Why all eyes are on freshman QB David McComb as KU prepares for Cincinnati
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Freshman QB David McComb mimics Cincinnati's Sorsby for KU defensive prep.
- Coaches praise McComb's mobility and arm strength in scout team performance.
- KU builds defensive strategy around team discipline to contain dual-threat QBs.
Kansas freshman quarterback David McComb isn’t on the Jayhawks’ depth chart, but he serves an important purpose this week.
He’s the Jayhawks’ scout team QB as KU prepares to face dual-threat Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby on Saturday. McComb’s job is to mimic Sorsby’s abilities, so the Jayhawks are ready for him on Saturday.
“David has done a really good job for us,” Kansas defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald said. “He’s playing scout team QB, but it’s really just him being who he is. He’s an athletic guy. That’s really fun. Most of our quarterbacks can run around and kind of do what he (Sorsby) does.
“Now, he (Sorsby) can sling that ball at such a high level. That’s going to be really tough to duplicate in practice, but it’s good to kind of have a guy that can move around and try to get the D-lineman to keep them in the pocket. Linebackers, keep them in the pocket. That’s been a good part of practice, trying to get a guy to emulate what he does.”
Sorbsy isn’t the first dual-threat quarterback the Jayhawks have faced this season. Kansas played against Missouri’s Beau Pribula in Game 3. KU limited Pribula to only 6 yards on nine carries, but he threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.
Like Pribula, Sorsby has excelled so far this season. Sorsby has 655 passing yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. He’s added 175 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
McDonald noted that the offenses of Missouri and Cincinnati are different, but the goal remains the same.
“The defensive line has to be rushing the proper way,” McDonald said. “Linebackers have to have good eyes. When playing zone coverage, everybody has got to see the quarterback and be ready to go. It’s a total team effort to try to stop a guy like that just like it was trying to stop a guy like Beau.”
That’s where practicing against a QB like McComb comes in handy. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound McComb has a big arm, but isn’t afraid to tuck and run like Sorsby. According to his coaches, he’s come a long way in his short time in Lawrence.
Namely, his improved confidence is what caught KU offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski’s eye.
“Just watching the ball come out of his hands and not thinking so much, just exciting,” Zebrowski said. “It’s really exciting. He’s a big, long kid that can run, too.”
McComb’s willingness to do whatever is asked as a scout team player is certainly appreciated by safety Lyrik Rawls.
“He always gives us great looks,” Rawls told The Star. “He will even go line up at receiver and everything. I’m like, ’Hey man, you come out here at receiver, I’m going to treat you like one. I can’t guard you like you’re a QB.’ He keeps giving us great looks.”
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
