RCW: Football Faces in the Crowd
Each week in Rock Chalk Weekly, the top Kansas Jayhawk performances are recognized as Faces in the Crowd. Get to know last week’s stars, including information on their latest accomplishments and a link to their full bio.
PEYTON BENDER
Quarterback | 6-1 | 190 | Jr.-TR
Full Bio
Peyton Bender’s name has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue since signing day last February. Coming to Kansas by way of Itawamba Community College and Washington State, Bender’s strong arm and knowledge of the air-raid offense dating back to his freshman season at WSU under head coach Mike Leach made him an immediate candidate for the starting quarterback role. Battling with returning sophomore Carter Stanley, the quarterback competition has been the talk of fall camp, but head coach David Beaty and new offensive coordinator Doug Meacham have yet to make a decision on which of the two will be the starting signal caller for the Jayhawks in their season opener on Sept. 2.
QUAN HAMPTON
Wide Receiver | 5-8 | 170 | Fr.
Full Bio
Shifty, elusive and fast are just a few of the words that have been used in the preseason by head coach David Beaty to describe freshman wide receiver Quan Hampton. From Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, Hampton made a name for himself in fall camp. Beaty and staff expected Hampton to come in and be a player who could make an impact in a few years, but his knowledge of the position, as well as his play-making abilities, have put him in line to make an immediate impact on the Jayhawk offense and potentially special teams.
HASAN DEFENSE
Cornerback | 5-11 | 180 | So.-TR
Full Bio
After spending a season at Kilgore College in Texas, Hasan Defense has made his way to Lawrence, Kansas, and his presence is sure to be felt on the gridiron throughout the season. A lock-down defender with the ability to make big plays at the corner position, Defense looks to fill holes left by graduation at both corner positions. A versatile player in the secondary, Defense recorded five interceptions, broke up 14 pass attempts and notched 57 tackles, including 7.0 in the opponent backfield, in his one year at Kilgore College. That versatility will be a key factor in the Big 12 Conference, and the Kansas coaches expect him to produce big numbers this season.
SHAKIAL TAYLOR
Cornerback | 6-0 | 175 | Jr.-TR
Full Bio
Transferring to Kansas from Mesa Community College, Shakial Taylor is expected to fill the other open starting cornerback position for the season opener on Sept. 2. After spending a year at South Dakota State in a backup role, Taylor put up big numbers in his one season at Mesa CC. In 11 games, Taylor racked up 42 tackles, averaging 3.8 tackles per game, as well as breaking up 18 pass attempts and recording one interception. Along with his pass defense, Taylor is known for his ability to make open-field tackles, which was displayed when he gathered a season-high nine tackles last season against Phoenix College.
