Projected Air Force Spring Depth Chart

Now that we’ve reviewed spring football for the Falcons, it’s time to work on a

depth chart. My disclaimer for this speculative depth chart is that I have no direct

knowledge of what Troy Calhoun is thinking, and by the way Calhoun’s press

conferences unfold, I doubt anyone outside his inner circle can really know. So I’ll

dive right in and make a few guesses based on my review of spring football at the

Academy.

We’ll start with the most important position in the option attack at Air Force (and

really at pretty much any football team), quarterback. The list begins with the

obvious choice, Donald Hammond, the possible MW Offensive Player of the Year:

1. Donald Hammond, senior (602 yds rushing, 13 TD, 1316 yds passing, 13 TD)

2. Warren Bryan, junior

3. Chance Stevenson, junior (2-2 passing, 63 yds, 11 yds rushing)

At fullback, the Falcons almost always rotate very frequently, so starters may only

play half the snaps, but there is a clear number one, and a couple good, powerful

backups:

1. Duval Jackson, junior (745 yds, 6 TD, 6.1 YPC)

2. Matt Murla, senior (44 yds)

3. Omar Fattah, junior (15 yds)

At tailback, another clear number one, backed up by someone with an even higher

yards per carry, albeit with much fewer carries:

1. Kadin Remsberg, senior (1050 yds, 8 TD)

2. Josh Stoner, senior (207 yds, 1 TD, 9.0 YPC)

3. Jakeem Patrick, junior

At wingback (or slotback), a hybrid runner/receiver for the Falcons, someone with

a lot of playing time but minimal stats. The backup is a speedster, who could take

over the top spot if he stays out of trouble and has a good fall:

1. Ben Peterson, senior (3 yds rushing, 25 yds receiving)

2. Brandon Lewis, junior

3. Amari Terry, junior

At wide receiver, very little game experience, but nice talent:

1. David Cormier, junior

2. Jake Spiewak, junior

3. Dane Kinnamon, sophomore

At tight end, the Falcons have a very talented sophomore who they hope can

provide the blocking required by a tight end at the Academy:

1. Kyle Patterson, sophomore

2. Rhett Harms, senior

3. Luke Miller, senior

At center, someone who didn’t get very much playing time because of the talent of

a second team all-MW center, but who the coaches think can play with similar power

to Connor Vikupitz:

1. Nicholas Noyen, senior

2. Cody Mercer, junior

3. Joe Moore, junior

At Guard, it’s an easy choice who gets the nod because of their performance last

year. Laufenberg is a possible NFL caliber player:

1. Nolan Laufenberg, senior

1. Kyle Krepsz, senior

2. Hawk Wimmer, junior

2. Isaac Cochran, junior

At offensive tackle, again easy choices because of past performance, and another

all-MW caliber player:

1. Parker Ferguson, senior

1. Adam Jewell, senior

2. George Silvanic, senior

2. Ryan Booth, senior

At defensive end, a third year for Jordan Jackson, and another end who took over

his spot with good performances last year:

1. Jordan Jackson, senior

1. Christopher Herrera, junior

2. Kaleb Nunez, senior

2. Michael Purcell, senior

At nose tackle, very little experience, and a big hole to fill:

1. Nokoa Pauole, junior

2. Kalawai’a Pesscaia, sophomore

At inside linebacker, maybe the biggest, strongest duo in Falcon history, but thin on

experience behind them:

1. Demonte Meeks, senior

1. TD Blackmon, junior

2. Noah Bush, junior

2. John Lyons, senior

At outside linebacker, a three year starter with a history of injuries, and the Cheez-it

Bowl defensive player of the game, and at least one backup who performed very well

in spring camp:

1. Lakota Wills, senior

1. Grant Donaldson, senior

2. Brandon Gooding, junior

2. Parker Noren, senior

At cornerback, a good performer from last year, and a lot of unproven athleticism

as other choices:

1. Tre Bugg, senior

1. David Eure, junior

2. Elijah Palm, senior

2. Demani Hansford, senior

3. Elisha Palm, senior

At safety, two of the Falcons higher three-star recruits:

1. James Jones, senior

1. Trey Taylor, sophomore

2. Corvan Taylor, junior

2. Rodney Higdon, junior

At Placekicker, a real question mark:

1. Tevye Schuttpelz-Rohl

2. Fabrizio Pinton

At Punter:

1. Who knows but the Falcons don’t punt that often

Kick returners, Calhoun likes his returners to fair catch so there is no drama, and

the offense can just get on the field to run the clock down:

1. Ben Peterson

As you can see there are some question marks, kicking and returning being the

most obvious. In good years, the Falcons come up with solutions, and in bad years,

they don’t, so I’ll wait until next fall to make my judgments, and maybe get a better

handle on it.

I welcome any coments or questions.