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Summer Two-Deeps - How Did I Do?

stingthemgood

Active member
Below are the posted two deeps... check marks for things I got correct -- and X and text for things I didn't. We saw a few surprises in camp -- especially in the defensive backfield. If you haven't listened to the Brandyn Thompson segment on the podcast it was fascinating, as was Shark talk with Coach Valeria. Lots of guys mentioned in those talks who aren't on the two-deep. I think we might be rotating a lot on the back end.

Offense
Left Tackle

72 Sawyer Hays (6-6, 288, Jr.) ❌ - Had these two flopped -- Sawyer had a great camp -- I think we will still likely see both play.
77 Joey Wright (6-5, 312, Jr.) ❌
Left Guard
76 Jackson Slater (6-4, 316, Sr.) ✅ This one was easy
64 Brandon Sousa (6-4, 306, So.) ✅
Center
79 Kaden Richardson (6-3 , 283, Sr.) ❌ Obviously Mejia breaking his leg was not on my 2024 bingo card. But had Richardson as the backup and like his ability
65 Cade Gretlein (6-4, 289, RFr.) ❌
Right Guard
73 Jose Soto (6-3, 304, RFr.) ❌ Might be my biggest surprise of camp. Kenndel can throw his weight around in the run game, but Soto showed out on pass pro
62 Kenndel Riley (6-3, 353, Jr.) ❌
Right Tackle
74 Aidan Meek (6-5, 300, Jr.) ✅
71 Bryson Summers (6-5, 308, Jr.) ❌ I did cheat on the summer two deep and put Hays as the backup at both guard positions
Tight End
82 Coleman Kuntz (6-3, 239, Jr.) ✅ Had an Or next to them - and I think we still have a good chance of both of them starting on San Jose State (if first play is two TE they both get counted as starters)
88 Jay Rudolph (6-4, 238. Jr.) ✅
Wide Receiver (X)
26 Anderson Grover (6-3, 190, Jr.) ❌ Had Grover starting at E and Gandy starting here at X
2 Devin Gandy (6-1, 191, Jr.) ❌
Wide Receiver (E)
10 Danny Scudero (5-9, 178, RFr.) ❌ Had Scudero as the backup E and Cope as the backup at X
11 Makai Cope (6-4, 206, Jr.) ❌
Wide Receiver (Z)
8 Jared Gipson (6-1, 205, Sr.) ✅ I did get our top six receivers correct, just in a slightly different order -- Gipson and Nicholson were the obvious Z receivers in our scheme so this one was pretty easy
0 Joshua Nicholson (6-0, 179, Jr.) ✅
Running Back
4 Elijah Tau-Tolliver (6-1, 204, Jr.) ✅ I think we will are seeing the depth in this room. Curron is dynamic and has had a great camp. A couple of guys are a little banged up too
14 Curron Borders (5-7, 185, RFr.) ❌
Quarterback
1 Kaiden Bennett (6-0, 188, Sr.) ✅ I put an OR and both will play Thursday -- Counting that as a win
17 Carson Conklin (6-1, 180, RFr.) ✅

