photo by: Journal-World illustration

University of Kansas football recruiting

While preseason camp and the fast approaching season currently have the full attention of the Kansas football staff, head coach Lance Leipold and his assistants received a brief and pleasant distraction Friday on the recruiting front.

Joey Baker, a Class of 2022 offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High in Texas, announced on Twitter his decision to commit to the Jayhawks.

Not yet graded by Rivals as a prospect, Baker recently visited KU’s campus, two weeks before reaching his decision.

The high school senior, who was recruited by O-line coach Scott Fuchs and recruiting coordinator Chris Simpson, told Jon Kirby of Jayhawk Slant he had a great time during his trip to Lawrence.

“I really enjoyed meeting all the coaches and they are a great staff. I really think that they’re some amazing coaches,” Baker told Jayhawk Slant. “I enjoyed the academics buildings, too, because I’m interested in engineering.”

Baker is the second O-line prospect recruited by Fuchs and Simpson to commit this summer. At the end of June, James Livingston, a two-star tackle from Michigan, became one of the first recruits to join the program’s 2022 class after Leipold took over.

As it stands now, KU football’s upcoming recruiting class has eight prospects on board, all of whom will be high school seniors this fall.

All verbal commitments are nonbinding, and the earliest any of the recruits can sign with KU and make their ties to the program official is in December.

Committed! #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/4bMEgI31u3

— joey baker (@baker_jrbcinco) August 13, 2021

KU football Class of 2022 commitments

(Rivals rankings)

• Dewuan Mack — 3-star Missouri DB

• Jacobe Chester — 3-star Texas athlete

• Nikki Taylor — 3-star Alabama athlete

• Jalon Peoples — 3-star Texas CB

• Anthony Davis — 3-star Texas CB

• Kaleb Purdy — 3-star Missouri S

• James Livingston — 2-star Michigan OT

• Joey Baker — Texas OT