Kansas

Chiefs Training Camp Battles to Watch: Top Three Stand Above the Rest

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

Chiefs Training Camp Battles to Watch: Top Three Stand Above the Rest

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2024 season has unofficially kicked off with players showing up at training camp this week. With all of the craziness off the field during this past offseason, it will be nice to see the team getting back into a routine on the field.

The stakes continue to grow even higher for the Chiefs after winning another Super Bowl. Training camp will be sure to set more attendance records as the Chiefs look to be the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive championships. In order for the three-peat to occur, the Chiefs will need to continue their steady play. While a large majority of last year’s championship core is returning, there are a few position groups that will have new faces and some question marks heading into the season. This is where training camp and preseason will really help the Chiefs figure out who can separate and become starters vs. depth pieces.

Let’s take a look at three position group camp battles that should draw the most eyes as the season approaches.

This is probably the most important camp battle in 2024. While there’s still a chance the Chiefs add a veteran option to come in and compete for depth, this battle is going to come down to two guys: second-year third-round pick Wanya Morris and rookie second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia. One of these players will be asked to protect the blindside of the best quarterback in the NFL and reigning Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes.

Morris gained some starting experience in 2023 when former Chiefs starting left tackle Donovan Smith went down with an injury. This could give Morris the upper hand in the competition going into camp. However, the Chiefs drafted Suamataia in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft with high expectations. There has been quite the buzz surrounding the rookie heading into training camp and there’s no doubt it will be a true competition. Mahomes has already been very complimentary of Suamataia. Is this a foreshadowing of things to come? We shall see as this left tackle camp battle sorts itself out.

The wide receiver room is going to be interesting to watch throughout training camp. Ever since the Chiefs signed Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, it’s been assumed he will be the top receiver of the group. However, Rashee Rice separated himself at the end of his rookie season and showed he has the potential to be a top receiving option in this offense. Of course, there are plenty of questions surrounding Rice and what his availability will be this season with a possible suspension looming. No one knows exactly how that is going to play out, which potentially makes this camp battle even more important.

After Brown and Rice, it does feel like it will be a battle for the third spot and beyond in the wide receiver room. The guy who everyone wants to see step up and take that third spot is rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Typically it takes rookies a little bit to acclimate in head coach Andy Reid’s system, but there’s hope Worthy can get rolling from the start of the season. He will compete with a couple of veterans who will be looking to continue to make a few plays here and there for this offense. Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman are back, and while WR3 should be their ceiling, all it takes is one injury or a suspension to elevate one of those guys to an increased role in the offense.

There are also a couple of familiar faces who have not lived up to their potential thus far in their young careers. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore underwhelmed last season and left Chiefs fans wanting to see them on the bench by the time the playoffs rolled around. Chiefs coaches granted that wish and Toney and Moore didn’t factor into the team’s playoff run last season.

Along with Toney and Moore, there will be a battle at the bottom of the roster for the final few positions in the receiver room. Wide receivers like Justyn Ross, Cornell Powell, Nikko Remigio, Montrell Washington, Phillip Brooks and Kyle Sheets will all be trying to make the roster when the team gets to final cuts. The wide receiver room will be one of the more fascinating camp battles to watch to see how it shakes out throughout the preseason.

Heading into this season, Isaiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are set up as the top two running backs on the roster. Both of these guys have plenty of starting (and playoff) experience on their resumes. There’s not a battle for the starting spot, but things get interesting after that with veteran running back Jerick McKinnon remaining unsigned. A 2023 preseason fan-favorite, Deneric Prince, looks likely to have an opportunity to take that next step and jump into the role of third-string running back. Keaontay Ingram could compete as well.

The big story of camp in the running back room will likely be around international signing Louis Rees-Zammit. The former rugby star has a lot of hype surrounding him heading into camp and social media clips are already beginning to circulate. Rees-Zammit, who has been nicknamed “Rees-Lightning,” was known for his speed during his rugby playing days. Getting used to pads and playing at NFL speed will be a test, but Rees-Zammit could take that final running back spot on the roster. There’s also a good chance he will be used on special teams as he has a unique skill set that could help the team with new kickoff rules this season.

Between Prince, Ingram and Rees-Zammit, there will be plenty of fun discussion around these guys and their chance to make the final roster.

While training camp won’t always be the most thrilling part of a football season, it does give us something to get excited about before the season begins. These position groups should be highlighted as players fight to make the team, and camp battles are just the beginning of the process.

Published

10 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

Three Potential Bench Pieces Bill Self Can Bolster Kansas’ Roster With

The Kansas basketball program has made several notable additions since the transfer portal opened, landing three newcomers to round out the starting five. More importantly, the Jayhawks were able to secure top-ranked 2026 prospect Tyran Stokes, one of the most talented high school recruits Bill Self has ever acquired.

It has been an eventful offseason for the coaching staff, but its work in the portal is not done yet. KU still has four scholarships to fill out and will need to use one or two to add impact players off the bench.

Even if KU doesn’t land another starting-caliber transfer, it will need significantly more help on the second unit, especially in the backcourt. These are three players the Jayhawks have been in contact with and are considered strong options for the team next year.

Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts in the first half against the St. John’s Red Storm during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

3. James White (New Orleans)

A former Ole Miss, UAB, and New Orleans guard, James White has endured a tumultuous collegiate career, but averaged 19.2 points and 7.0 rebounds at his last stop. He is a 6-foot-5 wing who can get downhill with ease and would provide instant offense on the second unit.

