KU's coaching staff has focused this season on versatile athletes that can play a variety of positions, and the early returns on this strategy have been high. Let's look at the three players, so far, that have publicly pledged to be Jayhawks.

DT
#8 #5ATH
 While "athlete" definitely fits the description for John Jackson, "versatile" he is not. Jackson is the #5 athlete according to the EA Sports Composite, but in his talks with the staff in Lawrence, they have only envisioned one position for him. There is a small chance, since he does play both lines in high school, that Jackson could be a hidden gem for the offensive line, but based on his scouting tape Jackson is going to be primarily, or solely, looked at for defensive tackle for the Jayhawks. He possesses good strength and a strong bull rush move, but more importantly Jackson knows how to gets his hands on the ball carrier and tracks the ball well. He could play either the 3-technique or a nose.


With several upperclassmen ahead of him, Jackson will be allowed to get a year of strength & conditioning in before he's needed on the field. Jackson chose KU over UCF, UMass, Tennessee and Alabama. Jackson projects as a 78 OVR DT.
HB
QB
WR
FS
#215 #39ATH		 I promised you versatile athletes, and Chris Hall delivers. Based on the EA Sports Composite, Hall isn't as highly thought of as his contemporaries Jackson and Cronin, but Hall is the most versatile of them all. Hall has lined up at FS, WR, QB and HB for his high school and 7-on-7 teams, and he could easily be envisioned lining up at any of the same four positions in Lawrence. As a safety, Hall possesses the range to play centerfield and the willingness to hit of a player twice his size. As a wide receiver he comes with a good first step and decent all around receiving skills. As a quarterback, Hall would have a stronger arm than any of the other players on the roster except Maynard, but his accuracy is even better. But Hall really shines as a quarterback when the play breaks down and he uses his legs. Hall not only possesses a Johnny Football-like ability to make players miss, but he has a willingness to go through them that few this side of Cam Newton possess. It's a disservice to a young man to compare him to two Heisman winners, and I'm not suggesting that he will become a Heisman candidate. But it serves to show what a rare mix of talent Hall possesses. Because he is best using his legs, Hall will most likely line up to the right of the quarterback, though you can easily imagine that he could take Wildcat snaps as well.


Hall will likely redshirt regardless of position, though with lack of depth at the halfback position he could be used as a true freshman there. Hall received limited interest from Houston and Arkansas State, but no other commitable offers. Hall projects as a 74 OVR FS, 74 OVR WR, 79 OVR QB and 79 OVR HB.
QB
WR
#2 #1ATH
 Last season, KU was able to sign Bryan Howard, the #1 athlete in the country and #1 overall player. This season they could only manage the #2 player in the country, but once again they brought in the #1 athlete. Cronin could easily line up outside at the X position, but his most likely spot on the field is behind center. Cronin's combination of speed and accuracy could be a fit playing to the strengths of the KU offense, which used the legs of the quarterback to take down Oklahoma this week. Cronin's accuracy-first passing would be a departure from current starter Adam Maynard, but presumed starter-to-be Brad Johnson Jr. has a similarly accurate arm.


Cronin will take a redshirt season and then be in line to compete. He chose KU over UCF. Cronin projects as an 80 OVR WR and 82 OVR QB.


Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed
David Cronin QB (ATH)
82 (QB) Week 6
Chris Hall HB (ATH)
79 (HB) Week 6
Josh Jackson DT (ATH)
78 (DT) Week 6