DB Ed Reynolds
2013 SCHEDULE
9-7-13 SAN JOSE STATE
9-14-13 at Army
9-21-13 ARIZONA STATE
9-28-13 at Washington State
10-5-13 WASHINGTON
10-12-13 at Utah
10-19-13 UCLA
10-26-13 at Oregon State
11-7-13 OREGON
11-16-13 at Southern California
11-23-13 CALIFORNIA
11-30-13 NOTRE DAME
Head Coach: David Shaw
23-4, 2 years

2012 Statistics

2012 RESULTS: 12-2
SAN JOSE STATE WON 20-17
DUKE WON 50-13
USC WON 21-14
at Washington LOST 13-17
ARIZONA WON 54-48 (OT)
at Notre Dame LOST 13-20 (OT)
at California WON 21-3
WASHINGTON ST WON 24-17
at Colorado WON 48-0
OREGON STATE WON 27-23
at Oregon WON 17-14 (OT)
at UCLA WON 35-17
PAC 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
UCLA WON 27-24
ROSE BOWL
Wisconsin WON 20-14

2012 Final Rankings
AP-7, Coaches-6, BCS-6

 

ASST. COACHES

Off. Coordinator/OL Coach: Mike Bloomgren (3rd season)
Previous: NFL Jets Asst. Off. Coor.

Def. Coordinator/DB Coach: Derek Mason (4th season)
Previous: NFL Vikings Asst. DB Coach

Quarterbacks/Receivers: Mike Sanford (3rd season)
Previous: Western Kentucky QB Coach

Tight Ends: Morgan Turner (4th season)
Previous: Indiana State QB Coach

Defensive Line: Randy Hart (4th season)
Previous: Notre Dame DL Coach

Inside Linebackers : David Kotulski (2nd season)
Previous: Lehigh Def. Coor./LB Coach

Outside Linebackers : Lance Anderson (7th season)
Previous: San Diego DL Coach

Special Teams: Pete Alamar (2nd season)
Previous: Fresno State TE/Sp. Teams Coach

OUTLOOK

Stanford will be in the championship race, both in conference and on the national level. In this modern-day college football world of big offensive statistics spreading and throwing the football around the field Stanford does something that the SEC big boys are doing while winning national championship rings...play sound defense, run the ball and excel with highly talented, mobile big men on the offensive line. One can get the sense the Cardinal coaches are doing what they can not to be so one-dimensional offensively by handing the ball of to the tailback on most every down. It was evident in the spring as the passing game was garnering the most repetition. The only problem in that formula is that five of the top six receivers from 2012 exhausted their eligibility. Suffice to say, Stanford has little in the way of proven talent at both receiver and tight end. More important, young quarterback Kevin Hogan still has to prove he can be more than just a read-option runner. His passing skills have not been on display yet when it counts. Making the equation that much more complicated is that the stalwart carrying the rock on most every play, Stepfan Taylor, has graduated.

But this offensive line is very special. Other than defending national champion Alabama, no team in the country has recruited better offensive linemen. This unit also has the luxury of getting better while practicing against some of the best defenders this side of the Mississippi River. It's difficult to find a team that has an All-American defensive end bringing pressure on the quarterback but Stanford has two candidates in Henry Anderson and Ben Gardner while outside backer Trent Murphy led the team in sacks in 2012. He too is a consensus All-American. In short, this is the best defense in the Pac 12 and they can match up with any team across the land.

Stanford is still not getting the respect it deserves on a national level either. Despite beating Oregon last year in Eugene, winning the Pac 12 title game and the Rose Bowl while losing to undefeated regular season foe Notre Dame on the road in overtime, the Cardinal still finished a measly seventh place in the AP poll behind even the Ducks. Seemingly these results have forced Stanford to play with a chip on the shoulder which should suit head coach David Shaw just fine. The only unfortunate aspect is that the 2013 schedule is just as brutal with the same heavy hitting teams gunning for revenge. Stanford is a marked team now but there is a wonderful blend of big men, athletes and proven veterans in this lineup to bring a national champion ring back to The Farm...the first since television was invented by John Logie Baird back in 1926. Ironically, by college football poll results of the time, Stanford shared the title that year with Alabama.


