Projecting depth charts is always tough, but I give it a go.
Minnesota's 2023 season opener against the Nebraska Cornhuskers is just one week away as the Golden Gophers will host the Cornhuskers next Thursday at 8:00 p.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium. With fall camp over and the Gophers now moving into game preparation mode for the Cornhuskers, it's time to give our projected depth chart for next Thursday's season opener.
2. Cole Kramer (RS SR)
3. Drew Viotto (FR)
No surprises here; Athan Kaliakmanis will get the nod as the starting quarterback, while Cole Kramer will be the backup for the Golden Gophers. Drew Viotto will be third string and may get a few opportunities as the season progresses if the correct situations present themselves.
2. Darius Taylor (FR)
3. Bryce Williams (RS SR) OR Zach Evans (RS FR)
Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler will be the starting running back to start the season, in our opinion, but don't be surprised if Darius Taylour pushes for that starting job as the season progresses. Taylor has had himself a very strong camp for the Gophers and should see a sizeable role right away.
2. Kristen Hoskins (RS FR)
3. Quentin Redding (RS SO)
In the slot, another Western Michigan transfer will be the starter in Corey Crooms, while Kristen Hoskins will be the primary backup. Walk-on Quentin Redding, who emerged last year as a big special teams threat, could see some time in the slot this season as well.
2. Le'Meke Brockington (RS SO)
3. Kenric Lanier (FR)
At the x spot, Daniel Jackson is coming off what could be considered a breakout season for the Golden Gophers and may very well be their No. 1 quarterback heading into the season. Le'Meke Brockington should provide a quality backup at the X after showing flashes throughout last season, while freshman Kenric Lanier will likely be the third string at the spot.
2. Elijah Spencer (JR)
3. Dino Kaliakmanis (RS SO)
Autman-Bell is a fan favorite but is coming off a knee injury suffered in September last season. It will be intriguing to see where he is with his athleticism and speed as the season gets underway, but we'll give him the starting nod to enter the season. Charlotte transfer Elijah Spencer is someone who could definitely push for similar snap counts as Autman-Bell if he takes advantage of his early opportunities.
2. Nick Kallerup (RS SR)
3. Jameson Geers (RS SO) OR Nathan Jones (RS FR)
Breyvn Spann-Ford will receive a majority of the snaps at tight end for the Gophers and will be their primary receiving tight end, but of course, he is also a superb blocker. Nick Kallerup may receive a few targets throughout the season but will be out there mostly to be an extra blocker.
2. Tony Nelson (RS FR)
3. Logan Purcell (RS SO)
Ersery will be the Gophers' starting left tackle once again this fall after a quality 2022 campaign doing so. Nelson and Purcell should provide decent enough depth.
2. Karter Shaw (RS SR)
3. Greg Johnson (FR)
Tyler Cooper and Karter Shaw are battling it out for the left guard spot, We'll give the edge to Cooper for now, though, thanks to Shaw's versatility, he'll be getting plenty of snaps this fall as well.
2. Karter Shaw (RS SR)
3. Cade McConnell (RS FR)
Nathan Boe is locked in at center, while Karter Shaw will be his primary backup; if Shaw has to slide into a guard spot, Cade McConnell will be the backup center at that point.
2. Ashton Beer (RS FR)
3. Phillip Daniels (FR)
Quinn Carroll returns as the starter at right guard, with Ashton Beers as his backup. True freshman Phillip Daniels would presumably be the third string at the right guard spot.
2. Martes Lewis (RS JR) OR JJ Guedet (RS SR)
3. Reese Tripp (FR)
The right tackle spot is still up to debate between Martes Lewis and JJ Guedet. We'd likely give the edge to Martes Lewis at the moment, but this could be a position battle that goes into the first week or two of the regular season as well.
2. Jalen Logan-Redding (RS SR)
3. Anthony Smith (RS FR)
Jah Joyner is a potential breakout candidate for the Golden Gophers on the defensive side of the ball and will receive a majority of the pass-rushing opportunities. Logan-Redding should provide some upside as his backup, while Anthony Smith will receive opportunities throughout the year.
2. Logan Richter (RS SR)
Only feel good projecting the top two spots at nose tackle. Kyler Baugh and Logan Richter should both see big workloads this fall.
2. Darnell Jefferies (RS SR)
3. Nate Becker (RS SO)
At defensive tackle, Deven Eastern and Darnell Jefferies are likely to rotate quite a bit this season. Eastern has been impressive in his first two years on campus. Eastern will be the starter, but their workloads will likely be similar.
