JeffHCross
12-10-2015, 11:17 AM
Coach Jerry Brawner enters his third season at the helm of the Kansas Jayhawks, hoping to continue the level of success that the Jayhawks hadn't seen since their surprise Orange Bowl in 2007. The Jayhawks finished 2014 ranked #6 in the country, and come off a win in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando. But with many starters graduating, will the Jayhawks have to rebuild?
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Yards/
Att.
Sacks
Sack Rate
Montell Cozart
QB
Grad
176
227
1702
16
11
77.5%
7.5
5
2.2%
Ryan Willis
QB
6-4, 197
So
83
307
387
3191
27
13
79.3%
8.2
11
2.8%
Carter Stanley
QB
6'2, 194
So
78
Ryan Willis never expected to see the field last season, or, if he did, most likely in mop up duty in a blowout. Instead, Willis was thrust into the starting role after Montell Cozart went down with an injury in Week 6. Willis led the Jayhawks to a win over Arkansas despite throwing 3 INTs, not the best of starts. But Willis would improve throughout the year, ending up with the 10th most passing yards in the country despite no meaningful playing time until Week 6. He enters this season with the 4th most passing yards among returning players. His 27:13 TD-to-INT ratio needs to be improved, but otherwise Jayhawks fans just hope he can continue how he played last season. Willis ended the season with a record setting performance in the Capital One Bowl, eclipsing the school records for passing yards and touchdowns in a single game.
With the graduation of Montell Cozart, Carter Stanley, like Willis only a sophomore, will serve as the backup this season. Freshman Matt Barrow will redshirt this year barring injury.
Offensive Skill Players
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Touches
Rushing
Yards
Receiving
Yards
Return
Yards
TD
Yards/
Carry
Yds/
Catch
% of Team
Touches
% of Team
Yards
Laquvionte Gonzalez
WR
Grad
158
1485
130
16
9.4
24.0%
27.3%
Keaun Kinner
HB
Grad
65
253
26
2
4.1
8.7
9.9%
5.1%
TJ Milleward
FB
Grad
2
1
7
1.0
7.0
0.3%
0.1%
Greg Allen
CB
Grad
268
Kent Taylor
TE
Grad
30
282
4
9.4
4.6%
5.2%
Corey Avery
WR
5-10, 182
Sr
82
104
128
902
10
4.9
11.6
15.8%
18.9%
Tyler Patrick
WR
6-0, 178
Jr
78
75
579
4
7.7
11.4%
10.6%
Derrick Neal
WR
5-10, 173
Jr
83
69
746
2
10.8
10.5%
13.7%
Bobby Hartzog Jr
WR
5-11, 188
Jr
80
58
779
4
13.4
8.8%
14.3%
Darious Crawley
WR
5-11, 190
Jr
79
Redshirt
Emmanuel Moore
WR
6-0, 188
So
76
11
87
3
7.9
1.7%
1.6%
Taylor Martin
HB
5-9, 192
So
78
7
14
2.0
1.1%
0.3%
Ben Johnson
TE
6-5, 236
Sr
80
1
8
8.0
0.2%
0.1%
Bryan Webb
WR
6-5, 218
Fr
73
Redshirt
Jason Taylor
HB
5-11, 179
Fr
75
Redshirt
Jordan Darling
TE
6-4, 240
Jr
79
Redshirt
Quarterbacks
QB
79
145
6
1.8
12.0%
2.7%
Departed senior Laquvionte Gonzalez was the best receiver last season, which may be an understatement considering he may be the best Jayhawk receiver of all-time, if not one of the best receivers in college football history. Gonzalez broke the NCAA record for receptions in a season, and tied or broke the school records for receiving touchdowns in a single game, receptions in a single game, receiving touchdowns in a single season and receiving yards in a single season. But now Gonzalez is working on an undrafted free agent contract in the NFL.
