Stanford Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

Stanford has had the most success it has ever had on the football field the past couple of seasons. A large part of that has had to do with the quarterback play of Andrew Luck. Now that he is no longer on campus, many think this team is going to come back down to reality.

Even with Luck no longer on the roster, the Cardinal still return 13 starters, including seven on the defensive side of the ball. There are certainly enough pieces on this team to not only reach a bowl game for the fourth straight season, but have a good chance of winning double-digit games for the third season in a row.

With fall camp in full effect, here is a prediction of what the 2012 Stanford Cardinal depth chart is going to look like.

Quarterback

Starter: Brett Nottingham, Sophomore

Backup: Josh Nunes, Junior

Nobody is sure who will replace Andrew Luck, but one would assume Nottingham has the best shot right now. He was the backup behind Luck and has the most experience of anyone else on the roster, even if it isn't much. Still, both quarterbacks played well in the spring game, so the decision likely won't be made until a week before the season starts.

Running Back

Starter: Stepfan Taylor, Senior

Backup: Anthony Wilkerson, Junior

Taylor is a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, who has scored 30 touchdowns throughout his career. Any other questions on who the starting running back is going to be?

Receivers

Wide Receiver

Starter: Ty Montgomery, Sophomore

Backup: Jamal-Rashad Patterson, Senior

Montgomery played well his freshman season, hauling in 24 passes for 350 yards and a couple scores. At 6'2", 205 pounds and above-average speed, he has a chance to develop into something special.

Starter: Drew Terrell, Senior

Backup: Jemari Roberts, Junior

Terrell may be a senior, but only has 11 catches throughout his career. He will certainly need to have a bigger impact on this Stanford offense in 2012.

Tight End

Starter: Zach Ertz, Junior

Backup: Levine Toilolo, Junior

It doesn't really matter who is listed as the starter, as both will see equal playing time once again. Last season, both tight ends combined for 52 receptions for almost 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Brendon Austin, Freshman

Backup: Khalil Wilkes, Junior

Austin is quickly making a name for himself during the offseason. He did not play at all last season, but the former 4-star recruit is excellent in pass protection and has a great combination of strength and power.

Left Guard

Starter: David Yankey, Sophomore

Backup: Dillon Bonnell, Sophomore

Yankey is now the leader of this offensive line, but should have no problem taking on the added pressure. He started every game at the left guard position last season and is easily one of the better lineman in this conference.

Center

Starter: Sam Schwartzstein, Senior

Backup: Conor McFadden, Sophomore

Schwartzstein did a great job at the center position last season, which is why he is not going anywhere.

Right Guard

Starter: Kevin Danser, Junior

Backup: Cole Underwood, Sophomore

This position will be up for grabs throughout the fall, as both players saw playing time as reserves last season.

Right Tackle

Starter: Cameron Fleming, Sophomore

Backup: Cole Underwood, Sophomore

Fleming will hold down his position after being an All-Pac 12 honorable mention his first year as starter.

Defensive Line

Starter: Henry Anderson, Sophomore

Backup: Charlie Hopkins, Freshman

Anderson played in every game last season and is making a strong case to become a starting defensive end. He finished last year with six tackles and a fumble return.

Starter: Terrence Stephens, Senior

Backup: Anthony Hayes, Freshman

Stephens is the big boy in the middle, who started every game last season at nose tackle. Expect to see him in the same spot during the 2012 season.

Starter: Ben Gardner, Junior

Backup: Josh Mauro, Junior

Gardner is the most productive returning defensive lineman for Stanford, as he was a second-team Pac-12 selection last season, racking up 35 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Linebackers

Starter: Trent Murphy, Junior

Backup: Alex Debniak, Senior

Murphy started 13 games at outside linebacker last season, finishing second on the team with 6.5 sacks and 40 tackles.

Starter: Shayne Skov, Senior

Backup: A.J. Tarpley, Sophomore

Skov missed majority of the 2011 season with a knee injury, but is expected to be back on the field this year. When healthy, he is one of the more aggressive and complete linebackers the college game has to offer.

Starter: Jarek Lancaster, Junior

Backup: James Vaughters, Sophomore

Lancaster took over for Skov when he got hurt, and he led the Cardinal in tackles with 70. He played himself into a starting role for the 2012 season.

Starter: Chase Thomas, Senior

Backup: Kevin Anderson, Freshman

Thomas decided to put his NFL dreams on hold and return for his senior season. Like many of the linebackers on this squad, Thomas is a playmaker who will have another productive season this time around.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Terrence Brown, Junior

Backup: Harold Bernard, Senior

Brown picked up more and more starts as the season went on, and seemed to get better as well. He intercepted a pass in the BCS Fiesta Bowl last season and played well enough to where he should be a starter from day one.

Safety

Starter: Kyle Olugbode, Sophomore

Backup: Devon Carrington, Junior

Olugbode had a fantastic spring, but Carrington will not go down without a fight. The free safety position will remain a heated battle heading deeper into fall camp.

Safety

Starter: Jordan Richards, Sophomore

Backup: Ed Reynolds, Sophomore

Richards started three games as a freshman in the defensive backfield. Now he will be expected to replace a productive player in Delano Howell.

Cornerback

Starter: Barry Browning, Junior

Backup: Wayne Lyons, Sophomore

Browning started three games at corner last season before Brown took away the starting position. He now has a good shot to start opposite of Brown, but don't count out Lyons just yet.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Jordan Williamson, Sophomore

Backup: Eric Whitaker, Junior

Despite coming up short in the biggest moment last season, Williamson is still a second-team Pac-12 selection, who made 13 of his 19 field goal attempts.

Punter

Starter: Daniel Zychlinski, Senior

Backup: Ben Rhyne, Sophomore

Both punters will battle it out to see who is going to replace David Green, although as of right now, Zychlinski has the edge because he handled a majority of the punting duties back in 2010.