While every member of the Kansas football team reported to campus Wednesday for the first day of the Jayhawks’ preseason camp, two players in particular stood out as welcome arrivals.
Not listed prior to Day 1 of camp, junior running back Denzell Evans and freshman defensive back Mike Lee now appear on KU’s official roster.
Evans, a graduate transfer running back from Arkansas, confirmed to the Journal-World earlier this week that he had made it to Lawrence.
Lee, a Class of 2017 recruit from New Orleans, showing up qualified was even bigger news for second-year Kansas coach David Beaty and his staff. The 5-foot-10 cornerback from Landry-Walker High received a four-star rating from Rivals.com and graduated early in order to join the Jayhawks a full year ahead of schedule.
Both Evans, who completed his undergraduate degree this summer, and Lee are expected to gain immediate eligibility this season — though a KU spokesperson couldn’t confirm that Wednesday.
“I had been (at Arkansas) awhile and I just felt that getting close to graduating it would be time for me to step out and go somewhere else where I could get some more (playing time) and get some more carries,” Evans told the J-W earlier this summer.
A 5-foot-11, 215-pound Houston native, who will wear No. 23, Evans joins a KU backfield that includes senior Ke’aun Kinner, sophomore Taylor Martin, sophomore Ryan Schadler and freshman Khalil Herbert, among others.
Lee, a 176-pound corner who had offers from Cal, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, Texas A & M, Wisconsin and other programs, will wear No. 11.
Cornerbacks on the Kansas roster include senior Brandon Stewart, junior Derrick Neal, senior Marnez Ogletree and freshman Kyle Mayberry.
KU’s first preseason practice will begin Thursday evening.