Corey Avery, a converted halfback, is now the best receiver on the team. He will be expected to replace the production that Gonzalez brought to the team last season. Avery had the second most touches on the team last season, so maintaining that level of production would be a huge contribution to the team. Derrick Neal was the other primary outside receiver last season, a role he will stay in this season. Tyler Patrick and Bobby Hartzog Jr, both 50+ reception slot receivers this season, will return to the slots this season.
Kent Taylor, last year's starting tight end, has also moved on to the next level, and will need to be replaced by senior Ben Johnson, who only caught one pass last season.
Preseason All-SEC: Corey Avery (2nd team)
Slobs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Jordan Shelley-Smith
LT
Grad
26
6
4
Joe Gibson
C
Grad
26
11
4
Larry Mazyck
RT
Grad
26
2
8
Dan West
LT
6-7, 291
Jr
79
Will Smith
LG
6-4, 329
Sr
77
Jacob Bragg
C
6-3, 318
Sr
82
Aaron Garza
RG
6-3, 323
So
78
13
1
4
Jayson Rhodes
RT
6-4, 293
Sr
78
Kevin Jones
RT
6-3, 292
Fr
74
Joey Bloomfield
LT
6-6, 298
Sr
75
D'Andre Banks
RG
6-3, 326
Sr
81
2
Gabe Gibson
LG
6-4, 289
Fr
70
Joe Hill
C
6-4, 315
Fr
76
Kansas's offensive line will lose 104 career starts this season, thanks to 3 two-year starters graduating, and a fourth starter (Apa Visinia) suffering a season ending knee injury during the Jayhawk spring game. Visinia will be forced to sit out the season with a medical redshirt.
In all, only 13 career starts will take the field for the Jayhawk offensive line in Week 2; all 13 the experience of sophomore Aaron Garza. Three seniors, and one junior, will be taking the field in Week 2, though none of the four have starting experience.
Depth for the slobs will be provided by three freshmen and two seniors, including senior guard D'Andre Banks, who is one of the more capable run blockers on the team.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Damani Mosby
DE
Grad
20
3.8%
8
2.5
2
Tyler Holmes
DT
26
4.9%
10
5
2
Loren Massey
DE
6-0, 239
Sr
78
27
5.1%
11
5
1
DJ Williams
DT
6-4, 285
Jr
78
7
1.3%
2
2
Mike Caldwell
DE
6-5, 255
Fr
74
Redshirt
Josh Ehambe
DE
6-2, 232
Jr
73
2
0.4%
Jace Sternberger
DE
6-4, 225
So
73
2
0.4%
Jacky Dezir
DT
6-2, 299
Sr
75
2
0.4%
1
1
Steve Atkinson
DE
6-5, 239
Fr
72
Lay Trion Jones
DT
6-3, 291
Jr
72
Two thirds of the starting defensive line walked at last spring's graduation ceremonies, leaving an often-used backup and a redshirt freshman to take their place. Converted JUCO linebacker Loren Massey is the lone returning starter. Massey has demonstrated a good pursuit of the ball carrier, though he can sometimes seem lost on the field. DJ Williams, who played the 3-technique in sets with four down-linemen last season, will man the nose tackle position. Mike Caldwell, an impressive freshman who sat out last season, will try to become a four-year starter opposite Massey. Massey's cousin, Michael, was a coveted recruit who will bide his time and redshirt this season.
