The old adage “on paper” has been used in the sports world, in large part, to stress how something can’t be determined outside the field, on the court, etc. There are some instances, though, in which “the paper” can tell people at least something about a team, even if it’s something that has been common speculation.
Tulane football’s 2016 post-spring depth chart does just that.
In May, coach Willie Fritz finalized the team’s post-spring depth chart for this season and it pretty much confirms the hopes (and fears) about Green Wave football for 2016 season. However, that’s not to say that a few surprises didn’t pop up, too.
Let’s start with that uncertain passing game. Redshirt sophomore Glen Cuiellette and freshman Darius Bradwell are both currently listed as No. 1 at quarterback. Fritz and his staff must not have seen enough from either (or maybe they did see enough from both) to have one placed in a tier above. The only thing that’s becoming obvious under center is the notion that it will more than likely be one of these two taking snaps come Week 1.
The receivers are listed as two-deep. Tristan Cooper, a junior who actually practiced as a safety during the 15 spring sessions, is projected to start at one spot alongside sophomore Terren Encalade and senior Larry Dance.
The receiving corps as listed in the depth chart is telling by not necessarily who appears on it, but who doesn’t. Notable guys like Ricky Preston and Devon Breaux do not appear on the current charts. Breaux rejoined the team after deciding to focus on track while Preston got injured and missed Tulane’s spring game. The receiver position seems to get fuzzier as the team heads into summer instead of clearer, like most hoped.
The idea that the Wave’s running game was strong also got reaffirmed with the release of the depth-chart. Four co-No. 1s are listed and they are all big-time names on the team. Juniors Sherman Badie and Dontrell Hilliard as well as seniors Josh Rounds and Lazedrick Thompson all make their appearance.
The running back competition is heating up in the Big Easy and that’s a good thing for a Green Wave team that has an uncertain offense. It’s been said for a while now that Tulane’s ground game will be the key on offense this year and the post-spring depth chart directly coincides with that notion.
The few surprises that showed up include Hilliard and cornerback Perry Nickerson as the team’s primary punt returners. Neither of these young men have fielded a punt in the past, but any sort of change is welcome to Tulane’s special teams unit which ranked among the bottom in all of college football last year.
While the release of the post-spring depth charts may be seen by most as just one more step on the way to actual football, to the ones who look closely it can be quite telling. Tulane’s current chart really only confirms what people think of the team thus far into the offseason. However, these rosters change and things will undoubtedly happen between now and fall. The best thing for Wave fans to do at the moment is have faith that the names Fritz’s staff listed were not done so for no reason.
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