PH'15: Meet the 2020 Kansas Jayhawks
After last year's season preview was lost at the publisher, the KU staff made sure to send it early this year.
Coach Jerry Brawner enters his eighth season (how time flies) at the helm of the Kansas Jayhawks, and have finally broken through the glass ceiling, winning the Big XII in their first season in the conference. They return a lot of key pieces for their senior year, including their quarterback, top four receivers, and both starting linebackers for their final shot at a collegiate title. Can the senior leaders accomplish what they didn't last season?
Quarterbacks
Player |
Pos. |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
Rating |
Comp |
Att |
Yards |
TD |
INT |
Comp
Rate |
Yards/
Att. |
Sacks |
Sack Rate |
Mark Barrow |
QB |
|
Grad |
|
1 |
1 |
14 |
|
|
100.0% |
14.0 |
|
|
Adam Maynard |
QB |
6-1, 194 |
Sr |
99 |
316 |
413 |
3827 |
33 |
29 |
76.5% |
9.3 |
13 |
3.1% |
Brad Johnson |
QB |
6-4, 214 |
So |
87 |
6 |
9 |
103 |
0 |
2 |
66.7% |
11.4 |
|
|
Orlando Woods |
QB |
6-1, 198 |
Jr |
87 |
2 |
2 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
100.0% |
8.0 |
|
|
Kansas's offensive attack last season was seemingly all one way or another. All pass or all run. Not every offensive performance was positive, mind you, but when the offense was rolling the Jayhawks got balance in the most unusual way. Senior quarterback Adam Maynard, a preseason All-Big XII selection, is the catalyst for the offense, setting a school record for passing yards in 2018, then nearly matching that record again in 2019. Maynard has struggled like his predecessor Ryan Willis with interceptions, notably throwing four interceptions in an early loss to Arkansas State. If he can avoid throwing to the other team, Maynard has the arm and accuracy to get the ball to his speedy weapons on the outside.
Backup QBs Brad Johnson and Orlando Woods return, and both are speedy runners that are different types of players than the starter Maynard.
Preseason Hype: QB Adam Maynard (All-Big XII)
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 |
George Glover |
TE |
|
Grad |
|
49 |
|
527 |
|
3 |
|
10.8 |
6.9% |
8.8% |
Anthony Chavez |
HB |
|
Grad |
|
32 |
199 |
14 |
|
4 |
6.4 |
14.0 |
4.5% |
3.5% |
Anthony Brothers |
TE |
|
Grad |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kyle Kilpatrick |
WR |
6-3, 194 |
Sr |
97 |
141 |
16 |
1736 |
760 |
20 |
1.1 |
13.7 |
19.7% |
29.1% |
Todd Jones |
WR |
6-5, 220 |
Sr |
86 |
32 |
|
289 |
|
2 |
|
9.0 |
4.5% |
4.8% |
Nick Newman |
WR |
6-2, 203 |
Sr |
91 |
20 |
|
250 |
566 |
4 |
|
12.5 |
2.8% |
4.2% |
Aaron Hart |
HB |
6-2, 195 |
So |
83 |
232 |
1092 |
87 |
|
18 |
4.9 |
7.9 |
32.4% |
19.6% |
Zach Minor |
WR |
6-0, 206 |
Sr |
90 |
45 |
|
590 |
1 |
2 |
|
13.1 |
6.3% |
9.8% |
Nate Mack |
WR |
6-3, 212 |
So |
83 |
34 |
|
399 |
|
5 |
|
11.7 |
4.8% |
6.6% |
Jeff Nash |
WR |
6-4, 225 |
Jr |
82 |
3 |
|
42 |
81 |
|
|
14.0 |
0.4% |
0.7% |
Thomas Morris |
HB |
5-10, 221 |
Jr |
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TJ Gray |
TE |
6-6, 249 |
So |
87 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sean Lambert |
WR |
6-4, 196 |
Fr |
77 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan Howard |
HB/WR |
5-11, 182 |
Fr |
85 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randy Stuckey |
FB |
6-1, 235 |
Fr |
78 |
:3star: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lonnie Garrison |
TE |
6-3, 261 |
Fr |
73 |
:3star: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterbacks |
QB |
|
|
|
127 |
764 |
10 |
|
10 |
6.1 |
10.0 |
17.8% |
12.9% |
Four senior wide receivers sit at the top of the offensive skill depth chart. Kyle Kilpatrick, a preseason All-American, is the top weapon for the Jayhawks, and will get one final chance to live up to his billing as a speedy gamebreaker that can affect a game through the air and on the ground. Kilpatrick set a school record with 1736 yards receiving last season, but only ran the ball 14 times with barely 1 yard per carry. If the Jayhawks can get him in space this year, they could finally have the nationally recognized weapon they've been trying to find.
Nick Newman is the #2 receiver for the Jayhawks, but last year he struggled lining up outside. Todd Jones, a 6-5 receiver with nearly the same speed at Newman, is better suited to being an outside target, and that will give Newman the ability to return to the slot where he thrived in 2018.
