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WHAT TO WATCH
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Quarterback Ryan Willis looks to pass in a 2015 game.
Freshman wide reciever Steven Sims Jr. attempts to escape a Memphis defender on Sept. 12, 2015, against Memphis.
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5 things to watch for at Kansas Football Camp
▶ BRIAN MINI
@brianminimum
After a disappointing first season, coach David Beaty leads a slightly different looking Kansas team into 2016. From experience to personnel changes, here are five things to look for during fall camp.
Sophomore development
As an unfortunate result of injuries and depth issues, Kansas featured quite a few freshmen last year who will have significant roles in 2016. First, there's obvious names like quarterback Ryan Willis, who started eight games last season, or wide receiver Steven Sims Jr., whose 349 receiving yards were second on the team.
However, key contributors like guard Jacob Bragg (five starts last year) and defensive tackle Daniel Wise (seven starts and 3.5 sacks last year) could contribute to an improved Kansas team this year.
That's not even mentioning defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., who finished with five tackles for loss in addition to 3.5 sacks as a freshman. He has all but certainly earned a starting spot on the defensive line this year.
"It makes me feel different because last year I wasn't the guy to talk, to be vocal or anything," Armstrong said about the sophomore jump. "But now, as a team, the team has pushed the leadership thing on me so now I'm more vocal and get the team going a lot."
Speed
It's not exactly a secret that speed is an important
attribute for almost any team to focus on. However, Beaty is putting an extra emphasis on it this year.
The acquisition of junior transfer wide receiver LaQuvionte Gonzalez adds a much-needed speed boost to the receiving corps, which looks to be better than last year.
"We're going to be able to create ways to get him the ball. My challenge with him is to get him to understand that you don't have to do it all," Beaty said during his media day press conference.
The 2016 freshman class is also full of speed. Cornerback Kyle Mayberry might be one of, if not the, fastest player entering fall camp, which could lead to playing time on special teams.
Throw in redshirt junior quarterback Montell Cozart's return, along with the quickness of senior running back Ke'aun Kinner, sophomore running back Taylor Martin, and junior Joe Dineen Jr. and the Jayhawks have speed in all classes.
Quarterback battle
At that point, freshman Ryan Willis stepped in and broke the Kansas freshman record for passing yards in a season. During Willis' more successful outings, it seemed that he would be the simple choice to start the 2016 season.
Cozart was enjoying the best year of his college career before getting injured last October. Through just four games, he had already passed for a career-high 752 yards and completed 63 percent of his throws.
Beaty will have to choose between the more mobile, experienced and, most importantly, healthy Cozart
and the sophomore who threw for 1,719 yards as a freshman. Either way, a little competition will only improve whomever Beaty chooses to start against Rhode Island to open the season.
Offensive line
It's hard to run a successful offense when you give up 40 sacks in a season. Luckily, the 2016 Jayhawks are more experienced and healthier than they were a season ago. Last year, freshmen offensive linemen like Jacob Bragg, Clyde McCauley and Larry Hughes were forced into starting roles, which had mixed results, but often resulted in constant pressure on the quarterback.
Fall camp will be a crucial test to see if these sophomores can beat out the likes of senior tackle Jordan Shelley-Smith or junior guard Jayson Rhodes.
we're going to be able to create ways to get him the ball. My challenge with him is to get him to understand that you don't have to do it all"
David Beaty Kansas football coach
It'll be interesting to see how offensive line coach Zach Yenser tries to fix both the problems with run blocking and pass protection.
Having a healthy offensive line with Big 12 experience will make camp interesting for both the linemen and the rest of the offense behind them.
A lot of interesting things to watch for this fall will concern progression made by players and questions surrounding who will start at what position. Despite that, potentially the most important thing to watch at camp is the new Kansas coaching staff.
Beaty returns for his his second season but with a few new faces on his staff, some of which college football fans may already recognize.
New Coaches
New special teams coach Joe DeForest comes over from Big 12 foe West Virginia, while new defensive line coach Michael Slater and linebackers coach Todd Bradford arrive in Lawrence after coaching at Rice and Maryland respectively.
"Joe DeForest answers a lot of questions for us. Just having him here, the comfort level I have with him, I think that might answer your question a little bit more than anything," Beaty said during his press conference. "That guy's experience, watching him work with our team each day, I just appreciate him."
Then there's running back coach Tony Hull, who Beaty hired after Hull enjoyed nine successful seasons coaching high school football in New Orleans. All four new coaches will have their work cut out for them in 2016.
A Kansas linebacker makes a tackle against Southeast Missouri State.
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Coach David Beaty sends lineman Jordan Shelley-Smith into play.
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Offensive lineman Keyon Haughton, a senior from Baltimore, prepares to hike the ball.
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