JeffHCross
03-22-2016, 11:22 AM
Coach Jerry Brawner enters his fifth season at the helm of the Kansas Jayhawks, after a bowl victory capped an eight-win season. Last year's offense was very senior heavy, and the wide receiving corps will need a total rebuild. However, the defense made several promising strides last season, and most of the defense returns. Will 2017 be defined by the rebuilding offense, or will the defense carry the day?
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Yards/
Att.
Sacks
Sack Rate
Ryan Willis
QB
6-4, 201
Sr
97
330
432
2952
22
29
76.4%
6.8
16
3.6%
Carter Stanley
QB
6-2, 196
Sr
94
42
61
441
5
2
68.9%
7.2
2
3.2%
Matt Barrow
QB
6-2, 206
So
84
Adam Maynard
QB
6-1, 190
Fr
83
Redshirt
Ryan Willis continues to struggle with interceptions, and those interceptions nearly derailed the Jayhawks season. Willis threw 7 INTs in one game last season, and every Jayhawk loss was heavily influenced by Willis interceptions. As the season went along, Jayhawk coaches relied more and more on the running game, and the confidence that came from effectively running the ball was able to help the junior quarterback. Now a senior, Willis is not an ideal running quarterback for a read option offense, but is enough of a threat to keep the defense honest.
Adam Maynard, the young redshirt freshman, is expected to get mop-up playing time this year to prepare Maynard for competing for the starting job next season, and Matt Barrow will be the third quarterback after not getting on the field last season. Carter Stanley is also available if something happens to Willis this year.
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
Derrick Neal
WR
Grad
82
735
6
9.0
12.7%
15.3%
Bobby Hartzog Jr
WR
Grad
67
669
1
10.0
10.3%
13.9%
Darious Crawley
WR
Grad
55
615
5
11.2
8.5%
12.8%
Tyler Patrick
WR
Grad
29
213
20
2
7.3
4.5%
4.4%
Jordan Darling
TE
Grad
2
0
0.3%
0.0%
Pat Chambers
CB
Grad
1190
1
Emmanuel Moore
WR
6-0, 190
Sr
89
12
101
2
8.4
1.9%
2.1%
Bryan Webb
WR
6-5, 220
Jr
83
34
371
0
3
10.9
5.2%
7.7%
Kyle Kilpatrick
WR
6-3, 190
Fr
85
Redshirt
George Glover
TE
6-4, 238
So
82
71
588
7
8.3
11.0%
12.3%
Taylor Martin
HB
5-9, 196
Sr
88
155
782
88
6
5.6
5.9
23.9%
18.1%
Jason Taylor
HB
5-11, 183
Jr
85
18
69
6
4.3
3.0
2.8%
1.6%
Anthony Chavez
HB
6-0, 197
So
74
12
44
7
1
4.9
2.3
1.9%
1.1%
Anthony Brothers
TE
6-3, 278
So
72
Nick Newman
WR
6-2, 201
Fr
77
Redshirt
Zach Minor
WR
6-0, 201
Fr
77
Redshirt
Todd Jones
WR
6-5, 213
Fr
73
Redshirt
Quarterbacks
QB
111
510
7
4.6
17.1%
10.6%
Five seniors, including four wide receivers and one tight end, graduate this season, taking with them over 230 catches, 2200 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Two receivers, senior Emmanuel Moore and junior Bryan Webb, return with starting experience and will be the top two receivers on the field, but the Jayhawks will have as many as four redshirt freshmen receivers on the field at one time. The top returning receiver, sophomore tight end George Glover, will return after gaining over 500 yards during his freshman season. Kyle Kilpatrick is a heavily hyped redshirt freshman that will lead the way, with Jayhawk coaches spending the entire summer trying to come up with different ways to get Kilpatrick the ball.
The heightened use of the running game last season ran through Taylor Martin, the #1 HB last year, who nearly had 900 total yards last season. Martin returns this season, and hopes to be the first 1,000 yard rusher under Coach Brawner. Both of Martin's backups, Jason Taylor and Anthony Chavez, return as well.
