LA Tech Releases Post-Spring Depth Chart

Ryan Higgins spent most of the 2014 off-season as a co-starter along with Cody Sokol before Skip Holtz eventually named Sokol the starter about a week before the season started. It's possible that Holtz is keeping Jeff Driskel penciled in as the starter, but would like to keep the job open as long as possible to promote competition. Either way, Higgins has improved a good bit in his three years on campus and has at least a remote chance og beating out Driskel for the job.

Another interesting note from the  LATECH DEPTH chart is that all five offensive linemen listed as starters spent some of last season in the starting lineup. Jens Danielson, Darrell Brown, Kirby Wixson, David Mahaffey, and Joesph Brunson all started games last season and begin the 2015 season as starters. Josh Robinson, who played well against Marshall and Illinois in Tech's final two 2014 games, is listed as a backup at right tackle. LSU transfer Derek Edinburgh is listed as the backup left tackle. It's possible as summer workouts turn into fall camp, that one or both of these players could either be starting or moved to another spot on the line. The key thing to remember at this point is at least Holtz has options at offensive line.

Wide Receiver and Running Back are led by returning stars in Kenneth Dixon, Carlos Henderson, Paul Turner, and Trent Taylor as well as veteran receiver Conner Smith. Redshirt freshman Kam McKnight is listed behind Smith on the depth chart.

On defense, the secondary is again the strength of the defense along with senior defensive linemen Vontarius Dora and Vernon Butler. Linebacker will be the one spot the is light on experience,

Several redshirt freshmen made the two-deep. Along with McKnight, defensive end Jaylon Ferguson, linebackers Quanta Moore and Solomon Hunter, offensive guard Shane Capenter, and defensive tackle Cedric Johnson all made the depth chart.

Two other redshirt freshmen, Kirkland McCulloch and Matthew Ydarraga lead a group of walkons that made the list. Other walkons include linebackers Michael Mims and Frasier Hogan, and offensive guard Clayton Landry. Mims has a chance to start at one outside linebacker spot as he competes with another former walkon in CJ Cleveland.

Both McCulloch and Ydarraga really impressed in the spring and are taking advantage of the lack of depth at defensive end and cornerback. The defense as a whole is very top heavy in talent, but lacking in numbers. The coaching staff signed a majority of defensive players in the 2015 signing class, but most of those players are a year away.

Still, Holtz played several true freshmen last season in anticipation of needing more experience in 2015. It's certainly possible (and probable) that a few true freshmen see the field on defense in 2015.

LA Tech Spring Depth Chart