Halfback Aaron Hart became the second 1,000 yard rusher under Coach Jerry Brawner. Hart averaged nearly 5 yards per carry last season, and was honored with preseason All-Big XII recognition. Hart will return as the feature back this year, but will also be expected to share some of the running load with talented freshman Bryan Howard.
Preseason Hype: WR Kyle Kilpatrick (AA-1st), HB Aaron Hart (All-Big XII)
Slobs
Player |
Pos. |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
Rating |
Car. Starts |
'19 Pancakes |
'19 Sacks |
Marcus Rush |
RG |
|
Grad |
|
3 |
1 |
|
Marco Clark |
RT |
|
Grad |
|
3 |
1 |
|
Jim Freeman |
LT |
6-5, 292 |
Fr |
83 |
Redshirt |
|
|
Paul Barber |
LG |
6-4, 294 |
So |
89 |
14 |
14 |
1 |
Will Marshall |
C |
6-7, 321 |
Sr |
98 |
14 |
11 |
1 |
Mike Castillo |
RG |
5-11, 338 |
Sr |
95 |
24 |
13 |
5 |
Dionte Long |
RT |
6-5, 323 |
Sr |
97 |
40 |
11 |
2 |
Quincy Johnson |
LT |
6-3, 272 |
Jr |
86 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
Brandon Kendrick |
LG |
6-7, 272 |
Jr |
85 |
|
|
|
Seth Thompson |
LG |
6-6, 316 |
Fr |
81 |
Redshirt |
|
|
Tony Colvin |
C |
6-2, 292 |
So |
91 |
|
|
|
Calvin Mason |
RT |
6-0, 286 |
So |
80 |
|
|
|
All five significant starters from last season return to the Jayhawks offensive line, though only four are expected to start this season after freshman Jim Freeman beat junior Quincy Johnson during spring practice this season. Three seniors (Will Marshall, Mike Castillo and Dionte Long) will anchor the center and right side of the line, bringing talent and experience to that side. Sophomore guard Paul Barber, who started all 14 games last season, returns to the left side as well. Johnson will be the swing tackle, leveraging his experience as a backup. Backup center Tony Colvin may also be considered as a swing player, or may even get some starting time. If the left tackle begins to struggle, starting center Will Marshall, who was originally recruited as a tackle, could move out wide and move Colvin to the starting spot to leverage the talent of both.
Preseason Hype: T Dionte Long (AA-1st), C Will Marshall (All-Big XII), G Mike Castillo (All-Big XII)
Defensive Line
Player |
Pos |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
Rating |
Tackles |
% of Team |
TFL |
Sacks |
Int |
PBU |
FF |
FumRec |
Def Score |
Michael Massey |
DT |
|
Grad |
|
29 |
4.4% |
15 |
6 |
|
|
3 |
1 |
|
Tyrone Jenkins |
DT |
|
Grad |
|
8 |
1.2% |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Matt Freeman |
DE |
6-2, 248 |
So |
85 |
40 |
6.1% |
25 |
21 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
Brandon Rushing |
DT |
6-2, 307 |
Jr |
92 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tyler Jackson |
DT |
6-2, 258 |
So |
85 |
1 |
0.2% |
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Kenneth Holley |
DE |
6-5, 273 |
Sr |
92 |
23 |
3.5% |
15 |
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Terrell Rich |
DE |
6-4, 249 |
So |
84 |
2 |
0.3% |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jason Hardin |
DE |
6-4, 252 |
Sr |
89 |
2 |
0.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Mike Smith |
DE |
6-3, 224 |
Jr |
85 |
2 |
0.3% |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Davis |
DT |
6-5, 284 |
Jr |
84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Keith Abrams |
DT |
6-2, 285 |
Fr |
80 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The top two defensive tackles have left Lawrence, but end Matt Freeman returns after a record setting freshman season, which saw him break the school record for sacks that was set just the season before. Freeman, end Kenneth Holley and now departed tackle Michael Massey were a disruptive force last season, combining for 31 sacks. Massey's production inside should be replaced by Brandon Rushing, who was redshirted last season to preserve a year of eligibility. Rushing now has two seasons remaining as the undisputed starter inside. Sophomore Tyler Jackson, who recorded a strip sack last season in very limited work, will be the other DT in four man lines.
