[Please note that I have not been to camp yet. I'm going off of last season, reports from Spring Ball and incoming players tapes]
QB -> the most obvious choice as the #1 battle to watch. Barr vs. Walker. Barr will get the 1st chance to claim the #1 spot based on his experience. But one bad practice could open the door for Walker. I see both men getting their fair share of throws with the 1s in practice and in the 1st scrimmage. You will see a clearer #1 at QB once RMU finishes their 1st scrimmage.
I would not be surprise based on history that both QBs play this year. Watch out for Chase Bodeman who will be the dark horse. The coaches wanted to redshirt him last year but they should have played him sooner in the season instead of getting him hurt vs. YSU.
2017 prediction - Barr starts against Dayton, Walker finishes the season as the starter.
RB -> Not much of a battle Blake is your #1 in camp and heading into the season. The question then turns to who is #2? Malik Wells would take the 1st crack as the backup based on his experience. RB numbers are low this season. Expect to see new faces move to RB like Dreher or perhaps someone like TJ Neal.
2017 prediction - Blake starts with Wells as the #2 but Dreher gets 4-5 snaps each game at RB.
WR - > Your top 3 are secure with Vecchio, Robinson and Anu. Keep your eye on DeLano Madison and Dreher. Brandon Magee made some plays last season. There is depth but not much game experience outside of the top 3.
2017 prediction - Vecchio, Robinson and Anu start vs. Dayton. Dreher cracks into the starting lineup after some big plays against larger FCS programs.
TE -> Reggie Green will get the 1st crack at the #1. When RMU goes to Ace or two-TE formation, they will bring in Gonzalez. Dalton Elliott will be the dark horse at this position. If he can get the blocking down then RMU has 3 great potential weapons here. RMU goes Jet formation (3-WR, 1-RB, 1-TE); Green at TE and place Gonzalez at one of the WR spots. You can create match-up issues for the other team.
2017 prediction - Green starts against Dayton but soon Gonzalez takes over as the #1.
FB -> Wanat will be listed as the #1 but expect new faces like Walter and Crawley to make some noise in camp.
2017 prediction - Wanat starter
OL -> We will look at each position:
LT -> Rodriguez's job to lose. I'm hoping that he is very bit of the 275lbs listed by the roster. He looked very light out on the field last year. He will be pushed by the crop of new OL coming in. Sedzmak, Hicks and Knight. If Fennell's feet got better and Rodriguez struggles in camp, they could shift Fennell to LT and have an open battle for RT.
2017 prediction - Rodriguez
LG -> Mundy moves from C to LG. Another experienced OL returning. He too will be pushed but I can't see anyone knocking him out of LG unless he hits the gravy train.
2017 prediction - Mundy
C -> McAllister is listed as the starter and that's based off Spring Ball. Keep your eye on Bussy Remaley. These two will battle all camp. This will be a tough choice for the staff as neither player could has ever taken a game snap for RMU. If both struggle then the coaches could entertain the idea of shifting Mundy back to C and finding a new LG.
2017 prediction - McAllister
RG - Boyette is listed as a starter and at 6'6", that’s a big RG. RG will be a battle in camp. Lamb will throw his hat in the ring along with the new players. I could see a Fr. taking this position
2017 prediction - starter vs. Dayton -> John Sheldon
RT -> Fennell's spot if he can perform at a high level each practice. The coaches are looking for him to take that next step in year two. He will be pushed and he must stay healthy.
2017 prediction - Fennell
DL -> The starting 3 are set with Stanford & Pulley at DEs and Zamiska holding down DT. Derian Smith was a pleasant surprise last season with making plays before his injury. Expect to see him within the rotation. I could see Greg Rose working his way into the DL rotation during the season.
2017 prediction - Stanford & Pulley at DEs and Zamiska at DT
ILB -> Wollett & Utahafe have their spots. I could see two Fr. backing them both up if they can grasp the defensive scheme quickly in camp (Antuono & Thimons)
2017 prediction - Wollett & Utahafe
OLB -> Interesting note that Ferguson and Lamica were working with the 1s. I believe Gee missed Spring so missing those reps hurt. I know Gee is a very talented player and has a great skill at rusher the passer. Lamica and Gee will battle each practice. They both might share running with the 1s unless someone pulls ahead.
2017 prediction - Ferguson & Lamica w/Gee coming in during obvious passing downs to rush.
DBs -> I would be shocked if Smigiera, Richards, Allen and Stott don't start. They only thing that could prevent this group from playing together would be an injury. What will be interesting to me is who redshirts? Can players like Myles Canton and Jon Muehlbauer picks up the defense quick enough to play backup rolls and contribute to special teams? I think they will be listed on the depth chart for the 1st game and play special teams.
