PH'15: Meet the 2018 Kansas Jayhawks

Coach Jerry Brawner enters his sixth season at the helm of the Kansas Jayhawks, and while he has sustained more success in Lawrence than his predecessors, the Jayhawks still need to take that next step to compete for conference and national championships. While last year's senior class was not large in number, a few key losses, including 4-year starting quarterback Ryan Willis, will need to be replaced.

Quarterbacks

Player	Pos.	Ht, Wt	Year	Rating	Comp	Att	Yards	TD	INT	Comp Rate	Yards/ Att.	Sacks	Sack Rate
Ryan Willis	QB		Grad		283	360	3079	24	14	78.6%	8.6	28	7.2%
Carter Stanley	QB		Grad
Adam Maynard	QB	6-1, 190	So	89	20	24	243	2	1	83.3%	10.1	1	4.0%
Orlando Woods	QB	6-1, 194	Fr	75	Redshirt
Matt Barrow	QB	6-2, 208	Jr	88

Ryan Willis leaves Lawrence as the career leader in almost every meaningful passing category, though unfortunately his legacy will be tarnished by his reputation for throwing interceptions in key moments and big games. He will pass the ball to Adam Maynard, a sophomore with a cannon for an arm that got his first start in last year's bowl game against Houston. Maynard also brings an increased threat in the run game, as the Jayhawks search for more success with more balance in their offensive attack.

Spreaking of an offensive attack, look for Orlando Woods to be used in select packages this season. While Woods does not have the passing skill of Maynard, he is one of the fastest players on the team, certainly the fastest quarterback, and so he will likely be used as a change of pace.

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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
Emmanuel Moore	WR		Grad		58		621	48	5		10.7	8.4%	12.4%
Taylor Martin	HB		Grad		225	1164	128		13	5.5	8.5	32.7%	25.8%
Kyle Kilpatrick	WR	6-3, 190	So	89	98	22	999	1154	12	1.3	12.3	14.2%	20.4%
Bryan Webb	WR	6-5, 221	Sr	86	38		455		4		12.0	5.5%	9.1%
Nick Newman	WR	6-2, 201	So	82	50		481		2		9.6	7.3%	9.6%
George Glover	TE	6-4, 241	Jr	88	38		381		1		10.0	5.5%	7.6%
Jason Taylor	HB	5-11, 185	Sr	90	38	149	47		2	4.3	15.7	5.5%	3.9%
Zach Minor	WR	6-0, 202	So	81	13		128	16	1		9.8	1.9%	2.6%
Anthony Brothers	TE	6-3, 279	Jr	78	4		50				12.5	0.6%	1.0%
Todd Jones	WR	6-5, 216	So	78	1		2				2.0	0.1%	0.0%
Anthony Chavez	HB	6-0, 197	Jr	79				9
Terry Oliver	HB	5-11, 182	Fr	79	:4star:
Thomas Morris	HB	5-10, 217	Fr	71	Redshirt
Jeff Nash	WR	6-3, 207	Fr	74	Redshirt
Quarterbacks	QB				126	384			5	3.0		18.3%	7.7%

With only three returning receiving threats last season, it was expected to be a year of growing pains for the Jayhawk receiving corps last year. While Kyle Kilpatrick emerged as a top threat early in the season, now sophomore Nick Newman eventually emerged as a top slot target late in the season when the Jayhawks returned to a 5-wide passing attack. Kilpatrick will be the #1 receiver this year, and we will see if Coach Brawner rememberes how to scheme in order to get a #1 target the ball. Kilpatrick, and the #2 target Bryan Webb, are both speedsters with the ability to take a top off the defense; but can a new starting QB get them the ball?

Last season, Taylor Martin quietly became the first 1,000 yard rusher under Coach Brawner. So quietly, in fact, that Coach Brawner had not even noticed the accomplishment until he was asked about it after the season. Martin took his running skills to the next level, and into that slot will slide a more of running-by-committee approach, with senior Jason Taylor expected to carry the load but share some time with junior pass blocking specialist Anthony Chavez and talented freshman Terry Oliver.

