Number 4 on the list — and, no, we didn’t pencil him into this position because he has the IV at the end of his name — is a player who could easily have the biggest impact of any Jayhawk on the defense.
A junior college transfer from Trinity Valley Community College, Bazie Bates IV not only brings good skills, size and confidence to the KU secondary but he’s also stepping into a position that lost two starters from last year’s squad in Cassius Sendish and Isaiah Johnson, both guys who played like long-time veterans.
Bates has some work to do to reach their level, but the physical ability is there.
Here’s a look.
4. Bazie Bates IV, 6-foot-1, 186-pound Jr. Safety
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It’s not every year that a team is asked to replace all four starters in the secondary yet somehow comes away feeling OK about at least a few of the positions.
Credit juco transfer Bazie Bates for part of the reason the Jayhawks feel good about the crop of safeties they’ll start the season with in 2015.
Known as a hard hitter and a tireless worker, Bates already has become a huge part of the KU defense, through his time with the team in the spring, summer and preseason camp.
One of Bates’ biggest assets is his confidence. The guy simply believes he is a player and demonstrates that not by running his mouth and boasting anywhere he can but by playing hard and earning the respect of his teammates.
His experience as a cornerback at Trinity Valley CC gives him that extra layer of skill that turn him from your average safety surveying the field and looking for a play to come his way into a potentially huge part of this defense — and this season — because he is willing to go out and find a way to make a play.
I talked to Bates this spring about choosing the No. 24 and how he has some big shoes to fill given that former KU cornerback and sixth-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, JaCorey Shepherd, wore that number the past couple of seasons (not to mention former KU safety Bradley McDougald, now making a name for himself with the Tampa Bay Bucs) and Bates said he liked that he was wearing a number that already had high expectations.
The guy is not afraid of anything and, with his natural athleticism and extreme confidence, his number and name are ones you can expect to hear called a lot this season.
**Most Crucial Jayhawks 2015:**
No. 10 – QBs Carter Stanley and Ryan Willis
