The Arizona Wildcats released a new football depth chart Monday morning as part of their weekly game notes, and here are a few quick observations.
–True freshman Rob Hankins is listed as the first-team middle linebacker, ahead of junior college transfer David Lopez. Senior Derek Earls has been in that spot but is listed as an outside linebacker.
It will be interesting to see who much Hankins, from Parish Episcopal in Dallas, plays because Arizona might not be in its 4-3 base too much, preferring its nickel package, when Earls and senior Paul Vassallo are the linebackers in the game.
Another true freshman linebacker, Hank Hobson, is listed as a backup to Earls.
–Texas transfer Dan Buckner is listed as a starter at one of the outside receiver spots, opposite Juron Criner. Senior David Douglas, who can play anywhere on the receiver depth chart, is a starter at one of the inside positions.
–True freshman Ka’Deem Carey is listed as the fourth-string running back, behind Keola Antolin, Daniel Jenkins and sophomore Kylan Butler. Perhaps that’s just a nod to Butler, who is in his third season in the program. Or perhaps it’s a message to Carey to keep working hard on getting better. In any case, the opener against NAU would seem to be a good time to see what Carey does in a real game situation.
–True freshman Cortez Johnson is listed as a backup at both cornerback positions.
–Senior receiver Gino Crump, who had an impressive camp, is the backup to Buckner, ahead of redshirt freshman Tyler Slavin. That’s three really good receivers at just one spot.
More later. Coach Mike Stoops will hold his weekly news conference at 11 a.m.