CFB DeptHITS: Saturday, September 14
It's a college football Saturday and we are getting you up to speed on the news you'll want to know heading in. We'll throw in a little context around it and then prep for a full day of football.
We make hundreds of tweaks and edits to our depth charts every day. This feature is designed to pull out some of the more impactful news for your informational pleasure. Here is what you’ll want to know - and maybe a little more - over the last 24 hours…
Arizona ::: The Wildcats were really banged up in-game against Kansas State, especially in the secondary with key players going out, including Treydan Stukes
Dalton Johnson and Tacario Davis.
Further: This may have had an impact on the game last night but the Wildcats were beat on just about every level by K-State. It’s never a positive to lose players, especially from one position group.
Alabama ::: LT Kadyn Proctor is expected to make his season debut against Wisconsin in week three after working back from injury.
Further: This is a relatively big deal as Proctor’s health comes at a time when they need him. Backup Elijah Pritchett is also injured and questionable to play. Naquil Bertrand was likely next in line and we’d see a relatively substantial drop in production at a key position on the field. He may not be ready for full-time status; so we’ll keep an eye on that snap count.
Auburn ::: QB Hank Brown is going to replace Payton Thorne as the starting quarterback at Auburn for the game against New Mexico.
Further: If there is a time to make a change, it is now. If Hank Brown is the future at Auburn as this position, you have a nice soft landing spot for him to get his feet wet. At home against a team that may not even bring a defense with them to the Plains.
Georgia ::: DB Daniel Harris was the latest Bulldog to be arrested on reckless driving charges. He is likely to be suspended.
Further: Just dumb. Nothing else to say. It has to stop.
West Virginia ::: Starting DL Edward Vesterinen will be "out a good little bit" according to head coach Neal Brown. This is a blow to the defensive line, but they do have decent depth to handle it. Vesterinen is likely done for the year, but that is not official.
Further: Not wonderful news on the eve of the Backyard Brawl against Pittsburgh. They need these trench players to muck things up for that new, fast-paced Panther offense. All of that said, it’s probably not the worst thing in the world that T.J. Jackson will see more of the field. We have the former Troy Trojan at a 16.1 rating, the highest on this defense.
Navy ::: Starting LT Trey Cummings suffered a season-ending injury and will cause a re-shuffling of the offensive line in Annapolis.
Further: Losing a starting tackle is never a positive. The Academy churns out no-name players with no data whatsoever and makes them into solid players on the line. It has become routine, but you have to worry that a lack of depth there could affect things negatively.
|||||| OTHER INJURY UPDATES HEADING INTO SATURDAY
Be sure to check out our “Injury & Status” tracker over at the site for all of the injuries and statuses of players across the college football landscape. We also provide some context around those injuries including a player rating and a little write-up on the injury status (found on the team pages).
LSU: WR Chris Hilton Jr. is expected to miss yet another game despite being considered very close to returning to the field earlier this week.
Virginia: S Corey Thomas Jr. is a “full go” for week three after getting banged up in the week two game.
California: QB Fernando Mendoza appears set to go despite being banged up a week ago. No updates on an injury that would hold him back.
Oregon State: Starting RG Tyler Voltin got rolled up on in week two and announces that he’s out for the season. That’s a loss for the Beavers. Flavio Gonzalez will take over the spot and is a slight downgrade based on our available numbers.
Boise State: The offensive line has taken a hit with C Mason Randolph likely out for the season with a biceps injury and Roger Carreon may have avoided a season-ender, but is really banged up and may not play week three.
North Carolina: There has not been much around RB Omarion Hampton’s status leading up to this one for the Tar Heels and that is probably a good sign. He should be fine. He returned to the week two game after getting dinged.
That’s our show for today. Keep an eye on our X account as we’ll be re-posting injury news leading up to the games today. Enjoy. Thank you.
Programming Note: Keep an eye out for a “Saturday Plays” provided by the (CFBDm) Model around 10:30 AM ET today. We’ll continue to build, learn and refine that as it gets off the ground. Follow along if you will.