Slobs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Apa Visinia
LG
Grad
39
13
15
Dan West
RT
Grad
25
5
12
Lee Mitchell
LT
5-11, 306
Jr
86
13
2
1
Aaron Garza
LG
6-3, 328
Sr
89
38
12
11
Joe Hill
C
6-4, 320
Jr
81
13
4
1
Jacob McBride
RG
6-2, 319
Jr
83
Redshirt
Dionte Long
RT
6-5, 310
Fr
84
Redshirt
Kevin Jones
LG
6-3, 296
Jr
82
Will Marshall
C
6-7, 311
Fr
81
Marcus Rush
RG
6-6, 346
So
78
Mike Castillo
RG
5-11, 332
Fr
82
Marco Clark
RT
6-5, 323
So
78
Two seniors, including a three-year starter, graduate and move on, but three of last year's starters on the offensive line return, including three-year starter Aaron Garza, who will have a chance to start over 50 games in his Jayhawk career. Lee Mitchell will return to left tackle, and Joe Hill returns at the pivot position as well. JUCO transfer Jacob McBride will step into the right guard spot after a redshirt season, and heavily hyped redshirt freshman Dionte Long will step into a starting job at right tackle.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
DJ Williams
DT
Grad
22
3.9%
4
3
Josh Ehambe
DE
Grad
0.0%
Lay Trion Jones
DT
Grad
9
1.6%
5
1
Jace Sternberger
DE
6-4, 230
Sr
83
31
5.6%
18
10
2
Michael Massey
DT
6-6, 268
So
84
Tyrone Jenkins
DT
6-1, 309
So
79
Mike Caldwell
DE
6-5, 273
Jr
82
23
4.1%
8
2
1
Steve Atkinson
DE
6-5, 248
Jr
75
Brandon Rushing
DT
6-2, 299
Fr
78
:3star:
Kenneth Holley
DE
6-5, 262
Fr
78
Redshirt
Jason Hardin
DE
6-4, 241
Fr
75
Redshirt
In last year's preview, we mentioned that the talented Jace Sternberger would bring an ability to go sideline-to-sideline that the Jayhawk defensive line hadn't previously had, and Sternberger lived up to the prediction, becoming the first player under Coach Brawner to register double-digits in sacks. Sternberger returns this season with another year of strength training, and may be the most talented player on the Jayhawk defense.
The interior of the defensive line will be fully replaced this year, with the graduation of two senior defensive tackles. Michael Massey will slide from his backup defensive end spot to the 3-technique, and Tyrone Jenkins will man the nose guard spot. At the opposite defensive end, Mike Caldwell will look to continue his steady play, though he doesn't get the attention or accolades of his counterpart Sternberger.
Preseason All-American: DE Jace Sternberger
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Marcquis Roberts
OLB
Grad
71
12.7%
14
3
3
Travis Bridges
MLB
6-2, 238
Med
90
56
10.1%
12
1
1
1
Mike Gray
MLB
5-10, 253
So
84
20
3.6%
1
1
Nathan Wright
OLB
6-4, 238
So
83
7
1.3%
2
Kyle Whitmore
MLB
6-0, 224
Sr
88
14
2.5%
5
Paul Doty
OLB
6-4, 244
So
77
Andrew Wiggins
MLB
6-0, 239
Jr
81
Dorance Armstrong
LEO
6-4, 222
Sr
83
16
2.9%
3
1
1
Keith Todd
OLB
6-1, 223
Jr
79
5
0.9%
2
1
Jesse Robinson
MLB
6-2, 240
Fr
82
Redshirt
The graduation of starter Marcquis Roberts left an experience hole in the Jayhawk linebacking corps, and then middle linebacker Travis Bridges was lost to a season-ending collarbone injury during spring practice. But youth, while lacking experience, is readily available at both positions. Sophomores Mike Gray and Nathan Wright both gained playing time last season, and both will take on starting roles this season.
