It’s now official: Dan Persa is the top quarterback on Northwestern’s depth chart, and looks to start for the first time since Nov. 13, 2010 when Northwestern opens its 2011 football season against Boston College.
Northwestern has released its depth chart for the team’s opening game, and not surprisingly Persa is listed as the top quarterback. Kain Colter currently holds the No. 2 spot.
Persa ruptured his Achilles on a game-winning touchdown pass against Iowa this past season and has not seen game action since that day.
Accompanying Persa in the backfield will be Mike Trumpy or Jacob Schmidt. Trumpy led the ‘Cats in rushing yards last season, amassing 530 yards on the ground; meanwhile, Schmidt received a number of carries early last season – earning four starts – but gradually fell down the depth chart.
Persa’s favorite target last season, senior wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, will start in the slot. Last season, Ebert caught 62 passes for 953 yards and eight touchdowns. Demetrius Fields and Charles Brown will also start at receiver against Boston College, as well as either Rashad Lawrence or freshman Christian Jones. Drake Dunsmore will start at superback, which is a hybrid of tight end and halfback. (Usually, Northwestern plays three wide receivers and one superback on the field at once, but four wide receiver positions were listed on the depth chart.)
The offensive line returns four regular starters from a year ago: right tackle Patrick Ward, right guard Ben Burkett (a former starter at center), left guard Brian Mulroe and left tackle Al Netter. Center Brandon Vitabile is the newcomer to the group.
On defense, the Wildcats will be replacing several key starters from 2010. Right end Vince Browne – a fairly highly regarded NFL prospect – and defensive tackle Jack DiNardo return to anchor the defensive line, which welcomes left end Tyler Scott and defensive tackle Niko Mafuli to its starting four. Scott replaces former starter Kevin Watt, who regresses to backup defensive end.
Outside linebacker Bryce McNaul is the only returning starter in the unit. Middle linebacker David Nwabuisi and outside linebacker Ben Johnson will also start; the latter gets the nod over Chi Chi Ariguzo, who was in close competition for the job.
In the secondary, Jordan Mabin returns for the ‘Cats as the top cornerback. On the other side will be Jeravin Matthews, who is replacing graduated cornerback Justan Vaughn.
Brian Peters, who intercepted three passes last season, returns as starting safety. His counterpart will be David Arnold, who will start ahead of promising redshirt freshman Ibraheim Campbell.
On special teams, Venric Mark will return kicks and punts for Northwestern, while Brandon Williams gets the nod as starting punter. Jeff Budzien will replace graduated kicker Stefan Demos as kicker for the Wildcats.
Northwestern opens its 2011 football season on Sept. 3 at Boston College.