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Wright, Squiric among Penguins’ surprises
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State’s first depth chart of the summer had a few surprises.
But only a few.
The biggest eye-opener is at weakside linebacker, where sophomore Lee Wright is penciled in to start Saturday’s season opener at Pitt ahead of senior Dubem Nwadiogbu, who led the Penguins in tackles last season but is battling a groin injury.
The other big surprise is at defensive tackle, where redshirt freshman Cody Squiric appears to have moved ahead of senior Emmanuel Kromah, who has started every game the past two seasons.
“They’ve [Wright and Squiric] had good summers but we’re planning to play a number of guys,” said YSU coach Bo Pelini, who shrugged off most depth chart questions. “The forecast is that it’s gonna be hot down there. Who’s out there the first play, I don’t know that yet.”
The rest of the projected lineup, offensively and defensively, was fairly predictable. Junior Derek Rivers and senior Terrell Williams are the projected starters at defensive end (with Williams holding off Nebraska transfer Avery Moss). Senior Steve Zaborsky (Fitch) should start at the other defensive tackle spot.
Junior Jaylin Kelly is back at middle linebacker, with newcomer Jamar Pinnock, a junior transfer from Scottsdale Community College, projected to start at strongside linebacker.
Wright, a transfer from Appalachian State, played some strongside linebacker in the spring, but at 210 pounds with good athleticism, he’s better suited for the weakside.
“I feel like I’m where I should be,” said Wright, who drew raves from Pelini during spring practice. “I’ve been moved around a few spots and I caught up on the defense in the summer and spring. I feel like I’m ready to play.”
At strong safety, Nebraska transfer LeRoy Alexander, a junior, is ahead of last year’s starter, senior Tre’ Moore. Junior Jameel Smith, who lost his job last season to Moore, is projected to start at free safety. Junior Nate Dortch is back at cornerback, with senior Kenneth Durden (a transfer from South Florida who sat out last season) at the other corner.
Sophomore safety Jalyn Powell, a Warren Harding High graduate who transferred from Michigan State, is not listed on the two-deep chart.
Offensively, there were no surprises. The eight returning starters are all listed on the first team: sophomore QB Hunter Wells, junior RB Martin Ruiz, senior WRs Andrew Williams and Andre Stubbs, senior LT Trevor Strickland, sophomore RT Justin Spencer, junior LG Dylan Colucci and junior RG Brock Eisenhuth.
The three new starters — sophomore TE Jacob Wood, sophomore WR I’tavious Harvin and sophomore C Cole Newsome — were all projected starters coming out of spring practice.
On special teams, freshman kicker Zak Kennedy (Mooney) is ahead of sophomore Connor McFadden (Poland), although McFadden will handle kickoffs. Redshirt freshman Nick Sheely (Fitch) will be the punter. Sheely had a strong showing in Saturday’s practice, which was held in helmets and shorts and focused quite a bit on situational plays (onside kicks, last-second field goals, etc.).
“Sheely had a good camp,” Pelini said. “The kickers have picked it up in the last 10 days. I’m a lot more confident in the kicking game. They’ve got some confidence and I think they’re ready to go.”
Junior Tanner Garry is back at holder, freshman Steven Wethli is the long snapper, Durden will return punts and Harvin and Durden will handle kickoff returns.
“I feel like we’re on track,” Wright said of the Penguins. “I don’t feel like we’re where we need to be as of today, but we’re seven days from the game. In seven days, we’ll be ready.”