With the move from a 3-4 standard down defense to more usage of 4-2-5, there will be less playing time for linebackers this year, but senior Kyle Whitmore, senior LEO Dorance Armstrong, sophomore Paul Doty and redshirt freshman Jesse Robinson all stand ready if they're called upon.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Matthew Boateng
CB
Grad
42
7.5%
3
1
1
Pat Chambers
CB
Grad
39
7.0%
2
1
5
4
1
Shaquille Richmond
CB
5-11, 183
Sr
85
26
4.7%
3
1
2
1
Lee Davis
CB
6-2, 197
Jr
83
30
5.4%
1
Tyrone Miller
FS
6-0, 183
Sr
92
36
6.5%
2
4
1
Fred McGuire
SS
6-4, 230
Sr
84
55
9.9%
7
4
1
Steven Willis
SS
6-5, 219
So
81
32
5.7%
6
3
Clint Smith
CB
6-2, 192
Fr
82
Redshirt
Damon Gibson
CB
6-0, 174
So
72
Robbie Wilson
FS
6-2, 211
Jr
79
21
3.8%
Donte Harrison
FS
6-1, 214
So
77
2
0.4%
1
Albert Holmes
SS
6-3, 214
So
74
Redshirt
While this year's rebuild for the secondary isn't as dramatic as the past two season, the Jayhawks do lose two starters, four-year(!) starter Matthew Boateng, and impact player Pat Chambers, whose loss will be felt on both defense and in the return game. This will actually be Coach Brawner's first team without Boateng on the field. Shaquille Richmond and Lee Davis are both experienced, playing nickel and dime roles last season, and will move to the starting corner roles this year. That will leave redshirt freshman Clint Smith as the likely nickelback, though Kyle Kilpatrick, yes, the wide receiver, is expected to get some playing time at cornerback this season.
The biggest return this season is free safety Tyrone Miller, who returns to the deep centerfield role in the Jayhawk defense. Miller was among the leaders in tackles, but equally as important he provided a challenge in the passing game, frequently stopping deep passes over the middle. Miller will be backed by Robbie Wilson and Donte Harrison for the second year.
The most surprising defender last season was Fred McGuire, who was a relatively unassuming addition to the Jayhawk defense last season, and ended up nearly tying MLB Travis Bridges for the most returning tackles, and nearly having the team lead in interceptions as well. If McGuire can improve on last year's performance, the Jayhawk secondary will move from just average to possibly the strength on this team. Steven Willis was an important cog as the second strong safety last season, and will probably have an even bigger role this year. Converted cornerback Albert Holmes is the third SS on the depth chart after redshirting last year.
Preseason All-SEC: FS Tyrone Miller, SS Fred McGuire
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Ethan Greene
K
6-0, 174
Jr
89
39
19
95%
1 K/O
JD Frederick
P
6-3, 196
Sr
93
13
41.2
17 K/O, 1 P
9
Senior punter JD Frederick, for the third and final year, will 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 two straight seasons of hitting more than 90% of his kicks, junior Ethan Greene was rewarded with All-American recognition going into this season.
Preaseason All-American: K Ethan Greene
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Yards/
Att.
Sacks
Sack Rate
Ryan Willis
QB
6-4, 201
Sr
97
330
432
2952
22
29
76.4%
6.8
16
3.6%
Carter Stanley
QB
6-2, 196
Sr
94
42
61
441
5
2
68.9%
7.2
2
3.2%
Matt Barrow
QB
6-2, 206
So
84
Adam Maynard
QB
6-1, 190
Fr
83
Redshirt
Ryan Willis continues to struggle with interceptions, and those interceptions nearly derailed the Jayhawks season. Willis threw 7 INTs in one game last season, and every Jayhawk loss was heavily influenced by Willis interceptions. As the season went along, Jayhawk coaches relied more and more on the running game, and the confidence that came from effectively running the ball was able to help the junior quarterback. Now a senior, Willis is not an ideal running quarterback for a read option offense, but is enough of a threat to keep the defense honest.
Adam Maynard, the young redshirt freshman, is expected to get mop-up playing time this year to prepare Maynard for competing for the starting job next season, and Matt Barrow will be the third quarterback after not getting on the field last season. Carter Stanley is also available if something happens to Willis this year.
