Kansas football’s WRs exceeded expectations in 2022. What will 2023 group look like?
Visiting football coaches have consistently mentioned one thing to Kansas coach Lance Leipold about his wide receiver group:
It has impressive length.
According to Leipold, the Jayhawks are always looking to bring in receivers who have elite length. That group on KU’s roster includes 6-3 Lawrence Arnold and 6-5 Quentin Skinner.
But that isn’t all Leipold likes about the group at the midpoint of spring practice.
“I like the balance and steadiness of it,” Leipold said, “the depth and ability to make plays. (They’ve) really embraced everything we ask them to do.”
The Jayhawks brought back starters from last season in Arnold, Grimm and Skinner, along with backups Kevin Terry, Trevor Wilson and Doug Emilien.
The returning players bring a sense of continuity that Leipold and KU wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel are excited about.
“You’ve got guys that have played; you’ve got guys who are comfortable,” Samuel said earlier in March. “You’ve got guys that know what we are trying to do with Kansas football. They understand it. That’s why I said there’s no complacency. They know that we left a lot of money on the table last year. We could have (done) more.
“So it’s fun being in a room that has that mentality right now, still has that chip on the shoulder. Then you know, when you try to infuse these new guys, they’re kind of sucked into a vacuum and we’re infusing this chip-on-the-shoulder mentality.”
Leipold raved about Grimm’s development in particular.
“Luke continues to get better,” Leipold said. “I think Luke has become a leader of this program in different ways, so that’s great to see.”
Kansas also went WR-heavy in the Class of 2023, adding Jarred Sample, Keaton Kubecka and early enrollee Surahz Buncom. Samuel is excited to work with the young wide receivers.
“I don’t mind taking a guy that’s inexperienced and showing him how to play the position,” Samuel said. “I would imagine in some (other) places that you need guys with more experience. We didn’t need guys with .... more experience. We needed a certain skill set. We’ve got enough time because… there are no seniors. So I have time to develop (them).”
What is that “certain skill set?” In addition to route running and catching passes, Leipold also has emphasized blocking.
“Really (they’re) embracing the other part of the job and that’s being able to block,” Leipold said. “What we do offensively in the run game opens up that pass game. They really have to feed well off each other. That’s going to cause them to be open.”
With KU’s Spring Showcase set for April 7, Samuel is excited about what the group can show then and beyond.
“This group right here, this core, can really be a very good group,” Samuel said. “And as long as they are attacking the opponent, it should be fun to see.”
This story was originally published March 21, 2023 at 5:11 PM.
