JeffHCross
02-05-2016, 11:36 AM
Coach Jerry Brawner enters his fourth season at the helm of the Kansas Jayhawks, after a dissapointing 5-7 season in 2015 saw the Jayhawks miss a bowl for the first time since his hiring. Last year was more of a rebuilding year than anyone expected, and while most of the offense returns, a few key defenders have graduated. Last year's Achilles' heel was the defense, so losing key players to graduation was the last thing the Jayhawks can afford. Will 2016 be more rebuilding, or will the returning offensive seniors go out in a blaze of glory?
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Yards/
Att.
Sacks
Sack Rate
Ryan Willis
QB
6-4, 199
Jr
93
471
603
4804
41
34
78.1%
8.0
27
4.3%
Carter Stanley
QB
6-2, 196
Jr
86
46
61
368
5
7
75.4%
6.0
0
0.0%
Matt Barrow
QB
6-2, 206
Fr
79
Redshirt
Ryan Willis had a freshman year beyond expectations, but those expectations came burning to the ground in 2015. 4800 yards was a great mark in a 12 game season, but Willis' 41:34 TD:INT ratio cannot continue this season. Jayhawk coaches hope that the running game can alleviate some of the pressure Willis faced last season, and the junior forces less passes into tight coverage.
Carter Stanley returns for his second season as Willis' backup, and Matt Barrow will be the third quarterback after taking a redshirt last season.
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
Corey Avery
WR
Grad
113
1101
38
7
9.7
18.4%
21.3%
Ben Johnson
TE
Grad
10
92
1
9.2
1.6%
1.8%
Derrick Neal
WR
5-10, 173
Sr
90
90
871
6
9.7
14.7%
16.9%
Bobby Hartzog Jr
WR
5-11, 188
Sr
84
76
867
8
11.4
12.4%
16.8%
Darious Crawley
WR
5-11, 192
Sr
84
72
829
8
2.0
11.7
11.7%
16.0%
Bryan Webb
WR
6-5, 218
So
78
42
381
3
9.1
6.9%
7.4%
Tyler Patrick
WR
6-0, 178
Sr
83
80
717
8
9.0
13.1%
13.9%
Emmanuel Moore
WR
6-0, 190
Jr
83
24
200
4
8.3
3.9%
3.9%
Taylor Martin
HB
5-9, 194
Jr
83
44
197
2
4.5
7.2%
3.8%
Jordan Darling
TE
6'4, 241
Sr
85
11
114
1
10.4
1.8%
2.2%
Pat Chambers
CB
6-3, 181
Sr
88
1155
1
0.0%
0.0%
George Glover
TE
6-4, 233
Fr
76
:3star:
Jason Taylor
HB
5-11, 181
So
79
Anthony Chavez
HB
6-0, 195
Fr
68
Redshirt
Anthony Brothers
TE
6-3, 273
Fr
66
Redshirt
Quarterbacks
QB
51
-203
3
-4.0
8.3%
-3.9%
With the graduation of Corey Avery, a converted halfback, the Jayhawks find themselves with four senior wide receivers, but no proven dynamic playmaker. Derrick Neal is easily the best receiver on the field for the Jayhawks, and will assume the #1 role played by Avery last season. Like with the quarterback, Jayhawk coaches hope that an improved running game can take the pressure off the passing game, and may lead to more open receivers downfield. Jayhawk coaches also hope that new 3-star tight end, George Glover, can put new pressure on the defense, as the Jayhawks will return to more 11 personnel this season than last year.
Due to his imposing 6-5 frame, sophomore Bryan Webb will move up to the #2 receiver this year, ensuring he stays on the outside. That leaves Bobby Hartzog, Darious Crawley and Tyler Patrick, all returning seniors with 70+ catches last season, filling out the slot and interior roles when the Jayhawks have 3-to-5 receivers on the field. Taylor Martin returns as the starting halfback, with Anthony Chavez, a very impressive pass blocker, expected to e to be the 3rd down back.
