Kansas head coach Turner Gill spoke after Sunday’s Fan Appreciation Day in Lawrence. Coach Gill answered questions about a variety of subjects, including the much talked about position switches that he announced late last week. Gill also addressed the injury to running back Rell Lewis during Saturday’s scrimmage.
Eyebrows were raised throughout Jayhawk Nation when Coach Gill announced that Kansas running back Toben Opurum would be moved to the defensive side of the ball. It’s not often that the leading rusher from the previous season moves positions, but Gill and his staff feel that the move to linebacker will benefit both Opurum and the team.
“Toben (Opurum) is still set at linebacker. At this point and time we are going to keep him at the linebacker spot. We think he can help us in that situation,” said Gill about Opurum. ” He is not prepared to play at this point and time, but we think by game time he will have an opportunity to help us,” he added.
Gill also announced another position change on Sunday. However, instead of a complete change from offense to defense, this player will continue to see both sides of the ball.
“Steve Foster is both a defensive end and fullback. He is our starting fullback but we are also going to give him some reps on the defensive side and see where he fits into that aspect of that.,” said Gill about Foster.
The injury to Lewis is tough news for the Jayhawks, considering the team has already been hit with injuries throughout the offseason. However, the injury could open up more playing time for incoming freshman James Sims and Brandon Bourbon.
“Rell Lewis will be out for the season. He damaged his knee and it is a pretty serious situation there. It is a sad day for us and I feel sad for him as he was a guy in the hunt as far as batting for a starting spot,” said Gill about Lewis. “They are in the mix whether Rell Lewiswas there or not,” said Gill about Sims and Bourbon. ” Those two guys are in the mix with (Angus) Quigley and Sands and obviously Bourbon and Sims. We still have another week where I want to continue to evaluate guys, but all four of those guys have some potential, but we will settle in here as we go along and decide who the top guys are and go from there,” he added.
Another Gill announcement last week to create some buzz throughout Jayhawk Nation was about the starting quarterback. It didn’t appear to be a secret that sophomore Kale Pick was the leader for the starting job after spring practice, which clearly helped in the decision to name Pick the starter heading into the season.
“I think his focus has been great. I can say the same about Jordan (Webb). Both of those guys are doing well. Kale Pick has been a guy who has made some plays for us in every aspect in practice,” said Gill. ” The biggest thing is he is taking care of the football, which is probably the greatest thing he has done. When you can take care of the football you will give yourself a chance to win quite a few football games,” he added.
After a few weeks of practice, Coach Gill and his staff are starting to get a good feeling about the make-up of the team heading into the North Dakota State game.
“I am proud of our football team. They have been practicing real well. Now we are getting into truly game preparation week as far as our first opponent in North Dakota State and we are getting ready for that in the next couple weeks,” said Gill about his team.
As for the fans, the Kansas coaches are hoping to see them rocking Memorial Stadium for each and every home game this fall.
“(The fans) get a chance to meet all of the players face to face and all of our coaching staff. It is great for our fans to come out here and show their dedication towards our football program. We need them every game – home or away – and we are thankful for them to come out here and show their support for the KU football program,” said Gill.
