Football Recruiting

KU football adds to 2017 recruiting class

Jayhawks add CB and WR, with more help on way

As the February 1 National Signing Day gets closer, the Kansas football team continues to add to its Class of 2017. Two new recruits — defensive back Antonio Cole and receiver Quan Hampton — confirmed their commitments to Jon Kirby of Jayhawk Slant Sunday, after weekend visits to KU. By Benton Smith

Notebook: KU football lands in-state commitment; big recruiting weekend ahead

Another in-state prep football player is headed to the University of Kansas. Pratt senior Hunter Kaufman announced via Twitter his decision to attend KU and join the Jayhawks’ football program. By Benton Smith

Eight newest Jayhawks scheduled to arrive for spring semester

Now that January has arrived, the on-campus offseason preparation for Kansas football’s 2017 campaign will commence before players know it — and, in just a few months, spring football practices. While the majority of that work will be done by returning Jayhawks, third-year coach David Beaty is glad eight new members of the program will be a part of that growth, too. By Benton Smith

Jayhawks envision Willie McCaleb as ideal complement to Dorance Armstrong Jr.

With the Jayhawks losing their other experienced edge rushers before next season and anticipating even more focus from their foes geared toward eliminating Dorance Armstrong Jr. as a threat, David Beaty and his staff made sure to address a need in its 2017 recruiting class. The head coach thinks KU might have found a perfect pass-rushing partner for its star with the mid-year signing of Willie McCaleb. By Benton Smith

Wichita linebacker commits to Kansas

The two-word David Beaty hashtag that Kansas football fans long to see struck again Tuesday night. The KU head coach, as Beaty has been known to do, tweeted out the simple phrase “#NeatDeal” — signaling the Jayhawks landing a new commitment. The latest addition to the program turned out to be an in-state prospect, linebacker Cooper Root. By Benton Smith

Four-star defensive back lists KU among six finalists

Stewart considering Kansas, along with nationally renowned programs

When David Beaty announced the eight mid-year signees from the Kansas football team’s 2017 recruiting class earlier this week, the head coach said his new contract extension bolstered his staff’s ability to land the types of players they want to bring to KU. Due to NCAA rules, Beaty can’t speak publicly about un-signed recruits. But if he could, the Jayhawks’ leader would point to prep defensive back Brad Stewart to reinforce that argument. By Benton Smith

David Beaty touts eight new KU football signees

QB Bender expected to push for starting job

Eternally optimistic Kansas football head coach David Beaty had even more fuel for his fired-up disposition Wednesday, when eight members of the Jayhawks’ 2017 recruiting class signed their national letters of intent. By Benton Smith

David Beaty: New contract facilitates KU football recruiting

Not too long ago, Kansas football head coach David Beaty or one of his assistants could walk into a recruit’s home and face some difficult questions, with opposing staffs feeding high school or junior college talents with doubts about the future of KU football. That all changed, Beaty said, when the athletic department showed its support for him and the program by extending his contract earlier this week. By Benton Smith

Pair of juco defenders commit to KU football

Jayhawks add CB and DE to recruiting class

David Beaty’s December hot streak continued Tuesday as the Kansas head football coach, who just signed a two-year contract extension, landed verbal commitments from a pair of defensive prospects. Northwest Mississippi Community College defensive end Willie McCaleb let the KU coaches know of his decision to sign first, and Mesa Community College cornerback Shakial Taylor did the same shortly after. By Benton Smith

Juco defensive lineman de-commits from Kansas

A trip back to the place where his college football journey began inspired one-time Kansas commitment Jamie Tago to reconsider his football future with the Jayhawks. Tago, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end who played this past season at Garden City Community College, on Monday took to Twitter to announce he no longer plans to sign with KU. By Benton Smith

KU picks up another juco D-lineman in J.J. Holmes

For the second time in a week, the Kansas football program has added to its stockpile of defensive linemen by picking up a commitment from the junior college ranks. KU on Tuesday received word from Hutchinson Community College defensive tackle J.J. Holmes that he plans to sign with the program. By Benton Smith

Juco D-lineman KeyShaun Simmons commits to Kansas

With the 2016 season complete and Kansas football coaches out on the recruiting trail searching for more talent to add to the roster, David Beaty received some good news Wednesday when one of the rebuilding program’s targets called the head coach to commit to KU. By Benton Smith

Juco corner Hasan Defense commits to Kansas

With five seniors currently occupying key roles within the Kansas football team’s secondary, the need for new defensive backs for 2017 couldn’t be ignored. Head coach David Beaty can spend a little less time worrying about that aspect of the future now. Hasan Defense, a three-star junior college cornerback according to Rivals, called Beaty Monday morning to commit to KU. By Benton Smith

Former WSU QB Peyton Bender commits to Kansas

During an official visit to KU, former Washington State quarterback Peyton Bender watched the Jayhawks upset Texas in overtime at Memorial Stadium. Now Bender hopes to be a part of such wins for Kansas in the future. By Benton Smith

Former Washington State QB Peyton Bender to visit KU

Trying to re-build the Kansas football program currently qualifies as a never-ending endeavor. So while second-year head coach David Beaty and his staff attempt to get their players to execute a game plan worthy of upsetting Texas on Saturday in the Jayhawks’ home finale at Memorial Stadium, they’ll also spend portions of the weekend pitching KU to a former Pac-12 quarterback. By Benton Smith