New 4/19/01
PRIME TIME PLAYERS: These are the players I project as possible starters and contributors for the fall. The lineups appear to be pretty set for the spring but some new faces have emerged from the crowd, especially from the freshmen and junior college talent. Freshmen and fall transfers won't be listed among the list of "Prime Time Players" until the fall update.
Starters are listed in italics.
Click here to return to the top of page.
OFFENSE
The offense will have several new faces yet the talent level and depth as a group may be improved from other years. The OL may be the strength of the offense this year unlike any years previously under Terry Allen's tenure. Several quality JuCo players are not only coming in to provide depth but are serious contenders for starting jobs. While Moran Norris truly was a star player, his injuries and David Winbush's rendered them quite ineffective for much of last year meaning a full season from Reggie Duncan would be an improvement at the position. WRs, if not the strength of the offense, are surely number two. Numbers and talent are at their all time high as well under Terry Allen and possibly Glen Mason. The real question about success on offense will be tied to the progress of young, talented but inexperienced QBs.
QB - Zach Dyer (6-3 215 So) is the starter based on experience alone. Mario Kinsey (6-1 185 RSFr) and Kevin Long (6-5 220 RSFr) are giving him strong competition. Spring ball has shown some steady progression by the position but the competition will continue into the fall. While young, there is some talent to be tapped.
RB - Reggie Duncan (5-9 215 So) has assumed the mantle at tailback from long time friend David Winbush. Reggie has trimmed down and dropped time while having a good spring. Daniel Coke (6-1 220 So) is having some success as his back up. Harold McClendon (6-0 200 So) is another getting a chance to earn some time. A true freshman could make his way into the depth chart this fall.
FB - Moran Norris is gone and looking to make it big in the NFL. Mitch Scott (6-3 240 Jr) is looking to make an impact if fully recovered from numerous injuries. Austine Nwabuisi (6-1 225 RSFr) is getting shots at the backup spot.
WR - Harrison Hill (5-11 195 Sr) and Tremaine Fulton (5-8 190 Sr) return as the two primary targets for KU quarterbacks. Roger Ross (5-7 170 Sr) Byron Gasaway (6-4 205 Jr) and J.T. Thompson (5-10 180 So) will make this a very strong group. KU running multi-receiver sets demands a large group. Derick Mills (5-8 170 So), Barry Goodrich (6-1 190 So) and Marcellus Jones (5-11 200 Sr) will provide quality depth. The receiver corps is integral to Allen's coaching philosophy on offense. Expect to see a lot of 4 WR sets this year.
TE - Jason Gulley has departed so David Hurst is the most experienced TE in camp. Adrian Jones (6-5 240 So) has all the tools to be a very effect TE in the Big 12. Jason Farley is working hard and making an opportunity for himself.
OL - The line has loses from last year with John Oddonetto, Marc Owens and Bob Schmidt completing their time. The returning starters are Bob Smith (6-4 295 Sr) at LG, Nick Smith (6-3 295 Jr) at center and Justin Hartwig (6-6 305 Sr) at RT. The hope is Justin Sands (6-6 305 Jr) is ready to step in at LT and red shirt Tony Damiani at RG. There are several competing for the starting jobs and backup spots. From the JuCo ranks - John Harvey (6-6 305 Jr), Jawad Pearson (6-5 300 Jr), Brook Teddleton (6-6 330 So). Kyle Grady (6-5 295 Jr) and Gabe Rosalis (6-5 290 Jr) are a couple of returnees in the mix. All together this group is a far cry from the first year under Terry Allen with depth, size experience and talent where walkons filled three starting spots and depth was non-existent.
DEFENSE
The defense lost a couple of key players from last year in Chaz Murphy and possibly DeNard Whitfield. Tim Bowers was solid at LB, achieving his maximum potential both on and off the field. Kareem High was a solid defender and fierce tackler but lacked closing speed in coverage. Carl Nesmith had the size and athleticism but also lacked closing speed and remained quite inexperienced.
