With the resumption of the Border War on Saturday, which will be the first time Kansas and Missouri do battle on the gridiron since 2011, let’s take a dive into KU’s Week 2 depth chart.
Offensively, the first place you look is the running back spot, where Kansas was without Leshon Williams last week against Wagner. Williams was dressed but did not play. Williams is listed as RB2, as he has been throughout the season, behind Daniel Hishaw, although there is an “OR” separating Williams from Johnny Thompson Jr. Thompson had nine carries for 39 yards against the Seahawks, plus a lost fumble. Other “OR”s that have been consistent throughout the season are in two spots on the offensive line, where we see left guards Amir Herring and Tavake Tuikolavatu, and right tackles Enrique Cruz Jr. and Nolan Gorczyca. There are three “OR”s, as has been the case all season, at the tight end position, where DeShawn Hanika, Carson Bruhn, Boden Groen and Leyton Cure are found. Cam Pickett and Doug Emilien still share at OR at one wide receiver spot, and likewise Levi Wentz and Keaton Kubecka at another. Emmanuel Henderson is listed as a starter ahead of Bryce Cohoon. Don’t be surprised to see Columbia transfer Bryson Canty see action either. He made his Jayhawk debut last week, catching two balls for 42 yards.
Obviously there was no change atop the QB depth chart with Jalon Daniels ahead of both Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall – and this game is an incredible opportunity for JD6 to add another chapter to his legacy at Kansas. KU will need peak Daniels to pick up a road win in a very hostile environment.
Defensively, the first position group that’s eyed is the linebacker spot, where neither Joe Sipp Jr. nor Bangally Kamara, both of whom missed the Wagner game, are found. Jon Jon Kamara and Trey Lathan are listed as LB starters, while Mason Ellis is at the HAWK position. Logan Brantley and Ezra Vedral now find themselves on the LB 2-deep with the absence of Sipp and Bangally Kamara. It will be vital for Kansas’ linebackers to play good football against a solid Mizzou run game and a dual-threat quarterback in Beau Pribula. There aren’t many changes elsewhere defensively. On the EDGE, Dean Miller and Leroy Harris III still find an “OR” between them, and the majority of the 2-deep elsewhere stays put as well.
In terms of special teams, punter Finn Lappin, who we also didn’t see last week against Wagner, finds an OR between himself and Grayden Addison. Special teams is an area where Kansas struggled in the pre-Leipold era, and very well could be a vital aspect of what will likely be a close game.
The KU-Mizzou rivalry, in terms of football, dates back to 1919. The teams met every season from then until 2011, when Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC. Kansas has a chance to be 3-0 with one of the more marquee wins in recent memory. Rock Chalk!
Sean Kellerman