It's never too early for football: 2009 Viking depth chart, part two

Here’s part two of our ongoing look at the 2009 Viking football depth chart. Again, this is just our best guess. We covered QB and FB last week. I should further state that this depth chart - at least on offense - reflects our belief that Coach Tri will again use a version of the spread offense.

Please feel free to jump online at Purple and Gold Pigskin at lakestevensjournal.com to add your comments or suggestions.
Receivers

WRz Brandon Preslar 2. Arvid Isaksen/Billy Jo Baker

I’m not sure of the terminology used for the different WR positions...it seemed like Colton Tupen played a flanker-type position, lining up on the weak side usually. Anyway, we’ll call the Tupen position z for the purposes of this discussion.

Much like FB, the Vikes appear to be set for two seasons with a potential All Area talent. Junior Brandon Preslar, or Sunshine - if you dig it, showed flashes of remarkable talent. He has great hands, prototypical height, and that big-play ability that you look for - the ability to score from anywhere. As he matures, Preslar is bound to add strength and speed to his tool set. When that happens, look out. If I were a betting man (and I am), I would wager that Preslar will own every receiving mark in the Viking record book by the time he leaves.

I am a big fan of senior Arvid Isaksen, and as anyone who’s gone to a basketball game this season can attest, he is a hell of an athlete and a great kid. He’s fairly new to the sport, and he wasn’t able to participate in contact drills for much of last season due to an arm injury, but he’s got the size, hand-eye coordination and athletic ability to have a break-out season as a senior, especially if he is able to make the seven-on-seven circuit during the offseason. Senior Billy Joe Baker will be ready to make his own name as his big brother leaves to play on Saturdays. The hard-working and enthusiastic receiver has a chance to make a big impact in 2009.

WRx Brennan Frost 2. Arvid Isaksen/Jamie Laurine
This is referred to as the x position - but for a better reference, I’m talking about the position that Tyler Bryant played last season. This is a bit of guesswork, but assuming that Brennan Frost is not a FB, he’ll definitely be a WR. Frost could work out of the slot, but I think that there are others who fit that position better. Frost needs to improve his hands, but that will come with experience. He’s already a deadly open field runner and a threat to score. Frost will be able to stretch the field and get deep, and he should prove to be a capable blocker as well - a skill of vital importance for receivers in the spread offense.

Should Frost be used elsewhere, I’d look for Arvid Isaksen to get this starting spot. Senior Jamie Laurine, the specials teams maven from a year ago, could also be in line for a promotion.

H-back/WRh Tyler Reside 2.Quade Saleh/Chameron Lackey

Slotback. H-back. H. Whatever. We’ll call it the Trevor Riecks, since he pioneered the position in the Viking attack. This position calls for a hybrid running back/WR skillset. The ability to run the fly sweep, coupled with the hands and chutzpah to catch the ball in heavy traffic.

Senior Tyler Reside seems to be a perfect fit, and should be in line for a breakout, All Conference-type season. He’has every physical tool: speed, quickness, and a sturdy physique. He may not be as tall as the prototypical receiver, but neither is Wes Welker. In fact, I think that’s an apt comparison.

Junior Quade Saleh showed speed, toughness and hands while working for the scout team last season, and depending on his offseason, he could be up for some significant varsity action
If Chameron Lackey is not QB1, this is another position he could excel at.

Tight End
TE/WRy Aaron Britton 2. Ross Jones
Granted, I have never seen Aaron Britton catch a pass, but I have seen him rush the passer, and I’ve seen him play basketball, and I’ve heard Coach Tri rave about him, so I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that Britton will be TE1 come September....and what a target the 6’7 junior will make!

If Britton concentrates on defense, the Vikes will be in the capable hands of senior Ross Jones, another tall and athletic end who has displayed solid pass-catching ability in practice.

Return Specialists
KR/PR Brandon Preslar Tyler Reside/Brennan Frost/Chameron Lackey

Brandon Preslar returned kicks last year with some success, and Tyler Reside and Brennan Frost both have the speed and shiftiness that you love out of punt returners. Again, if he’s not the QB, then Chameron Lackey has considerable experience at this position as well.

Is it me, or is the roster looking pretty solid for next year?

Head online to see our Offensive line preview.

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