Most crucial Jayhawks 2015: No. 9 – RB Taylor Martin
photo by: Mike Yoder
Kansas freshman running back Taylor Martin runs the ball on a drill in a KU football practice that was part of fan appreciation activities Saturday August 8, 2015.
We’ll stick with offense as we jump into the Top 10 of this year’s summer series, where a true freshman at one of KU’s deepest positions cracks the list.
It’s a little early to know exactly what kind of role he’ll have and player he’ll be, but given the nature of the position he plays and his raw skills, it’s easy to see how Taylor Martin could be very important to this team during his first season in Lawrence.
Here’s a look:
9. Taylor Martin, 5-foot-10, 180-pound Fr. Running Back
Running back, for the past few seasons, has been not only one of the most productive and talented positions on the Kansas football roster but also one of the deepest.
That again appears to be the case this season, with veterans Taylor Cox and De’Andre Mann returning to a backfield that includes juco transfer Ke’aun Kinner and Wichita State transfer Ryan Schadler.
And then there’s true freshman Taylor Martin. The blazing fast back from Dallas’ Dunbar High might not start the season atop the depth chart, but with his solid frame, good vision and track speed, there’s definitely a chance that he could factor into the Jayhawks’ run game before the season is finished.
Martin rushed for 1,500 or more yards during each of his final three seasons at Dunbar. He added 71 touchdowns during that time. Fast like Kinner and tough like Mann and Cox, Martin could win up getting some regular work in the backfield at a position that typically uses three or four backs during a season because of the pounding that running backs take series after series and game after game.
Martin lands on this list simply because of the injury history of Mann and Cox, who both have Big 12 playing experience but also are both coming off of injuries that cost them valuable time during the 2014 season.
If Mann and Cox are able to make it through the season, Martin could very well wind up a red-shirt candidate. But if the need arises for another back to get into the mix, Martin could wind up with a very important role in the Jayhawks’ offense.
Most Crucial Jayhawks 2015: