KU football's positions of concern heading into spring practice

Posted by Matt Tait February 28, 2013 at 3:26 p.m.

On Wednesday, we jumped into the pre-spring position-by-position breakdown with a quick look at the Kansas University football program's three strongest position groups.

Today, it's time to look at the top three positions of concern.

When coming up with this list, I couldn't help but think back to my thoughts at this time last year, when it looked like the offense would be a well-oiled machine and the defense would be the biggest concern.

It didn't turn out that way, of course. The offense struggled — largely because of the passing game — and the defense, though not statistically lights out, performed well above the level I expected and kept KU in a lot of games throughout the season.

We'll see if something similar plays out this year or if both units improve and stick a little closer to one another. According to this list, if you're picking one or the other to worry about this time around, it looks like the offense may be the bigger concern.

We'll see.

1. Offensive Line
This is the one position tied to KU's hopes for success more than any other this season and all the Jayhawks are asked to do is replace three multi-year starters, two of which have a legitimate shot to play professional football.

Putting the O-Line on the concerns list does not mean that the Jayhawks don't have pieces in place to cobble together a solid line, but doing so is far from a certainty and that's why the position is No. 1 on this list. Not only is quality play on the offensive line crucial for KU to keep its potent running game going, but it also is a must if the Jayhawks hope to get improved play out of the quarterback position.

Kansas quarterback Dayne Crist narrowly avoids getting snagged by Iowa State defensivel lineman Jake McDonough, who is pushed away by KU lineman Aslam Sterling during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at Memorial Stadium. by Nick Krug

There is a nice mixture of returners and newcomers on the line heading into the spring, so the potential for a solid unit is certainly there. But it won't show up overnight and at a position that requires five individuals functioning as one entity, that's a major concern. At least for now.

2. Kicker
KU coach Charlie Weis appears to be satisfied with the things he has done to upgrade KU's woeful kicking game in the offseason. He handed out a scholarship to juco transfer Trevor Pardula and enticed Hutchinson C.C. standout Michael Mesh to walk on. Both should compete with returning dual-threat guy Ron Doherty for starting jobs right away.

Kansas kicker Ron Doherty, left, bemoans a missed field goal against Kansas State during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan. At right is holder Blake Jablonski. by Nick Krug

But neither of the newcomers has done it at this level yet and until they do — and until they do it with some consistency and regularity — KU fans likely will continue to cringe when it's fourth-and-four at the opponent's 25-yard line.

3. Wide Receiver
The fact that this group is a concern says more about last year than this year because KU got very little from its receivers in 2012 and most of the top pass-catching threats graduated. The cupboard is not bare, though, and there are plenty of new (and a few old) faces who could step up and instantly erase the painful memories of not being able to throw the ball in 2012.

Kansas receiver Andrew Turzilli pulls in a deep pass as TCU cornerback Jason Verrett dives in for the tackle during the third quarter, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 at Memorial Stadium. by Nick Krug

As you all surely know by now, KU went the entire season without throwing a touchdown pass to a wide receiver. That's a freaky stat. Flat-out unreal. I don't think that will happen again this season — for starters because I think Heaps will be solid and, beyond that because I think there's some talent in this unit — but until we get into spring ball a little bit and, really, until we see these guys do it in September and beyond, you have to wonder exactly what you have here.

Returning threats Andrew Turzilli and Tre' Parmalee appear to be two of the more solid options here, and the arrival of newcomers Rod Coleman, Mark Thomas and Ishmael Hyman (along with Justin McCay finally being eligible) make me think this group could be decent. But again, until they actually get out there and deliver you have to wonder what will become of a position that seems to be a strength at nearly every other Big 12 university.

For those of you who may have missed this week's daily pre-spring blogging, here's a look back at the previous entries:

Monday: Talking red-shirts: A look back at the guys who sat out in 2012 and what's in store for their futures.

Tuesday: Top KU football story lines as we head into spring football: No, seriously, spring.

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clevelandjayhawker 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Well at least O-line, kickers and guys who catch the ball aren't very important to winning games.Oh wait....

Matt Tait 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I agree with you about the O-Line. I actually think they'll be fine there, too. But I think it's something you have to wonder about...

Knoff 2 months, 3 weeks ago

OL is my greatest concern too, if we're able to put together a Big 12 quality line we have a chance to improve to 4-6 wins, maybe more?

qringer 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Josh Ford showed some flashes, is he in the mix still at wide reciever?

Boouk 2 months, 3 weeks ago

He has the talent, just can't catch and didn't know the playbook last year. Good special teams player though.

KGphoto 2 months, 3 weeks ago

The receivers will explode if our QB, 1.) Can hit the broad side of a barn, and 2.) Has time to survey and throw.

Poor Daymond Patterson was the victim of more terrible overthrows than I've ever seen in one season, to one guy. He was open a lot and we just couldn't deliver it. I've watched each 2012 game at least twice, and I count 5 potential TD opportunities for Patterson that were missed because of bad throws. That's just from the normal TV coverage, and that's just Patterson.

It's all about Heaps and that Oline.

baldjedi 2 months, 3 weeks ago

You also need to mention the QB can't hold onto the ball. Crist would wait and then end up getting sacked or chucking the ball. We need someone who will check down, throw to the backs because that also opens things up.

Boouk 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I think we're fine at LG, C, RG, and RT with Smithburg, Fusimalohi, Admire and Martin battling it out for playing time along the interior OL and Sterling at RT. The big question for this position group is LT. I can see Fondal, Riley Spencer or Beckmann erasing my worries, but I'm not sold on them yet.

Boouk 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I'm more worried about WR and TE than K. We have no proven WR heading into the season, even though we could be okay there with McCay, Thomas, and Coleman. At TE, Mundine is a good receiving threat and Trent Smiley can block, but we need someone who can do both. I think Jordan Smith could be that guy. We should be fine at kicker with Pardula handling the punting and kickoff duties and either Kahn or Mesh kicking FG's.

