Friday saying "The Mountain West wants to be a national player and continue to grow in the realm" and "we are extremely interested in BCS automatic qualification."

This very well could solve their predicament, especially with the addition of Boise State on Friday.

The conference, all ready filled with powerful football programs like TCU, Utah, BYU, and now Boise State in 2011, will produce a lot of attention for the conference. Boise State will be playing TCU, BYU, and Utah every year creating a more distinct relationship to quality teams within the conference.

TCU and Boise State, who dueled it out in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl, will be one of the most anticipated match-ups year in and year out, within the conference that is.

Although Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas State are not necessarily national contenders, gaining more overall teams will likely help in their search for the automatic bid.

If all of these reports were to pan out, who would be left in the Big 12?

Iowa State and Baylor.

An option for Iowa State is the Western Athletic Conference, while Baylor is still fighting to stay or follow fellow Big 12 members. The Pac-10 is not interested in Baylor, and news broke Friday that the Mountain West is not interested as well, citing that TCU is standing in their way.

This most likely will be the end for the Big 12 Conference as we know it, namely if the three Texas schools mentioned earlier head out to the Pac-10 (or whatever it is now).

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self expressed his thoughts on the move or stay-put option to the Kansas City Star saying that, "No matter what, I am 100 percent confident we're going to land. And we may land in a group that gives us more exposure than we ever could have before."

Although the Kansas coach is still holding optimistic to the Big 12 staying together or rebuilding the conference, his statement seems all too obvious that a move is imminent to the Mountain West.

The Big 12 is on the ropes right now as it fights for its conference life. “If Nebraska leaves, this conference is dead,” said an anonymous high-ranking Big 12 executive. There are reports all over the news confirming this, with talks of half the conference jumping ship to the Pac 10.

The remaining teams in the Big 12 need to act quickly if they have any hope at salvaging the battered conference. Rumors already swirl of talks including BYU and Air Force, but it will take more than that to keep the conference together.

The Big 12 has options for teams to add, but the respect of the conference will take a hit with Oklahoma and Texas heading west to the Pac 10. Even if the conference adds some new members, it still might not be enough to compete with the images and revenues of the “super-conferences”.

For several season, the non-BCS teams have said they want a legitimate shot at the BCS title. With all the expansion going on, they should get their chance. Well, that is if the Big 12 stays together. Many of these BCS busters are a perfect fit regionally to be absorbed right into the Big 12, potentially saving the conference.

The Big 12’s likely remaining members are Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Baylor, and possibly Missouri. If Missouri leaves, that will be eight teams the conference is down. Could the conference add eight teams? Yes, but they probably won’t.

Here is a look at the possible candidates for a conference desperate to stay afloat.

TCU: The Horned Frogs are in Ft. Worth, right next to Dallas. This was right in the middle of former Big 12 country and will be a large market, something the conference desperately needs. TCU has been dominant in the MWC over the past few seasons and can become an instant contender in the conference.

BYU: The Cougars are very similar to TCU as far as talent level for football. They would be a very good add, and in fact have already been asked if they would be interested in joining the conference. They don’t bring much of a market for additional revenues, but will help maintain the respect of the conference.

Utah: The Utes already have shown some worth on the big stage of the BCS when they knocked off Alabama. They could be part of the four-team sweep as the Big 12 raids the Mountain West.

Boise State: The Broncos have almost become a staple in the BCS over these past five seasons. They bring a lot to the table in football, but not in much else. They are improving their academics but still have some work to do. The Big 12 needs the publicity and Boise State would provide that, making this a possible option.

Air Force: This is the second team the Big 12 is looking at officially adding. Regionally it makes sense and the Falcons bring some very respectable academic standards with them. They have been very competitive athletically and would be a decent addition to begin rebuilding the conference’s respectability.

Houston: The Cougars would jump at the chance to join the Big 12 and they would bring the Houston market with them. This would help solidify the state of Texas, along with adding TCU, and help keep the conference relevant as far as media exposure goes. Houston has been very good in Conference USA and could compete in the new Big 12, but not with the same success it’s recently had.

Notre Dame: If the Irish want to be stubborn with the Big Ten they will be left out in the cold as far as joining a conference. The Big 12 may be the only option at that point if the ACC/Big East declines them as well. The Irish bring academics, revenue, and tradition to the table. Would this be a likely addition? Probably not. But it should not be overlooked.

Cincinnati: The Bearcats may not be an automatic addition into the new ACC/Big East merger. They have good academics and a decent athletic program, but the football stadium is small and Ohio State still controls most of the state of Ohio’s revenue. Adding Cincinnati would expand the existing footprint of the struggling conference, increasing its exposure.

If the Big 12 is going to survive with its new members, conference revenue and exposure are going to be huge factors. Adding cities like Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and possibly Cincinnati would be a necessity for the conference's livelihood.

