QB-Willis, Cozart
LT-Rhodes, JSS/McCauley
LG-Bragg, McCauley
OC-Gibson, Ribordy
RG-Banks, Clark
RT-Hughes, McCauley
RB-Kinner, Evans
TE-Johnson, Sternberger
WR-Gonzalez, Hartzog
WR-Booker, Fairs
WR-Sims or Patrick
Investing in guys like Stanford and the kid I'm too lazy to look up from UAB hurt the development of some guys as those were reps lost. Booker and Gonzalez could be an average 1-2 in this league but definitely is a drop off from there as Sims gives up so much in size that you will see huge issues in downfield blocking, which separates ok to good/great air raid teams.
Johnson and Sternberger are likely to get many reps if for no other reason, I don't think we have 4 legit Big 12 WRs to always contribute. Fairs is going to be a very good player for us but it is still early for him. I think the value of the TEs this year is more for blocking in the passing game at the second level than it is catching passes.
I think a position battle of value that hasn't been discussed much is the 3rd string RB spot. That will be a guy that surely gets time b/c history says KU RBs will miss time. Taylor and Herbert both have ample speed but who is able to block in passing game and hold onto the ball might be the most important thing.
When you start to look at the actual OL depth chart, you realize it is still extremely thin. Beaty made it clear in the spring Rhodes was the best OL and with his ability to play LT, you have to think Beaty wants his QB to take less pressure. I think Ribordy will be the guy by next August, not sure when that happens though. JSS is a good kid, just don't think he helps in any role so him playing is likely a sign of injuries. RT could be a fun battle. I can easily draw up the situation in my mind that McCauley never starts at LT again at KU even though he was the starter as a true freshman. Saulsbury might find his way as a back up guard.
QB...blah blah, my pick is the guy that looked like a QB last year, not a kid that is only a dink/dunk thrower.
LT-Rhodes, JSS/McCauley
LG-Bragg, McCauley
OC-Gibson, Ribordy
RG-Banks, Clark
RT-Hughes, McCauley
RB-Kinner, Evans
TE-Johnson, Sternberger
WR-Gonzalez, Hartzog
WR-Booker, Fairs
WR-Sims or Patrick
Investing in guys like Stanford and the kid I'm too lazy to look up from UAB hurt the development of some guys as those were reps lost. Booker and Gonzalez could be an average 1-2 in this league but definitely is a drop off from there as Sims gives up so much in size that you will see huge issues in downfield blocking, which separates ok to good/great air raid teams.
Johnson and Sternberger are likely to get many reps if for no other reason, I don't think we have 4 legit Big 12 WRs to always contribute. Fairs is going to be a very good player for us but it is still early for him. I think the value of the TEs this year is more for blocking in the passing game at the second level than it is catching passes.
I think a position battle of value that hasn't been discussed much is the 3rd string RB spot. That will be a guy that surely gets time b/c history says KU RBs will miss time. Taylor and Herbert both have ample speed but who is able to block in passing game and hold onto the ball might be the most important thing.
When you start to look at the actual OL depth chart, you realize it is still extremely thin. Beaty made it clear in the spring Rhodes was the best OL and with his ability to play LT, you have to think Beaty wants his QB to take less pressure. I think Ribordy will be the guy by next August, not sure when that happens though. JSS is a good kid, just don't think he helps in any role so him playing is likely a sign of injuries. RT could be a fun battle. I can easily draw up the situation in my mind that McCauley never starts at LT again at KU even though he was the starter as a true freshman. Saulsbury might find his way as a back up guard.
QB...blah blah, my pick is the guy that looked like a QB last year, not a kid that is only a dink/dunk thrower.
