Early 2026 Depth Chart

[90scane]

I could see Vaughn and Jacobs reversed on your chart.

 

[Ironmanfootball]

I mean I'd definitely prefer that if Samson ends up guard.

Though McCoy/Samson played all year at LG and Buchanan played all year at RG. I can see them just leaving it like that and saying Buchanan and Cantwell will grow together and start here 3 years.... It'd be quite nice long-term.

I also think it's just as likely Cantwell just straight up plays LT. Then Samson or McCoy at RT, and the loser of that competition stays at LG. And then Buchanan sticks at RG, so basically 2 guys stay only 1 ends up moving from last season...

If Mirabal gets an elite OL out of this group he's the genius everyone claims he is. I haven't been impressed by anything McCoy, Okunlola, or Rodriguez have done here.

Meriweather, Cantwell, Buchannon will be green (not 'you green,' but green-green) as starters.

 

[JgDaCane]

Comp at WR, RB, DB, & DL is going to be off the charts good. Best in the country good.

 

[Dmorgan15]

I’m very interested in the nickel battle. I feel like Damari need to prove that he can hold it down.

 

[miamicanes305]

I’m very interested in the nickel battle. I feel like Damari need to prove that he can hold it down.

Damari the last guy to play nickel. He’s outside corner all day. Nickel will be bfitz, Thornton, or one of the other safeties

 

[SinisterCane]

Cantwell isn’t playing LT. And you don’t want 2 inexperienced guys starting on one side together so it would make sense if Samson or McCoy play RG and Buchanan if he starts then put him at LG. That gives the young guys a vet beside them to help

And chase is likely at will. He was the backup there. Bonner is probably going to start at will and Wiley will be at mlb

Where do you have Toure if Wiley is starting at MLB, also I don't see the hyped with Chase or Pruitt

 

[252cane]

Where do you have Toure if Wiley is starting at MLB, also I don't see the hyped with Chase or Pruitt

Toure will start at mlb and Wiley is behind him I think. Chase was solid in his role this past year that’s why I said Bonner probably starts at will based off the hype he is getting. So basically Toure and Bonner starting with Wiley and smith as the backups

 

[bobbydigius]

Ngl I’m pretty sure the plan is for Thornton to slot into the nickel…he’s a carbon copy of Keionte. backend will be rotation between Fitz, Poyser, and Day/Pruitt/someone they bring in (Koi Perech would’ve fit perfect. Just need a bigger body there to fit in the run game. Ik everyone loves BFitz (myself included) but reality is he’s too small to play every down. He’s listed at 170 but he looks like he’s 160, so he needs to bulk up this offseason

Also, don’t sleep on Spafford. That receiver room is loaded tho battling for 2 spots. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a transfer or two after spring.

Lastly, if we wanna be elite in the RPO/Play Action game again, we need a tight end in the baddest way so either Lofton takes the next step or we pay good money for one cuz that position is atrocious, prob worst I’ve seen it in 30 years no sugarcoating.

I just dont see the fluidity that Keiontae had with Thorton. I think he will be an utter terror playing around the LOS blitzing and in run support but I think he will be a liability in coverage.

 

[miamicanes305]

I just dont see the fluidity that Keiontae had with Thorton. I think he will be an utter terror playing around the LOS blitzing and in run support but I think he will be a liability in coverage.

Exactly why I’d rather him be the nickel and have support in run game and pass game rather than the last line of defense in BOTH pass and run fits. Jakobe was very solid all year in tackling and so was ZP. I’d attribute half of that to our DC for preparing them well though

 

[bobbydigius]

Idk, maybe if you're purely talking build. But in their skill set/ how they'll be used, Jacobs is absolutely "the deep threat". That's how Sam Brown was used. And like Marion was used a lot in this manner as well. Like just think about pure 1 on 1 go balls. We didn't really see George running those types all that much. We saw Brown/Marion doing it plenty (not neccessarily to all that much success). That's Jacobs primary use imo. I don't think Barkate is like Horton at all, That's absolutely 100% Moore.

Regarding Meriweather, idk why you'd be surprised if he doesn't start. Dude played 34 snaps at LG, 17 at RG, and 5 at RT last year (56 total snaps). Buchanan played 55 snaps at RG for us... On a team with a much better OLine. SJ and Ryan Rodrigues each played 55 snaps at LG&Center last year too. I think it's a 100% open competition for sure. And yeah OT needs to be the #1 solve. You figure out that first along with Rodriguez vs SJ at Center (almost certainly Rodriguez wins imo), and then let the rest of the chips fall where they will.

