Friday TIDBITS

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ourlads-vs-your-lad">OURLADS vs. Your Lad</h2> <p>There is a site out there called OURLADS.com that does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to pro and college teams. They have compiled depth charts for every single FBS team, and a lot of national people lean on that when they have a story to write and don’t want to do real homework.</p> <p>That’s a remarkable job, but they’re not perfect. I looked at A&M’s this morning and saw a number of errors. So I’m going to compare what they did (in the charts) with my depth chart, which I will comment on below each position group.</p> <p><strong>Quarterback</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/marcel-reed-82333/'>Marcel Reed</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.; 6-1, 185</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/brady-hart-178357/'>Brady Hart</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 6-4, 195</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/helaman-casuga-174877/'>Helaman Casuga</a></strong></td><td>Fr.; 6, 200</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>Right off the bat, I’m going to disagree with them. I don’t think Casuga is the third stringer — yet. Eli Morcos has been here a year and, knowing Mike Elko’s desire to have the more experienced player on the field unless a younger one has proven they’re ready, he should be the third stringer. Could Casuga pass him? Yes. Will he? Probably. But not yet.</p> <p><strong>Running back</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/rueben-owens-102717/'>Rueben Owens</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.; 5-11, 215</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/jamarion-morrow-158409/'>Jamarion Morrow</a></strong></td><td>So.; 5-9, 205</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/kj-edwards-162061/'>KJ Edwards</a></strong></td><td>Fr.; 5-10, 187</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>This is close to how I think it will eventually play out, but <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/deondrae-riden-34438/">Tiger Riden</a></strong> will probably get first dibs in the spring before Edwards and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/carsyn-baker-239264/">Carsyn Baker</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong>Tight end</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height/Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/houston-thomas-48257/'>Houston Thomas</a></strong></td><td>RS-Sr.-TR.; 6-5, 245</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/richie-anderson-148334/'>Richie Anderson</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.-TR.; 6-4, 255</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/kiotti-armstrong-158793/'>Kiotti Armstrong</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 6-7, 265</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>I agree with this, though I’d add Anderson as a co-starter because there will be plenty of two tight end sets. </p> <p><strong>Wide receiver</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>(X)</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>SLOT</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>(Z)</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/isaiah-horton-144190/'>Isaiah Horton</a></strong></td><td>Sr.; 6-4, 208</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/mario-craver-150238/'>Mario Craver</a></strong></td><td>Jr.-TR.; 5-9, 165</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/ashton-bethel-roman-156214/'>Ashton Bethel-Roman</a></strong></td><td>RS-So.; 6, 185</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/tk-norman-177194/'>TK Norman</a></strong></td><td>So.;  6, 182</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/madden-williams-154110/'>Madden Williams</a></strong></td><td>Fr.; 6-1, 187</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/terry-bussey-148387/'>Terry Bussey</a></strong></td><td>Jr.; 5-10, 195</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/aaron-gregory-152350/'>Aaron Gregory</a></strong></td><td>Fr.; 6-2, 177</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/kelshaun-johnson-155851/'>Kelshaun Johnson</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 5-11, 168</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/jerome-myles-178063/'>Jerome Myles</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 6-2, 220</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>Ok, I have a number of issues here. First, Williams, in my opinion, is not a slot. Norman is more of a slot and that’s where he got most of his (limited) snaps last year. So I’d have Norman and Johnson backing up Craver, and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/mike-brown-236184/">Mike Brown</a></strong> would be the freshman I’d consider at that spot. I think Myles is more of an X and Gregory a Z, so I’d flip them and move Myles up to the backup to Horton.</p> <p><strong>Offensive tackle</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>LT</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>RT</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/tyree-adams-146499/'>Tyree Adams</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.-TR.; 6-7, 310</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/wilkin-formby-146493/'>Wilkin Formby</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.