Kansas Jayhawks Q&A: What’s left for KU basketball in portal + football standouts
Kansas coach Bill Self has a busy few weeks ahead of him.
After Flory Bidunga announced his return, the Jayhawks still have five open roster spots.
Kansas is in hot pursuit of St. Bonaventure transfer guard Melvin Council Jr., who listed Kansas in his top four. On Friday morning, the Star texted with Seros Partners CEO Christian Dawkins about Council. Seros Partners represents the KU target.
Dawkins told The Star that Council plans to visit Lawrence on Monday.
Council would be a nice pickup for the Jayhawks. He was named third-team all-Atlantic 10 after averaging 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game last season.
The visit could be an important time in his recruitment.
With that, it’s time for another Kansas mailbag. Thanks, as always, for the questions!
#kubball has started to land some transfers. Where do you think the biggest hole on the roster is? Wing? Backup big? @liamcarson74
That’s a great question. I think it is the wing position. Right now, I’m not sure KU has a true small forward on the roster as Bryson Tiller and Tre White are more suited to play the four.
Meanwhile, Jamari McDowell and Elmarko Jackson are smaller and will feature in the backcourt, but I don’t see them playing on the wing for extended minutes.
Kansas desperately needs to add a wing that can complement Bidunga and Darryn Peterson. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s Kansas’ splashiest move remaining this offseason.
What is the level of concern with Jalon Daniels “minor” surgery? Not practicing in the spring seems like deja vu from last year. @daytona_jr
I’m much less concerned about the injury than I was coming into spring ball. Daniels returned to practice last week and was even seen running the option in practice.
This is what Lance Leipold said about Daniels on Saturday.
“He’s starting to throw more and do some things, moving around,” Leipold said. “He’s getting anxious, I can tell. I tell you what, unfortunately, we all know the road he’s kind of gone through. He’s done a great job of taking the mental reps and staying engaged and being encouraging and being a leader that he is. Everything will be on course when we hit summer workouts that he’ll be 100%.”
Who will be the biggest surprise for KUFB this year?? @Jack14Jacko
I’m not sure this constitutes a surprise, but wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson should be really good for the Jayhawks next season.
I’ve heard multiple players on both sides of the ball rave about the Alabama transfer. Kansas cornerback D.J. Graham noted that Henderson is one of the fastest players he’s ever covered.
Henderson made just four catches for 82 yards with Alabama last season. He should emphatically clear that bar with the Jayhawks.
Who in your opinion is the best position group on the football team right now? @NickSpringer29
Am I allowed to say the quarterbacks room? The Jayhawks return star Daniels for his final season. On top of that, his backup last season, Cole Ballard, has played and won games for the Jayhawks.
Plus, freshman Isaiah Marshall continues to draw rave reviews. And don’t discount David McComb, who is an early enrollee. McComb was a 3-star recruit who considered Virginia Tech, Tulane and other schools.
The Jayhawks not only have a starter in Daniels, they have options down the depth chart and for the future.
