Open KU football practice provides hints of what depth chart could look like

Kansas quarterback Thomas MacVittie looks to take a snap from offensive lineman Api Mane on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the indoor practice facility.

If Kansas football coach Les Miles and his assistants currently have a depth chart they feel good about during the final stage of spring practices, they’re certainly not making it public.

However, during the Jayhawks’ open practice on Thursday — a light, pads-free warmup for Saturday’s spring game — the 11-on-11 session provided a glimpse of what KU’s two-deep just might look like right about now.

The first-string units that were in place for the 13th practice of the spring may not even look exactly the same when the Jayhawks reconvene under the lights for No. 14, when fans will get to watch KU scrimmage at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

Still, this particular practice was the first prolonged opportunity those outside of the program have had this spring to watch the offense and defense go toe-to-toe.

More players will join the roster in the summer, and some undoubtedly will factor into the two-deep at preseason camp. So it’s safe to describe the current state of the various position battles as fluid.

For Thursday at least, here’s who started on each side of the ball when the team period began inside KU’s new indoor practice facility.

OFFENSE

QB – Thomas MacVittie

RB – Dom Williams

WRs – Daylon Charlot, Andrew Parchment, Kwamie Lassiter II

TE – Jack Luavasa

LT – Hakeem Adeniji

LG – Malik Clark

C – Api Mane

RG – Chris Hughes

RT – Clyde McCauley III

DEFENSE

DE – Cody Cole

NT – Jelani Brown

DE – Darrius Moragne

Hawk – Azur Kamara

LB – Drew Harvey

LB – Dru Prox

CB – Hasan Defense

S – Bryce Torneden

S – Mike Lee

S – Davon Ferguson

CB – Corione Harris

After all of those presumed current starters took a fair amount of reps, coaches rotated in other Jayhawks.

Here are the players who showed up most often in reserve roles as KU spent most of its afternoon session pitting the offense against the defense.

OFFENSE

QB – Carter Stanley

RB – Khalil Herbert

WRs – Takulve Williams, Ezra Naylor, Stephon Robinson Jr.

TE – James Sosinski

LT – Earl Bostick Jr.

LG – Jacobi Lott

C – Andru Tovi

RG – Adagio Lopeti

RT – Antione Frazier

DEFENSE

DE – Willie McCaleb

NT – Sam Burt

DE – Jelani Arnold

Hawk – Najee Stevens-McKenzie

LB – Kyron Johnson

LB – Cooper Root

CB – Kyle Mayberry

S – Ricky Thomas

S – Jeremiah McCullough

S – Shaquille Richmond

CB – Elijah Jones and Elmore Hempstead Jr.

Other reserves got their fair share of reps at the practice, as well. These are the other backups who participated during the 11-on-11 work.

OFFENSE

QBs – Miles Kendrick and Torry Locklin

RB – Donovan Franklin

WRs – Kameron McQueen and Evan Fairs

FBs – Sam Schroeder and Mac Copeland

OL – Joey Gilbertson and Kevin Feder

DEFENSE

DL – Jalan Robinson

LB – Robert Topps III

S – DeAnte Ford and Julian Chandler

Again, there were no pads involved, so there wasn’t any real hitting or tackling. But there were some players who stood out as the KU football program opened its practice up to both the student population and members of the media.

A senior safety, Mike Lee, intercepted two passes on the afternoon. Another defensive back from New Orleans, junior safety Ricky Thomas, made another pick.

Although several receivers had a crack or two at some deep shots, it was junior Stephon Robinson Jr. who hauled one in successfully, despite solid coverage.

What was the most impressive catch of the day? Quarterback Thomas MacVittie gave that honor to one of the tight ends.

“I think our tight end, Sosa, had a one-handed, kind of behind him,” MacVittie recalled of a snag by senior James Sosinski that drew oohs and ahhs from his teammates nearby on the sideline.

“That just shows how athletic he is,” MacVittie added of the grab.

KU’s spring game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. It will be available to stream on ESPN+ and broadcast locally and throughout the state on various cable platforms.

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