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The season officially starts a week from today, so we’re going into game week mode now. We still have a couple of days of the countdown to go, too.
Nick Sipe - So.
Villa Park, Ca (Villa Park HS)
6’4”, 215 pounds
Quarterback
2019 Projection: Reserve at Quarterback
Sipe is the second most experienced quarterback on the roster. That doesn’t mean a ton, however, as he appeared in three games during garbage time against Illinois, Minnesota, and Auburn. He only attempted a single pass, and completed it for three yards against the Golden Gophers. This was his first career action since his 2016 season at Villa Park HS, where he threw for 2,904 yards, 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 11 games.
Sipe has three years left, but the depth chart is not being kind to him. Elijah Sindelar is the unquestioned No. 1 and probably will be for two of those years. Jack Plummer has already earned the backup role as a redshirt freshman, and former HS teammate Paul Piferi comes in this year as a true freshman. Sipe was sidelined with a back injury in the spring too, which hurt his chances to move up the depth chart. Since Aidan O’Connell has been announced as the No. 3 quarterback, Sipe is probably fourth right now.
Jordan Rucker - Fr. (RS)
Denton, TX (Ryan HS)
6’, 195 pounds
Cornerback
2019 Projection: Reserve at cornerback
Rucker is one of several young defensive backs looking for playing time this year. In his final year of high school his team went 14-1 and reached the state semifinals, which is quite an accomplishment in Texas. He was also a basketball player and ran track. He was part of a 4x100 meter relay team that also made the Texas state finals.
Athleticism seems to be what Rucker brings the most. He is a former 3-star commit that brings important depth to the position.