Depth at DB

[HannahO]

With Gayton gone, Billy Lechtenberg leaving the team after spring practice to concentrate on academics, and the other DB (name escapes me) who injured his achilles during spring ball, where is the depth going to come from? Any of you who were able to attend some practices and have some thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

 

[loloman]

I think it was Shane Stagg who tore his Achilies tendon during spring practice.

 

[loloman]

Think it may be down to 4 safeties: Minnerly, Brown, Tonani, and Raynes, along with some that will be incoming freshman next fall.

 

[Spoeagle]

Other Safeties? Miles Weatheroy RS Frosh and Domonic Shepherd, SR 2 year letterman were held out (hurt?) during spring ball; What is the status of walk ons McKenzie Murphy,senior from Ferris HS, played at Western one year until they dropped football and Alex Teade, Colfax, RS frosh?

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Other Safeties? Miles Weatheroy RS Frosh and Domonic Shepherd, SR 2 year letterman were held out (hurt?) during spring ball; What is the status of walk ons McKenzie Murphy,senior from Ferris HS, played at Western one year until they dropped football and Alex Teade, Colfax, RS frosh?

Tackles Leaders: Grant Williams 26, Ronald Baines 14, Cody McCarthy 14, T.J. Lee 13, Ronnie Hamlin 13, Jordan Tonani 13, McKenzie Murphy 12, Andru Pulu 9, George Williams 8, Evan Day 7, Allen Brown 6, Chandler Gayton 6, Jeff Minnerly 6, John Goldwire 6, Anthony Larry 6.

 

[EWURanger]

I thought Gayton was a corner?

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I thought Gayton was a corner?

I had thought he was too.

 

[GoEags]

I thought Gayton was a corner?

I had thought he was too.

Gayton practiced all this spring as a Safety and, in fact, had a pretty good spring from all that I saw. Depth is shaping up to be more of an issue at Safety than originally thought. With Gayton gone, Stagg injured (if he tore his Achilles that's a year) and I hadn't heard that Lechtenberg is out - that leaves Minnerly, Brown, Tonani and Raynes. Murphy was moved to corner and found a roster spot doing that, I don't know if they move him back or not? Minnerly and Brown together will be as good as any two safeties in the league and I would expect Minnerly will be a pre-season all-conference selection. Here's me hoping that they stay healthy....

 

[LDopaPDX]

The good news is that safety isn't that diffuclt to manufacture. It's not like corner, where you either can or can't do it. If a kid is a good athlete with good wheels and enjoys hitting, you can make a safety out of him.