photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas head football coach David Beaty talks about his recruits during his National Signing Day press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Kansas football coach David Beaty always is at his most entertaining on signing day. His blend of football lingo and down-home sayings delivered in a Texas twang makes for an entertaining press conference and probably results in a few ticket sales as well.

A sampling of Beaty-isms from Wednesday’s media session:

On defensive end Najee Stevens-McKenzie: “Man, you’re talking about a pass-rushing fool now.”

On cornerback Elmore Hempstead: “He’s from Smackover, Arkansas. How about that name? And he will hit you, which is good.”

The hometown is a cool name, especially for a player who “will hit you.” But how about the player’s name itself?

On guard Jacobi Lott: “Tried not to say too much about him. Tried to hide him, but he’s too big to hide. He’s a big human.”

On running back Pooka Williams: “He was playing in the state semifinal and the quarterback got underneath (center). It was the last play. They were going for two, and the quarterback looked back at Pooka like was a little bit nervous, and Pooka said, ‘Man, what you doing, boy? Just snap that ball and give it to me,’ and he did the rest.”

On linebackers coach Bill Miller: “He’s a beloved Kansan. When I met him down there in Florida he showed me pictures of the Kansas sky with the waving wheat, and I don’t know many guys who carried that picture on their phone, but that’s how much he loves this place. He’s truly excited to be back here.”

Beaty’s most stunning prediction came when discussing Wichita Collegiate High quarterback/defensive back Cody McNerney part of what appears to be an impressive class of walk-ons.

“He can run the football. He can throw the football, and he will flat hit you on defense,” Beaty said. “He’s a guy who can do just about all of it. I can see him being a beast on special teams. He did everything for those guys. He’s a terrific basketball player. This guy’s a great athlete.”

And now Beaty’s bold prediction: “I would not doubt that this guy will wind up in the NFL, because it’s just the type of guy he is. He’s a guy that nobody’s going to think about and then he’s going to be the guy making all the money playing in the NFL. Because that league is full of guys like that, and he does everything right.”

Save that quote.

If McNerney makes an NFL roster, Beaty’s ultimate football destination could become NFL general manager or at the very least director of scouting for an NFL team. Tracking McNerney’s career will make for an interesting exercise. Clearly, Beaty sees something special in him.