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Originally published August 19, 2011 at 03:38p.m., updated August 20, 2011 at 12:48a.m.

Jordan Webb named KU’s starting quarterback

By Matt Tait

Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb looks over his receivers as he runs through plays with the offense during practice on Monday, April 11, 2011 at the KU practice fields.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb looks over his receivers as he runs through plays with the offense during practice on Monday, April 11, 2011 at the KU practice fields.

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Prairie Village — Last year, when Kansas University quarterback Jordan Webb walked into head coach Turner Gill’s office in late August, he left as the second-string QB.

Friday, Webb found himself in Gill’s office once again, and this time the news went his way, as Gill named the third-year sophomore from Union, Mo., his starting quarterback for 2011.

“Jordan has increased his talent as an overall quarterback,” Gill said Friday night at the Corinth Square pep rally in Prairie Village. “I’ve seen our players respond to him as a leader, and he’s earned it.”

After evaluating the position with offensive coordinator Chuck Long and wide receivers coach David Beaty, Gill called Webb and Quinn Mecham into his office Friday.

“I told ’em both at that point,” Gill said. “And I told ’em the reason why. Then I talked to each one of them individually after that.”

Asked how Webb received the news, Gill painted a picture of a player who reacted with maturity, something that proved to be huge in helping him win the job.

“He had a small smile on his face,” Gill said. “But he’s been on the other side of a decision like that, so there wasn’t gonna be any hootin’ and hollerin’ or anything like that. But I know he was definitely excited about it, and Quinn definitely congratulated him.”

Starting is nothing new for Webb. After opening last season behind Kale Pick — now one of Webb’s top receivers — Webb made seven starts and finished the year 121-of-214 passing for 1,195 yards and seven touchdowns. He also threw eight interceptions and appeared in nine games. Webb’s 1,195 passing yards were the second-most by a freshman in KU history, 20 yards fewer than former KU QB Mario Kinsey, who threw for 1,215 yards as a freshman in 2001.

During his first career start, a Week Two victory over 15th-ranked Georgia Tech, Webb was 18-of-29 for 179 yards and three TDs. He went on to start the next five games before being injured in a loss to Texas A&M. He then missed three games, appeared in relief in the fourth and started again in the season finale against Missouri.

Three quarterbacks played off-and-on for the Jayhawks last year, including Mecham, who started four games in Webb’s absence. Although that made it difficult for the KU offense to develop any rhythm, Gill said it could wind up helping the Jayhawks this year.

“Quinn’s our No. 2 quarterback,” Gill said. “And we feel very good about our two (quarterbacks) going into the first ballgame. They’re more experienced, they understand our offense, they understand our scheme a lot better, and they’re gonna be able to be more productive.”

Asked during the offseason where he had improved the most, Webb pointed to his maturity.

“My grading in the scrimmages and throughout practice has really shown that,” he said. “It has a lot to do with (being comfortable) in the offense and just knowing what the coaches want and just trying to execute that.”

The Jayhawks have two weeks of camp remaining before opening the season on Sept. 3 against McNeese State at Memorial Stadium.

Family Fun Fest today

After a spirited rally that drew hundreds of KU fans to Corinth Square in Prairie Village on Friday night, the Jayhawks will keep the fan-friendly weekend going today when they host the annual Family Fun Fest at Memorial Stadium. The action kicks off at 9:30 a.m., with the Fun Zone opening on the practice fields next to Memorial Stadium. That will be followed by an 11:30 a.m. scrimmage open to the public. Gates will open at 11, and all fans in attendance will receive a free Jayhawk license plate. The first 500 fans to show up will receive a free hot dog and popcorn. The scrimmage will be followed by an autograph session with KU players and coaches.

Jayhawks add tight end

Gill announced Friday afternoon that Longview, Texas, native Brandon Olson had joined the program. Olson, 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, was rated the 16th-best tight-end prospect in Texas last season and joins the Jayhawks after helping lead Longview High to an appearance in the 2010 Texas Class 5A state semifinals as well as trips to the state finals in 2008 and 2009. Olson joins the team as a member of the 2011 recruiting class.

Comments

beatnik 1 year, 9 months ago

congratulations

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rxdoc1973 1 year, 9 months ago

Here's hoping Webb has improved a ton from last season!

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Jhawk100 1 year, 9 months ago

Exactly, because we all know a RS FR rarely improves from his first year. Look at the OL he was playing behind and then name me one decent receiver that he had to throw to and tell me why anyone would have expected him to do anything at all last year.

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dagger108 1 year, 9 months ago

DP & DJ were/are fine, but as you said, the OL was far from it.

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rxdoc1973 1 year, 9 months ago

I didn't say the line was good. But neither was he. I'm hopeful he will play very well this season. I'm just scared that he is our best option that is all I'm saying. He looked so/so in the spring game not great. So yes I am hoping he has improved a lot. The OL was banged up and really bad last year too so lets hope the whole offense clicks this season. As for the receivers we had two pretty descent ones last year even though I feel like we are much better looking this season! I'm definitely hoping Webb has a great season. Don't read anything else into my original post other than that. I'll be there for McNeese and Baylor! Can't wait! Rock Chalk!

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Cmill1221 1 year, 9 months ago

Considering he still doesn't have anyone to throw to and still has a bad o-line here is hoping he has improved.

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79ictjhawk 1 year, 9 months ago

2 in passing yards for a Freshman QB in KU history. He has improved, more importantly, so has the OL.