-TR.; 6-7, 324</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/lamont-rogers-155815/'>Lamont Rogers</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 6-6, 337</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/robert-bourdon-162519/'>Robbie Bourdon</a></strong></td><td>RS-So.; 6-6, 318</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>No arguments here. Adams and Formby are here to start, and Rogers and Bourdon are going to try to take their jobs.</p> <p><strong>Interior offensive line</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>LG</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>C</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>RG</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/coen-echols-176288/'>Coen Echols</a></strong></td><td>RS-So.-TR.; 6-4, 315 </td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/mark-nabou-83492/'>Mark Nabou</a></strong></td><td>RS-Sr.; 6-4, 330</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/trovon-baugh-150937/'>Trovon Baugh</a></strong></td><td>Sr.-TR.; 6-4, 337</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/blake-ivy-152192/'>Blake Ivy</a></strong></td><td>RS-So.; 6-3, 336</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/ashton-funk-151611/'>Ashton Funk</a></strong></td><td>RS-So.; 6-6, 322</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/tyler-thomas-152082/'>Tyler Thomas</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 6-4, 329</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/isendre-ahfua-147672/">Papa Ahfua</a></strong></td><td>RS-So.; 6-3, 342</td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>I think they have the starters right, and Ivy is right as the major backup at left guard. Funk is the backup at center, but I think there will be competition there. Thomas is as good a name as any to put as the backup at right guard, but that position will be a mad scramble. </p> <p><strong>Defensive end</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>LDE</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>RDE</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/anto-saka-6759/'>Anto Saka</a></strong></td><td>RS-Sr.-TR.; 6-4, 257</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/tj-searcy-109559/'>T.J. Searcy</a></strong></td><td>Sr.-TR.; 6-5, 255</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/samuel-mpemba-104785/'>Sam M’Pemba</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.-TR.; 6-3, 252</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/marco-jones-174804/'>Marco Jones</a></strong></td><td>So.; 6-5, 258</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/ryan-henderson-103276/'>Ryan Henderson</a></strong></td><td>RS-Sr.-TR.; 6-3, 255</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/bryce-perry-wright-155253/'>Bryce Perry-Wright</a></strong></td><td>Fr.;  6-2, 253</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>I have a number of problems here, both with who and where. I think Jones will start at left defensive end (where he played most of last year) with Searcy on the right. Saka and Henderson will be pass rushers and get the occasional full series, but they will move around. M’Pemba and Perry-Wright could be the third stringer, and BPW is definitely the true freshman I think is most likely to play, but we’re not there yet.</p> <p><strong>Interior defensive line</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth Chart</strong></td><td><strong>NT</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>DT</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/cj-mims-16456/'>C.J. Mims</a></strong></td><td>RS-Sr.-TR.; 6-2, 300</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/dj-hicks-31751/'>DJ Hicks</a></strong></td><td>Sr.; 6-3, 295</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/angelo-mccullom-151065/'>Angelo McCullom</a></strong></td><td>Jr.-TR.; 6-2, 300</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/landon-rink-78019/'>Landon Rink</a></strong></td><td>So.; 6-2, 294</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/brandon-davis-swain-12397/'>Brandon Davis-Swain</a></strong></td><td>RS-So.-TR.; 6-4, 290</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/dj-sanders-154852/'>DJ Sanders</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 6-3, 315</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>No arguments here, even though A&M does not denote a nose tackle on its depth chart, just two DT positions. The think that impresses me is the deep depth, and the fact that they have some very talented young players waiting in the wings.</p> <p><strong>Linebacker</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth Chart</strong></td><td><strong>MIKE</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>WILL</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/daymion-sanford-150279/'>Daymion Sanford</a></strong></td><td>Sr.; 6-2, 230</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/noah-mikhail-152464/'>Noah Mikhail</a></strong></td><td>So.; 6-2, 223</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/jordan-lockhart-65667/'>Jordan Lockhart</a></strong></td><td>Jr.; 6-1, 229</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/ray-coney-153928/'>Ray Coney</a></strong></td><td>Sr.-TR.; 6-2, 240</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td>TJ Smith</td><td>Jr.-TR.; 6-1, 235</td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>Ok, many problems with this one. First, Coney starts and he starts at MIKE, with Sanford at WILL. Lockhart backs up at MIKE and Mikhail at WILL, though he can play both. I would not put Smith, a walk-on, in the three deep. Someone like Kelvion Riggins (now that I know he’s back) or Tank King may be more likely.