Slobs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Jayson Rhodes
RT
Grad
12
0
2
Will Smith
LG
Grad
8
1
2
Jacob Bragg
C
Grad
12
1
1
Joey Bloomfield
LT
Grad
D'Andre Banks
RG
Grad
4
5
5
Lee Mitchell
LT
5-11, 303
So
81
Redshirt
Apa Visinia
LG
6-4, 380
Sr
90
26
6
11
Joe Hill
C
6-4, 320
So
81
Aaron Garza
RG
6-3, 327
Jr
84
25
5
11
Dan West
RT
6-7, 291
Sr
84
12
1
7
Marco Clark
RT
6-5, 321
Fr
74
Redshirt
Kevin Jones
LG
6-3, 294
So
78
Cory Burks
C
6-4, 269
Fr
68
:2star:
Marcus Rush
RG
6-6, 339
Fr
74
Redshirt
Apa Visinia returns from a knee injury last season to lead the Jayhawk offensive line in his senior year. That's the good news for the Jyahwks. The bad news is that three other starters graduated, leaving the Jayhawks in the position of madly replacing starters for the season year in a row. The Jayhawks know they return skill at quarterback and outside -- but can the offensive line protect and open up holes long enough to utilize that skill?
Aaron Garza returns for his junior year as well. Garza was the only returning starter on the field last season, and the continuity will be welcome this year. Dan West will move from left tackle to right tackle, with JUCO transfer Lee Mitchell sliding into the left tackle spot.
Overall, the Jayhawk line will be more talented in 2016 than it was in 2015, but how quickly the returning starters gel with the new ones will be crucial to the success of the Jayhawk offense.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Loren Massey
DE
Grad
16
3.4%
7
5
1
1
1
Jacky Dezir
DT
Grad
9
1.9%
1
Jace Sternberger
DE
6-4, 228
Jr
78
1
0.2%
1
DJ Williams
DT
6-4, 287
Sr
82
19
4.0%
5
4
Mike Caldwell
DE
6-5, 270
So
78
15
3.2%
6
4
Josh Ehambe
DE
6-2, 234
Sr
79
Michael Massey
DE
6-6, 264
Fr
78
Redshirt
Steve Atkinson
DE
6-5, 245
So
75
Tyrone Jenkins
DT
6-1, 307
Fr
74
Redshirt
Lay Trion Jones
DT
6-3, 293
Sr
78
Loren Massey graduates after two years starting for Kansas, leaving behind replacements that barely saw the field last season. Whether it's a sign of how quickly opposing offenses scored, or just a lack of rotation by Jayhawk coaches, only two non-starters on the defensive line registered even a tackle last season. Thankfully, two starters are back, leaving only Massey to be replaced by the young but talented Jace Sternberger. Sternberger brings a sideline-to-sideline range other Jayhawk defensive linemen don't have, and coaches hope that range will lead to more pressure on the quarterback.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Kyron Watson
MLB
Grad
57
12.1%
9
1
4
Joe Dineen
OLB
Grad
45
9.5%
12
2
1
Colton Goeas
OLB
Grad
0.0%
Daniel Wise
OLB
Xfer
0.0%
Travis Bridges
MLB
6-2, 235
Jr
87
28
5.9%
6
Kyle Whitmore
MLB
6-0, 221
Jr
85
Redshirt
Marcquis Roberts
OLB
6-1, 223
Sr
85
24
5.1%
3
1
1
1
Keith Todd
OLB
6-1, 221
So
75
Redshirt
Andrew Wiggins
MLB
6-0, 236
So
77
1
0.2%
Dorance Armstrong
LEO
6-4, 220
Jr
78
12
2.5%
Mike Gray
MLB
5-10, 250
Fr
80
Redshirt
Paul Doty
OLB
6-4, 242
Fr
72
Redshirt
Nathan Wright
OLB
6-4, 236
Fr
78
:4star:
Two starters leave the linebacking corps this season, which, like the defensive line, was inexplicably without much contribution from their backups. The two backups that did contribute, MLB Travis Bridges and OLB Marquis Roberts, both of whom saw roles in the base 3-4, return, and they'll be complemented by two JUCO transfers that see the field after redshirt seasons.
