2018 Stanford Cardinal football team

The 2018 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinal were led by eighth-year head coach David Shaw. They played their home games at Stanford Stadium and were members of the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference.

2018 Stanford Cardinal football
Sun Bowl champion
Sun Bowl, W 14–13 vs. Pittsburgh
ConferencePac-12 Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Record9–4 (6–3 Pac-12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTavita Pritchard (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorLance Anderson (5th season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumStanford Stadium
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Pac-12 Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
North Division
No. 13 Washington xy$ 72  104 
No. 10 Washington State x 72  112 
Stanford 63  94 
Oregon 54  94 
California 45  76 
Oregon State 18  210 
South Division
Utah xy 63  95 
Arizona State 54  76 
USC 45  57 
Arizona 45  57 
UCLA 36  39 
Colorado 27  57 
Championship: Washington 10, Utah 3
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Stanford, coming off a 9–5 season and an appearance in the Pac-12 Championship Game in 2017, began the year ranked 13th in the preseason AP Poll. They won their first four games of the year, including wins over No. 17 USC and No. 20 Oregon, and rose to 7th in the polls. The Cardinal then lost four of their next five games, compiling losses to Notre Dame, Utah, Washington State, and Washington. After closing out the regular season with three straight wins, Stanford was third in the Pac-12 North with a conference record of 6–3. They were invited to the Sun Bowl, where they defeated ACC runner-up Pittsburgh to end the year at 9–4 overall.

Stanford's offense was led by junior quarterback K. J. Costello, who led the Pac-12 Conference in passer rating and finished in second in passing yards and touchdowns.[1] Wide receiver J. J. Arcega-Whiteside finished with 1,059 receiving yards and a Pac-12-leading 14 receiving touchdowns. Offensive tackle Walker Little was named first-team all-conference. On defense, cornerback Paulson Adebo led the team with four interceptions and 17 passes defended, and was also named first-team all-conference.

Recruiting

Position key

BackBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDB
Defensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndE
FullbackFBGuardGHalfbackHBKickerK
Kickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLB
Long snapperLSPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQB
Running backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR

Recruits

The Cardinal signed a total of 14 recruits.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Jack West
QB
Saraland, AlabamaSaraland High School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)217 lb (98 kg)Jul 12, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Justus Woods
RB
Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte Christian School6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)Mar 16, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Michael Wilson
WR
West Hills, CaliforniaChaminade College Preparatory School6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)180 lb (82 kg)Mar 29, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Tobe Umerah
DE
Macon, GeorgiaStratford Academy6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)237 lb (108 kg)Apr 11, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Ethan Bonner
CB
The Woodlands, TexasThe Woodlands High School6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg)Aug 3, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Donjae Logan
CB
Mesa, ArizonaDesert Ridge High School5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)170 lb (77 kg)Aug 4, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jacob Mangum-Farrar
LB
Sugar Land, TexasKempner High School6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)210 lb (95 kg)Aug 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jay Symonds Jr.
FB
Cambridge, MassachusettsBuckingham Browne & Nichols School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)257 lb (117 kg)Oct 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Kendall Williamson
CB
Snellville, GeorgiaBrookwood High School6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)Oct 16, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Thomas Booker
DE
Baltimore, MarylandGilman School6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)290 lb (130 kg)Oct 22, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Trey Stratford
C
Allen, TexasAllen High School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)270 lb (120 kg)Dec 3, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Andres Fox
DE
Mobile, AlabamaMobile Christian School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)245 lb (111 kg)Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Caleb Kelly
LB
Atlanta, GeorgiaHapeville Charter Career Academy6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)218 lb (99 kg)Feb 1, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Tanner McKee
QB
Corona, CaliforniaCentennial High School6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg)Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Stanford Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

AwardPlayerPositionYear
Lott Trophy[2]Bobby OkerekeLBSR
Rimington Trophy[3]Jesse BurkettCSR
Chuck Bednarik Award[4]Alijah HolderCBSR
Bobby OkerekeLBSR
Maxwell Award[5]K. J. CostelloQBSO
Bryce LoveRBSR
Doak Walker Award[6]Bryce LoveRBJR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[7]J. J. Arcega-WhitesideWRSR
John Mackey Award[8]Kaden SmithTESO
Butkus Award[9]Bobby OkerekeLBSR
Outland Trophy[10]Jesse BurkettCSR
Nate HerbigGJR
Lou Groza Award[11]Jet TonerKJR
Ray Guy Award[12]Jake BaileyPSR
Wuerffel Trophy[13]Alameen MurphyDBSR
Walter Camp Award[14]Bryce LoveRBSR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[15]Kaden SmithTEJR