</p> <p><strong>Safety</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth Chart</strong></td><td><strong>FS</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>SS</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/marcus-ratcliffe-82942/'>Marcus Ratcliffe</a></strong></td><td>Sr.-TR.; 6-2, 209</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/dalton-brooks-28274/'>Dalton Brooks</a></strong></td><td>Sr.; 6, 193</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/bryce-anderson-15671/'>Bryce Anderson</a></strong></td><td>RS-Sr.; 5-10, 186</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/tawfiq-byard-150128/'>Tawfiq Byard</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.-TR.; 6-1, 195</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Third string</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/rashad-johnson-155843/'>Tom Tom Johnson</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.; 6-1, 198</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/myles-davis-158654/'>Myles Davis</a></strong></td><td>Jr.; 6-1, 196</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>The big problem here is Anderson as the backup free safety. He’s not going to be playing there (unless the staff has changed its mind again); he’ll be at nickel. Whoever doesn’t start between Ratcliffe, Brooks and Byard will be the backup at both positions and play quite a bit.</p> <p><strong>Nickel/Corner</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Depth chart</strong></td><td><strong>Nickel</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>RCB</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td><td><strong>LCB</strong></td><td><strong>Class/Height, Weight</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starter</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/jordan-shaw-66007/'>Jordan Shaw</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/rickey-gibson-151118/'>Rickey Gibson</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.-TR.; </td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/dezz-ricks-35611/'>Dezz Ricks</a></strong></td><td>RS-Jr.-TR.; </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Backup</strong></td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/bravion-rogers-13451/'>Bravion Rogers</a></strong></td><td>Sr.</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/julian-humphrey-144371/'>Julio Humphrey</a></strong></td><td>RS-Sr.-TR.</td><td><strong><a href='https://www.on3.com/rivals/adonyss-currie-176217/'>Adonyss Currie</a></strong></td><td>RS-Fr.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p>I think Shaw or Anderson starts at nickel. The corner positions appear to be what the coaching staff would prefer them to be, but Humphrey is probably the backup at both corner positions.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hoops-needs-a-rest-badly">Hoops needs a rest. Badly</h2> <p>Obviously, losing 83-63 to OU last night was not in the plans of the Texas A&M basketball program, but it may not be the worst thing to have happen to them. Let’s face facts: the Aggies haven’t played a good full game in a month at least. Kentucky was the closest they came to it, and they had to claw back from 12 down in that one. I said a few weeks back that A&M’s style of play will wear opponents down, but doing it every game would wear <em>them</em> down too. </p> <p>Some people close to the program told me that yes, they are indeed tired. We know that Bucky Ball works, but exactly how it will work at the D-1 level was a question nobody knew the answer to. The team has worn down, their shooting percentage has dropped and their struggling on defense. That’s not surprising for a first year in a very different scheme, but it’s still a frustrating reality. Getting a week or so off could benefit them going into the tournament. Hopefully it will let them get their legs back. This offseason, better conditioning (or better ways to get conditioned) will likely be a goal for Bucky McMillan and his staff. At least they’ll have more time to work on it.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sec-threatening-to-go-it-alone-will-they">SEC threatening to go it alone. Will they?</h2> <p>SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said more than once this week that, if there are not universal rules for NIL and revenue sharing, the SEC may come up with its own enforcement model. Sankey indicated that the leadership of SEC member schools support the idea of doing something on their own of Congress and/or the NCAA won’t. </p> <p>Some people have told me this week that this isn’t just saber-rattling; it’ll be something the conference will honestly look at if there’s no moment in Washington or with the NCAA. There has been some progress with the SCORE Act on Capitol Hill, but I still don’t see it passing. The NCAA won’t do anything because they’re scared of being sued.</p> <p>My question with the SEC is pretty simple: what are you going to do the first time someone breaks a conference-implemented rule? I mean, LSU is fielding a $40 million team this fall, and Kentucky’s basketball team was a $20-plus million bust. Those are numbers most teams either can’t or won’t match, so what do you do when the SEC tries to drop the hammer on them? </p> <p>I don’t know if they’ve thought that part through.</p>