The first Kansas football depth chart of the season, which was released on Monday, features a lot less ambiguity than usual.
“This time, I tried to make a little decision on this to not list 75 guys,” head coach Lance Leipold told reporters, though he took care to add, “I might do it to you guys next week.”
Gone are the 15 instances of the word “or” that muddied last year’s initial depth chart, in favor of a clean two-deep table. Exactly two players are listed at 11 positions each on offense and defense, plus two more at kicker, punter, long snapper, holder, kickoff specialist and both return spots.
That level of clarity makes it easy to draw some significant conclusions from the way KU chose to present its initial group of players ahead of Thursday’s season opener against Lindenwood.
Foster, Allen win competitions
Shane Bumgardner had a head start after enrolling at KU in the winter, but Bryce Foster, who arrived from Texas A&M midway through the Jayhawks’ summer program after completing his track and field season, ultimately beat him out for the starting center spot.
“Bryce kept coming on, and has good command of what we’re doing offensively, and right now that’s the decision,” Leipold said. “I can see Shane getting reps and doing things as we play the game, whether it be Bryce taking some time at guard or just rotating (at center). It’s not a position you rotate a ton, but I think we have answered the question of having a couple guys that can play there and play winning football for us.”
Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes added that Foster proved with his consistency that he was the best fit for the job, noting that Foster’s improvement midway through camp coincided with a period in which Bumgardner was banged up.
“Shane is a guy that could still play for us,” Grimes said, “and the season is young, and I tell all of our guys just because it starts this way doesn’t mean it’ll finish that way, and that could be due to performance or injury or any number of things.”
Both players also ensured that Michael Ford Jr. did not have to move over from guard.
The other primary competition was at placekicker, where for some time Charlie Weinrich and Owen Piepergerdes seemed the primary two options, only for longtime kickoff specialist Tabor Allen to seize the job in the offseason.
“Partway through the spring, all of a sudden, you start noticing, ‘Dang. He’s pretty consistent,'” Leipold said.
Leipold said that Allen, a senior from Mansfield, Texas, has a reserved personality, but he eagerly embraced the opportunity to take on both roles.
“Charlie and Owen were solid, but when you really looked at it, the most consistent and (also) from distances was Tabor Allen,” Leipold said.
Casey is top tight end
With Mason Fairchild having graduated and Iowa State transfer DeShawn Hanika dealing with a long-term leg injury, Trevor Kardell seemed poised to position himself as KU’s next primary pass-catching tight end.
As the Jayhawks’ No. 2 player on the depth chart, he’ll still have a chance for plenty of action, as will Leyton Cure. But Grimes said Jared Casey is “clearly our best tight end.”
Grimes also said that while Kardell has been dealing with a knee issue for almost the entire time Grimes has been at KU, he doesn’t want that to take away from Casey’s success of late.
Granted, the Jayhawks will have to adjust to using the 6-foot, 245-pound former fullback as their primary player at the position.
“Some things he does better than others, and so we’ll manage that in a couple ways,” Grimes said. “One is we’ll do things as an offense that play to his strengths a little bit more when you have a guy like him as opposed to a guy like Mason, who is your primary tight end in 11 (personnel). Changes how you use that guy a little bit, but then we do have other guys who will play in those other spots.”
Two freshmen earn spots
Cornerback Jalen Todd, a frequent recipient of praise from coaches since he enrolled early for the spring semester, and defensive end DJ Warner, a more recent addition and one of the highest-touted recruits in recent program history, are both listed on the two-deep.
“They’ve earned it,” defensive coordinator Brian Borland said. “Nobody’s given them anything.”
Todd is the backup to KU’s No. 2 corner Mello Dotson, making him No. 4 overall, while DJ Warner is behind offseason breakout Dean Miller at pass-rush defensive end, having beaten out fellow freshman Dakyus Brinkley and transfer Bai Jobe for his spot.
“DJ will definitely help us in speed and pass-rush situations,” Leipold said. “He knows he has to continue to get stronger and bigger, but he’s worked extremely hard. He’s extremely coachable and really cares. So does Jalen. You can tell that the game’s important to them … They’ll be on special teams as well.”
Miscellaneous
— Taiwan Berryhill Jr. has primarily served as a weak-side linebacker for KU, but he’s listed as the backup in the middle to newly minted captain Cornell Wheeler. That’s in keeping with Borland’s assertion on Monday that everyone in the linebacker room plays at least two positions.
“It’s been confusing at times, because guys are moving around all over the place, but I believe ultimately it’s going to be good,” Borland said. “Because things happen, injuries happen, certain games, certain situations are tailored for a certain type of player on defense sometimes, maybe more than others.”
— Defensive tackle Caleb Taylor may have improved dramatically during the offseason, but he’s still outside the starting lineup, as he’s listed behind Tommy Dunn. North Dakota State transfer Javier Derritt missed out on the depth chart entirely, as Kenean Caldwell is the primary backup to D.J. Withers. However, Borland said the team plans to use five or six tackles.
— On special teams, starting punter Damon Greaves is now KU’s first-choice holder after backup Grayden Addison handled those duties last season.
Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World
