Kansas
Previewing the Wide Receivers: 60 Days Until Kansas Football
Much like last year, we are using Sundays in the Countdown to the return of Kansas Football to take a deep dive into one of the 10 main position groups. Each week, we’ll highlight the key players to watch and give you an idea of what to expect from the position this year. This week, we continue our series with more of the offense. It’s another position that fans probably aren’t too worried about this season: the wide receivers. In fact, the situation is very similar to last season.
Previous Positions Covered:
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
2023 Receiving Production
|
Player |
Receptions |
Yards |
Average |
TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lawrence Arnold |
44 |
782 |
17.8 |
6 |
|
Quentin Skinner |
29 |
587 |
20.2 |
2 |
|
Luke Grimm |
33 |
555 |
16.8 |
6 |
|
Devin Neal |
25 |
217 |
8.7 |
1 |
|
Trevor Wilson |
11 |
195 |
17.7 |
2 |
|
Torry Locklin |
4 |
40 |
10.0 |
1 |
The Jayhawks came into the season last year without a clear idea of who their “#1 receiver” was, or if they even had one on the roster. While Lawrence Arnold seemed to be the most likely candidate, the passing offense the year before spread the ball around enough that it was hard to imagine any one receiver was going to stand out. But early in the year, Arnold was joined by Luke Grimm and Quentin Skinner to form the core of a wide receiver group that would continue to be extremely productive.
Despite the turnover at quarterback, the receivers continued to put together a great season as a group, with nearly every game featuring multiple receivers with 50 or more yards. The big plays came in spades as well, with six players having a reception that went for 49 or more yards on the season. The season ended on a high note for the position as well, with Arnold and Grimm putting on a performance to remember against UNLV, combining for 292 yards and 6 touchdowns on just 10 receptions.
The Jayhawks have a lot of players to try and keep happy this season, with 5 upper classmen who have all put in significant time and could reasonably play a large part of the offensive plan. And that doesn’t even include the tight ends and running backs that could easily take reception opportunities away from the position. Kansas has not had issues in the past with juggling so many options and keeping people engaged. But with so few opportunities available for each individual player, it’s hard to get players into a rhythm.
The big play potential for this group means that the wide receivers are always just one snap away from massively changing the complexion of a game. Skinner, Arnold and Grimm are all back and ready to put together huge games, and Trevor Wilson and Doug Emilien have also made huge strides in the offseason.
That doesn’t even get into the stable of freshmen and sophomores that are waiting in the wings for their opportunity. Keaton Kubecka had a few memorable plays last year, but he won’t be the only guy to step up.
There is no question what the top two options of the depth chart are going to be this season, but there are plenty of questions about who is going to get that third string role. Who fills in there probably won’t have a huge impact on the season overall though, so it might be academic at this point.
WR1: Lawrence Arnold/Trevor Wilson
Arnold’s position in the top spot is all but assured, as he was the most productive and consistent receiver for the Jayhawks last year. His combination of field vision and quick step has helped him to open up opportunities on pretty much every play. That threat even helps in the run game, as he can use that footwork to get good position to seal off his defender on the outside runs.
Wilson got a late start last year but was productive in his time on the field. He has all the tools needed to be successful, and will definitely find himself with a decent amount of playing time. His skill set most closely matches Arnold, so he gets slotted as the backup here.
WR2: Quentin Skinner/Doug Emilien
Skinner is the fastest guy in the receiving room, which sets him up extremely well for big play after big play. He broke out in a big way last season, building on his productive end of the season before to consistently draw coverage away from others with the threat of his speed.
Emilien had a lot of promise going into last season, but it never quite panned out for him. He is another speedy receiver with some good hands, and his improvement during the spring has him poised to expand his role this year.
WR3/Slot: Luke Grimm/Keaton Kubecka
Grimm seems to have a special rapport with Jalon Daniels, and has always been a great slot/possession receiver for this squad. He has continued to impress, and has a shot to be the most productive receiver this year.
Kubecka made an impression during the Spring Showcase, and while I could see him getting on the field, it will likely be in a fairly limited role. But he has the kind of development potential that could give him a real shot this year and give him a leg up on the competition next year.
While Kansas has 12 players at the wide receiver position on the roster this year, there isn’t a whole lot of proven depth. It’s likely that many of these guys will make an appearance on special teams, but there is a huge variety of size and speed potential from the depth that it’s hard to guess who will actually be needed and successful. The main takeaway however is that I don’t expect much to come from outside of the group above.
The wide receivers will once again be coached by Terrance Samuel, who joined the staff last year. Prior to coming to Lawrence, Samuel has spent 24 years coaching in various programs, including Syracuse, Michigan State, UNLV, Arizona and Central Michigan. He previously worked with Leipold at Nebraska-Omaha.