White has become somewhat of a forgotten name since being involved in a sports gambling investigation two seasons ago, but he is reportedly drawing interest from top programs like Kansas and has likely been cleared by the NCAA. If KU is willing to take a chance on his controversial background, White would be an excellent rim-running guard for the staff to pursue.

2. Vyctorius Miller (Oklahoma State)

Miller took a visit to Kansas last month and hasn’t been closely linked to the program since. However, he remains one of the Jayhawks’ top targets as they look to add another bench piece.

Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Vyctorius Miller (5) dribbles beside Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during a men’s college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The former Oklahoma State guard averaged 10.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 32 games (26 starts) for the Cowboys this past season. If he is willing to take on a smaller role at KU, he could help replace the departures of Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell in the backcourt.

1. Abdi Bashir Jr. (Kansas State)

Bashir Jr. completed a Zoom call with the KU coaching staff last week and has been on the radar of Jayhawk fans since. His skill set would fit perfectly as a sixth man off KU’s bench.

After playing two years at Monmouth, where he earned All-CAA honors as a sophomore, Bashir transferred to Kansas State for his junior campaign. He averaged 13.2 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from 3-point range on 8.4 attempts per game.

It has been a while since the Jayhawks have had a 3-point shooter as prolific as Bashir. The rest of his game, including his defense, may be a question mark, but Kansas could desperately use a flamethrower who can swing a game instantly with his outside shooting.

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Kansas

Kansas bats back up Cook’s gem to clinch series against Arizona

Published

22 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

Kansas bats back up Cook’s gem to clinch series against Arizona

Mason Cook got thrust into a bullpen role last Friday against Kansas State. He delivered 4.2 after a shortened start to help Kansas take game one against its in-state rival.

On Saturday, Cook returned to the weekend rotation with a bang to help the Jayhawks clinch the series against Arizona with a 7-2 win. The right-hander delivered a quality start, tossing six innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts. Cook has bounced between starting and providing bulk innings in relief but hasn’t shifted his mentality based on his role.

“Let’s just get guys out. It’s that simple,” Cook said postgame. “No matter what spot you’re in, it doesn’t really like change or anything. Just go in there, first pitch strike, and get guys out.”

Cook’s start backed up Dominic Voegele’s 15-strikeout complete game in Friday night’s win. After seeing Voegele’s start, Cook gained confidence that he could have a strong start of his own.

“I kind of joked with him after the game, was like, ‘I tried to go nine, man’” Cook said. “There’s so much momentum about [it]. Like it just boosts your confidence. He can do it, I mean he’s a great pitcher. Anybody can do it.”

The Jayhawks’ lineup backed Cook up, breaking things open with a four-run fourth. Kansas tallied four straight extra-base hits, capped by a two-run homer from Josh Dykhoff to give Kansas a 5-2 lead.

“Hitting is just contagious,” Dykhoff said. “It’s just that energy kind of throughout the dugout. And then you get those guys in there, like a lot of swings in a row too… Just something that seems to happen to us honestly.”

Kansas wins seventh straight series behind strong start from Cook

The win over Arizona clinched Kansas’ seventh straight series win. The Jayhawks have won nine and a row and will aim for their fifth Big 12 sweep on Sunday. Kansas has also yet to lose a conference game at Hoglund Ballpark, holding a 16-2 overall home record.

“I’ve said it a million times, they’re the best student section in college baseball,” Dan Fitzgerald said. “They show up every day, and they’re a huge energy source for us. And I think this is a team, like I’ve said a trillion times, they just love being together.”

The Kansas bats backed Cook early, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out via a Jordan Bach single and Tyson LeBlanc double. Brady Ballinger cashed in on a shallow fly to right field. Bach tested the arm of Caleb Danzeisen, sliding in safely to give the Jayhawks a 1-0 lead.

Cook continued to make quick work of the Arizona bats. The Wildcats got their first two baserunners in the next two innings, but Cook strung together zeros. The right-hander tallied seven strikeouts through four frames.

Kansas opened things up against Patrick Morris in the bottom of the fourth. The Jayhawks tallied four consecutive extra-base hits, with Tyson Owens and Augusto Mungarrieta trading RBI doubles. Josh Dykhoff followed with a two-run laser to give the Jayhawks a 5-1 lead before recording an out.

The Wildcats reached scoring position for the second time all game in the fifth. Carson McEntire blooped a single to left to put runners on the corners with two outs. Cook delivered again, inducing a groundout to put up another zero.

Andrew Cain and Tony Lira tallied consecutive singles to open the sixth, putting runners on the corners. The Wildcats got on the board, but Cook limited the damage to one run as he induced a double play.

Jayhawks add runs late, clinch series win

Cook gave way to Toby Scheidt and Riane Ritter, who each tallied scoreless innings. Arizona matched with three scoreless innings, but the Jayhawks broke out of their slumber in the eighth.

The first three batters of the inning reached, and Cade Baldridge brought home a run on a fielder’s choice. LeBlanc laid a bunt down the third-base line for an RBI infield single to give Kansas a 7-1 lead heading into the ninth.

Manning West took the mound to start the ninth, but he allowed a walk and run-scoring double. Boede Rahe prevented things from getting out of hand, striking out all three Wildcats to clinch the series win.

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