Beaty Excited About 2015 Jayhawk Signing Class
Photo Gallery // Kansas Football Signing Day Central // Beaty Press Conference Transcript // 2015 Signee Bios
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas first-year head coach David Beaty had a big smile on his face as he announced his initial Jayhawk signing class. Beaty and his staff worked diligently over the past two months to obtain the services of 24 new Jayhawks, with 16 of those student-athletes making it official by signing a National Letter of Intent Wednesday.
Overall, Beaty and company dipped into seven states in securing the 24-member signing class. Texas led the way with 17 recruits hailing from the Lone Star state, while the Jayhawks tabbed two native Kansans in quarterback Ryan Willis (Overland Park, Kansas/Bishop Miege HS) and offensive lineman Will Smith (Shawnee, Kansas/Butler CC). KU inked one player each from Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan and Oklahoma.
David Beaty discusses
Kansas’ 2015 signing class.Kansas went heavy on defensive backs as seven of its incoming players are slated to play in the defensive backfield. Other areas of emphasis were the offensive line, with five players manning that position, and wide receiver, as four of the signees are expected to be pass catchers.
The 2015 Kansas football signing class includes 16 high school players, with the other eight coming from junior college. Eight of the 24-member class are currently on campus for the spring 2015 semester as December signees D’Andre Banks (OL), Bazie Bates IV (DB), Jacky Dezir (DL), Ke’aun Kinner (RB), Jayson Rhodes (OL), Smith (OL) and Brandon Stewart (DB) will compete during spring football, along with early enrollee Chase Harrell (WR).
Kansas football will continue celebrating its new crop of Jayhawks as it hosts several meet-and-greets with fans during the next few weeks as it has ‘Football in February’ events across the state. Next up is the Football Fanfest Saturday, Feb. 7. The event will take place in Anschutz Pavilion from 4-6:30 p.m. Williams Fund members, football season ticket holders and KU Alumni Association members will be admitted at 4 p.m. (with proof of membership or ticket purchase), while the doors will open at 5 p.m., for the general public.
In addition to Beaty and the coaching staff, KU football players both past and present will be in attendance at the Football Fan Fest and will be available for autographs. The event will feature a fun zone, face painter, balloon artists, the KU Band and Spirit Squads, Big and Baby Jay and much more.
Football Fan Fest will wrap up in Anschutz at 6:30 p.m., so fans can move next door to Allen Fieldhouse for Kansas women’s basketball’s ‘Jayhawks for a Cure’ game against Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. The Jayhawks will don brand-new white uniforms with pink trim in honor of the event, which benefits Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center. Tickets for the ‘Jayhawks for a Cure’ game start at $5 and for every fan in attendance, a $1 will be donated to the ‘Jayhawks for a Cure’ beneficiaries. Upon entrance to Allen Fieldhouse, fans will receive pink t-shirts while supplies last.
Following the Football Fanfest, ‘Football in February’ will tour around the state of Kansas primarily for happy hour events, in addition to one luncheon in Hays. All Jayhawk alumni, fans and friends are invited to events along the tour. Beaty, members of his coaching staff and special guests from the athletics department and alumni association will be at every stop. Fans can pick up 2015 commemorative football items and have a chance to win autographed merchandise and tickets.
The football Jayhawks will open up their 15-practice spring slate on Tuesday, March 24. The annual Spring Game will be held in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 25. Full details on the events surround the Spring Game will be released in the near future.
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