Just my thoughts on the Depth Chart may be trending Post-Spring (or what I'm hoping to see) and the relative strengths/weaknesses and quality of each unit
My take on the Post-Sping Depth Chart Depth Chart
(" , " = ordered rank , " / " = approx. equal rank ...ie "1st , 2nd , 3rd" vs. "T1st / T1st")
QB -- Golson , Ziare , Kizer
RB -- Folston , Bryant / Prosise
WRw -- Brown , Robinson , Brent
WRx -- Fuller , Hunter , Holmes
WRz -- Prosise / Carlisle , Hunter
TE -- Smythe , Luatua , Weishar
LT -- Stanley , Bars
LG -- Nelson , Montelus
C -- Martin , Mustipher
RG -- Elmer , Montelus
RT -- McGlinchey , Bars
WDE -- Okwara / Trumbetti , J. Williams / Randolph
NT -- Jones , Tillery / Cage , Matsuka
DT -- Day , Tillery / Rochell , Hayes
SDE -- Rochell , Trumbetti , Bonner / Blackenship
WLB -- Morgan , Martini , Coney
MLB -- Grace / Schmidt , Deeb
SLB -- Jaylon / Onwaulu , Tranquill
NB -- Farley , Tranquill / Watkins
CB -- Russell , Butler
CB -- Luke , Watkins
FS -- Redfield , Farley / Baratti
SS -- Shumate , Tranquill / Sebastian
QB
Rating -- B+
Starter(s) -- Golson
Key Depth -- Zaire
Strength (s)-- Playmaking, armstrength, mobility, versatility, depth
Weakness(es) -- Consistency
Description -- The "QB Contreversy" that is so talked about at this position is not the usual "No real QB present yet" situation. Golson has shown the ability to a nationally elite QB at times, and Ziare has flashed perhaps even more potential. The only thing holding this QB unit from being one of the best in CFB going into 2015 is the proven consistency and "care for the ball" mentality at the position. All of the playmaking ability in the world is here and has already been proven in major CFB games...through both the air and on the ground. Golson and Zaire both bring great talent , and versatility are to the position. However, to be an elite level unit this they need to show they can be mature and consistent, taking care of the details consistently (calling formations/protections, making the correct reads, protecting the ball, etc.). This group could EASILY bend up an "A+" by the end of the season or a "C+" if they don't take care of the ball.
RB
Rating -- B+
Starter(s) -- Folston
Key Depth -- Bryant , Prosise
Strength (s) -- Playmaking ability, experience, versatility
Weakness(es) -- Power, consistency
Description -- This unit has all the tools to be a elite group of RBs for the spread offense, however they have only shown it in spirts. There is a proven, sturdy producer in Folston, an extremely talented potential breakout player in Bryant, and with Prosise transitioning from a "pure Slot WR" to a hybrid Slot/RB, this unit as 3 players with elite physical talent and quite a bit of on-field production...totalling about 2,100 yards from scrimmage (1,300 rushing and 800 receiving) and 15 TDs (10 rushing and 5 receiving). They need to show that the can be consistent producers against strong competition and that they have the power to chrun our the hard yards on a regular basis. This group could also end up an "A" by the end of the season but it's hard to see them being worse than a "B".
WR
Rating -- A
Starter(s) -- Fuller (WRx) , Brown (WRw) , Carlisle (WRz)
Key Depth -- Robinson , Prosise , and Brent
Strength (s) -- Playmaking ability, Speed, Size, Versatility, Experience , Depth
Weakness(es) -- Hands , Blocking , Consistency
Description -- This unit also has an ELITE ceiling, and could end up as the very best in CFB. This group has already proven alot in major CFB, returning about 3,100 receiving yards and 30TDs. They have a proven playmaker in Fuller who put up about 1,100 yards and 15TDs (as a sophomore!) as well as 3 other WRs who all put up 500+ yards (Brown, Robinson, Prosise). However, the real strength of this group is in the versatility/variaty of their skills sets. Fuller has elite speed and quickness and is a true home-run threat. Robinson has elite size/reach and is a great jumpball and red-sone target. Brown has elite speed with a good fram and is another big play threat. Prosise has elite speed and athleticism, and with his size and combo RB skills is very dangerous from the slot and backfield. The main weaknesses here have been catching the ball consistently (there have been far too many drops, especially on easy catches) and consistency in route-running and blocking. However, as nearly this whole group was Frosh/Sophs last year, their poised to go from good to great this year. This unit has the chance to not only end at an "A+" rating but be the very best and deepest WR unit in the entire country.