Projected 2013 record: 10-2

OG Kevin Danser
STANFORD
2012 Statistical Rankings
OFFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
48
6
Passing:
93
10
Total Off:
84
8
Sacks Allow:
34
3
DEFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
5
1
Passing:
70
7
Total Def:
20
1
Sacks:
1
1
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Josh Nunes, 124-235-7, 1643 yds., 10 TD

Rushing: Kevin Hogan, 55 att., 263 yds., 2 TD

Receiving: Ty Montgomery, 26 rec., 213 yds., 0 TD

Scoring: Jordan Williamson, 17-27 FG, 45-46 PAT, 96 pts.

Punting: Ben Ryhne, 9 punts, 41.1 avg.

Kicking: Jordan Williamson, 17-27 FG, 45-46 PAT, 96 pts.

Tackles: Shayne Skov, 81 tot., 43 solo

Sacks: Trent Murphy, 10 sacks

Interceptions: Ed Reynolds, 6 for 301 yds., 3 TD

Kickoff Returns: Ty Montgomery, 11 ret., 26.6 avg., 0 TD

Punt Returns: Keanu Nelson, 1 ret., 8.0 avg., 0 TD

 

 
STANFORD
2013 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 7
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Stepfan Taylor-RB, Drew Terrell-WR, Jamal-Rashad Patterson-WR, Sam Schwartzstein-C, Levine Toilolo-TE (NFL), Zach Ertz-TE (NFL)
DEFENSE: Terrence Stephens-DT, Chase Thomas-OLB, Alex Debniak-OLB, Daniel Zychlinski-P, Terrence Brown-CB (NFL)
2013 OFFENSE

    QUARTERBACK  

  • Kevin Hogan was a revelation when he took over for the final four games of 2012 and led them to be Rose Bowl Champions. Firmly entrenched as the starter now it remains to be whether coaches will continue to put Hogan in a read-option package designed to take advantage of his mobility. He is the team's leading returning rusher.
  • The passing game posted dismal numbers a year ago (ranked 93rd nationally in passing offense). For Hogan to be a more respected quarterback he will have to guide a better a passing attack and coaches seem resolved to develop one as they strayed from the usual power run game this spring to gauge the progress of its vertical passing attack (62 passing attempts in spring game).
  • Leading passer Josh Nunes missed all of spring ball after suffering a biceps muscle injury to his throwing arm while lifting weights in January. His return for the fall is up in the air as Coach Shaw indicated his situation may not be a short-term deal.
  • Redshirt sophomore Evan Crower takes over back up duties as a result of Nunes' injury. Crower has played well in all of the spring scrimmages consistently throwing the football accurately with a good grasp of the system.

    RUNNING BACK  

  • Calling this a running back by committee may be an understatement as five or more different players will be called upon to fill the shoes of departed Stepfan Taylor who carried the ball an amazing 322 times last fall.
  • The running backs are the deepest unit on the team. In the spring game 13 different players registered at least one carry with no one person getting more than seven attempts.
  • Seniors Anthony Wilkerson and Tyler Gaffney will likely get the bulk of the carries come fall based mostly on experience. Wilkerson is a power back who was the primary backup for Taylor. Back on the gridiron after taking a year off to play professional baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tyler Gaffney will give Stanford a solid 1-2 punch.
  • Ricky Seale has been overshadowed by the more experienced backs but Coach Shaw is giddy about the Southern California native. Seale was the most productive in the spring game.
  • Redshirt frosh Barry Sanders (son of NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders Sr.) is still working to find a carry or two in this overstuffed depth chart. Expect to see him come in on an occasion and see what his shiftiness can accomplish.

    RECEIVER  

  • Big Stat: Other than fullback Ryan Hewitt, no one on this current roster caught a touchdown pass last season. The passing game has to improve. Ergo, it's easy to see why this unit - and the passing game as a whole - is the biggest question mark heading into 2013.
  • No doubt Ty Montgomery is the No. 1 receiver. The rising junior looks explosive despite having to shake off a disappointing 2012 campaign.
  • Kodi Whitfield is not the deep threat Montgomery is but could be the most versatile and best route-runner. He can play all three receiver positions.
  • Michael Rector has improved leaps and bounds since his freshman year. He and Devon Cajuste have been singled out this spring as two new guys in the rotation that will be heavily counted on.
  • Kelsey Young may be the most dynamic athlete. The X-factor offers another gear for playmaking and sports a hybrid role as a receiver and ball carrier out of the backfield.
  • Entering the battle in the fall will be Francis Owusu (taller brother of former Cardinal Chris) who was arguably the best prep receiver on the West Coast.