Boouk 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Forgot about Brooks. If he's added more muscle to his 6'5 frame he could ne a good option at TE. I think the Fr. will red-shirt to add more strength and learn the offense, but he'll be a good player two years from now.

riverdrifter 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I cannot believe that QB is not a position of concern. This team totally stunk there last year and it's groundhog day all over again this year with another unproven player at the position. Are the reins just handed to Heaps this year with no real competion like last year?

bigsav777 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Open competition will be the best thing for the team

Theonlythingthatexceedsyourbad 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Heaps has the most experience, playing more than 1.5 seasons at BYU. He set freshman records, struggled at the beggining of his second year (under a new OC) and then finished really strong in his Sophmore year. Heaps is a player, he would have started head and heals over Crist last year.

I like Crist, he just had some bad luck and bad plays on the field last year. That being said I think he was important for the team this year, teaching everyone and leading. There couldn't have been a better representative for KU than Crist and we as Jayhawk fans have to admire that. Of course we wish, and he wishes, that he would have performed on the field better. Even though he is gone now his effect will linger this year because of his professionalism and knowledge of offense that he had. I know he wants some throws back but the bottom line is our offense had more options under him, even if he struggled to complete passes. For example, the last game of the season Omige (sp?) dropped 2 or 3 that Crist put in the breadbasket.

Heaps is a winner. We haven't had a winner like that since Reesing or Whitimore. *Sorry I don't spell names well.

Boouk 2 months, 3 weeks ago

It's a good sign that Heaps wasn't on this list. Hopefully we find out how mobile he is this spring.

Theonlythingthatexceedsyourbad 2 months, 3 weeks ago

This is just speed but Heaps times are listed below, IDK when they were taken, nfldraftscout. I know he'll be more mobile than Crist. Don't expect Reesingesk mobility, that dude had shimmy in his shake.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=108367&draftyear=2014&genpos=QB

Heaps 40 Low: 4.64 40 Time: 4.74 40 High: 4.86

Crist 40 Low: 4.77 40 Time: 4.92 40 High: 5.08

I've seen Cummings listed as a 4.6 on the kuatheletics page, I couldn't find him on the nfldraft page. I think that says something as well.

d_bradley27 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Nice work Matt! I'm surprised you don't have QB on your concerns list. We have no proven depth unless you're counting Cummings spot duty the tail end of last year. If Heaps goes down (God forbid) we're right back to a struggling offense with no QB. The Big 12 is a black and blue league. QBs get dinged up every year. Are we confident Heaps can survive with a OL that has yet to prove itself too??

QB is clearly my biggest concern!! But I'm hoping for the best :)

bigsav777 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I'd like to see Cummings perform without Weiss handcuffing him and open the play book hopefully we see a better competitive spring game

Theonlythingthatexceedsyourbad 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Cummings should know the whole playbook verbatim now, as well as the rest of the team. This will bode well for everyone in case Heaps goes down. I think Heaps is a player. However, anything is possible and Cummings might be working crazy hard and blowing up. That being said I think Cummings is a serviceable backup QB. He's got a little fire, a chip on his shoulder and now he's developed a little game time PT. Last year he didn't break any sound records but the team rallied with him and it was cool to see that in a tough season.

That rally behind Cummings last year and even Crist at the end of the year shows what Jayhawk football is all about. Desire, hard work, want, heart and guttyness is what KU football is about. We may not have the most 5 Star guys but a game is a game and Jayhawks put it out on the field with big hearts. This year we take that style and put some W's behind it, that is the way it is, how it's going down. If we play like that we'll put some hurt on teams this year.

trojanhawk 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Every position other than RB are the positions of greatest concern. I want to feel great about Jake at QB and the exciting new additions on the DL, but we've been burned so badly in those critical areas in recent years. I know it's a brand new team, but I have the same concerns I had heading into 2012.

austin5string 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I would hardly call Doherty a dual "threat." Dual purpose, maybe. But a guy that can't get touchbacks and can't hit a field goal beyond 35 yards is hardly a threat. Crist was surely disappointing, but I'd almost go so far as to say that our kicking game was the weakest part of the entire season.

FlyingPliers 2 months, 3 weeks ago

As far as I'm concerned, everyone who saw significant time at WR last year should not see the field this year. Clean the slate!

Theonlythingthatexceedsyourbad 2 months, 3 weeks ago

The O-line has to be of the biggest concern. Think about last year! Reflecting back on how we ran it over and over they must have been pretty good and play pretty well together. That was the run game. The passing game was a disaster from head to toe. No time to throw, inaccurate passes, little separation and drops. . . that's everybody. There can only be room for improvement, which brings us to WR.

WR - The guys last year were too small. They never got separation and the ball was rarely there if they did. 0 touchdowns. That is a reflection of them plain sucking. I can only remember 1 touchdown that they should have had, against Northern Illinois when Crist bombed it 10 yards over Picks head for a wide open TD (on 4th down and it would have sealed the game).

I guarantee that the wide receivers will have more than 0 touchdowns this year. 0!!! I'll bet anyone everything I have that we have more than 0 touchdowns this year: anyone. So by default the WR will be and infinate percentage better this year (assuming we use TDs as a measuring mark and translate that into a percentage improvement.

Kicker - I refuse to write about the kicker. I don't like kickers! I don't like librarians! Ain't nothing gonna change that! Of field goals and excused late fees will "change that".

TampaFLJayhawk 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Matt,

What about Austin Barone? He's still on the roster after redshirting last year. Shouldn't he be in the kicker competition? I thought I read he had a 45-50 yard FG in high school.

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