Depth at the defensive line is a mix of young and old, with one member of each class being part of the rotation. The 2nd string defensive line, Josh Ehambe, Jace Sternberger and Jacky Dezir, each notched two tackles last season, with Dezir adding a sack in the Capital One Bowl.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Courtney Arnick
OLB
Grad
40
7.6%
9
2
1
1
1
Kyron Watson
MLB
6-1, 230
Sr
83
56
10.6%
10
2
2
2
1
1
Travis Bridges
MLB
6-2, 232
So
82
31
5.9%
6
1
1
1
Marcquis Roberts
OLB
6-1, 221
Jr
82
15
2.8%
1
Joe Dineen
OLB
6-2, 215
Sr
84
6
1.1%
Colton Goeas
OLB
6-2, 249
Sr
76
10
1.9%
3
1.5
2
Daniel Wise
LEO
6-2, 235
Jr
73
10
1.9%
4
Dorance Armstrong
LEO
6-4, 218
So
72
Andrew Wiggins
MLB
6-0, 233
Fr
72
Redshirt
With only one starter lost to graduation, the four linebackers in the Jayhawks' 3-4 defense will be the strongest unit this season. MLB Kyron Watson is the top returning tackler to the team, and Travis Bridges was extremely impressive in his freshman season. OLB Marquis Roberts finally earns a full-time starting job after two seasons of playing understudy to Courtney Arnick, and Joe Dineen will get his chance in his senior year. Dineen is one of the five fastest players on the Kansas team, so fans and coaches alike hope to see him flying from sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball carrier. Both Dineen and Bridges were top performers last season on the kickoff coverage unit as well.
LEO Daniel Wise is a DE/OLB tweener that will come in to replace one of the OLBs in certain packages, and notched 10 tackles last year in that role.
Preseason All-American: Kyron Watson (1st team)
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Tevin Shaw
SS
Grad
69
13.1%
9
4
10
Fish Smithson
FS
Grad
64
12.1%
5
1
1
10
1
Brandon Stewart
CB
Grad
36
6.8%
4
2
1
1
Greg Allen
CB
Grad
31
5.9%
2
2
7
1
Matthew Boateng
CB
5-11, 177
Jr
85
25
4.7%
3
1
3
7
Pat Chambers
CB
6-3, 180
Jr
82
Redshirt
Tyrone Miller
FS
6-0, 182
So
81
8
1.5%
1
3
Bazie Bates
SS
6-0, 181
Sr
78
Redshirt
Colin Spencer
CB
5-10, 187
Sr
82
22
4.2%
3
1
Shaquille Richmond
CB
5-11, 183
So
74
18
3.4%
1
Lee Davis
CB
6-2, 197
Fr
73
Redshirt
Robbie Wilson
FS
6-2, 209
Fr
70
Redshirt
Jonathan Green
SS
6-4, 217
Fr
75
Redshirt
While the loss of an NCAA record setter is a blow to the wide receivers room, the defensive secondary has been depleted by graduation after losing three starters plus a nickelback. Cornerback Matthew Boateng is still around, still the closest thing to a ball-hawk in the secondary, but new pieces will surround him.
Pat Chambers, a JUCO transfer last season, sat out the year needing to learn the Kansas defensive scheme. Jayhawk coaches hope that his redshirt year will prove beneficial, as Chambers is expected to immediately start in Week 2, taking over the #2 cornerback spot. Colin Spencer, the dime corner last season, will take over the nickelback role and be the first off the bench in passing situations.
Tyrone Miller played well in a backup free safety role last year, and the sophomore will be called upon to be the starter this year. He only had eight tackles in limited playing time, but did register an interception. Bazie Bates will return to the field as a senior starter at SS, after being held out last year due to academic concerns. Miller and Bates will both be backed up by redshirt freshmen, leaving the margin for error very thin.
Preseason All-SEC: Matthew Boateng (1st team)
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Matthew Wyman
K
Grad
53
16
89%
31 K/O
Ethan Greene
K
6-0, 173
Fr
84
Redshirt
JD Frederick
P
6-3, 191
So
88
18
43.4
2 P
10
Freshman punter JD Frederick was inexplicably overlooked by the awards last season. He was recognized by the SEC writers, but received no national recognition, not even a semi-finalist mention for the Ray Guy Award, despite leading the country in net punting average. While Kansas coaches would prefer Frederick never take the field, both fans and coaches alike want to see the young sophomore get his due, at least at some point.
Redshirt freshman Ethan Greene will step into the starting placekicker role this season after sitting out last year. Greene has a very strong leg and will look to at least match the 90% performance from Matthew Wyman last season.
