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LAWRENCE — As Kansas football wrapped up its spring ball practices Friday, coach Lance Leipold praised how well the acclimation process of the Jayhawks’ newcomers unfolded.
Leipold, who is preparing for the fifth season of his tenure in Lawrence, anticipated helping those players through the transition would have been more difficult and bumpy than it was. He appreciates both how the newcomers carried themselves, and those who were back from the 2024 squad. In total, even compared to a year or two ago the players on the roster did a better job following what’s required of them.
Here are five things to know about the team as a whole as KU, which finished 5-7 overall and 4-5 against the Big 12 Conference last fall, after back-to-back bowl seasons with one bowl win the two seasons prior, prepares for the 2025 season:
RELATED: Kansas football coach Lance Leipold reacts to team’s fan appreciation day
Daniels has been limited this spring as he recovers from an injury, but Leipold reiterated all signs point toward Daniels being 100% involved by the beginning of summer workouts. Daniels has continued to gradually make his way back, and become involved in more things. Leipold volunteered that offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski has even let Daniels call their two-minute situations as an example of how they’ve looked to keep getting Daniels ready to go.
One that Leipold said hit him pretty quick in this regard was the wide receiver position. Kansas lost so much production from last season at that spot, as guys like Luke Grimm, Lawrence Arnold and Quentin Skinner moved on. Leipold has liked what he’s seen from returning talents like Doug Emilien and Keaton Kubecka, as well as the transfers and early enrollees who joined the team.
Leipold also mentioned he likes how the players they brought into the linebackers room have been everything they’ve wanted those individuals to be.
Of course, Leipold discussed people making great decisions and doing what they need to do to capitalize on the time they have. That could be through the weight room, their recovery or diet, or anything else that applies like studying the playbook. Leipold doesn’t want to have to start completely over when summer workouts begin, or when he said they report for fall camp in late July.
If Leipold had to pick one, it’d be between the tight ends and offensive line. There’s going to be some competition through fall camp. However, there are other areas he has his eyes on as they look to determine who will start.
Leipold anticipates playing a number of guys in the back end of the secondary. He noted how good they feel about the younger guys they have at linebacker should enable them to rotate guys there. And as always, they’ll look to rotate guys up front on the defensive line.
Looking ahead to the summer and beyond, when it comes to injuries, Leipold isn’t sure when offensive lineman Nolan Gorczyca will be cleared to participate. Running back Harry Stewart III is someone Leipold mentioned they’d likely monitor toward the end of May, as they evaluate exactly what his return-to-play timeline will be. Offensive lineman David Abajian recently had knee surgery and will miss the season.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 5 things to know as spring ball ends for Kansas football in 2025
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Leipold, who is preparing for the fifth season of his tenure in Lawrence, anticipated helping those players through the transition would have been more difficult and bumpy than it was. He appreciates both how the newcomers carried themselves, and those who were back from the 2024 squad. In total, even compared to a year or two ago the players on the roster did a better job following what’s required of them.
Here are five things to know about the team as a whole as KU, which finished 5-7 overall and 4-5 against the Big 12 Conference last fall, after back-to-back bowl seasons with one bowl win the two seasons prior, prepares for the 2025 season:
RELATED: Kansas football coach Lance Leipold reacts to team’s fan appreciation day
Is Jalon Daniels’ rehabilitation process still on schedule?
Daniels has been limited this spring as he recovers from an injury, but Leipold reiterated all signs point toward Daniels being 100% involved by the beginning of summer workouts. Daniels has continued to gradually make his way back, and become involved in more things. Leipold volunteered that offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski has even let Daniels call their two-minute situations as an example of how they’ve looked to keep getting Daniels ready to go.
Is there a position group Lance Leipold is leaving the spring with a better feeling about?
One that Leipold said hit him pretty quick in this regard was the wide receiver position. Kansas lost so much production from last season at that spot, as guys like Luke Grimm, Lawrence Arnold and Quentin Skinner moved on. Leipold has liked what he’s seen from returning talents like Doug Emilien and Keaton Kubecka, as well as the transfers and early enrollees who joined the team.
Leipold also mentioned he likes how the players they brought into the linebackers room have been everything they’ve wanted those individuals to be.
How will Lance Leipold look to ensure there isn’t a drop-off when fall camp begins?
Of course, Leipold discussed people making great decisions and doing what they need to do to capitalize on the time they have. That could be through the weight room, their recovery or diet, or anything else that applies like studying the playbook. Leipold doesn’t want to have to start completely over when summer workouts begin, or when he said they report for fall camp in late July.
Is there a position group Lance Leipold wants to see take a step forward during fall camp, like the wide receivers did this spring?
If Leipold had to pick one, it’d be between the tight ends and offensive line. There’s going to be some competition through fall camp. However, there are other areas he has his eyes on as they look to determine who will start.
Leipold anticipates playing a number of guys in the back end of the secondary. He noted how good they feel about the younger guys they have at linebacker should enable them to rotate guys there. And as always, they’ll look to rotate guys up front on the defensive line.
Is there any injury news?
Looking ahead to the summer and beyond, when it comes to injuries, Leipold isn’t sure when offensive lineman Nolan Gorczyca will be cleared to participate. Running back Harry Stewart III is someone Leipold mentioned they’d likely monitor toward the end of May, as they evaluate exactly what his return-to-play timeline will be. Offensive lineman David Abajian recently had knee surgery and will miss the season.
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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 5 things to know as spring ball ends for Kansas football in 2025
Continue reading...
