Arizona releases depth chart for BYU game

The Arizona Wildcats released their first depth chart of the 2018 season Thursday as Saturday’s season-opener vs. the BYU Cougars quickly approaches.

Here’s how head coach Kevin Sumlin sees Arizona’s roster:

• Nathan Eldridge is not listed on the depth chart, suggesting his knee issues are serious. Redshirt sophomore Josh McCauley will start at center instead. (I have heard Eldridge recently underwent knee surgery but that has not been confirmed.)
• Donovan Laie will start at left tackle during Layth Friekh’s two-game suspension, which is a tall task for a true freshman.
• Michigan State transfer Thiyo Lukusa is projected to start at left guard. Michael Eletise will be his backup, which is surprising and disappointing for the former four-star recruit. All in all, Arizona is starting five new faces on the offensive line. That.... could be bad.
• Texas A&M transfer Robert Congel is not listed, so it is probably safe to assume that he won’t play this season. That is a bummer. He could have really helped shore up the interior offensive line.
• Converted safety Anthony Mariscal, not former four-star recruit Nathan Tilford, is listed as the third-string running back.
• It’s not clear who the starting specialists are, though most expect Dylan Klumph to be the punter and Lucas Havrisik to be the kicker.
• Safeties Christian Young and Dayven Coleman, defensive tackle Mykee Irving and cornerback McKenzie Barnes figure to be the true freshmen who will make an impact on defense this season.
• Isaiah Hayes, Scottie Young Jr. and Jarrius Wallace are all vying for playing time at free safety.
• We don’t know who the backup quarterback is.