**12:31 p.m. Update**
It looks like everything worked out with Blinn College offensive lineman Jayson Rhodes’ transcripts because KU is now announcing him as a member of today’s mid-year transfer haul.
Rhodes, who got in with KU late after offensive lineman Delonte’ Murray changed his mind and signed with Cincinnati, is a 6-foot-4, 310-pound guard who had offers from Grambling State, Hampton, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Southern Miss and UT-San Antonio.
He’ll arrive at KU in time for spring football and will have three years of eligibility remaining, which makes him a guy the KU coaching staff can bring along slowly if need be. That’s not to say he’ll need it, just that they’ll have that flexibility.
The addition of Rhodes brings KU’s total haul for the day to seven — 3 offensive linemen, 2 defensive backs, 1 defensive lineman and 1 running back.
Here’s a quick look at Rhodes’ film and bio.
**RHODES BIO:** Played one season at Blinn College under head coach Keith Thomas… Helped lead the Buccaneers to a 4-4 mark in 2014… Earned second team all-conference honors in 2014… Started the season on the defensive side of the ball, before moving to the offensive line… Sat out the 2013 season as a redshirt.
**Original Post: 9:49 a.m.**
It’s not quite the spectacle that national signing day in February brings, but it’s important nonetheless. And it’s already well under way for the Kansas University football program.
Mid-year transfer signing day offers those junior-college players who were able to graduate in December the chance to sign their national letters of intent early so they can report to their new schools in time for the spring semester, which begins in late January, and, more importantly, the start of spring practices.
Here’s a quick list of the new Jayhawks who made it official this morning, starting with Kilgore College cornerback M.J. Mathis, who signed his letter at 8 a.m. in his hometown of Crosby, Texas, with a few close friends and family members present.
Mathis, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound corner with a good mix of physical presence and legit speed, said signing his letter was an amazing feeling because it put an official end to a couple of stressful months that came with waiting for KU to change coaches and signing day to arrive.
Here’s a quick look at some Mathis highlights:
Other new Jayhawks who signed this morning include:
**• Will Smith, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound, three-star offensive lineman** from Butler Community College, who committed to KU in early June after an official visit.
**SMITH BIO:** Played two seasons on the offensive line for the nationally-ranked Grizzlies… Coached by Troy Morrell at BCC… Earned a three-star rating from Rivals.com and 247Sports.com… Saw action in 11 games for the Grizzlies, helping them earn an 8-3 overall record in 2014… Picked up all-conference and all-region honors in 2014… Helped lead the Grizzlies to the 2013 conference and region titles.
**• Jacky Dezir, a 6-3, 305-pound, two-star defensive lineman** from College of DuPage, who also committed to KU in early June after an official visit.
**DEZIR BIO:** Spent two seasons at the College of DuPage playing for head coach Matt Foster… Sat out the 2014 season as a redshirt… Played in 10 games for the Chaparrals, helping them earn a 7-4 record in 2013… Recorded two sacks in the 2013 Carrier Dome Bowl against ASA College… Recorded 24 total tackles during the 2013 season, including 13 solo tackles… Also credited with 3.0 TFLs.
**• Bazie “L.B.” Bates IV, a 6-1, 195-pound, three-star defensive back** from Trinity Valley C.C., who committed to KU in late June. Name is pronounced Baz-ee.
**BATES BIO:** Spent two seasons at Trinity Valley Community College suiting up for head coach Brad Smiley… A three-star prospect according to Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and Scout.com… Played as a cornerback on the 2014 team that was a perfect 12-0 in 2014… Helped lead the Cardinals to the SWJCFC championship, the Region XIV championship and the Heart of Texas Bowl title in 2014… Recorded 26 total tackles, including 16 solo stops, as a sophomore in 2014… Led TVCC with four interceptions… Also had four pass breakups… Spent the 2013 season as a redshirt… Collected 11 tackles and one pass breakup for TVCC as a freshman in 2012.
**• D’Andre Banks, a 6-3, 325-pound, three-star offensive lineman** also from Trinity Valley, C.C., who committed to Kansas after an official visit last weekend. Banks had been committed to Louisiana-Lafayette, but switched to Kansas after his visit.
**BANKS BIO:** Played two seasons at Trinity Valley Community College for head coach Brad Smiley… A three-star prospect according to Rivals.com… Saw action as an offensive guard on the 2014 team that went undefeated (12-0) in 2014… Helped lead the Cardinals to the SWJCFC championship, the Region XIV championship and the Heart of Texas Bowl title in both 2013 and 2014…Spent the 2012 season as a redshirt.
“Coach (David) Beaty is a great guy and has a plan for the program,” Banks said shortly after committing. “I want to be a part of it. The facilities are excellent and it feels like a tight-knit community.”
**• Ke’aun Kinner, a 5-10, 185-pound, three-star running back** from Navarro Junior College, who committed to KU earlier this week and was named a first-team Juco All-American on Tuesday.
**KINNER BIO:** Suited up for two seasons at Navarro Junior College under head coach J.J. Eckert… Earned a three-star ranking from Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and Scout.com… Finished his two-year career at NJC ranked third all-time in rushing yardage (1,918 yards) and ninth all-time in carries (277)… Ranked second in single-season carries and topped the single-season per game rushing average list in NJC history… Rushed for 1,696 yards and 22 touchdowns on 253 carries in 2014… Also caught 17 passes for 109 yards through the air… Earned First Team National Junior College Athletic Assocation (NJCAA) All-American honors in 2014… In his two-year career at Navarro he recorded 26 rushing touchdowns… Named the Southwest Junior College Football Conference’s Most Valuable Player in 2014.
