As expected, the depth chart has changed a little bit since the end of spring. You can see the new depth chart here, and below are the changes and some analysis.
On the offensive line, Percy Taumoelau was the starting right guard, but has moved to right tackle and backs up Tony Bergstrom. Jeremiah Tofaeono moves up to the starting right guard spot. Tofaeono played in all 13 games last year, but did not start. I don't expect this to be much of a drop off at the right guard spot.
At quarterback, Jon Hays (JC transfer) has arrived and is looking good. He has moved ahead of Tyler Shreve for the #2 spot. This is good news in case Wynn gets hurt.
Harvey Langi now has the #1 running back spot with White and Palamo both listed as #2. Dallin Rogers and Luke Matthews have moved to fullback and the battle continues there. It will be good to have a clear #1 running back, but it's also good to have two other guys who can share the carries.
Anthony Denham has a hamstring injury and has been removed from the depth chart for now. Jake Murphy (redshirt freshman) has moved into the #2 tight end spot, replacing Westlee Tonga. Denham is a transfer and missing fall camp and the first part of the season could really hurt him.
That's all for the offense. There isn't really anything big, but the backfield is taking shape with Langi pulling away from the other two backs and Rogers and Matthews moving to fullback.
The defense has changed quite a bit, and in a good way.
Derrick Shelby moved from right end to left end and is tied for the starting spot with Tevita Finau. James Aiono and Dave Kruger are now tied for the tackle spot, and Kruger is no longer listed as a possible left end.
The starting linebackers are the same, but you'll notice a familiar name backing up Brian Blechen. Nai Fotu has been reinstated, and I think this is a huge lift for the defense. JJ Williams has moved from middle linebacker to rover linebacker and Boo Anderson or VJ Fehoko will back up Chaz Walker in the middle.
The cornerbacks are the same, but there is separation with the safeties now that Keith McGill has arrived on campus. McGill was a transfer and has already had some strong practices. He is now the clear starter at free safety with Eric Rowe still #2 at that spot. Quade Chappius moved ahead of Greg Bird for the #2 strong safety spot, where Michael Walker is still the starter. Bird was a good special teams player last year.
The defense seems to be in really good shape. I was worried about the secondary, but they have had a strong fall so far. McGill playing well gives me a lot more confidence. More good news about the secondary is the youth. In the top 6 cornerbacks and top 6 safeties, there are only 2 seniors. Of those two, only one is starting (Conroy Black). Every starter will also have some experience, although McGill's only experience is junior college. The front 7 is deeper than I can ever remember for Utah. They will potentially lose a lot of guys up front after this year, though. Shelby, Finau, Aiono, Martinez, Walker, and Fotu are all seniors and should all see a lot of playing time this year. The good news is that there are two proven sophomores in Dave Kruger and Brian Blechen.
I know this is early to be even thinking about this, but looking through the depth chart and thinking of the schedule next year, Utah could be set up for a very good season in 2012. They will be returning 9 starters on offense (losing two tackles will be tough), and the defense should be returning at least 6 starters. Of the players they'll lose, most of the positions will be filled by guys who have played quite a bit of football. In addition, they'll miss Oregon and Stanford on the schedule again and play USC at home. They will have 5 road conference games instead of 4, which will be UCLA, Arizona State, Colorado, Washington, and Oregon State. But they could be set up for a great year in 2012. That said, let's just keep the focus on 2011 and hope for at least 8 wins in the first year in the Pac-12.
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