Pac-12 media days

The 2018 Pac-12 media days are set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. David Shaw (HC), J. J. Arcega-Whiteside (WR) & Alijah Holder (CB) at Pac-12 media days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Cardinal predicted to finish in second place at Pac-12 North division.[16]

Media poll (North)
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Washington249 (40)
2Stanford198 (2)
3Oregon178 (2)
4California108
5Washington State98
6Oregon State45

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 316:00 p.m.San Diego State*No. 13FS1W 31–1040,913
September 85:30 p.m.No. 17 USCNo. 10
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA (rivalry)
FOXW 17–342,856
September 1511:00 a.m.No. 23 (FCS) UC Davis*No. 9
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
P12NW 30–1031,772
September 225:00 p.m.at No. 20 OregonNo. 7ABCW 38–31 OT58,453
September 294:30 p.m.at No. 8 Notre Dame*No. 7NBCL 17–3877,622
October 67:30 p.m.UtahNo. 14
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
ESPNL 21–4037,244
October 186:00 p.m.at Arizona StateESPNW 20–1342,946
October 274:00 p.m. No. 14 Washington State No. 24
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
P12NL 38–4139,596
November 36:00 p.m.at WashingtonP12NL 23–2769,690
November 106:00 p.m.Oregon State
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
P12NW 48–1734,671
November 2412:00 p.m.at UCLAP12NW 49–4238,391
December 1[a 1]12:30 p.m.at CaliforniaP12NW 23–1357,858
December 3111:00 a.m.vs. Pittsburgh*CBSW 14–1340,680
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Pacific time

Personnel

Coaching staff

NamePositionStanford yearsAlma mater
David ShawHead coach12thStanford (1994)
Lance AndersonDefensive coordinator / outside linebackers coach12thIdaho State (1996)
Tavita PritchardOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks6thStanford (2009)
Pete AlamarSpecial teams coordinator5thCal Lutheran (1983)
Ron GouldRunning backs coach2ndOregon (1987)
Morgan TurnerTight ends coach6thIllinois (2009)
Kevin CarberryOffensive line coach1stOhio (2005)
Bobby KennedyWide receivers coach1stNorthern Colorado (1989)
Duane AkinaDefensive backs coach5thWashington (1979)
Peter HansenInside linebackers coach5thArizona (2001)
Diron ReynoldsDefensive linemen coach2ndWake Forest (1994)

Roster

2018 Stanford Cardinal football

Quarterback

  •  3 K. J. Costellojunior (6'5, 215)
  • 10 Jack West – freshman (6'4, 210)
  • 15 Davis Millssophomore (6'4, 220)
  • 17 Dylan Plautz – freshman (6'2, 200)
  • 18 Jack Richardson – junior (6'5, 213)

Running back

  • 20 Bryce Lovesenior (5'10, 202)
  • 22 Cameron Scarlett – senior (6'1, 216)
  • 23 Trevor Speights – junior (5'11, 209)
  • 25 Justus Woods – freshman (6'1, 211)
  • 28 Dorian Maddox – junior (5'10, 202)
  • 30 Cameron McFarlane – freshman (6'0, 200)

Fullback

  •  6 Reagan Williams – senior (6'3, 220)
  • 24 Jay Symonds – freshman (6'3, 247)
  • 34 Houston Heimuli – sophomore (5'11, 244)
  • 87 Ben Snyder – senior (6'4, 249)

Wide receiver

  •  2 Trenton Irwinsenior (6'2, 204)
  •  4 Michael Wilsonfreshman (6'2, 200)
  •  5 Connor Wedington – sophomore (6'0, 198)
  •  8 Donald Stewart – junior (6'4, 200)
  •  9 Osiris St. Brown – sophomore (6'2, 186)
  • 11 Harry Schwartz – junior (6'0, 189)
  • 13 Simi Fehokofreshman (6'4, 210)
  • 19 J. J. Arcega-Whitesidesenior (6'3, 225)
  • 21 Isaiah Brandt-Sims – 5th Year Senior (5'11, 178)
  • 81 Brycen Tremayne – freshman (6'4, 185)
  • 83 Cameron Buzzell – sophomore (5'10, 170)
  • 86 Sidhart Krishnamurthi – senior (5'11, 176)

Tight end

  • 44 TaeVeon Le – freshman (6'4, 230)
  • 80 Scooter Harrington – junior (6'5, 250)
  • 82 Kaden Smithjunior (6'5, 252)
  • 84 Colby Parkinsonsophomore (6'7, 240)
  • 87 Kyle McCombs – sophomore (6'5, 233)
  • 88 Tucker Fisk – sophomore (6'4, 260)

Placekicker

  • 26 Jet Toner – junior (6'4, 201)
  • 37 Collin Riccitelli – junior (6'0, 196)
 

