Moving on to the RBs
RETURNING
Ke'aun Kinner (SR, 5' 9" 191 lbs): 134 carries, 566 yards rushing, 4.2 ypc, 5 TDs, 16 catches, 147 yards receiving, 9.2 ypr
Mike Zunica (SR, 5' 11" 231 lbs): no stats, but earned honorable mention All Big 12 at FB last year
JJ Jolaoso (SR, 5' 10" 205 lbs): no stats
Ryan Schadler (SO, 5' 11" 191 lbs): 20 carries, 100 yards rushing, 5.0 ypc
Taylor Martin (SO, 5' 10" 200 lbs): 16 carries, 42 yards rushing, 2.6 ypc
Reese Randall (SO, 5' 11" 216 lbs): no stats
LOST
De'Andre Mann (5' 9" 205 lbs): 76 carries, 387 yards rushing, 5.1 ypc, 1 TD, 10 catches, 76 yards receiving, 7.6 ypr
Taylor Cox (5' 11" 206 lbs): 79 carries, 231 yards rushing, 2.9 ypc, 2 TDs, 8 catches, 48 yards receiving, 6 ypr
Preston Randall (6' 1" 193 lbs): 1 carry, 3 yards rushing, 3 ypc
ADDED
**Denzell Evans (JR, 5' 11" 217 lbs)
James Sullivan (JR, 5' 11" 193 lbs)
Khalil Herbert (FR, 5' 9" 195 lbs)
Deron Thompson (JR, 5' 9" 180 lbs)
BREAKDOWN
While recognizing football is a team sport and it takes more than one guy to make or break a team, I think Kinner is the most indispensable player on the team. If he stays healthy, I think he is easily a 1,000+ yard rusher this upcoming season. Also likely a 30+ catch guy. Will have some competition, but if healthy, my guess is he would be the team's offensive MVP. So I think it is critical Kinner has a healthy season. If he is injured again, we have some options, but think we start passing the ball a lot more. If Denzell Evans arrives on campus, he will be a solid compliment to Kinner and should be the team's #2 RB. If Taylor Martin adds some skill and toughness to his speed, he could challenge Evans for this role. Martin can really fly, he just has to learn the ins and outs of the RB position a little more before he can be counted on to have an expanded role. The newcomer Khalil Herbert will also get his chance to earn some carries. Schadler is another guy that can give the team a couple of carries per game. Then there is the walk on transfer James Sullivan, who looked OK in the Spring Game and also might be able to handle a few carries per game. Thanks to Music City for pointing this out, but also need to mention Mike Zunica at FB. At times last year they would rotate a TE like Ben Johnson back at FB, so think we could see that again, but Zunica has been an effective FB for us earning some post season recognition for is work at FB last year. A little bit of a wild card here could be who is playing QB. If it is one of Cozart/Ford/Stanley/Starks that could be an extra 10 or so carries per game. That's not to say Willis can't run, just think these other guys would run the ball more than Willis if they are the QB. There is potential with the group, but it is a must that Kinner stays healthy in order for KU to have a chance at surprising some teams this year, IMO.
RETURNING
Ke'aun Kinner (SR, 5' 9" 191 lbs): 134 carries, 566 yards rushing, 4.2 ypc, 5 TDs, 16 catches, 147 yards receiving, 9.2 ypr
Mike Zunica (SR, 5' 11" 231 lbs): no stats, but earned honorable mention All Big 12 at FB last year
JJ Jolaoso (SR, 5' 10" 205 lbs): no stats
Ryan Schadler (SO, 5' 11" 191 lbs): 20 carries, 100 yards rushing, 5.0 ypc
Taylor Martin (SO, 5' 10" 200 lbs): 16 carries, 42 yards rushing, 2.6 ypc
Reese Randall (SO, 5' 11" 216 lbs): no stats
LOST
De'Andre Mann (5' 9" 205 lbs): 76 carries, 387 yards rushing, 5.1 ypc, 1 TD, 10 catches, 76 yards receiving, 7.6 ypr
Taylor Cox (5' 11" 206 lbs): 79 carries, 231 yards rushing, 2.9 ypc, 2 TDs, 8 catches, 48 yards receiving, 6 ypr
Preston Randall (6' 1" 193 lbs): 1 carry, 3 yards rushing, 3 ypc
ADDED
**Denzell Evans (JR, 5' 11" 217 lbs)
James Sullivan (JR, 5' 11" 193 lbs)
Khalil Herbert (FR, 5' 9" 195 lbs)
Deron Thompson (JR, 5' 9" 180 lbs)
BREAKDOWN
While recognizing football is a team sport and it takes more than one guy to make or break a team, I think Kinner is the most indispensable player on the team. If he stays healthy, I think he is easily a 1,000+ yard rusher this upcoming season. Also likely a 30+ catch guy. Will have some competition, but if healthy, my guess is he would be the team's offensive MVP. So I think it is critical Kinner has a healthy season. If he is injured again, we have some options, but think we start passing the ball a lot more. If Denzell Evans arrives on campus, he will be a solid compliment to Kinner and should be the team's #2 RB. If Taylor Martin adds some skill and toughness to his speed, he could challenge Evans for this role. Martin can really fly, he just has to learn the ins and outs of the RB position a little more before he can be counted on to have an expanded role. The newcomer Khalil Herbert will also get his chance to earn some carries. Schadler is another guy that can give the team a couple of carries per game. Then there is the walk on transfer James Sullivan, who looked OK in the Spring Game and also might be able to handle a few carries per game. Thanks to Music City for pointing this out, but also need to mention Mike Zunica at FB. At times last year they would rotate a TE like Ben Johnson back at FB, so think we could see that again, but Zunica has been an effective FB for us earning some post season recognition for is work at FB last year. A little bit of a wild card here could be who is playing QB. If it is one of Cozart/Ford/Stanley/Starks that could be an extra 10 or so carries per game. That's not to say Willis can't run, just think these other guys would run the ball more than Willis if they are the QB. There is potential with the group, but it is a must that Kinner stays healthy in order for KU to have a chance at surprising some teams this year, IMO.
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