If Kansas football coach Les Miles and his assistants currently have a depth chart they feel good about during the final stage of spring practices, they’re certainly not making it public.
However, during the Jayhawks’ open practice on Thursday — a light, pads-free warmup for Saturday’s spring game — the 11-on-11 session provided a glimpse of what KU’s two-deep just might look like right about now.
The first-string units that were in place for the 13th practice of the spring may not even look exactly the same when the Jayhawks reconvene under the lights for No. 14, when fans will get to watch KU scrimmage at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Still, this particular practice was the first prolonged opportunity those outside of the program have had this spring to watch the offense and defense go toe-to-toe.
More players will join the roster in the summer, and some undoubtedly will factor into the two-deep at preseason camp. So it’s safe to describe the current state of the various position battles as fluid.
For Thursday at least, here’s who started on each side of the ball when the team period began inside KU’s new indoor practice facility.
Thomas MacVittie to Daylon Charlot #kufball pic.twitter.com/qrud0C20dU
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) April 11, 2019
OFFENSE
QB – Thomas MacVittie
RB – Dom Williams
WRs – Daylon Charlot, Andrew Parchment, Kwamie Lassiter II
TE – Jack Luavasa
LT – Hakeem Adeniji
LG – Malik Clark
C – Api Mane
RG – Chris Hughes
RT – Clyde McCauley III
DEFENSE
DE – Cody Cole
NT – Jelani Brown
DE – Darrius Moragne
Hawk – Azur Kamara
LB – Drew Harvey
LB – Dru Prox
CB – Hasan Defense
S – Bryce Torneden
S – Mike Lee
S – Davon Ferguson
CB – Corione Harris
After all of those presumed current starters took a fair amount of reps, coaches rotated in other Jayhawks.
Here are the players who showed up most often in reserve roles as KU spent most of its afternoon session pitting the offense against the defense.
OFFENSE
QB – Carter Stanley
RB – Khalil Herbert
WRs – Takulve Williams, Ezra Naylor, Stephon Robinson Jr.
TE – James Sosinski
LT – Earl Bostick Jr.
LG – Jacobi Lott
C – Andru Tovi
RG – Adagio Lopeti
RT – Antione Frazier
DEFENSE
DE – Willie McCaleb
NT – Sam Burt
DE – Jelani Arnold
Hawk – Najee Stevens-McKenzie
LB – Kyron Johnson
LB – Cooper Root
CB – Kyle Mayberry
S – Ricky Thomas
S – Jeremiah McCullough
S – Shaquille Richmond
CB – Elijah Jones and Elmore Hempstead Jr.
Other reserves got their fair share of reps at the practice, as well. These are the other backups who participated during the 11-on-11 work.
OFFENSE
QBs – Miles Kendrick and Torry Locklin
RB – Donovan Franklin
WRs – Kameron McQueen and Evan Fairs
FBs – Sam Schroeder and Mac Copeland
OL – Joey Gilbertson and Kevin Feder
DEFENSE
DL – Jalan Robinson
LB – Robert Topps III
S – DeAnte Ford and Julian Chandler
Again, there were no pads involved, so there wasn’t any real hitting or tackling. But there were some players who stood out as the KU football program opened its practice up to both the student population and members of the media.
A senior safety, Mike Lee, intercepted two passes on the afternoon. Another defensive back from New Orleans, junior safety Ricky Thomas, made another pick.
Ricky Thomas picks off Carter Stanley #kufball pic.twitter.com/ehJAYPCt0S
— Shane Jackson (@SJacksonMGM) April 11, 2019
Although several receivers had a crack or two at some deep shots, it was junior Stephon Robinson Jr. who hauled one in successfully, despite solid coverage.
What was the most impressive catch of the day? Quarterback Thomas MacVittie gave that honor to one of the tight ends.
“I think our tight end, Sosa, had a one-handed, kind of behind him,” MacVittie recalled of a snag by senior James Sosinski that drew oohs and ahhs from his teammates nearby on the sideline.
“That just shows how athletic he is,” MacVittie added of the grab.
James Sosinski with the snag on a pass from Miles Kendrick #kufball pic.twitter.com/n9WR1GWZV3
— Shane Jackson (@SJacksonMGM) April 11, 2019
KU’s spring game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. It will be available to stream on ESPN+ and broadcast locally and throughout the state on various cable platforms.
