Kansas soccer wrapped up their spring apply schedule this previous Saturday, April 9 with a spring preview occasion at David Sales space Kansas Memorial Stadium. In differing from a standard spring sport, the preview began with a stay apply session and concluded with a scrimmage of the blue and white workforce; nonetheless, no rating was saved. The scrimmage showcased completely different offensive and defensive models.
At halftime of the scrimmage, the lads’s basketball workforce was honored for successful the nationwide championship. Nonetheless, a well-recognized face from the Jayhawk basketball squad made an look on the soccer subject earlier than the celebration. Chris Teahan dawning a crimson soccer jersey with full pads threw a 65-yard landing go to large receiver Lawrence Arnold. Within the publish preview interview, Head Coach Lance Leipold joking acknowledged that he had meet with compliance and see if Teahan had any eligibility to assist the soccer workforce.
In honor of spring apply ending in Lawrence I wished to supply what would possibly appears to be a “approach too early” preview of Kansas soccer. I for one am personally excited of what may come within the Leipold period. I sit up for chatting and previewing the soccer season all summer season on this web site. With out additional ado right here is my first have a look at the 2022 schedule and roster predictions.
2022 Schedule
Recreation One: September 2nd vs. Tennessee Tech
Like years previous, the Jayhawk season will open with a Friday night time matchup towards an FCS opponent. The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles will come to Lawrence, KS hoping to knock off the 2-10 Jayhawks from a yr in the past. The Golden Eagles had their issues in final yr’s season ending 3-8 in 2021 with just one win within the Ohio Valley Convention. I can confidently mission the Jayhawks will open the season victorious over Tennessee Tech.
Recreation Two: September 10th at West Virginia
Kansas will open Massive XII play in Morgantown, WV this yr. In 2021, the Jayhawks completed their season towards the Mountaineers at house dropping 28-34. The massive information popping out of Morgantown is that JT Daniels will probably be transferring to West Virginia after having stints at each Georgia and USC. There is no such thing as a doubt that Daniels will improve West Virginia’s offense. This sport will set the tone for the 2022 convention schedule, and I imagine will probably be a intently contested battle.
Recreation Three: September 17th at Houston
The Jayhawks highway journey will proceed to Houston, TX to tackle the Cougars from the American Athletic Convention and what will probably be a preview to a future convention opponent. The Cougars completed 12-2 final season together with an undefeated report in convention play. As well as, they beat Auburn within the Ticketsmarter Birmingham Bowl 17-13. This would be the hardest non-conference opponent for KU this coming season.
Recreation 4: September 24th vs. Duke
The 2-game sequence with the Blue Devils began final season in Durham, NC with a 52-33 routing of the Jayhawks. The David Cutcliffe period is over at Duke after a 3-9 end final season with all three wins coming in September. The Blue Devils will wrap up their spring apply this Saturday. I search for the Jayhawks to be extra aggressive towards the Blue Devils this season and even pull out a win.
Recreation 5: October 1st vs. Iowa State
Kansas will host the Cyclones of Iowa State for his or her Massive XII house opener. Final season the 7-6 Cyclones routed KU 59-7 in Ames, IA. Brock Purdy will probably be again beneath heart for Iowa State and racked up 3,188 passing yards final season. The Cyclones have back-to-back dates this season with the convention opponents from Kansas. I really feel the Jayhawks can compete with the Cyclones and will probably be a more in-depth sport then years previous, however finally, I really feel will probably be an Iowa State win.
Recreation Six: October 8th vs. TCU
That is the place I imagine the Jayhawks can decide up one in all perhaps three Massive XII victories this coming season. The Sonny Dykes period of Horned Frogs soccer has begun. TCU remains to be on the lookout for a couple of final minutes items on the defensive facet of the ball. Final season, the Horned Frogs narrowly beat the Jayhawks 31-28 in Forth Price, TX.
Recreation Seven: October 15th at Oklahoma
Final season Jayhawk trustworthy watched our workforce take a 10-0 lead into the locker room at halftime over the then ranked #3 Sooners. Getting into the fourth quarter, the Sooners maintained a three-point lead 17-14 over KU. Sadly, everyone knows the ending to this story because the Jayhawks couldn’t hold on and have been defeated 35-23. Sooner Nation has entered the Brent Venables period and couldn’t be happier because the SEC looms only a few seasons away. This may start a four-game stretch for Kansas as they tackle the highest tier of convention opponents. As a lot as I might like to see a Jayhawk upset, I don’t see that taking place, however I might take pleasure in seeing Sooner Nation get a pleasant scare once more this season.
Recreation Eight: October 22nd at Baylor
The stretch will proceed in Waco, TX the place the Jayhawks will tackle the defending Massive XII champions. The Bears defeated Kansas 45-7 final season in Lawrence. Baylor completed their season 12-2 total and defeated Ole Miss within the Allstate Sugar Bowl 21-7. I hope to see the Jayhawks a bit extra aggressive towards the Bears, however finally it’ll lead to a Baylor victory.
