Depth Chart 2008 (Offense)

hornpharmd

5,000+ Posts
QB
Colt McCoy (Junior), 6-3, 210
John Chiles (Soph), 6-2, 215
Sherrod Harris (Soph), 6-3, 220
G.J. Kinne (RS Frosh), 6-3, 220

We should see more Chiles and Harris this year. Both need to work on their passing game and this likely will be a big focus in the spring. This is a good thing. Colt is over his sophomore slump and should improve in reading defenses and managing the game. He needs to work on staying in the pocket and try not to force things.

RB
Chris Ogbonnaya (Senior), 6-1, 225
Vondrell McGee (Soph), 5-10, 205
Foswhitt Whittaker (RS Frosh), 5-10, 195
Tre Newton (HS Frosh), 6-0, 193
Jeremy Hills (HS Frosh), 6-0, 187

This should be a real battle position in the spring. CO is a senior but he has never had a significant amount of carries in the past. Only 26 carries in 07 and 18 carries in 06. He has good hands and is a good option out of the backfield. McGee likely is the early favorite to be the #1 back. However it will likely be RB by committee this year with some of the bigger boys (Johnson and Cobb) getting in that rotation as well. Look forward to seeing whit Whittaker can do. Hills and Newton are both in for the spring which is a big plus.

FB
Luke Tiemann, 6-2, 245
Antwan Cobb (Soph), 6-0, 222
Nic Redwine (Senior), 6-3, 230,
Cody Johnson (RS Frosh), 5-11, 255
Ryan Roberson (HS Frosh)

Not really sure how Tiemann and Redwine fit into the 2 deep anymore. Johnson may not really be a FB as well and could be used as a bigger TB. It will be interesting to watch this season and next to see how Johnson and Roberson are utilized. When Chiles/Harris are on the field I would want the smaller, faster backs in. But when Colt is it might be a good adjustment to try and develop a power running game up the middle.

WR
Quan Cosby (Senior), 5-11, 205
Jordan Shipley (Senior), 6-0, 195
Phillip Payne (Soph), 6-2, 213
Montre Webber (Soph), 6-3, 210
James Kirkendoll (Soph), 5-11, 175
Brandon Collins (Soph), 6-0, 170
Malcolm Williams (RS Frosh), 6-3, 225
Dan Buckner (HS Frosh), 6-4, 213
Brock Fitzhenry (HS Frosh), 5-9, 171
D.J. Grant (HS Frosh)
DeSean Hales (HS Frosh)
Antoine Hicks (HS Frosh)

Deepest position on the team right now. Cosby and Shipley bring experience and leadership. It will be a real battle to see how the other guys fit into the 2 deep....between Payne, Webber, Collins, Kirkendoll, Williams. Buckner is in for the spring and this is a big plus....I can see him getting real playing time this year. Grant and Hales are very talented but not sure how they will fit in in 08 due to the depth listed above and not making it in early. I would like to see both of these guys shirt if they aren't going to get much playing time this year. Gotta like the future at this position. With HIcks and Grant there will be 6 guys 6-2 or taller.

TE
Peter Ullman (Senior), 6-4, 260
Blaine Irby (Soph), 6-3, 240
Josh Marshall (Soph), 6-4, 240
Ian Harris (RS Frosh), 6-4, 250
Ahmard Howard (RS Frosh), 6-4, 252

The 3 younger guys all put on weight this last year. With Finley now gone this position is wide open. Ullman has never been a good passing catching TE and I think this opens it up even more. I like Irby and Marshall to get the most playing time but look forward to seeing what Harris and Howard can offer.

