UT football probable starters

8/23/2008

Based on observations at several practices this week, I think the University of Toledo football team has pretty much decided who its starters will be, with a few exceptions. I'll go through position by position.

Offense

Offensive line: VanDerMeulen, DeWalt, Garrett, Kowalski, Gewont.

Tight end: John Allen. Tom Burzine and Danny Noble seeing a lot of time too. Matt Fought is currently injured.

Wide receivers: The first team this week has been Robin Bailey, Stephen Williams and Adonis Thomas. Nick Moore has not been practicing much but coach Amstutz said he will be ready to go by the opener. Kenny Stafford also gets some time with the 1's.

Quarterbacks: Opelt, with Lenehan as backup

Running back: Collins, with Morgan Williams as backup

Defense

Defensive line: Alexandre, Constant, Williamson, Summers. Everyone will get time and other key players will be Forestal, Westbrook, Hill and Martin.

Linebackers: Archie Donald has one spot sewn up. Daris Quinn and Beau Brudzinski have rotated in the other spot, both figure to play. Today it was Quinn with the first team.

Safeties: Church, Richmond for sure. Herbert has been in and out with true frosh Mark Singer playing in his spot.

Cornerbacks: This is the one position on the team other than perhaps punter that is still up for grabs by several different players. Any two of Walter Atkins, Joe Bates, Greg Harris and Andreas Ashwood could start against Arizona. Desmond Marrow has been out this week but perhaps he'll be ready to go by gametime. Myshan Veasley-Pettis also figures to get some playing time but likely not as a starter. More on the cornerbacks in Sunday's Blade.