Kansas football notebook: King impressing; Semke solid

He was unable to scrimmage over the weekend because of his late arrival, but University of Miami (Florida) transfer Corey King, a 6-foot-1, 295-pound defensive tackle, has pleased his new coaches during his first couple of days in pads.

“When you watch him in drills, you see he really explodes out, and he’s got good feet,” Kansas University D-line coach Calvin Thibodeaux said.

Added KU head coach David Beaty: “I’m very impressed with him. We’re just trying to get him in shape to play in a tempo-type defense. It’s not normal for a lot of people, but he’s getting there, and he’s a tough dude. I like him a lot.”

Despite having to play catch-up in conditioning, Thibodeaux said he did not anticipate King having any trouble being ready by the Sept. 5 season opener.

“It ain’t like he’s far off,” Thibodeaux said. “(Guys are) ahead of him, but when he hits the sled it makes a different noise.”

Beaty said the D-tackle position had been better than he expected at this point and singled out Kapil Fletcher, Daniel Wise and Jacky Dezir for strong play.

Thibodeaux went a step farther when talking about Wise, who has added roughly 15 pounds since the spring.

“If I was ranking my inside guys right now, based on what I’ve seen, Daniel Wise would be the No. 1 guy,” Thibodeaux said.

Ford focus

Beaty was asked Wednesday where juco transfer Deondre Ford figured into the quarterback race that also includes junior Montell Cozart and true freshmen Carter Stanley and Ryan Willis.

“He’s just one of the QBs right now, really,” he said. “… He’s getting the same amount of reps as the rest of those guys. He’s doing some good things, but he’s also learning the system.”

Semke still sizzling

He came out of nowhere to play an important role on the KU defensive line last season, and he has not given up any ground since.

Senior defensive end T.J. Semke, 6-2, 248 from Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North High, continues to operate as a player coaches cannot keep off the field.

“He doesn’t look like the rest of those guys,” Beaty said. “But he certainly plays hard, and I love his motor. He’s gonna find a way to get to ya. I gotta wear his (butt) out every day because he’s touching the quarterback, and I want him to stay away from him.”

Added Thibodeaux: “He’s earned everything he’s gotten here, and he’s done a great job.”