Monday before the opening game is always like Christmas for those of us covering college football teams, mainly because we sit in anticipation of the release of depth charts like kids waiting for their parents to get up to open presents under the tree.
Well, the first Badgers depth chart was released just a bit ago and there were a few surprises contained within it.
Who's starting in Week 1 vs. UMass? Check out #Badgers depth chart pic.twitter.com/Gv2YbbInHV
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No Darius Hillary on the two deep at cornerback is the biggest surprise of any on this list. In his place will be true freshman Sojourn Shelton. Shelton will line up with Peniel Jean opposite of him and will be backed up by fellow incoming freshman Jakkarie Washington. Hillary appears as the nickle back spot though.
The fact that Hillary isn't even on the two deep brings up an interesting question, one I'm sure we'll get answered when Andersen steps to the table at 12:30pm CT for his first weekly press conference of the season.
Other interesting notes:
– Pat Muldoon or Tyler Dippel at one of the defensive end positions has yet to be decided.
– Derek Landisch has beat out senior Connor O'Neill for the starting inside linebacker job next to Chris Borland
– Center is up for grabs and expect Dan Voltz to take it if healthy this week, otherwise it will be Dallas Lewallen snapping to….. either Joel Stave or Curt Phillips.
– Stave was listed first on the depth chart, so that may be a clue into who the actual starter will be.
– Kyle French has the Kicker job for now, but that could be due to the injured leg that Jack Russell is battling through right now. Keep an eye on this throughout the year.
– A pair of freshman in Nate Hammon and Leo Musso are set to back up the safety positions this year, making it four freshman in the two deep. Add in T.J. Reynard as a JUCO transfer and all but two of the eight spots in the secondary are taken by newcomers to the roster.
– Joe Schobert will back up Ethan Armstrong, who returned after a slight left-knee injury. Watch for Schobert to get significant snaps as the season goes on.
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