Dorance Armstrong, the DE/OLB hybrid in the LEO role, will return to that role again this season, pushing JUCO Keith Todd for time on standard downs. Redshirt freshman Mike Gray and four-star freshman Nathan Wright are the most likely young players to push for time as well.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Bazie Bates
SS
Grad
45
9.5%
4
1
1
Colin Spencer
CB
Grad
30
6.4%
2
3
1
Jonathan Green
SS
Xfer
15
3.2%
2
1
Matthew Boateng
CB
5-11, 178
Sr
90
48
10.2%
3
2
Pat Chambers
CB
6-3, 181
Sr
88
32
6.8%
1
2
2
Tyrone Miller
FS
6-0, 183
Jr
87
49
10.4%
3
1
1
2
1
Fred McGuire
SS
6-4, 229
Jr
79
Redshirt
Shaquille Richmond
CB
5-11, 183
Jr
80
17
3.6%
3
3
Lee Davis
CB
6-2, 197
So
78
5
1.1%
Damon Gibson
CB
6-0, 174
Fr
72
Redshirt
Robbie Wilson
FS
6-2, 210
So
75
4
0.8%
4
Donte Harrison
FS
6-1, 213
Fr
72
Redshirt
Steven Willis
SS
6-5, 217
Fr
76
Redshirt
Another year, another depleted Jayhawk secondary. While three of the four starters return, the lost pieces contributed 90 tackles and three interceptions.
Pat Chambers, a JUCO transfer two years ago, was a revelation last year, with 32 tackles among the team leaders, while also returning kicks, including one for a touchdown. Chambers, across from four-year starter Matthew Boateng, will probably be expected to be able to take on receivers without help, a risk Jayhawk coaches may be forced to take.
Tyrone Miller's knee injury in the middle of the season may be what led to the three game slide the Jayhawks suffered to end the yaer, as Miller's backup Robbie Wilson proved to not be up to the task of starting, and caused the coaches to get creative with their lineup. Miller's return should provide a stabling force in the middle of the secondary, and is welcome after the way last season ended.
Former JUCO Fred McGuire will slide into the starting role as strong safety, with redshirt freshman Steven Willis available to provide backup.
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Ethan Greene
K
6-0, 174
So
89
52
9
90%
1 K/O
JD Frederick
P
6-3, 196
Jr
93
7
46.3
37 K/O
4
Juior punter JD Frederick will, for the second year, potentially be the most talented Jayhawk, even those fans and coaches alike would prefer he never takes the field. Frederick will also continue to serve as the kickoff specialist.
After hitting 90% of his kicks last season, sophomore Ethan Greene will hope to match, or exceed, that mark this season.
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Yards/
Att.
Sacks
Sack Rate
Ryan Willis
QB
6-4, 199
Jr
93
471
603
4804
41
34
78.1%
8.0
27
4.3%
Carter Stanley
QB
6-2, 196
Jr
86
46
61
368
5
7
75.4%
6.0
0
0.0%
Matt Barrow
QB
6-2, 206
Fr
79
Redshirt
Ryan Willis had a freshman year beyond expectations, but those expectations came burning to the ground in 2015. 4800 yards was a great mark in a 12 game season, but Willis' 41:34 TD:INT ratio cannot continue this season. Jayhawk coaches hope that the running game can alleviate some of the pressure Willis faced last season, and the junior forces less passes into tight coverage.
Carter Stanley returns for his second season as Willis' backup, and Matt Barrow will be the third quarterback after taking a redshirt last season.
