There hasn't been much buzz around the Kansas football team as far as players who have gained another year of eligibility as there has with the Kansas basketball team. That doesn't mean KU hasn't found some football players who've recently gained another year and might help out this season.
On Monday, head coach Lance Peipold announced that Kansas had added two of these players, one on each side of the ball, according to Henry Greenstein for KUSports.com (subscription required). Defensive lineman Clifton Thompson and running back Chase Belcher are practicing this week, but it is doubtful if either are ready enough to play in this week against Middle Tennessee State.
Season-ending injuries have dealt blows to the depth on both the defensive line and the running back room. Adding experienced players should help the Jayhawks be more secure in their depth moving forward.
How can Clifton Thompson and Chase Belcher help the Kansas football team
Kansas lost defensive lineman Tre'von McAlpine before the season even started to an injury, and McAlpine was someone KU was looking to have as a stopper in the middle. Eamon Smalls has been a great early-season story for the Jayhawks along the defensive line, but he and his cohorts could use some help in the trenches.
If Thompson can get up to speed on the defensive playbook and system, he should serve as a rotational piece along the line. His experience will be invaluable, even if he can substitute in for just a few plays a game to give more breathers to the frontline players.
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The Jayhawks' running game hasn't been effective the last two weeks. Turnovers and subpar performances have put more pressure on Isaiah Marshall and the passing game. Against Arizona State, things got worse when Yasin Willis went down for the season with an injury, leaving Dylan Edwards as the primary ball carrier. KU hoped the Edwards and WIllis would provide an effective one-two punch out of the backfield.
Jalen Dupree was expected to be the third running back on the depth chart, but redshirt sophomore Micah Johnson has the third most carries on the season. Johnson has 13 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. Granted, all but two of Johnson's carries came against Long Island, but Dupree has just nine total carries for 35 yards.
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The Jayhawks had some depth at running back, but after injuries to Willis and freshmen Kory Amachree and Justin Thurman, the position could use some bolstering. Belcher has enough experience, albeit not against FBS competition, that he could help this team moving forward.
Andy Kotelnicki likes what Belcher can bring to the running back room. Belcher averaged 5.3 yards per carry last season at Kennesaw State. Over his career at three stops, he has shown the ability to be productive as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. He'll compete with Dupree and Johnson for snaps while backing up Edwards.
Edwards has his own history of injuries, so Kansas doesn't want to overuse him. He is going to have to carry more of the load with Willis out, but the Jayhawks need to find some players ready to step up to spell him.
While a week may not be enough time for either Belcher or Thompson to be prepared enough to play much this week against Middle Tennessee, maybe they can get a few snaps. They won't have time to learn all the playbooks, and it is unknown if they are physically prepared to play. Still, it will be interesting to see if they could get a look on a limited basis against an opponent Kansas should beat.
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