This freshman is preparing to play three positions for KU football’s offense
Torry Locklin might not have an “official” position ... but at least he has a current NFL player he can aspire to be like.
Locklin, Kansas football’s 6-foot-2, 210-pound redshirt freshman, originally came to campus as a quarterback. Then last year, he was switched to running back.
In camp this year, though, he’s been a mix of those — while also spending some time at slot receiver.
“They really just use me all over,” Locklin said Wednesday.
And though not many players are like that, there is one that KU offensive coordinator Brent Deamon brought up when talking to Locklin in an offseason meeting this past winter: New Orleans Saints do-it-all player Taysom Hill.
“Honestly, I feel like it’s a challenge (to do that), but I accept it,” Locklin said, “because I feel like I can do everything that they want me to do.”
Hill’s path to a hybrid role was a bit different in the NFL; he started as a special teams contributor before increasing his role, lining up some last year at quarterback and receiver. As a result, he ended 2019 with six passing attempts, 27 rushes and 19 receptions.
Locklin’s role might not be that expansive, but it could be just as diverse. KU coach Les Miles sees him as an ideal weapon who “fits several spots,” ranging from Wildcat quarterback to change-of-pace player at running back or receiver.
“We’re still in the evaluation phase; I think he’s going to get every opportunity to play significant football,” Miles said. “I think that he’s talented and capable.”
Locklin, whose father Kerry played tight end for both the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos in the 1980s, has worked his way to get to this point. He grayshirted his first year — coming to KU the second semester of 2018 — before redshirting last year while playing in four games. In those contests, he primarily played Wildcat QB with three rushes for four yards.
Defensive teammates this year have certainly been aware when Locklin comes on the field in practices.
KU linebacker Kyron Johnson, when first describing Locklin, labeled him as “fast,” before comparing him to bruising Boston College running back A.J. Dillon — someone whom KU faced last season.
“He reminds me of him a lot because how he runs tall, he runs hard, and he’s just a dude ... he makes a cut and goes basically,” Johnson said. “He’s one of the dudes who I think will be a problem for the defense.”
KU cornerback Elijah Jones said so far, in practices, Locklin has forced defenders to always remain focused, as some sort of trick play is always possible from the offense when he enters from the sideline.
“Sometimes they try to catch us slipping,” Jones said with a smile.
Locklin seems ready to embrace the new role. He said he’s added about 15 pounds since last season, with a focus on preparing his body to take on more contact than it has previously.
Even with that, Locklin says he hasn’t given up on making an impact with his arm.
“I was a quarterback, but nobody’s seen anything I can do on the field yet,” Locklin said. “But I 100% know I can throw the ball down the field.”
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 5:42 PM.
