The first depth chart for the Jayhawks has a couple surprises

Kansas released their depth chart ahead of week 1, but there are a few things I wasn't expecting to see.

The Kansas Jayhawks begin the 2023 season with a depth chart that looks extremely similar to the one they ended last year with. And of course it helps that the vast majority of the offense returned.

But when you look at the 2-deep as released by Kansas Athletics earlier this week, the biggest surprise is that the defense has more positions that are the same as last as season than the offense. It is still subject to change based on practices and during the week gameplanning.

Quarterback

Jalon Daniels
Jason Bean

Running Back

Devin Neal
Daniel Hishaw OR
Dylan McDuffie OR
Sevion Morrison OR
Torry Locklin

Wide Receivers

Slot Receiver

Luke Grimm
Douglas Emilien

X Receiver

Lawrence Arnold
Tanaka Scott
Keaton Kubecka

Z Receiver

Quentin Skinner
Trevor Wilson

Tight End

Mason Fairchild
Trevor Kardell OR
Jared Casey

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Dominick Puni
Logan Brown

Left Guard

Ar'maj Reed-Adams
Kobe Baynes OR
Nolan Gorczyca

Center

Mike Novitsky
Dre Doiron

Right Guard

Michael Ford Jr
Spencer Lovell

Right Tackle

Bryce Cabeldue
Calvin Clements

Defensive Line

Defensive End

Jereme Robinson
Dylan Brooks OR
Davion Westmoreland

Defensive Tackle

Tommy Dunn OR
DJ Withers
Kenean Caldwell

Defensive Tackle

Devin Phillips
Gage Keys OR
Caleb Taylor

Defensive End

Hayden Hatcher
Austin Booker OR
Patrick Joyner Jr.

Linebackers

Hawk

Craig Young
Jayson Gilliom

LB1

Rich Miller
Cornell Wheeler

LB2

Taiwan Berryhill Jr.
JB Brown

Defensive Secondary

Cornerback

Cobee Bryant
Kalon Gervin

Safety

O.J. Burroughs OR
Marvin Grant

Safety

Kenny Logan Jr.
Jalen Dye

Cornerback

Mello Dotson
Kwinton Lassiter OR
Damarius McGhee

Kickoffs

Tabor Allen
Owen Piepergerdes

Placekicker

Seth Keller OR
Owen Piepergerdes

Punter

Damon Greaves OR
Grayden Addison

Long Snapper

Luke Hosford
Emory Duggar

Punt Returner

Trevor Wilson
Luke Grimm

Kick Returner

Kenny Logan OR
Trevor Wilson OR
Sevion Morrison

Holder

Grayden Addison
Reis Vernon

Takeaways

The wholesale changes along the offensive line were a bit surprising to me. Even though we knew that Puni had been impressing the coaches, I still wasn't sure he would take over the starting left tackle role, but I also don't know that there was anyone else that was an obvious choice for the role.

The five running backs on the depth chart is interesting, but isn't really that different from last year, and I expect all of them to get an opportunity for some snaps.

And finally, most of the places that had some depth options from last year competing against new additions saw the starting roles go to the players that were already on the roster. I'm not surprised for this first game, as there will be plenty of opportunities for players to get a lot of minutes. But I don't expect that to stay the same all season long. 

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