TE
Rating -- C
Starter(s) -- Smythe
Key Depth -- Luatua , Weishar / Jones
Strength (s) -- Playmaking , Pass Catching
Weakness(es) -- In-Line Blocking, Consistency, Experience
Description -- For the first time in a decade this unit has almost nothing proven for ND. @014 starter Koyack is gone to the NFL draft, and the entire position has 1 reception for 7 yards returning. There is a mountain of physical talent here, especially in pass catching and playmaking, but not much in the way of proven production. This rating could be much higher based on talent and the "ND is always great at TE" factor, but I see it as a major questionmark until proven otherwise. This unit has has the chance to end rated MUCH higher than this, but the young talent needs to translate into on-field production in major CFB games for that to happen.
OL
Rating -- A
Starter(s) -- Stanley (LT), Nelson (LG), Martin (C), Elmer (RG) , McGlinchey (RT)
Key Depth -- Bars (OT) , Montelus (OG) , Mustipher (C)
Strength (s) -- Size, Strength, athleticism, experience, scheme-fit
Weakness(es) -- consistency
Description -- This unit is likely the strongest unit on a very strong offense. Left-Tackle Ronnie Stanley was a likely 1st Round pick who elected to return for his senior season. Center Nick Martin is a 5th year Senior in his 3rd year starting, and is likely to be a Top5 Center in CFB and a legit NFL Draft Prospect. Right Guard Steve Elmer is also a returning starting (entering his 2nd year) and Right-Tackle Mike McGlincey started the 2014 Bowl Game against LSU. This unit's average size is 6'5" 325lbs and doesn't have anyone smaller than 6'4" 310lbs (Nick Martin at Center). This unit couldn't stay healthy and together in 2014, but showed their potential in the bowl game against LSU, blowing the #1 SEC defense off the ball for the entire game and not allowing a single sack. They have real NFL level talent at every starting position, being pushed by 5*/4* younger players. This is likely the most talented OL at ND since the Holtz years.
My take on the Post-Sping Depth Chart Depth Chart
(" , " = ordered rank , " / " = approx. equal rank ...ie "1st , 2nd , 3rd" vs. "T1st / T1st")
QB -- Golson , Ziare , Kizer
RB -- Folston , Bryant / Prosise
WRw -- Brown , Robinson , Brent
WRx -- Fuller , Hunter , Holmes
WRz -- Prosise / Carlisle , Hunter
TE -- Smythe , Luatua , Weishar
LT -- Stanley , Bars
LG -- Nelson , Montelus
C -- Martin , Mustipher
RG -- Elmer , Montelus
RT -- McGlinchey , Bars
WDE -- Okwara / Trumbetti , J. Williams / Randolph
NT -- Jones , Tillery / Cage , Matsuka
DT -- Day , Tillery / Rochell , Hayes
SDE -- Rochell , Trumbetti , Bonner / Blackenship
WLB -- Morgan , Martini , Coney
MLB -- Grace / Schmidt , Deeb
SLB -- Jaylon / Onwaulu , Tranquill
NB -- Farley , Tranquill / Watkins
CB -- Russell , Butler
CB -- Luke , Watkins
FS -- Redfield , Farley / Baratti
SS -- Shumate , Tranquill / Sebastian
QB
Rating -- B+
Starter(s) -- Golson
Key Depth -- Zaire
Strength (s)-- Playmaking, armstrength, mobility, versatility, depth
Weakness(es) -- Consistency
Description -- The "QB Contreversy" that is so talked about at this position is not the usual "No real QB present yet" situation. Golson has shown the ability to a nationally elite QB at times, and Ziare has flashed perhaps even more potential. The only thing holding this QB unit from being one of the best in CFB going into 2015 is the proven consistency and "care for the ball" mentality at the position. All of the playmaking ability in the world is here and has already been proven in major CFB games...through both the air and on the ground. Golson and Zaire both bring great talent , and versatility are to the position. However, to be an elite level unit this they need to show they can be mature and consistent, taking care of the details consistently (calling formations/protections, making the correct reads, protecting the ball, etc.). This group could EASILY bend up an "A+" by the end of the season or a "C+" if they don't take care of the ball.
