Air Force football issues depth chart for Saturday's opener that includes some surprises

The depth chart for Air Force’s opening game includes a few changes from the one issued prior to fall camp.

Kade Frew has moved into a tie atop the tailback position along with Aiden Calvert. Both players are listed in bold with “OR” listed between them – common practice for Air Force – but it’s worth noting that Frew is listed first. In the depth chart released in July, only Calvert’s name was in bold and Frew was listed second.

Trey Williams and Jamari Bellamy are listed as starters at cornerback after a competitive month at the team’s deepest spot when it comes to starting experience. Jerome Gaillard Jr., previously listed as a co-starter with Williams at one of the corners, is now listed as Williams’ backup as the team prepares for Saturday’s opener against Merrimack.

Other changes include juniors Quin Smith and Tre Roberson, in that order, listed at the wide receiver position, replacing seniors Jared Roznos and Brandon Engle.

A shifted offensive line now lists Alex Moore at left tackle, Michael McAninch at left guard, Costen Cooley at center, and Jackson Kohal or Jace Sutulovich at right guard and Samuel Flysand or Tyler Lawrence at right tackle. Moore, McAninch, Cooley and Kohal had been listed as starters in July.

Lawrence, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound sophomore from Payallup, Wash., is a newcomer to the depth chart.

Defensively, the Falcons will open with Centennial native Jackson Adams at defensive end, James Tomasi at nose guard, Aidan Swartz at defensive tackle and either Elijah Sanders or David Santiago at outside linebacker.

The inside linebackers are listed as Osaro Ahie and Grant Uyl, as Zach Juckel missed some time with an injury.

In the secondary, K.C. Beard will open as the spur and Levi Brown and Camby Goff will man the safety positions.

Local players are listed throughout, with sophomore Alec Falk (Palmer Ridge) the backup left guard, senior Cole Palmer (The Classical Academy) the No. 2 defensive end, junior Are’an Burr (Air Academy) behind Aihie at linebacker and senior Jake Palmer (Lewis-Palmer) listed as the No. 3 free safety at one of the six positions the Falcons listed three players.

Sophomores who are new to the depth chart and listed in reserve roles include Lukia Rawls Jr. (6-0, 280, nose guard), Andrew Tillett (6-3, 290, defensive tackle), Luke Fisher (6-1, 225, inside linebacker), Houston Hendrix (6-0, 205, strong safety), Kyle Chen (6-1, 200, free safety) and Lincoln Tuioti-Mariner (5-11, 215, so., spur).

The depth chart lists Calvert as the kickoff returner and either Cade Harris or Quin Smith as the punt returner.

There is uncertainty at punter, with Carson Bay and Luke Freer listed as “or” options. Bay had been listed as the starter and Freer as the backup earlier this summer.