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Stanford Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Keller Chryst #10 of the Stanford Cardinal passes against the Washington Huskies on September 30, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Keller Chryst #10 of the Stanford Cardinal passes against the Washington Huskies on September 30, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CA – OCTOBER 10: Eric Cotton #80 of the Stanford Cardinal is congratulated by Kevin Hogan #8 after he caught a touchdown pass against the Washington State Cougars in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium on October 10, 2014 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – OCTOBER 10: Eric Cotton #80 of the Stanford Cardinal is congratulated by Kevin Hogan #8 after he caught a touchdown pass against the Washington State Cougars in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium on October 10, 2014 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting tackle: Harrison Phillips
Backup: Michael Williams

Stanford plays more of a 3-4 defense, led by two ends and a tackle up front. The lone tackle is projected to be returning starter, Harrison Phillips. The senior stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at about 285 pounds, making him a force up front. He has the body to make an impact and he did just that in 2016.

In fact, Phillips finished his junior season with 46 total tackles, ranking sixth on the team, along with 10 tackles for loss (third on the team) and 7.0 sacks, which placed him second behind only Solomon Thomas. He had an outstanding season and could be an All-Pac-12 performer in 2017. Four-star redshirt freshman Michael Williams will be his backup and could have a nice season as a 6-foot-1, 305-pound tackle.

Starting ends: Eric Cotton, Dylan Jackson
Backups: Jovan Swann, Thomas Schaffer

At the two end spots, we will likely see senior Eric Cotton and sophomore Dylan Jackson. Cotton didn’t have much of an impact in 2016, recording four three total tackles in limited action. A reason for this could because he switched positions last season, going from tight end to the defensive side of the ball and the learning curve was steep.

Jackson, on the other hand, finished with 15 total tackles and one for loss as a redshirt freshman. He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 250 pounds and with three years in the system under his belt, he could be a force as a pass rusher. Could he take over the role of Thomas? Freshman Jovan Swann has been hyped up to be a major contributor right away and sophomore Thomas Shaffer will crack the rotation.

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