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MLB
OLB |
#827 #55ATH |
Matt Murphy is the lowest ranked of the Jayhawk 5, but his athletic skills give him a good upside potential. With a 6-2, 239 lb frame, Murphy has the build to be a middle linebacker, and that's where coaches expect to play him when he arrives in Lawrence. Murphy's athletic skills outclass the local competition in Michigan, so he is frequently able to go around blocks rather than through them. As such, Murphy needs to learn the proper techniques for getting off blocks, so he will be a project at the next level for KU coaches. But he is well-rounded in other areas, so he could see duty in certain passing situation packages.
Murphy will certainly take a redshirt year next season. He chose KU over Hawai'i, Ohio and Arizona State. |
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SS
FS |
#198 #3SS
 |
JR Malone is the prototypical strong safety that newly hired defensive backs coach Clay Jennings likes to build a 4-2-5 defense around. Malone may not be the fastest or flashiest recruit at strong safety, but he checked off all the boxes for the KU coaching staff, and they were happy to bring him in. In Malone, KU will get a player with all-around good athletic skills, plus the ability to find the ball carrier and bring him down. Rashad Alston, Ohio State's standout safety on their first national championship team under Coach Jeff HCross, draws comparisons to Malone. Malone could be looked at as a possible FS instead of SS, depending on other signees and how they best fit into the Jayhawk defense.
Malone has a logjam of talent in front of him, so he has plenty of time to redshirt and catch up to the speed at the next level. Malone chose KU over Arkansas State and Wisconsin. |
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QB
WR |
#272 #44ATH |
After moving from a 5-wide, oop-dee-oop offense the first few seasons under Coach Jerry Branwer, to a more spread-to-run running and option attack toward the end of last season, KU coaches were very interested in bringing in an athletic quarterback to build around for the future. Not only did the coaches find an athlete, that athlete stands 6-4 and has the strength to take the hits that such a quarterback will inevitably take. Johnson excelled at The Opening in the 40, 3-cone and 10-yd shuttle drills, standing out despite running those drills with wide receivers. Johnson then turned heads when he asked event organizers if the could throw with the quarterbacks during 7-on-7. Johnson might not have the most powerful arm, but his touch on passes was very evident in 7-on-7, as he frequently dropped passes to his target between the linebacker and safety. Depending on other signees and the offensive direction of KU next season, the 6-4 Johnson may either be slotted as a QB or WR. Johnson projects as a 73 OVR at QB and 75 OVR at WR.
With current backup Adam Maynard the heir apparent at QB, and four freshmen WRs on the depth chart, Johnson will definitely redshirt regardless of position. Johnson chose KU over Arizona and Arizona State. |
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HB
WR
QB |
#73 #24ATH
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Another athlete with multiple position possibilities comes to Lawrence, Kansas. Terry Oliver, much like Brad Johnson who we just discussed, is a player that impressed at the regional Opening event in Austin, TX, and impressed coaches by performing drills with multiple position groups. Oliver displayed an above-average ability in all the skills necessary to play QB, HB, or WR. He impressed so much that 247 has Oliver rated as a five-star, Top100 prospect, though his 247Composite rating is only 4-stars, so that's what we reflect here. His height would be a challenge when trying to make throws from the pocket, but players like Doug Flutie, Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel have proven that it can be done. Like those players, Oliver would possess an ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his legs. However, it's exactly that ability to make plays running, not throwing, that has KU coaches interested. A backfield with Oliver and Johnson would be a two-headed monster, KU coaches feel. Like Johnson, depending on other recruits this season, Oliver may be positioned at QB, HB, or even WR. Oliver projects as a 79 OVR HB, a 75 OVR QB and a 75 OVR WR.
Despite his talent, Oliver is extremely likely to redshirt next season. Oliver chose KU over Arkansas, rival Missouri and UL-Monroe. |
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FS
SS
CB |
#285 #13CB |
Now we get to the star (so far) of this class. Higgins caused some controversy when he announced his committment to KU, as he was expected to visit Jonesboro, AR just the next week. There were rumblings on several message boards that perhaps the KU coaches had unfairly manipulated Higgins into signing. But for whatever the reason, Higgins chose to come to Lawrence, and in him the KU coaching staff will get an elite athlete with top-end speed, a solid ability to quickly change direction, and one of the best first steps in this year's defensive class. He is also extremely impressive in the angles he takes to the ball carrier, and his ability to recognize play action passes. Higgins is nominally a CB at the high-school level, but will probably be looked at as a Free Safety when he comes to KU. Higgins projects as an 81 OVR FS.
Higgins may redshirt next season, or he may see work in select packages. Higgins chose KU over Arkansas State, Houston, Texas and LSU. |
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Originally Posted by steelerfan
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