Spring football has come and gone for Stanford football. In looking at the depth charts, not a lot has been “decided” from the spring practices. Most of the hotly contested competitions will continue into training camp. Most of the competition seems to be more for playing time on the second team as the starters seem in place for the most part.
The only position that seems solved at spring is left guard where Kevin Danser stepped up and took ownership of the position. Coaches seemed very pleased with his work and for now, he is the starter.
As for the rest of the positions, here is the breakdown as of the end of spring football:
QUARTERBACKS:
Andrew Luck
Josh Nunes
Robbie Picazo
Brett Nottingham
Nunes seems to have a small edge over Picazo right now. This will be a full fledged competition that will for sure continue into the fall and then continue into next year. Nottingham has looked good too but is not getting the same reps that Nunes and Picazo are getting. He is not out of the running though.
RUNNING BACKS:
Stepfan Taylor
Anthony Wilkerson
Jeremy Stewart
Tyler Gaffney
Ricky Seale
Seale was impressive during the spring game and as a top recruit he could be in line for some playing time this year if he continues to get better. Otherwise, Stanford looks very set and very deep with a similar rotation to last year. Taylor is the number one guy, Wilkerson will see more action from the beginning, Stewart will get some veteran carries and Gaffney will have to work his way into the rotation.
FULLBACK:
Ryan Hewitt
Lee Ward
Geoff Meinken
This one is a little harder to handicap because Hewitt will be playing tight end and H-back as well. Hewitt is “Mr. Versatility” according to Coach Shaw. Either way, expect to see all three on the field in some capacity this fall.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Chris Owusu
Griff Whalen
Jamal Patterson
Drew Terrell
Jemari Roberts
Corey Gatewood
Keanu Nelson
I left Darren Daniel off this list as it is unclear where he will fit in. He did play on the Cardinal team during the spring game, but since he is new to the position it is hard to grade where to consider him on the depth chart. Owusu is a no brainer at one receiver position if healthy. Whalen, Patterson and Terrell seem to have established themselves in the rotation after that. Coach Shaw is now waiting for a third group to step up and be consistently good.
TIGHT END:
Coby Fleener
Zach Ertz
Levine Toilolo
Davis Dudchock
Another tough one here since Fleener did not have contact this spring and Toilolo was held out entirely. Ertz has really stepped up and will play a big role this year. Will he complete his game and be a blocking tight end too? Dudchock has talent and will provide needed depth.
LEFT TACKLE:
Jonathan Martin
David Yankey
LEFT GUARD:
Kevin Danser
Dillon Bonnell
Matt Bentler
CENTER
Sam Schwartzstein
Khalil Wilkes
RIGHT GUARD
David DeCastro
Cole Underwood
RIGHT TACKLE:
Tyler Mabry
Cameron Fleming
David Yankey
Center and right tackle are still too close to call. At this moment you have to give the edge to the above but don’t expect that to last. I would guess Fleming wins the right tackle war and that frees up Mabry to take the James McGillicuddy role of tight end extra lineman. At center, Schwartzstein is in the lead but nothing is determined. The backup guard position will get more competition when Bentler returns. He did not play this spring.
There is some talent on this offense. Stanford needs the line to come together and play well and a few wide receivers to really step up this year. With a quarterback like Luck, a deep stable of talented running backs, the Cardinal offense could be outstanding once again this season.
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