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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL
OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
New players Jake Heaps and Justin McCay heighten anticipation for 2013 season
MAX GOODWIN
mgoodwin@kansan.com
Quarterbacks Charlie Weis has said that Jake Heaps, a transfer from Brigham Young University and five-star recruit, has been the hands-down favorite to quarterback the 2013 Kansas Jayhawks. While there is an immense amount of pressure on Heaps, he certainly has weapons around him. After his flight from BYU starting quarterback to losing the job and transferring to a school that wasn't in the picture in the beginning, Heaps takes on a new task. Revamping a desolate program with his image and his play. Before the season took off, he showed everything you want from a quarterback. We will make sure that this guy is who everyone says he is when he plants his foot on Kivisto Field on Sept. 7.
Running Backs
The one sure thing in this Kansas team? You pretty much know what you're going to get. You're going to get a running back in James Sims — one who looks better. growing each year he's been here. You're going to get one of the fastest running backs in the Big 12 Conference in Darrian Miller, who once battled Sims for the starting running back slot. After getting into some trouble, Miller is eager for a second chance. He will play the flanker position, also known as slot wide receiver, which is integrating into the offense this season. Two talented backs, Tony Pierson and Brandon Bourbon, look to guide Heaps and fill the "F" position. Pierson, who piled up more than 700 yards, is one of the premier talents. Now, thanks to a quarterback with a better grasp, Pierson can only improve. Now, spreading this talent will create some security for Heaps, who honestly needs as much as possible.
Wide Receivers/Tight ends
This position is one with major potential, but also many uncertainties. Receivers can be tough to judge and many fail. However, but many also prosper. The conversion rate is about 50/50. So when you look at the Kansas wide receiver corps, you see talent with heavy potential. Christian Matthews, a senior wide receiver, has had a good camp. Justin McCay, local product and five-star recruit, never clicked with the University of Oklahoma. Josh Ford could be a potential star pick. Coaches seemed to see his potential as a receiver during camp. Rodriquez Coleman and Tre Parmalee have breakaway speed,
but have yet to position themselves into the starting lineup. Perhaps the biggest weapon that could emerge from the receiving corps and develop winning team chemistry is tight end Jimmy Mundine. The tight end group is arguably better than the wide receiver position. This could be seen through Heaps' reliance on Mundine and junior tight end Trent Smiley, who played all 12 games and started three games at the "F" position.
Offensive Linemen -
Maybe the most essential positions on the roster are those that will help protect Heaps this season. The experienced bodies on the Kansas line show potential, but there are also new faces. Pat Lewandowski, who has switched positions from
defensive line to offensive linemen (center) had some trouble adjusting to the new experience at first, but has adjusted well, as coaches attest. Aslam Sterling—who went through a 75-pound weight loss metamorphosis—and Riley Spencer are the only two returnees this season. However, this group is full of junior college talent, including the likes of current starters Mike Smithburg and Ngalu Fusimalohi. Weis has talked about how this unit has second-stringers that can easily become starters. This is obvious by just glancing at the depth chart that includes junior college recruits like Pearce Slater and returning backups in Dylan Admire.
This group can easily surpass expectations if every team member cooperates and strives for success. If they do, this can become a competent offense—especially in regards to last year.
This offense has more depth than last season and while it's full of fresh faces, it has promising prospects that just weren't evident last year. Even if things don't go as planned for Heaps, the offensive linemen have one of the most loaded positions in the Big 12, and that fact alone will push them to a few extra wins.
— Edited by Chas Strobe
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