The Kansas football roster still lacks depth in a couple of areas, such as cornerback and safety, but it’s reasonable to expect evidence of improvement in the areas of speed and line play. Even so, the big forward step still appears a year away.
Why?
Seniors. The 2017 team won’t have many and the 2018 squad will be loaded with them.
This coming fall, just 10 seniors who originally came to Kansas on scholarship will suit up. Four came to Kansas via junior colleges: defensive tackles DeeIsaac Davis, Jacky Dezir and Isi Holani, plus guard Jayson Rhodes. Two came to KU as transfers from four-year schools: running back Denzel Evans and inside receiver LaQuvionte Gonzalez.
Four of the 10 seniors were recruited to Kansas out of high school. Defensive end Kellen Ash and tight end Ben Johnson are in their fifth seasons in the program. Receiver Bobby Hartzog is a fourth-year senior as is nickel back Derrick Neal.
Given the tiny senior class, KU still will fall far short in experience from the rest of the Big 12 and then will catch up the following year.
In 2018, as many as 25 Jayhawks who came to KU on scholarship could suit up and for the first time since taking the job, head coach David Beaty should have a full complement of 85 scholarship players.