Recreation 9: November 5th vs. Oklahoma State
The Massive XII runner ups defeated the Jayhawks final season 55-3 in Stillwater, OK. Quarterback Spencer Sanders remains to be in Stillwater and can go well with up for his fifth season with the Cowboys. Oklahoma State completed 12-2 final season and received the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame 37-35. With Sanders nonetheless behind heart I search for Oklahoma State to drag away with a victory. As I’ve stated earlier than it could be good to see some extra competitiveness from the Jayhawks.
Recreation Ten: November 12th at Texas Tech
The Pink Raiders had an up and down season in 2021 with a training change in the midst of the season, however defeated Mississippi State within the Liberty Bowl 34-7. Texas Tech defeated the Jayhawks in Lawrence with a rating of 41-14. The Pink Raiders will host their spring sport on April 23rd. It’s going to function the primary have a look at Joey McGuire’s squad for this upcoming season. Extra of the identical right here as we search for the Jayhawks to be extra aggressive, however what almost certainly will probably be a Pink Raider win.
Recreation Eleven: November 19th vs. Texas
It lastly occurred in 2021… the Jayhawks defeated the Texas Longhorns after earlier seasons the place Kansas held a lead late within the sport. What a loopy win it was for Kansas successful 57-56 in extra time off a sporadic throw by Jalon Daniels outdoors the pocket to transform the two-point conversion. I believe it’s secure to say that many Longhorn followers weren’t happy with the primary season beneath Steve Sarkisian and perhaps dreading that transition to the SEC. With the Longhorns on the lookout for revenge after the loss in Austin, TX I predict the Jayhawks proceed the successful streak over Texas at house.
Recreation Twelve: November 26th at Kansas State
I discover it a bit poetic to finish the season with the Sunflower Showdown in Manhattan, KS. Final season, the Wildcats pulled away with a 35-10 victory over the Jayhawks. Okay-State did end 8-5 final season and received the Texas Bowl towards LSU. Nebraska switch Adrian Martinez is about to take over beneath heart for the Wildcats. That is the sport the place I search for the Jayhawks to probably decide up their third convention victory of the season. Whereas I don’t overlook the Wildcats, I’ve little doubt that the Jayhawks will probably be driving excessive after knocking off Texas for the second straight time. If that prediction holds to be true it’ll issue on this matchup.
2022 Roster Projections
Whereas the ultimate depth chart and roster remains to be a number of months away, I put collectively a couple of projections after reviewing the spring roster and from final seasons stats.
Quarterbacks
Junior Jalen Daniels is the projected starter popping out of spring apply as he led the primary workforce’s offensive unit throughout Saturday’s scrimmage. Final season, he performed in six video games with three begins together with the win over Texas. In his first season in Lawrence, he performed in seven video games with six begins. Daniels should compete with redshirt senior Jason Bean who performed in 11 video games final season with 9 begins. Bean was a switch from North Texas and lead the second workforce’s offensive unit on Saturday. True freshman Jack Jackson led the third workforce’s offensive unit on Saturday and obtained some reps all through the spring.
Working Backs
The Jayhawks have a really numerous group of backs for the upcoming season. True sophomore Devin Neal is again after a breakthrough yr final season speeding for 707 yards and averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Redshirt junior Torry Locklin had 117 yards receiving on 36 makes an attempt enjoying in 9 video games final season. Newcomers Ky Thomas (Minnesota switch), Sevion Morrison (Nebraska switch), and redshirt freshman DeAndre Thomas Jr all look to make an affect this season.
Huge Receivers
4 large outs stand out to me as the main target for this upcoming season. First is junior Luke Grimm who performed 10 video games and began six final season. Grimm had 349 receiving yards and averaged 15.9 yards a catch. Junior Steven McBride performed in all 12 video games with 88 yards off 15 catches. With a younger depth chart behind these 4… search for McBride to drag in additional alternatives this season. Redshirt sophomore Lawrence Arnold began 9 video games final season with 316 receiving yards and averaged 11.7 yards a catch. Final, however actually not least is redshirt junior Trevor Wilson who led these 4 with 364 receiving yards with 13.5 yards a catch.
Tight Ends
Senior Mason Fairchild appears to be the entrance runner at tight finish for the upcoming season. In his 9 begins final season, Fairchild had 128 yards on 13 receptions and averaged 9.8 yards per catch. Search for redshirt sophomore, Trevor Kardell to compete for enjoying time as he introduced in 86 yards off 5 catches final season.
Defensive Unit
A number of prime defensive performers from final yr are primed and able to enhance the Jayhawks defensive unit. Senior linebacker Gavin Potter began in 11 video games and had 5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. Final season, Potter additionally scored a landing for the Jayhawks. My subsequent decide to look out for on protection is senior Kenny Logan Jr. who at security began eleven video games and had 4 tackles for loss, two pressured fumbles, and one interception. Junior Taiwan Berryhill performed in all 12 video games final season as a linebacker and had 14 solo tackles and 17 assists. One other linebacker price mentioning is senior Wealthy Miller who had 5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one pressured fumble. Lastly, I wished to say Central Florida switch Eriq Gilyard who in 38 video games totaled 199 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, three pressured fumbles, two interceptions and one sack.
I hope you’ve loved this “approach too early” preview of Kansas soccer. Within the coming months, I’m excited to remain updated on the whole lot Jayhawk soccer as we put together for the approaching season. I’m to listen to your ideas on the upcoming Jayhawk soccer season within the remark part under.
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