Preseason All-American: WR/CB Kyle Kilpatrick

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Slobs

Player	Pos.	Ht, Wt	Year	Rating	Car. Starts	Car. P'cakes	Car. Sacks
Aaron Garza	LG		Grad		51	23	15
Lee Mitchell	LT	5-11, 306	Sr	90	26	14	3
Mike Castillo	LG	5-11, 336	So	88
Joe Hill	C	6-4, 325	Sr	93	26	6	5
Jacob McBride	RG	6-2, 320	Sr	88	13	4	4
Dionte Long	RT	6-5, 317	So	88	13	11	6
Quincy Johnson	LT	6-3, 259	Fr	79	Redshirt
Kevin Jones	LG	6-3, 297	Sr	87
Brandon Kendrick	LG	6-7, 262	Fr	75	Redshirt
Will Marshall	C	6-7, 317	So	86		2
Marcus Rush	RG	6-6, 351	Jr	83		1
Marco Clark	RT	6-5, 324	Jr	81		1

Despite only one offensive lineman lost to graduation, the men in the trenches for Kansas will still have to replace a lot of experience, as that single player takes 51 career starts with him to the next level. Three seniors (Lee Mitchell, Joe Hill and Jacob McBride) with lots of experience are left on the line, along with a sophomore (Dionte Long) who started all 13 games as a redshirt freshman. Sophomore Mike Castillo is the only new face, earning his spot in spring practice after a battle with senior Kevin Jones.

Preseason All-SEC: LT Lee Mitchell (2nd team)

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Defensive Line

Player	Pos	Ht, Wt	Year	Rating	Tackles	% of Team	TFL	Sacks	Int	PBU	FF	FumRec	DefTD
Jace Sternberger	DE		Grad		25	4.7%	17	11			1
Steve Atkinson	DE	6-5, 250	Sr	84
Michael Massey	DT	6-6, 270	Jr	89	32	6.0%	8	4
Tyrone Jenkins	DT	6-1, 312	Jr	83	15	2.8%	5	1
Mike Caldwell	DE	6-5, 275	Sr	87	21	4.0%	8	3
Kenneth Holley	DE	6-5, 269	So	82	4	0.8%	1
Brandon Rushing	DT	6-2, 302	So	82						1
Jason Hardin	DE	6-4, 247	So	79	1	0.2%	0
Mike Smith	DE	6-3, 218	Fr	75	Redshirt
Scott Davis	DT	6-5, 275	Fr	74	Redshirt

After a second season with double digit sacks, Jace Sternberger has graduated from Lawrence and hopes to latch onto an NFL team as an undrafted free agent. Everyone else along the defensive line returns, including Michael Massey who impressed in his first season of action at defensive tackle.

Massey, Tyrone Jenkins, and Mike Caldwell all return, and senior Steve Atkinson is expected to jump to the first team to replace the loss of Sternberger. Look for Caldwell to have a career year.

Preseason All-SEC: DT Michael Massey

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Linebackers

Player	Pos	Ht, Wt	Year	Rating	Tackles	% of Team	TFL	Sacks	Int	PBU	FF	FumRec	DefTD
Dorance Armstrong	LEO		Grad		17	3.2%	3
Kyle Whitmore	MLB		Grad		15	2.8%	3			1
Andrew Wiggins	MLB		Xfer		8	1.5%
Travis Bridges	MLB	6-2, 240	Sr	95	Medical RS
Nathan Wright	OLB	6-4, 240	Jr	88	58	10.9%	16	3.5
Mike Gray	MLB	5-10, 255	Jr	88	49	9.2%	14	0.5	2	3
Jesse Robinson	MLB	6-2, 243	So	87	12	2.3%			1
Paul Doty	OLB	6-4, 246	Jr	82	15	2.8%	5
Keith Todd	OLB	6-1, 225	Sr	83	6	1.1%	1			1

The return of MLB Travis Bridges after a season-ending collarbone injury last season will be a boon to the middle of the Jayhawks defense, as Bridges is the most talented defender on the field this season for the Jayhawks. In the base 4-2-5, he'll have junior Nathan Wright next to him, who led the team in tackles while Bridges was recuperating. Mike Gray and Jesse Robinson will be part of the rotation at MLB, and both are talented enough to start for practically any team in the country. The talent drop off is a little larger at OLB, but junior Paul Doty continues to grow and will be called upon in select packages, and senior Keith Todd's experience is invaluable when he's needed.

