The Air Force Falcons released their 2015 initial depth chart in advance of Mountain West Media Days. After completing an amazing eight game turnaround in the 2014 season that included a victory over Western Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the Falcons will look to keep expectations high after the 10 game win total last season.
Offense
The offense has most of its key playmakers back for 2015 in running back Jacobi Owens, fullbacks D.J. Johnson and Shayne Davern, receivers Jalen Robinette and Garrett Brown and tight end Garrett Griffin. And while last season's quarterback Kale Pearson graduated from the Academy, the Falcons have an experienced signal caller returning in Nate Romine, who started five games his freshman year and one game in 2014. The game he started in 2014 was one of the biggest games of the season however, as he helped the Falcons upset Colorado State on the final game of the regular season. There should be plenty of fireworks provided this coming season by the Falcons on the offensive side of the ball.
Position |
Number |
Name |
Class |
Left Tackle |
72 |
Matt Rochell |
Senior |
75 |
Luke Brantley |
Senior |
|
Left Guard |
56 |
Colin Sandor |
Junior |
61 |
Jackson Wilson |
Junior |
|
Center |
67 |
Dylan Vail |
Junior |
53 |
Jordan Tyler |
Sophomore |
|
Right Guard |
58 |
A.J. Ruechel |
Senior |
55 |
Alexander Norton |
Sophomore |
|
Right Tackle |
74 |
Sevrin Remmo |
Senior |
73 |
Allen Caunitz |
Junior |
|
Quarterback |
6 |
Nate Romine |
Junior |
16 |
Karson Roberts |
Senior |
|
Tailback |
28 |
Jacobi Owens |
Junior |
5 |
Devin Rushing |
Senior |
|
Fullback |
3 |
D.J. Johnson |
Junior |
43 |
Shayne Davern |
Junior |
|
Tight End |
80 |
Garrett Griffin |
Senior |
83 |
Riley Huff |
Senior |
|
Wide Receiver |
9 |
Jalen Robinette |
Junior |
12 |
Tyler Williams |
Sophomore |
|
Flanker |
7 |
Garrett Brown |
Senior |
15 |
Alex Ludowig |
Senior |
Defense
A unit that was one of the worst in college football in 2013 was a key reason for the Air Force turnaround in 2014. The defense played the major role in the Falcons turnaround in 2014, improving in all statistical categories and helping get the ball back to the offense by showing a great ability to turnover the opponent. The Falcons are going to be breaking in seven new starters this year, but return great talent in Alex Hansen, Dexter Walker, Connor Healy and Weston Steelhammer. That quartet will be relied on early as the new starters adapt to their new roles.
Position |
Number |
Name |
Class |
Defensive End |
87 |
Alex Hansen |
Senior |
38 |
Kellen Cleveland |
Junior |
|
Defensive Tackle |
93 |
Samual Byers |
Junior |
99 |
Jalen Lacy |
Junior |
|
Nose Guard |
53 |
David Harris |
Junior |
43 |
Santo Coppola |
Sophomore |
|
Inside Linebacker |
6 |
Connor Healy |
Senior |
34 |
D.J. Dunn Jr. |
Junior |
|
Outside Linebacker |
40 |
Ryan Watson |
Junior |
50 |
Jack Flor |
Sophomore |
|
Inside Linebacker |
41 |
Patrick Healy |
Junior |
47 |
Claude Alexander III |
Junior |
|
Outside LInebacker |
5 |
Dexter Walker |
Senior |
48 |
Jacob Onyechi |
Junior |
|
Cornerback |
11 |
Jesse Washington |
Junior |
9 |
Jayce Webster |
Sophomore |
|
Free Safety |
14 |
Hayes Linn |
Junior |
18 |
Brodie Hicks |
Junior |
|
Strong Safety |
8 |
Weston Steelhammer |
Junior |
25 |
Roland Ladipo |
Junior |
|
Cornerback |
4 |
Kalon Baker |
Senior |
27 |
Tyler Weaver |
Junior |
Special Teams
The Falcons will be searching for all new starters on special teams, and have yet to announce many of those positions. The key will be how well Drew Oehrle and Brett Dunn replace all-everything kicker Will Conant. Conant handled all the place kicking and punting duties last season, and Oehrle and Dunn have lots of pressure to make the drop off from Conant as little as possible.
Position |
Number |
Name |
Class |
Place Kicker |
94 |
Drew Oehrle |
Senior |
Punter |
92 |
Brett Dunn |
Senior |
Punt Returner |
Not Announced |
||
Kick Returner |
Not Announced |
||
Long Snapper |
Not Announced |
||
Holder |
Not Announced |