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SPORTS
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KANSAN.COM
Key points from Big 12 Media Days
SHANE JACKSON
@JacksonShane3
Kansas coach David Beaty got his first chance to talk about his plan and display his passion for Kansas football on the national stage July 20. He did that and much more in his inaugural Big 12 Media Day in the Dallas Omni Hotel.
Here are two key points from the two-day event.
Michael Cummings update
Typically at media days, coaches steer away from revealing too much about their team in large part because camp is still two weeks away. However, Beaty did give an update on senior quarterback Michael Cummings who
tore his ACL in the spring game.
"[Cummings] had surgery in the middle of June, and I looked out of my window the other day and saw him throwing the ball already," Beaty said. "If anybody can make it back this year, it would be him."
Still, Beaty admitted the football program is looking at a sixth year of eligibility for Cummings. As of right now it appears junior quarterback Montell Cozart has the inside track to start in the season opener, but talented freshmen Ryan Willis, Carter Stanley and TJ Millweard will push him in camp.
Backfield depth
One of the few positions Beaty broke down was the running
back position. Even with the loss of sophomore Corey Avery due to violation of team rules, it appears Kansas will have plenty of talented running backs to hand the ball to.
"I've learned it is very difficult to make it through the season with one or two running backs," Beaty said. "We need every one of them; this is a tough league."
As of right now it looks as if DeAndre Mann, the leading returning rusher, has the upper leg on a talented group. Kansas also has talent with senior Taylor Cox coming back from an injury and Ke'Aunn Kinner, the reigning NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year, transferring from Navarro Junior College.
SHANE JACKSON/KANSAN
Kansas football coach David Beaty speaks at Big 12 Media Days in Dallas on Monday, July 20. Beaty said he is looking at a sixth year of eligibility for senior quarterback Michael Cummings.
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