The Big 12 currently has many of its games covered on ESPN and the Versus network, but with the conference splitting in half, it is very likely that Versus would cover mostly Pac 10 games. This is something Versus regularly does anyways, and with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, that coverage would be largely focused on the Pac 10.

Bringing in a TV deal for the conference with either ESPN, Versus, or starting a Big 12 Network would be another conference necessity. The “super-conferences” will have a leg up on TV coverage, but the conference will have to at least attempt to get a contract to keep up if it has a chance at surviving.

The remaining Big 12 teams will have their work cut out in order to survive the exodus of half of the original conference’s teams. The problem is three-fold in that it needs to add multiple teams, increase the conference footprint in doing so, and increase media exposure. All three problems will have challenges, and all the problems will have to be conquered if the conference has a chance to survive.

There is a conference expansion holiday coming for a select few lucky schools.

Those schools - mainly due to residing in a large television market - will open their presents one morning and find “Delaney Claus” or “Santa Slive” has left them millions of dollars under their tree.

As with every holiday fete, however, there is always the problem of what to do with those darn leftovers. Once expansion ends, unfortunately several highly successful programs are at risk of having lumps of coal left in their stockings.

No one knows for sure what will happen, or who might be left out when all the shifting stops. In 20 minutes or 20 weeks that could all change, but right now none of us know for certain what will take place.

As for myself and what I think will happen, I do not claim to be a psychic, and as I have been told by many, and many times by my faithful readers, I probably don’t know my behind from a hole in the ground.

And you are correct...probably. In no way are my opinions as valuable as Larry the Pool Cleaner in Hackensack or Billy Bob the Rodeo Clown in Austin. I am just a hack who, in no way, can possibly fathom the bigger picture the way Terry the Used Car Salesman in Columbus can.

What I do have is an opinion and an imagination. And since we started this whole piece talking about holidays and leftovers, then we might as well add in a few fairy tales to complete the picture.

Now to appease all our little leprechaun friends, I will allow them to remain independent and not join Jim Delaney’s Big Ten. I have that kind of authority. Ask anyone.

As for the Big Ten and the teams they might grab, let us just go ahead and drive a stake through the heart of the Big East and give Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers to the Big Ten. Oh, and let’s start the tremors around the Big 12 as well, by giving Nebraska and Missouri to the Big Ten too. I am generous that way.

The Pac-10 doesn’t need to expand by extreme numbers because they already monopolize the western portion of the United States as far as the BCS goes, but they do want a conference championship. If their whining to the NCAA to allow them to stage a conference championship without growing to 12 teams goes unheard, then they will add Colorado and Utah and take their ball and go home.

As the old expression goes, you have to let the big dogs eat, and Mike Slive’s SEC hound dogs will take a big bite out of the Big 12 by grabbing the likes of Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.

Not to be outdone (well, again anyway) smiling Jim Swofford decides he wants to play Delaney Claus too, but politics jumble his white Christmas just a bit. They are fortunate enough to grab a stud addition to their basketball ranks in Connecticut, and South Florida helps them in football.

But the politics begin to come into play at this point, and the delegates in North Carolina force the hand of their in-state schools and make them include East Carolina for this expansion go-round. Remember, this is a holiday fairy tale, so do not get your shorts in a wad. Virginia politicians forced the ACC’s hand in allowing Virginia Tech admission during the last expansion holiday season, so do not think crazy things will not happen this time.

To finish off their expansion plans, the conference that gave Donna Shalala a voice in college athletics decides to keep an all-East Coast presence by adding Central Florida to their line-up as team number 16. That way, every school in the conference resides in a state that can boast of beach front property.

So now that all the good little girls and boys have been rewarded for their efforts, what will happen to the schools that fell onto Santa Slive’s or Delaney Claus’s naughty lists? What becomes of the teams from conference’s that had members leave to become part of ACC, Big Ten, Pac-10, or SEC early shopping lists?

Well, that is what we are really here to talk about. Nothing I have said so far is exactly new in concept, and if you need a reminder, see my previous statement about the hole-in-the-ground.

Having said that, several quality schools with very good athletic programs will possibly be left on the roadside as the one-horse open sleigh glides passed them en route to a television contract negotiation meeting.

So what are those schools to do?

How about forming a conference of leftovers? A 16-team super conference of leftovers that stretches across most of the country, and that is divided up into four regions each featuring four teams in mini-divisions.

Now is that in any way the best idea around? No (again, see hole-in-the-ground). But for pure survival aspects, it may be an option to consider. As for the four divisions in the new 16-team leftover conglomeration, they are split up as follows:

Division A: Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, SMU.

Division B: Boise State, BYU, Colorado State and Texas Tech.

Division C: Louisville, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Memphis.