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
Corey Avery
WR
Grad
113
1101
38
7
9.7
18.4%
21.3%
Ben Johnson
TE
Grad
10
92
1
9.2
1.6%
1.8%
Derrick Neal
WR
5-10, 173
Sr
90
90
871
6
9.7
14.7%
16.9%
Bobby Hartzog Jr
WR
5-11, 188
Sr
84
76
867
8
11.4
12.4%
16.8%
Darious Crawley
WR
5-11, 192
Sr
84
72
829
8
2.0
11.7
11.7%
16.0%
Bryan Webb
WR
6-5, 218
So
78
42
381
3
9.1
6.9%
7.4%
Tyler Patrick
WR
6-0, 178
Sr
83
80
717
8
9.0
13.1%
13.9%
Emmanuel Moore
WR
6-0, 190
Jr
83
24
200
4
8.3
3.9%
3.9%
Taylor Martin
HB
5-9, 194
Jr
83
44
197
2
4.5
7.2%
3.8%
Jordan Darling
TE
6'4, 241
Sr
85
11
114
1
10.4
1.8%
2.2%
Pat Chambers
CB
6-3, 181
Sr
88
1155
1
0.0%
0.0%
George Glover
TE
6-4, 233
Fr
76
:3star:
Jason Taylor
HB
5-11, 181
So
79
Anthony Chavez
HB
6-0, 195
Fr
68
Redshirt
Anthony Brothers
TE
6-3, 273
Fr
66
Redshirt
Quarterbacks
QB
51
-203
3
-4.0
8.3%
-3.9%
With the graduation of Corey Avery, a converted halfback, the Jayhawks find themselves with four senior wide receivers, but no proven dynamic playmaker. Derrick Neal is easily the best receiver on the field for the Jayhawks, and will assume the #1 role played by Avery last season. Like with the quarterback, Jayhawk coaches hope that an improved running game can take the pressure off the passing game, and may lead to more open receivers downfield. Jayhawk coaches also hope that new 3-star tight end, George Glover, can put new pressure on the defense, as the Jayhawks will return to more 11 personnel this season than last year.
Due to his imposing 6-5 frame, sophomore Bryan Webb will move up to the #2 receiver this year, ensuring he stays on the outside. That leaves Bobby Hartzog, Darious Crawley and Tyler Patrick, all returning seniors with 70+ catches last season, filling out the slot and interior roles when the Jayhawks have 3-to-5 receivers on the field. Taylor Martin returns as the starting halfback, with Anthony Chavez, a very impressive pass blocker, expected to e to be the 3rd down back.
Slobs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Jayson Rhodes
RT
Grad
12
0
2
Will Smith
LG
Grad
8
1
2
Jacob Bragg
C
Grad
12
1
1
Joey Bloomfield
LT
Grad
D'Andre Banks
RG
Grad
4
5
5
Lee Mitchell
LT
5-11, 303
So
81
Redshirt
Apa Visinia
LG
6-4, 380
Sr
90
26
6
11
Joe Hill
C
6-4, 320
So
81
Aaron Garza
RG
6-3, 327
Jr
84
25
5
11
Dan West
RT
6-7, 291
Sr
84
12
1
7
Marco Clark
RT
6-5, 321
Fr
74
Redshirt
Kevin Jones
LG
6-3, 294
So
78
Cory Burks
C
6-4, 269
Fr
68
:2star:
Marcus Rush
RG
6-6, 339
Fr
74
Redshirt
Apa Visinia returns from a knee injury last season to lead the Jayhawk offensive line in his senior year. That's the good news for the Jyahwks. The bad news is that three other starters graduated, leaving the Jayhawks in the position of madly replacing starters for the season year in a row. The Jayhawks know they return skill at quarterback and outside -- but can the offensive line protect and open up holes long enough to utilize that skill?
Aaron Garza returns for his junior year as well. Garza was the only returning starter on the field last season, and the continuity will be welcome this year. Dan West will move from left tackle to right tackle, with JUCO transfer Lee Mitchell sliding into the left tackle spot.
