Three Kansas Jayhawks football recruiting storylines ahead of early signing day
Kansas football coach Les Miles is set to hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon to officially announce those players who are committing to KU as part of early signing day.
Here are three potential developments to keep an eye on.
Best class in ... a while?
KU football continues to hold strong in Rivals’ team recruiting rankings, as Tuesday, the Jayhawks were tied for 32nd nationally ... with the third-best class in the Big 12 behind only Oklahoma and Texas
The ranking — for many reasons — is likely inflated a bit. For one, KU has a higher number of commitments at this time compared to other schools, and it also could lose some of its previously pledged players to other programs.
That still shouldn’t dampen much enthusiasm here. Jon Kirby, publisher of JayhawkSlant.com which is part of the Rivals network, says if things go as expected for KU, this could potentially be one of the best classes he’s seen since he started covering the team in 1998.
Keep in mind: KU’s coaches have been able to do this — so far — at a school that didn’t win more than three games in any season this decade.
“It shows that you’re able to sell your program and convince people that you have positive things going in the right direction without tangible proof to show someone,” Kirby said. “Kansas, for the coaches to do what they’ve done, is pretty remarkable, because they’re having to sell something to look at in the future.”
Yes, some backsliding of the ranking should be expected in future weeks. Still, if KU is able to land players in the late signing period that Kirby expects, he still projects that the Jayhawks could remain as a top-40 class with a potential finish in the upper half of Big 12 teams.
So what has contributed to the success thus far? For one, Miles’ celebrity stature seems to still resonate with both recruits and their parents, Kirby said. Another positive for KU was taking advantage of some early buzz with the program right after Miles’ hire, as the coaching staff was able to get many prospects on official visits in the spring and summer.
One more characteristic of the class: It’s made up almost entirely of high school kids. That would appear to speak to a long-term plan, with Miles and athletic director Jeff Long understanding the need to remain patient in the process while choosing to not pursue many two-year junior college players.
Questions loom Wednesday
Perhaps the biggest drama for KU Wednesday will be seeing which players sign on the early date.
There are a few talented ones that are expected to commit that the Jayhawks shouldn’t have to worry about. They include Duece Mayberry, a Rivals three-star corner and brother of current KU cornerback Kyle Mayberry. Kirby believes the younger brother — with his physicality and tools — could compete for a starting job right away.
There’s also Karon Prunty, a two-star corner from Virginia who received late offers from Virginia Tech and Virginia but chose to stick with KU.
Some of the team’s other verbal commitments are likely to hold off on signing until February, though a surprise is possible. Those players include four-star outside linebacker Brennon Scott, three-star defensive tackle Keenan Caldwell and three-star defensive back JaCobee Bryant.
The potential reasons for signing late vary. Kirby said some players wait to see if they receive additional offers from other schools, while some kids hold off simply because they want their ceremony to take place with other high school teammates.
Whatever the motivation ... this reality is likely to leave KU with at least a few open scholarships to fill after Wednesday’s signing day ends.
The unknown ahead
When a team is recruiting top prospects, part of the game has become working to hold onto its commitments even as those players are pursued elsewhere.
That’ll likely leave KU more work to do on guys like Scott and Caldwell if they don’t make their decisions Wednesday.
Kirby said, at this point, the Jayhawks remain in a strong position with those who still have options open.
“That should keep the class very strong,” Kirby said.
There will be other dominoes to watch as well. One is Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks, who visited KU this past weekend and would be eligible immediately next season as a graduate transfer. Franks — he started the last two seasons for the Gators before a season-ending ankle injury in September — would provide the Jayhawks a short-term option at quarterback and also a one-year bridge to allow offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon to develop others in the program.
Franks, who could announce his decision any time because he is a graduate, also has the option of attending another school or declaring for the NFL Draft.
Miles said after his team’s final game that KU would prioritize finding additional quarterback help this offseason, so even if Franks does not join the team, expect the Jayhawks coaching staff to pursue another player who could potentially start in 2020.
And however things fall, know this much: Wednesday won’t provide a final verdict when it comes to KU’s recruiting class.
