Western Kentucky projected starting lineup and depth chart for Boca Raton Bowl | 2024-25 College football season

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who are reeling from their loss against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Conference USA championship game, will take on the James Madison Dukes in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday.

The good news for Western Kentucky is that even though quarterback Caden Veltkamp has submitted his name in the transfer portal, he will play in the bowl game against James Madison. Veltkamp was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, and he would like to end his stint with the Hilltoppers with a bowl win.

Let's take a look at Western Kentucky's projected starting lineup and depth chart for the Boca Raton Bowl.

Western Kentucky projected starting lineup and depth chart for Boca Raton Bowl

Offensive Positions

WR-X (Wide Receiver X):

Starter: Dalvin Smith

2nd: Moussa Barry (Questionable)
3rd: Demick Starling (Questionable)
4th: Cameron Flowers
5th: Denzil Alleyne

WR-Z (Wide Receiver Z):

Starter: Kisean Johnson

2nd: Michael Mathison
3rd: Koy Moore (Questionable)
4th: Jax Cooper

WR-SL (Slot Receiver):

Starter: Easton Messer (Questionable)

2nd: Bryce Childress
3rd: K.D. Hutchinson
4th: Marvin Sims

LT (Left Tackle):

Starter: Marshall Jackson

2nd: Stacey Wilkins
3rd: Darrell Johnson Jr.

LG (Left Guard):

Starter: Quantavious Leslie

2nd: Melvin Collins Jr.
3rd: Wesley Horton

C (Center):

Starter: Evan Wibberley

2nd: Colten Cable
3rd: Hayden Todd

RG (Right Guard):

Starter: Rodney Newsom Jr.

2nd: Blake Austin
3rd: Michael Moment

RT (Right Tackle):

Starter: Travon Taylor

2nd: Michael Ondelacy

TE (Tight End):

Starter: River Helms

2nd: Trevor Borland
3rd: Noah Meyers
4th: C.J. Kiss
5th: Elvin Fofanah

QB (Quarterback):

Starter: Caden Veltkamp

2nd: TJ Finley (Out)
3rd: Turner Helton
4th: Rodney Tisdale Jr.
5th: Tucker Parks

RB (Running Back):

Starter: Elijah Young

2nd: George Hart III
3rd: L.T. Sanders (Questionable)
4th: Jalen Hampton
5th: Corey Landers

Defensive Positions

DE (Defensive End):

Starter: Deante McCray

2nd: Marcus Patterson
3rd: Zach Edwards
4th: Harper Holloman

NT (Nose Tackle):

Starter: Dallas Walker

2nd: Terrion Thompson

DT (Defensive Tackle):

Starter: Hosea Wheeler

2nd: Jayden Loving

LOLB (Left Outside Linebacker):

Starter: Kylan Guidry

2nd: Sebastian Benjamin
3rd: Koron Hayward

LILB (Left Inside Linebacker):

Starter: Chandler Matthews

2nd: Anthony Brackenridge
3rd: Nathan Griffin
4th: Lofton Howard

RILB (Right Inside Linebacker):

Starter: Darius Thomas

2nd: Terreance Ellis
3rd: Miller Malone
4th: Reginald Allen Jr.

ROLB (Right Outside Linebacker):

Starter: Sebastian Benjamin

2nd: Devon Lynch
3rd: Keondre Williams
4th: Zsacari Minnis

LCB (Left Cornerback):

Starter: Anthony Johnson Jr.

2nd: Jaymar Mundy
3rd: Jai Eugene Jr.
4th: Marvelous Owens

SS (Strong Safety):

Starter: Keyshawn Swanson

2nd: Demarko Williams

FS (Free Safety):

Starter: Devonte' Mathews

2nd: Dave Herard
3rd: Alex Ford

RCB (Right Cornerback):

Starter: Kent Robinson

2nd: Nazir Ward
3rd: Lataj Wright

NB (Nickelback):

Starter: Upton Stout

2nd: Virgil Marshall
3rd: Ely George

Special Teams

PT (Punter):

Starter: Cole Maynard

2nd: Riley Stephens
3rd: Jackson Smith

PK (Placekicker):

Starter: Lucas Carneiro (Questionable)

2nd: Jackson Smith
3rd: Riley Stephens
4th: Michael Buck

KO (Kickoff Specialist):

Starter: Riley Stephens

LS (Long Snapper):

Starter: Rex Robich

2nd: Drew Wilson

H (Holder):

Starter: Cole Maynard

2nd: Riley Stephens

PR (Punt Returner):

Starter: K.D. Hutchinson

2nd: Easton Messer (Questionable)
3rd: Cameron Flowers

KR (Kick Returner):

Starter: Easton Messer (Questionable)

2nd: K.D. Hutchinson
3rd: Cameron Flowers