Kansas football: 3 players to watch against West Virginia
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas football team rolls into conference play Saturday against West Virginia. Here are three Mountaineer players to watch.
When the Kansas football team lines up against West Virginia Saturday morning most fans will want to see what the much publicized Mountaineer quarterback can do. I want to see one of quarterback Will Grier’s receivers. Die hard college football fans have heard a lot about 6-foot 4-inch wide receiver David Sills V. In his Tuesday presser, Jayhawk head coach David Beaty said he wasn’t familiar with Sill’s story but knew the big receiver was one to watch.
ESPN.com once called Sills the football version of Justin Bieber. Sills’ journey from a junior high school quarterback recruit at Southern Cal to wide receiver for Dana Holgerson is fascinating, as described by Andy Staples for Sports Illustrated. Sills is among the Big 12 Conference leaders with five touchdowns in three weeks. Mountaineer senior running back Justin Crawford also has five touchdowns.
The Big 12 presented transfer quarterback Will Grier newcomer of the week award twice already this season. He is as good as advertised having thrown 11 touchdowns on the season. His most impressive performance came in the nationally televised season opener against Virginia Tech. Grier threw 53 passes in that loss.
He did connect on 31 passes for three touchdowns against the Hokies and also ran for 52 yards. The Jayhawk defense will have their hands full with Grier whether he throws to Sills or hands off to Crawford. I’m hoping this is the week Jayhawk defensive end Dorance Armstrong get his first sack on Grier.
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West Virginia senior defensive back Kyzir White has picked off a pair of passes in the Mountaineers first three games. Jayhawk quarterback Peyton Bender gave up five picks in non-conference action. I’m sure Doug Meecham, Beaty and the other Kansas football coaches are reminding him that although the Mountaineer defensive line is young, White is a veteran who will make his life miserable if he isn’t careful.