LT
Kyle Hix (Soph), 6-7, 320
Tray Allen (Soph), 6-5, 320
Luke Poehlman (HS Frosh)
LG
Charlie Tanner (Junior), 6-4, 300
Michael Huey (Soph), 6-5, 315
Britt Mitchell (Soph), 6-5, 300
David Snow (HS Frosh), 6-4, 280
C
Chris Hall (Sophomore), 6-4, 300
Buck Burnette (Soph), 6-3, 320
Greg Smith (Soph), 6-4, 285
RG
Cedric Dockery (Senior), 6-4, 320
Aundre McGaskey (RS Frosh), 6-5, 295
Steve Moore (Soph), 6-5, 300
RT
Adam Ulatoski (Junior), 6-8, 310
Mark Buchanan (HS Frosh), 6-6, 285

Buchanan and Snow are both in for the spring which is a big plus. Buchanan will be needed this year due to depth at OT. Snow may redshirt due to size and I can't see Poehlman doing anything but redshirt this year. 3 of the 4 freshman last year got valuable experience. Allen may stay at OT due to depth issues. Moore, Mitchell, and Tanner may be just backups this year. Hix, Huey, Dockery, Ulatoski should get 4 of the 5 starting spots. Will be interesting to see who wins the starting job between Hall and Burnette. Wouldn't be suprised to see a heavy rotation across the OL this year but more stability than we saw last year. Certainly this position will be upgraded this year due to depth and experience. Only 1 senior and 2 juniors listed in this depth chart. Should be good and only getting better for a few years to come.


The offense does lose some guys from last year...Charles, Finley, Sweed, Jones, Pittman, Hills, Griffin. Pittman really wasn't involved much last year. Sweed was injured most of the year last year as well. Texas played without those 2 most of the season and did well so not too worried there. Finley and Charles are 2 that you can't replace this season. However I think the running game will be this season with a more experienced and deeper OL and a different running scheme that involves more of Chiles/Harris. Finley had that play making ability that none of our current TE's have. However what we really need is just a guy that can block well and get open on 3rd down and I think all of the younger guys will be able to do that well. Hills is another guy you can't replace but Hix played a ton last season and I am very excited about this kid. Griffin was solid last season. The younger guys should be able to do just as well this season as they get more reps in the offseason and they hopefully will also help in getting a better push in the middle. Charles is really the only guy on offense that I think UT will miss this coming season. His game changing ability is hard to find and he certainly helped to secure at least 2 wins last season by himself.

Overall the QB position is upgraded and deeper this year. The WR position is deeper than just about ever before and continues to be a strong part of the offense. The OL is bigger and deeper this year. Should be considered an upgrade as well. TE and RB are both deeper this year than last year but are missing a couple of key guys. Which younger guys step up and how much they step up is really the main question mark right now.
 
What makes you think that we'll see Hix at LT and Ulatoski at RT, instead of the other way around (which was the case in the Holiday Bowl)?
 
Aundre McGaskey is listed as a tackle on Mack Brown's website and Cody Johnson is listed as a running back, which is where I think he'll at least get a chance to play.
 
I think Buck Burnette will start at center, with Hall and Dockery starting at guard, backed up by Tanner and Huey. If I remember correctly, that is how it was at the Holiday Bowl. I remember Greg Davis making the comment that Chris Hall isn't a permanent solution at center, but Buck Burnette is.
 
Good post.

Wow, 12 WR's on that list. Quan will be the go to guy for Colt with Ghost a close second.

I think J. Kirkendoll and M. Williams get most of the PT over Payne & Collins. Among the HS frosh Buckner & Fitzhenry might not RS and could see some PT IMHO.

I look for good things from Irby next season - he will be the primary TE for passes, with Ullman the second TE for blocking plays.
 
Thanks for that well done synopsis.

Even though the receiver position is stacked this year, I'm going to miss Nate Jones.

In 2007, he was 4th all-time in number of receptions in a season -- 64. His single season record trailed only Kwame and Roy (twice). It will be interesting to see if any combination of the younger guys can replace that production.
 
Sweed
Pittman
Jones

I thought about those WR's we lost at the end of last season during my previous post about the WR's. I especially thought about them last night while watching my MNC DVD - what they did in '05.... Sweed with his EPIC winning TD catch vs. tOSU (in the 'shoe at night bygawd) and Billy Pittman big catches and TD in that same game and TD catch busting open the ou game. Sweed goes down in '07 and Nate Jones steps up with an truly outstanding season. We will miss those guys and what they contributed.
 
I have doubts that Obi-wan is going to be the starter at RB. I think the position is Vondrell's to lose during spring and summer ball.

Also, I'm willing to bet that our 3rd string QB only sees the field if we're up by 3-4 TDs late in the 4th.