Defense
Anchor Defensive End

94 Ben Ahio (6-4, 269, Sr.) ✅ Our depth at Anchor might be my biggest concern on the team. We need some guys who have not gotten a lot of PT to step up
44 Will Schalde (6-5, 258, Jr.) ❌
Defensive Tackle
95 Mason Brosseau (6-3, 276, Jr.) ❌ Had Xavier starting here and Warkentin as a backup at Anchor Brosseau obviously deserves to start as well. This is more about rotations than anything.
99 Colby Warkentin (6-6, 267, Sr.) ❌
Defensive Tackle
56 Brandon Knott (6-3, 275, Jr.) ✅ Knott is a stud and Henry has transitioned nicely from a guy we thought might be an O-Lineman to solid in the interior dline
75 Tyler Henry (6-3, 280, So.) ❌
Rush Defensive End
19 Josh Cashiola (6-3, 229, Sr.) ✅ Josh was easy to slot here. Puloka was a nickel last year -- and while this is not a position that gets us much in the run game defensively, I am worried how we continue to get taller and lighter out here.
18 Fata Puloka (6-3, 221, RFr.) ❌
Middle Linebacker
4 Nakian Jackson (6-1, 227, So.) ❌ Nakian played both LBs at times last year. Had him as Leota's backup at MLB, but he's been impressive in camp.
39 Derek Houston (6-1, 224, RFr.) ❌ Had Derek at Backup Sam
SAM Linebacker
21 Will Leota (6-2, 223, Sr.) ❌ had Will starting at Middle but these can be pretty interchangeable for us with what we have the nickel doing.
30 Mitchell Wolfe (6-3, 235, Jr.) ✅
Nickelback
27 Gavin Davis-Smith (5-11, 198, Sr.) ❌ my biggest regret was thinking we could afford to start someone unproven and have Davis-Smith at safety (where he's a stud) I worry about a little more wear and tear here for Gavin, but if he stays healthy he's all-Big Sky caliber at this spot.
3 Malini Ti’a (6-0, 205, Jr.) ✅ Seemed to be someone Coach loves - wish we had him for more time.
Cornerback
23 Lamont Johnson-Burrell (6-3, 182, So.) ❌ LJB might have been the most improved player from last fall to this fall. Guy had a major camp. Dean will still play a ton
2 Patrick Dean (5-11, 183, Sr.) ✅
Strong Safety
1 Murvin Kenion III (6-0, 204, Sr.) ❌ Safeties are where I am most confused. Kenion played Free Safety at Idaho, and Higgins and McKenzie played Strong Safety for us last year. And Koa at the end of the year played Nickel. I got three of the four safeties ✅ but had the positions completely swapped. Despite watching a lot of camp, where I still think it looks like Kenion is playing Free Safety to me, we are listing him at Strong Safety. I don't know. For my sanity I am hoping we accidentally switched all of these guys on the two-deep. Or I'm losing my ability to figure out our defensive backfield.
29 Koa Akui (5-10, 187, So.) ❌
Free Safety
16 Kaleb Higgins (6-2, 198, Jr.) ❌
17 Anta’Veon McKenzie (6-1, 196, So.) ❌
Cornerback
38 DJ Houston (5-10, 189, Sr.) ✅ DJ is looking the best I've ever seen him play. Excited. Mullican has outplayed several guys who have played a lot for us in camp. He'll be on the field for his first non-special teams snaps. Could get interesting.
22 Elias Mullican (6-1, 172, So.) ❌

Specialists
Kicker

97 Zach Schreiner (6-0, 181, Sr.) ✅ Isaac has been pretty damn impressive in camp - Really pushed Zach. Need a whole season from Zach -- he was banged up and not the same kicker the last 4 games
61 Isaac Espinoza (5-11, 209, Fr.) ✅
Kickoff
92 Evan Kiely (6-4, 216, So.) ✅
OR
97 Zach Schreiner (6-0, 181, Sr.) ✅
Holder
91 Cal McGough (6-2, 190, Jr.) ❌ I am scared of our holding situation
17 Carson Conklin (6-1, 180, RFr.) ❌
Long Snapper
47 AJ Campos (6-2, 228, Jr.) I forgot to put snapper on my Two-Deeps -- but this one was easy and we all knew it going in. Campos has made every snap since he's been on campus and has yet to have a bad one.
60 Adam Johnston (6-0, 225, So.)
Punter
91 Cal McGough (6-2, 190, Jr.) ✅ Cal is so good, but I hope we only see him 1-2 times a game when he's not holding
63 Mike Melanson (5-11, 185, Jr.) ❌
Kick Returner
10 Danny Scudero (5-9, 178, RFr.) ✅ We obviously can't use ETT in the return game anymore. Scudero was the obvious choice (3 returns last season) Michael Johnson has averaged 8.1 yards a carry in his career with us. Like we are trying to get him on the field
23 Michael Johnson (5-7, 189, Jr.) ❌
Punt Returner
26 Anderson Grover (6-3, 190, Jr.) ✅ Grover's goal is to limit the ball hitting the ground -- not meaning fumble it - they want him catching every punt. He didn't drop any last year and don't expect him to this year. Scudero is the guy who can actually break it for a TD, but isn't as sure handed (yet).
10 Danny Scudero (5-9, 178, RFr.) ❌
 
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Pretty good! I feel like the defensive backfield is still as messy as it was against South Dakota last year, but with some extra experience and growth from what you're saying.
 
Below are the posted two deeps... check marks for things I got correct -- and X and text for things I didn't. We saw a few surprises in camp -- especially in the defensive backfield. If you haven't listened to the Brandyn Thompson segment on the podcast it was fascinating, as was Shark talk with Coach Valeria. Lots of guys mentioned in those talks who aren't on the two-deep. I think we might be rotating a lot on the back end.

