KU football’s late signing day highlighted by player who had previously de-committed
The Kansas football program punctuated the late signing period by getting its final pledge from a previously de-committed player.
Rivals three-star cornerback Jacobee Bryant, who gave an oral commitment to KU in June before reopening his recruitment last week, decided Wednesday that the Jayhawks were right for him again. The 6-foot defensive back from Evergreen, Alabama had offers from Tennessee and Virginia Tech, among others.
KU picked up another important addition Wednesday in Rivals three-star defensive tackle Kenean Caldwell from Oak Grove, Louisiana. Like Bryant, Caldwell originally committed to KU in June before weighing his options beyond the early signing period.
The Jayhawks’ overall class is strong considering the circumstances, even if it doesn’t rank as highly as expected a couple months ago. KU, which sat in a tie for 32nd in Rivals’ team rankings on the early signing day in December, ranked 48th Wednesday after losing a few of its top targets over the last two months. That mark was still good for eighth among Big 12 schools and also was one spot below in-state rival Kansas State.
For reference, KU’s recruiting classes (according to Rivals) ranked 95th in 2016, 55th in 2017, 48th in 2018 and tied for 70th in 2019.
Notably, the Jayhawks also signed all high school players in an attempt to bring some long-term stability to the program.
KU picked up two other noteworthy commitments from three-star defensive end Clinton Anokwuru and two-star defensive back Ra’Mello Dotson. Anokwuru chose KU after previously committing to Texas Tech and also was considering Washington State, while Dotson picked KU over Central Michigan, Florida Atlantic and Georgia State.
Others that signed with KU included three-star offensive lineman Jackson Satterwhite and two-star O-lineman Bryce Cabeldue. KU also announced that fullback Jared Casey, receivers Kyler Pearson and Quentin Skinner, punter Reis Vernon and offensive lineman Danny Robinson had joined the 2020 class.
KU’s policy is to not distinguish between scholarship and non-scholarship players on signing day. The team will hold a press conference to announce the new additions on Thursday morning.