RUSH
1. Danny Striggow (SR)
2. Chris Collins (RS SR)
At the RUSH end, expect it to be mostly Danny Striggow and Chris Collins taking a majority of the snaps for the Gophers.
2. Devon Williams (RS SO)
Lindenberg returns as the Gophers' starter at the WILL spot. Devon Williams will be his likely backup, though Maverick Baranowski could potentially move to WILL if needed.
2. Maverick Baranowski (RS FR)
Another Western Michigan transfer, Ryan Selig, will be the starting MIKE linebacker for the Gophers, while Maverick Baranowski will be the second-string MIKE. Baranowski, thanks to his versatility, should see a strong bit of playing time this fall.
1. Joey Gerlach (RS FR)
2. Rhyland Kelly (RS FR) / Tyler Bride (SR)/ Jack Henderson (SR) OR Craig McDonald (RS JR)
Minnesota should feel rather good about their cornerback room. Justin Walley is going to be a force in the secondary, while Tre'von Jones, Jack Henderson, Craig McDonald, and Tyler Bride are all players who could realistically start. The depth at the position is really solid all around, including shirt freshman Tariq Watson, who could push for second-string DB reps.. I wouldn't be surprised if either of Za'Quan Bryan pushes for reps as the season progresses.
2. Aidan Gousby (RS FR) / Bryson Coleman (RS FR)
At safety, the duo of Darius Green and Tyler Nubin has a chance to be among the best safety duos in the Big Ten. Aidan Gousby and Bryson Coleman are the likely backups at the two safety spots to start the season, but don't be surprised if Kerry Brown makes his presence known as the season progresses.
Projecting Minnesota's depth chart against Nebraska
Minnesota's 2023 season opener against the Nebraska Cornhuskers is just one week away as the Golden Gophers will host the Cornhuskers next Thursday at 8:00 p.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium. With fall camp over and the Gophers now moving into game preparation mode for the Cornhuskers, it's time to give our projected depth chart for next Thursday's season opener.
QUARTERBACK
1. Athan Kaliakmanis (RS SO)2. Cole Kramer (RS SR)
3. Drew Viotto (FR)
No surprises here; Athan Kaliakmanis will get the nod as the starting quarterback, while Cole Kramer will be the backup for the Golden Gophers. Drew Viotto will be third string and may get a few opportunities as the season progresses if the correct situations present themselves.
RUNNING BACK
1. Sean Tyler (SR)2. Darius Taylor (FR)
3. Bryce Williams (RS SR) OR Zach Evans (RS FR)
Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler will be the starting running back to start the season, in our opinion, but don't be surprised if Darius Taylour pushes for that starting job as the season progresses. Taylor has had himself a very strong camp for the Gophers and should see a sizeable role right away.
SL- WIDE RECEIVER
1. Corey Crooms (SR)2. Kristen Hoskins (RS FR)
3. Quentin Redding (RS SO)
In the slot, another Western Michigan transfer will be the starter in Corey Crooms, while Kristen Hoskins will be the primary backup. Walk-on Quentin Redding, who emerged last year as a big special teams threat, could see some time in the slot this season as well.
X- WIDE RECEIVER
1. Daniel Jackson (SR)2. Le'Meke Brockington (RS SO)
3. Kenric Lanier (FR)
At the x spot, Daniel Jackson is coming off what could be considered a breakout season for the Golden Gophers and may very well be their No. 1 quarterback heading into the season. Le'Meke Brockington should provide a quality backup at the X after showing flashes throughout last season, while freshman Kenric Lanier will likely be the third string at the spot.
Z- WIDE RECEIVER
1. Chris Autman-Bell (RS SR)2. Elijah Spencer (JR)
3. Dino Kaliakmanis (RS SO)
Autman-Bell is a fan favorite but is coming off a knee injury suffered in September last season. It will be intriguing to see where he is with his athleticism and speed as the season gets underway, but we'll give him the starting nod to enter the season. Charlotte transfer Elijah Spencer is someone who could definitely push for similar snap counts as Autman-Bell if he takes advantage of his early opportunities.
TIGHT END
1. Brevyn Spann-Ford (RS SR)2. Nick Kallerup (RS SR)
3. Jameson Geers (RS SO) OR Nathan Jones (RS FR)
Breyvn Spann-Ford will receive a majority of the snaps at tight end for the Gophers and will be their primary receiving tight end, but of course, he is also a superb blocker. Nick Kallerup may receive a few targets throughout the season but will be out there mostly to be an extra blocker.
