BW's new and improved - but generally still worthless guess at the 2025 depth chart (post spring camp)

[UncleRico]

That’s cus most of the time the older players are better.

Just like any of us. The longer we do a job the better we get at it. No to mention just the changes physically between an 18 year old and 22 year old. The reason the NFL sited for years that players be 3 years out from HS graduation was because of those changes and safety.

 

[UncleRico]

Why should Hauck be more open to playing younger players? Most of these young players like receivers come from a high school program where they don't even know how to read coverages, have never been exposed to a playbook more than 2 pages long and aren't used to playing in a no huddle type of offense.
And just because the kid looked pretty good in a spring game where it's a controlled environment and everyone plays, isn't any indication that kid should be getting play time.
I understand it's hard for some of you fans who have never played the game to understand that there's much more to playing time then being able to run fast and looking good in a spring game.
Hauck and his assistants evaluate players on and off the field. First do they understand the concept in the classroom when it's being taught. Do they recognize the coverage being shown and what plays to run to exploit that coverage. The coaches have meetings everyday and often question the kids on what there learning. And if you're the kid who isn't raising his hand to answer or don't have the answer, it doesn't matter how fast you are or how good your hands are because chances are, you won't run the right route or play
Then they bring them on to the field to also evaluate to see if the players are grasping what they're being taught in the classroom. Age has nothing to do with playing time. Hauck plays the kids who have shown both in the classroom and on the field that they deserve it because how they proved it both in the classroom and on the field.

A lot of great points. Also I think the level of play in any level of college is so much more physical than any high school game. They need to get stronger and bigger or they are just going to get rocked. Junior was an exception. But up front on both sides they need to add significant amounts of weight and get significantly stronger.

 

[oldngrizzly]

If you take everyone on the team that may play and line them up in the depth chart surely you can't be wrong.

 

[SpencerDutton00]

A lot of great points. Also I think the level of play in any level of college is so much more physical than any high school game. They need to get stronger and bigger or they are just going to get rocked. Junior was an exception. But up front on both sides they need to add significant amounts of weight and get significantly stronger.

You're very right. A lot of these kids coming out of high school or young players never seriously lifted weights or have a real strength program where they come from. And when a lot of them get to Montana, it's a rude awakening and a big adjustment. All of a sudden they have to wake up early in the morning to attend meetings and workouts and then come back in the afternoon and do the same thing.
Also, a lot of these young kids come in with the mindset that they aren't even trying to play right away.
They figure, I'm just a freshman so I'm gonna go through the motions because I won't play anyway. And the coaches see all of these things. There are a lot of factors that go into playing any kid whether being young or a veteran.
When it comes to this years team and who plays, I think it's important that they have a good group of leaders that can lead them in the right direction.

 

[JKSport21]

Safety is a concern as hard as Rausch competes ~ He is a liability he will be targeted all next year as he was all last year ~ Specifically last year against the Cats ie… A critical 3rd & 9 play the Cat receiver and Mellott just played him like a fiddle for a costly receiving Cat TD

 

[Griz til I die]

Safety is a concern as hard as Rausch competes ~ He is a liability he will be targeted all next year as he was all last year ~ Specifically last year against the Cats ie… A critical 3rd & 9 play the Cat receiver and Mellott just played him like a fiddle for a costly receiving Cat TD

I remember that. That’s when I started to wonder if he’s gonna make it.

 

[Griz Addict]

Safety is a concern as hard as Rausch competes ~ He is a liability he will be targeted all next year as he was all last year ~ Specifically last year against the Cats ie… A critical 3rd & 9 play the Cat receiver and Mellott just played him like a fiddle for a costly receiving Cat TD

If Rausch is a starter, we in trouble. By all means at best he should be 3rd string

 

[garizzalies]

Rausch can play. He’s rangy, athletic, and does not shy away from contact. A beast in HS who could play any position.
There is a very steep learning curve with the safeties in this D. Probably the hardest position to learn because there are so many responsibilities and a huge area to cover on top of making the correct calls and reads. Rausch was still learning but will have a leg up this year

 

[AZGrizFan]

Rausch can play. He’s rangy, athletic, and does not shy away from contact. A beast in HS who could play any position.
There is a very steep learning curve with the safeties in this D. Probably the hardest position to learn because there are so many responsibilities and a huge area to cover on top of making the correct calls and reads. Rausch was still learning but will have a leg up this year

I never felt Rausch was any more of a liability than 4-5 others on the defense…they (as a group) left a lot to be desired last year.

 

[Art Spooner]

I never felt Rausch was any more of a liability than 4-5 others on the defense…they (as a group) left a lot to be desired last year.

Lack of pressure on QB can make any defensive backfield look bad. Conversely, a great pass rush can result in the same backfield looking very good. 2024 vs 2023. I have a feeling that QB pressure was a point of emphasis during portal recruiting on both sides of the ball.

 

[SpencerDutton00]

I never felt Rausch was any more of a liability than 4-5 others on the defense…they (as a group) left a lot to be desired last year.

I completely agree. I find it hard to understand when fans single out a player for horrible play but fail to look at everything as a whole. The whole defense struggled last year at every position group. Not to mention I've never seen a Griz defense that was this bad at tackling. Our whole defense needs to get better this year if we want to be successful.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Lack of pressure on QB can make any defensive backfield look bad. Conversely, a great pass rush can result in the same backfield looking very good. 2024 vs 2023. I have a feeling that QB pressure was a point of emphasis during portal recruiting on both sides of the ball.

Spot on.