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The wideout position definitely left plenty to be desired last year. While Kansas had some strong senior leadership, the Jayhawks lacked a playmaker. Getting consistent separation and stretching the field were nearly impossible for this group last year and if quarterback Jake Heaps is going to be more successful than Dayne Crist, this position has to improve. For all the positives that the Kansas running game brings, balancing out the offense has to be a priority and this is a critical position in doing so.
One note on this position, it is being reported that Colin Spencer has been told that he will play a slot/RB type position so add him to the list of incoming players and he's on campus now. This might also be a position to keep an eye on as the day and even the spring progresses. Wideout and the offensive line are two spots that Charlie Weis was known to be actively recruiting very late in the process.
Mark Thomas | WR | Garden City, NYNassau C.C. | 6'2" | 210 |
Thomas is a junior college prospect that didn't put up gaudy numbers due to the offensive gamplan at Nassau CC but he did garner some attention out East and Charlie Weis has connections out there that have turned the area into a potential recruiting ground for the Jayhawks. Thomas chose Kansas over West Virginia, Arizona State, Purdue and a host of MAC schools. He brings great speed to the position and a nice frame. Charlie Weis needs players that can get separation in the secondary and Thomas has the ability to do that if he can put the other pieces in place.
Ishmael Hyman | WR | Holmdel, NJ St John Vianney | 6'0" | 169 |
On paper Hyman looks like a guy who will move into the slot position similar to what Daymond Patterson and DJ Beshears did for Kansas. Hyman is another East coast prospect that has great speed and gained attention on a national scale. Hyman chose the Jayhawks over programs like Boston College, Syracuse, Purdue, Connecticut and Rutgers. Hyman has been praised for his elusiveness and quickness in the open field as well as his worth ethic. The biggest concern at this point is size, coach Holsopple has a project.
Rodriguez Coleman | WR | Garden City, KS Garden City C.C. | 6'3" | 195 |
Another junior college prospect and another player that figures to be in the mix for minutes immediately. Coleman was part of the wave of junior college commitments set in motion during the month of December. Out of high school Coleman was set to go to Cincinnati before making a quick detour to Garden City where he caught 64 passes for nearly 1000 yards during the 2012 season. Coleman obviously has size on his side so he is likely more of an outside receiver. Kansas has several big wideouts on the roster, but last year no one really stepped into the role and won the position definitively. That leaves the door wide open for someone like Coleman to compete. Someone who has that playmaking ability that Kansas so desperately needs.
Ben Johnson | TE | Basehor, KSBasehor Linwood | 6'5" | 230 |
Johnson was one of the first commitments to Charlie Weis and the Kansas staff for 2013 and he's been a loyal commit from the get go. Johnson is the 6th ranked player in the state of Kansas, those are players Weis needs to land. He's a big strong tight end prospect that has been a pretty impactful player in the passing game during his time in high school. He can play with his hand on the ground or line up out wide so he has versatility. Charlie Weis has a good reputation with tight ends, this is a great prospect to have in the pipeline.