I agree with one of the last poster's about the OL. Hall won't start at Center next year - most likely he'll play guard and Ulatowski will be at LT.

As far as WR goes, the only guys that are guaranteed to see the field are Shipley and Quan. The rest is up for grabs, but I'm guessing that Buckner and Grant don't red shirt.
 
Hix over Allen huh. I see it the other way around but with a pretty constant rotation going on. Here is my 2 deep.

QB-Colt McCoy/John Chiles

RB-Vondrell/ Chris Ogbonnaya
(I expect Fozzy and Cody Johnson to see quality pt. Ogbaonnaya mainly still just a third down back. I think Fozzy might be real good if he is given the chance and the carries).

FB-Coob/ Tiemann
(and maybe Cody Johnson also).

WR- Quan/Shipley/ Collins
(These I think will be the main three to start the season, Obviously Quan and Ship will be the go to guys. However, I expect Buckner and Grant to contribute early and often. Buckner might become a starter by seasons end).

TE- Irby/ Ullman
(Irby will be another Texas great TE)

LT-Allen/ Hicks
LG-Tanner/ Huey
C-Hall/ Burnett
RG-Dockery/ ?
RT-Ulatoski/ ?

I feel good about or O-Line. The injuries we had last year forced us to build depth. The new guys (Allen, Huey, Hicks) will be great some day. They went from inexperienced last year to being one of our strong points coming in to this season I think.

Overeall, RB is really where we are lacking. Then again it is kind of exciting to think about the possibilities of Fozzy and even Vondrell getting a full load. I just dont know if they will be used properly. We are experienced at QB and OL and we have two veteran WR's and extremely talented ones (Collins, Kirkendoll,Buckner,Grant) right behind them.

Reminds me of heading into the 2000 season except Hodges had more experience than Vondrell.

I forgot about Malcom Williams, he may see a good deal of pt as well.
 
Yes, judging from the amount of playing time this season, especially in the Holiday Bowl, Kyle Hix will start at tackle. Just b/c Allen was rated higher coming out of high school doesn't mean he's a lock to start ahead of Hix. Hix had a better freshman season and played much more.

And like I said earlier, I'll be absolutely shocked if Chris Hall is our starting center and Charlie Tanner is a starting guard. Hall is a great guard and should see almost all of his snaps at that position. Buck Burnette is the future at center. And at this point I doubt Charlie Tanner is much more than a career back up at guard. He's a solid player, but I doubt that he'll beat out Ced Dockery or Chris Hall this year, or Michael Huey next year for the starting spot.

And don't discount Malcolm Williams and Montre Webber as deep threats at receiver. I know Buckner and Grant are the sexy options right now, but both Williams and Webber have height and great physical ability.
 
I hope Johnson does get in at RB. We need a guy with size and he is that guy.

I hope Burnette does start at OC and that he keeps improving.

Hall was amazing last year playing so many positions. However I have to question how good Huey is if Hall beats him out this year. Huey was one of the top rated OG's coming out, looked great in the all-star game, came in for the spring in 07, played as a true frosh.....****, I think he starts this year and doesn't look back. I see Hall more as a back-up OG, OC, and OT that can start if needed during the season.

I like Huey/Hall and Dockery/McGaskey at the OG positions.
 
hornpharmd: McGaskey is listed as a tackle. McGaskey Profile

We'll need him to provide depth there.

And I have to think that Chris Hall has the upper leg on Huey due to versatility, experience, and on the field performance.
 
Hall is a very valuable player. He could very well start. He has proven that he can do more than most ever would have thought when he came in. He played about half the season at backup guard in 06 after redshirting in 05. Huey has come in as a true frosh and played in every game as a backup OG. If he continues to improve I thinik he has a great shot at winning a starting spot this spring. He is a bigger and more physical OG as well so I hope he does.

McGaskey at OT is a bit of a suprise. Him and Allen both playing OT right now is very interesting. I guess it is needed with the current depth at OT and maybe they will get looks at OG in another year.
 
This is the first time in Mack's tenure I can remember us not having a go-to tight end. On the bright side, maybe we'll start throwing to the TE more now.
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