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This past Wednesday Miami Hurricanes head football coach Al Golden released the team’s pre-camp depth chart.
Much of the depth chart remains unchanged from the one released at the end of spring football in April. However, the new depth chart did reveal some interesting changes and some intriguing position battles.
Most interestingly are the battles for both offensive tackle positions. Ereck Flowers looks like he will be starting at one of the two. He and Malcolm Bunche are listed as co-starters for the left tackle position. Bunche is also listed as the starter at left guard. Meanwhile, a WWE-style three-way has broken out at right tackle. Flowers, along with Seantrel Henderson and newcomer Sunny Odogwu, are listed as co-starters on that side.
A lot of this mess is due to the health of guard Jon Feliciano. Feliciano, a starter last season, missed all of spring practice with an injured ankle. That bum ankle appears to still be hindering him. If Feliciano is not 100 percent, I expect Bunche to start at left guard making Flowers the starting left tackle. That would leave senior Henderson and freshman Odogwu fighting for the right tackle position. I expect Henderson to get the nod despite him underachieving.
Also of interest is that three wide receiver positions are listed on the depth chart instead of the usual two. This indicates that Miami will be using a lot of three and four wide receiver sets with only quarterback Stephen Morris and running back Duke Johnson in the backfield.
Lastly, the tight end position has become a battle. After spring practice, Asante Cleveland was alone atop the depth chart. Now he and Clive Walford are listed as co-starters. The highly recruited JUCO player, Beau Sandland is listed as a backup. This could be the most interesting position on the team. Walford is a spectacular athlete who finished the season strong last year. Sandland, meanwhile, was one of the most talked about tight end prospects in a very long time. Cleveland has been a huge disappointment his entire college career. I expect this list to be completely reversed by mid-season with Sandland starting, Walford getting significant playing time, and Cleveland riding the bench.
The defensive depth chart is entirely unchanged. This is a bit of a surprise. I expected major changes particularly at the cornerback position. The coaches must really like Antonio Crawford as he is still holding onto his starting spot.
I would expect even more changes as the season approaches.
Chris Cunningham is a College Football Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @cunn1431.
