Finally, a preliminary depth chart is out. Now we can see just how bad all of our predictions were. First off, the big news from this release, Dylan Sumner-Gardner will be out the first four games, due to academic ineligibility. An extremely unfortunate turn of events, and we’ll discuss in greater depth at the bottom. But first, the chart!

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Brett Rypien, SO

Thomas Stuart RS JR

Tailback

Jeremy McNichols, JR

Devan Demas, RS SR

Wide receiver H

Thomas Sperbeck, SR.

Akilian Butler, SO OR Sean Modster, RS SO

Wide receiver X

Cedrick Wilson, JR

AJ Richardson, RS SO

Wide receiver Z

Chaz Anderson, RS SR.

Austin Cottrell, JR.

Tight end

Jake Roh, RS JR.

Alec Dhaenens, RS JR

Chase Blakeley, RS SO

Jake Knight, RS SO

Matt Pistone, RS FR

Left tackle

Archie Lewis, RS JR OR Will Adams, RS SR

Will Adams, RS SR John Molchon, RS FR

Left guard

Travis Averill, RS SR

Andrew Tercek, RS JR

Center

Mason Hampton, RS JR

Garrett Larson, RS FR

Right guard

Stephen Baggett, RS SR

Kellen Buhr, RS SR

Right tackle

Mario Yakoo, RS SR

John Molchon, RS FR

DEFENSE

End

Sam McCaskill, RS SR

Durrant Miles, SO OR Sam Whitney, RS FR

Nose tackle

David Moa, RS SO

Sonatone Lui, FR

Tackle

Elliot Hoyte, RS SR

Austin Silsby, RS JR

Daniel Auelua, JR

Stud end

Gabe Perez, RS JR OR Jabril Frazier, RS SO

Jabril Frazier, RS SO Sam Whitney, RS FR

Weak-side linebacker

Ben Weaver, RS SR

Leighton Vander Esch, RS SO

Middle linebacker

Joe Martarano, RS JR OR Darren Lee, SR

Strong Side Linebacker

Tanner Vallejo, SR

Blake Whitlock, JR

Cornerback

Raymond Ford, RS SR OR Tyler Horton, SO

Cornerback

Jonathan Moxey, SR.

Ladarryl Blair, RS FR

Boundary Safety

Cameron Hartsfield, RS JR

Kameron Miles, RS JR

Free safety

Chancellor James, RS SR OR Evan Tyler RS FR

Kicker

Tyler Rausa, SR.

Punter

Sean Wale, SR.

The mundane

Specialists and quarterbacks were about as suspenseful as watching an Alfred Hitchcock movie on mute. Starters were absolutely no surprise

The slightly interesting

The offensive line is quite different from the initial o-line depth chart from last year. For starters, Yakoo is not starting at either guard spot. He’s busy being listed as the starting right tackle. Also slightly interesting is that Lewis and Adams are listed with ‘or’ at the left tackle spot, so apparently coaches are still torn, and my prediction that Adams starts at a tackle spot could still, technically, be right!

The interesting-er

There was a lot of talk about how it was likely that up to 6 true freshman could see time on the field this season. The coaching staff even went so far as to provide specific names, but on this initial depth chart...I see one: Sonatone Lui at NT. Now, this doesn’t mean that the other true freshman aren’t still being considered for playing time as this is only the first release, and isn’t an entirely full depth chart—it’s basically just a 2-deep. But it does show that at all key positions, the coaching staff is rolling with and trusting veterans for now.

Most interesting

As had been feared through much of the offseason, Dylan Sumner-Gardner will indeed be out for the start of the season. The first 4 games, actually. This is especially concerning, considering the potency of the WSU passing attack that comes to town in week 2. The suspension is due to NCAA academic ineligibility, and Coach Harsin used the opportunity to stress the importance of “Taking care of business” off the field.

Quick story on Boise State suspending redshirt sophomore safety Dylan Sumner-Gardner four games...https://t.co/2VFimqcdwC — Dave Southorn (@IDS_BroncoBeat) August 30, 2016

The bright side to this whole situation is that Coach Harsin did specifically mention Cameron Hartsfield, the player that will be filling in for DSG, as having been one of the two most impressive in the offseason. Specifically, he and Akilian Butler.

More quick reactions

Listed on the two-deep, it seems as though John Molchon could be in line for some snaps early in his career as he is listed as the backup at both tackle spots.

We’ve heard the name Darren Lee a lot this off-season, but apparently he’s even impressed enough to be listed as an ‘or’ next to Joe Martarano at the MLB spot.

Sam Whitney also appears as though he’ll be getting some good rotational snaps as he is listed as a backup at both D-end and STUD.

Your turn

Anything else jumping out at you from Boise State's first depth chart? Any "ORs" in strange places? Anyone disappointed that churros aren’t listed as ‘The real MVP’?