Depth Chart Resolutions? (Defense)

We finish (and I say finish even though I didn't have a chance to get to the Special Teams portion. Check out Okanes' blog for some of the most recent developments on that.) our look at the Depth Chart going into Saturday's game and who we can expect to step out onto the field first.

Linebackers
Starters: Zack Follet, Worrell Williams, Anthony Felder, Eddie Young
Backups: Devin Bishop, DJ Holt, Mike Mohammed, Mychal Kendricks, Charles Johnson

Follett, Williams, and Felder come as a surprise to no one. The only question was who would fill into the 4th spot after the switch to the 3-4. Mike Mohammed was favored until Eddie Young solidified his position towards the beginning of Fall camp. While we’re somewhat sure of what to expect with the starters (a lot of pain), the backups, provide both depth and questions.

However, the fact that true freshman linebacker Mychal Kendricks is slated to see playing time this year may be very telling. The kid is only 17 years old. Do you know what I was doing when I was 17? I wasn’t planning on taking on linemen, that’s for sure. It would be a different story if Cal had severe questions at the linebacker position, and were calling upon its younger players to contribute because of a lack of talent or depth. When your linebacking corps. is considered the strongest unit of your defense, and you still feel confident with a true freshman playing right away, that speaks volumes about the depth that Cal has at that position.

Now how all the reserves will perform throughout the season remains to be seen. The only backup linebacker with significant playing time is redshirt sophomore Mike Mohammed. In addition to Kendricks, Devin Bishop and touted recruit DJ Holt are coming off redshirt years, and will be seeing their first real collegiate playing time.


Defensive Tackle
Starter: Derrick Hill
Backup: Mika Kane

Earlier I had predicted that Mika Kane would step onto the field before Derrick Hill mainly due to experience, but Kane’s injury during Spring Ball scratched that idea. Even then, Hill has shown dramatic improvement this offseason and appears ready to plug some gaps and engage some double teams on Saturday. Kane should hopefully still get some playing time in.

Defensive Ends
Starters: Rulon Davis, Tyson Alualu
Backups: Ernest Owusu, Keith Browner, Kendrick Payne, Cameron Jordan (suspended)

The DE position has seen a lot of movement in the past week for a few reasons. While Rulon Davis was a near lock on one end, there was a bit of a camp battle between Alualu and Jordan for the other spots. Alualu came in with more experience, and reports spoke of his fantastic camps, but Jordan was too physically gifted to ignore. In the end, Alualu got the nod at the starting spot, with Jordan sure to see as much playing time in the season opener.

And then Cameron Jordan got drunk. And then he decided to drive. And then he got arrested. And then…*TADA! * suspended for the season opener.

The loss of Jordan certainly hurts, as he can be a potential game changer when focused. Jordan’s suspension weakens a bit of the depth at the DE position, with more of reliance now than ever on Ernest Owusu and Keith Browner to step up their game and fill in. Kendrick Payne, a true freshman who impressed everyone at camp with his work ethic and athleticism, has been moved into his more natural at end, so that should help alleviate a few of the worries in regards to the depth at the position.

Safety
Starter: Marcus Ezeff
Backups: Sean Cattouse and Jesse Brooks

Free Safety
Starter: Bernard Hicks
Backup: Brett Johnson

Marcus Ezeff and Bernard Hicks spent much of last year competing for the strong safety position. Ezeff, who is probably best known for making the game saving tackle of Oregon wide receiver Cameron Colvin to force the fumble into the endzone last year has fought through injury this camp, but should be ready to go for Saturday. Redshirt freshman Sean Cattouse and junior Jesse Brooks will take turns filling in for Ezeff.

Bernard Hicks, provides good experience at the free safety position, and if consistent, can be a strong leader for the defense this season. Brett Johnson, who filled in for Thomas DeCoud in the first quarter of last year’s Armed Forces Bowl, backs him up at that position.

[Update: As per Okanes, Brett Johnson reportedly took most of the first team reps today at the free safety spot. Bob Gregory has stated that the position is still being evaluated, but this would be somewhat surprising. Hicks has seemingly been in starting competitions since he started at Cal, and this would only further that trend. We'll see what unfolds.]

The darkhorse could be newly transferred Bryant Nnabuife, who can play both the cornerback and safety position, and should see some playing time at both.

Cornerback
Starter: Syd’Quan Thompson and Darian Hagan
Backups: Chris Conte, Charles Amadi
Syd’Quan Thompson has developed into one of the better corners in the conference and is expected to lock down his side of the field. A separated shoulder has kept him out of practice the last few weeks however, and Squid is just now slowly getting back into practice. Defensive Coordinator Bob Gregory maintains that he should be ready to go for Saturday, but the question is how healthy he’ll be and how he’ll be able to perform.

Darian Hagan has edged out sophomore Chris Conte for the other cornerback spot, but is sure to get his share of playing time, as the battle has been pretty close all camp, and even more so with SQT’s injury. Could this be the year that Hagan, a touted recruit, finally breaks out and lives up to much of the hyper that surrounded his arrival at Cal? We shall see soon enough.

Charles Amadi will back up both corners as well.

That about wraps it up, but I'll try and give some updates to any changes that may pop up before game time.