The Kansas football team’s first depth chart of the season has been released and it contains few surprises.
Junior quarterback Jalon Daniels is listed as the starter heading into the season opener Friday at home against Tennessee Tech, and at running back, sophomore Devin Neal and redshirt sophomores Daniel Hishaw Jr., Ky Thomas, Sevion Morrison are all listed on the top line.
Little value should be placed on depth charts, especially entering Week 1, as they are not always an accurate reflection of what the coaching staff believes. They do, however, serve as a loose guide for those looking to glean insight about the team.
Daniels, who has been expected to be the Jayhawks’ starter against the Golden Eagles since last season ended, is listed in that role ahead of redshirt senior Jason Bean. At wide receiver, redshirt sophomore LJ Arnold, junior Luke Grimm and redshirt sophomore Quentin Skinner, who was recently awarded a scholarship after beginning his time at Kansas as a walk-on, are listed first.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Trevor Wilson is not listed on the depth chart as he has been suspended indefinitely by the team after he was charged with aggravated assault with use of a deadly weapon following an incident in Lawrence last week.
Redshirt sophomore Armaj Reed-Adams and redshirt senior Dominick Puni are listed as the starters at left guard. Reed-Adams injured his left knee in practice the week of Aug. 15 and his status for Friday remains uncertain.
Leipold, who is set to speak with reporters later Monday, said following an open practice at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Aug. 20 that he hadn’t yet asked his assistant coaches for a depth chart and is not a fan of them.
“Some positions are a little more defined, but again, ‘two deep,’ and Jim Panagos may rotate eight defensive tackles,” Leipold said. “There could be five or six defensive ends. There’s going to be three or four tight ends. We’ve talked about it. Two-deep? Unfortunately, no offense, you have only so much room to print a two-deep, so when a guy doesn’t see his name, he gets (disappointed).”
The Week 1 depth chart:
Offense
Quarterback: Junior Jalon Daniels; redshirt senior Jason Bean
Running back: Sophomore Devin Neal or redshirt sophomore Daniel Hishaw Jr. or redshirt sophomore Ky Thomas or redshirt sophomore Sevion Morrison
X (Wide receiver): Redshirt sophomore LJ Arnold; redshirt junior Kevin Terry
Z (Wide receiver): Redshirt sophomore Quentin Skinner; junior Steven McBride
Slot receiver: Junior Luke Grimm; redshirt sophomore Doug Emilien
Tight end: Senior Mason Fairchild; redshirt sophomore Trevor Kardell or redshirt sophomore Jared Casey
Left tackle: Sixth-year senior Earl Bostick Jr.; redshirt sophomore Jackson Satterwhite
Left guard: Redshirt senior Dominick Puni or redshirt sophomore Armaj Reed-Adams
Center: Redshirt senior Mike Novitsky; redshirt sophomore Dre Doiron
Right guard: Redshirt sophomore Michael Ford Jr.; redshirt freshman Nolan Gorczyca
Right tackle: Redshirt sophomore Bryce Cabeldue; freshman James Livingston
Defense
Defensive end: Redshirt junior Lonnie Phelps; redshirt senior Hayden Hatcher
Defensive tackle: Sixth-year senior Sam Burt; redshirt senior Eddie Wilson
Defensive tackle: Redshirt senior Caleb Sampson; redshirt sophomore Caleb Taylor or redshirt freshman D.J. Withers
Defensive end: Sixth-year senior Malcolm Lee or junior Jereme Robinson
Linebacker: Redshirt junior Craig Young or senior Gavin Potter
Linebacker: Senior Rich Miller; redshirt senior Eriq Gilyard
Linebacker: Junior Taiwan Berryhill; sixth-year senior Lorenzo McCaskill
Cornerback: Redshirt junior Kalon Gervin or sophomore Cobee Bryant
Safety: Senior Kenny Logan Jr.; sophomore Edwin White-Schultz or sixth-year senior Jarrett Paul
Safety: Sophomore O.J. Burroughs or redshirt junior Marvin Grant Jr.
Cornerback: Redshirt sophomore Mello Dotson; seventh-year senior Monte’ McGary or sophomore Shaad Dabney
Special teams:
Kickoffs: Junior Tabor Allen; redshirt junior Jacob Borcila
Kicker: Redshirt junior Jacob Borcila; junior Tabor Alllen
Punter: Junior Reis Vernon; redshirt freshman Grayden Addison
Long snapper: Redshirt junior Luke Hosford; redshirt sophomore Emory Duggar
Punt returner: Junior Luke Grimm; sophomore Devin Neal
Kickoff returner: Senior Kenny Logan Jr.; junior Luke Grimm
Holder: Junior Reis Vernon
