Notre Dame's Depth Chart for Georgia Tech -- and a surprise there (no, it's not the quarterback)

It is late on Monday night, but Notre Dame released its depth chart and there are less dreaded "ORs" and one big surprise in the secondary. One other thing from the game notes -- Derrell Hand is listed on the roster but not in the depth chart. Don't know what this means, but we'll make sure to ask Charlie Weis tomorrow.

Without any further ado -- we will analyze this more Tuesday here at Insights and in Wednesday's Journal Gazette -- here is what the Irish depth chart looks like:

OFFENSE:

Quarterback -- Evan Sharpley OR Demetrius Jones OR Jimmy Clausen

Halfback -- 1. Travis Thomas; 2. James Aldridge; 3. Armando Allen OR Junior Jabbie; 5. Robert Hughes

Fullback -- 1. Asaph Schwapp; 2. Luke Schmidt

"X" Wide Receiver -- 1. George West; 2. D.J. Hord; 3. Duval Kamara

"Z" Wide Receiver -- 1. David Grimes; 2. Robby Parris; 3. Barry Gallup Jr.; 4. Golden Tate

Left tackle -- 1. Paul Duncan; 2. Matt Romine

Left guard -- 1. Mike Turkovich; 2. Eric Olsen

Center -- 1. John Sullivan; 2. Thomas Bemenderfer

Right guard -- 1. Dan Wenger; 2. Matt Carufel

Right tackle -- 1. Sam Young; 2. Taylor Dever

Tight end -- 1. John Carlson; 2. Will Yeatman; 3. Konrad Reuland; 4. Mike Ragone

DEFENSE:

Left defensive end -- 1. Trevor Laws; 2. Paddy Mullen

Nose tackle -- 1. Pat Kuntz; 2. Ian Williams

Right defensive end -- 1. Justin Brown OR Dwight Stephenson Jr.; 3. Kallen Wade

Outside linebacker -- 1. John Ryan; 2. Morrice Richardson

Inside linebacker -- 1. Maurice Crum Jr.; 2. Scott Smith

Inside linebacker -- 1. Joe Brockington OR Toryan Smith

Outside linebacker -- 1. Anthony Vernaglia; 2. Kerry Neal OR Brian Smith

Left cornerback -- 1. Darrin Walls; 2. Ambrose Wooden; 3. Leo Ferrine

Free safety -- 1. David Bruton; 2. Kyle McCarthy; 3. Jashaad Gaines; 4. Harrison Smith

Strong safety -- 1. Tom Zbikowski; 2. Ray Herring; 3. Sergio Brown; 4. Leonard Gordon

Right cornerback -- 1. Terrail Lambert; 2. Raeshon McNeil; 3. Munir Prince

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Kicker (field goals) -- 1. Nate Whitaker OR Brandon Walker

Kicker (kickoffs) -- 1. Nate Whitaker OR Brandon Walker

Punter -- 1. Geoff Price; 2. Eric Maust

Holder -- 1. Evan Sharpley OR Geoff Price

Kick returners -- 1. Armando Allen; 2. Golden Tate; 3. Darrin Walls; 4. George West

Punt returners -- 1. Tom Zbikowski; 2. David Grimes; 3. George West; 4. Armando Allen

Long snapper -- 1. J.J. Jansen; 2. Kevin Brooks

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Comments

[Moose Krause]

Do you have any insights into why some position go 4 deep and some only 2?

I'm surprised that some players are not mentioned on the depth chart, specifically Steve Quinn. It seems typical development is players make an impact on special teams one year, then offense or defense the next. Is S Quinn too small or too slow to crack the 2 deep at linebacker?

[joe]

I wonder if Evan Sharpley is listed on the 2 deep holder position as a decoy? Why would Charlie Risk a "first string QB" at a holder position..it is real easy to mess up and get a hand/finger injured at that position.

Can we rule out Evan Sharpley at QB now?

[Paul]

Joe, the previous holder was Jeff Samardzija. So Weis is obviously not concerned with having a good player hold for kicks. Even in the NFL, Tony Romo (as we all remember) was a holder.

[Chuckie]

Remember Joe Montana was the holder for the 49ers for several years.

[Gregg]

We'll all find out 9/1/07...let it rest.

[Montesquieu]

I believe there is one error here: on the official list there is an "OR" listed after James Aldridge. So, rather than him having won second place outright, it looks like there is a three-way tie for second string halfback (Aldridge, Allen, Jabbie), with Hughes coming in fourth, then. Otherwise, looks, great, and thanks for your work.

[Montesquieu]

Sorry--I meant Hughes is 5th for RB, of course.

[Gabe]

Montesquieu is correct, it's Aldridge OR Allen OR Jabbie.

[Michael Rothstein]

Yeah, you guys are right. I'll fix it ASAP. Typed it quick last night while I was half-awake. Sorry bout that.