Football Recruiting

Free State's Jalan Robinson watches football recruitment skyrocket before signing day

Before walking into school Monday, Free State senior Jalan Robinson received a phone call from a Mississippi State football coach. By Bobby Nightengale

Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel LB/RB to walk on at KU

An in-state senior prospect from Wichita’s Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Nick Channel announced Monday his plans to join the Kansas football program.

Jayhawks add to 2018 class with juco OL's verbal commitment

The Kansas football team added to its 2018 recruiting class Sunday with a verbal commitment from an offensive lineman. Like so many other members in this crop of future Jayhawks, the latest addition came from the junior college ranks. Mike Brown, an offensive tackle from Eastern Arizona College, told KU head coach David Beaty and his staff during a weekend visit to campus he plans to sign. By Benton Smith

Change of plans: Looking back at 11 Class of 2018 prospects who decommitted from KU football

In the sphere of college football recruiting, assigning programs and their coaches credit for landing verbal commitments from prospects can prove dicey, due to the potentially temporary nature of a player’s non-binding words. KU's dreams of competing with college football’s juggernauts on the recruiting front this year perished as de-commitments trickled in, following a memorable junior day for the Jayhawks more than 10 months ago, when six high school players — now all considered three- or four-star talents — stated their intentions to eventually join Kansas. By Benton Smith

Breaking down how long each new KU football signee could potentially impact the program

In the midst of his final post-game comments following KU's 1-11 season, while explaining the patience KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger displayed in continuing to back him, despite a 3-33 record in three years, David Beaty stated rebuilds don’t always include a quick fix. “Sometimes there is, but it will be short-lived if you’re not careful,” Beaty said at the time, “So we’re trying to do it the right way. Trying to do it with guys that have three to four-plus years to where we can develop them.” In the weeks that followed those remarks, Beaty and his staff added seven junior college players to KU’s 2018 recruiting class, and signed nine in total this past week. By Benton Smith

KU football's 2018 recruiting class currently lacks a QB

The Kansas football team’s 2018 recruiting class doesn’t yet include a quarterback, thanks to the on-again, off-again interest in the Jayhawks shown by Texas prep QB Clayton Tune, a two-time KU commit who twice changed his mind and has yet to sign with any program. That, of course, doesn’t necessarily mean Kansas will head into February’s National Signing Day without a possible quarterback signee. By Benton Smith

KU football receives holiday gift in form of verbal pledge for Class of 2018

Christmas Eve for the Kansas football program included a gift in the form of a verbal commitment from a high school prospect. By Benton Smith

'Pooka' Williams: 'I managed to be a man of my word'

Louisiana RB heard plenty of LSU pitches

A popular young man around the Hahnville High campus and Boutte, La., community the past several months, running back Anthony “Pooka” Williams heard countless pitches from those he encountered in the heart of LSU country. Of course, the new Kansas football signee told The Times-Picayune, those interactions tended to be opinionated and distinctly pro-Tigers. By Benton Smith

RB 'Pooka' Williams signs with Kansas football, instead of LSU or Nebraska

The first player from the Class of 2018 to commit to the University of Kansas, running back Anthony “Pooka” Williams took a couple extra days in the December early signing period to contemplate making that choice official before resolving to stick with his initial decision and sign with KU. By Benton Smith

'Pooka' Williams to sign with 1 of 3 programs Friday

The Kansas football staff won’t have to wait until February to find out whether longtime recruiting target Anthony “Pooka” Williams will stick to his verbal commitment to the Jayhawks. By Benton Smith

New KU football signee Corione Harris credits Tony Hull for job well done

With a smile on his face Wednesday morning at Landry-Walker High, in New Orleans, cornerback Corione Harris uttered eight words that had to have inspired the same reaction out of Kansas football fans, coaches and players alike. “I’ll be taking my talents to Kansas University,” the high school senior announced from a podium at a signing ceremony in his high school’s gymnasium. By Benton Smith

KU football signs 14 prospects to 2018 recruiting class

9 new Jayhawks to join from juco ranks

Within the first several hours of the NCAA’s new early signing period for college football, the University of Kansas officially added 14 members to its 2018 recruiting class on Wednesday. Nine of the prospects head coach David Beaty and his staff can now call Jayhawks signed on from the junior college ranks. The group also included a graduate transfer and four high school seniors, headlined by New Orleans cornerback Corione Harris. By Benton Smith

4-star CB Corione Harris sticks to his word, signs with Kansas football

Out of nowhere this past February, receiver Devonta Jason and cornerback Corione Harris — Louisiana prospects considered four-star talents and among the top 100 players in the nation — caught the recruiting world off guard by announcing they were committing to KU. A little more than 10 months later, when those non-binding pledges could become official, the Jayhawks had to settle for one Landry-Walker High stud. Harris remained loyal to his word, signing with Kansas. By Benton Smith

3rd juco prospect, CB Elijah Jones, commits to KU on eve of early signing period

KU's 2018 class up to 9 potential juco signees

A busy Tuesday for Kansas football recruiting continued into the evening, when the program added its third junior college prospect of the day, and ninth overall, to its 2018 recruiting class. The day before the new December signing period for college football commences, Ellsworth Community College (Iowa) cornerback Elijah Jones described himself as “1,000” percent committed to the Jayhawks By Benton Smith

KU football adds 8th juco prospect, DL Charles Cole, to recruiting class

The Kansas football program’s 2018 recruiting class picked up its eighth junior college prospect — and second of the day — Tuesday afternoon, hours ahead of the beginning of the new early signing period. Butler Community College defensive tackle Charles Cole announced his plan to sign with the Jayhawks via Twitter, along with a photo of him wearing a KU uniform. By Benton Smith