UT released a new depth chart Tuesday, which I take to be the one that will be used for the opener at Arizona. Let's get down to it, with my thoughts sprinkled in.
OFFENSE
LT-Josh Hendershot, Chase Nelson
LG-Jeff Myers, Robert Lisowski
C-Zac Kerin, Erik Carlson
RG-Greg Mancz, Samuel Cherry
RT-A.J. Lindeman, Colin Perchinske
Thoughts: Nothing has changed, other than Perchinske jumping Ethan Wirth as the back up at RT. I'm starting to wrap my head around the idea the line could be a strength of the team. Depth is a major concern though.
TE-Cordale Scott, Alex Zmolik
Thoughts: The true freshman Zmolik is making an impact.
QB-Terrance Owens OR Austin Dantin
Thoughts: The only position group with an OR seperating the top two players. This doesn't surprise me, as it makes sense to keep Arizona guessing.
RB-David Fluellen, Cassius McDowell
Thoughts: No surprises here. They've established themselves as the top two guys at this position.
WR-X: Alonzo Russell, Jimmy Davidson
WR-Z: Dwight Macon, Justin Olack
WR-M: Bernard Reedy, Zach Rogers
Thoughts: Macon and Reedy have switched positions ... Not a major surprise the redshirt freshman Russell won a job. ... No sign of James Green, who will likely miss the Arizona game with a knee injury. He was atop the preseason depth chart.
DEFENSE
DE: Christian Smith, Ben Pike
DT (nose): Elijah Jones, Phil Lewis
DT: Danny Farr, Orion Jones
DE (leo): T.J. Fatinikun, Jayrone Elliott
Thoughts: Pike has moved from DT to DE, which we reported in July. ... Orion Jones emerged from the crop of true freshmen linemen to grab a spot.
Star linebacker: Junior Sylvestre, Vladimir Emilien
Mike linebacker: Dan Molls, James Gordon
Will linebacker: Robert Bell, Trent Voss
Thoughts: Sylvestre edged Michigan transfer Emilien. This means Emilien won't be starting against his former coach Rich Rodriguez. ... Gordon has moved from Will to Mike ... No sign of Ray Bush, who was No. 2 at Mike in the preseason depth chart ... Redshirt freshman Voss grabs a spot. He could be a good one.
Field cornerback: Chris Dukes, Byron Best
Strong safety: Jermaine Robinson, Ross Madison
Free safety: Mark Singer, Chaz Whitaker
Boundary cornerback: Cheatham Norrils, Kishon Wilcher
Thoughts: Surprised to see the senior Best, the only veteran in the competition, didn't secure a spot. ... After flipping back and forth between corner and safety, it appears Norrils has found a home. ... No surprise the true freshman Whitaker earned a spot.
PK: Jeremiah Detmer, Brad Dunavant
P: Vince Penza, Brad Dunavant
Holder: Vince Penza
Snapper: Matt Wal, Robert Bell
Kickoff return: Bernard Reedy, Cassius McDowell, Cheatham Norrils
Punt return: Bernard Reedy, Cassius McDowell
Thoughts: Nothing stands out except for the emergence of McDowell.
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