KU’s first depth chart of season includes revelations, options

By Benton Smith     Aug 29, 2016

Mike Yoder
Kansas quarterback Carter Stanley tosses a pass during KU's Fan Appreciation Day practice on Saturday, August 20th at Memorial Stadium.

The Kansas football team’s first official depth chart of the season contained a few surprises — including three names for KU’s possible starting quarterback — when it first became public Monday afternoon.

On offense, according to the chart, Kansas could start redshirt junior Montell Cozart, sophomore Ryan Willis or redshirt freshman Carter Stanley at QB for the season opener at 6 p.m. Saturday versus Rhode Island.

The backfield options continue at running back, where senior Ke’aun Kinner, sophomore Taylor Martin and junior Denzell Evans are listed as conceivable first-stringers.

At the other skill positions, KU’s projected starters are junior receivers Bobby Hartzog Jr. and LaQuvionte Gonzalez, sophomore receiver Jeremiah Booker and junior tight end Ben Johnson.

Sophomore Steven Sims jr. is a second-unit receiver and redshirt freshman tight end Jace Sternberger will back up Johnson.

John Young
Kansas senior linebacker Marcquis Roberts, right, and junior linebacker Joe Dineen, Jr. work on defensive drills during practice at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016.

Some either/or possibilities came into play for KU’s other two receiver spots. Sophomore Emmanuel Moore and senior Austin Moses could provide relief for Gonzalez, while sophomore Tyler Patrick and senior Shakiem Barbel can sub in for Booker.

The Jayhawks have gone through closed practices during the past week and more shuffling on the offensive line appears to have taken place in that span. The depth chart lists the first string as senior left tackle Jordan Shelley-Smith, sophomore left guard Jacob Bragg, junior center Joe Gibson, senior right guard D’Andre Banks and sophomore right tackle Clyde McCauley III.

For the second unit, Banks is listed as Shelley-Smith’s backup, redshirt freshman Mesa Ribordy will serve as a sub at both left guard and center, sophomore Larry Hughes is at right guard and true freshman Hakeem Adeniji, who took first-string reps at KU’s most recent open practice, is the No. 2 right tackle.

Junior Jayson Rhodes, who appeared to be a starter just more than a week ago, isn’t listed on the two-deep.

The first-string defense, however, seemed consistent with what the Jayhawks coaches expected during preseason camp.

Senior end Anthony Olobia, sophomore end Dorance Armstrong Jr. and sophomore tackles Daniel Wise and D.J. Williams will man the defensive line. Sophomore end Josh Ehambe, senior end Damani Mosby and junior tackles Isi Holani and Jacky Dezir will back them up.

Senior linebacker Marcquis Roberts and junior linebacker Joe Dineen, as long expected, will start. When they need a breather, sophomore Osaze Ogbebor and senior Courtney Arnick will have their backs.

In the secondary, KU expects to start senior cornerbacks Brandon Stewart and Marnez Ogletree, senior safety Fish Smithson, sophomore safety Tyrone Miller Jr. and senior nickelback Tevin Shaw. The second-string defensive backs listed are junior corners Colin Spencer and Derrick Neal, senior safeties Greg Allen and Bazie Bates IV and senior nickelback Chevy Graham.

On special teams, senior kicker Matt Wyman will handle kickoff responsibilities. But according to the depth chart, field goals and extra points could be kicked by either Wyman or junior Gabriel Rui.

Both freshman Kyle Thompson and junior Cole Moos appear as possible starting punters.

At long snapper, senior John Wirtel returns. His backup is freshman Logan Klusman.

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