Through the Phog
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Kansas football will use All-America Team as motivation

By Stan Unruh

LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks tries to get an officials attention after a penalty in the first quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks tries to get an officials attention after a penalty in the first quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Kansas football fans are disappointed but not surprised. The preseason 2017 All-America teams are out; no Jayhawks are included.

Die hard Kansas football fans hoped at least one member of David Beaty’s team might make the Sports Illustrated 2017 All-America team. As a matter of fact, Beaty might say, “Earn it!”  I thought the SI or the Associated Press would include preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Dorance Armstrong. Unfortunately, it did not happen. That’s just a little more motivation for 6-foot 4-inch 250-pound Defensive End and the Jayhawks.

The SI team includes names you expect from the nation’s top ranked teams. As usual there are a couple of players from team in Norman including quarterback Baker Mayfield.  He is scheduled to visit Memorial Stadium for a battle with the Jayhawks November 18. I hope Armstrong saves a warm greeting for him behind the line of scrimmage. That will be fun.

In addition to Mayfield, three other Big 12 players made the SI first-team. Mayfield’s teammate offensive tackle Orlando Brown, Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams and senior wide receiver James Washington from Oklahoma State.

The Jayhawks visit Stillwater in the last regular season game of the season November 25. It will be nice to see Jayhawk safety Mike Lee battle Williams in that one.

Sports Illustrated included a pair of Big 12 players on their second team. Both are defensive players. A linebacker from Texas and a defensive back from the longest tenured purple team in the conference. That last one is simply a gift.

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In the first place this list is far from exact.As SI points out, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson didn’t even make the list. That should also provide ample motivation for Armstrong and Kansas football.

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