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Ke'aun Kinner will anchor revamped run game for KU football this year after healthy offseason
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File Photo/KANSAN
Running back Ke'aun Kinner runs for a touchdown versus Memphis on Sept. 12, 2015.
► WESLEY DOTSON
@WesleyDee23
Last season, senior running back Ke'aun Kinner made quite an impression on the Kansas football program after the first two games.
The junior college transfer totaled 270 rushing yards and three touchdowns in those games, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
But, after rapidly becoming a rising star on offense, he encountered a roadblock: A torn labrum that diminished his production the last 10 games of the season.
In fact, Kinner played just about all of last season with that torn labrum, not to mention a deep thigh contusion he suffered in a game against Iowa State on October 3.
Kinner recorded just 296 rushing yards and two touchdowns over his last 10 games. But he can put that rough end to 2015 behind him.
After a healthy offseason, coach David Beaty believes Kinner is poised for a strong 2016 campaign.
"He looks a lot different to me," Beaty said. "He is hard to tackle right now and that is going to go well for us."
The Jayhawks ranked last in the Big 12 in rush offense last season, recording only 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kinner must play a large part in the rushing attack this season for that to see improvement.
However, Kinner isn't the only back that could produce at a high level this season.
Beaty has praised the job running backs coach Tony Hull has done with the group this offseason, and believes they should be able to perform.
"Right now, they are hard to tackle," Beaty said. "The first defense had a hard time making a tackle on most of those guys. I like their speed — every one of them can run. I like the way they are being coached."
Notable players to keep tabs on are freshman Khalil Herbert, who has impressed in fall camp, and sophomore Taylor Martin.
Martin ran for 42 yards on 16 carries in limited action last season.
"Taylor Martin has matured so much and is such a talented guy," Beaty said. "Khalil Herbert is ultra-talented. He is as good as some of the ones we have been around."
Their growth and maturation can also be partly
credited to junior Denzell Evans, who will have to sit out this season after transferring from Arkansas.
Evans, a former threestar recruit and SEC product, will bring vital experience and guidance to a younger running back corps.
"Honestly, Denzell Evans has been a real calming force for us in that room in terms of helping those guys understand how to work," Beaty said.
Coming together collectively as a unit in the rushing game will be key for a revamped attack this season.
There's no doubt Kinner will play the biggest role in how the Jayhawks perform on the ground, but it will fare well for the team if the younger backs can excel early in their collegiate careers.
"I love the way that those guys focus," Beaty said. "They are not a real talkative group, they just kind of go to work each day."
The Jayhawks will need that approach to continue during the season in order for the group to shine like it potentially can, and should.
- Edited by Brendan Dzwierzynski
Kansas football defensive preview: Newfound depth and experience aid in rebuilding unit
BRIAN MINI
@brianminimum
Even when the offense got the job done against teams like South Dakota State and Memphis, Kansas football's porous defense last year played a significant role in all 12 losses.
At 46.1 points allowed per game, Kansas had the worst scoring defense of any Football Bowl Subdivision team. After losing just three starters from its defense and adding defensive line coach Michael Slater and linebackers coach Todd Bradford, the 2016 Kansas defense is primed for an improvement.
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. attempts to tackle Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes in a 2015 game.
Defensive Line Key Returners: Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jacky Dezir, Damani Mosby, D.J. Williams, Daniel Wise Key losses: Ben Goodman, Corey King
"He's a big dude," David Beaty said on signing day. "He's quick off the ball. He can be disruptive in the middle. We really do need that."
Bean was ranked as a three-star recruit by ESPN out of high school, but might need time to develop and bulk up to adapt to the college game. Davis could potentially have the most impact of the three early in his Kansas career.
In addition to adding Michael Slater to the coaching staff, newcomers such as freshman Isaiah Bean and JUCO transfers DeeIsaac Davis and Isi Holani have a chance to make an impact on the 2016 defensive line.
Kansas also returns a sizable amount of talent, with Armstrong leading the pack.
In 2015, Kansas gave up 267 rushing yards per game, so stuffing the run will be crucial to getting back into the win column.
As a freshman, he started five games while appearing in all 12. He ended the season with 3.5 sacks and is listed as a member of Phil Steele's Preseason Big 12 Team (fourth team).
That will start with the defensive tackles.
Wise had a similar story to Armstrong in that he was thrust into a starting role and ended up looking impressive at times. He matched Armstrong's sack total and will likely compete for a starting spot this season.
As a unit, there should be a clear improvement over last year. Losing Goodman hurts, but a more experienced line more than makes up for it.
Linebackers
Key returners: Joe
Dineen Jr., Marcquis
Roberts, Courtney Arnick
Key Losses: None
Secondary
In what was the most surprising defensive unit last season, the Jayhawks return their main contributors this season.
Key returners: Bazie Bates IV, Chevy Graham, Tyrone Miller Jr., Marnez Ogletree, Tevin Shaw, Fish Smithson, Brandon Stewart
After finishing with just five tackles his freshman year, the former Free State High School running back-turned-linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. exploded for 86 tackles and three sacks. The junior will be a key member of the defense and will provide some leadership on that side of the ball.
Added to this already tough group is highly regarded freshman Maciah Long who Beaty said "could be one of the great leaders developing our program from this point moving forward."
Roberts' play was less surprising, especially given his status as a three-star recruit out of high school and his experience as a starter at South Carolina, but he was another key member of the defense who will enter his senior year after a 71-tackle performance last season.
"It should be fun to be out there," Roberts said at media day. "I feel very confident, we've all come very far."
File Photo/KANSAN 2015 game.
Key losses: Michael Glatczak
The secondary has great depth, but is very top heavy when it comes to talent.
Smithson is the star of this secondary, if not the entire defense. He led the NCAA in solo tackles last season and while he might not be the most talented safety in the Big 12, his numbers show he gets the job done like one.
Joining Smithson at the safety position is going to be a combination of Tyrone Miller Jr., a sophomore who has moved from corner to safety this offseason, and senior Bazie Bates IV. Tevin Shaw, who shined against Rutgers and Texas Tech but doesn't particularly do anything at an elite level, will play nickel back — a sort of do-it-all on the defense — just as he did last year.
The cornerback position is what will make or break the pass defense this year and Beaty has some interesting options this season.
Stewart and Ogletree are near locks because of their experience, although the
Lee was ranked as a four-star recruit by Rivals and could very well compete for some playing time early in the season. He's the first four-star Kansas recruit since 2014.
Kansas knows what it's getting with both Stewart and Ogletree, but if junior receiver convert Derrick Neal makes a jump
or a freshman impresses enough to earn playing time, defensive coordinator Clint Bowen might be able to put together a much improved secondary from a year ago.
Prior to the spring, Kyle Mayberry was tabbed as the freshman cornerback to watch, and even the freshman at large to watch. But that may have changed when class of 2017 cornerback Mike Lee arrived in Lawrence a year early.
-Edited by Matt Clough
influx of young talent could make their way into a starting position at some point.
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