Preseason All-SEC: OLB Nathan Wright

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Secondary

Player	Pos	Ht, Wt	Year	Rating	Tackles	% of Team	TFL	Sacks	Int	PBU	FF	FumRec	DefTD
Shaquille Richmond	CB		Grad		31	5.8%	1		1	3
Tyrone Miller	FS		Grad		63	11.9%	3		3	1		1	1
Fred McGuire	SS		Grad		45	8.5%	3		5	2
Clint Smith	CB	6-2, 193	So	86	19	3.6%	1		1	4			1
Lee Davis	CB	6-2, 197	Sr	88	34	6.4%	2		2	2
Donte Harrison	FS	6-1, 214	Jr	81
Steven Willis	SS	6-5, 219	Jr	86	28	5.3%	2		2	1
Larry Fields	STAR	6-1, 207	Fr	79	Redshirt
Taylor Wheatley	CB	5-10, 182	Fr	82	Redshirt
Damon Gibson	CB	6-0, 176	Jr	82	12	2.3%
Kyle Kilpatrick	WR/CB	6-3, 190	So	89	7	1.3%			2	2
Robbie Wilson	FS	6-2, 211	Sr	85	13	2.5%	1			2
Trevor Rucker	FS	6-2, 177	Fr	75	Redshirt
Albert Holmes	SS	6-3, 214	Jr	79
Mark Higgins	SS	5-11, 166	Fr	79	:4star:

Every year, it seems, the Jayhawks take huge hits in the secondary and are forced to rebuild that part of their defense. That will happen yet again this season, with three year starter at FS, Tyrone Miller, no longer playing in Lawrence. The last time Miller was not on the field for the Jayhawks, which happened due to injury, the coaching staff was forced to move other players out of position to cover, and a losing streak derailed he 2016 season. Hopefully the defensive staff is better preparred for this year's loss.

Junior Donte Harrison is likely to fill Miller's spot, after beating out senior Robbie Wilson in spring practice. Harrison's speed and acceleration give him an advantage in playing the centerfield role, though if Harrison struggles, expect Wilson to get his long-awaited shot.

The other defensive backs this season are much more straightforward. Clint Smith and Lee Davis both saw significant playing time last season, so the only surprise is that Smith is being treated as the #1 corner this year, perhaps because of his youth and additional time to grow. Taylor Wheatley, as expected, will move straight to the nickelback spot after a redshirt season.

And at strong safety, after the graduation of breakout star Fred McGuire, Steven Willis will logically slide into the strong safety role, with Larry Fields expected to move into the STAR position after a redshirt season. Fields, junior Albert Holmes, and incoming freshman Mark Higgins are so close in terms of talent that Higgins will likely see playing time this season, though the coaches would have admittedly preferred to give him a redshirt season. Expect Higgins to get the bulk of his playing time on special teams.

Preseason All-SEC: CB Lee Davis (2nd team)

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Specialists

Player	Pos	Ht, Wt	Year	Rating	PAT	FG	FG Pct	Punts	Net Avg	TB	P I20
JD Frederick	P		Grad					21	42.4	28 K/O, 3 P	9
Ethan Greene	K	6-0, 177	Sr	98	47	16	89%
Marc Hines	P	5-10, 231	Fr	84	:3star:

With the graduation of JD Frederick, Ethan Greene now takes over the role of "most talented Jayhawk player, despite being only a kicker". Greene had a slight dip in his performance last season, hitting only 89% of field goal tries, but can be generally relied on whenever the Jayhawks get into field goal range.

Jayhawk coaches were surprised when the redshirting Shaun Jefferson elected to transfer to Missouri, presumably due to playing time, rather than take over the starting punting duties this season. Jefferson must not have believed KU coaches when they said they planned to turn Marc Hines into a kicker. Instead, Hines will stay at his recruited position of punter, and immediately play as a freshman.

Willis finally graduated. Seemed like he was there forever lol

Nice looking team man

Lol, he was forced to play as a redshirt Freshman, so he was there pretty much forever. I wish coaches got XP for career records, because I'm pretty sure he set at least some school ones.