Kenny Perry, new cornerbacks coach/co-defensive coordinator for Kansas University, recently shared a story that his former boss, TCU’s Gary Patterson, had told him. Perry likely will remind his cornerbacks of it when they’re feeling overwhelmed.

Jason Verrett, new to the Big 12 from junior college a few years ago, was burned so badly in a conference game that he stayed in his dorm room the next day when it was time for practice. The next year, Verrett was first-team all-conference on his way to getting selected in the first round by the San Diego Chargers.

Even the great ones can feel lost at first. No way of knowing yet whether Kansas has any future greats, but this much we do know: They have green cornerbacks.

Brandon Stewart, a junior-college transfer, and Tyrone Miller, a true freshman, are the likely starters. In reserve, senior Ronnie Davis played very little last season as a juco transfer. Matthew Boateng played some, but hasn’t brought consistent production in practice thus far.

No wonder Perry, in search of help, does more than peek at KU’s defensive ends during practice.

“I find myself pre-practice going up and hugging those guys,” Perry said. “I told them, ‘Hey, listen, my success depends on you.’ It’s true. When you can get those guys rushing the passer, that makes your job so much easier.”

In recent years, Kansas has been well-equipped in the secondary, but a steady pass rush has been lacking. Now, it looks as if the Jayhawks have the athletes to bring heat, but could get exposed at the back end of the defense when the quarterback has time.

Quick edge rushers Damani Mosby and Anthony Olobia red-shirted last season after transferring from jucos. Mosby has been particularly impressive in practice. Returning starters Ben Goodman and T.J. Semke know what they’re doing, and true freshman Dorrance Armstrong was as good a get as Kansas landed in the 2015 recruiting class.

“I think they’re doing some good things,” Perry said of the defensive ends. “Coming out of spring ball, that was the one area as coaches we were pretty excited about.”

Pressure will be needed because even before hitting the Big 12 portion of the schedule, Kansas will face athletes capable of making pass defenses look bad. Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound third-year starter, threw for 22 touchdowns and rushed for 13, leading the Tigers to a 10-victory season with 3,031 passing yards. For Rutgers, Leonte Carroo had 1,086 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.