KU abuzz about offense

Barmann atop heap of Jayhawk quarterbacks

It seems Adam Barmann went from “in the running” to “in command” this summer at Kansas University.

The junior’s emergence as a favorite in KU’s four-pony quarterback race, though, wasn’t enhanced by exhausting wind sprints or dramatically improved max-outs in the weight room.

Rather, it was by sharpening his mind with game film.

“I think (NFL quarterback) Tom Brady said it best: When you got all the answers to the test, there’s no reason to be nervous when the time comes,” Barmann said. “You’ve got to understand what you’re trying to do and how you’re trying to attack the defense if you’re really going to be successful.

“Having a good command of our offense and what the defense is trying to do to us is really going to help this fall.”

Barmann was one of several players to address the press Thursday when KU held its annual football media day at Memorial Stadium.

And while KU coach Mark Mangino stops short of ending the quarterback competition, it’s obvious Barmann has an edge as preseason workouts continue.

“He’s probably the most prepared of our veteran quarterbacks,” Mangino said. “But he still has to continue to improve and win the job.

“That job is still open, and we haven’t resolved anything yet. But Adam is having a good training camp. He’s put a lot of work in this offseason.”

For a while, Barmann and senior Jason Swanson were neck-and-neck. But Swanson has been plagued by a nagging injury, wore a knee brace in practice Thursday and hasn’t worked much this summer.

“He has a long way to go to get himself back in the race,” Mangino said.

Which leaves three candidates: Barmann, senior Brian Luke and an intriguing wild card in Kerry Meier. Barmann and Luke each have at least 10 games of experience — some good, some not — making consistency a key for each.

Luke’s experience last year came after Barmann’s season ended three games early because of an apparent shoulder injury. After Swanson and John Nielsen were hurt in consecutive weeks following Barmann’s tweak, Luke came to the rescue, nearly leading the Jayhawks to victory over Texas then picking apart Missouri’s defense in a season-ending victory.

While Luke was saving the day, Barmann was dressed on the sideline for an emergency situation that never came.

“Its frustrating when you can’t finish the season because of injury,” Barmann said. “So I did everything I could to prepare my body and get myself ready to go for a full Big 12 season this year.”

The dark horse, the 6-foot-2 Meier, is highly touted and boasts a solid pedigree and limitless ability. Experience could be the only thing stopping him.

“Kerry is making strides every day,” Mangino said. “It’s not a cinch that he’ll redshirt. It could happen, but that’s not a cinch.”

Hey, what’s one more pony in the stable? Even though multiple slingers with different attributes are breathing down Barmann’s neck, the Weston, Mo., native never has said he would prefer being the go-to guy.

Instead, he’s realizing what positives could come of having a crowded race heading down the stretch.

“We’ve got a lot of good players at the quarterback position,” Barmann said, “and it will make all of us better.”