It’s hard to be too worried about this group, as they have a full two-deep of great options and a history of putting together successful units without a stand-out individual performer. But it’s fair to say that all three starters could easily slot in as a WR2 on many other teams in the conference, and the chemistry this group has is a real asset.
Kansas
Kansas City man sentenced for cocaine trafficking, possession of illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of an illegal firearm.
According to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 22-year-old Antoine R. Gillum was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
His sentencing stems from a June 2024 incident in a metro gas station. KCPD investigators contacted Gillum inside and found that he had discarded a 9 mm pistol in an aisle between the merchandise. He also discarded a pill bottle containing multiple illegal substances: cocaine base, oxycodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Officers searched the vehicle Gillum had arrived in and found approximately 32 grams of cocaine base.
On May 6, 2025, Gillum pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It’s a part of ‘Operation Take Back America,’ a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Deadly 4-car crash kills 2 people, injures others in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A crash near a busy highway killed two people and injured two others.
Emergency crews responded to the crash at U.S. 71 Highway and Meyer Boulevard around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
When crews arrived they determined four cars were involved in the crash.
Police are investigating how the crash happened.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Homegrown Jayhawk stars ready to shine at Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – As Kansas women’s basketball prepares to enter the postseason at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, they’ll be led by two Overland Park natives who have been two of the most electrifying players to watch in the country this year.
Junior guard S’Mya Nichols and freshman forward Jaliya Davis have played integral roles in the recent growth of the program. Both cite the desire to help grow the Jayhawks into something special as reasons for committing there.
“Where we wanted to take Kansas women’s basketball, I wanted to be a part of that growing evolution,” Nichols told KCTV5.
“We [my family] were also really big Jayhawk fans. We came to a lot of games,” Davis said about her childhood.
The two were both 5-star recruits in high school, and their commitments marked historic recruiting victories for the KU women’s basketball program.
First came Nichols in the Class of 2023, picking KU over Tennessee and Oklahoma.
“I genuinely wanted to go to Kansas,” she said.
Then Davis became the highest-rated player to ever commit to KU as part of the Class of 2025.
“When you go back to S’Mya Nichols being a local, Kansas City, Overland Park product, a nationally respected player, Jaliya was really the next one that was very important for the Jayhawks to keep home,” said head coach Brandon Schneider.
Now as a junior, Nichols has established herself as one of the most consistent scorers and physical guards in the nation.
But it’s the Shawnee Mission West’s alum’s leadership that defines her legacy in Lawrence.
“The team leader, the quarterback,” Coach Schneider described Nichols. “I think oftentimes the player that everybody looks up to off the court.”
“I mean it means everything. Knowing that I’m important to the team, and that they see me as that as well,” said Nichols with a smile.
Both Nichols and Davis were recruited by the Jayhawks for years, going all the way back to seventh grade.
“Well, we offered her in middle school,’ Coach Schneider said with a laugh about Davis.
“Oh he put in a lot of work,” laughed Davis. “I mean, obviously, seventh grade, that’s a long time.”
It was that dedication from Coach Schneider that led her to choose the Jayhawks over Texas, South Carolina, Baylor, and Oklahoma – where he dad played ball.
“I think it really was the relationship we had and grew. He was always there, every single one of my games,” Davis said about Schneider.
After just one practice as teammates, Nichols voiced a big belief about Davis into existence – and it’s probably going to come true.
“I saw her first practice, and I sent her a text, and I’m like ‘I think you can win Freshman of the Year’, and I still stand by that,”
Davis is averaging 21.0 points per game, and has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for eight weeks in a row. That sets a power conference all-time record.
“I think it’s really cool. I mean obviously it’s a team effort, they’re always looking for me,” Davis said about her historic accomplishment.
“Just a phenomenal stretch of basketball for her, and so well deserving,” said Coach Schneider.
Now these two homegrown stars are at the forefront of a late-season push to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Right now, CBS Sports bracketology has them as a ‘First Four Out’ team.
But a few wins in the Big 12 Tournament could certainly help seal their invite to the big dance.
“Obviously we’re not in the position that we were hoping to be in, but I think we can make the most out of it, and get to where we want to be,” Davis said about the opportunity at hand in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
The Overland Park kids are especially fired up about starting the postseason in their own backyard.
“I have a big support system. So I bet my family will take a big chunk of that area during that tournament,” Davis laughed.
“I remember being younger, and the College Basketball Experience is right next door. So I felt like at one moment that was the big stage, when I got to play my little AAU tournaments in there. And then all of a sudden I’m literally in T-Mobile Center on the actual big stage, so it’s pretty cool,” said Nichols.
The Jayhawks are the 11-seed in the Big 12 Tournament, and will face 14-seed UCF in the first round on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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