THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014
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PAGE 13C
Nigel King. senior wide receiver, works out at the Aug. 11 Kansas football practice
AARON GROENE/KANSAN
3 THOUGHTS FROM CAMP
1) This spread offense will make Kansas football fun to watch. I had a chance to watch this new offense a few days against no defense and I have to say it is something to watch out for. This will no doubt work best for Montell Cozart, who will value his speed, but the spread will especially benefit Tony Pierson. Pierson was lined up all over the field in this spread and it should be fun to watch how they use him.
2) This is the best wide receiver core in the Weis-era. Of course I know this isn't saying much since it seems as if Weis picked up students off Jayhawk Boulevard the past two years. When you look at this roster you can actually recognize these names. Seniors Justin McCay, Nick Harwell and Tony Pierson will lead the way. Add in recent senior transfer Nigel King and now this looks to be the strength of the offense.
3) James Sims will be forgotten. That may be going a little overboard, but what I mean is this backfield will still be good. Brandon Bourbon looks to be filling the shoes of the long lost Sims but behind him is a very deep backfield. Senior Taylor Cox and junior transfer DeAndre Mann will see plenty of time on the field this year. Even freshman running back Corey Avery is expected to see some playing time.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
1) KEVIN SHORT
After playing his first two years at nearby Fort Scott Community College, Short was redshirted last year at Kansas. During camp he was in a position battle at right corner with JaCorey Shepherd. Even if Short loses the battle, I fully expect him to mix in the secondary this year and have a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball. It's clear from talking with him that Short is a competitor and wants to see the field. He has the ability to make plays and should mix in some time as the kick returner.
2) NIGEL KING
King becoming a Jayhawk happened so fast. The former Maryland Terrapin was listed on the depth chart immediately on report day and looks to add to this already talented unit. He was expected to jump in day one and keep up with guys who had been here all spring. Coaches have raved about his ability to quickly adapt to everything. King possesses the talents and if he continues to understand this new offense, he should see the field immediately.
3 THOUGHTS FROM CAMP
1) There is a lot of improvement in the secondary. The secondary has all four returning starters for the 2014 season including 2014 Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year Isaiah Johnson, who led the Jayhawks with five interceptions. Also, the size of the corners have caught attention as the whole secondary is over 6 foot tall.
2) The Jayhawks only had one player earn All-Big 12 honors last season. That player was senior linebacker Ben Heeney, who was placed on the All-Big 12 second team. Weis said Heeney has taken younger linebacks under his wing such as highly recruited freshman Kyron Watson. Heeney will enter the 2014 season on the Bednarik watch list for the top linebacker in the country.
3) The offensive line brings back four of the five starters, and starting quarterback Montell Cozart said he's comfortable in the pocket with all the size protecting him — four of the five offensive linemen are over 300 pounds. The size of junior Larry Mazyck, who is a 6-foot-8, 360-pound junior college recruit, will help him compete for the starting left tackle job, and push senior lineman Pat Lewandowski, who was the center last season, back to center.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
1) COREY AVERY
The true freshman has been on campus for less than a month, but he's making his name heard. Corey Avery brings a lot of speed on the offensive side of the ball, and offensive coordinator John Reagan said he doesn't know if Avery will play running back or receiver. The Dallas native isn't on the two-deep depth chart, but watch for him to see playing time in the backfield and in the slot this season.
The Kansas backfield has been crowded this summer with a lot of competition. De'Andre Mann, who's a junior college recruit, stepped in this summer and has shown he can compete for the starting role. Mann is third on the depth chart behind seniors Brandon Bourbon and Taylor Cox, but Weis said Mann didn't come to Kansas to sit on the bench.
2) DE'ANDRE MANN
Defensive coordinator Clint Bowen and Weis said that Cassius Sendish is a natural leader and he's a voice of the defense. This season will be Sendish's second season starting at safety after two years at a junior college.
3) CASSIUS SENDISH
3 THOUGHTS FROM CAMP
1) Montell Cozart is ready to be a leader. He is really confident and composed. The past two seasons, the quarterback position has been somewhat of a mystery, but Cozart's game experience at Kansas last year gives him a great starting point. The 19-year-old from Kansas City, Mo., says he wants to be a "hometown hero."
2) The backfield is a crowded place. Seniors Brandon Bourbon and Taylor Cox have shown flashes of what they are capable of. Newcomers DeAndre Mann and Corey Avery will compete for time. Ultimately, the offense might settle into running back by committee.
3) John Reagan's new spread offense will not mean the team will become a one-dimensional passing team. Players have said the offense will open up the run game, too. Charlie Weis said the team will not throw 60 or 70 passes a game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
1) MONTELL COZART
This is probably the most obvious answer, but a big part of the team's success lies on his shoulders. He had accuracy problems last season, which he said he is working on. The offense needs a consistent quarterback.
2) CASSIUS SENDISH
The senior safety returns for his second year after transferring from junior college. He started all of the games last season, including one where he had 12 tackles. He leads an experienced secondary.
The wide receiver who ve recently transferred to Kansas is expected to make a big impact. The whole receiving corps needs to step up from last year.
3) NIGEL KING
3 THOUGHTS FROM CAMP 1) The defensive line is smaller than it was last season, but it could be more athletic. Defensive lineman Keon Stowers looks bigger and better than ever, though. He has NFL potential written all over him. Kansas needs the rest of the group to step up.
2) The offensive line is still in a state of flux. Nothing is set in stone on the first team, but they have some big bodies that look OK. We'll see how they come together chemistry-wise.
3) Kicker Matthew Wyman did not impress. Special teams play left a lot to be desired.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
1) KEVIN SHORT
CHECK OUT
KANSAN COM
As solid as Kansas' secondary was last season, we may have not yet seen the best it has to offer. Ineligible last season. Short enters 2014 at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and has a Aqib Talib-like lock-down potential.
2) COREY AVERY
Avery is quietly playing his way into the starting lineup. He keeps his pads low, has a nice burst and is strong — a Big 12 ready body at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds. He can be compared with former Kansas State running back John Hubert.
Editor's note: On Aug. 19, Athletics announced senior running backs Brandon Bourbon and Taylor Cox are out for the season with a torn ACL and torn Achiles tendon, respectively.
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AARON GROENE/KANSAN
Senior wide receiver Tony Pierson will be a jack-of-all-trades on offense, playing running back and wide receiver in different formations.
AARON GROENE/KANSAN
AARON GROENE/KANSAN Sophomore quarterback Montell Cozart, from nearby Kansas City, Mo., said he wants to be a hometown hero for Kansas.
AARON GROENE/KANSAN
Senior defensive players Victor Simmons (27) and Ben Heeney (31) take part in a pursuit drill during fall camp.
MARTON GREENKO ISRAEL
rsuit drill during fall camp.