2007 Statistics

QUARTERBACK
This offense just needed the right guy under center to become the unstoppable force it was for nearly all of 2007. With only two offensive linemen who were returning starters last year, the new-look backfield exploded, led by Todd Reesing and his elusive style. A very balanced Jayhawk attack was the nation’s second-best scoring offense, increasing their point per game from the prior year by nearly 14 and overall yardage per game by over 100. Just a junior this year, Reesing has deceptive speed when he decides to run it; he wisely makes sure to send opposing LBs into coverage before scooting by the engaged DLmen. Did he get sacked 26 times? Probably not even 20 since tackling the QB behind the line of scrimmage pretty much qualifies as a sack these days. But his decision making when he throws it with just as much caution is the key for Kansas to stay atop the rankings. C’mon, 33 TDs and seven INTs says it all. Reesing has a huge arm for his sub-6’ frame (outfielder in prep BB) and a real pension for learning from his own (modest) mistakes so as not to repeat them. He gets it, and the offense follows along by his example of focus and determination. Coordinator Ed Warinner accomplished more offensive production in his first year (’07) than what coach Mangino could in any of his prior six, so we are sure Mangino is happy to be relieved of that pressure with so many wins to convince him of the smart move getting Warinner. But that doesn’t dismiss the hard work Mangino did building the offense the right way, as we have noted for a few years. The flashes seen as the team was brought along over the 2004-06 times all just came together under Warinner’s influence. And why would this stop now, with so many pieces of the puzzle back?

Another major piece is multi-tasker Kerry Meier, the displaced QB who is just way too talented to keep off the field. The only way to describe his role is Mr. Everything – he’s throwing passes here, then running it or catching it in the flat over there…up to 220lbs, Meier isn’t quite a fullback, but he can break tackles with his speed and isn’t afraid to hit between the tackles, either. Meier lines up anywhere and everywhere (listed as a WR). But Meier doesn’t supplant the true receivers who make foes respect the deep ball.

RUNNING BACK
Jake Sharp is ready for the main role as ball carrier. Sharp is a quick back who can hammer it straight ahead, too, but he will have to hold off classmate Angus Quigley. Quigley is that Jim Brown-type, big and strong as he blows by with a burst of sudden speed, but it has to translate more from the practice field to game day. It’s a great one-two punch for the one-back sets, and Quigley as a blocker in two-back sets works, too. The next great back to come out of Lawrence will be Jocques Crawford, the NJCAA Player of the Year in ’07. He will push Quigley to the levels needed, or just fly by him on the two-deep. The backs just have to have soft hands to keep them from becoming just role players, a hint to Crawford for how to get more reps (also need to block well for blitz pickups).

RECEIVER
Missed will be Marcus Henry’s field-stretching abilities, but plenty are there to take his role. Dezmon Briscoe comes to mind, as does Micah Brown. But the guy who should get first dibs is top WR Dexton Fields. He has the size, speed and savvy (would take two guys with him most of the time, for sure) to get in the clear deep down field and open the rest of thing up for Reesing. But the biggest weapon to emerge has to be Marcus Herford, the kick return phenom who will have a place in this year’s patterns. Will TE Bradley Dedeaux be as good as Fine at sucking LBs into coverage? That remains to be seen, so the new faces from this class (Hawkinson, Biere, Plato) need to step up quickly.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The line had two senior tackles and many new starters inside in ’07; it is just the opposite with the inside guys now the veterans (all seniors) and the tackles are the new faces. The attitude on the line starts with center Ryan Cantrell, a fifth-year senior who tattoos DTs as well as leaving his imprint on whoever is in his way. Ex-wrestling champ Adrian Mayes also moves well for his size, like Cantrell, and his knowledge of where to be and when to be there is what makes the timing plays here work so well. JC-transfer Chet Hartley also gets the “team aspect” to blocking, working well in the scheme. These three have gelled like Mangino only could have hoped and they form the wall inside that he has longed for. It really was the new spread looks that allowed the linemen to use their athleticism in space instead of being bunched together on most plays. The new tackles look ready, even if they are not All-American Collins and Rodriguez. Matt Darton did time behind Collins, filling in versus Iowa State admirably. Ian Wolfe has amazing footwork, and his presence on the first-team means he will start, holding off Australian JUCO-product Nathan D’Cunha and 6’6 Jeff Spikes, whom Mangino said could be one of the best linemen to ever go through here (granted he steps up). The tackles’ fitting in is the biggest roadblock that might keep KU from repeating the same level of offensive production as seen last year.