Overall, the Jayhawk line will be more talented in 2016 than it was in 2015, but how quickly the returning starters gel with the new ones will be crucial to the success of the Jayhawk offense.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Loren Massey
DE
Grad
16
3.4%
7
5
1
1
1
Jacky Dezir
DT
Grad
9
1.9%
1
Jace Sternberger
DE
6-4, 228
Jr
78
1
0.2%
1
DJ Williams
DT
6-4, 287
Sr
82
19
4.0%
5
4
Mike Caldwell
DE
6-5, 270
So
78
15
3.2%
6
4
Josh Ehambe
DE
6-2, 234
Sr
79
Michael Massey
DE
6-6, 264
Fr
78
Redshirt
Steve Atkinson
DE
6-5, 245
So
75
Tyrone Jenkins
DT
6-1, 307
Fr
74
Redshirt
Lay Trion Jones
DT
6-3, 293
Sr
78
Loren Massey graduates after two years starting for Kansas, leaving behind replacements that barely saw the field last season. Whether it's a sign of how quickly opposing offenses scored, or just a lack of rotation by Jayhawk coaches, only two non-starters on the defensive line registered even a tackle last season. Thankfully, two starters are back, leaving only Massey to be replaced by the young but talented Jace Sternberger. Sternberger brings a sideline-to-sideline range other Jayhawk defensive linemen don't have, and coaches hope that range will lead to more pressure on the quarterback.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Kyron Watson
MLB
Grad
57
12.1%
9
1
4
Joe Dineen
OLB
Grad
45
9.5%
12
2
1
Colton Goeas
OLB
Grad
0.0%
Daniel Wise
OLB
Xfer
0.0%
Travis Bridges
MLB
6-2, 235
Jr
87
28
5.9%
6
Kyle Whitmore
MLB
6-0, 221
Jr
85
Redshirt
Marcquis Roberts
OLB
6-1, 223
Sr
85
24
5.1%
3
1
1
1
Keith Todd
OLB
6-1, 221
So
75
Redshirt
Andrew Wiggins
MLB
6-0, 236
So
77
1
0.2%
Dorance Armstrong
LEO
6-4, 220
Jr
78
12
2.5%
Mike Gray
MLB
5-10, 250
Fr
80
Redshirt
Paul Doty
OLB
6-4, 242
Fr
72
Redshirt
Nathan Wright
OLB
6-4, 236
Fr
78
:4star:
Two starters leave the linebacking corps this season, which, like the defensive line, was inexplicably without much contribution from their backups. The two backups that did contribute, MLB Travis Bridges and OLB Marquis Roberts, both of whom saw roles in the base 3-4, return, and they'll be complemented by two JUCO transfers that see the field after redshirt seasons.
Dorance Armstrong, the DE/OLB hybrid in the LEO role, will return to that role again this season, pushing JUCO Keith Todd for time on standard downs. Redshirt freshman Mike Gray and four-star freshman Nathan Wright are the most likely young players to push for time as well.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Bazie Bates
SS
Grad
45
9.5%
4
1
1
Colin Spencer
CB
Grad
30
6.4%
2
3
1
Jonathan Green
SS
Xfer
15
3.2%
2
1
Matthew Boateng
CB
5-11, 178
Sr
90
48
10.2%
3
2
Pat Chambers
CB
6-3, 181
Sr
88
32
6.8%
1
2
2
Tyrone Miller
FS
6-0, 183
Jr
87
49
10.4%
3
1
1
2
1
Fred McGuire
SS
6-4, 229
Jr
79
Redshirt
Shaquille Richmond
CB
5-11, 183
Jr
80
17
3.6%
3
3
Lee Davis
CB
6-2, 197
So
78
5
1.1%
Damon Gibson
CB
6-0, 174
Fr
72
Redshirt
Robbie Wilson
FS
6-2, 210
So
75
4
0.8%
4
Donte Harrison
FS
6-1, 213
Fr
72
Redshirt
Steven Willis
SS
6-5, 217
Fr
76
Redshirt
Another year, another depleted Jayhawk secondary. While three of the four starters return, the lost pieces contributed 90 tackles and three interceptions.
Pat Chambers, a JUCO transfer two years ago, was a revelation last year, with 32 tackles among the team leaders, while also returning kicks, including one for a touchdown. Chambers, across from four-year starter Matthew Boateng, will probably be expected to be able to take on receivers without help, a risk Jayhawk coaches may be forced to take.
Tyrone Miller's knee injury in the middle of the season may be what led to the three game slide the Jayhawks suffered to end the yaer, as Miller's backup Robbie Wilson proved to not be up to the task of starting, and caused the coaches to get creative with their lineup. Miller's return should provide a stabling force in the middle of the secondary, and is welcome after the way last season ended.
Former JUCO Fred McGuire will slide into the starting role as strong safety, with redshirt freshman Steven Willis available to provide backup.
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Ethan Greene
K
6-0, 174
So
89
52
9
90%
1 K/O
JD Frederick
P
6-3, 196
Jr
93
7
46.3
37 K/O
4
Juior punter JD Frederick will, for the second year, potentially be the most talented Jayhawk, even those fans and coaches alike would prefer he never takes the field. Frederick will also continue to serve as the kickoff specialist.
After hitting 90% of his kicks last season, sophomore Ethan Greene will hope to match, or exceed, that mark this season.