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
Derrick Neal
WR
Grad
82
735
6
9.0
12.7%
15.3%
Bobby Hartzog Jr
WR
Grad
67
669
1
10.0
10.3%
13.9%
Darious Crawley
WR
Grad
55
615
5
11.2
8.5%
12.8%
Tyler Patrick
WR
Grad
29
213
20
2
7.3
4.5%
4.4%
Jordan Darling
TE
Grad
2
0
0.3%
0.0%
Pat Chambers
CB
Grad
1190
1
Emmanuel Moore
WR
6-0, 190
Sr
89
12
101
2
8.4
1.9%
2.1%
Bryan Webb
WR
6-5, 220
Jr
83
34
371
0
3
10.9
5.2%
7.7%
Kyle Kilpatrick
WR
6-3, 190
Fr
85
Redshirt
George Glover
TE
6-4, 238
So
82
71
588
7
8.3
11.0%
12.3%
Taylor Martin
HB
5-9, 196
Sr
88
155
782
88
6
5.6
5.9
23.9%
18.1%
Jason Taylor
HB
5-11, 183
Jr
85
18
69
6
4.3
3.0
2.8%
1.6%
Anthony Chavez
HB
6-0, 197
So
74
12
44
7
1
4.9
2.3
1.9%
1.1%
Anthony Brothers
TE
6-3, 278
So
72
Nick Newman
WR
6-2, 201
Fr
77
Redshirt
Zach Minor
WR
6-0, 201
Fr
77
Redshirt
Todd Jones
WR
6-5, 213
Fr
73
Redshirt
Quarterbacks
QB
111
510
7
4.6
17.1%
10.6%
Five seniors, including four wide receivers and one tight end, graduate this season, taking with them over 230 catches, 2200 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Two receivers, senior Emmanuel Moore and junior Bryan Webb, return with starting experience and will be the top two receivers on the field, but the Jayhawks will have as many as four redshirt freshmen receivers on the field at one time. The top returning receiver, sophomore tight end George Glover, will return after gaining over 500 yards during his freshman season. Kyle Kilpatrick is a heavily hyped redshirt freshman that will lead the way, with Jayhawk coaches spending the entire summer trying to come up with different ways to get Kilpatrick the ball.
The heightened use of the running game last season ran through Taylor Martin, the #1 HB last year, who nearly had 900 total yards last season. Martin returns this season, and hopes to be the first 1,000 yard rusher under Coach Brawner. Both of Martin's backups, Jason Taylor and Anthony Chavez, return as well.
Slobs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Apa Visinia
LG
Grad
39
13
15
Dan West
RT
Grad
25
5
12
Lee Mitchell
LT
5-11, 306
Jr
86
13
2
1
Aaron Garza
LG
6-3, 328
Sr
89
38
12
11
Joe Hill
C
6-4, 320
Jr
81
13
4
1
Jacob McBride
RG
6-2, 319
Jr
83
Redshirt
Dionte Long
RT
6-5, 310
Fr
84
Redshirt
Kevin Jones
LG
6-3, 296
Jr
82
Will Marshall
C
6-7, 311
Fr
81
Marcus Rush
RG
6-6, 346
So
78
Mike Castillo
RG
5-11, 332
Fr
82
Marco Clark
RT
6-5, 323
So
78
Two seniors, including a three-year starter, graduate and move on, but three of last year's starters on the offensive line return, including three-year starter Aaron Garza, who will have a chance to start over 50 games in his Jayhawk career. Lee Mitchell will return to left tackle, and Joe Hill returns at the pivot position as well. JUCO transfer Jacob McBride will step into the right guard spot after a redshirt season, and heavily hyped redshirt freshman Dionte Long will step into a starting job at right tackle.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
DJ Williams
DT
Grad
22
3.9%
4
3
Josh Ehambe
DE
Grad
0.0%
Lay Trion Jones
DT
Grad
9
1.6%
5
1
Jace Sternberger
DE
6-4, 230
Sr
83
31
5.6%
18
10
2
Michael Massey
DT
6-6, 268
So
84
Tyrone Jenkins
DT
6-1, 309
So
79
Mike Caldwell
DE
6-5, 273
Jr
82
23
4.1%
8
2
1
Steve Atkinson
DE
6-5, 248
Jr
75
Brandon Rushing
DT
6-2, 299
Fr
78
:3star:
Kenneth Holley
DE
6-5, 262
Fr
78
Redshirt
Jason Hardin
DE
6-4, 241
Fr
75
Redshirt
In last year's preview, we mentioned that the talented Jace Sternberger would bring an ability to go sideline-to-sideline that the Jayhawk defensive line hadn't previously had, and Sternberger lived up to the prediction, becoming the first player under Coach Brawner to register double-digits in sacks. Sternberger returns this season with another year of strength training, and may be the most talented player on the Jayhawk defense.
The interior of the defensive line will be fully replaced this year, with the graduation of two senior defensive tackles. Michael Massey will slide from his backup defensive end spot to the 3-technique, and Tyrone Jenkins will man the nose guard spot. At the opposite defensive end, Mike Caldwell will look to continue his steady play, though he doesn't get the attention or accolades of his counterpart Sternberger.
