Obviously we’re in the middle of the current season. But the other day I was looking at our 2026 schedule and noticed that it is a doozy. @Texas, @IU, @USC, vs Oregon, vs Michigan. The depth chart is setting up nicely for another strong season. The offense should be scary. And the defense will be talented, but young and unproven. But I trust Patricia will figure things out. Looking ahead to the portal to where we’ll need to plug holes at, there really is only one spot that we’ll need someone. And that is at CB. No other position will be “desperate” to plug in holes for a starter or for depth like we were this offseason at OT and DE. Of course, we’d also bring in transfers to refill any unplanned transfer-outs, like this past offseason of Terry replacing Fitzpatrick at OT. Below I give my position breakdown. “Roster” is projecting what the number will be with who is leaving and the projected number of incoming recruits. Some spots will need transfer-outs. I have some assumptions on who those will be, but I don’t like to put out specific names. The Grambling and OU games gave us a preview of how the staff has the backup depth chart currently, such as Terry is the backup RT.

QB: 

Target: 4

Roster: 4

Depth Chart: Sayin | St. Clair

Known Departures: 1 - we all know the situation here.

Depth Needs?: None

Talent Upgrade?: No. The room is set up nicely.

RB:

Target: 6

Roster: 6

Depth Chart: Jackson | Peoples/West/Turbo

Known Departures: 1 - Donaldson

Depth Needs: 1 (potentially) - Might need to bring in a grad transfer for depth if any transfer-outs.

Talent Upgrade?: No. You have your star back in Jackson, as well as depth in Peoples, Turbo, and West.

WR:

Target: 11

Roster: 15

Depth Chart: X-Smith | Porter , Y-Graham | Henry Jr. , Z-Inniss | Bell

Known Departures: 1 - Tate (Draft)

Depth Needs: None - Obviously going to need a few transfer-outs.

Talent Upgrade?: No

TE:

Target: 7

Roster: 7

Depth Chart: Klare | Roberts/Christian/Thurman

Known Departures: 1 - Kaczmarek 

Depth Needs?: None - Will need 1 more via portal if Klare decides to leave early. 

Talent Upgrade?: No

OL: 

Target: 16

Roster: 19

Depth Chart: LT: Siereveld | Moore , LG: Montgomery | Cook , C: Padilla | Kema , RG: Tshabola | VanSickle , RT: Daniels | Terry

Known Departures: 2 - Onianwa, Hinzman (Draft)

Depth Needs?: None - going to need a few transfer-outs. Or maybe we go above the 90 scholarship target to keep a few heavy here.

Talent Upgrade?: No

DE: 

Target: 8

Roster: 8

Depth Chart: Atkinson | George , Grady | Kirks/Wilder

Known Departures: 3 - Curry, Hicks, Jackson (Draft)

Depth Needs?: None

Talent Upgrade?: Yes - I think Atkinson and George are similar type of players and fill a roll. I’m projecting Grady to start at the other spot. But who’s behind him? Epi has upside, but might need another offseason in weight room. If the staff feels 5* true freshman Khary Wilder can step in right away, then no need. But if an upgrade is out there, I bet we go for them.

DT: 

Target: 9

Roster: 10

Depth Chart: NT: Smith | Mensah/Roy , DT: Houston | Carter

Known Departures: 2 - Malone, McDonald (Draft)

Depth Needs?: None

Talent Upgrade?: Maybe - Initially assumed KMac would be back, but he is dominating. Smith Jr is playing very well and I think he can start at NT. I like the potential of Mensah and Roy behind him there. The staff loves Carter and he will back up Houston.

LB: 

Target: 8

Roster: 9

Depth Chart: Pettijohn | Alford , Pierce | Stover

Known Departures: Styles , Reese (Draft)

Depth Needs?: None

Talent Upgrade?: No

CB: 

Target: 8

Roster: 7

Depth Chart: Boundary: Sanchez | Woods , Field: Scott | J. Thomas , NB: West | Lockhart

Known Departures: 3 -Igbinosun, Styles, Mathews (Draft)

Depth Needs?: Yes. Absolutely need at least 1 to come in and immediately be your CB3.

Talent Upgrade?: No. High level starters in Sanchez and Scott. West can slide into outside CB if need be. And true freshman J. Thomas was the top CB on the staff’s board this cycle.

S: 

Target: 8

Roster: 10

Depth Chart: McClain | Roker , Hartford | Delane

Known Departures: Downs (Draft)

Depth Needs?: None

Talent Upgrade?: No - McClain is an emerging star, and there is veteran depth with Roker and Delane. True freshman Blane Bradford is a borderline 5*.

ST’s: 

Target: 5 (2 K’s, 2 P’s, and 1 LS).

Roster: 3 

Depth Chart: K: Courville , P: McGuire

Known Departures: 2 - Fielding, Ferlmann

Depth Needs?: Yes - unsure if we’ll bring in a HS recruit for the backup K spot or go portal. Same with long snapper.

Talent Upgrade?: No