2003 Statistics

Quarterback
Junior Adam Barmann has the daunting task of replacing departing senior Bill Whittemore under center. Though Barmann has never been a full-time starter, he does have a considerable amount of game experience to his credit. He is an adequate runner who can scramble when needed, but his deliberate, drop-back style will be a refreshing look for the Jayhawk offense. Given time to find his niche, Barmann should experience results. Towering senior Brian Luke returns, but the primary reserve will likely be City College of San Francisco-transfer Jason Swanson. Both will push Barmann.

Running Back
Clark Green is a legitimate all-conference TB candidate. He is a bowling ball. In the Big 12, where the running game and time of possession are especially crucial, Green is a true asset. The senior is hardly one-dimensional, however. He is an accomplished receiver, with nearly 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards to his credit over the past two seasons. While Barmann becomes comfortable throwing deep and intermediate passes, Green will be a valuable and oft-used safety valve. Sophomore John Randle is a quick runner with big-play potential who will team with Green to form one of the top 1-2 punches in the Big 12. Both players will have to become more adept around the goalline as Whittemore, who often sneaked in short yardage scores himself, is gone. Senior FB Austine Nwabuisi will stay home and make sure Barmann is safe, and he will again be the bruising TB escort that gave KU a 4.4 yards per run clip in '03.

Receiver
Talent is plentiful here where two capable receivers return in Mark Simmons and Brandon Rideau. The two players differ in style and will each have their own crucial role to play. Rideau is the possession receiver, the guy you look to on third-down. His consistency and large frame will aide Barmann in his progression. Simmons is the deep threat. His catches averaged an astounding 19.2 yards. Now an upperclassman, Simmons should have enough field savvy to add some versatility to his game. Then there is Charles Gordon, a flankerback who burns like Simmons but can go underneath like Rideau. Gordon will be a DB too, so many factors will define his offensive role, none of which he controls. 6'5'' sophomore Moderick Johnson will fill in as the number three option. All in all, this is an underdog group that will sneak up on many marginal secondaries (not that there are many in the Big XII).

Tight End

Sophomore Derek Fine was good enough in spring ball to advance past incumbent junior Lyonel Anderson for the starting spot. Both have good hands, and this development will mean they have two capable, catching TEs, a bonus on the goal line, eh.

Offensive Line
There are some questions along the line, but the interior does look strong. The heart of the line has experience and talent, but the two bookends are major questions. Right tackle Matt Thompson will be starting full-time for the first time in his career and left tackle Cesar Rodriguez is an underweight redshirt freshman. That, combined with the fact that Rodriguez will be taking his first collegiate snap this fall, causes considerable concern for Barmann's blindside. Depth here is mostly green, too, so expect little and be happy when they do achieve here.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Speaking optimistically, Kansas could duplicate their 30-point per game average from a year ago. Clark Green and John Randle are a great foundation for this basic offensive scheme. Green is a workhorse. The receivers are talented and will help Barmann considerably. Accordingly, the team's main focus has to be in getting Barmann up to speed so that any momentum from the Jayhawk's 29th-ranked offense can continue to grow. The front has to play more consistently and more aggressively. Getting the TEs involved early will keep the back-seven on their heels enough such that extra men won't infiltrate the box, and this should give Barmann that extra dimension for success.

Defensive Line
The Jayhawks need improvement here as opposing teams were able to run on Kansas at a 195-yard per game clip (96th-ranked run defense). Hope comes in a trio of junior college transfers and a few promising freshmen. Coaches will eventually expect first-year player James McClinton to show his huge potential. Senior David McMillan is the best of the returnees. He is a solid force at end. The return of senior Travis Watkins from injury along the interior of the line will help. The Jayhawk front cannot duplicate allowing 4.9 yards per run, 32 running TDs, and only registering 23 sacks.

Linebacker
All three starters return to what is easily the best unit on the defense. The three juniors are as active a bunch as you can find in the Big 12 and are led by Reid. The most athletic of the group, Reid excels at defending from sideline-to-sideline and is a relentless tackler. His comprehensive play allows those around him to play more aggressively. Toomey plays more around the line of scrimmage but is quick enough to excel in pass coverage as well. Floodman is often overshadowed by his two teammates, which mean he has quietly had a nice career in Lawrence. He is a complete outside linebacker who plays with great instincts. The three are a true team with one consciousness, helping each other (along with the linemen and DBs) to make the entire defensive effort work. Without them, this side of the ball would collapse. Reserve Brandon Perkins will step in for any of them and not a beat will be lost.

Defensive Back
The re-addition of speedy sophomore Charles Gordon (from WR to CB) is a major plus. The Jayhawks lacked defensive speed last season and were exposed accordingly. Gordon will help fix that problem. JUCO-transfer Theo Baines is highly regarded and will start right away. He and Gordon will give Kansas a quicker, more athletic cornerback rotation. Tony Stubbs is a terrific tackler at safety. His senior leadership, along with his on-field poise and confidence, will be invaluable. This unit will improve from ranking 81st in pass efficiency defense, especially with the LB's athleticism. Jonathan Lamb started all 13 games at free safety for Kansas University last season, but the sophomore isn't likely to be back in the secondary this fall as he has been switched to WR.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Numerous newcomers will aide a squad that definitely needs it (ranked 85th for total defense, 84th in scoring allowed in '03). How well and how quickly those players develop into reliable contributors will largely determine the effectiveness of the defense. The linebackers are noteworthy and provide some stability, but the defensive front will have to be more of a force so that the linebackers can be freed to flourish. It has been an off-season of change for the secondary, which will run basic schemes until the new blood catches on (which will be quick). Converted cornerback Charles Gordon will be a good barometer for the defense's success. Another good watch-item will be whether KU can keep opponents off the field a majority of the time. Without that factor (average time of possession for foes was 28:43), Kansas would have been that much worse (than 6-7). The Jayhawks must create more turnovers, as they finished 99th in the nation in turnover margin.