All of the kicks fielded last season were by players who have graduated and left Lawrence. Kansas coaches will try various pieces this season until they find the right players to fill that role.
Preseason All-SEC: J.D. Frederick (2nd team)
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Yards/
Att.
Sacks
Sack Rate
Montell Cozart
QB
Grad
176
227
1702
16
11
77.5%
7.5
5
2.2%
Ryan Willis
QB
6-4, 197
So
83
307
387
3191
27
13
79.3%
8.2
11
2.8%
Carter Stanley
QB
6'2, 194
So
78
Ryan Willis never expected to see the field last season, or, if he did, most likely in mop up duty in a blowout. Instead, Willis was thrust into the starting role after Montell Cozart went down with an injury in Week 6. Willis led the Jayhawks to a win over Arkansas despite throwing 3 INTs, not the best of starts. But Willis would improve throughout the year, ending up with the 10th most passing yards in the country despite no meaningful playing time until Week 6. He enters this season with the 4th most passing yards among returning players. His 27:13 TD-to-INT ratio needs to be improved, but otherwise Jayhawks fans just hope he can continue how he played last season. Willis ended the season with a record setting performance in the Capital One Bowl, eclipsing the school records for passing yards and touchdowns in a single game.
With the graduation of Montell Cozart, Carter Stanley, like Willis only a sophomore, will serve as the backup this season. Freshman Matt Barrow will redshirt this year barring injury.
Offensive Skill Players
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Touches
Rushing
Yards
Receiving
Yards
Return
Yards
TD
Yards/
Carry
Yds/
Catch
% of Team
Touches
% of Team
Yards
Laquvionte Gonzalez
WR
Grad
158
1485
130
16
9.4
24.0%
27.3%
Keaun Kinner
HB
Grad
65
253
26
2
4.1
8.7
9.9%
5.1%
TJ Milleward
FB
Grad
2
1
7
1.0
7.0
0.3%
0.1%
Greg Allen
CB
Grad
268
Kent Taylor
TE
Grad
30
282
4
9.4
4.6%
5.2%
Corey Avery
WR
5-10, 182
Sr
82
104
128
902
10
4.9
11.6
15.8%
18.9%
Tyler Patrick
WR
6-0, 178
Jr
78
75
579
4
7.7
11.4%
10.6%
Derrick Neal
WR
5-10, 173
Jr
83
69
746
2
10.8
10.5%
13.7%
Bobby Hartzog Jr
WR
5-11, 188
Jr
80
58
779
4
13.4
8.8%
14.3%
Darious Crawley
WR
5-11, 190
Jr
79
Redshirt
Emmanuel Moore
WR
6-0, 188
So
76
11
87
3
7.9
1.7%
1.6%
Taylor Martin
HB
5-9, 192
So
78
7
14
2.0
1.1%
0.3%
Ben Johnson
TE
6-5, 236
Sr
80
1
8
8.0
0.2%
0.1%
Bryan Webb
WR
6-5, 218
Fr
73
Redshirt
Jason Taylor
HB
5-11, 179
Fr
75
Redshirt
Jordan Darling
TE
6-4, 240
Jr
79
Redshirt
Quarterbacks
QB
79
145
6
1.8
12.0%
2.7%
Departed senior Laquvionte Gonzalez was the best receiver last season, which may be an understatement considering he may be the best Jayhawk receiver of all-time, if not one of the best receivers in college football history. Gonzalez broke the NCAA record for receptions in a season, and tied or broke the school records for receiving touchdowns in a single game, receptions in a single game, receiving touchdowns in a single season and receiving yards in a single season. But now Gonzalez is working on an undrafted free agent contract in the NFL.
Corey Avery, a converted halfback, is now the best receiver on the team. He will be expected to replace the production that Gonzalez brought to the team last season. Avery had the second most touches on the team last season, so maintaining that level of production would be a huge contribution to the team. Derrick Neal was the other primary outside receiver last season, a role he will stay in this season. Tyler Patrick and Bobby Hartzog Jr, both 50+ reception slot receivers this season, will return to the slots this season.
