Some kind of friendship.
Kansas University football transfer Jermail Ashley did everything but strap his buddy Theo Baines into the plane so he’d come to KU. All the thanks he got from his Texas tagalong was him making a funny face behind a reporter so Ashley would crack up during his first interview as a Jayhawk.
“We’re real close,” Baines said of the good-natured ribbing by his pal after Kansas’ first open spring practice. “We were just having a little fun.”
The two junior defensive standouts from Tyler (Texas) Community College said they hoped to have a lot more fun — and make more of an impact — playing for the Jayhawks next season.
If that happens, then Baines had better do more to thank Ashley than making him laugh, because it was the 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end from Fort Worth, Texas, who persuaded Baines to get on the plane for his recruiting trip to Lawrence.
“I wasn’t going to get on the plane, but he convinced me,” Baines said. “I came, I liked what I saw, and we both decided to come here together.”
Ashley said it was no big deal getting his boy on board, simply a matter of making Baines keep his word.
“He was the one who set up the visit,” Ashley said. “All I said was, ‘At least be a man of your word.'”
Now they want to back up their claims of being able to make a difference on a KU defense in dire need of difference-makers.
Despite making it to their first bowl game since 1995, the Jayhawks allowed an average of 28.3 points and 392.6 yards a game last season.
Both Ashley and Baines played critical roles in helping Tyler to a 10-2 record.
Ashley, who shrugged off a knee injury early in the season, finished the year with 41 tackles, four sacks, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 14 quarterback hurries.
Baines was equally as effective in the secondary.
The 5-11, 190-pound cornerback from Rosenburg, Texas, recorded 41 tackles, an interception, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and scored a touchdown.
Even though it’s early in their Kansas careers, the Texas twosome said they will have to quickly adjust to differences from junior college ball to the Division One level.
“The biggest difference is the defensive scheme is a lot more complex than in J.C. ball,” Baines said. “You have to be a smarter player, be able to pick up things a lot quicker. Not just active, but knowing your assignments.”
But it appears Baines already overcame his biggest hurdle.
“Getting on a little plane … I was a little scared,” Baines said with a smile. “But Jermail was like, ‘Get on the plane!’
“I thank God that he convinced me because I like where I’m at.”
The Jayhawks, who took last week off for spring break, didn’t resume practice Monday because of the weather, but will start up again Wednesday afternoon.