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inteldesign 1 year, 9 months ago

And here is hoping that his protection has increased a ton!!! Thanks for the hard work, Jordan, Quinn. It will pay off.

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newjayhawk 1 year, 9 months ago

He deserves it. Good job Webb!

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notigers4me 1 year, 9 months ago

Way to go Jordan, keep up the hard work and lead this team.

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jhawkrulz 1 year, 9 months ago

Don't give up Cummings (who I was hoping for)....if we are down to McNeese state in the 3rd Qtr, HCTG might second guess his decision.

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Jhawk100 1 year, 9 months ago

The fact that you are judging Webb on his first action as a RS FR behind a horrid OL and absolutely no one to throw to, and expecting a kid like Cummings fresh out of HS with no D1 experience to come in and be the starter says to me you have no clue about the game of college football.

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jhawkrulz 1 year, 9 months ago

I actually was judging the season as a whole and noticed that we weren't competitve during the season.

My notes in previous message boards, is that Webb and Meacham did not hold us very well throughout the season. I was hoping that Cummings would win the job, because that would mean that he was head and shoulders above the other two and they would have to put him in. With Webb as the QB, I think we will improve, but not as much as we need to.

I watch a lot of football and understand the game. I also noticed that last year it was pretty clear that there were short comings everywhere, especially at the O-Line and QB positions. The question is always does the OL create the QB or the QB create the OL.

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rxdoc1973 1 year, 9 months ago

You're right on I think. If Cummings had one the job that would have been more impressive to me as he would have then been deemed better than anyone on our roster. That is saying that another year in the program and Cummings still comes in and beats you out he's gotta be a stud. Not to say he's not. I'm behind the team and Webb. I'm sure he is much improved over last season. He just wasn't who I was hoping would win the job. That is no disrespect to him. Either way I just hope the coaches continue to start the best player unless that means ripping off a redshirt in game 11.

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mvjayhawk 1 year, 9 months ago

i hope he keeps the gig, because that means he's winning some games. congrats to Jordan...let's just take of business in the opener this year.

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jmsuther 1 year, 9 months ago

Hopefully they did a little better job of evaluating than they did last year.

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kureader 1 year, 9 months ago

I wouldn't predict our record, but I think the Jayhawks will surprise us from time to time this year. I'll guarantee you the players and coaches are sick of the negative talk about their football team. They've added a number of good players this year, others are back from being injured, and they've all been working their butts off in the off season. I definitely expect them to scare up more wins than just McNeese State.

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HawkChalk29 1 year, 9 months ago

Congrats Jordan! You earned it! I'll be in Atlanta for the KU/GT game this year. Rock Chalk!

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jayhawkintexas 1 year, 9 months ago

"Jordan Webb Named KU's Starting Quarterback"--big whoop. Next thing ya know, the headlines will be "Turner Gill bans cell phones and girlfriends past 10:00 pm." If the headline were "KU signs 5 star quarterback--beats out Alabama, Texas, Auburn and LSU" then I would get excited. Come to think of it, a headline saying "Joe's Donuts to Re-Open" would get me excited, too.

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number1jayhawker 1 year, 9 months ago

Heard of Brock Berglund? 4* We beat CU plus OU asked him for a visit and he turned them down.

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cusack118 1 year, 9 months ago

I'm not sure I would call Berglund a success story quite yet.

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squawkhawk 1 year, 9 months ago

OU asks a lot of wanna bees for a visit. Offering a scholly is entirely different.

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truefan 1 year, 9 months ago

Also, the players are allowed to have cell phones this season.

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jhawkclassof02 1 year, 9 months ago

Douchebag. Fair weather fool. I bet you can't even remember when a 5'10" two star qb led us to the Orange Bowl. If it takes five stars to get you excited then you ought to root for UTs and OUs of the world. If you can't get excited during the tough times then I don't want you around when we're back to winning bowl games.

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squawkhawk 1 year, 9 months ago

The stars aligned for Reese. You must recall that KU had the weakest schedule in D1 that year and the Big 12 was considered to be at a weak point as well. Just look what happened last year with a tougher schedule. This my friend is KU football reality.

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DevilHawk 1 year, 9 months ago

We have a QB now. Time to focus on McNeese State so that we don't lose our "should win" game.

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squawkhawk 1 year, 9 months ago

I thought KSU was our "should win" game.

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jhawkclassof02 1 year, 9 months ago

being that you're a purp, then when you say "our" you must mean you're beating yourself. I guess those mildcats are good at beating themselves.

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kujayhox 1 year, 9 months ago

Congrats #2! I hope you have a good season so the hawks can have a good. ROCK CHALK!!!

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jayhawkintx73 1 year, 9 months ago

If the OL does just a decent job in protection, Kansas can keep the ball on offense for longer and we have some pretty good running backs that can keep the line backers from dropping into coverage on first and 2nd and longs. KU will definitely have more depth and experience this year. I kind of remember Todd Reesing against Colorado in 2006, and remember what happened the following year? That probably isn't going to happen this time around, but 5, 6 or maybe even 7 wins is possible this year with the addition of some speed that we lacked a year ago,and the guys seem to much more focused and they know what their expectations are if reading these articles up to this point.

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Geekinout 1 year, 9 months ago

Running game better be as strong as people are saying. I'm interested to see the play calling schemes this year that'll determine his chances of success. Calling wide receiver screens every other play last year got a little predictable.

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