Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoAfter gaining a year of experience as a true freshman, Kansas University wide receiver Mark Simmons is ready for another go-around.
“In all honesty, was he ready to play last year? No,” KU football coach Mark Mangino said. “But we will benefit this year by having put him on the field last year.”
Simmons had 23 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown last year when he was one of six true freshmen to play for the Jayhawks. He was named to The Sporting News Big 12 Conference All-Freshman team.
The sophomore expects more from himself this fall, and so do his coaches.
“Mark Simmons has demonstrated the ability to be a go-to receiver,” receivers coach Tyrone Dixon said. “He has a great upside. If he continues to grow, I think he’ll be a top-notch receiver in the Big 12.”
Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoDixon said Simmons possessed excellent quickness and the ability to get off the line, but that Simmons’ biggest talent was getting yards after the catch.
Simmons (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) said he modeled his game after Oakland Raiders veteran Jerry Rice and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Peter Warrick — small guys who make big plays.
“He doesn’t have the greatest speed, but he always gets open,” Simmons said of Rice.
Simmons lacks height, but he has blazing speed. He’s expected to start and be one of the first options for KU quarterback Bill Whittemore.
“He’s definitely a deep threat for us,” Dixon said. “I think he’ll stretch the field for us, and he’s a good play-maker.”
Simmons isn’t taking his place on the depth chart for granted.
“We got a lot of new players,” Simmons said. “It’s good competition. It makes everybody better.”
Simmons hails from DeSoto, Texas, a football factory south of Dallas. He originally committed to Oklahoma State, but changed his mind after visiting Lawrence and having a chat with Dixon.
“Everything fit as I sat down and thought about it,” Simmons said.
Now he and the rest of his teammates are hoping that all the pieces will fit together on the football field.
“We’re more experienced. We know the game better. We know the system. We can move around now and put in different packages,” Simmons said. “I’m just really looking forward to the season. We really do think we have a belief to win. It’s not talk. It’s belief. We’re not just working hard to work hard. We’re working hard to win.”
