Notes: Pre-spring ball personnel updates
Stanford's 2016 roster has come into focus as the Cardinal prepares to open spring ball this week.
Specifically, the situations of a number of potential fifth-year players have been resolved.
Johnny Caspers, Chris Harrell, Michael Rector, Jordan Watkins, Luke Kaumatule, Craig Jones, Noor Davis, Dallas Lloyd and Conrad Ukropina will return in 2016.
Head coach David Shaw confirmed with Cardinal Sports Report in a Monday morning interview that Conner Crane, Dontonio Jordan, Nick Davidson, Nate Lohn, Sam Shober and Sam Yules will not be back. Center Graham Shuler announced his retirement from football last month.
##########
SIGN UP TODAY: Want the latest in Stanford team and recruiting news? Consider joining the rapidly-growing Cardinal Sports Report community. Less than 30 cents a day (with an annual subscription) will provide access to insider team and recruiting discussion and tidbits as well as the most comprehensive coverage of Stanford football available.
##########
Stanford will be mostly healthy heading into spring ball, but several projected contributors will be miss time.
Harrison Phillips, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered in the Cardinal's 2015 season opener, is expected to be out for the entire spring, as is fullback Daniel Marx. Marx sustained an injury in the Big Game.
Outside linebacker Joey Alfieri is also expected to miss all of spring ball.
Freshman Nick Wilson, who will miss at least the first session of spring, completes the injury report.
"(Wilson is) probably out the first half," Shaw said. 'Hopefully get some (time) in the second half."
Isaiah Brandt-Sims is healthy, but he will be with the track team this spring.
##########
They might not be decided until fall camp, but several position battles will begin to take shape during spring ball. And there are several veterans who are primed to earn larger roles in 2016 on the heels of strong development throughout the 2015 season and into the offseason. Fifth-year senior Luke Kaumatule, who redshirted in 2015, is among the stronger candidates.
"The guy at the top of the list is Luke Kaumatule," Shaw said. "By the end of the year he was hard to block. And I'm so excited for Luke because you won't find a human being that's ever been around Luke Kaumatule that doesn't cheer for Luke, that doesn't want the best or Luke.
"And once again, I give Lance Anderson all the credit in the world for having this idea (to redshirt Luke) and not just for us, because we could have used him last year - we were starving for bodies. But it was what was best for Luke and it's what we should make decisions on. Yes, what's best for the team, but also what's best for the individual. And this was the best thing to do for Luke and he has flourished. He gets it now, and he's playing so much faster and more physical and more confident. You're going to go from a guy that's redshirted to a guy who has a chance to be one of the better players in the conference at his position. And I'm excited to see it... That's a big one for me.
"Seeing Eric Cotton make the transition also, he has some natural tools at the defensive line position. I'm curious to see him make that transition. I'm excited to see David Bright on the field more, because he did a really good job for us last year. And now trying to step into one of those starting roles - I think he has the tools to be there.
"Mike Tyler came on so strong at the end of the year, second half of the year. Helping him finish that arc to being I think a guy we think is pretty doggone talented and special. Joey Alfieri is in the same boat. So those guys showed a little bit, but we know there is more to come."
##########
Michael Rector's return, along with the continued development of some of the program's younger players at the position, should help Stanford's receiver group be a strong unit again in 2016. Despite the depth at the position, the Cardinal does not intend to redshirt senior Francis Owusu this season like they did Kaumatule last year. Owusu played as a true freshman, so he would hypothetically be eligible to redshirt in 2016.
"I think that would just be too hard," Shaw said. "Luke was a special case. Francis is going to be key on special teams, Francis is going to play on offense. Francis, even besides The Catch, he made some huge catches this year, 3rd and 5 catches, 3rd and 8 catches. What people don't see, Francis had a phenomenal year blocking. I think the combination of him and Rector, who had a good year blocking, and Cajuste and Stallworth was about as good a group of guys blocking as you're going to see. And that's going to be key again this year. Francis has been really good training so far this offseason and he's fired up about playing."
##########
Stanford will hold three open practices this spring in addition to the Spring Game.
The public is invited to watch the Cardinal practice on Saturday, Feb. 27 (9-11:20 a.m. PT), Saturday, March 5 (10-11:45) and April 2 (TBD) on the fields behind Maples Pavilion.
The Cardinal will hold its annual Spring Game at 1 p.m. Pacific time on campus on Saturday, April 9th at Cagan Stadium. The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks.
Additionally, the on-field portion of Stanford's Pro Day will be open to the public. That showcase will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 17th.