Depth Chart Out

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, August 27, 2006

Washington released its first official depth chart of the season and it was about as expected, with a couple of exceptions.

The biggest surprise was that senior Scott White is listed as a starter at outside linebacker, but not at the expense of Dan Howell. Instead, White is listed as a starter ahead of Chris Stevens and E.J. Savannah, with Howell and Tahj Bomar also starting. White was disgruntled earlier this season when he was behind Howell on the depth chart, but he has played well in the sessions of practice open to the media, and Tyrone Willingham said it was just a matter of getting his three best players on the field.

Another surprise is Donny Mateaki being listed as a co-starter with Jordan Reffett, something that had not really been talked about during camp. Jordan White-Frisbee, coming back from two hairline fractures in his feet, is listed as a backup at defensive tackle to Wilson Afoa.

Sonny Shackelford, who has led the team in catches the last two years, is listed as a backup to Anthony Russo and Corey Williams, but it’s likely that the UW will play three receivers regularly, so you can consider Shackelford a starter.

All three tight ends are listed as co-starters, and Willingham said that’s because Johnie Kirton and Robert Lewis have closed the gap on Michael Gottlieb. It’s likely all three will play.

Dashon Goldson is listed as a co-starter at cornerback with Matt Fountaine, meaning it’s probable that Goldson will be healthy enough to at least provide something this week.

The only true freshmen on the depth chart are Ryan Tolar at guard and Paul Homer at fullback. Offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said last week that he would likely play Casey Bulyca at guard over Tolar though.

Here’s what the depth chart looks like:

Offense

QB: Isaiah Stanback, Carl Bonnell

TB: Kenny James, Louis Rankin, Shelton Sampson

FB: Mark Palaita, Luke Kravitz, Paul Homer

WR: Anthony Russo, Sonny Shackelford

WR: Corey Williams, Marlon Wood

TE: Michael Gottlieb or Johnie Kirton or Robert Lewis

LT: Ben Ossai, Morgan Rosborough

LG: Stanley Daniels, Casey Bulyca

C: Juan Garcia, Ryan Bush

RG: Clay Walker, Ryan Tolar

RT: Chad Macklin, Erik Berglund

Defense

DE: Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Walt Winter

DT: Donny Mateaki or Jordan Reffett

DT: Wilson Afoa, Jordan White-Frisbee

DE: Greyson Gunheim, Brandon Ala or Caesar Rayford

OLB: Dan Howell, Kyle Trew

MLB: Tahj Bomar, Trenton Tuiasosopo

OLB: Scott White, Chris Stevens or E.J. Savannah

CB: Dashon Goldson or Matt Fountaine

CB: Roy Lewis, Jordan Murchison

FS: Jason Wells, Mesphin Forrester

SS: C.J. Wallace, Chris Hemphill

Special teams

P: Sean Douglas

K: Michael Braunstein, Michael Book

HLD: Carl Bonnell

SNP: Danny Morovick

KOR: Roy Lewis and Matt Fountaine, Shelton Sampson and Marlon Wood

PR: Marlon Wood, Sonny Shackelford