It’s a moment in time etched in history on the cover of Sports Illustrated – a perfectly floated ball into the outstretched arms of a Kansas University wide receiver as the November sunlight shines down on the Memorial Stadium field.
Kerry Meier always envisioned he would be the one delivering that tight spiral. Instead, the photo captures Meier completing his route at wideout, about to haul in a touchdown catch over an Iowa State defender. It was a score that helped push KU’s remarkable record last year to 11-0 and a score that epitomized Meier’s roller-coaster ride on the football field.
“It was very strange, but that’s what happened,” Meier said of seeing himself in that position on SI’s cover. “It was a great moment, and I’m going to hold on to it and remember it. But that was last year, and I’ve moved on.”
Moving on – and around – is something Meier has had to get used to in a Jayhawk uniform. After losing out on the starting quarterback job last preseason, Meier was converted to a wide receiver while still getting reps at QB. All this while tripling as the team’s backup punter, coming in to kick four times during the season.
At Friday’s practice, the 10th of 15 in the spring and second open to the public, Meier could be found all over the field.
One snap he was behind center, scrambling up the middle for a big gain at quarterback. The very next play, lined up at wideout, he ran a curl route and beat the defender for a 10-yard gain. A few plays later, he was throwing a pass after taking an option pitch at running back from quarterback Todd Reesing.
The routine is taxing, but it’s all in a day’s work for Meier.
“Going through last year, I was kind of thrown into the fire two weeks into the season,” Meier said. “I think I adjusted well, but going through a winter and our 10th practice in spring ball, I think I’ve grabbed on to the role of receiver. It’s done wonders, getting reps at wide receiver and just being out there running around.”
According to Meier, his biggest improvements have been figuring out defensive coverages and grasping blocking techniques.
KU coach Mark Mangino said the 6-foot-3 junior-to-be would see plenty more time on the field as a wide receiver next season – a role Meier certainly fit into as a sophomore, catching 26 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns. That role may not be limited to just the slot position, where Meier lined up for most passes a year ago.
“I’m not sure he couldn’t play outside receiver, but (slot) is the spot that we needed some help,” Mangino said. “It’s a position that he grasped really quickly. He’s a good enough athlete to play anywhere.”
Meier said he was relishing the opportunity to play three positions. For now, he is even the team’s No. 1 punter while KU waits for freshman Alonso Rojas to join the team in the fall.
But just because Meier is seeing more action at other spots doesn’t mean he has forgotten about his original position. Keep in mind, Meier completed all nine of his throws for 101 yards and a touchdown as a backup QB on that sun-soaked day against Iowa State in November.
“I’m still running around in this red jersey, so I still get that feeling of being a quarterback,” Meier said. “I’ve got a lot of things on my plate that I enjoy doing, so I’m having fun.”
¢D-ends on watch list: KU defensive ends Russell Brorsen and John Larson are among 42 of the nation’s top collegiate defensive players who have been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List, it was announced Friday.