LEFT TACKLE
1. Aierontae Ersery(RS JR)2. Tony Nelson (RS FR)
3. Logan Purcell (RS SO)
Ersery will be the Gophers' starting left tackle once again this fall after a quality 2022 campaign doing so. Nelson and Purcell should provide decent enough depth.
LEFT GUARD
1. Tyler Cooper (RS SR)2. Karter Shaw (RS SR)
3. Greg Johnson (FR)
Tyler Cooper and Karter Shaw are battling it out for the left guard spot, We'll give the edge to Cooper for now, though, thanks to Shaw's versatility, he'll be getting plenty of snaps this fall as well.
CENTER
1. Nathan Boe (RS SR)2. Karter Shaw (RS SR)
3. Cade McConnell (RS FR)
Nathan Boe is locked in at center, while Karter Shaw will be his primary backup; if Shaw has to slide into a guard spot, Cade McConnell will be the backup center at that point.
RIGHT GUARD
1. Quinn Carroll (RS SR)2. Ashton Beer (RS FR)
3. Phillip Daniels (FR)
Quinn Carroll returns as the starter at right guard, with Ashton Beers as his backup. True freshman Phillip Daniels would presumably be the third string at the right guard spot.
RIGHT TACKLE
1. Martes Lewis (RS JR) OR JJ Guedet (RS SR)2. Martes Lewis (RS JR) OR JJ Guedet (RS SR)
3. Reese Tripp (FR)
The right tackle spot is still up to debate between Martes Lewis and JJ Guedet. We'd likely give the edge to Martes Lewis at the moment, but this could be a position battle that goes into the first week or two of the regular season as well.
DEFENSIVE END
1. Jah Johnyer (RS JR)2. Jalen Logan-Redding (RS SR)
3. Anthony Smith (RS FR)
Jah Joyner is a potential breakout candidate for the Golden Gophers on the defensive side of the ball and will receive a majority of the pass-rushing opportunities. Logan-Redding should provide some upside as his backup, while Anthony Smith will receive opportunities throughout the year.
NOSE TACKLE
1. Kyler Baugh (RS SR)2. Logan Richter (RS SR)
Only feel good projecting the top two spots at nose tackle. Kyler Baugh and Logan Richter should both see big workloads this fall.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
1. Deven Eastern (RS SO)2. Darnell Jefferies (RS SR)
3. Nate Becker (RS SO)
At defensive tackle, Deven Eastern and Darnell Jefferies are likely to rotate quite a bit this season. Eastern has been impressive in his first two years on campus. Eastern will be the starter, but their workloads will likely be similar.
RUSH
1. Danny Striggow (SR)
2. Chris Collins (RS SR)
At the RUSH end, expect it to be mostly Danny Striggow and Chris Collins taking a majority of the snaps for the Gophers.
WILL LINEBACKER
1. Cody Lindenberg (RS JR)2. Devon Williams (RS SO)
Lindenberg returns as the Gophers' starter at the WILL spot. Devon Williams will be his likely backup, though Maverick Baranowski could potentially move to WILL if needed.
MIKE LINEBACKER
1. Ryan Selig (SR)2. Maverick Baranowski (RS FR)
Another Western Michigan transfer, Ryan Selig, will be the starting MIKE linebacker for the Gophers, while Maverick Baranowski will be the second-string MIKE. Baranowski, thanks to his versatility, should see a strong bit of playing time this fall.
SAM LINEBACKER
1. Joey Gerlach (RS FR)
CORNERBACK
1. Justin Walley (JR) / Tre'Von Jones (RS SR) / Jack Henderson (SR) OR Craig McDonald (RS JR)2. Rhyland Kelly (RS FR) / Tyler Bride (SR)/ Jack Henderson (SR) OR Craig McDonald (RS JR)
Minnesota should feel rather good about their cornerback room. Justin Walley is going to be a force in the secondary, while Tre'von Jones, Jack Henderson, Craig McDonald, and Tyler Bride are all players who could realistically start. The depth at the position is really solid all around, including shirt freshman Tariq Watson, who could push for second-string DB reps.. I wouldn't be surprised if either of Za'Quan Bryan pushes for reps as the season progresses.
SAFETY
1. Darius Green (RS SO) / Tyler Nubin (RS SR)2. Aidan Gousby (RS FR) / Bryson Coleman (RS FR)
At safety, the duo of Darius Green and Tyler Nubin has a chance to be among the best safety duos in the Big Ten. Aidan Gousby and Bryson Coleman are the likely backups at the two safety spots to start the season, but don't be surprised if Kerry Brown makes his presence known as the season progresses.
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