Reesing, Meier, Harp and Herford will overwhelm many. But a true test to see the level of things in ’08 will come early when they journey to Tampa.

It is no small statement that Kansas led the Big 12 in defensive pass efficiency as well as total and scoring defense in ‘07. Mangino’s teams had always done well in stopping those tough conference foes, that is, up until 2006. That means the rebound back to how tough they were last year was really no surprise. But losing DC Billy Young may hurt. Going to Clint Bowen will keep the continuity from ’07 as much as is possible, and Bowen seems ready to lead. There are only two holes on this side to fill, which makes it scary for how high that sets the bar.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The line helped sustain the league’s second-best run defense, which was good enough for eighth in the country…not bad for 2nd place in the Big 12. This line first stops the run, knowing that this conference demands you do such as the top priority or pay the price against those amazing running games. That, of course, means you have to have the DBs to handle themselves, accordingly. Ok, back to the line…and heads-up DE John Larson. He had two INTs to go with 12 TFLs, making the Kansas City product a focus for offensive linemen. Like Larson, Russell Brorsen is a senior all-Academic Big 12 end who plays responsibly more than flashy. The three backups all over-achieved in their brief showings last year, so KU looks good there into 2009 since they are two sophs and a junior (Wheeler is a monster who can slide inside, if needed). The tackles seem to be a work-in-progress. Caleb Blakesley was adequate, but neither he nor Todd Haslhort has offered enough to secure the start, though they are the most experienced tackles on the team. Jamal Greene was a name floating around the two-deep, and the arrival of Darius Parrish should bolster things more. We can’t say this is a worry, but finding the right tackles will be the biggest challenge, more than filling the gap at corner. UPDATE: DT Todd Haselhorst has left the program “to tend to personal matters".

LINEBACKER
The linebackers are a deep group that has three returning senior starters, just about the best guarantee one can give that a defense will repeat its strong performance. They started every game together last year, and Mortensen (held out during spring ball) and Rivera have been starting together since 2006. James Holt plays like the ex-DB he apparently still has in him, but he also can inhabit the opposing backfield for 13 TFLs. Springer and Wright have done well in reserve, so depth is there, too. Again, the LBs are another group that can benefit from the DBs being left alone in one-on-one coverage, allowing the LBs then to focus on run stopping duties more.

DEFENSIVE BACK
Chris Harris knows his responsibility stepping in for Aqib Talib as the top corner. But moreover, he’s embracing the leadership role he has been given, even asking to get Talib’s No.3 jersey as a symbol of the torch having been passed to him, so to speak. "I talked to CG and Talib, and Talib thinks that I should have it, [that] it should be kept with the cornerbacks," Harris boasts. Junior College-transfer Kendrick Harper should be ready to be a starter again since he was just that until injuries allowed Harris to fly by him…but neither Harper nor Harris is Talib, and until they prove themselves at Talib's high level of play, foes will pick on them. Anthony Webb needs a bit more work, so there has to be concern here with so many great WRs in this conference. The safeties know how to bend, yet not break. Stuckey and Resby are a great pair, but it was Justin Thorton who shot up the depth chart to start by the end of the year due to his five INTs, the same number as Talib. His ability to bump up into one-on-one is a sure answer for any cornerback woes, and assures he will be a definite presence as a nickel guy, early and often. The corners, specifically, will be a huge question mark. How they answer the critics will go the longest in assuring KU gets back to the BCS race.

Switching coordinators will be the next biggest challenge, but everyone knows Bowen, and they like his style and respect his approach. Even non-Jayhawks know that Kansas won't go anywhere in this conference if the D doesn't do its job.