Navy updated its depth chart today, and there are a few more changes than last week.
A position-by-position rundown:
SEE RELATED:
OFFENSE
WIDE RECEIVER
Jonathan Gazaille and John O’Boyle switched places behind Casey Bolena. Gazaille is now the No. 2, with O’Boyle No. 3. Remember, this is the spot where Brandon Turner would probably be a starter if he had not failed his physical readiness test.
At the other spot, James King nosed ahead of fellow sophomore Brendan Dudeck for the No. 3 spot.
SLOTBACK and QUARTERBACK
No changes at either spot
FULLBACK
The Mids moved freshman Chris Swain into the No. 3 role, ahead of sophomore Maika Polamalu
OFFENSIVE LINE
Plenty of changes here …
* Ryan Paulson, a converted defensive lineman, is now the No. 1 left tackle. Graham Vickers was flipped from left tackle to right tackle. Andrew Barker, who opened camp as the starting right tackle, is the top reserve behind both.
* Tanner Fleming is now atop the depth chart at center, moving past Bradyn Heap. Both are sophomores.
* Plebe E.K. Binns moved up to No. 2 left guard, while Nathaniel Otto fell to No. 3 on the depth chart. Matt Couch is now the No. 3 right guard.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE END
Unlike nose guard, where the three-deep was unchanged, there was lots of movement here:
* Aaron Davis went from third-string right end to second-string left end.
* Josh Dowling-Fitzpatrick shifted from second-string left end to second-string right end.
* Evan Palelei moved up from second-string right end to first-string right end.
* Collin Sturdivant fell from starting right end to third-string right end.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Chris Johnson has moved ahead of Jordan Drake. The sophomore were previously listed as co-starters.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
The starters remain the same, though John Michael Nurthen has taken the No. 2 slot outright at one of the two inside positions. There co-No. 3s at both spots: Vinnie Mauro and Anthony Lewis at one, Joe Worth and Lewis at the other.
SECONDARY
The starters are mostly unchanged, but defensive coordinator Buddy Green shook up the order of the reserves. A lot.
* Co-No. 2s behind Parrish Gaines at corner: Kwazel Bertrand, Quincy Adams and Cody West. Only Adams was in the three-deep beforehand.
* George Jamison moves over from No. 3 free safety to No. 3 rover (essentially, strong safety)
* Jerad Fehr is now listed as a co-starter at free safety with Chris Ferguson. Fehr wasn’t on the depth chart last week. Wave Ryder (previously No. 2 free safety) and Shakir Robinson (previously No. 3 rover) are co-No. 3s at free safety.
* Lots of freshmen behind Jonathan Wev at corner: Shelley White as the No. 2, Jordan Sartor and Myer Krah as co-No. 3s.
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKERS
Navy lists six kickers as co-starters, which is one way of saying the Midshipmen really have no idea who will be handling extra points and field goals when the season begins. The kickoff specialist was also removed from this depth chart.
PUNT RETURNER
Matt Aiken remains the No. 1 punt returner, but senior Gee Gee Greene is now listed as his backup. Aiken left Saturday’s scrimmage with a knee injury and he was to undergo an MRI exam to determine the severity of the issue.
—- Patrick Stevens