    TIGHT END  

  • How do you replace two of the country's best tight ends as both Levine Toilolo and Zach Ertz declared early for the NFL Draft? The results revealed during the spring are incomplete.
  • Not a single tight end on the roster has recorded even a single reception in his college career. And only one scholarship player (Davis Dudchock) was recruited as a tight end out of high school.
  • Redshirt freshman Luke Kaumatule is the leader in the clubhouse to claim the starting tight end spot. The prep All-American from Hawai'i stands at 6'7 and has been the subject of much hype.
  • The tight end picture won't come into focus until the three touted incoming freshmen tight ends (Austin Hooper, Eric Cotton and Greg Taboada) arrive on campus in the fall. There will be ample opportunity for each to break into the rotation.

    OFFENSIVE LINE  

  • Up front on offense is where Stanford beats people. Coaches know how to recruit this position and 2013 will see the fruits of their labor. Center is the only spot that is a question mark with the departure of Sam Schwartzstein.
  • Even the backups on this unit were some of the most heralded offensive linemen coming out of high school.
  • Consensus All-American David Yankey is one of the most dominant and versatile offensive linemen in the nation. He is the winner of the 2012 Morris Trophy, by vote of the conference's defensive lineman as the Outstanding Offensive Lineman in the Pac-12.
  • The emergence of Andrus Peat, one of the most sought after recruits in the country, at left tackle has allowed Yankey to move down to guard. Peat has his confidence up and body weight down. Look for him to be one of the most impact newcomers on the entire depth chart.
  • The center competition is down to three primary candidates: Khalil Wilkes, Kevin Danser and Conor McFadden. Although All-Pac 12 guard Danser is only an experimental thought in case one of the others cannot hold down the snapping duties.
  • 13 game starter Cameron Fleming continues to man the right tackle spot and has the ability to dominate in the running game.


OG David Yankey

 

STANFORD 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Kevin Hogan-So (6-4, 220) Josh Nunes-Sr (6-4, 226)
Evan Crower-Jr (6-5, 215)
FB Ryan Hewitt-Sr (6-4, 245) Geoff Meinken-Sr (6-4, 246)
RB Anthony Wilkerson-Sr (6-1, 214)
Tyler Gaffney-Sr (6-1, 221)
Remound Wright-So (5-9, 198)
Ricky Seale-Jr (5-9, 199)
WR Kodi Whitfield-So (6-2, 197) Michael Rector-RFr (6-1, 190)
Kelsey Young-So (5-10, 189)
WR Ty Montgomery-Jr (6-2, 215) Devon Cajuste-So (6-4, 232)
Francis Owusu-Fr (6-3, 195)
TE Luke Kaumatule-RFr (6-7, 260) Davis Dudchock-Jr (6-4, 233)
OT Andrus Peat-So (6-7, 310) Brendon Austin-So (6-6, 304)
OG David Yankey-Jr (6-5, 311) Johnny Caspers-RFr (6-4, 292)
C Khalil Wilkes-Sr (6-3, 290) Conor McFadden-Jr (6-3, 288)
OG Kevin Danser-Sr (6-6, 301) Joshua Garnett-So (6-5, 317)
OT Cameron Fleming-Jr (6-6, 318) Kyle Murphy-So (6-7, 272)
K Jordan Williamson-Jr (5-11, 191) Conrad Ukropina-RFr (6-1, 185)

 

2013 DEFENSE

    DEFENSIVE LINE  

  • Stanford led the entire country in sack production last fall. The talent and experience returning is outstanding.
  • It's rare to find two All-American defensive ends on one team but Henry Anderson and Ben Gardner are both prime candidates. Anderson already is a NationalChamps.net Preseason All-American and Gardner is not far behind.
  • The only question will be who emerges to provide depth at nose tackle behind David Parry as Stanford likes to rotate the two frontline players in the middle.
  • Depth on the defensive line has not always been plentiful. However, Coach Shaw says he is excited about the possibilities as several of the team's young linemen are developing nicely. Josh Mauro played at an extremely high level much of 2012 while Jordan Watkins, Aziz Shittu and the rest provide sufficient depth.

