Of the 26 true freshmen listed on the Jayhawks’ preseason roster, at least five could forego a red-shirt season, Kansas football coach Mark Mangino said Monday.
In addition to Daymond Patterson, Mangino mentioned Corrigan Powell (listed No. 2 at the right cornerback spot behind Chris Harris), Darius Parish (No. 2 at right defensive tackle) and tight end Tim Biere as true freshmen who have the potential to play immediately this season.
The coach reserved his highest praise, however, for Ben Lueken, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman out of St. Louis’ Chaminade High.
“We haven’t decided exactly (what to do with him yet),” said Mangino. “If we have a need to play Ben, we’ll play him. If not, we’ll red-shirt him. But what he’s done in training camp is hard to overlook, and he may be ready to contribute now.”