Kent Taylor, last year's starting tight end, has also moved on to the next level, and will need to be replaced by senior Ben Johnson, who only caught one pass last season.
Preseason All-SEC: Corey Avery (2nd team)
Slobs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Jordan Shelley-Smith
LT
Grad
26
6
4
Joe Gibson
C
Grad
26
11
4
Larry Mazyck
RT
Grad
26
2
8
Dan West
LT
6-7, 291
Jr
79
Will Smith
LG
6-4, 329
Sr
77
Jacob Bragg
C
6-3, 318
Sr
82
Aaron Garza
RG
6-3, 323
So
78
13
1
4
Jayson Rhodes
RT
6-4, 293
Sr
78
Kevin Jones
RT
6-3, 292
Fr
74
Joey Bloomfield
LT
6-6, 298
Sr
75
D'Andre Banks
RG
6-3, 326
Sr
81
2
Gabe Gibson
LG
6-4, 289
Fr
70
Joe Hill
C
6-4, 315
Fr
76
Kansas's offensive line will lose 104 career starts this season, thanks to 3 two-year starters graduating, and a fourth starter (Apa Visinia) suffering a season ending knee injury during the Jayhawk spring game. Visinia will be forced to sit out the season with a medical redshirt.
In all, only 13 career starts will take the field for the Jayhawk offensive line in Week 2; all 13 the experience of sophomore Aaron Garza. Three seniors, and one junior, will be taking the field in Week 2, though none of the four have starting experience.
Depth for the slobs will be provided by three freshmen and two seniors, including senior guard D'Andre Banks, who is one of the more capable run blockers on the team.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Damani Mosby
DE
Grad
20
3.8%
8
2.5
2
Tyler Holmes
DT
26
4.9%
10
5
2
Loren Massey
DE
6-0, 239
Sr
78
27
5.1%
11
5
1
DJ Williams
DT
6-4, 285
Jr
78
7
1.3%
2
2
Mike Caldwell
DE
6-5, 255
Fr
74
Redshirt
Josh Ehambe
DE
6-2, 232
Jr
73
2
0.4%
Jace Sternberger
DE
6-4, 225
So
73
2
0.4%
Jacky Dezir
DT
6-2, 299
Sr
75
2
0.4%
1
1
Steve Atkinson
DE
6-5, 239
Fr
72
Lay Trion Jones
DT
6-3, 291
Jr
72
Two thirds of the starting defensive line walked at last spring's graduation ceremonies, leaving an often-used backup and a redshirt freshman to take their place. Converted JUCO linebacker Loren Massey is the lone returning starter. Massey has demonstrated a good pursuit of the ball carrier, though he can sometimes seem lost on the field. DJ Williams, who played the 3-technique in sets with four down-linemen last season, will man the nose tackle position. Mike Caldwell, an impressive freshman who sat out last season, will try to become a four-year starter opposite Massey. Massey's cousin, Michael, was a coveted recruit who will bide his time and redshirt this season.
Depth at the defensive line is a mix of young and old, with one member of each class being part of the rotation. The 2nd string defensive line, Josh Ehambe, Jace Sternberger and Jacky Dezir, each notched two tackles last season, with Dezir adding a sack in the Capital One Bowl.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Courtney Arnick
OLB
Grad
40
7.6%
9
2
1
1
1
Kyron Watson
MLB
6-1, 230
Sr
83
56
10.6%
10
2
2
2
1
1
Travis Bridges
MLB
6-2, 232
So
82
31
5.9%
6
1
1
1
Marcquis Roberts
OLB
6-1, 221
Jr
82
15
2.8%
1
Joe Dineen
OLB
6-2, 215
Sr
84
6
1.1%
Colton Goeas
OLB
6-2, 249
Sr
76
10
1.9%
3
1.5
2
Daniel Wise
LEO
6-2, 235
Jr
73
10
1.9%
4
Dorance Armstrong
LEO
6-4, 218
So
72
Andrew Wiggins
MLB
6-0, 233
Fr
72
Redshirt
With only one starter lost to graduation, the four linebackers in the Jayhawks' 3-4 defense will be the strongest unit this season. MLB Kyron Watson is the top returning tackler to the team, and Travis Bridges was extremely impressive in his freshman season. OLB Marquis Roberts finally earns a full-time starting job after two seasons of playing understudy to Courtney Arnick, and Joe Dineen will get his chance in his senior year. Dineen is one of the five fastest players on the Kansas team, so fans and coaches alike hope to see him flying from sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball carrier. Both Dineen and Bridges were top performers last season on the kickoff coverage unit as well.