    LINEBACKER  

  • Despite the fact Chase Thomas and Alex Debniak are gone, the outside linebackers are still expected to be a major pain for opposing offenses. The return of All-American Trent Murphy, a healthy Blake Lueders, an emerging Kevin Anderson and a physically gifted former Rivals 100 recruit James Vaughters combine to create a potent quartet at the position.
  • Vaughters moved from inside to outside and has been rotating with Blake Lueders on the first team. The position battle turned out to be one of the best of spring ball. Both are going to see the field. Lueders played well his first two seasons but an injured shoulder prevented him from maximizing his talents.
  • Fifth-year senior Shayne Skov is more to this team than 237 career tackles and a role model on four bowl teams. His trademark Mohawk and body weight is history as are the lingering effects from his severe knee injury of 2011, but his emotional leadership is immeasurable. Skov has assumed an integral role not only on the field, but also in the locker room.
  • A.J. Tarpley is one of the more instinctive linebackers in the conference and is one of the most underrated second year starters on the team.

    DEFENSIVE BACK  

  • The safety position is well-stocked as both starters Jordan Richards and Ed Reynolds return as does top reserve Devon Carrington, a player who was penciled in as a starter heading into 2012 before a hand injury sidelined him.
  • All-American Ed Reynolds led Stanford with six interceptions last fall, the most by a Stanford player since 1973. Reynolds also set a new school record with three interceptions returned for a touchdown.
  • At corner the surprise early departure of Terrence Brown shouldn't sting too bad. Alex Carter will rank among the best covermen in the Pac 12 and expectations will be high for a healthy Wayne Lyons. Senior Barry Browning is a proven commodity as well after earning substantial playing time as a starter or backup last year.

 

LB Trent Murphy

 

STANFORD 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Henry Anderson-Jr (6-6, 282) Josh Mauro-Sr (6-6, 281)
DT David Parry-Jr (6-2, 303) Ikenna Nwafor-RFr (6-6, 288)
Lance Callihan-So (6-3, 300)
DE Ben Gardner-Sr (6-4, 275) Anthony Hayes-So (6-3, 290)
OLB Trent Murphy-Sr (6-6, 261) Kevin Anderson-So (6-4, 245)
ILB A.J. Tarpley-Jr (6-2, 237) Blake Martinez-RFr (6-2, 238)
ILB Shayne Skov-Sr (6-3, 244) Jarek Lancaster-Sr (6-1, 232)
OLB James Vaughters-Jr (6-2, 245) Blake Lueders-Sr (6-5, 258)
CB Wayne Lyons-Jr (6-1, 193) Barry Browning-Sr (6-1, 179)
CB Alex Carter-So (6-0, 204) Ra'Chard Pippens-So (6-2, 198)
SS Jordan Richards-Jr (5-11, 208) Zach Hoffpauir-So (6-0, 195)
FS Ed Reynolds-Jr (6-2, 205) Devon Carrington-Sr (6-1, 200)
NB Usua Amanam-Sr (5-10, 175) Ronnie Harris-So (5-10, 170)
P Ben Ryhne-Jr (6-2, 202) Conrad Ukropina-RFr (6-1, 185)
 
2013 SPECIAL TEAMS
  • Kicker Jordan Williams has been hitting on 89 percent of his field goal attempts this spring and is picking up where he left off to end the 2012 season. Critical kicks at Oregon, in the Pac 12 Championship Game and in the Rose Bowl gives Williams the confidence to be Mr. Clutch. He also has the ability to hit the 50+ yard attempts.
  • The battle to replace a valuable Daniel Zychlinski at punter has been waged between Conrad Ukropina and Ben Rhyne. In the spring game Ukropina averaged 39.7 yards on six punts and Rhyne 43.6 yards on five punts. The competition will continue into the fall as neither one has really jumped out.
  • Several players shared time returning kicks last year. Special teams coordinator Pete Alamar said, "In the kick return deal, you've got Ty Montgomery, who when he was healthy last year was pretty salty. You've got Kelsey Young that came on at the end of the year that's got the ability to do that. And then you've got (Tyler) Gaffney, who's come back in and who's a big, strong, powerful guy that's got that in his background, too. You've got Remound Wright, who did some a year ago. Alex Carter has the capability of it. You've got five guys right there that are all solid returners."
  • The competition to replace Drew Terrell, one of the best and most reliable punt returners in program history, is also a tight race with many incumbents. Ty Montgomery has the most experience returning kicks, Keanu Nelson was the back up last year behind Terrell and running back Tyler Gaffney will give it a shot.
  • If legendary son Barry Sanders doesn't get enough reps in a long list of running backs on the depth chart, don't be surprised if coaches don't give him an equal chance to see what he can do as a return man.