Division D: Baylor, TCU, Houston, Southern Miss.

Schools in different divisions that are in closer proximity to one another would be given scheduling priority with each other.

Football would be very solid with Boise State, BYU, Texas Tech, WVU, Cincinnati, and TCU representing as typically strong programs year-in and year-out, with other schools like Kansas, Kansas State, Southern Miss, Louisville, and Houston capable of putting in dominating performances in any given year. Those are a lot of potential bowl bids come holiday bowl season.

As for basketball, you are looking at a league that is capable of getting at least six NCAA bids on an annual basis with the likes of Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Memphis, West Virginia, Baylor, BYU, and Cincinnati.

Is this conference worthy of its own network? Who can say for sure, but I do know that the Mountain West Conference’s network, “The Mountain,” would be in dire straits if all those schools left the MWC for greener pastures, so a re-branding of “The Mountain” might be in order, as it could become this new conference’s flagship station.

With the huge footprint the conference would provide, the re-branded network could negotiate its way into newer markets in areas that they never had a prayer of being a part of before across a larger section of the United States. That might even give “The Mountain” network executives visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.

So do not fret, and do not be dismayed if your school is left out in the cold. Much smarter people than myself are in charge and on top of the situation. See the aforementioned com…ah, you get the idea. Conference expansion may seem like a scary time are first, but everything will work out in the end.

And now that my holiday fairy tale is spent, I wish you all a merry conference expansion season and a happy new lucrative television contract over several years.

I really enjoyed doing that little scouting prospectus on Jamaal Greene a few days back, and decided I'd give it another try.

This time, however, I'd like to look at one guy who will owe Turner Gill (and defensive coordinator Carl Torbush) a lot of credit if he manages to cash in during next summer's NFL draft, and one guy who may have Gill to thank if he falls off the radar entirely.

Let's do the latter of those first, both because Jonathan Wilson deserves the best explanation I can offer, and because I'd like to end on a positive note.

Here goes...

Jonathan Wilson, Sr. (6' 3", 189 pounds)

Now, I know for a fact Wilson is a great guy, and he has the team's interests at heart far more than his own.  This type of thinking probably hasn't even crossed his mind.

Still, in my first thoughts on a post spring game depth chart, I don't even have the super-experienced senior wide-out penciled in as a starter.  Never mind making it in the NFL draft.

Let's face it, though.  Wilson is the perfect receiver for a spread offense.  He is bigger, stronger, more athletic, and a better blocker than your average receiver with average hands in a crowd but with a large catch-radius. 

Behind Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe, Wilson could break off his ho-hum route when needed and made probably 75 percent of his catches coming back to the ball. 

This year, in a more-standard offense, the ball will get out from under center and out of the quarterback's hands a lot quicker.  Great short, medium, and play-action route-running will become a must.

I think Wilson struggles because I don't think he's quick or sharp enough for good short routes, fast enough for deep ones, and I don't think he has the burst to separate from a quick defender or the hands to reel in an earlier, sharper pass with a defender right on his tail.

Sure, he doesn't have Briscoe-baggage, but he doesn't have Briscoe athleticism, Briscoe playmaking ability, or even Briscoe speed.  His hands may be steadier than Briscoe's, but they certainly aren't as strong for ripping a ball from a crowd.

On the other hand, I hope Wilson reads this, gets pissed, surprises the hell out of me, has a great season, and sneaks onto the end of the draft board. 

He deserves it.  Wilson's a good, smart kid who will always have a special spot in my mental photo album of great KU football memories.

Quintin Woods, Sr. (6' 5", 236 pounds)

I can't do an article about how some over-achievement from the perennially underachieving Jamal Greene could land him in the draft without mentioning Quintin Woods soon after.

I've always been skeptical of JuCo transfers and their success on the Division-I level.  Quintin Woods isn't helping my perception.

If he's anywhere close to as athletic as Rivals had him listed (a 4.6 40 from a guy that size—that's NFL athleticism right there), he should be an absolute beast off the edge in the pass-happy Big 12.

However, Woods, for what it's worth, looked pretty good in the spring football game.  Actually, he and Jamal Greene had more individual impact than the two ever combined to create in a single game last season.

In 2010, a big season from Woods could mean one more shot at bigger and better football leagues beyond the college ranks. 

If Division-II third-team All-American Eugene Sims can sneak into the sixth round of the 2010 draft (not that I think he shouldn't have been drafted there, but just as a comparison tool), I don't see why Woods couldn't work himself into a late-round/free agent position with a good season and impressive workouts.

Perhaps, with the combination of the fierce, wizened nature of Carl Torbush, the steadying hand of Jake Laptad, and the competitive energy of young guns like John Williams and Kevin Young behind athletic underachievers like Greene and Woods, this will be the year Kansas' front four really comes together.

