Kale Pick Starting QB, Toben Opurums Moves to LB for Kansas Jayhawks

According to KUSports.com, Kale Pick has been selected as the opening day starter.  What does that mean for the Jayhawks?

Well, it's pretty obvious that Pick can make plays with his feet and has a qualified arm for a decent passing attack. 

What it really means, hopefully, is that Pick, in practices, has displayed good decision making skills when deciding to gun or pull the ball in and run.  One would hope that Pick won the job because his decision and play-making abilities in general overcame the more proven arm of Jordan Webb.

Once again, hopefully it means simply that Pick was the better of the two quarterbacks, not simply the quarterback who messed up less.  Regardless, both quarterbacks gained my confidence over the spring and summer.

Also according to KUSports.com, Toben Opurum is making the switch to linebacker.  What does that mean for the Jayhawks and his future?

Well this one is slightly more difficult.  Opurum came to Lawrence to play running back and specifically not to play fullback or defense.  Last season, he proved himself to be our future's most promising at the position.

What would cause such a dramatic switch (yet again, at KU) from running back to linebacker?

The injury situation at linebacker is getting ridiculous.  Opurum is an uber-athletic guy with plenty of high school experience at the position.

My guess is Opurum's career as a running back is not over.  I'd say Turner Gill was pleased enough with the production and dimensions that  Deshaun Sands, Rell Lewis and specifically Angus Quigley bring to the running back table.  Even the quality of the fullbacks may have played a role.

Opurum, roughly the same size as Steven Johnson, is athletic enough to add immediate depth to every linebacker position available (all three backups on the updated depth chart are college walk-on's).

Also, just as a bit of a wild card, perhaps this means Gill also has faith in a true freshman running back to begin his four years of eligibility if worse comes to worst.

Finally, the same article also mentions Keeston Terry's switch to safety.

This seems unusual to me as Kansas has three talented, young safeties already on the roster.  Still, this was probably a move for the future rather than to address a present need.

Terry's measurables don't match up to most of the other young receiving talent on the roster, and yet he has a reputation as a playmaker.  Playmaking defensive backs are always good.

Next year, after Phillip Strozier and Olaitan Oguntodu have graduated (both seniors listed on the two-deep), it might be nice to have a redshirt freshman safety to insert into the lineup. 

Another Few Minor Notes I'd Like To Make about the Depth Chart

Daymond Patterson is listed as both the punt and kick returner.  I think this means the most to D.J. Beshears, probably the number four receiver on the roster.  If Patterson is tired or dinged up, D.J. Beshears can provide a very similar skillset and give the junior a good breather.

A.J. Steward and Ted McNulty are listed as the number one and two U-backs.  I'm not exactly sure what that is, but I'd say it has to do with being a blocking-capable, on-the-line/off-the-line receiving end in a certain situational package or two.

The offensive line does in fact look very deep, albeit a less experienced one than Hawk fans might have planned on lining up.  It'll be interesting to see how the linemen mesh.

Isaiah Barfield has jumped over Calvin Rubles as the second starting cornerback, and Greg Brown was listed evenly with Rubles.  I've always had faith in Barfield (haven't seen much of Brown), but was under the impression that Rubles was vastly improving.  It's just another competition scenario that will be fun to watch develop.

Tyrone Sellers (defensive end), Tyler Patmon (nickelback) and Olaitan Oguntodu have all overcome some quality competition to be listed as starters at their respective positions.  That seems like good news to me.

And finally, the Hawks are a bit undersized on the defensive line.  Keep an eye out for situational rotations with backups Kevin Young, true freshman Keba Agostinho, Richard Dent and John Williams, who are all well-known for being extremely stout and strong.