Kansas Has Multiple Wide Receivers To Watch On Saturday

WR LaQuvionte Gonzales, No. 1

The Texas A&M transfer followed his position coach up the plains and has been playing really well in his first season of eligibility as a junior. He got on the field every game as a freshman at Texas A&M and is primed to be a difference maker for this KU team.

He’s definitely a focal point of the offense and some around the KU program have called him the most dynamic player in a KU uniform since Aqib Talib (corner who has played really well in the NFL). The Under Armor All-American’s playmaking skills were on display with this 67-yard score just a couple of weeks ago in Lawrence, he’ll definitely be someone the Cowboys keep an eye on.

How is this Kansas Football? How? What is wrong with TCU? pic.twitter.com/yj4J6nDa2H

— Sam Duren (@Sam_Duren) October 8, 2016

WR Steven Sims, Jr., No. 11

The Houston native has developed great rapport with his quarterback Ryan Willis over the last year or two and has a knack for getting behind defenses.

He’s had scores from 74, 71, 35, 22 and 11 yards out this year and is dangerous when he gets the ball in space. Sims has benefitted from the air raid offense that Beaty runs and other schools in the conference surely regret not offering one of the more productive receivers in the conference.

Safety Fish Smithson, No. 9

The Baltimore native has been a boon for the Jayhawks, exploding as a junior leading the NCAA in solo tackles with 7.9 per game and earning second team all conference. The senior has some playmaking skills and is tied for second on the team with a pair of picks this year, but he sticks out most as a sure tackler in a unit that is short of them.

As a defensive captain, his consistency earned him second team All Big 12 last year and he’s been the most solid player on an inexperienced secondary in this Jayhawk defense.

Smithson is an encouraging story, as he grew up in a rough part of Baltimore and was able to leave town when his older brother earned a scholarship to the University of Utah, bringing his younger brother with him. He earned his way onto a junior college team in Salinas, California before Kansas offered him a scholarship.

Defensive End Dorace Armstrong, Jr., No. 2

First in the conference in sacks produced and second in tackles for loss is sophomore end Dorace Armstrong, Jr. who had a monster game against TCU. A KU beat writer mentioned that Armstrong is a bona fide NFL prospect as he’s developed a ton between his freshman and sophomore years, he’s a handful for offensive tackles at 6’4”, 246 pounds.

He chose playing in Lawrence over playing at Michigan State, Cal and others and looks to be a building block for this defense in a pass happy league.