Alright, so I was trying to figure out the 2023 Texas football team, you know, who’s starting where, who’s backing up who, that kind of stuff. So, I started digging around to make a depth chart.
First off, I tried to find the official roster, it’s on their website. They have all the players listed, their numbers, positions, all that basic info. I went ahead and copied all those names into a spreadsheet. Got that all set up.
Next, I looked for recent news articles about the team, especially focusing on the spring game and any interviews with the coaches. Coaches love to talk about who’s doing well, who’s competing for positions and etc, and they often drop hints in the news, especially about the starters.
Then I started watching some game footage. You can tell a lot by who’s on the field in key situations, who’s getting the most reps in practice, etc. I spent a good chunk of time watching clips and trying to identify players based on their numbers.
Putting it all together was kind of like solving a puzzle. I started with the obvious starters, the guys everyone knows. Then I started filling in the backups based on what I read and watched. I put all of this into a spreadsheet.
Quarterbacks
- Starters: I felt pretty confident about the starting QB, it was clear from my research, everyone knows this guy.
- Backups: This was a bit trickier, but based on the spring game and some quotes from the coaches, I had a pretty good idea of who was second and third string. I put them in my sheet.
Running Backs
- Starters: This was a tough one. There are a couple of really good running backs on the team, and it wasn’t immediately obvious who would get the starting nod. I dug into game footage and checked out expert opinions. I found some clues.
- Backups: There are some talented young guys on the team, and I had to figure out the order based on their experience and performance in practice.
I went through each position group like this, Offense and Defense. Wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, you name it. Same for the defense – defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties.
I made a lot of adjustments along the way. I’d read something new and realize I had someone in the wrong spot, so I’d move them around. It was a lot of back and forth. I spent hours and hours on this stuff.
Finally, I felt like I had a pretty good depth chart. It’s not perfect, of course. Things can change during the season, and there’s always some guesswork involved. But I felt like I had a solid understanding of the team’s roster and who was likely to play where. It’s not easy, but I think my depth chart looks great.
I’ll probably keep updating it throughout the season as I learn more. It’s a fun project, and it helps me stay on top of what’s happening with the team. Hope you guys like it, too.
