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.
The list of players who signed with KU
Dorance Armstrong Jr., DL, 6-foot-4, 225, North Shore, HS, Houston, Texas
Shola Ayinde, DB, 6-foot, 170, George Ranch HS, Richmond, Texas
D’Andre Banks, OL, 6-foot-3, 325, Trinity Valley CC, Killeen, Texas
Bazie Bates IV, DB, 6-foot-1, 190, Trinity Valley CC, Allen, Texas
Jeremiah Booker, WR, 6-foot-2, 195, College Station HS, College Station, Texas
Jacky Dezir, DL, 6-foot-1, 300, College of DuPage, Chicago, Illinois
Denzel Feaster, DB, 6-foot-3, 195, Manor HS, Austin, Texas
Aaron Garza, OL, 6-foot-3, 290, Sherman HS, Sherman, Texas
Chase Harrell, WR, 6-foot-4, 205, Hargrave HS, Huffman, Texas
Ke’aun Kinner, RB, 5-foot-9, 185, Navarro JC, Little Elm, Texas
Taylor Martin, RB, 5-foot-10, 180, Dunbar HS, Fort Worth, Texas
Clyde McCauley III, OL, 6-foot-5, 275, Bowie HS, Arlington, Texas
Tyrone Miller Jr., DB, 6-foot, 180, Saline HS, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Emmanuel Moore, WR, 6-foot, 200, Northwest HS, Haslet, Texas
Osaze Ogbebor, LB, 6-foot-1, 210, Heritage HS, McKinney, Texas
Marnez Ogletree, DB, 5-foot-10, 190, Fullerton College, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Jayson Rhodes, OL, 6-foot-4, 285, Blinn College, Deer Park, Texas
Shaquille Richmond, DB, 6-foot, 180, Mansfield Timberview HS, Grand Prairie, Texas
Steven Sims Jr., WR, 5-foot-10, 165, Travis HS, Houston, Texas
Will Smith, OL, 6-foot-3, 315, Butler CC, Shawnee, Kansas
Carter Stanley, QB, 6-foot-2, 188, Vero Beach HS, Vero Beach, Florida
Jace Sternberger, TE, 6-foot-4, 225, Kingfisher HS, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Brandon Stewart, DB, 6-foot, 175, Trinity Valley CC, Cedar Hill, Texas
Ryan Willis, QB, 6-foot-5, 205, Bishop Miege HS, Overland Park, Kansas