Kansas Football 2022 Season

[CrimsonNBlue]

Great set of RB's, no doubt, but we've had some damn good ones since Mangino was fired.

I'm more excited about the experience and continuity of the OL. Second half of last season was the first good OL play we have seen since 2009ish.

The RB talent that has come through here has kind of been insanely good. Just nothing else was good.

It's always been my theory that every D1 program has good RB's. They are a dime a dozen and size might matter the least at that position than any other in terms of having an impact, especially at the college level.

What KU could offer, though: playing time.

[UnholyLivingDead]

I don't think it can be overstated just how much progress Leipold and crew have made in the span of year as far as getting the roster configured the way they want it. They have retooled just about every position to get it where they like it to run the stuff they want to run. This is how valuable the transfer portal is to a team undergoing such a massive (and seemingly never-ending) rebuild.

So many players transferring to KU have spent time and played for power 5 teams. All the players transferring out of KU are headed to group of 5 or FCS teams. That says a lot. Even Leipold said at Big 12 media days that they were pleased to get through the transfer window without losing anyone from the two-deep.

[CrimsonNBlue]

There were a ton of players that were not D-1 caliber.

But, Les was also in the position of needing to fill scholarships just to have spring ball and field a team.

IIRC, the number of scholarship players when Beaty left was in the 40's. Unreal.

[NewtonHawk11]

There were a ton of players that were not D-1 caliber.

But, Les was also in the position of needing to fill scholarships just to have spring ball and field a team.

IIRC, the number of scholarship players when Beaty left was in the 40's. Unreal.

Yep. Think Les got it close to the mid-60s and if I'm not mistaken, Leipold hoping to have a full 85 by 2023 season, but I don't exactly remember.

[CrimsonNBlue]

And new scholarship limit rule per class is on the horizon, I believe.

[UnholyLivingDead]

And new scholarship limit rule per class is on the horizon, I believe.

Yep, the 25-player limit is going away. Jeff Long sucked so bad but the one thing he got right was being one of the first to champion such a rule change.

[Sparko]

Some great posts. Appreciated reading them. I am also wanting Bean to have some touches. Maybe Wildcat options, but I prefer flanker routes like Hardman runs on the Chiefs

[NewtonHawk11]

Next up:
Offensive Line

A dramatic improvement on the performance of the OL from 2021 compared to recent years. KU was something like bottom of P5 in sacks allowed. In 2021, I think they were top 5. Gave up just 16 sacks in 12 games. For reference, they gave up 43 in 9 games in 2020. The running game was significantly better too with the new blocking scheme. Fuchs taught the guys the zone blocking scheme on the fly and it did wonders for them. I imagine they'll only get better with spring ball.

Mike Novitsky at Center as a RS-Senior. Is named to the best center preseason watch list in CFB every year. He's damn good. A bigger center at 6'5 but he uses leverage extremely well and is mobile to reach a 3 tech DT for the zone blocking scheme.
Michael Ford Jr started 11 of 12 games at RG. Transferred from Buffalo.
Armaj Reed-Adams the likely starter at LG as a RS-Soph. Played more in 2020 than he did in 2021, but has the experience and size.
Earl Bostick at LT. Super-Senior. Big body guy who first came here as a TE or DE and transitioned by previous staff to OL and he's been the LT ever since. Started all 12 games in 2021. Should get All-Big 12 honors.
Bryce Cabeldue at RT. Another bigger body who started all 12 games at RT in 2021. Still just a RS-Soph.

If you see a trend, 4 of the 5 guys returning started at least 11 of the 12 games. They were extremely healthy last year and that continuity paid off. Give credit to strength staff for having those guys ready to go every week and staying healthy.

Have to maintain that level of health to again be considered a top OL in the Big 12.

Position grade: B+
A top 5 or so unit in Big 12. The improvement was extremely noticeable especially without a spring ball. They should be a better unit with more time to practice. Obviously, they make the entire team go. Can't do much with a shitty OL.

[UnholyLivingDead]

Good overview of the OL. I'd like to add that this unit probably deserves a good chunk of the credit for helping last year's team became much less penalized that the last few years. The Beaty era especially was characterized by stupid mental mistakes along the line so it's extremely refreshing to see that cleaned up as well as returning a super experienced group. If they take another step forward this year, we can be competitive. That might still only mean 3 wins but being in it every week helps.

