Montell Cozart sees bright future for KU football program

By Staff     Mar 13, 2017

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Montell Cozart

Montell Cozart is finishing up his requirements for a degree in sports management with a minor business and is on course to graduate in May, so he won’t have to sit out before using his final year of eligibility as a football player.

He doesn’t yet know where he will do that.

Cozart said he has heard from Fresno State and New Mexico of the FBS, North Dakota State of the FCS and a number of Div. II schools.

He is working an internship with the athletic department’s sports information office. As part of his duties, he worked the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament at Sprint Center and will return there for the Midwest regional.

Much of his work has been for the football sports information office.

“I’ve been taking pictures of the guys (football players) working out and playing seven-on-seven,” Cozart said. “I’ve updated player bios, coaching bios. I’ve been updating records of KU vs. other schools.”

One in particular put Cozart in a good mood.

“K-State, that’s the best one,” Cozart said. “I know K-State’s been getting the best of us for years, but we’re still winning the series.”

Kansas shows it has a 65-44-5 record in the series because it does not recognize the forfeit of the 20-18 victory in 1980 imposed by the Big 8 because of issues regarding running back Kerwin Bell’s eligibility.

Anyway, Cozart said he has liked what he has seen so far from quarterback Peyton Bender, a junior-college transfer whose quick release had head coach David Beaty excited to recruit him.
“He can spin it,” Cozart said. “And I’ve noticed that quick release too.”

Cozart also praised wide receiver Daylon Charlot, who spent last season as a redshirt after transferring from Alabama.

“I think Daylon will be great,” Cozart said. “He’s one of those guys who loves to practice. When it comes time for game time that switch is going to automatically click for him. We saw as soon as he came here he was one of those energetic guys who always came to practice ready to work. He’ll be great for them. I know he’s ready to get back out there after missing last year.”

The recruitment of Bender and emergence of Carter Stanley and the potential of Tyriek Starks left no room for either Cozart or Ryan Willis, who transferred to Virginia Tech, on the quarterback depth chart. Cozart remains a big fan of the program.

“I think we’ll be really good,” he said. “I believe in the plan coach Beaty and the staff are putting together. I just want everyone to continue to trust in the team and trust in coach Beaty and within the next couple of years it should be back rolling.”

Cozart, also a basketball star at Bishop Miege High, said he hasn’t heard from any schools about using his final year of eligibility to play basketball.

“But if if someone came to me right now and offered me a scholarship to play basketball, I think I might take it,” Cozart said. “I think I would. I’ve still got it. I still go to the Rec every now and then, nowadays just to get some cardio since I’m not running with the team. I still play a little bit. I’d say you give me two months of legit basketball, I’d be right back.”

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