Boone: Five Takeaways From Oklahoma State’s First Depth Chart of the 2018 Season

Six days in front of the 2018 Oklahoma State football season, as Mike Gundy conducted his first of many game-week media luncheons throughout the year, the first depth chart emerged from Stillwater.

As expected, Taylor Cornelius will be Mason Rudolph’s heir apparent at quarterback. Justice Hill? Yeah, he’s the starter again. All in all, there are no major surprises. But let’s break down the newly-released depth chart and get into the substance of it.

1. Dru Brown or Spencer Sanders

I just can’t help myself, really. But there’s a pretty big difference between Dru Brown being QB2 and Spencer Sanders being QB3 — which Mike Gundy said was the case earlier this week — and both splitting QB2 duties.

The first depth chart of the season at QB lists Cornelius as QB1, and has Dru Brown or Spencer Sanders at QB2. That means Brown gets first dibs, sure, but it doesn’t portray Sanders as QB3. A minor note, but a fascinating one given the new redshirt rule that could allow him to play in four games while preserving his year of eligibility.

2. Kemah Siverand moving up quick

Texas A&M graduate transfer Kemah Siverand arrived barely in time for fall camp after taking 25 credit hours this summer to graduate and transfer with immediate eligibility, and the hustle is already paying dividends.

Siverand is listed as the No. 2 cornerback behind junior A.J. Green on the depth chart. Green’s fellow starter is, as expected, Rodarius Williams. Redshirt freshman Lamarcus Morton is Williams’ backup.

Here is how that position group shakes out.

STARTERS: A.J. Green, Rodarius Williams

BACKUPS: Behind A.J. Green: Kemah Siverand or Tyrell Alexander

BACKUPS: Behind Rodarius Williams: Lamarcus Morton or Tanner McCalister

3. Zach Sinor still recovering

Oklahoma State may be without its returning starter at punter entering the 2018 season.

Zach Sinor, who underwent hernia surgery on Aug. 7, wasn’t listed on the initial depth chart from Friday. Listed as the starter is Norman product Matt Hockett, who was productive when given the opportunity last season. His backup is redshirt freshman Jake McClure.

Mike Gundy said two weeks ago that Sinor “should be up and running in two weeks,” which could put Sinor on track to return at some point this week. It’s unclear if that return is to full punting activities or merely just ramping up physical activities, but his return will be a welcomed one given the lack of experience at the position.

“When you have that type of injury you can’t ever tell,” Gundy said of Sinor two weeks ago. “But I feel good with where we’re at there. We’re fine.”

4. New-look offensive line is deep

We’ve heard all summer that OSU’s offensive line will be deep with talent and experience, which could allow it to roll in hockey-style line changes at various positions. It won’t be platoon-style Kentucky 2014 deep, but early indications are that they’re deeper than they’ve been in more than a half-decade.

“We have eight linemen in my opinion that we’re fairly comfortable with that we could play our style of offense and block pretty good,” Gundy said via the Tulsa World. “So what we would like to do is give some of those guys a rest.”

Here’s a look at how the positions across the front of the offense shook out.

RT: 1) Teven Jenkins 2) Walker Reed 3) Bryce Bray
RG: 1) Shane Richards 2) Ry Schneider 3) Hunter Woodard
C: 1) Johnny Wilson 2) Deionte Noel 3) Tyrese Williams
LG: 1) Marcus Keyes or Larry Williams
LT: 1) Arlington Hambright 2) Dylan Galloway or Larry Joubert

5. Return game makeover

Oklahoma State hasn’t returned a punt for a TD since 2015, and it’s been longer than that since it housed one on kickoff. So the Pokes are making wholesale changes to their special teams return spots.

Listed as the starting return men for kickoff are running back LD Brown. Alongside him is newly-tabbed scholarship receiver Landon Wolf, who has impressed this summer with his quick twitch and speed. Both have impressive wheels.

At punt return, listed as the No. 1 option is Dillon Stoner, who saw some action last season alongside Jalen McCleskey. Sophomore speedster Tylan Wallace, who Mike Gundy says is a 4.4 guy, will spell Stoner as the No. 2 option.