Offense
Left Tackle

72 Sawyer Hays (6-6, 288, Jr.) ❌ - Had these two flopped -- Sawyer had a great camp -- I think we will still likely see both play.
77 Joey Wright (6-5, 312, Jr.) ❌
Left Guard
76 Jackson Slater (6-4, 316, Sr.) ✅ This one was easy
64 Brandon Sousa (6-4, 306, So.) ✅
Center
79 Kaden Richardson (6-3 , 283, Sr.) ❌ Obviously Mejia breaking his leg was not on my 2024 bingo card. But had Richardson as the backup and like his ability
65 Cade Gretlein (6-4, 289, RFr.) ❌
Right Guard
73 Jose Soto (6-3, 304, RFr.) ❌ Might be my biggest surprise of camp. Kenndel can throw his weight around in the run game, but Soto showed out on pass pro
62 Kenndel Riley (6-3, 353, Jr.) ❌
Right Tackle
74 Aidan Meek (6-5, 300, Jr.) ✅
71 Bryson Summers (6-5, 308, Jr.) ❌ I did cheat on the summer two deep and put Hays as the backup at both guard positions
Tight End
82 Coleman Kuntz (6-3, 239, Jr.) ✅ Had an Or next to them - and I think we still have a good chance of both of them starting on San Jose State (if first play is two TE they both get counted as starters)
88 Jay Rudolph (6-4, 238. Jr.) ✅
Wide Receiver (X)
26 Anderson Grover (6-3, 190, Jr.) ❌ Had Grover starting at E and Gandy starting here at X
2 Devin Gandy (6-1, 191, Jr.) ❌
Wide Receiver (E)
10 Danny Scudero (5-9, 178, RFr.) ❌ Had Scudero as the backup E and Cope as the backup at X
11 Makai Cope (6-4, 206, Jr.) ❌
Wide Receiver (Z)
8 Jared Gipson (6-1, 205, Sr.) ✅ I did get our top six receivers correct, just in a slightly different order -- Gipson and Nicholson were the obvious Z receivers in our scheme so this one was pretty easy
0 Joshua Nicholson (6-0, 179, Jr.) ✅
Running Back
4 Elijah Tau-Tolliver (6-1, 204, Jr.) ✅ I think we will are seeing the depth in this room. Curron is dynamic and has had a great camp. A couple of guys are a little banged up too
14 Curron Borders (5-7, 185, RFr.) ❌
Quarterback
1 Kaiden Bennett (6-0, 188, Sr.) ✅ I put an OR and both will play Thursday -- Counting that as a win
17 Carson Conklin (6-1, 180, RFr.) ✅

Defense
Anchor Defensive End

94 Ben Ahio (6-4, 269, Sr.) ✅ Our depth at Anchor might be my biggest concern on the team. We need some guys who have not gotten a lot of PT to step up
44 Will Schalde (6-5, 258, Jr.) ❌
Defensive Tackle
95 Mason Brosseau (6-3, 276, Jr.) ❌ Had Xavier starting here and Warkentin as a backup at Anchor Brosseau obviously deserves to start as well. This is more about rotations than anything.
99 Colby Warkentin (6-6, 267, Sr.) ❌
Defensive Tackle
56 Brandon Knott (6-3, 275, Jr.) ✅ Knott is a stud and Henry has transitioned nicely from a guy we thought might be an O-Lineman to solid in the interior dline
75 Tyler Henry (6-3, 280, So.) ❌
Rush Defensive End
19 Josh Cashiola (6-3, 229, Sr.) ✅ Josh was easy to slot here. Puloka was a nickel last year -- and while this is not a position that gets us much in the run game defensively, I am worried how we continue to get taller and shorter out here.
18 Fata Puloka (6-3, 221, RFr.) ❌
Middle Linebacker
4 Nakian Jackson (6-1, 227, So.) ❌ Nakian played both LBs at times last year. Had him as Leota's backup at MLB, but he's been impressive in camp.
39 Derek Houston (6-1, 224, RFr.) ❌ Had Derek at Backup Sam
SAM Linebacker
21 Will Leota (6-2, 223, Sr.) ❌ had Will starting at Middle but these can be pretty interchangeable for us with what we have the nickel doing.
30 Mitchell Wolfe (6-3, 235, Jr.) ✅
Nickelback
27 Gavin Davis-Smith (5-11, 198, Sr.) ❌ my biggest regret was thinking we could afford to start someone unproven and have Davis-Smith at safety (where he's a stud) I worry about a little more wear and tear here for Gavin, but if he stays healthy he's all-Big Sky caliber at this spot.
3 Malini Ti’a (6-0, 205, Jr.) ✅ Seemed to be someone Coach loves - wish we had him for more time.
Cornerback
23 Lamont Johnson-Burrell (6-3, 182, So.) ❌ LJB might have been the most improved player from last fall to this fall. Guy had a major camp. Dean will still play a ton
2 Patrick Dean (5-11, 183, Sr.) ✅
Strong Safety
1 Murvin Kenion III (6-0, 204, Sr.) ❌ Safeties are where I am most confused. Kenion played Free Safety at Idaho, and Higgins and McKenzie played Strong Safety for us last year. And Koa at the end of the year played Nickel. I got three of the four safeties ✅ but had the positions completely swapped. Despite watching a lot of camp, where I still think it looks like Kenion is playing Free Safety to me, we are listing him at Strong Safety. I don't know. For my sanity I am hoping we accidentally switched all of these guys on the two-deep. Or I'm losing my ability to figure out our defensive backfield.
29 Koa Akui (5-10, 187, So.) ❌
Free Safety
16 Kaleb Higgins (6-2, 198, Jr.) ❌
17 Anta’Veon McKenzie (6-1, 196, So.) ❌
Cornerback
38 DJ Houston (5-10, 189, Sr.) ✅ DJ is looking the best I've ever seen him play. Excited. Mullican has outplayed several guys who have played a lot for us in camp. He'll be on the field for his first non-special teams snaps. Could get interesting.
22 Elias Mullican (6-1, 172, So.) ❌