Preseason All-American: DE Jace Sternberger
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Marcquis Roberts
OLB
Grad
71
12.7%
14
3
3
Travis Bridges
MLB
6-2, 238
Med
90
56
10.1%
12
1
1
1
Mike Gray
MLB
5-10, 253
So
84
20
3.6%
1
1
Nathan Wright
OLB
6-4, 238
So
83
7
1.3%
2
Kyle Whitmore
MLB
6-0, 224
Sr
88
14
2.5%
5
Paul Doty
OLB
6-4, 244
So
77
Andrew Wiggins
MLB
6-0, 239
Jr
81
Dorance Armstrong
LEO
6-4, 222
Sr
83
16
2.9%
3
1
1
Keith Todd
OLB
6-1, 223
Jr
79
5
0.9%
2
1
Jesse Robinson
MLB
6-2, 240
Fr
82
Redshirt
The graduation of starter Marcquis Roberts left an experience hole in the Jayhawk linebacking corps, and then middle linebacker Travis Bridges was lost to a season-ending collarbone injury during spring practice. But youth, while lacking experience, is readily available at both positions. Sophomores Mike Gray and Nathan Wright both gained playing time last season, and both will take on starting roles this season.
With the move from a 3-4 standard down defense to more usage of 4-2-5, there will be less playing time for linebackers this year, but senior Kyle Whitmore, senior LEO Dorance Armstrong, sophomore Paul Doty and redshirt freshman Jesse Robinson all stand ready if they're called upon.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FumRec
Matthew Boateng
CB
Grad
42
7.5%
3
1
1
Pat Chambers
CB
Grad
39
7.0%
2
1
5
4
1
Shaquille Richmond
CB
5-11, 183
Sr
85
26
4.7%
3
1
2
1
Lee Davis
CB
6-2, 197
Jr
83
30
5.4%
1
Tyrone Miller
FS
6-0, 183
Sr
92
36
6.5%
2
4
1
Fred McGuire
SS
6-4, 230
Sr
84
55
9.9%
7
4
1
Steven Willis
SS
6-5, 219
So
81
32
5.7%
6
3
Clint Smith
CB
6-2, 192
Fr
82
Redshirt
Damon Gibson
CB
6-0, 174
So
72
Robbie Wilson
FS
6-2, 211
Jr
79
21
3.8%
Donte Harrison
FS
6-1, 214
So
77
2
0.4%
1
Albert Holmes
SS
6-3, 214
So
74
Redshirt
While this year's rebuild for the secondary isn't as dramatic as the past two season, the Jayhawks do lose two starters, four-year(!) starter Matthew Boateng, and impact player Pat Chambers, whose loss will be felt on both defense and in the return game. This will actually be Coach Brawner's first team without Boateng on the field. Shaquille Richmond and Lee Davis are both experienced, playing nickel and dime roles last season, and will move to the starting corner roles this year. That will leave redshirt freshman Clint Smith as the likely nickelback, though Kyle Kilpatrick, yes, the wide receiver, is expected to get some playing time at cornerback this season.
The biggest return this season is free safety Tyrone Miller, who returns to the deep centerfield role in the Jayhawk defense. Miller was among the leaders in tackles, but equally as important he provided a challenge in the passing game, frequently stopping deep passes over the middle. Miller will be backed by Robbie Wilson and Donte Harrison for the second year.
The most surprising defender last season was Fred McGuire, who was a relatively unassuming addition to the Jayhawk defense last season, and ended up nearly tying MLB Travis Bridges for the most returning tackles, and nearly having the team lead in interceptions as well. If McGuire can improve on last year's performance, the Jayhawk secondary will move from just average to possibly the strength on this team. Steven Willis was an important cog as the second strong safety last season, and will probably have an even bigger role this year. Converted cornerback Albert Holmes is the third SS on the depth chart after redshirting last year.
Preseason All-SEC: FS Tyrone Miller, SS Fred McGuire
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Ethan Greene
K
6-0, 174
Jr
89
39
19
95%
1 K/O
JD Frederick
P
6-3, 196
Sr
93
13
41.2
17 K/O, 1 P
9
Senior punter JD Frederick, for the third and final year, will 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 two straight seasons of hitting more than 90% of his kicks, junior Ethan Greene was rewarded with All-American recognition going into this season.
Preaseason All-American: K Ethan Greene