Big 12 Play Will Be Spotlight Opportunity For Young Jayhawks

The Jayhawks are as talented as nearly any team in college football this season.  However, nothing lasts long in college football, and if Mark Mangino wants to continue his success atop the Big 12 North, he is going to have to keep plugging guys in and filling holes just like everyone else.

The ol' coach should get started, though, because he may have more vacancies next season than Cody Hawkins has thrown picks in his career.

Here's a look at a few guys that can solidify a good slot for themselves next spring by playing well down the stretch this year.

Bradley McDougald, Fr. WR (6' 2", 195 pounds)

So McDougald's contributions will come as no surprise, but I'm not so sure McDougald won't become next year's number one guy if Dezmon Briscoe leaves early.  I want badly to say that Jonathan Wilson, a guy with the size and athleticism Mangino loves, would be the shoe-in, but every pass I see him drop makes me cringe.

I have no idea whether or not Briscoe sticks around, but if he doesn't, Wilson and McDougald will both get their fair chance.  I guess it's good that we'll have two quality, but also very different, receivers.

Deshaun Sands, (RS) Fr. RB (5' 9", 182 pounds)

Is it fair to put Deshaun here?  All I know is that every time I hear his name, only good things follow.

Sands is currently wearing the dreaded red-shirt while Toben Opurum is making himself a candidate to get big carries next year.  However, Sands is reportedly doing very well in practice (which certainly needs to continue), and his size, speed, and pass catching abilities make him a perfect replacement for Jake Sharp.

I would be willing to bet my position on this website that Sands will be a (good) factor for KU next season.

Kale Pick, RS Fr. QB (6' 2", 200 pounds)

We've all seen Kale Pick play so I won't spend too much time on him.  I just wanted to say that while I think, down the road, freshman Jordan Webb will be better, Pick should have a few more shots to at least secure himself as the front-runner to succeed Todd Reesing.

So far, his exciting play has impressed, and it will be hard to go against a guy who has looked so promising during live action.  Sorry Webb, but the rest of this season may be all Kale Pick needs to close out the deal...for now.

Patrick Dorsey, RS So. DT (6' 0", 275 pounds)

Many have Patrick Dorsey labeled as one of the surprises of the season thus far, and I will have to agree entirely.  I had no idea who he was when he walked on the field as a starter in KU's season opener, but I think he will become a permanent fixture in KU's defensive line from now on.

With Jamaal Greene proving to be one of KU's biggest disappointments in his junior go-round, Patrick Dorsey is seizing more reps every game.  Although he doesn't play on that side of the line, he will help offset the departure of KU staple Caleb Blakesley next season.

Steven Johnson, RS So. MLB (6' 2", 225 pounds)

I thought about putting Vernon Brooks here, but because our two-backer scheme is becoming more prevalent every game, I'll take the opportunity to recognize walk-on inside linebacker Steven Johnson here instead. 

This stout, athletic, feel-good story of a middle linebacker is the program kind of guy KU fans love, and he even compiled his first collegiate sack against Duke.  I don't think he'll press Drew Dudley for time this year or next, but he is a reliable back-up, and in two years he will certainly compete to become Dudley's successor.

Ryan Murphy, RS So. CB (5' 10", 176 pounds)

Once again, a lot of people have Ryan Murphy tabbed as one of KU's pleasant surprises right now.  On the other hand, I have also heard people complimenting Chris Harris' body of work this season.

Harris is an awful liability in coverage, and could be moved back to safety where he was extremely effective in game one.  Ryan Murphy isn't much help against the run game, but that's not where KU's problems are and Murphy has the hot hand right now.

Murphy's work against SMU wasn't pretty, but unlike our other corners, he is actually getting the job done.  A change in starters is unlikely, but I think Murphy should at least get another opportunity to see if he's the real deal or simply the benefactor of one lucky game.

Keep an eye on these guys as Big 12 play progresses.  This is the time for young guys to make their statement and either prove that they can be effective at the BCS conference level or they can find their way into Mark Mangino's doghouse, which is a difficult, confusing doghouse to find your way out of.

Just ask Anthony Davis.