RB
Rating -- B+
Starter(s) -- Folston
Key Depth -- Bryant , Prosise
Strength (s) -- Playmaking ability, experience, versatility
Weakness(es) -- Power, consistency
Description -- This unit has all the tools to be a elite group of RBs for the spread offense, however they have only shown it in spirts. There is a proven, sturdy producer in Folston, an extremely talented potential breakout player in Bryant, and with Prosise transitioning from a "pure Slot WR" to a hybrid Slot/RB, this unit as 3 players with elite physical talent and quite a bit of on-field production...totalling about 2,100 yards from scrimmage (1,300 rushing and 800 receiving) and 15 TDs (10 rushing and 5 receiving). They need to show that the can be consistent producers against strong competition and that they have the power to chrun our the hard yards on a regular basis. This group could also end up an "A" by the end of the season but it's hard to see them being worse than a "B".
WR
Rating -- A
Starter(s) -- Fuller (WRx) , Brown (WRw) , Carlisle (WRz)
Key Depth -- Robinson , Prosise , and Brent
Strength (s) -- Playmaking ability, Speed, Size, Versatility, Experience , Depth
Weakness(es) -- Hands , Blocking , Consistency
Description -- This unit also has an ELITE ceiling, and could end up as the very best in CFB. This group has already proven alot in major CFB, returning about 3,100 receiving yards and 30TDs. They have a proven playmaker in Fuller who put up about 1,100 yards and 15TDs (as a sophomore!) as well as 3 other WRs who all put up 500+ yards (Brown, Robinson, Prosise). However, the real strength of this group is in the versatility/variaty of their skills sets. Fuller has elite speed and quickness and is a true home-run threat. Robinson has elite size/reach and is a great jumpball and red-sone target. Brown has elite speed with a good fram and is another big play threat. Prosise has elite speed and athleticism, and with his size and combo RB skills is very dangerous from the slot and backfield. The main weaknesses here have been catching the ball consistently (there have been far too many drops, especially on easy catches) and consistency in route-running and blocking. However, as nearly this whole group was Frosh/Sophs last year, their poised to go from good to great this year. This unit has the chance to not only end at an "A+" rating but be the very best and deepest WR unit in the entire country.
TE
Rating -- C
Starter(s) -- Smythe
Key Depth -- Luatua , Weishar / Jones
Strength (s) -- Playmaking , Pass Catching
Weakness(es) -- In-Line Blocking, Consistency, Experience
Description -- For the first time in a decade this unit has almost nothing proven for ND. @014 starter Koyack is gone to the NFL draft, and the entire position has 1 reception for 7 yards returning. There is a mountain of physical talent here, especially in pass catching and playmaking, but not much in the way of proven production. This rating could be much higher based on talent and the "ND is always great at TE" factor, but I see it as a major questionmark until proven otherwise. This unit has has the chance to end rated MUCH higher than this, but the young talent needs to translate into on-field production in major CFB games for that to happen.
OL
Rating -- A
Starter(s) -- Stanley (LT), Nelson (LG), Martin (C), Elmer (RG) , McGlinchey (RT)
Key Depth -- Bars (OT) , Montelus (OG) , Mustipher (C)
Strength (s) -- Size, Strength, athleticism, experience, scheme-fit
Weakness(es) -- consistency
Description -- This unit is likely the strongest unit on a very strong offense. Left-Tackle Ronnie Stanley was a likely 1st Round pick who elected to return for his senior season. Center Nick Martin is a 5th year Senior in his 3rd year starting, and is likely to be a Top5 Center in CFB and a legit NFL Draft Prospect. Right Guard Steve Elmer is also a returning starting (entering his 2nd year) and Right-Tackle Mike McGlincey started the 2014 Bowl Game against LSU. This unit's average size is 6'5" 325lbs and doesn't have anyone smaller than 6'4" 310lbs (Nick Martin at Center). This unit couldn't stay healthy and together in 2014, but showed their potential in the bowl game against LSU, blowing the #1 SEC defense off the ball for the entire game and not allowing a single sack. They have real NFL level talent at every starting position, being pushed by 5*/4* younger players. This is likely the most talented OL at ND since the Holtz years.
