Kansas football: David Beaty hopes for help from Santa

Kansas football coach David Beaty is busy finishing his Christmas shopping. He must find just the right talent to enhance the Jayhawk football program.

A week from now, Kansas football fans will know a little more whether the all the hard work was worth it. Immediately following the November 25, loss at Oklahoma State, the university let the media and fans know David Beaty and his staff were leaving Stillwater to work on recruiting.  As a matter of fact, that job never ends.

On the other hand, recruiting is especially crazy this season with the college football early signing period. Beaty and his staff hope Santa brings them good news over the December 20-22. That 72-hour window is critically important. If Santa brings coal, Beaty and his staff will hope to find others who can sign during the traditional signing period starting in February. It’s all new this year and nobody knows how it will all unfold.

One of the reasons Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger hired  Beaty was recruiting. The head coach needs to do his best sales job over the next week. I don’t envy Beaty. However, I expect good news because this is where the head coach excels.

Yes, there are a few players who have changed their minds and backed out of commitments. That’s not unusual with teenagers and college choices. There are a million factors and these talented recruits are pulled in a hundred different directions. In addition, these student athletes have to look good on their social media account.  I don’t like that but it’s 2017 and it’s not going away.

Next: David Beaty needs to recruit some blockers

With a week to go, Rivals shows the Jayhawks with 13 total commitments. Most are listed as 3-star recruits. There are two 4-star recruits from Louisiana. Beaty’s Associate Head Coach Tony Hull is in charge of that pipeline to the Bayou state as described by Max Olson for ESPN.  All Jayhawk fans hope Beaty and Hull have an outstanding week ahead and that Santa has just what they need.