Running down Navy’s depth chart tweaks entering this week’s game against VMI, some of which were obvious enough in Saturday’s loss at Penn State …
DEFENSIVE END
SEE RELATED:
Sophomore Paul Quessenberry moves up to second-string in place of senior Collin Sturdivant. Sophomore Aaron Davis falls off the depth chart.
Quick take: Quessenberry, a converted outside linebacker, has impressed at times since the start of camp with his relentless play. He’s made four tackles in the first two games.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Josh Tate and DJ Sargenti have flipped spots, with Tate now Jordan Drake‘s immediate backup and Sargenti the third-stringer.
Quick take: It was only a matter of time before this was formalized on the depth chart. Tate was the starter entering the preseason, but flunked a conditioning test and missed more than two weeks of practice. Tate played in the first two games; Sargenti did not.
QUARTERBACK
Freshman Keenan Reynolds is now listed as the sole No. 2 quarterback, with John Hendrick the No. 3 option.
Quick take: This jibes with everything coach Ken Niumatalolo and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper have said for the last month. Oh, and also the fact Reynolds has replaced Miller in the second half in back-to-back games.
WIDE RECEIVER
Senior Brandon Turner is up to second on the depth chart after his adventurous preseason, with Jonathan Gazaille down to third string and sophomore James King no longer listed.
Quick take: Like Tate, Turner had conditioning test issues. Like Tate, it wasn’t going to take long for Turner to at least get back in a second-string role. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Turner is an immensely valuable blocker on the edge for the Mids.
CENTER
Sophomore Tanner Fleming is listed as the starter, with Graham Vickers the second option.
Quick take: Fleming started against Penn State and is still working with the starters this week despite some snap-related issues Saturday.
RIGHT TACKLE
Vickers is listed ahead of Bradyn Heap, with Andrew Barker now appearing as a reserve only at left tackle.
Quick take: Vickers moved back to right tackle after the opener and drew the start Saturday. No surprise here.
—- Patrick Stevens