2017 prediction - Smigiera, Richards, Allen and Stott
QB -> the most obvious choice as the #1 battle to watch. Barr vs. Walker. Barr will get the 1st chance to claim the #1 spot based on his experience. But one bad practice could open the door for Walker. I see both men getting their fair share of throws with the 1s in practice and in the 1st scrimmage. You will see a clearer #1 at QB once RMU finishes their 1st scrimmage.
I would not be surprise based on history that both QBs play this year. Watch out for Chase Bodeman who will be the dark horse. The coaches wanted to redshirt him last year but they should have played him sooner in the season instead of getting him hurt vs. YSU.
2017 prediction - Barr starts against Dayton, Walker finishes the season as the starter.
RB -> Not much of a battle Blake is your #1 in camp and heading into the season. The question then turns to who is #2? Malik Wells would take the 1st crack as the backup based on his experience. RB numbers are low this season. Expect to see new faces move to RB like Dreher or perhaps someone like TJ Neal.
2017 prediction - Blake starts with Wells as the #2 but Dreher gets 4-5 snaps each game at RB.
WR - > Your top 3 are secure with Vecchio, Robinson and Anu. Keep your eye on DeLano Madison and Dreher. Brandon Magee made some plays last season. There is depth but not much game experience outside of the top 3.
2017 prediction - Vecchio, Robinson and Anu start vs. Dayton. Dreher cracks into the starting lineup after some big plays against larger FCS programs.
TE -> Reggie Green will get the 1st crack at the #1. When RMU goes to Ace or two-TE formation, they will bring in Gonzalez. Dalton Elliott will be the dark horse at this position. If he can get the blocking down then RMU has 3 great potential weapons here. RMU goes Jet formation (3-WR, 1-RB, 1-TE); Green at TE and place Gonzalez at one of the WR spots. You can create match-up issues for the other team.
2017 prediction - Green starts against Dayton but soon Gonzalez takes over as the #1.
FB -> Wanat will be listed as the #1 but expect new faces like Walter and Crawley to make some noise in camp.
2017 prediction - Wanat starter
OL -> We will look at each position:
LT -> Rodriguez's job to lose. I'm hoping that he is very bit of the 275lbs listed by the roster. He looked very light out on the field last year. He will be pushed by the crop of new OL coming in. Sedzmak, Hicks and Knight. If Fennell's feet got better and Rodriguez struggles in camp, they could shift Fennell to LT and have an open battle for RT.
2017 prediction - Rodriguez
LG -> Mundy moves from C to LG. Another experienced OL returning. He too will be pushed but I can't see anyone knocking him out of LG unless he hits the gravy train.
2017 prediction - Mundy
C -> McAllister is listed as the starter and that's based off Spring Ball. Keep your eye on Bussy Remaley. These two will battle all camp. This will be a tough choice for the staff as neither player could has ever taken a game snap for RMU. If both struggle then the coaches could entertain the idea of shifting Mundy back to C and finding a new LG.
2017 prediction - McAllister
RG - Boyette is listed as a starter and at 6'6", that’s a big RG. RG will be a battle in camp. Lamb will throw his hat in the ring along with the new players. I could see a Fr. taking this position
2017 prediction - starter vs. Dayton -> John Sheldon
RT -> Fennell's spot if he can perform at a high level each practice. The coaches are looking for him to take that next step in year two. He will be pushed and he must stay healthy.
2017 prediction - Fennell
DL -> The starting 3 are set with Stanford & Pulley at DEs and Zamiska holding down DT. Derian Smith was a pleasant surprise last season with making plays before his injury. Expect to see him within the rotation. I could see Greg Rose working his way into the DL rotation during the season.
2017 prediction - Stanford & Pulley at DEs and Zamiska at DT
ILB -> Wollett & Utahafe have their spots. I could see two Fr. backing them both up if they can grasp the defensive scheme quickly in camp (Antuono & Thimons)
2017 prediction - Wollett & Utahafe
OLB -> Interesting note that Ferguson and Lamica were working with the 1s. I believe Gee missed Spring so missing those reps hurt. I know Gee is a very talented player and has a great skill at rusher the passer. Lamica and Gee will battle each practice. They both might share running with the 1s unless someone pulls ahead.
2017 prediction - Ferguson & Lamica w/Gee coming in during obvious passing downs to rush.
DBs -> I would be shocked if Smigiera, Richards, Allen and Stott don't start. They only thing that could prevent this group from playing together would be an injury. What will be interesting to me is who redshirts? Can players like Myles Canton and Jon Muehlbauer picks up the defense quick enough to play backup rolls and contribute to special teams? I think they will be listed on the depth chart for the 1st game and play special teams.
2017 prediction - Smigiera, Richards, Allen and Stott