No need to be alarmed, but Friday’s eighth practice of the spring session for the Kansas University football program may have been the first in which special teams coach Gary Hyman did not sport his signature look of a turtleneck and pants.
According to one KU official, who also noticed the fashion trend, Hyman was mic’d up for Friday’s practice, an episode of KU’s web-only, behind-the-scenes look at practice that surely will go down as a must-watch.
Hyman usually looks something like he does in the photo below:
All joking aside, I continue to be amazed by Hyman’s energy. It’s as if the guy just never has a bad day — or at least as if he’s immune to showing it. When he’s on the practice field, his entire focus is on giving every ounce he’s got to teaching the Jayhawks in front of him whatever drill or skill they’re working on that day.
It’s not just Hyman who operates this way, but he’s definitely one of the loudest and most entertaining of the bunch.
With Friday marking the first practice of the second half of the spring, I tried to spend a little more time looking at depth chart situation, knowing darn well that what’s out there today could change a dozen times before the first game. Still, it’s at least an indicator of which guys have performed well through the first part of spring ball.
Here’s a look at what else caught my eye at Friday’s practice:
**• I got my first look at some kickoff return drills** and it’s safe to say that there’s still quite a battle going on back there for which guys will get first team reps with that unit this fall. On Friday, Rodriguez Coleman, Derrick Neal, Ke’aun Kinner, Corey Avery, De’Andre Mann and walk-on Ryan Schadler (a red-shirt freshman from Hesston, Kansas, who ran track at Wichita State and continues to catch my eye with his blazing speed and all-out effort) all took turns with the first team. There’s a long way to go before that gets sorted out, but it’s definitely fair to say that’s one area where KU is not hurting for options, provided they can afford to use front line guys in that role.
**• Speaking of that drill,** LBs coach Kevin Kane and WRs coach Klint Kubiak (I guess it was a K-name thing) ran the drill and their emphasis was not on the return guys but rather on the first three blockers in front of them. Not only did they emphasize steps and direction and spacing, but they also made it a point to hammer home to those guys that it’s extremely critical for them to yell to the wall in front of them that the ball has been caught and they’re coming. “Caught it, caught it, caught,” barked Kubiak, demonstrating the proper style and volume. “Yell and be loud out there, fellas. Make sure they hear ya,” Kane added.
**• Quick update on the first- and second-string O-Line units.** It seems as if regular first-team left tackle Jordan Shelley-Smith might be dealing with some kind of a nagging injury so on Friday the ones lined up like this: LT Joe Bloomfield, LG Bryan Peters, C Keyon Haughton, RG Junior Visinia, RT Larry Mazyck. The twos looked like this: LT Devon Williams, LG Kyle Pullia, C Jacob Bragg, RG D’Andre Banks, RT Jayson Rhodes.
**• I spent the last part of the practice we were allowed to watch observing the wide receivers** and both Rodriguez Coleman and Tre’ Parmalee jumped out at me throughout the drills. Coleman just looks so effortless in everything he does. If you’re not into that sort of thing, you might mistake it for a guy with a lack of a motor, but I don’t think that’s the case. He just moves so well and has some pretty good experience, that this is all old hat for him. As for Parmalee, his hands (which never were an issue) look stronger and better than ever and he’s another one of those guys who you can tell has played a little bit. Both guys are going to have to really step up for this young and inexperience receiving corps this fall, but it seems like they’re doing a solid job of leading by example and helping bring the young guys along.
**• The Jayhawks will have the weekend “off”** and will return to the practice field on Tuesday for spring session No. 9.
