Just a few days after he officially was named this year’s starter, it’s time to check off the Kansas quarterback on our list of most crucial Jayhawks for 2015.
He’s a name you’re familiar with and one who has started — and even won — a few games during the past two seasons.
Here’s a look.
6. Montell Cozart, 6-foot-2, 193-pound Jr. Quarterback
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If we were certain that Cozart, who earlier this week was named the starter for the season opener for the second season in a row, would finish the season and start all 12 games, he definitely would be slotted in the No. 1 spot on this list.
But when you’re talking about a program that has benched its QB mid-season for five consecutive years and a player who, himself, was benched five games into a season just one year ago, you have to at least consider the fact that he might not make it all the way through.
The hope inside the KU program is that the new offense, which in many ways was tailor-made for Cozart’s strengths, will fit the junior from Bishop Miege so well that he’ll look like a different player and have that KU offense humming again. The proof will be in the pudding, though, and we obviously need to see that happen before counting on it.
I’ve written before, though, that Cozart seems like a different guy. His maturity has kicked in and he is taking a much more business-like approach to this whole thing. That can’t hurt.
He has the tools to be a big-time player — strong arm, great athleticism, solid speed and tremendous work ethic. Now he just needs to show that he’s not afraid to take some hits and can be accurate with the pass in this new Air Raid offense.
His coaches and teammates seem to be very high on where he’s at right now and Cozart himself, as he always has been, is full of confidence. If he can translate those things into good numbers, this offense might have a chance to be productive. If not, we might see true freshman Ryan Willis or juco transfer Deondre Ford before the season’s over.
**Most Crucial Jayhawks 2015:**
No. 10 – QBs Carter Stanley and Ryan Willis
