AMHERST - While the battle to be starting quarterback is getting the most attention, it's certainly not the only position battle still taking place this preseason at the University of Massachusetts as the Minutemen are two weeks from their season opener at Kansas State.

At media day Tuesday, Minuteman coach Kevin Morris said that All-American Vladimir Ducasse is his starting left tackle and that every other position is up from grabs.

He was playfully exaggerating a little. Tony Nelson is certainly starting at tailback and Jeromy Miles is a lock at free safety and several other positions that have returning starters are likely already sewn up as well. But there are plenty of positions still up from grabs both for starting slots and second-string roles.

Morris said the Minutemen will make the switch from preseason training camp to Kansas State preparation on Thursday. He expected to have a depth chart set by that point.

"We want to have more guys that can play at each spot than will actually get out there," Morris said. "We want to play as many guys as we can as long as they're playing at a championship level."

Below are some of the tighter battles still taking place in camp:

Offensive Line - Morris has mixed and matched his line throughout camp using several players at different positions. Ducasse, Josh Samuda, John Ihne and Rob Getek will all certainly be in the mix somewhere and could very likely start.

Redshirt freshman Quinton Sales, junior Brandon Flanagan, sophomore Brian Ostaszewski and senior Bryan Fisher will all likely be in the mix to see time as well.

"If you want to have the best five on, you've got to be able to have them be flexible," Morris said. "That's why we want our guys to play multiple positions."

Linebacker - This could be an evolving spot all season as UMass has one player - sophomore Tyler Holmes -who started any games for the Minutemen a year ago. Transfers Mike Mele (Syracuse) and Dawan Nolton (New Mexico) will compete to start as will Kurt Filler, who played last year as a reserve. Redshirt freshman D.J. Adeoba and senior Eric Dickson are also vying for time.

True freshman Perry McIntyre has impressed enough in the preseason that he could potentially play right away.

"He's doing a great job and we'll see how he fits into our linebacker scheme as we go," Morris said.

Tight End - With Ian Jorgenson gone, senior Matt Silver is the most experienced player at the position, but junior Andrew Krevis will likely see time there as well. Sophomore Emil Igwenagu, who played fullback last year, is officially listed as a tight end now although Morris envisions the Boylston native as an H-back, lining up at times as a tight end and at times at fullback.

Defensive Backfield - After Miles and cornerback Corey Davis, UMass' defensive backfield will be counting on a handful of guys, who haven't been relied on before. Former wide receivers Warren Wilson and Ke'Mon Bailey are both playing cornerback now and could both see time.

"Those guys are really stepping up and maturing and understanding their roles," Morris said.

True freshmen Christian Birt and Mike Lee could be in the mix immediately.

"They're both really competing," Morris said. "They're doing a great job."

Junior Shane Viveros, who started the last two games of last season and exceeded expectations, could be the starter at strong safety. He'll be pushed by redshirt freshmen Darren Thellen and Kumar Davis.

"Shane has done a great job for us and the young guys are coming along nicely," Morris said.

Punter - With All-American punter Brett Arnold gone, freshmen Jeff Strait and Caleb Violette are competing to replace him. Violette, a transfer from Virginia Tech, will also serve as the backup place-kicker behind senior Armando Cuko and could replace him next year.

RADIO - UMass announced earlier this week that all football and men's basketball games, and 15 hockey games will be aired on ESPN Radio in Boston (WAMG-AM 890) and Lowell (WLLH-AM 1400) giving UMass complete coverage in the state of Massachusetts for the first time in years.

Play-by-play broadcaster Josh Maurer, who held that position on an interim basis last year, was officially promoted to fulltime.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. For more UMass coverage, including a UMass sports blog, go to http://www.gazettenet.com/category/sports/umass-sports