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FS
SS |
#419 #23CB |
Brandon Gibbs is the rare type of high school cornerback that would rather make a jarring hit than a pick. As such, he'll be making a position change to the back end of the KU defense, either FS or SS depending on other commitments. Gibbs doesn't have the next-level speed that he would need to play cover corner at the collegiate level, so the position change will benefit him. He will need to grow into taking on more blocks, but he has time to learn those skills.
Gibbs will redshirt next season. He chose KU after receiving no interest from other schools. |
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CB |
#506 #31CB |
Alvin Mason is another above-average cornerback talent added to the fold in Lawrence. Compared with Gibbs, Mason has better straight-line speed which will allow him to adapt more quickly to the next level, though Mason does lack the loose hips of the elite college corners. His coverage skills are decent, and Mason's ability to play press at the line might be among the best I've ever seen on high school film. Unlike Gibbs, Mason will not be considered for position change, as corner is his best spot.
Mason will redshirt next season with depth in front of him. He chose KU over Georgia. |
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OLB |
#241 #12OLB |
KU entered this recruiting cycle with major needs at both linebacker positions. Wilson is not the most talented of the players that KU has either signed or targeted, but he will provide reliable depth going forward. He's a little short for a stormtrooper linebacker, but he fills out his frame well. His film also displays a nose for the ball, a quick first three steps, and a good ability to get off blocks.
Wilson will redshirt next season and get accustomed to the speed at the next level. Current projections have him as a backup in 2020 and a starter in 2021. He chose KU over (deep breath) Virginia Tech, Tulsa, LSU, Nevada, Colorado State, Wisconsin, UL-Monroe and Washington. |
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LT |
#585 #37T |
Jim Freeman is a diamond in the rough that KU coaches found after a few weeks of scouring the country looking for the next talent for the offensive line. Freeman is a solid, obvious left tackle prospect whose ability to pass block is nearly unrivaled at the high school level. Freeman does lack the lateral agility that you would like to see in a bookend tackle, but the current Offensive Line staff has been able to mold that type of clay before.
Despite his physical gifts, KU coaches are concerned about Freeman's intangibles. Freeman will redshirt next season to get a year of pure learning and film study under his belt. He chose KU after receiving no interest from other schools. |
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OLB |
#120 #4OLB
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As mentioned earlier, KU had a major need at linebacker this recruting cycle, with getting at least three signees an absolute must. Andrew Walker was the first of these linebacker targets to sign, and comes to Lawrence as one of the top linebackers in this year's class. Walker has good top-end speed for a linebacker, and gets to that top speed very quickly, but also brings a nose for the ball, coverage ability, and diagnoses the play quickly. In other words, Walker is about as well-rounded a linebacker as you'll find at the high school level. Walker does need to work on his lateral movement and strafing, but KU coaches hope that will come with time.
Walker will waste no time, getting playing time on special teams and as a backup linebacker next season. He chose KU over Air Force, Notre Dame and Ohio State. |
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WR |
#1 #1ATH
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Not only is Bryan Howard the star of this year's KU recruiting class, he's the number one player in the country. KU has signed plenty of #1 basketball players in recent years, but they haven't seen a football player this talented since, dare we say it, Gale Sayers? Howard may not be the best WR prospect that KU could have signed, but his overall talent is undeniable. He would be a huge threat at quarterback expect for his size, but with reliable hands and a solid understanding of route running, Howard looks the part of a prototypical slot receiver.
KU coaches hope to redshirt Howard next season, behind a lot of depth and talent at WR. He chose KU over Virginia Tech and Rutgers. |
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