RCT Signing Day Extravaganza: Running Backs
by Owen on Feb 4, 2009 9:30 AM CST
in Kansas Jayhawk Football
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PrintUP NEXT: 11:00am CST O-Line/D-Line previews including audio interviews from Gavin Howard, Randall Dent and Tyrone Sellers.
With the transfer of two running backs early in the 2008 season this position became a must for the 2009 recruiting class. Kansas would have playing time to offer as well as the ability to show a balanced spread attack that puts up numbers in the passing game and with the run.
A legacy and a 4 Star commitment answered the call and make up an excellent class at this position for the Jayhawks. Deshaun Sands and Toben Opurum are two names you may want to get used to and I got a chance to talk with both as part of signing day.
More Breakdown, Video and interviews after the jump...
Deshaun Sands
If you've been around Kansas football for awhile the name Tony Sands will mean something to you. 2nd All time leading rusher and 396 wonderful yards in a single game against the hated Missouri Tigers.
Good news, his son Deshaun is already on the Kansas campus. Deshaun a 5'9" 180 pound back out of Florida committed to the Jayhawks very early and has made the effort to arrive on campus early and get a jump start on his future.
A junior season of nearly 1500 yards on the ground drew an offer from Kansas early and Sands jumped on it. His highlight video via rivals.com shows a back with a low powerful running style and with 4.5 40 speed the ability to break the long run.
I got a chance to speak with Deshaun about signing day an the class and while I don't have audio here is the quick recap.
Denver
All right, obviously your already on campus and signing day isn't exactly the whole big to do for you but what does it mean for you to be part of this class? and what are your thoughts on being a Jayhawk?
Deshaun
Well as you know we’re up and coming as a football program and this year we want to win the Big 12 North, so this class is going to be able to add that extra kick in my mind to get us there. We have a lot of talent in this class and being a Jayhawk is everything to me.
Denver
Obviously the RB position is wide open how do you and the coaches see yourself being used in the offense.
Deshaun
Well I see myself being the main back but I don’t know what the coaches are going to do. I’ve just got to go out and prove myself this spring in practice.
Denver
Last question, what are your goals both as individual and for the team in your time at Kansas.
Well my first goal is to get a degree and graduate. On the field I want to get playing time this year and help add to the success of Kansas and be a weapon for the team.
Up next a highlight film of Sands
Sands was one of two Florida recruits making their way to Kansas. Here's to hoping Louis Matsakis and Bill Miller can expand the pipeline.
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Oops
“How awesome is that Toben is a loyal RCT reader!!!” I hope he didn’t hear the thing I said about his girl. The one he’s standing next to in his Facebook pic…
Hahahahaha
I forgot about that. I’m sure he did hahahahaha
Apologize to the man, labba :D
"I just trust what he does. And he has such a great ass..... er... grasp" -Chase "Booger" DanielS on Colt McCoy's "Ass-ets"
I totally forgot about that too...
wow…moments captured in time, now when he hits it big you can tell that story to your kids.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
So I doubt both will play this year
but nothing is impossible.
If you had to pick one that you think will play as a true freshman, Oberum or Sands?
by I need more Esteban on Feb 4, 2009 11:56 AM CST reply actions
Honestly Opurum is probably the more physically ready of the two...
but Sands is on campus now so it is entirely possible that both these guys see the field. I wouldn’t mind holding back if possible and having this one two punch for four years starting in 2010, but if they can contribute now…by all means, why not??
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I think Opurum too
But we’ll have to see what the competition is like between Opurum and Angus. As for Sands, he’s got J. Crawford (who better be hunger coming into spring ball) and Jake Sharp.
Well I'm hoping Angus moves to linebacker
I just feel like he could be such an asset there against the spread offenses. With his speed and size, it seems like a no brainer if he’s willing to work.
by I need more Esteban on Feb 4, 2009 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
I have seen multiple reports
and heard from some within the program that Angus is moving to LB and it’s all or nothing, no back and forth…he’s a LB
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
RB's
I say Toben plays because he is a big bruiser like someone who we all know, loved and missed this year from graduation. Just a thought though, but could you see McDougald going to RB? he played it in high school and I saw his tapes and he is off the hook!
I have heard Angus is going to LB and the #2 QB spot is up for grabs because Lawrence is graduating this summer.
I also think Sands is built a lot like Sharp which is why he won’t see the field this year because we will need bruisers to compliment Sharp like Crawford and Opurum
In the interview with McDougald he...
says Warriner discussed using him almost exclusively out of the slot. Now I did ask him specifically about a possible move to RB and he said he wouldn’t be opposed to anything but he thought the goal was to be used more of as a playmaker in the slot. Interesting too if you listen close he describes some scenarios he might be used and some were in ways that would be very similar to how MU used Maclin coming across in motion and receiving the ball that way. So while I don’t think he takes true RB time away from anyone…I do think he might take rushing attempts from the position he would play potentially.
One other thought to followup on your comment
While Sands is build like Sharp I wouldn’t rule him out yet. I think the goal should be to redshirt him, but he is here mid year and that makes a huge difference. He’s already participating in offseason workouts, he’ll go through spring ball, summer workouts and fall camp before it’s all said and done. From a readiness standpoint he will be light years ahead of a typical freshman.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
possibilities
I have thought about redshirting Sands too, but we shall see how his early preparations this Spring help him. We may be a bit crowded at RB so someone will be redshirted I would expect and Sands would be the logical choice. Wait and see on that of course.
McDougald I could see as a dual RB threat. We use him as RB and motion him into the slot to create options. Sort of how Harvin from Florida was used on occasion.
I think the opposite will be the case with McDouglad...
from everything he says in our interview he will be a slot receiver first and maybe go in motion taking a hand off occasionally if any. Make no mistake though he is going to be in the slot first…RB is not in the cards for him at the moment.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
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