NDSU released its updated two-deep chart today with a couple of minor surprises. Sophomore Esley Thorton was immediately installed as the No. 2 outside linebacker behind Carlton LIttlejohn, despite just playing the position one day after being moved from backup quarterback. At left guard, true freshman Zack Johnson is listed as the backup to Josh Colville, although head coach Craig Bohl said it’s still uncertain if any true freshmen will play. It also hasn’t been uncommon for NDSU to removed a redshirt after the season has started.
Here are the changes from the depth chart from the beginning of practice until now:
- Junior college transfer Antonio Rodgers moved into the backup middle linebacker spot, which previously was held by Brandon Jemison, who was booted for violating team rules.
- Senior Aireal Boyd is the backup at left cornerback, replacing freshman Jordan Champion.
- Senior Andre Martin is the backup at right cornerback to Marcus Williams, replacing C.J. Smith.
- Freshman Brian Schaetz is the backup at noseguard, replacing Justin Juckem who has been battling tendinitis in his knees.
- Sophomore Jason Pomerenke was moved to the backup left tackle spot replacing Joe Haeg, who is now the starting right tackle. Jeff Jerve, battling knee ailments, is the backup at right tackle instead of the starter.
- Freshman Josh Colville has taken over the starting spot at left guard in place of injured Anthony LaVoy.
- Zach Vraa has overtaken Cooper Wahlo for starting “X” wide receiver and Nate Moody has replaced the injured Trevor Gebhart as the backup at the “Z” wide receiver.
- Garrett Bruhn, once thought to be out for an extended period of time with nerve damage in his shoulder, has returned as the starting tight end. Kevin Vaadeland, the starter at beginning of fall camp, is No. 2 ahead of junior Taylor Nelson.
- Carson Wentz, as reported all week, is the No. 2 quarterback. John Crockett has replaced Derrick Lang as the backup running back to Sam Ojuri.
IN ALL:
Offense
- LT: Billy Turner, Jason Pomerenke
- LG: Josh Colville, Zack Johnson
- C: Joe Lund, Adam Schueller
- RG: Tyler Gimmestad, Andrew Nack
- RT: Joe Haeg, Jeff Jerve
- TE: Garrett Bruhn, Kevin Vaadeland
- WR: Zach Vraa, Cooper Wahlo Jr
- WR: Ryan Smith, Nate Moody
- RB: Sam Ojuri, John Crockett
- FB: Andrew Grothmann, Andrew Bonnet
- QB: Brock Jensen, Carson Wentz
Defense
- LE: Kyle Emanuel, Mike Hardie
- DT: Leevon Perry, Danny Luecke
- NG: Ryan Drevlow, Brian Schaetz
- RE: Cole Jirik, Ricky Hagen
- OLB: Travis Beck, DeShawn Dinwiddie
- MLB: Grant Olson, Antonio Rodgers
- OLB: Carlton Littlejohn, Esley Thorton
- CB: Brendin Pierre, Aireal Boyd
- SS: Colten Heagle, Bobby Ollman
- FS: Christian Dudzik or Bryan Shepherd
- CB: Marcus Williams, Andrew Martin
Little scary to see all the injuries. Hopefully with our depth we can move on without any drop in our performance.
This seems like an average year to me for injuries. Mostly injuries to backups and potential starters.
However this Bison O-line is the smallest that I can remember.
Injuries in football are as much of the game as the X’s and O’s. Coaching staffs have to institute an offensive, defensive and special teams game plan which always includes various degrees of player injuries. I hate it when people use injuries as an excuse (no one is here) to justify losses or weak play. Football is a violent game and injuries are to be expected.
Backups are just as important as starters and its nice that Jeff is reporting on the second team.
My sense is it’s been a pretty good fall for injuries, or lack of those in the serious category anyway. Most of the players that are sidelined will be back for the opener with exception of LaVoy, who has a few more weeks of recovery from wrist injury.
Is there any concern with Jeff Jerve’s knees not allowing him to continue? Same with Justiin Juckem?
What injury does Trevor Gebhart have?
Where does the tight end from Kansas stand on the depth chart?
I think there’s serious concern on Jerve, having been thru two serious procedures and now another on his knee; as for Juckem, I know he would practice on and off during the fall. Gebhart was back in pads as of Monday, I believe he’s been passed by the other receivers, his injury history isn’t helping.
