Several notable names missing but one sticks out more than the rest
While injuries take place, oftentimes ones that aren’t disclosed to the public, as well as other things that coaching staff and Sports Information Director’s aren’t at liberty to release the public, it still seems odd when players who seem likely to be in a starting role or key reserve spot aren’t even on the depth chart.
Yesterday, when the depth chart was released, fans instantly noticed that several key players weren’t included. Those names included Yasir Abdullah and P.J. Blue, two speedy outside linebackers, Dae Williams and Tobias Little, two running backs who missed all or most of last season to injury, as well as Dejmi Jean-Dumervil, multiple freshmen from the 2019 class, new graduate transfers Thomas Jackson, Ty Tyler, and Isaiah Hayes, amongst others.
Again, we know that injuries play a role in this, and Dae Williams missed almost all of last season with a wrist injury while Tobias Little tore his ACL in Spring Practice last season and missed the entire year.
Other guys like Abdullah and Blue could have had some minor injuries in spring practice, but we’ve heard nothing that would keep them from being listed on the depth chart, especially considering both guys are perfect fits at that OLB position.
The freshmen and graduate transfers being left off the list aren’t as big of a concern, just because several of them have only been here for a few weeks and the coaching staff haven’t really gotten much time if any,
I am not worried about a lot of the guys not being listed above, but I am fairly interested and getting closer to being a tad worried about Dae Williams. Williams has had his fair share of injuries, and maybe he suffered some knicks and bruises during spring ball, but we’ve heard nothing but talk about him being 110 percent.
Here’s what he said to the media back during the spring:
"“It’s a blessing for me to be back out there. I’m 110 percent. Once I got the wrist right, which was sometime in January, I was good to go. “I know this is the year. I am so excited just to get a full year. A full offseason as well, a full summer to really get my body right and get my mind right for the season and then get a full season.”"
There shouldn’t be any red flags raised just yet but it seems odd that a healthy Dae Williams wouldn’t be listed on the depth chart, even behind Javian Hawkins who is second behind presumptive starter Hassan Hall.