With fall camp opening on Monday, the University of Toledo football team has plenty of position battles that will play out in August before the season opener against Elon.
Here are a few to watch:
Starting tight end: Adam Kulon, Jordan Fisher, Reggie Gilliam, Drew Rosi
Michael Roberts left a big hole at tight end that the Rockets will need to fill. Roberts was UT’s best red-zone threat last season and leaves a lot of production to be replaced after he was drafted by the Detroit Lions. Kulon is a versatile senior who has seen time at fullback and tight end. Fisher is a talented sophomore from Virginia. Gilliam is a redshirt freshman and Rosi is a highly rated true freshman. The four players will battle it out for snaps and it could end up being tight end by committee.
Prediction: Kulon and Fisher will both see time and lead the rotation at the position.
Starting safeties and star position: Dedarallo Blue, Josh Teachey, Ronnie Jones, Jordan Williams
Toledo needs to fill its strong safety, free safety, and ‘star’ positions. So there are three open spots with four players trying to fill them. Teachey, a junior, played most of last season at the star position, while the other three players, all sophomores, were mainly special teams contributors.
Prediction: Blue will play the star position; Teachey and Jones will begin the season as the starting safeties with Williams backing up at the safety position.
Backup quarterback: Mitch Guadagni and Michael Julian
Logan Woodside is the clear starter, but there is still a question who will be his primary backup. Guadagni is a skilled sophomore from Hudson High School. He did not get any playing time as a true freshman, but he opens camp listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart. Julian will challenge him for that spot. Julian is a senior with game experience, and he is also in the competition to be the starting punter.
Prediction: Guadagni will emerge as the backup.
Contact Brian Buckey at bbuckey@theblade.com or 419-724-6110 or on Twitter @BrianBuckey.
First Published July 31, 2017, 3:00 p.m.
