Every year after the bowl game I make an attempt at the depth chart for spring camp. Few things:
*This is very much a projection and there's clearly a lot that can still happen.
*The chart assumes everyone is healthy going into spring camp, which is never the case (ie: Voltz, etc.)
*I didn't include the early enrollees, Dallas Jeanty and Kare' Lyles.
*Please feel free to voice your opinion. This is a very rough draft.
https://wisconsin.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp
Few notes...
Quarterback: Will be interesting to see what happen with Gillins. Does he stay at WR or move back to QB? Looking at the numbers, there's no reason not to move him to QB, but maybe the staff will be honest with him -- if they truly feel this way -- and say they don't see him being a factor there in the future. Would Chryst go after a grad transfer for depth? As it stands, Houston and Hornibrook are fighting for the No. 1 spot with Lyles as the No. 3 this spring if Gillins doesn't isn't in the mix.
Running back: Assuming everyone is at full strength, Clement, Ogumbowale and Deal are a very nice trio and Bradrick Shaw should be able to contribute as well, either with spot duty at tailback or on special teams. I would definitely move Serge Trezy to corner or safety based on the lack of depth there, assuming he's back for his senior season. Chris James could also be there if he transfers from Pitt, though he would have to sit out the 2016 season.
At fullback, Ramesh is your starter as Ingold transitions into the position. Very little depth there, but I think walk-on Aaron Maternowski could play there as a true freshman if needed. That kid is tough as nails. Steffes could also work in a fullback/H-back role in 2016, much like Mickey Turner during his senior year.
Wide receiver: Will be a big off-season for Rushing and Sanders, who are penciled in behind Wheelwright and Peavy. Not sure where James stands in this mix, but the staff is very high on Houden, who won Scout POY honors this fall. This group will be pretty thin until the summer, when members of the 2016 class arrive.
Tight ends: Fumagalli, Steffes and Love are back; Love could move back to receiver depending on the development of Kyle Penniston. The former four-star prospect is definitely someone to keep a close eye on this spring if he's 100 percent. David Edwards is also in the mix after a redshirt season.
Offensive line: This is where it gets really tricky to project. I mocked up Benzschawel at RT instead of RG despite him playing extremely well there the last two games, partly because they lack depth on the exterior. Would Joe Rudolph mess with something (Benz at RG and Maxwell at RT) that worked so well? Probably not, but we do know these guys will play multiple positions this spring in order to gain some experience.
Few thoughts on what is a really exciting position group moving forward...
*Ramczyk, from everything I've been told, is a stud. Maybe the best OL on the roster right now. He's your stater at LT as long as he stays healthy.
*The staff loves Dietzen; do they find a way to get him on the field? Wouldn't shock me if he leaps ahead of Kapoi and Williams.
*Things don't look great for Biegel (head injuries) but I've been told the door hasn't been completely shut on his return.
Defensive line: Everyone returns with the exception of Keefer. I put Goldberg back in the middle and Sheehy outside. You know what you have with most of these guys, but it will be a crucial off-season for Hirschfeld and Patterson, two heavily recruited kids out of high school. I also plugged in Howe ahead of Pfaff, but it could go either way there. Walk-on Andrew Ruzek is also someone to watch in 2016.
Linebackers: What to do with Jack Cichy? Certainly not a bad problem to have. I kept him inside but he can clearly play on the outside as well. I also moved Jacobs outside, but we're not sure exactly where he'll end up (there's also talk of him moving to offense).
Your best four are probably Biegel, Cichy, Orr and Edwards, with Watt right there as well, so I think you try and make your adjustments based on that. Could be a make or break off-season for Dooley and I'm excited to see what Baun and Thomas can do in 2016.
Cornerbacks: Super thin here but you like what you do have. Jamerson had a good bowl game and Booker was Scout POY on defense. Again, I'd move Trezy here for depth, maybe even keep Figaro here, and pray for a healthy camp before kids from the 2016 class arrive this summer.
Safety: The staff is really high on Dixon and Farrar. They could very well be your starters, with veterans Musso and Ferguson providing depth.
Specialists: Lotti won't be on campus until the summer, but I think he'll be your punter for the next four years. The kickers all return with the exception of Russell.