LEO Daniel Wise is a DE/OLB tweener that will come in to replace one of the OLBs in certain packages, and notched 10 tackles last year in that role.
Preseason All-American: Kyron Watson (1st team)
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Tevin Shaw
SS
Grad
69
13.1%
9
4
10
Fish Smithson
FS
Grad
64
12.1%
5
1
1
10
1
Brandon Stewart
CB
Grad
36
6.8%
4
2
1
1
Greg Allen
CB
Grad
31
5.9%
2
2
7
1
Matthew Boateng
CB
5-11, 177
Jr
85
25
4.7%
3
1
3
7
Pat Chambers
CB
6-3, 180
Jr
82
Redshirt
Tyrone Miller
FS
6-0, 182
So
81
8
1.5%
1
3
Bazie Bates
SS
6-0, 181
Sr
78
Redshirt
Colin Spencer
CB
5-10, 187
Sr
82
22
4.2%
3
1
Shaquille Richmond
CB
5-11, 183
So
74
18
3.4%
1
Lee Davis
CB
6-2, 197
Fr
73
Redshirt
Robbie Wilson
FS
6-2, 209
Fr
70
Redshirt
Jonathan Green
SS
6-4, 217
Fr
75
Redshirt
While the loss of an NCAA record setter is a blow to the wide receivers room, the defensive secondary has been depleted by graduation after losing three starters plus a nickelback. Cornerback Matthew Boateng is still around, still the closest thing to a ball-hawk in the secondary, but new pieces will surround him.
Pat Chambers, a JUCO transfer last season, sat out the year needing to learn the Kansas defensive scheme. Jayhawk coaches hope that his redshirt year will prove beneficial, as Chambers is expected to immediately start in Week 2, taking over the #2 cornerback spot. Colin Spencer, the dime corner last season, will take over the nickelback role and be the first off the bench in passing situations.
Tyrone Miller played well in a backup free safety role last year, and the sophomore will be called upon to be the starter this year. He only had eight tackles in limited playing time, but did register an interception. Bazie Bates will return to the field as a senior starter at SS, after being held out last year due to academic concerns. Miller and Bates will both be backed up by redshirt freshmen, leaving the margin for error very thin.
Preseason All-SEC: Matthew Boateng (1st team)
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Matthew Wyman
K
Grad
53
16
89%
31 K/O
Ethan Greene
K
6-0, 173
Fr
84
Redshirt
JD Frederick
P
6-3, 191
So
88
18
43.4
2 P
10
Freshman punter JD Frederick was inexplicably overlooked by the awards last season. He was recognized by the SEC writers, but received no national recognition, not even a semi-finalist mention for the Ray Guy Award, despite leading the country in net punting average. While Kansas coaches would prefer Frederick never take the field, both fans and coaches alike want to see the young sophomore get his due, at least at some point.
Redshirt freshman Ethan Greene will step into the starting placekicker role this season after sitting out last year. Greene has a very strong leg and will look to at least match the 90% performance from Matthew Wyman last season.
All of the kicks fielded last season were by players who have graduated and left Lawrence. Kansas coaches will try various pieces this season until they find the right players to fill that role.
Preseason All-SEC: J.D. Frederick (2nd team)