LAWRENCE — Kansas’ football depth chart released Tuesday says everything there is to know about the Jayhawks’ quarterback situation entering Saturday’s game against Colorado.
Where there was once a starter named Todd Reesing for three straight seasons, there is now “Quinn Mecham or Jordan Webb or Kale Pick.” KU (2-6) is not hiding the fact that it does not know who its quarterback will be. All three players have started games this season.
KU offensive coordinator Chuck Long said Mecham, who completed 22 of 33 passes for 149 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Iowa State, would take the majority of the repetitions at Tuesday’s practice. As the week progresses, Long and KU coach Turner Gill will have a better feel for the status of Webb’s injured right shoulder. Gill said Pick, who suffered a concussion Oct. 23 against Texas A&M, is ready to go.
“They’re all available this week,” Gill said. “We’ve got to make some decisions as we go along.”
Without knowing which quarterback will play Saturday, Long will have a challenge coming up with a game plan for the Buffaloes, who are also 0-4 in the Big 12.
“Different guys do different things better,” Long said. “We’ll put together a game plan we feel we can do in our base stuff first, then what we can do to hurt the other team. With different quarterbacks being in the game, I’ll just go to different sections of the playbook that they do best.”
Mecham was impressive enough in leading the Jayhawks to a 9-7 halftime lead against the Cyclones that there doesn’t appear to be a ton of urgency to get Webb, who started the six previous games, back into the lineup if he’s not fully ready.
“(Mecham) is just very mature,” Long said. “He stayed consistent all the way through. He came in here, and when he got here, he was skinny and not very strong. He dedicated himself in the weight room, gained muscle weight. His arm is stronger. He threw some go-balls the other day that were nice.”
Beshears, Sands available — Gill said sophomore wide receiver/running back/kickoff return specialist D.J. Beshears and redshirt freshman running back Deshaun Sands would play this week after missing the Iowa State game due to suspensions for unspecified violations of team rules.
Marshall cancer-free — KU sophomore defensive end D.J. Marshall, who was diagnosed last season with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, informed Gill recently that his cancer is now in remission.
“He is now cancer free,” Gill said. “He has been lifting weights, he’s also now doing minimal football activities. It’s really great to see the smile on his face.”
Gill said he hopes Marshall will be available to play spring football.
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