Stanford Football 2011: The Offensive Two-Deep Roster

With nearly three months until kickoff against San Jose State, this is typically the most boring stretch for any college football fan.

But there are ways to fight the boredom.

One solution is to take a look at the two-deep at every position.

The Cardinal look incredibly deep and strong at nearly every position. That depth will surely be a boost to new head coach David Shaw and his staff.

Follow along as we preview the two-deep roster.

Defensive and special teams two-deeps will follow in the coming days.

Quarterback

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miam

1. Andrew Luck 6'4", 235, Sr.
2. Josh Nunes 6'4", 211, Jr.

The quarterback position is obviously the strongest on the depth chart due to Andrew Luck's decision to return to school for his senior season.

Luck is coming off an outstanding season in which he threw for 3,338 yards, 32 touchdowns, eight interceptions and completed 70.7 percent of his passes.

He also carried the football 55 times for 453 yards to go with three touchdowns.

Nunes is a talented, yet unproven player, having only attempted two passes in his career.

This will be very important season for Nunes, as he needs to learn as much as he possibly can from Luck before taking over as the starter in 2012.

If Andrew Luck can avoid injury, he should have another monster season in head coach and previous offensive coordinator David Shaw's system.

Running Back

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal runs the ball against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/

1. Stepfan Taylor 5'11", 208, Jr.
2. Anthony Wilkerson 6-'1", 220, So.

The Cardinal have another key player returning in 2011 in running back Stepfan Taylor.

He is coming off an outstanding 2010 season in which he ran the ball 223 times for 1,137 yards and 15 scores. 

Taylor also showed his versatility by hauling in 28 receptions for 266 yards and one touchdown.

It remains to be seen if he'll have as productive a season in 2011, as he did in 2010 due to a slew of new starters on the offensive line.

On the other hand, we have Anthony Wilkerson, who will be utilized as more of a short yardage type of back.

Wilkerson hasn't seen the field in Palo Alto yet, but will have an immediate impact on the running game when giving Taylor a breather.

Fullback

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Tight end Ryan Hewitt #85 of the Stanford Cardinal looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Get

1. Ryan Hewitt 6'4", 238, Jr.
2. Geoff Meinken 6'4", 274, Jr.

Ryan Hewitt was originally recruited to Stanford as a tight end, but was converted to fullback with the loss of Owen Marecic.

Stanford fans will have to wait and see if he can effectively fill the large shoes of Marecic, who was a fixture in goal line situations.

Hewitt will be a critical part of the offense because of his excellent blocking skills in the run game.

Wide Receiver

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Wide receiver Chris Owusu #81 of the Stanford Cardinal warms up prior to the game against the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

1. Griff Whalen 6'1", 185, Sr.
2. Drew Terrell 5'11", 180, Jr.

1. Chris Owusu 6'2", 200, Sr.
2. Jamal-Rashad Patterson 6'3", 205, Jr.

Wide receiver is shaping up to be one of the deepest positions on the roster.

The unit is headed by upperclassmen Griff Whalen and Chris Owusu, who combined for 42 receptions, 645 yards and four touchdowns in 2010.

Terrell and Patterson were both highly recruited out of high school, but have played sparingly in their respective careers.

Every wide receiver on the roster, especially these four, have a lot of weight on their shoulders because of the likely emphasis on the passing game during the upcoming season.

It helps that they will have Heisman Trophy candidate Andrew Luck slinging the ball to them.

Tight End

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Coby Fleener #82 of the Stanford Cardinal runs for yards after the catch against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by

1. Coby Fleener 6'6", 244, Sr. (RS)
2. Zach Ertz 6'6", 249, Jr.

Fleener, a three-year starter, was one of the most productive tight ends in the nation last season.

He snagged 28 catches for 434 yards and seven touchdowns.

He'll certainly be a main target for quarterback Andrew Luck.

Ertz also had a relatively productive season in 2010, hauling in 16 receptions for 190 yards and five touchdowns.

Fleener and Ertz may be the best tight end duo in the nation this season and will be a crucial part of the success of the passing game.

Tackle

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Tyler Mabry #77 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after beating the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

1. Jonathan Martin 6'6", 304, Sr.
2. David Yankey 6'5", 302, Fr. (RS)

1. Tyler Mabry 6'7", 292, Sr. (RS)
2. Cameron Fleming 6'6", Fr. (RS)

As mentioned before, the offensive line is the most inexperienced unit heading into the 2011 season.

The line will be anchored by tackle Jonathan Martin, a hulking presence who will be counted on to protect Andrew Luck in passing situations as well as pave the way for ground attack.

At the other tackle position, Tyler Mabry will hope to provide leadership in his fifth season.

Offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren has a major project facing him in reconstructing his line after producing one of the nation's best in 2010.

Guard

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PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal is congratulated by David DeCastro #52 after he scored a touchdown during their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Stanford Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Palo Alto, C

1. Kevin Danser 6'6", 288, Jr.
2. Matt Bentler 6'5", 292, Sr. (RS)

1. David DeCastro 6'5", 310, Sr.
2. Cole Underwood 6'4", 281, So.

The guard position seems to somewhat solid.

The unit is headed by senior David DeCastro, who may be the best lineman on the roster.

Like Jonathan Martin at tackle, DeCastro will be charged with being a leader on this inexperienced line.

Center

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal calls a play in the huddle as Derek Hall #53, David DeCastro #52, Andrew Phillips #71 and Jonathan Martin #55 listen to the call against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011

1. Sam Schwartzstein 6'3", 284, Sr.
2. Khalil Wilkes 6'3", 287, Jr.

Center is yet another position of uncertainty for the Cardinal.

Sam Schwartzstein will be under center and in control of the line shifts.

Again, it is up to line coach Mike Bloomgren to get Schwarztein and Wilkes ready to play in the fall.