Juckem is a classmate of mine, so I was able to speak to him about his knees and get his status straight from him. He said he tried to practice two days ago and he lasted 15 minutes, then had to quit with the pain he was feeling. Shortly after that, however, he said he would definitely play. There is something to be said about Justin when it comes to his desire to play… Off the field he is one of the most friendly people you could encounter, but when he gets on the field a switch is turned on and it’s like he feels nothing but the need to fulfill his duty on the field.
He also wasn’t thrilled with his move on the depth chart, so look for him to be fighting his way back up early in the season.
What is the ‘X’ receiver position, and what is the ‘Z’ receiver position? Are these the #1, #2 spots?
In a pro set (2 receivers, tight end, two backs), the X is the split end and the Z is the flanker. This means that the X lines up on the line of scrimmage on the open side. The Z, or the flanker, lines up on the tight end side.
Can someone just post the actual first and second string in full?
You got it
thank you!!
John crockett will be the star this year , he will be starting tailback by week 3
Look at the Minnesotans starting Its time for NDSU to market and reach Minnesota more that ever, including recruiting.
MWILL.Turner. Vraa. Lund. Haeg. ColvIlle. GImmestad. Perry. JIrIk. Olson. LIttlejohn. Crockett WOW gophers screwed up with these guys
This really doesn’t make sense. Obviously the recruiting is already reaching Minnesota and it responsible for the names you’ve listed.
As for Crockett, he was recruited by every Big10 school but Northwestern. Why would he choose the Gophers over someone who actually wins games?
Actually the X and Z receivers are those positions on the ends of the tackles. They can be split or tight depending. The flanker is not a Z or an X but probably a Y or slot receiver, but can also be split as well. If you have two receivers, a tight end, two backs and your line and quarterback, that is known as too many players on the field and that results in a penalty.
X 0 0 c 0 0 Z Y
Q
0 0
this might help!
Thanks for the visual. This helps.
OOps. The qb should always line up under center. Dang computers just do not work as good as a stick and some dirt.
Fr walk on RT? Fr LG. Both small? The OL worries me, a lot!
So, how long is LaVoy out? I have seen he has a wrist injury, but that is vague. Broken? Torn tendons?
Starting QB with skinny arms back up LB? This “depth” to start the season cannot be a good situation no matter how you boys want to paint it.
Colville’s size is not a concern. He plays “big” as quoted by Fuchs. He is one tough guy.
LaVoy has a broken wrist, suffered on first day of fall camp, perhaps back for the opener.
I don’t think Gebhart has been “passed by the other recievers”. Its a matter of him not being 100%. Hopefully the injuries are behind him. Talk about bad luck.
Depth charts change. The new starters are much smaller and less experienced. I have a bad feeling about it. Size can be overcome with technique but these guys dont have the experience either. Need to play flawlessly. Hope Haag has more to do with great performance and less to do with Pomerenke although left tackle is a tough spot. Lavoy or Johnson would look good with their size. I trust the coaches. They moved Gimmestad last year and it worked out great.
Oldguy and bison 03 = not NDSU fans every post they make proves they are trolls from another team.
Actually the ENTIRE LINE IS MINNESOTA ! 11-12 starters so someone ask NDSU marketing why FSN wasn’t contacted for NDSU football games ? Embrace the regionality & lets make NDSU even bigger fcs is maxed out already
You want NDSU to start soliciting networks to broadcast games? If you will bring in the necessary ratings…networks will come to you. Outside of ND and NW Minnesota there isn’t much interest in NDSU football except for the few alumni scattered throughout the country.
Then you create demand by showing the games on FSN and creating the market. People in central and southern MN know that NDSU football exists and like to follow it. I live in central MN and there are plenty of people that would love to see the games on around here.
Couldn’t the same be said about und hockey? Northeast ND and NW Minnesota and a few alumni scattered across the country?
UND Hockey is a great comparison! Similarily, their games are not broadcast “regionally” except when playing the Gophers and FSN picks them up.
UND hockey is a top Division I league but second tier sport in the US, and NDSU football is a top tier sport in the US but a second tier league…so the national exposure and interest on a national or regional scene seems to be pretty similar.
Bigtime is actually smalltime cuz hes a und fan its quite obvious