[NewtonHawk11]

Next up:

Tight Ends
So Leipold and Co utilize the TE position more than any recent KU coach. Whether they're in the backfield in an H back type of role, on the line or in the slot, they are an integral part of the offense.

The room is actually a really good one.
The starter is going to be Mason Fairchild. Local kid out of Andale. Good size and a really good blocker.
The next up is probably going to be the darling, Jared Casey. Obviously the Texas game winning catch and some TDs and 1 handed catches in the games after that make him a favorite. His 6ft frame is smaller for a TE, but he does great as a blocker in the backfield as well as being a guy with some sure hands. Will play a lot.
Trevor Kardell is probably the most underrated TE in the room. Played in 11 of the 12 games. Had a 44 yard catch against TCU near the end of the year. Also on the baseball team. Just a good athlete.
Will Huggins has never quite caught on. Injuries have hurt that as well as a change of system. He would have been much better in a spread scheme where he can be a guy that is out in space. 6'7 and could be a good redzone threat. Just hasn't gotten it going yet.
Brought in Tevita Noa from the JUCO ranks. Not a prolific guy. Good blocker and can be a decent route runner. Brought in for depth more than likely though.

Have some other walk-ons to fill in for depth.

Position Grade: B-
A solid 3 TEs that would play probably on any Big 12 team. Right around average for the conference, I think.

Should be fun to see the TE continued to be used all over the offense. As H Backs, on the line, in the slot and more. Will Jared Casey continue his journey to being a stud, or will he fall back to earth a bit? I think he'll continue to improve. He just needed an opportunity and he ran with it. In the last 2 games where he started, he had 101 yards with 2 TDs.

[UnholyLivingDead]

This is a good breakdown of what the guys at 24/7Sports feel is KU's most important position battle.
Spoiler: it's linebacker

[hartjack8]

The linebacker room got a lot better. Lorenzo McCaskill is most likely instant starter. I like all three transfers and we adding them to Miller and Potter. Watching everything that happened since LY this has got the most protentional. If sometime this year you think "WTF??? We have a defense!" It will be most likely because of this group right here.

[twocoach]

I watched a lot of KU linebackers get dusted by receivers and running backs last year. Hopefully the new bodies are an upgrade and KU can stop getting obliterated after halftime.

[twocoach]

Next up:
Offensive Line

A dramatic improvement on the performance of the OL from 2021 compared to recent years. KU was something like bottom of P5 in sacks allowed. In 2021, I think they were top 5. Gave up just 16 sacks in 12 games. For reference, they gave up 43 in 9 games in 2020. The running game was significantly better too with the new blocking scheme. Fuchs taught the guys the zone blocking scheme on the fly and it did wonders for them. I imagine they'll only get better with spring ball.

Mike Novitsky at Center as a RS-Senior. Is named to the best center preseason watch list in CFB every year. He's damn good. A bigger center at 6'5 but he uses leverage extremely well and is mobile to reach a 3 tech DT for the zone blocking scheme.
Michael Ford Jr started 11 of 12 games at RG. Transferred from Buffalo.
Armaj Reed-Adams the likely starter at LG as a RS-Soph. Played more in 2020 than he did in 2021, but has the experience and size.
Earl Bostick at LT. Super-Senior. Big body guy who first came here as a TE or DE and transitioned by previous staff to OL and he's been the LT ever since. Started all 12 games in 2021. Should get All-Big 12 honors.
Bryce Cabeldue at RT. Another bigger body who started all 12 games at RT in 2021. Still just a RS-Soph.

If you see a trend, 4 of the 5 guys returning started at least 11 of the 12 games. They were extremely healthy last year and that continuity paid off. Give credit to strength staff for having those guys ready to go every week and staying healthy.

Have to maintain that level of health to again be considered a top OL in the Big 12.

Position grade: B+
A top 5 or so unit in Big 12. The improvement was extremely noticeable especially without a spring ball. They should be a better unit with more time to practice. Obviously, they make the entire team go. Can't do much with a shitty OL.

With so many offensive units getting such high scores from you, does that mean you think KU will dramatically improve their Big 12 worst (by a wide margin) offense?

[Sparko]

I am hearing pundits jump on the KU train a little. Deservedly so. Lance is working methodically upgrading and filling holes. I was pretty upset after the Duke and Baylor games last year when it was obvious that the defense remained slow and porous--especially on the short passes, QB runs and jet sweeps. That was always the plan beating KU, allowing one on one bursts and allowing talent deficits to snowball. A good defense takes something away.