I think Vaughn starts at X. I think someone, a younger guy in that room will end up getting upset though, it got upgraded heavily.

 

[Calinative]

Why would you put cantwell at LT when you know he struggles at pass blocking?

Because I don't know that to be a fact.bi also don't know it to be a fact that say McCoy is specifically better than Cantwell at pass pro or will be by the end of the season.
Why start him at RT if he struggles at pass blocking? Are you under the impression teams don't put their best pass rusher on whatever side is the worst pass protecting OT?....

 

[Calinative]

Cantwell isn’t playing LT. And you don’t want 2 inexperienced guys starting on one side together so it would make sense if Samson or McCoy play RG and Buchanan if he starts then put him at LG. That gives the young guys a vet beside them to help

And chase is likely at will. He was the backup there. Bonner is probably going to start at will and Wiley will be at mlb

Uh there is no reason to make such a definitive statement regarding Cantwell being RT vs LT.

I agree about chase. However like I said hopefully Wiley is too good not to start.

 

[bobbydigius]

Exactly why I’d rather him be the nickel and have support in run game and pass game rather than the last line of defense in BOTH pass and run fits. Jakobe was very solid all year in tackling and so was ZP. I’d attribute half of that to our DC for preparing them well though

I really think Dunningan is the answer at nickel sooner than later, but Heatherman will make Thorton an impact player somewhere.

 

[Calinative]

He means graduate transfer window

Technically there still is no window for grad students in spring.

However there is nothing stopping them from enrolling where they want.

 

[miamicanes305]

I really think Dunningan is the answer at nickel sooner than later, but Heatherman will make Thorton an impact player somewhere.

Agreed. I think nickel just lets him play more free and go be a freak rather than worrying about being the last line of defense all the time. As long as there’s a big enough body at strong safety so when we get runs that isolate that safety to make a play, they make it

 

[5XNC]

Blount isn’t playing end. Hes like 18 and will continue to grow and add weight. And we need him inside. We have plenty of ends. Buchanan and cantwell not gonna man that side. Not 2 young guys.

 

[Calinative]

Blount isn’t playing end. Hes like 18 and will continue to grow and add weight. And we need him inside. We have plenty of ends. Buchanan and cantwell not gonna man that side. Not 2 young guys.

No we very specifically do NOT need him inside and need him outside.

Lowe, Scroggins, and McConathy are the only real SDE builds we have outside of Blount. Wilson is lighter than Mesidor and not as good of a run defender. Lightfoot is obviously still pretty slight.

And at DT we just brought in Carter and Davis to he rotational players. Along with Moten and Scott being certified starters. Blount is 100% needed at SDE rotation with Lowe. He can slide in especially when Lightfoot is on field. But the need is def larger at Edge than DT

 

[Colombie]

No we very specifically do NOT need him inside and need him outside.

Lowe, Scroggins, and McConathy are the only real SDE builds we have outside of Blount. Wilson is lighter than Mesidor and not as good of a run defender. Lightfoot is obviously still pretty slight.

And at DT we just brought in Carter and Davis to he rotational players. Along with Moten and Scott being certified starters. Blount is 100% needed at SDE rotation with Lowe. He can slide in especially when Lightfoot is on field. But the need is def larger at Edge than DT

I am hyped up for next season.
We really do have a potential for a positionless DL.
So many versatile and dynamic pieces that can play inside or edge in different formations and passing down groupings. It will be fun to see Hetherman utilizing a bunch of these dudes in different ways.

 

[Scorpioncane]

If Mirabal gets an elite OL out of this group he's the genius everyone claims he is. I haven't been impressed by anything McCoy, Okunlola, or Rodriguez have done here.

Meriweather, Cantwell, Buchannon will be green (not 'you green,' but green-green) as starters.

You answered your own question! about McCoy,okunlola and rod! Hard to show something with no playing time and vets in front of you who are good!..they stuck around gotta let it play out!!

 

[252cane]

Uh there is no reason to make such a definitive statement regarding Cantwell being RT vs LT.

I agree about chase. However like I said hopefully Wiley is too good not to start.

I don’t see them starting a freshman at LT. And his skill set fits RT better