*This is very much a projection and there's clearly a lot that can still happen.
*The chart assumes everyone is healthy going into spring camp, which is never the case (ie: Voltz, etc.)
*I didn't include the early enrollees, Dallas Jeanty and Kare' Lyles.
*Please feel free to voice your opinion. This is a very rough draft.
https://wisconsin.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp
Few notes...
Quarterback: Will be interesting to see what happen with Gillins. Does he stay at WR or move back to QB? Looking at the numbers, there's no reason not to move him to QB, but maybe the staff will be honest with him -- if they truly feel this way -- and say they don't see him being a factor there in the future. Would Chryst go after a grad transfer for depth? As it stands, Houston and Hornibrook are fighting for the No. 1 spot with Lyles as the No. 3 this spring if Gillins doesn't isn't in the mix.
Running back: Assuming everyone is at full strength, Clement, Ogumbowale and Deal are a very nice trio and Bradrick Shaw should be able to contribute as well, either with spot duty at tailback or on special teams. I would definitely move Serge Trezy to corner or safety based on the lack of depth there, assuming he's back for his senior season. Chris James could also be there if he transfers from Pitt, though he would have to sit out the 2016 season.
At fullback, Ramesh is your starter as Ingold transitions into the position. Very little depth there, but I think walk-on Aaron Maternowski could play there as a true freshman if needed. That kid is tough as nails. Steffes could also work in a fullback/H-back role in 2016, much like Mickey Turner during his senior year.
Wide receiver: Will be a big off-season for Rushing and Sanders, who are penciled in behind Wheelwright and Peavy. Not sure where James stands in this mix, but the staff is very high on Houden, who won Scout POY honors this fall. This group will be pretty thin until the summer, when members of the 2016 class arrive.
Tight ends: Fumagalli, Steffes and Love are back; Love could move back to receiver depending on the development of Kyle Penniston. The former four-star prospect is definitely someone to keep a close eye on this spring if he's 100 percent. David Edwards is also in the mix after a redshirt season.
Offensive line: This is where it gets really tricky to project. I mocked up Benzschawel at RT instead of RG despite him playing extremely well there the last two games, partly because they lack depth on the exterior. Would Joe Rudolph mess with something (Benz at RG and Maxwell at RT) that worked so well? Probably not, but we do know these guys will play multiple positions this spring in order to gain some experience.
Few thoughts on what is a really exciting position group moving forward...
*Ramczyk, from everything I've been told, is a stud. Maybe the best OL on the roster right now. He's your stater at LT as long as he stays healthy.
*The staff loves Dietzen; do they find a way to get him on the field? Wouldn't shock me if he leaps ahead of Kapoi and Williams.
*Things don't look great for Biegel (head injuries) but I've been told the door hasn't been completely shut on his return.
Defensive line: Everyone returns with the exception of Keefer. I put Goldberg back in the middle and Sheehy outside. You know what you have with most of these guys, but it will be a crucial off-season for Hirschfeld and Patterson, two heavily recruited kids out of high school. I also plugged in Howe ahead of Pfaff, but it could go either way there. Walk-on Andrew Ruzek is also someone to watch in 2016.
Linebackers: What to do with Jack Cichy? Certainly not a bad problem to have. I kept him inside but he can clearly play on the outside as well. I also moved Jacobs outside, but we're not sure exactly where he'll end up (there's also talk of him moving to offense).
Your best four are probably Biegel, Cichy, Orr and Edwards, with Watt right there as well, so I think you try and make your adjustments based on that. Could be a make or break off-season for Dooley and I'm excited to see what Baun and Thomas can do in 2016.
Cornerbacks: Super thin here but you like what you do have. Jamerson had a good bowl game and Booker was Scout POY on defense. Again, I'd move Trezy here for depth, maybe even keep Figaro here, and pray for a healthy camp before kids from the 2016 class arrive this summer.
Safety: The staff is really high on Dixon and Farrar. They could very well be your starters, with veterans Musso and Ferguson providing depth.
Specialists: Lotti won't be on campus until the summer, but I think he'll be your punter for the next four years. The kickers all return with the exception of Russell.