[UnholyLivingDead]

There are a couple Baylor guys I have read/heard that love KU right now and are big Leipold fans. One even went on a podcast this week and said he'd be willing to pick KU to win 5-6 games. I still think that's far too optimistic this early in the process but things are steadily improving.

[NewtonHawk11]

Next up:
Offensive Line

A dramatic improvement on the performance of the OL from 2021 compared to recent years. KU was something like bottom of P5 in sacks allowed. In 2021, I think they were top 5. Gave up just 16 sacks in 12 games. For reference, they gave up 43 in 9 games in 2020. The running game was significantly better too with the new blocking scheme. Fuchs taught the guys the zone blocking scheme on the fly and it did wonders for them. I imagine they'll only get better with spring ball.

Mike Novitsky at Center as a RS-Senior. Is named to the best center preseason watch list in CFB every year. He's damn good. A bigger center at 6'5 but he uses leverage extremely well and is mobile to reach a 3 tech DT for the zone blocking scheme.
Michael Ford Jr started 11 of 12 games at RG. Transferred from Buffalo.
Armaj Reed-Adams the likely starter at LG as a RS-Soph. Played more in 2020 than he did in 2021, but has the experience and size.
Earl Bostick at LT. Super-Senior. Big body guy who first came here as a TE or DE and transitioned by previous staff to OL and he's been the LT ever since. Started all 12 games in 2021. Should get All-Big 12 honors.
Bryce Cabeldue at RT. Another bigger body who started all 12 games at RT in 2021. Still just a RS-Soph.

If you see a trend, 4 of the 5 guys returning started at least 11 of the 12 games. They were extremely healthy last year and that continuity paid off. Give credit to strength staff for having those guys ready to go every week and staying healthy.

Have to maintain that level of health to again be considered a top OL in the Big 12.

Position grade: B+
A top 5 or so unit in Big 12. The improvement was extremely noticeable especially without a spring ball. They should be a better unit with more time to practice. Obviously, they make the entire team go. Can't do much with a shitty OL.

With so many offensive units getting such high scores from you, does that mean you think KU will dramatically improve their Big 12 worst (by a wide margin) offense?

Yes. Offense will be improved. Just wait on other units though. It won’t be pretty.

[NewtonHawk11]

Next on the list:

Wide Receivers

The weakest room on the offensive side of the ball.
Familiar faces: LJ Arnold, Luke Grimm, Steven McBride and Trevor Wilson.
Transfer: Doug Emilien from Minnesota. Minnesota returned all their receivers and he has a relationship with Ky Thomas. Don't know what to expect.
Some names in the program, but unproven: Tanaka Scott has had some good things from spring ball and summer workouts. Kevin Terry was in line to be a rotational piece last year before a leg injury took out his 2021 season.

That's about it. It's a really light room. Lots of unknowns. Again, there will be a lot of times KU is only in a 1 WR or 2 WR set, so we don't need to be crazy deep as they won't run 4 WR sets often.

Position Grade: D+

Kwamie Lassiter was the safety blanket on so many 3rd downs last year. He's with the Bengals now and the room is just so light on experience and depth. It's a bottom unit in the Big 12.

[NewtonHawk11]

Offensive side of the ball is complete. Time for Defense.

Defensive Line:
A pretty underrated group, but a good group overall.

Returners of note:
Eddie Wilson, Caleb Taylor, Jereme Robinson, Jelani Arnold, Ronald McGee, Kenean Caldwell, Zion DeBose, Caleb Sampson, Malcolm Lee, Sam Burt.
Transfers in:
Lonnie Phelps from Miami Ohio

Guys who haven't contributed yet but could:
D'Marion Alexander, DJ Withers

Overall, like I said, a decent group. They needed to replace Kyron Johnson and they did that somewhat with Lonnie Phelps. Had 9.5 sacks last year and was 2nd team All-MACtion.

Position Grade: B-
Lots of depth, which is key. Good range of talent too. Quite a few RS Senior or Super-Seniors, but lots of guys who contributed last year that are sophomores and juniors too. Average Big 12 unit. Probably somewhere around 7th. Again, depth is key. Other programs may have better top tier guys, but KU seems to have really good depth from top to bottom. Every player listed was either a top recruit or has shown some good results at the CFB level.

[UnholyLivingDead]

This is the closest thing we've had to a sure thing at the start of fall practice since Reesing was here.