Kansas University football recruiting

Thanksgiving in the Kansas football offices became a little happier when the coaching staff received a verbal commitment from a junior college prospect the coaches hope can help out the Jayhawks’ secondary.

Elmore Hempstead, rated a three-star juco corner by Rivals, told Jon Kirby of Jayhawk Slant he reached out to the KU staff Thursday morning to share his decision.

A 6-foot, 185-pound corner originally from Smackover, Ark., Hempstead played his sophomore season at Fort Scott Community College for head coach Kale Pick, a former KU receiver and quarterback.

Hempstead made two interceptions and broke up five pass for Fort Scott this season.

According to Rivals, Hempstead also received offers from Iowa State, Arizona State, Central Florida and other programs, but went with Kansas after hitting it off with head coach David Beaty and defensive coordinator Clint Bowen when attending KU’s junior college combine this past summer.

“I didn’t care about the record,” Hempstead told Jayhawk Slant, referring to KU’s 1-10 mark this season, with one game left to play. “I want to go in and play and contribute to the team and help them win games. I liked the fan base and the family culture. They kept telling me to come to Kansas and it will be a great place for me. Coach Bowen and Coach Beaty have told me the truth about everything.”

The addition of Hempstead brings the current list of KU commitments for the Class of 2018 to 11. He’s the eighth three-star prospect of the group, which has long been headlined by New Orleans prep teammates Devonta Jason, a five-star receiver, and Corione Harris, a four-star corner.

Landry-Walker High teammates Jason and Harris, as well as three-star running back Anthony Williams, from Boutte, La., and three-star defensive end Cartez Crook-Jones, from Grandview, Mo., have been committed to Kansas since February.