Coming into summer practices NIU football head coach Jerry Kill said only one player was guaranteed a starting spot – defensive end Larry English.

On Tuesday, Kill released his first two-deep depth chart of the season, answering who will fill the other 21 starting offensive and defensive positions.

One point of interest was at the quarterback position. Redshirt freshman Chandler Harnish and senior Dan Nicholson are both listed as the starting quarterback with an “or” between their two names.

Nicholson is coming off shoulder surgery he had in January. After starting summer practices, the Brother Rice product was shut down due to soreness in his shoulder.

“There won’t be any decisions made till Saturday,” Kill said. “Until I know how Danny [Nicholson] is going to feel it’s a day-by-day basis.”

However, Kill did say that “[Nicholson] had a really good day Sunday. We threw him a lot, we didn’t back off on him at all.”

Right guard Jason Onyebuagu is also questionable for the 2008 season opener. Onyebuagu is coming back from having one of his knees scoped during the offseason.

“He’s practicing right now and this week will be critical for him for what his status will be” the first year coach said. “To be honest with you, it was a situation where I was told it could be to October when he could play. He’s done a great job.”

While running back Montell Clanton is back healthy from his knee surgery, Kill said he is still shaking off the rust. However, Clanton doesn’t believe he’s rusty anymore.

“In the beginning of camp I was sort of rusty,” the senior said. “But by the end of it I got my confidence back.”

Clanton is listed as an “or” for starting running back along with Justin Anderson.

Another running back who has found his way into the two deeps is true freshman Me’co Brown.

The Moss Point, MS, native is a running back on the second team. However, he made the first team as a punt returner and one of the kick returners.