Offensive lineman

  • 50 Trey Stratford – OG/OT – freshman (6'4, 258)
  • 51 Drew Dalman – C – sophomore (6'3, 279)
  • 54 Nick Wilson – OG – senior (6'3, 273)
  • 55 Dylan Powell – OG/-C – junior (6'3, 281)
  • 63 Nate Herbig – OG – junior (6'4, 334)
  • 71 Brandon Fanaika – OG – 5th Year Senior (6'3, 315)
  • 65 Brian Chaffin – C – senior (6'2, 275)
  • 72 Walker Little – OT – sophomore (6'7, 313)
  • 73 Jesse Burkett – C – 5th Year Senior (6'4, 300)
  • 74 Devery Hamilton – OT – junior (6'7, 287)
  • 75 A.T. Hall – OT – 5th Year Senior (6'5, 299)
  • 76 Grant Pease – OT – freshman (6'4, 250)
  • 78 Henry Hattis – OT – junior (6'6, 291)
  • 79 Foster Sarell – OT – sophomore (6'7, 314)

Long snapper

  • 49 Kyle Petrucci – freshman (6'6, 230)
  • 53 Jack Chapman – freshman (6'2, 215)
  • 69 Richard McNitzky – junior (6'1, 216)

Punter

  • 14 Jake Baileysenior (6'2, 202)
  • 27 Charlie Beall – junior (6'2, 206)
  • 14 Alex Gracey – freshman (6'3, 195)

Defensive linemen

  •  6 Andres Fox – DE – freshman (6'4, 240)
  • 23 Ryan Johnson – DE – sophomore (6'4, 262)
  • 24 Dalyn Wade-Perry – DT – sophomore (6'4, 316)
  • 34 Thomas Booker – DE – freshman (6'4, 279)
  • 51 Jovan Swann – DE – junior (6'2, 271)
  • 57 Michael Williams – DT – junior (6'2, 293)
  • 58 Dylan Boles – DE – sophomore (6'4, 262)
  • 91 Thomas Schaffer – DE – junior (6'7, 290)
  • 93 Trey LaBounty – DE – freshman (6'7, 235)
  • 97 Dylan Jackson – DE – senior (6'6, 264)
  • 99 Bo Peek – DT – junior (6'3, 296)
 

Linebacker

  • 10 Jordan Fox – OLB – sophomore (6'3, 227)
  • 14 Jacob Mangum-Farrar – ILB – freshman (6'4, 223)
  • 15 Jordan Perez – ILB – 5th Year Senior (6'2, 228)
  • 20 Bobby Okereke – ILB – 5th Year Senior (6'3, 234)
  • 21 Curtis Robinson – OLB – junior (6'3, 232)
  • 25 Andrew Pryts - ILB – junior (6'1, 222)
  • 27 Sean Barton – ILB – senior (6'3, 224)
  • 31 Mustafa Branch – ILB – senior (5'11, 212)
  • 32 Joey Alfieri – OLB – 5th Year Senior (6'3, 239)
  • 35 Tobe Umerah – OLB – freshman (6'4, 239)
  • 40 Anthony Trinh – OLB – junior (6'2, 239)
  • 42 Caleb Phillips – OLB – sophomore (6'5, 215)
  • 44 Caleb Kelly – OLB – freshman (6'3, 213)
  • 43 Ryan Beecher – ILB – senior (6'1, 245)
  • 45 Ricky Miezan – ILB – freshman (6'2, 248)
  • 47 Tangaloa Kaufusi – OLB – freshman (6'3, 245)
  • 49 Lewis Burik – ILB – senior (5'10, 205)
  • 52 Casey Toohill – OLB – senior (6'4, 248)
  • 56 Jake Lynch – OLB – freshman (6'2, 220)
  • 77 Thunder Keck – OLB – sophomore (6'3, 230)
  • 90 Gabe Reid – OLB – sophomore (6'2, 231)

Cornerback

  •  4 Alameen Murphy – 5th Year Senior (5'11, 198)
  •  6 Treyjohn Butler – junior (5'11, 197)
  • 11 Paulson Adebosophomore (6'1, 189)
  • 13 Alijah Holder5th Year Senior (6'2, 188)
  • 22 Obi Eboh – junior (6'2, 194)
  • 26 J.J. Parson – junior (5'10, 175)
  • 28 Donjae Logan – freshman (5'11, 178)
  • 29 Kendall Williamsonfreshman (6'1, 195)
  • 30 Ethan Bonnerfreshman (6'1, 181)