There probably needs to be an actual fourth man involved in that, though.  My bet right now is on Richard Johnson, who brings a lot of experience and decent size to the table, or John Williams, who is as athletic and brick-built as sub-300 pound defensive tackles come.

Now that we've seen the 2010 Kansas Spring Game let's take a fun first stab at somewhat of a depth chart.

Keep in mind that we've seen little of what Turner Gill actually plans to do and even less of certain pivotal players due to injury. 

Also, I won't be including incoming freshmen on this list, because I haven't seen them on the college gridiron at all.

Here goes...

Weakside Defensive End: Quintin Woods, Jake Laptad, Tyrone Sellers

Strongside Defensive End: Jake Laptad, Kevin Young, Travis Stephens

Woods needs to step up, and Sellers needs to beef up.  He looked like a wide receiver next to Jamal Greene.

Nose Tackle: Jamal Greene, John Williams, Darius Parish

Defensive Tackle: Richard Johnson Jr., Patrick Dorsey, Randall Dent

Gill has a variety of unique skill set combinations he could try up front.  I hope Parish proves he deserves to be back on the defensive line.

Weakside Linebacker: Huldon Tharp, Josh Richardson, Dakota Lewis

Inside Linebacker: Justin Springer, Drew Dudley

Strongside Linebacker: Steven Johnson, Jacoby Thomas

Not much depth here.  Perhaps Dakota Lewis will get a chance to contribute, or Olaitan Oguntodu as a situational, hybrid guy.

I love what I'm seeing out of Johnson and Springer.  Sorry, Dudley, but the LB crew just looks faster this way.

Right Cornerback: Chris Harris, Isaiah Barfield, Anthony Davis, Corrigan Powell

Left Cornerback: Calvin Rubles, Tyler Patmon, Greg Brown

There is a lot of depth here, but I don't really sense a heirarchy at this point.  They all strike me as at about the same position.

Rubles has the best tools and had that great pick in the spring game.  Neither he nor Barfield has really re-earned my trust, though.

Free Safety: Prinz Kande, Dexter Linton

Strong Safety: Lubbock Smith, Phillip Strozier

Nickelback: Ryan Murphy, Olaitan Oguntodu

Two different kinds of nickel safeties here for two types of situations.  I like the versatility and athleticism in this group.

Right Tackle: Jeff Spikes, Michael Martinovich, Duane Zlatnik

Left Tackle: Tanner Hawkinson, Riley Spencer, Duane Zlatnik

I like Spikes' strength over Thorson's smarts for the new offense.  Hopefully he actually steps up.

Speaking of size, Duane Zlatnik has a week's worth, but also has decent feet from his defensive/tight end high school days.  I hope he works out.

Right Guard: Trevor Marrongelli, Brad Thorson, Carl Wilson

Left Guard: Sal Capra, Brad Thorson, Carl Wilson

Center: Jeremiah Hatch, Brad Thorson

Tom Mabry, Gavin Howard, and Joe Semple are guys that I just have no idea where to place.  I haven't seen enough of any of them.

Tight End: Tim Biere, A.J. Steward, Ted McNulty, Bradley Dedeaux

Fullback: Steve Foster, *Toben Opurum *

Ian Wolfe should have just as well stayed at tackle.  I like A.J. Steward, but I'd like to see him more effective as a blocker.

Opurum won't even practice at fullback, but if Foster went down and we badly needed a fullback in a select package, I doubt Opurum would mind filling in temporarily.

Runningback: Toben Opurum, *Deshaun Sands, Rell Lewis, Angus Quigley*

The last three are completely interchangeable.  Lewis may be under-utilized, but Sands is actually my favorite to wind up second on this list.

Wide Receiver A: Daymond Patterson, D.J. Beshears, Tertavian Ingram

Wide Receiver B: Bradley McDougald, Christian Matthews, Rod Harris

Wide Receiver C: Chris Omigie, Jonathan Wilson, Erick McGriff

Damn this chart is stacked.  Literally seven of these guys could rotate regularly with very minimal talent drop-off.

Keep up with my future articles to find out why, unfortunately, Wilson's senior season probably won't be his best.

Quarterback: Jordan Webb, Kale Pick, Quinn Mecham, Conner Teahan

Pick may have played the better game, but the spring game showed that Webb has better quarterback tools .

Pick doesn't go through his progression nearly as well as Webb, and despite the one, fantastic pick by Mr. Rubles, Webb showed the better arm and decision making in the game.

Still, Webb needs to get rid of the ball much faster.  I know he's smooth, but there were several of those sacks that Pick will get away from in a real game, but I'm not as sure Webb would have.

Punter: Alonso Rojas

Kicker: Jacob Branstetter, Nate Kalish

I've talked to Kalish, and Branstetter should watch out.  He may be a good tackler, but Kalish is on a mission.