Everyone loves a good depth chart.
But how about one that has no OR’s on it between first- and second-stringers or second stringers and the guys behind them?
That’s what the 22nd-ranked Kansas football team put out on Monday, three days before its season opener against Lindenwood at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
In many spots, the lack of an OR was obvious and an absolute no-brainer. But those OR’s have been on KU depth charts for more than a decade, and football coaches are famous for being as confidential as possible with this type of information, so it was great to see it on Monday when the initial depth chart of the 2024 season was released.
Don’t get used to it, though. KU coach Lance Leipold remarked during his meeting with the media on Monday that he might bring the OR’s back next week.
For now, though, KU has as clean of a depth chart as you’re ever going to see.
Here’s a look, along with a few quick thoughts about what stood out below the list.
Let’s start on offense:
• Bryce Foster beat out Shane Baumgardner for the nod as KU’s starting center in large part because of his work in the past two weeks and the fact that first-year OC Jeff Grimes said Foster’s performance was just a little more consistent.
• Bryce Cabledue and Logan Brown did, in fact, switch spots at the tackle positions, with Cabledue moving from his home at right tackle to the left side of the line and Brown sliding in at right tackle. Grimes said Brown was arguably the most improved player on the entire roster throughout camp.
• Per the depth chart, Cole Ballard is still starting QB Jalon Daniels’ immediate back-up and, at least for now, it looks like he held off promising freshman Isaiah Marshall for that spot.
Now over to the defense:
• No real surprises among the starting 11, unless you say that Jayson Gilliom winning the battle at the HAWK position qualifies as a surprise. Gilliom’s healthy, though, and he had a good camp and is a terrific athlete with a big time motor. No surprise here.
• It’s worth noting that two true freshmen appear on the first depth chart of the season, with defensive end DJ Warner and cornerback Jalen Todd landing with the second unit at their respective positions. DC Brian Borland said nothing was given to either guy, both of them earned it, and Leipold said their consistent play, along with their talent, work ethic and how much football means to them, really shined through throughout camp.
• Don’t put too much into it just yet, but Leipold on Monday was as bullish on linebackers Cornell Wheeler and JB Brown as he has been to date. He’s not afraid to look into the future and project big seasons by both guys in the coming months.
Finally, a quick look at special teams, where there was really only one unknown:
• Kickoff specialist Tabor Allen, at least for now, held off Charlie Weinrich for the first shot at being this team’s place kicker. Leipold shared a story on Monday about asking Allen if he even wanted to try to handle both jobs, to which the senior from Mansfield, Texas, said simply, “Of course I do.” He now is, and Leipold made it clear that he will get a real chance to hold down the job and they’re not going to look to change after one missed field goal try.
The pieces are in place and kickoff is drawing near.
Things will get going for real at 7 p.m. Thursday night in what should be an incredible environment to usher in another season of Kansas football.
See you there!
— For tickets to all KU athletic events, visit kuathletics.com
