Athens opening night depth chart is a far cry from where things stand now.
Adjustments have been made at four different positions so far and more appear to be coming. Former starting quarterback Treyce Albin looks like he’ll be dabbling in a little of everything this season—coach Ryan Adams had him lined up at wide receiver, running back and cornerback during Tuesday’s practice.
Albin got his feet wet in his new offensive role last week against Alexander, catching one pass for nine yards and carrying the ball on jet sweeps three times for 25 yards. Tuesday, he was catching deep passes from quarterback Brendan Sano.
“Anytime you’ve got a kid that’s that athletic, I think you’ve gotta get him incorporated into your team as fast as you possibly can,” Adams said. “The speed factor that he brings to the table is something that you either have it or you don’t. And Treyce has it.”
He's at corner now too, but Adams said Albin played the position in middle school and his freshman year. He even went as far as calling Albin a “natural” at the position.
Albin isn’t the only player making adjustments. In his first year playing organized football, senior defensive end Brody Ball has been getting snaps at the position in the wake of Sano’s position change.
Adams said Ball will be used as needed with Lazarus Fugate and Justin Hynes getting snaps at defensive end too, but Ball has been solid when called upon. Ball made a crucial sack in the fourth quarter of the Watkins Memorial game.
The running back situation may also end up being more fluid than previously thought. After an early fumble from Tyler Roback against Alexander, Mike Casteel entered the game for Roback and racked up 127 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Adams said the emergence of Casteel is good competition for Roback, and he could envision the team going with a two running back system in the future.
Athens’ roster is still full of moving parts. There are players adjusting to new positions and players adjusting to playing in general. The Bulldogs are 3-1, but the team is not even close to its final form.
“That’s certainly why I was upset and disappointed last week,” Adams said. “I don’t feel like we reached any closer to the ceiling. But it’s certainly a better feeling and a better situation to know that you do still have room for growth.”
