Why Kansas Jayhawks offensive lineman Bryce Foster says of KU: ‘I love it here’
Kansas Jayhawks offensive lineman Bryce Foster feels right at home in Lawrence, but he’s still getting used to one thing: KU’s quick pace on offense.
The former five-star recruit who this summer transferred from Texas A&M to KU noted the difference in practices between the two schools.
“Practice-wise, A&M was a little longer, but not as fast,” he said. “I think that’s been a really big difference for me. Coming here, practices haven’t been as long, but man, they’re: snap, snap, snap.
“It’s going really, really, fast going through plays. You’re always moving, constantly moving. I think its a good thing. It really gets you into shape.”
The pace was certainly an adjustment.
“I think the first cycle and half or so of fall camp, I was taken (aback) by that,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever breathed that hard during a practice. That was a struggle, for real. I think now, looking back at it, I’m in way better shape then I was.”
Foster is competing for the starting center spot with fellow transfer Shane Bumgardner, who earned the Division II version of the Rimington Award (nation’s best center) during his previous career stop at Tiffin University.
“It’s still a competition,” Kansas offensive line coach Daryl Agpalsa said. “Shane has taken a step from the spring to now. He’s more consistent, he’s stronger, he’s faster. Bryce Foster continues to get better every day. Sometimes I remind myself he just got here.”
Agpalsa has been impressed by how much Foster’s learned in his short time with the Jayhawks.
“As we’ve gotten him here, what’s been very impressive for me as a coach is his football IQ,” Agpalsa said. “He picks up terminology and languages pretty quick and schemes really quick, and I think that’s just helped propel him to where he is right now.
Despite the fierce competition, there’s no animosity between Foster and Bumgardner.
“I love Shane, he’s a great guy,” Foster said. “Just to compete against him is something, I think is really cool to do. He’s a super great guy. He knows what he’s doing; he knows what he’s talking about. His football IQ is super, super high.”
Foster was also on the track and field team at Texas A&M: He competed in the shot put. He plans to continue doing that at Kansas, but said football is his primary focus.
As the competition for the center position rages, Foster seemed at peace with whatever happens.
“Whoever the front five are, whether I’m in it or I’m not in it, I want to be there so I can help when I can,” he said.
After all, he’s enjoyed his time at Kansas so far.
“I think I made a really good decision in coming here,” he said, “I’ve absolutely loved it here.”
This story was originally published August 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Why Kansas Jayhawks offensive lineman Bryce Foster says of KU: ‘I love it here’."
