Say something nice about Kansas football: Ben Johnson gem of vanishing recruiting class of 2013

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas tight end Ben Johnson (84) is brought down after a catch during the first quarter on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

Teammates with younger, less developed football minds, physiques and skills than Kansas tight end Ben Johnson must wait their turns as Johnson plays his way into all-conference consideration.

But those younger teammates have something that makes Johnson envious. They are members of a recruiting class that will grow together and help each other up from stumbles along the way.

Johnson? He is one of four players still on the roster from Charlie Weis’ recruiting class of 2013, joining quarterback Montell Cozart and reserve defensive players Kellen Ash and Colin Spencer.

That class had 16 junior-college recruits. Ten of them either never played a down at Kansas or left with eligibility remaining. Four of the eight high school recruits left the program.

“I’m happy there are more (high school recruits)coming in because when I came here with coach Weis it was way different,” Johnson said. “It was 20, 23-year-olds coming in because it was all jucos. It’s cool to see them come in and bond as a class.”

Second-year Kansas head coach David Beaty referred to Johnson as MVP of fall camp on a couple of occasions and the tight end is living up to the hype. Not all of KU’s offensive formations call for a tight end, but when he’s on the field, Johnson has shown a knack for getting open and catching passes thrown his way.

He had five receptions for 86 yards, both career highs, in Thursday night’s 55-19 loss at Texas Tech.

Johnson (eight receptions, 107 yards, one touchdown) and Oklahoma State’s Blake Jarwin (seven receptions, 82 yards) are the lone Big 12 tight ends on the John Mackey Award watch list.

“I’m just glad to be on the field,” Johnson said. “I’m happy that I’m getting opportunities now and I’m confident in myself that anybody that lines up over me I can beat them and I’m confident my teammates can help me out and get me in a position to win and make plays.”

Among the other four high school recruits from the Class of 2013, only wide receiver Ishmael Hyman plays college football. His first reception of the season for James Madison University, a gain of three yards, came Saturday.

Linebacker Colton Goeas transferred to Hawaii but has not played football there. Reserve offensive lineman Joey Bloomfield retired from football after suffering concussions. Quarterback Jordan Darling was at the bottom of the depth chart, tried practicing at offensive line briefly and then left the program.

Saying that Beaty started from scratch isn’t far from the truth, although the coach is grateful Johnson stayed in the program.