Safety

  •  2 Brandon Simmons – SS – 5th Year Senior (6'0, 199)
  •  3 Malik Antoine – FS – junior (5'11, 192)
  •  5 Frank Buncom – FS – senior (6'2, 206)
  •  9 Ben Edwards – SS – senior (6'0, 199)
  • 18 Stuart Head – SS – sophomore (6'4, 201)
  • 19 Noah Williams – FS – sophomore (6'0, 191)

Game summaries

San Diego State

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Stanford Cardinal – Game summary
Period1234Total
Aztecs703010
No. 13 Cardinal0915731

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

  • Date: August 31, 2018
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 40,913
  • Referee: Brandon Cruse
  • TV: FS1
Game information

USC

USC Trojans vs. Stanford Cardinal – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 17 Trojans00303
No. 10 Cardinal773017

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

  • Date: September 8, 2018
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 42,856
  • TV: FOX
Game information

UC Davis

UC Davis Aggies vs. Stanford Cardinal – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 23 (FCS) Aggies300710
No. 10 Cardinal01710330

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

  • Date: September 15, 2018
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 31,722
  • TV: Pac-12 Network
Game information

At Oregon

Stanford Cardinal vs. Oregon Ducks – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
No. 7 Cardinal071410738
No. 20 Ducks71707031

at Autzen StadiumEugene, Oregon

  • Date: September 22, 2018
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 58,453
  • TV: ABC
Game information

Late in the 3rd quarter, Oregon led 24–7 and had a 1st & Goal at the Stanford 1-yard line. An ensuing fumble returned for a touchdown by the Stanford defense sparked an epic comeback where the Cardinal were able to win in overtime.

At Notre Dame

Stanford Cardinal vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 7 Cardinal773017
No. 8 Fighting Irish14731438

at Notre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, Indiana

  • Date: September 29, 2018
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 77,622
  • TV: NBC
Game information

Utah

Utah Utes vs. Stanford Cardinal – Game summary
Period1234Total
Utes71731340
No. 14 Cardinal0714021

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

  • Date: October 6, 2018
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 37,244
  • TV: ESPN
Game information

Starting running back Bryce Love sat the game out due to an ankle injury.

At Arizona State

Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona State Sun Devils – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cardinal0614020
Sun Devils303713

at Sun Devil StadiumTempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 18, 2018
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 65,870
  • TV: ESPN
Game information

Washington State

Washington State Cougars vs. Stanford Cardinal – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 14 Cougars14371741
No. 24 Cardinal14143738

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

  • Date: October 27, 2018
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 39,596
  • TV: Pac-12 Network
Game information

At Washington

Stanford Cardinal vs. Washington Huskies – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cardinal0014923
Huskies1473327

at Husky StadiumSeattle, Washington

  • Date: November 3, 2018
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 69,690
  • TV: Pac-12 Network
Game information

Oregon State

Oregon State Beavers vs. Stanford Cardinal – Game summary
Period1234Total
Beavers7100017
Cardinal13217748

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

  • Date: November 10, 2018
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 34,671
Game information

Stanford beat Oregon State on a smoky night caused by the Camp Fire. The Air Quality Index was close to 150, which qualified as "Dangerous".

At UCLA

Stanford Cardinal vs. UCLA Bruins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cardinal101714849
Bruins61416642

at Rose BowlPasadena, California

  • Date: November 24, 2018
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 38,391
  • TV: Pac-12 Network
Game information

At California

Stanford Cardinal vs. California Golden Bears – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cardinal10301023
Golden Bears060713

at California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, California

  • Date: December 1, 2018
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Clear • 52°F • Wind 12 WNW
  • Game attendance: 57,857
  • Referee: Steve Strimling
  • TV: Pac-12 Network
  • Stanford Football
Game information

The 121st installment of the Big Game was delayed due to unhealthy air quality caused by the Camp Fire. It was only the second time in 27 years that both teams had 7 or more wins. The Cardinal quickly jumped out to a 10–0 start and never looked back. From there, the game was mostly a defensive struggle as cornerback Paulson Adebo intercepted two passes from Cal's Chase Garbers. As a result of this game, Stanford extended its winning streak to 9 games, the longest by either team in the series.

Vs. Pittsburgh (Sun Bowl)

Stanford Cardinal vs. Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cardinal070714
Panthers0103013

at Sun BowlEl Paso, Texas

  • Date: December 31, 2018
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 40,680
  • TV: CBS
Game information

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP131097714RVRV24RVRVRVRVRVRV
Coaches13997714242423RVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Players drafted into the NFL

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL club
257J. J. Arcega-WhitesideWRPhiladelphia Eagles
389Bobby OkerekeLBIndianapolis Colts
4112Bryce LoveRBWashington Redskins
5163Jake BaileyPNew England Patriots
6176Kaden SmithTESan Francisco 49ers

References