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Kansas football: David Beaty needs to name a starting quarterback

By Stan Unruh

LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 23: David Beaty head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks instructs his team against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 23: David Beaty head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks instructs his team against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas football team is a couple of weeks away from the annual spring game. Coach David Beaty should name a starting quarterback this month.

The Kansas football team is heading into the second half of their NCAA allowed 15 spring football practices. David Beaty made a few interesting changes since last season ended in Stillwater. He brought in a new offensive line coach and added excellent, experienced defensive coach Bill Miller to the staff. In addition to Miller, former Jayhawk Cassius Sendish is now a full time defensive assistant. The 2015 grad is in charge of working with the safeties.

Beyond these coaching changes, Beaty needs to consider one additional change. Don’t wait until September 1, to name a starting quarterback. Why not make a decision right after the final snap of the April 28 spring game? Let the offense rally around one guy as they prepare for the September 1 season opener?

Second team All- American linebacker Joe Dineen and first team All-Big 12 defensive tackle Daniel Wise are the leaders of the Jayhawk defense. Let’s name a quarterback and allow him to lead the other side of the ball all summer. It could be very good for the team, the public relations and the quarterback.

There is little difference between last season’s two starting quarterbacks. Peyton Bender started eight games and Carter Stanley started four games. As a matter of fact, at times last season both showed they have the talent to lead this team. If the offensive line gives them time, both are accurate. While neither is the obvious choice, Stanley is certainly more mobile.

Next: KU football: Wisdom from the KU basketball team

I understand why Beaty waits and wants players to “earn it.”  On the other hand, this is a make or break season for this coaching staff.  Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham is also now in charge of coaching the Jayhawk quarterbacks.  Maybe he should convince Beaty to take action and give the offense a clear leader at quarterback now.  If you continue doing what you’ve always done, you may get the same result.

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