Specialists
Kicker

97 Zach Schreiner (6-0, 181, Sr.) ✅ Isaac has been pretty damn impressive in camp - Really pushed Zach. Need a whole season from Zach -- he was banged up and not the same kicker the last 4 games
61 Isaac Espinoza (5-11, 209, Fr.) ✅
Kickoff
92 Evan Kiely (6-4, 216, So.) ✅
OR
97 Zach Schreiner (6-0, 181, Sr.) ✅
Holder
91 Cal McGough (6-2, 190, Jr.) ❌ I am scared of our holding situation
17 Carson Conklin (6-1, 180, RFr.) ❌
Long Snapper
47 AJ Campos (6-2, 228, Jr.) I forgot to put snapper on my Two-Deeps -- but this one was easy and we all knew it going in. Campos has made every snap since he's been on campus and has yet to have a bad one.
60 Adam Johnston (6-0, 225, So.)
Punter
91 Cal McGough (6-2, 190, Jr.) ✅ Cal is so good, but I hope we only see him 1-2 times a game when he's not holding
63 Mike Melanson (5-11, 185, Jr.) ❌
Kick Returner
10 Danny Scudero (5-9, 178, RFr.) ✅ We obviously can't use ETT in the return game anymore. Scudero was the obvious choice (3 returns last season) Michael Johnson has averaged 8.1 yards a carry in his career with us. Like we are trying to get him on the field
23 Michael Johnson (5-7, 189, Jr.) ❌
Punt Returner
26 Anderson Grover (6-3, 190, Jr.) ✅ Grover's goal is to limit the ball hitting the ground -- not meaning fumble it - they want him catching every punt. He didn't drop any last year and don't expect him to this year. Scudero is the guy who can actually break it for a TD, but isn't as sure handed (yet).
10 Danny Scudero (5-9, 178, RFr.) ❌
Sting, Based on what you have seen, do you expect Riley Hernandez to see much time in the defensive line this year? Always felt like there was a lot of potential there but injuries seem to have really gotten to him.
 
There were three guys coming off of back to back injuries that I expected to contribute that were all mentioned on the podcast, including Riley. None of them made the two-deep. I would expect Riley to be in the rotation, but as he’s still working back you may see him start to play more in week 3. The edge rushers are going to face some big dudes the next two weeks playing up.
 
Well done sting and thanks for the insight. Curious as to what your specific concerns at holder are.
 
Well done sting and thanks for the insight. Curious as to what your specific concerns at holder are.
A fire drill. We have not had a good success rate with our Australian punters trying to throw the ball in emergency situations. Also Cal was not the holder last year. Conor was.

The fact that if Cal goes down we go to a QB that gets lots of offensive reps in practice. Abel Ordaz was the last Hornet we threw into that situation, and I think BSCfan can comment on how that went.
 
Sting: That sounds like a pretty good argument for what I've advocated for years: the use of a quarterback (not necessarily the starter) to hold for placements, simply because they take lots of snaps and eventually learn how to adapt to bad ones. Of course, there ARE counter-arguments to my theory. On the positive side (from a professional perspective): the Rams had great success for years using starting safety Nolan Cromwell as the holder. On the negative side: Cowboys QB Tony Romo was notoriously horrible as he couldn't handle any sort of a snap, and then was know to fumble at the goal line after he fumbled the snap. That's embarrassing for me as a lifelong Cowboys fan. Of course, bringing it back to college, we had great success here in Hornet Town during the Volek era using quarterbacks to run an option to the kicker on fake PATs. Those were always fun. But, as Sting so aptly pointed out, it's hard to do that with punters who came from Aussie ball and are used to dribbling the ball every ten yards, weird rugby-style pitch passes, and foot-passes leading to direct free kicks at the goal....
 

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