Kansas football outlook for National Signing Day
Top five recruits
Name | Pos. | Rank* | Ht. | Wt. | School |
1. Dorance Armstrong | DE | NR | 6-4 | 220 | North Shore HS (Galena Park, Texas) |
A defensive end from the Houston area, Armstrong is a three-star recruit who had interest from Texas Tech, Cal, Illinois and Michigan State, among others. In time, he could help bolster a defense that has lacked a consistent pass rush.
2. Bazie Bates | DB | NR | 6-1 | 190 | Trinity Valley (Texas) CC |
A junior-college cornerback, Bates can help make up for the departure of seniors JaCorey Shepherd and Dexter McDonald. Bates, a native of Allen, Texas, had four interceptions and 26 tackles for an undefeated team at Trinity Valley Community College.
3. Carter Stanley | QB | NR | 6-2 | 188 | Vero Beach (Fla.) HS |
A late addition to the class, Stanley is listed as a dual-threat quarterback who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns during his senior season in Vero Beach, Fla. He also had an offer from Connecticut.
4. Brandon Stewart | DB | NR | 6-0 | 170 | Trinity Valley (Texas) CC |
Another juco corner, Stewart could be forced into immediate playing time. He had 52 tackles and 19 pass break-ups while playing alongside future college teammate Bates in the Trinity secondary.
5. Ryan Willis | QB | 16 | 6-4 | 201 | Bishop Miege HS |
A KC-area product, Willis is a three-star prospect ranked as Rivals’ 16th best pro-style quarterback in the country. He threw for 3,003 yards and 35 touchdowns this past season while leading Miege to a Kansas 4A state title.
*Rivals.com national position rankings
One who got away …
Olathe North standout Josh Moore, who was originally committed to Ohio State, switched to Kansas in October. But in recent weeks, Moore changed his mind again, deciding that Missouri was the best place for him. Listed as a tight end, Moore could play defensive end in college.
Still fishing for …
Defensive linemen. Kansas signed juco defensive tackle Jackie Dezir during the early signing period in December, but the Jayhawks’ class is short on big, physical players who can hang in the trenches.
Position answered for …
The offensive line will again be a question mark heading into David Beaty’s first season, especially after the departure of starters Mike Smithburg, Pat Lewandowski and Ngalu Fusimalohi. KU signed five offensive linemen, including three from the juco ranks. Can they make a difference?
Early enrollees (8)
Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | School |
D’Andre Banks | OL | 6-3 | 325 | Trinity Valley (Texas) CC |
Bazie Bates | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Trinity Valley (Texas) CC |
Jackie Dezir | DT | 6-3 | 305 | College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) |
Chase Harrell | WR | 6-4 | 200 | Hargrave HS (Huffman, Texas) |
Ke’aun Kinner | RB | 5-9 | 185 | Navarro JC (Corsicana, Texas) |
Jayson Rhodes | OL | 6-4 | 310 | Blinn (Texas) JC |
Will Smith | OL | 6-4 | 315 | Butler CC (El Dorado, Kan.) |
Brandon Stewart | DB | 6-0 | 170 | Trinity Valley (Texas) CC |
Signed on Wednesday (16)
Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | School |
Dorance Armstrong | DE | 6-4 | 220 | North Shore HS (Galena Park, Texas) |
Shola Ayinde | DB | 6-0 | 168 | George Ranch HS (Richmond, Texas) |
Jeremiah Booker | WR | 6-3 | 187 | College Station (Texas) HS |
Denzel Feaster | ATH | 6-3 | 190 | Manor (Texas) HS |
Aaron Garza | OL | 6-2 | 287 | Sherman (Texas) HS |
Taylor Martin | RB | 5-9 | 187 | Dunbar HS (Fort Worth, Texas) |
Clyde McCauley | OL | 6-5 | 275 | Bowie HS (Arlington, Texas) |
Tyrone Miller | DB | 6-0 | 178 | Saline (Mich.) HS |
Emmanuel Moore | WR | 6-0 | 190 | Northwest HS (Justin, Texas) |
Osaze Ogbebor | LB | 6-1 | 215 | Heritage HS (Frisco, Texas) |
Marnez Ogletree | DB | 5-10 | 190 | Fullerton College (Lawrenceville, Ga.) |
Shaquille Richmond | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Timberview HS (Richmond, Texas) |
Steven Sims | WR | 5-10 | 165 | Travis HS (Richmond, Texas) |
Carter Stanley | QB | 6-2 | 188 | Vero Beach (Fla.) HS |
Jace Sternberger | DE | 6-4 | 225 | Kingfisher (Okla.) HS |
Ryan Willis | QB | 6-4 | 201 | Bishop Miege HS |
This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Kansas football outlook for National Signing Day."