The biggest impact may come from the infusion of new coaches and their aggressive, attacking philosophy to defense. Team speed on defense should be upgraded with this influx of red shirt freshmen and JuCo transfers. Overall, despite the graduations/departures, there is considerably more depth and a build-up of experience compared to the first few years under Terry Allen. There were talented players then but fortunately the lack of injuries didn't expose how thin depth was in those years.
DL - The starters at tackle going into this year will be Big 12 star Nate Dwyer (6-3 300 Sr) and Ervin Holloman (6-4 290 Sr). Marques Hayes (6-3 280 Sr) and Ryan Atkinson (6-2 300 Sr) will spell the starters. Tony Strickland (6-6 275 Jr) has potential to contribute by continuing to work hard. The ends will be manned by two new faces - Travis Watkins (6-3 270 RSFr) and Charlie Dennis (6-5 245 Jr). Hopefully one of them will successfully replace Chaz Murphy in the lineup. Charlie starting is based on the assumption that DeNard Whitfield will be unsuccessful in getting his academics in order by next fall. DeNard is a tremendous player and his loss would be felt. Backing up the ends would be two RSFr - Clarence Laws (6-3 270) and David McMillan (6-5 270). Both have potential to make solid contributions over the next four years. David is only three years removed making the transition from the defensive secondary to defensive line. While learning to play in a more physical style rather than with finesse, Dave does have tremendous speed.
OLB - Potential Big 12 star Algie Atkinson (6-5 250 Sr) will provide size and speed on one side and newcomer Leo Etienne (6-1 225 Jr) brings great instinctive play to the other. Leo was a big playmaker at Butler CC last year. Greg Cole (6-3 235 Jr) is another newcomer with strong potential from Butler CC and Greg Robinson (6-3 235 So) is ready to contribute, both providing quality depth on the outside.
ILB - Marcus Rogers (6-1 235 Sr) returns after a stellar junior year and brings strong leadership to the defense. Marcus will be backed up by RSFr Brandon Watkins (6-2 225) and Greg Tyree (6-0 225).
CB - Andrew Davison (5-11 195 Sr) and Quincy Roe (5-8 190 Sr) return as starters with some talented young corners pushing them - Carl Ivey (5-11 185 So), Johnny McCoy (6-1 190 RSFr). A true freshman or two might break in to the depth charts come fall, Johnny Watkins6-0 185 Fr) having the best chance. One other eagerly anticipated for the fall is Remuise Johnson (5-9 175 Jr) transferring in from Garden City CC.
S - With both starters at the end of their eligibility, (Carl Nesmith and Kareem High), the coaches are looking for someone to step up and take the job. Jamari Bryant (5-11 200 Sr) and Jake Letourneau (6-1 200 Jr) appear to be earning the right to be at the top of the charts going into the fall as starters. They will continue to face strong competition from talented youngsters like Santana Lane (6-0 185 RSFr) and Leo Bookman (6-1 220 RSFr) or veterans Matt Jordan (5-10 195 JR) and Carl Shazor (6-3 200 Jr). Despite who the starters are, there is depth and speed, although the group is somewhat short on experience.
P/K - Joe Garcia has graduated. Chris Tyrrell is the sole scholarship kicker on the roster until the fall. Chris has struggled kicking off a tee hence the competition in the fall with the arrival of John Beck. Joey Pelfanio has graduated opening up the punting duties as well. Curtis Ansel is a JC signee who will report in the fall to compete for the punting chores with Chris Tyrrell. Curtis is a two-step punter and Chris is working on changing from a three-stepper. Possibly more important or at least equally is finding a long snapper. Greg Nicks (6-3 300 So) is a walkon transfer from Butler CC who is getting a lot of chances this spring to prove himself. His success could earn him a scholarship.
Returners - A number of candidates return and a few of the freshmen might even get a shot. J.T. Thompson, Harrison Hill and Roger Ross are some that will get looks.
Click here to return to the top of page.
Email me if you find any interesting sites or have some comments about the homepage.
Click here to return to the KU Sports Page or here to return to the Myers' Home Page .