Montell Cozart and Deondre Ford, who both started games for KU football in 2015, have had their hardship waiver requests approved by the Big 12, according to KUAthletics.com earlier today.
Montell Cozart and Deondre Ford Receive Hardship Waivers for 2015 Season: https://t.co/av2PPXIdk5#EarnIt #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/DJ7zJ9JRe8
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) April 20, 2016
Cozart also tweeted the following:
I am extremely blessed and grateful to receive hardship waiver due to injury last year. An extra year of work! God speed #kufball
— Montell Cozart #⃣2⃣ (@M_Cozart2) April 20, 2016
Cozart began last year as the starter after Michael Cummings went down in the spring game with a knee injury. Cozart started 3 of the first 4 games before being lost for the season against Iowa State. Meanwhile, Ford started in Week 3 at Rutgers, but was injured halfway through the 2nd quarter. Cozart came on in relief (he didn't start due to flu-like symptoms).
Then true-freshman Ryan Willis took over midseason and showed flashes of promise, but seems to be locked in a QB battle with Cozart going into 2016 fall camp. David Beaty has indicated that Cozart's performance in the spring game was not indicative of how well Cozart has performed in the offseason.
From KUSports.com:
“We’ve got a real battle on our hands,” the second-year KU coach said. “They know the way to operate. You’ve gotta earn it here. And the way you earn it at quarterback is you manage the game, you get us into good, highly efficient plays and you move the team. And you do it, all along the way, (while also) being a leader for our team.”
We’re excited about moving forward. Obviously, the big thing is just getting those guys enough reps to be able to give us a good view of who is who. That’ll be kind of key in terms of what kind of decision we make for who (our quarterback) will be.”
No doubt Rhode Island is now shaking in their cleats - assuming, of course, they manage to bring the right footwear to Lawrence.