Preseason Hype: DE Matt Freeman (AA-2nd team)
Linebackers
Player |
Pos |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
Rating |
Tackles |
% of Team |
TFL |
Sacks |
Int |
PBU |
FF |
FumRec |
Def Score |
Mike Gray |
MLB |
|
Grad |
|
77 |
11.8% |
27 |
4 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Paul Doty |
OLB |
|
Grad |
|
33 |
5.0% |
8 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
1 TD |
Jesse Robinson |
MLB |
6-2, 247 |
Sr |
96 |
91 |
13.9% |
14 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
|
1 |
1 TD |
Nathan Wright |
OLB |
6-4, 246 |
Sr |
97 |
Medical |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew Walker |
OLB |
6-3, 217 |
So |
84 |
19 |
2.9% |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Matt Murphy |
MLB |
6-2, 246 |
So |
76 |
6 |
0.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Todd |
OLB |
6-1, 222 |
So |
72 |
1 |
0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antwan Smith |
MLB |
5-11, 221 |
Fr |
84 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tristan Wilson |
OLB |
6-1, 240 |
Fr |
79 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kansas entered last season needing to replace Travis Bridges, their star middle linebacker, and lost outside linebacker Nathan Wright to a season-ending knee injury. With two stars being replaced, a dropoff was expected. Instead, middle linebacker Jesse Robinson turned into a star himself, recording a team-leading 91 tackles, which is the highest total returning in the Big XII this season. Robinson returns, and with Wright returning to be next to him in the Jayhawks' base 4-2-5, the linebacker corps will be a strength this year. Mike Gray and Paul Doty, last season's starting outside linebackers, were both NFL draft picks, leaving sophomore Andrew Walker to be the next outside linebacker in the rotation. Redshirt freshmen Antwan Smith and Tristan Wilson will both be part of the rotation as well.
Preseason Hype: MLB Jesse Robinson (All-Big XII)
Secondary
Player |
Pos |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
Rating |
Tackles |
% of Team |
TFL |
Sacks |
Int |
PBU |
FF |
FumRec |
Def Score |
Donte Harrison |
FS |
|
Grad |
|
60 |
9.2% |
1 |
|
1 |
5 |
|
|
|
Steven Willis |
SS |
|
Grad |
|
70 |
10.7% |
3 |
|
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Damon Gibson |
CB |
|
Grad |
|
47 |
7.2% |
2 |
|
3 |
6 |
|
|
|
Albert Holmes |
SS |
|
Grad |
|
6 |
0.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clint Smith |
CB |
6-2, 195 |
Sr |
97 |
35 |
5.3% |
1 |
|
2 |
9 |
|
|
|
Taylor Wheatley |
CB |
5-10, 184 |
Jr |
93 |
36 |
5.5% |
1 |
|
5 |
2 |
|
|
1 TD |
J.R. Malone |
FS |
6-1, 195 |
So |
82 |
2 |
0.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Higgins |
SS |
5-11, 170 |
So |
88 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lance Quinn |
STAR |
5-11, 166 |
Fr |
82 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jimmy Bradley |
CB |
5-10, 183 |
So |
88 |
24 |
3.7% |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
Trevor Rucker |
FS |
6-2, 179 |
Jr |
85 |
11 |
1.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Larry Fields |
SS |
6-1, 209 |
Jr |
88 |
23 |
3.5% |
3 |
|
1 |
3 |
|
|
|
Kyle Kilpatrick |
WR/CB |
6-3, 194 |
Sr |
97 |
7 |
1.1% |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 TD |
Alvin Mason |
CB |
6-1, 183 |
Fr |
79 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brandon Gibbs |
FS |
6-0, 173 |
Fr |
78 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We've discussed the returning strength at practically every position this season for Kansas ... and now we get to the secondary. Two starting safeties, and last year's nickelback, have moved on. The Jayhawks staff is used to performing rebuilds on the secondary, but with early games against rival Kansas State and top-ranked Arkansas State, the new faces in the secondary has very little room for error as they gel early in the season. J.R. Malone, a prototypical safety, is expected to roam centerfield as the free safety. Mark Higgins and Lance Quinn, two young players that are basically clones of each other, are expected to man both strong safety positions, and both bring cornerback-type skills to the strong safety position.
The only top returning players in the secondary are both starting cornerbacks, and if Clint Smith could manage to actually catch balls this season he has a chance to set a record for interceptions. Taylor Wheatley, a preseason All-Big XII selection, ended the season impressively, so continuing that momentum will be important for the secondary this year.
Behind the starters, sophomore Jimmy Bradley will slide from dimeback to nickelback, with redshirt freshman Alvin Mason expected to play dimeback. Larry Fields, who started last season as the STAR but was beaten in spring practice, may play a role as a nickel or dimeback.
Preseason Hype: CB Taylor Wheatley (All-Big XII)
Specialists
Player |
Pos |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
Rating |
PAT |
FG |
FG Pct |
Punts |
Net Avg |
TB |
P I20 |
Nate Sanders |
K |
6-0, 218 |
So |
93 |
72 |
15 |
100% |
21 |
42.4 |
|
9 |
Marc Hines |
P |
5-10, 237 |
Jr |
92 |
|
|
|
8 |
44.4 |
43 K/O |
3 |
Starting placekicker Nate Sanders, a preseason All-American honoree, returns and will take over kickoff duties this year, after a perfect kicking record last season. Punter Marc Hines also returns, and looks to improve on his 44.4 yard average from last season.
Preseason Hype: K Nate Sanders (AA-2nd)