KU class ‘perfect’

By Andrew Hartsock     Aug 6, 2000

Newcomer-report day won’t be an anxious time for Kansas University football coach Terry Allen.

The Jayhawks’ newcomer class of incoming freshmen, junior college transfers and preferred walk-ons numbered 32. Just one newcomer juco All-American linebacker Columbus Wooley, whose academic status was known early this summer is known to have failed to meet NCAA eligibility guidelines.

Thus, 31 Jayhawks-to-be will report to Mt. Oread today for the first day of newcomer orientation.

“We think we’re perfect,” Allen said. “We think we’re fine. We’ve seen the transcripts. There are a couple still in the process, but we’re just waiting for the final, ‘Yes.'”

Really, newcomer-report day is a misnomer. Many of the new Jayhawks reported early to get a jump-start on preparation for the upcoming season.

Such was the case with Jamarei Bryant, a crucial juco pickup.

Bryant, a 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback from Phoenix Community College, reported about two weeks ago after summer school at Phoenix CC. He was the last of the 10-member juco class discounting Wooley to arrive.

“I just jumped into the weight-training program, and we’ve been playing 7-on-7,” Bryant said. “I worked out at Phoenix and did some training there, trying to get into some kind of shape, but my main focus was school. If I didn’t make it, there was no reason to be in shape.”

Bryant earned 30 credit hours to get eligible since he signed with KU in the spring.

The Jayhawks no doubt will be tickled he is eligible.

A speedy cover corner, Bryant had 51 total stops, a team-leading 21 solo tackles and three interceptions as a sophomore. He’ll be expected to challenge for a starting job right away to help shore up the Big 12’s worst passing defense.

“It’s a little pressure, but I think I can step up,” Bryant said. “I’m used to going against the best receivers on the other team. There’s no question in my mind I’ll be ready to accept the challenge. When I was getting recruited, they were telling me they needed a corner to step up and play man-to-man. When coach Allen came to my house, he told me that’s what he expected me to do. That’s real good for a coach to have that much confidence in you, to say, ‘Go get their best receiver and lock him up.'”

Bryant expects a little anxiety making the jump from juco ball to NCAA Div. I. Senior safety Carl Nesmith, a preseason All-Big 12 pick who made the jump last season, has done what he can to ease Bryant’s fears.

“I’m sure it will take me awhile to adjust,” Bryant said. “But I’ve been talking to Carl Nesmith a lot about how the pace of the game picks up, and he’s saying it’s not that big of a deal. I noticed one difference as soon as I stepped in the weight room and saw guys smaller than me lifting more than me.”

There’s also the matter of learning KU’s defensive schemes. Bryant figures his 7-on-7 experience should help toward that end.

“They said they changed the defensive schemes up for me so it’s easier for the newcomers to learn,” Bryant said, alluding to the Jayhawks’ experimenting with a 4-3 alignment this fall. “I guess it used to be hard to learn, but I think it’s kind of simple. I’ve already learned a lot from 7-on-7. I’ve already got a bunch of coverages down, and I think I’m holding my own.

“And it’s not like linebacker. That’s a hard position. At corner, once you’re in man-to-man, all you’re responsible for is not letting the guy catch the ball.”

Newcomers will go through orientation until Wednesday, when the veterans report. Media day is Thursday, with the start of two-a-day noncontact drills on Friday. The first practice in full pads will be a week from Wednesday.

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