National Signing Day has arrived for the Class of 2018, but Kansas football coach David Beaty and his staff don’t have to worry much about in terms of which of their recruiting targets will follow through and sign letters of intent.
The time for heightened anxiousness came and went in December’s three-day early signing period, when Louisiana standouts Corione Harris and Anthony “Pooka” Williams joined three other preps and nine junior college prospects in making their commitments official.
Throw in Florida State graduate transfer Mavin Saunders and juco quarterback Miles Kendrick, who joined the program for the spring semester, and the KU staff entered the traditional February signing day with most of its business behind them.
Only four players who had previously announced their commitments to Kansas came into Wednesday unsigned: Blue Valley North defensive end Miles Emery, Louisiana linebacker Ryan Malbrough, Texas prep quarterback Torry Locklin and Coffeyville Community College offensive tackle Reuben Lewis.
That group gained a welcome addition Wednesday morning, though, when Kenny Bastida, an uncommitted three-star linebacker from Deerfield Beach, Fla., decided he would sign with Kansas.
According to [Jon Kirby of Jayhawk Slant][1], Bastida visited KU this past weekend after being recruited by new linebackers coach Bill Miller. Prior to his senior season, Bastida reportedly had offers from Penn State, LSU, Michigan State, Wisconsin, North Carolina State and several other programs. He told Kirby in the past month he visited with coaches from Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado and “a lot of other schools.”
A 6-foot-4, 330-pound tackle originally from Apopka, Fla., Lewis was the first of the group to sign Wednesday morning.
The letter for Malbrough, a 6-1, 180-pound linebacker from Cecilia, La., came through next.
Bastida signed Wednesday morning, as well.
https://twitter.com/kingbastida/status/961280963438366721
In total, KU’s 2018 class projects to include just nine high school players, 11 from the junior college ranks and one graduate transfer.
Class of 2018 signees
————–
• **Reuben Lewis** | 6-4, 330 | OL | Coffeyville C.C.
We just got better up front. Welcome to the Jayhawk Family Big Fella!!!#JayCrew18 #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/JKObTwoc7q
— David Beaty (@beaty_david) February 7, 2018
• **Ryan Malbrough** | 6-1, 180 | LB | Cecilia High (La.)
Another Louisianimal headed to KANSAS!!!
Welcome to the Jayhawk family, Ryan!!#JayCrew18 #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/Tt9Oqh7iaF
— David Beaty (@beaty_david) February 7, 2018
KU football receives holiday gift in form of verbal pledge for Class of 2018
• **Kenny Bastida** | 6-1, 230 | OLB | Deerfield Beach High (Fla.)
Sunshine State ???? Sunflower State
Thrilled to add this menacing linebacker to the Jayhawk family! Welcome home, Kenny!#JayCrew18 #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/HMPGETlexl
— David Beaty (@beaty_david) February 7, 2018
*Below is the list of recruits who KU already had in place heading into February.*
• **Mavin Saunders** | 6-5, 256 | TE | Florida State
TE Mavin Saunders, a Florida State graduate, to transfer to Kansas
• **Jeremiah McCullough** | 6-0, 205 | S | Hartnell College
Kansas picks up defensive back commitments from familiar junior college
• **Davon Ferguson** | 5-10, 190 | DB | Hartnell College
• **Elijah Jones** | 6-1, 175 | CB | Ellsworth Community College
3rd juco prospect, CB Elijah Jones, commits to KU on eve of early signing period
• **Najee Stevens-McKenzie** | 6-3, 225 | DE | ASA College
• **Azur Kamara** | 6-4, 225 | DE | Arizona Western College
• **Jacobi Lott** | 6-4, 309 | OL | Tascosa High (Texas)
Hectic Sunday also brings three additions to KU football’s 2018 recruiting class
• **Charles Cole** | 6-3, 280 | DT | Butler Community College
KU football adds 8th juco prospect, DL Charles Cole, to recruiting class
• **Foster Dixson** | 6-4, 250 | DE | West Los Angeles Community College
Hectic Sunday also brings three additions to KU football’s 2018 recruiting class
• **Stephon Robins**on | 5-10, 170 | WR | El Camino Community College
Hectic Sunday also brings three additions to KU football’s 2018 recruiting class
• **Mac Copeland** | 6-4, 245 | OL | Wichita Collegiate High
• **Nick Williams** | 6-8, 265 | OL | Ritenour High (Mo.)
St. Louis offensive lineman commits to KU football; Louisiana safety decommits
• **Corione Harris** | 6-1, 170 | CB | Landry-Walker High (La.)
4-star CB Corione Harris sticks to his word, signs with Kansas football
• **Elmore Hempstead Jr.** | 5-11, 175 | CB | Fort Scott C.C.
• **Anthony “Pooka” Williams Jr.** | 5-10, 170 | RB | Hahnville High (La.)
RB ‘Pooka’ Williams signs with Kansas football, instead of LSU or Nebraska
• **Miles Kendrick** | 5-10, 200 | QB | College of San Mateo
[1]: https://kansas.rivals.com/news/kansas-gets-signing-day-surprise-in-highly-recruited-kenny-bastida
