Guessing which junior-college signees will contribute the most to the program is too inexact to call it a science, but searching for little clues along the way can help make guesses more accurate than putting the names in a hat and drawing them randomly.
A guess at ranking the value of the eight mid-season, junior-college signees who will join the Kansas University football program for the second semester and participate in new head coach Dave Beaty’s first spring footballcamp:
**1 – M.J. Mathis, 6-2, 205:** A former Kentucky commitment, Mathis was recruited by Dave Campo and re-recruited by David Beaty and staff. He has strong coverage skills, hits like a linebacker and is built like an NFL defensive back.
**2 – Brandon Stewart, 5-11, 175:** The fact he committed to California and then changed his mind bodes well for his chances at KU in two areas. First, he must be a pretty good football player if Cal wanted him. Second, he must have his academic house in order or Cal wouldn’t have looked twice at him.
**3 – Ke’aun Kinner, 5-9, 185:** What can I say, I’m a sucker for [running back highlight videos set to music.][1] As a senior in high school at Little Elm, a 4A school just north of Dallas, he had single-game rushing yardage totals of 432, 345, 343, 339 and 332.
**4 – Bazie Bates IV, 6-1, 195:** Hard-hitting cornerback/safety looks on video like a guy who really enjoys playing football, which can’t be a bad thing.
**5 – Will Smith, 6-4, 315, OL:** Fromer Shawnee Mission Northwest behemoth looks to have a shot at winning a starting job with a strong spring.
**6 – Jacky Dezir, 6-3, 305:** His highlights show a player who never quits on a play and is rewarded by making plays on the opposite side of the field. Then again, that’s why they’re called highlights.
**7 – De’Andre Banks, 6-3, 325:** One of three players from Trinity Valley CC in Athens, Texas, to enroll at mid-year, joining Stewart and Bates.
**8 – Jayson Rhodes, 6-4, 310:** A last-minute addition when another lineman backed out of his commitment, Rhodes received just one other offer, from UT-San Antonio.
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/2014/dec/17/mid-year-signing-day-opens-with-a-flurry/
