KU freshman WR Luke Grimm standing out with increased responsibilities

By Benton Smith     Nov 5, 2020

Kansas wide receiver Luke Grimm (80) catches a pass while covered by Iowa State defensive back Lawrence White IV, back, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Lacking a number of regular offensive contributors for its home game against Iowa State this past weekend, the rebuilding Kansas football program called upon various freshmen to take on important roles.

In the eyes of senior KU receiver Kwamie Lassiter II, one in particular stood out.

“I think they stepped up and did what they had to do, especially Luke Grimm,” Lassiter said of the first-year receiver from Raymore, Mo. “He came in and made plays when the ball came to him.”

It was easily the most productive day of the young receiver’s career. Grimm didn’t play at all in three of KU’s first four games, and didn’t record his first career catch until the fifth game of the season, when he made a 28-yard reception at Kansas State.

But as the Jayhawks (0-6 overall, 0-5 Big 12) once again played without receivers Stephon Robinson Jr., Takulve “TK” Williams and Lawrence Arnold, Grimm stepped up in a 52-22 loss to the Cyclones, with four catches for 53 yards.

Grimm joined offensive linemen Armaj Adams-Reed and Garrett Jones, running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. and quarterback Jalon Daniels in a group of true freshmen who played prominent roles for the Jayhawks in the loss.

KU head coach Les Miles said Grimm, a 6-foot wideout who was rated a three-star prospect in the Class of 2020, looked against ISU like he did when the staff was recruiting him out of Raymore-Peculiar High.

“He ran fast and he has ball skills,” Miles said of Grimm. “He’s really going to be a guy that we can count on, really in the games that we have remaining, so we can have some victory.”

Back during preseason camp in August, the wiry young receiver began turning heads, earning the nickname “Grimm Reaper” in the process, quarterback Miles Kendrick shared, calling the true freshman “aggressive” and “a dog.”

The biggest play of Grimm’s breakout Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium came on 4th and 6 at the ISU 40-yard line in the second quarter. Daniels took a deep shot down the right sideline for Grimm and their 36-yard connection gave Daniels his longest completion to date, and KU its fourth-longest offensive play this season.

Daniels said he began talking with Grimm even before they got to campus this past summer, and once they arrived in Lawrence they worked out together on the field, as well as in the weight room.

“We’ve always had that connection and it showed on Saturday,” Daniels said.

With his 36-yard reception versus ISU, Grimm joined Lassiter and Velton Gardner as the only players on the roster this year who are responsible for more than one offensive play of 20-plus yards.

Lassiter, who leads KU with 27 catches and 295 receiving yards, said Grimm is a “true worker,” which has helped the freshman not just fill in but also find success.

“You don’t have to tell him to do things twice. He’s going to get it done,” Lassiter said of Grimm. “He’s going to get everything handled. He doesn’t take reps off at practice and he’s pretty much what you want as a young person coming in.”

Along those lines, Daniels made sure to praise Grimm not just for hauling in a deep pass, but also for making “a perfect block” on the perimeter two plays later, as Hishaw ran in for a TD.

“(Grimm) knocked one guy into another, and made that hole clear for Daniel to score,” the QB said.

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