With a change among the coaching staff comes a change in how the roster is constructed. Through the transfer portal and the recruiting cycles we see how they’re looking to add talented players across the board, but are putting an emphasis on front seven players on defense.
Some of that is due to the success that Brent Venables has had as a defensive coordinator that started with elite play along the defensive line and at linebacker.
Taking a look at depth charts from Venables’ time at Clemson and new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s time at Ole Miss, there are certain things that simply look different to the way the depth charts were constructed under the previous coaching staff. Hopefully, one of those things is the “or” designation that didn’t really delineate a starter.
As we look to the future though, here are five observations from the depth charts from Brent Venables and Jeff Lebby’s last stops on the coaching trail.
No Wide Receiver Designations
Oct 30, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Marvin Mims (17) runs for a touchdown as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Malik Dunlap (8) chases during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Under Lincoln Riley, depth chart projections or official releases from the team came with designations for the wide receivers such as “X,” “Y,” and “Z.”
The “X” receiver plays on the line of scrimmage and is typically your most physical receiver, someone who can beat press coverage as the DB can literally line up right across from the “X.”
The “Y” is the slot wide receiver. This player can line up on the line of scrimmage or off, but typically because they are aligned in the slot, they get cleaner releases as the coverage player doesn’t want to have to fight through mass…
..
