Most Crucial Jayhawks: No. 7 – CB Kevin Short
Kansas cornerback Kevin Short (7) knocks the ball loose from a receiver during a KU football practice Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Memorial Stadium.
Here’s the latest installment in our series that examines the Jayhawks who stand to have the biggest impact for KU football this fall:
No. 7: Kevin Short, Junior CB
More than a football player’s ability can determine the number and football quality of schools that offer him a scholarship.
Short’s size, speed, loose hips and confident playing style drew the attention such strong football schools as LSU and Arkansas. But since his transcript coming out of Fort Scott Community College made him less than a sure thing to qualify, schools backed off and his final choices came down to New Mexico and Kansas, schools that had to take a chance on such an exceptional talent.
The NCAA ruled him ineligible to compete last season, so Short spent the year as a practice player and impressed mightily with his talent. He faced another stiff academic challenge this summer. The fact head coach Charlie Weis talked openly about him at Big 12 Media Day was interpreted as a sign Short looks to be on track for eligibility. If that’s the case, Kansas could have among the nation’s best tandem of cornernbacks. Having Short and Dexter McDonald shutting down outside receivers can allow defensive coordinator Clint Bowen to get even more creative in finding ways to put heat on the quarterback, always a tough challenge for Kansas. Short picked off eight passes for Fort Scott in 2013 and his build (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) reminds some of former KU All-American cornerback Aqib Talib.
If Short can stay eligibile and healthy, he has the talent to significantly upgrade KU’s defense.