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As we edge closer to the spring game on April 25th, let’s take a look at what players remain, who has come on board, and who will coach the 2015 Jayhawks. With transfers, early enrollees, and nearly 30 walk-ons, I’ll try my best to present a comprehensive list. With all of the new faces in the program (and those to come over the summer) the roster herein and those to follow will remain dynamic throughout the off season.
Let’s begin with Special Teams. HCDB brought in former Texas A&M Quality Control Coach for Special Teams, Gary Hyman, to be the Jayhawks Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach. The former Humboldt State receiver (‘94-‘96) was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at USC in 2009, a GA at UTEP in ’10-’11, and held several other positions before making his way to Texas A&M.
Hyman looks to replace the #2 rated punting prospect in the NFL draft (according to CBS.com) in Trevor Pardula. The Jayhawks will look to either Eric Kahn, whose experience is limited to 8 career kick-offs, or Butler CC transfer Andrew Yoxall (no playing time last year) to take over punting duties. Placekicker Matthew Wyman returns but with a career 56% field goal rate, Hyman will certainly give Hawaii transfer Ryan Weese a look.
The current* special teams roster:
|
#
|
FULL NAME
|
POS
|
YR.
|
HOMETOWN / HIGHSCHOOL
|
Notes
|
|
|
17
|
Matthew Wyman
|
K
|
Jr.
|
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Andover HS
|
19 career starts over last two seasons, 14-25 FG, 38-43 XP
|
|
|
47
|
Ryan Weese
|
K
|
So.
|
Overland Park, Kan. / St. Thomas Aquinas HS
|
RS at Hawaii in 2014. Transferred to Hawaii from Hutchison CC
|
|
|
19
|
Austin Barone
|
K
|
Jr.
|
Frontenac, Kan. / St. Mary's Colgan HS
|
|
|
|
|
John Wirtel
|
LS
|
Jr.
|
Orland Park, Ill. / Mount Carmel HS
|
LS in 2014, recorded 3 tackles
|
|
|
60
|
Reilly Jeffers
|
LS
|
Sr.
|
South Bend, Ind. / Marian HS
|
FG and PAT snapper in 2014
|
|
|
64
|
Jordan Goldenberg
|
LS
|
Jr.
|
Creve Coeur, Mo. / Parkway Central HS
|
|
|
|
|
Eric Kahn
|
P
|
Sr.
|
Spring Hill, Kan. / Spring Hill HS
|
6 KO in 2014, 2 in 2013
|
|
|
14
|
Andrew Yoxall
|
P
|
Jr.
|
Minneapolis, Kan. / Minneapolis HS
|
Butler CC freshman transfer, RS as Soph, no action last year
|
*Please feel free to leave updates in the comments and I’ll revise this table accordingly.